The invention relates to a method for forming package bodies open at one end from package sleeves open at both ends for the manufacture of filled packages. In order to allow packages with a cross section which is neither square nor rectangular to be formed more simply and reliably, the package sleeves are kept ready for further processing in a stack, folded flat along at least two folded edges running in the longitudinal direction of the package sleeve, the flat-folded package sleeves are transferred in succession from the stack to a forming station, the package sleeves are unfolded in a forming station and the unfolded package sleeves are, in the forming station, pushed onto a mandrel in order to close, in particular seal, a longitudinal end of the package sleeve.

A device for shaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable is shown and described, including: a conveyor system with cells fixed to it to receive the packages, at least one gable folder to fold a fin seam in the gable region of the packages and at least two ear folders to fold ears in the gable region of the packages. In order to enable rapid and reliable shaping of the gable even in packages with slanted gables, it is proposed that both the gable folder and the ear folders be mounted movably relative to the conveyor system and the packages to be transported therewith. A method for shaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable is also shown and described.

Disclosed is a carton with an integrated partition formed from a single blank and that can be erected from a folded and glued configuration in a single step. The unerected carton is configured so it snaps automatically into an erected carton with integrated partition when a user simply applies slight pressure to the corners of the unerected carton. The erected carton with integrated partition can then be easily collapsed into the unerected configuration by simply squeezing opposing sides of the erected partition about the corners. Since the carton with integrated partition is configured to move easily and automatically between the unerected and erected positions, the carton with integrated partition is suitable for repeated use.

A tray sleeving system includes a robotic arm, an end-of-arm tool operably connected to the robotic arm and configured to selectively hold a sleeve blank, a conveyor system having a first sidewall proximate the robotic arm and a second sidewall distal from the robotic arm and separated from the first sidewall by a conveyor, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions for execution by the processor that, when executed, cause the processor to cause the robotic arm to retrieve a sleeve blank with the end-of-arm tool; cause the robotic arm to push the sleeve blank against the second sidewall so as to cause the sleeve blank to transition from a flattened state to an open state; and cause the robotic arm to release the sleeve blank into a loading position on the conveyor.

A machine for forming a carton from a carton blank. The machine includes at least one mover including a picker for picking the carton blank from the hopper and associating the carton blank with the mover. A controlled motion track is provided for moving the at least one mover and picker along a path of travel to a stationary position for engaging the carton blank in the hopper. A further aspect relates to maintaining a suction force on the carton blank during conveyance, including along a linear portion of the track associated with a lugged conveyor for assisting in erecting the blank into a carton. Another aspect relates to a rotatable bucket for receiving and supporting the product, and a controlled motion track for positioning the bucket and associated product for delivery to the carton. Related methods are also described.

A device is depicted and described for the single-sided closure of packaging sleeves for the production of composite packages, in particular carton/plastic-composite packages, by forming by means of a mandrel wheel with a plurality of mandrels arranged distributed uniformly over the circumference and directed radially outwards, which pass successively through several processing stations in the circumferential direction of the mandrel wheel, wherein each mandrel has a head on its free end, on which the folding sections to be closed of the packaging sleeve slid onto the mandrel are folded and sealed in the closed position, and wherein the head of the mandrel is designed to be variable in its outer dimensions. In order to reliably ensure a reliable and in particular a pocket-free sealing of the end area of the packaging sleeve on the mandrel, it is provided that at least two corner segments of the head are variable in their position, that the mandrel in its interior has at least one axially movable tappet for the adjustment of the head geometry and that the corner segments of the head are designed as pivot elements, which can be brought from a sealing position into a retracted position.

Described and illustrated is a device for at least partially unfolding package sleeves, having a magazine comprising a stack formed from package sleeves, wherein the package sleeves of the stack are folded flat around at least two folding edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the package sleeves and wherein a gripper is provided for gripping a side of the package sleeves facing away from the stack and for moving, in particular pulling, the package sleeves along a withdrawal transport path with the folding edges into grooves of at least one receptacle of a moulding station and wherein the grooves are spaced so that the folding edges of the package sleeves are spaced apart further in the magazine than in the grooves. In order to further prevent operational malfunctions and allow a more reliable and largely malfunction-free production of packaging bodies which are open on one side from package sleeves which are open on both sides, it is provided that a drive is assigned to the gripper and/or the grooves for moving the package sleeve section gripped by the gripper first along the withdrawal transport path across a groove plane which connects the grooves, then back against the withdrawal transport path across the groove plane, and then again along the withdrawal transport path across the groove plane.

Described and illustrated is a device for at least partially unfolding package sleeves, having a magazine comprising a stack formed from package sleeves, wherein the package sleeves of the stack are folded flat around at least two folding edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the package sleeves and wherein a gripper is provided for gripping a side of the package sleeves facing away from the stack and for moving, in particular pulling, the package sleeves along a withdrawal transport path with the folding edges into grooves of at least one receptacle of a moulding station and wherein the grooves are spaced so that the folding edges of the package sleeves are spaced apart further in the magazine than in the grooves. In order to further prevent operational malfunctions and allow a more reliable and largely malfunction-free production of packaging bodies which are open on one side from package sleeves which are open on both sides, it is provided that a drive is assigned to the gripper and/or the grooves for moving the package sleeve section gripped by the gripper first along the withdrawal transport path across a groove plane which connects the grooves, then back against the withdrawal transport path across the groove plane, and then again along the withdrawal transport path across the groove plane.

The invention relates to a method for forming package bodies open at one end from package sleeves open at both ends for the manufacture of filled packages. In order to allow packages with a cross section which is neither square nor rectangular to be formed more simply and reliably, the package sleeves are kept ready for further processing in a stack, folded flat along at least two folded edges running in the longitudinal direction of the package sleeve, the flat-folded package sleeves are transferred in succession from the stack to a forming station, the package sleeves are unfolded in a forming station and the unfolded package sleeves are, in the forming station, pushed onto a mandrel in order to close, in particular seal, a longitudinal end of the package sleeve.

By the method, a case having four sidewalls and at least four flaps at the bottom of the case is erected from a blank in a number of steps. The automated case erecting unit for use in erecting case blanks comprises a supporting device (9) and a picking and handling device (2), said picking and handling device being a robot with a robotic arm, wherein said robotic arm comprising a picking member (3) with a first leg and a second leg, which are placed perpendicularly and are locked in relation to each other, each leg comprising gripping means for picking up case blanks.