Packaging Method for Multi-Piece Carton Formation and Apparatus for Carrying Out the Same

Abstract

A method for continuous loading and set-up of cartons, each for holding an array of articles such as bottles (B), each carton comprising a top part ( 40 ) which includes one or more top panels ( 42 ) and one or more side panels ( 48, 50 ), and further comprising a carton base ( 10 ) which carton base includes a main base panel ( 12 ) and one or more wall panels ( 14, 16 ). The method comprises the steps of: a. continuous loading of one or more articles onto the carton base ( 10 ), b. offering up the top part ( 40 ) in alignment with the carton base ( 10 ), c. maintaining secure alignment of the top part ( 40 ) with the carton base ( 10 ), while d. securing together the or each side panel ( 48, 50 ) of the top part to the carton base ( 10 ) so as to complete the carton base and so that the array of articles is substantially encased in the set-up, loaded carton.

1 . A method for loading and set-up of a carton for containing a group of similar articles arranged in rows, the carton being formed from a first part for forming a carton base and a second parts for forming a carton top, the first part comprising a bottom panel and a pair of first opposing walls hinged to the bottom panel, the second part comprising a top panel containing apertures and a pair of second opposing walls hinged to the top panel, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming the first part into a substantially U-shaped structure by folding the first opposing walls with respect to the bottom panel;    (b) side-loading the U-shaped structure with the group of articles;    (c) lowering the second part over the loaded group of articles, an upper portion of each article being received in a rejective one of the apertures of the second part; and    (d) securing the second part to the U-shaped structure thereby completing construction of the carton.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for loading and set-up of a carton for containing a group of similar articles arranged in rows, the carton being formed from a first part for forming a carton base and a second parts for forming a carton top, the first part comprising a bottom panel and a pair of first opposing walls hinged to the bottom panel, the second part comprising a top panel containing apertures and a pair of second opposing walls hinged to the top panel, said apparatus comprising: 
 (a) means for forming the first part into a substantially U-shaped structure by folding the first opposing walls with respect to the bottom panel;    (b) means for side-loading the U-shaped structure with the group of articles;    (c) means for lowering the second part over the loaded group of articles, an upper portion of each article being received in a respective one of the apertures of the second part; and    (d) means for securing the second part to the U-shaped structure thereby completing construction of the carton.    
   
   
       3 . A method for loading and set-up of a carton for holding an array of articles said carton comprising a top part which includes one or more top panels and one or more side panels, and further comprising a carton base including a main base panel and one or more end panels; said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) loading one or more articles onto said carton base,    (b) offering up the top part in alignment with said carton base,    (c) maintaining secure alignment of said top part with said carton base, while    (d) securing together each of said side panels of said top part to said carton base so as to complete construction of the carton and so that the array of articles is substantially encased in the carton.    
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising a preliminary step of unfolding of said carton base from a collapsed, folded condition into a substantially U-shaped structure.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said step of maintaining secure alignment of said top part with said carton base is achieved by engagement of a securement portion attached to one of said top part and said carton base, with a complimentary securement aperture defined in the other one of said top part and said carton base.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said step of securing together said top part and said carton base is achieved by the application of an adhesive material to at least a part of one or both of said top part and said carton base.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said step of securing together said top part and said carton base further comprises the process of applying pressure to said top part and said carton base, after application of adhesive material.  
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said top part includes a series of apertures for receiving said articles.  
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said step of offering up of the top part in alignment with said carton base is achieved by lowering said top part onto said carton base at an angle of approach which is acute to the horizontal.  
   
   
       10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said step of offering up said top part in alignment with said carton base is followed by subsequent application of forming means, the forming means being so constructed and arranged as to engage one or more of said articles, thereby holding the carton and articles in careful alignment preceding the step of securing together said top part and said carton base.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said forming means is constructed from a resilient material, with a series of apertures defined therein, said apertures being complimentary to the shape and configuration of said articles.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for loading and set-up of a carton for holding an array of articles, said carton comprising a top part which includes one or more top panels and one or more side panels, and further comprising a carton base which includes a main base panel and one or more end panels; said apparatus comprising: 
 (a) means for loading one or more articles onto said carton base,    (b) means for offering up the top part in alignment with said carton base,    (c) means for maintenance of secure alignment of said top part with said carton bases    (d) means for securing together each of said side panels of said top part to said base so as to complete construction of the carton and so that the array of articles is substantially encased in the carton.    
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising means for unfolding the carton base from a collapsed, folded condition into a substantially U-shaped structure.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said means for maintenance of secure alignment of said top part with said carton base further comprises means to engage a securement portion provided in one of said top part and said carton base, with a complimentary securement aperture in the other.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said means for securing together said top part and said carton base further comprises means for applying an adhesive material to at least part of one or both of said top part and said carton base.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said means for securing together said top part and said carton base still further comprises means for applying pressure to said top part and said carton base after the application of adhesive material.  
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said means for offering up said top part in alignment with said carton base is adapted to ensure that an angle of approach of said top part towards said carton base is acute to the horizontal.  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein further comprising forming means which is so constructed and arranged as to engage one or more of said articles, thereby holding the carton and articles in careful alignment preceding the step of securing together said top part and said carton base.  
   
   
       27 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said forming means is constructed from a resilient material, with a series of apertures defined therein, said apertures being complimentary to the shape and configuration of said articles.  
   
   
       28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . (canceled)