A selection and setting apparatus in box or carton blank erecting machines which enables changing of the blank format in the machine. The apparatus includes format selectors coacting with at least two setting wheels. The setting wheels each include at least two pins which are of different lengths enabling settings for different formats. The free ends of these pins contact coacting stops arranged on the erecting tool or carton blank magazine in the machine which are movably settable to the blank size in question.

In a packaging machine that includes an elongated mandrel for the formation of a blank into a carton, wherein the mandrel includes a secured end and a distal end, a method and apparatus are provided for correctly positioning the blank relative to the distal end of the mandrel. The carton stop comprises a selectively rotatable tool that includes an engagement segment and is operable from a remote location, an elongated threaded rod that includes a secured end rotatably secured to the packaging machine and a distal end, and an abutment member threadably mounted upon the rod for longitudinal movement along the threaded rod in response to rotation of said threaded rod. The threaded rod defines an engagement segment adapted to engage the engagement segment of the rotating tool.

A carton squaring mechanism in a carrier for effectuating and maintaining a four-sided side-seamed open-topped carton in a squared configuration. The carrier includes a plurality of compartments, wherein adjacent compartments are separated by a pair of spaced-apart, laterally oriented, parallel fixed guides, a first off-center guide secured to one side of the carrier so as to be positioned closely adjacent to one of one pair of parallel guides and perpendicular to the planes of the latter. Each of the fixed guides has downwardly converging lower edges formed thereon for piloting the carton into the compartment. Each carton is first squared by engagement with oppositely disposed side rails, and then maintained square by the above referenced guides.

A method for forming a work object including the steps of moving the work object, initially disposed in a first configuration, along a path of travel to a forming position; defining an outer boundary for the work object, disposed in a second configuration, substantially about said forming position; and expanding the work object, during moving of the work object along the path of travel, to dispose the work object in the second configuration in the forming position. An apparatus for forming a work object including a mechanism for delivering the work object, disposed in a first configuration, to a deliver position; a forming assembly adjacent to the delivery position defining a forming chamber dimensioned to receive the work object therewithin disposed in a second configuration; and a manipulating assembly operable to engage the work object in the delivery position and to transport the work object into the forming chamber to manipulate the work object from the first configuration to the second configuration.

A machine for forming a variety of different sturdy, stackable three-part fiberboard containers having a depth dimension greater than their width dimension, and which are suitable for holding bags filled with liquid. The machine includes a slidable, removable mandrel which cycles between a fiberboard hopper area and a container forming compression area. Each of two side bins provides a fiberboard end panel which comes into contact with independently slidable edge picks on the mandrel. Just before the mandrel cycles forward, the edge picks push the fiberboard end panels forward where they are bent by the action of two folding elements. Meanwhile, a fiberboard body matt is brought into position in front of the retracted mandrel from an overhead feed unit. Adhesive material is sprayed onto selected parts of the body matt as it is placed into position in front of the mandrel. As the mandrel cycles forward, the body matt is bent over into a C-shape and the now-folded end panels are pushed into close association with the middle of the body matt. A set of guides and plows bends the body matt flaps over the end panels forming sturdy corners. The compression plates loosely surround the bent fiberboard pieces in order to avoid early adhesion until the mandrel is fully extended forward bringing the fiberboard pieces into proper position. Once positioned, the compression plates collapse around the fiberboard pieces forming a finished container. The finished container is then displaced as the machine cycles back to form another container.