Method and apparatus for forming containers

A method for forming a container from a re-configurable blank having a first generally flat configuration having a first side surface and a second side surface on an opposite side of said blank to said first side surface, into a second generally tubular configuration, said method comprising:

• (a) rotating a first portion of said blank around a first portion of an outward facing surface of a mandrel to bring the first side surface of the blank into contact with the first portion of the outward facing surface of said mandrel while the mandrel remains stationary;
• (b) rotating a second portion of said blank from said first generally flat configuration in an opposite rotational direction to the rotation of the first portion of the blank, around a second portion of the outward facing surface of said mandrel to bring the first side surface of the blank into contact with the second portion of the outward facing surface of said mandrel while the mandrel remains stationary;
• (c) fixedly connecting said first and second portions of said blank together to form said second generally tubular configuration around said mandrel while the mandrel remains stationary, said second generally tubular configuration having opposed first and second open ends;
• wherein said rotating of said first portion of said blank and said second portion of said blank forms said second generally tubular configuration;
• and wherein, during at least part of said rotating of said first portion of said blank, said blank is engaged by a first rotating apparatus on the first side surface of said blank which forms part of an inward facing surface of said blank when said blank is in said second generally tubular configuration, to pull the first portion of said blank around the mandrel;
• and wherein, during at least part of said rotating of said second portion of said blank, said blank is engaged by a second rotating apparatus on the first side surface of said blank which also forms part of said inward facing surface of said blank when said blank is in said second generally tubular configuration, to pull the second portion of said blank around said mandrel;
• wherein:
• said first rotating apparatus comprises a first vacuum device comprising at least one vacuum cup and said second rotating apparatus comprises a second vacuum device comprising at least one vacuum cup;
• said mandrel has a wall with a first recess and a second recess, said first recess being configured to receive said at least one vacuum cup of said first vacuum device therein;
• and wherein when said first rotating apparatus rotates said first portion of said blank from said first generally flat configuration, said at least one vacuum cup of said first vacuum device is received in said first recess, and wherein said second recess is configured to receive said at least one vacuum cup of said second vacuum device therein;
• and wherein when said second rotating apparatus rotates said second portion of said blank from said first generally flat configuration, said at least one vacuum cup of said second vacuum device is received in said second recess.

A method for forming a container from a re-configurable blank having a first generally flat configuration into a second tubular configuration, said method comprising:

• (a) moving a mandrel apparatus between a bottom forming station and a tubular blank forming station, said mandrel apparatus being interconnected thereto for synchronized reciprocating linear movement with the mandrel apparatus, an adhesive application apparatus;
• (b) during the synchronized reciprocating linear movement of both the mandrel apparatus and the adhesive application apparatus between the bottom forming station and the tubular blank forming station, applying an adhesive to an outward facing surface of a blank while the mandrel apparatus and adhesive application apparatus are moving together and said blank is in said first generally flat configuration;
• (c) engaging said blank on an inward facing surface in the first position;
• (d) rotating said blank from said first configuration, around an outward facing surface of a mandrel into said second tubular configuration;
• (e) fixedly connecting said blank with said adhesive into said second tubular configuration around said mandrel.

A method for forming a container from a generally flat foldable blank using a mandrel comprising an outward facing surface, said outward facing surface of said mandrel configured for forming a tubular shaped blank around said outward facing surface of said mandrel, wherein the blank comprises a first side surface and a second side surface on an opposite side of said blank to said first side surface, and wherein said blank further comprises first and second blank portions, said method comprising:

• (a) releasably holding said generally flat foldable blank proximate the mandrel;
• (b) engaging the first blank portion on the first side surface of the blank with a first rotating apparatus and rotating the first blank portion around a first portion of the outward facing surface of the mandrel to pull the first blank portion around said mandrel to bring the first side surface of the blank into contact with the first portion of the outward facing surface of said mandrel while the mandrel remains stationary;
• (c) engaging the second blank portion on the first side surface of the blank with a second rotating apparatus and rotating the second blank portion around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the mandrel to pull the second blank portion around the mandrel to bring the first side surface of the blank into contact with a second portion of said outward facing surface of said mandrel while the mandrel remains stationary;
• (d) positioning and fixedly connecting together the first blank portion and the second blank portion to form the tubular shaped blank around the outward facing surface of said mandrel, wherein an inward facing tubular surface of the tubular shaped blank is formed from the first side surface of the blank while the mandrel remains stationary, the tubular shaped blank having opposed first and second open ends;
• (e) releasing the blank from being held;
• wherein:
• said first rotating apparatus comprises a first vacuum device comprising at least one vacuum cup and said second rotating apparatus comprises a second vacuum device comprising at least one vacuum cup;
• said mandrel has a wall with a first recess and a second recess, said first recess being configured to receive said at least one vacuum cup of said first vacuum device therein;
• and wherein when said first rotating apparatus rotates said first portion of said blank from said first generally flat configuration, said at least one vacuum cup of said first vacuum device is received in said first recess, and wherein said second recess is configured to receive said at least one vacuum cup of said second vacuum device therein;
• and wherein when said second rotating apparatus rotates said second portion of said blank from said first generally flat configuration, said at least one vacuum cup of said second vacuum device is received in said second recess.