Systems and methods for packaging articles within a carton
AssigneeWestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
InventorsJean-Christophe Bonnain, Emmanuel Davaillon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A packaging system includes a conveyor configured to convey a group of articles and a blank along a packaging path. The packaging system includes a folding machine configured to fold a first end panel of the blank relative to a main panel of the blank and to fold a second end panel of the blank relative to the main panel, after the first end panel is folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path. The packaging system includes an alignment machine configured to position a first side panel and a second side panel of the blank at a predetermined angle relative to the main panel as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path.
Claims21
A system for forming a carton about articles, the system comprising:
- a conveyor configured to convey a group of articles, and a blank applied to an upper end of the articles, along a packaging path;
- a folding machine configured to:
- fold a first end panel of the blank relative to a main panel of the blank as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- fold a second end panel of the blank relative to the main panel of the blank, after the first end panel is folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- fold a first end flap of the blank relative to the first end panel, after the first end panel is folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- fold a second end flap of the blank relative to the second end panel, after the second end panel is folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- fold a first side panel of the blank relative to the main panel, after the first end flap and the second end flap are folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- fold a second side panel of the blank relative to the main panel, after the first end flap and the second end flap are folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- fold a first cover panel of the blank relative to the first side panel, after the first side panel is folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- and
- fold a second cover panel of the blank relative to the second side panel, after the second side panel is folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- and
- an alignment machine configured to position the first side panel and the second side panel at a predetermined angle relative to the main panel while the first cover panel and the second cover panel are folded.
A packaging system comprising:
- a conveyor configured to convey a group of articles and a blank, applied to an upper end of the articles, along a packaging path;
- and
- a folding machine configured to:
- fold a first end panel of the blank relative to a main panel of the blank as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path;
- and
- fold a second end panel of the blank relative to the main panel of the blank, after the first end panel is folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path.
A packaging system comprising:
- a conveyor configured to convey a group of articles and a blank, folded about the articles, along a packaging path, wherein the blank comprises openings to receive the group of articles;
- and
- an alignment machine positioned and configured to position a first side panel and a second side panel of the blank at a predetermined angle relative to a main panel of the blank without obstructing the openings in the blank as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.