This invention relates to an automatic machine for closing the lower flaps of a parallelepiped box with foldable flaps and for then retaining the box in a position suitable for its filling with the product to be packaged. The machine according to the invention comprises a T section, a pair of parallel bars disposed in front of said section and a pair of lateral plates, all of which can be rotated sequentially from respective rest positions to respective work position in order to close sequentially the end lower flaps and the lateral lower flaps of a parallelepiped box.

A method and a machine for loading articles into cases utilize indexed rotary movement of a carousel device having a series of angularly spaced platforms, with a case holding device directly above each platform. Articles are pushed onto one of the platforms at an infeed station, in the configuration they will take when packed, with an open-bottomed case held directly above. Then the platform and empty case are rotated to an offloading station, and the platform is raised up into the bottom of the case by camming action, in response to the rotation. At the offloading station, flap folders push the minor bottom flaps of the carton up into closed position, and the case is pushed off the platform onto a conveyor, which also effects closure of the leading major flap up against the minor flaps. There may be three stations, the cases being drawn from flattened, stored configuration and gripped by the case holding device at a station following the offloading station.

A shipping carton erecting and holding device comprising: a support structure for supporting a carton in an upright position during loading; and a discharge means for discharging a filled carton from the device which includes a U-shaped engaging member to engage one end of, and to extend at least partially around the sides of, a carton, and a pair of horizontal spaced-apart rails, positioned entirely between the side walls of the device and entirely forward of the rear wall; a drive means communicating with the U-shaped member to move it between a first position on the rails in which the member is positioned to engage one end of a said carton supported on said support structure, and a second position spaced generally horizontally from said first position whereby movement of said member from said first position to said second position will move a said carton off of said support structure and discharge it, the drive means being mounted along one side wall, entirely forward of the rear wall of the device. A method of using a shipping carton and holding device with automatic sequencing features is also disclosed.

Tray packs (12) are packs made of cardboard or the like which are open at the top and have side walls, namely longitudinal walls (13, 14) and transverse walls (15, 16), of a low height. In order to improve the dimensional stability of the tray pack (12), upright corner supports 925, 26) which are angled in cross section are provided in the region of corners, the height of said corner supports corresponding approximately to the height of the individual packs or articles. A base wall (17) comprises base tabs, namely transverse tabs (18, 19) and longitudinal tabs (20, 21), which correspond, in shape and size, to recesses (29, 30) which are formed above the side walls (13 . . . 16) in conjunction with the corner supports (25, 26). This means that blanks for the tray pack (12) can be produced in a largely waste-free manner from a continuous material web.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging goods in a box. The apparatus comprises a box erecting apparatus for erecting the box to receive at least one good. The apparatus further comprises an elevator lift apparatus operatively positioned below the box erecting apparatus, such that the elevator lift apparatus is positioned to lift at least one good into the erected box.