Methods and machine for forming a container from a blank and applying an identification tag

A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material, the blank including a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container, said machine comprising:

• a frame;
• an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame, the identification tag applicator being configured to apply an identification tag to the first surface of the blank, wherein the blank includes a glue panel at one end of the blank, an overlap panel at an opposite end of the blank, and a series of side panels and corner panels in an alternating arrangement between the glue panel and the overlap panel, each side panel being connected to an adjacent corner panel by a fold line, wherein the identification tag application is configured to adhere the identification tag to the first surface of the blank defining one of the corner panels of the blank;
• a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator, the mandrel assembly comprising a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container;
• and
• a lift assembly configured to lift the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel and wrap the blank about the mandrel.