Method and apparatus for forming containers

Abstract

A system is claimed for forming a container from a tubular blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened tubular configuration. A first and second panels are provided with the second panel being rotatable relative to the first panel. The system may comprise a first engagement device for engaging the first panel and a second engagement device for engaging the second panel, and being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate the second panel from an orientation generally parallel to the first panel to a second orientation at an angle to the first panel. The generally flattened tubular blank may be reconfigured from a generally flattened configuration to an open configuration.

1 . A system for forming a container from a tubular blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened tubular configuration, wherein said plurality of panels comprise a first panel, and a second panel interconnected to said first panel, said second panel being rotatable relative to said first panel, said system comprising:
 a first engagement device for engaging said first panel of said blank;   a second engagement device for engaging said second panel of said blank, said second engagement device being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate said second panel of said bank from a first orientation wherein said first panel is generally parallel to said first panel, to a second orientation wherein second panel is oriented at an angle to said first panel, such that said generally flattened tubular blank may be reconfigured from a generally flattened configuration to an open configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an erector device and wherein said first engagement member, said second engagement member and said panel rotating apparatus comprise part of said erector device. 
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  or  2  wherein said first engagement device comprises a first suction cup device. 
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said second engagement device comprises a second suction cup device. 
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  or  2  wherein said first engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices. 
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said second engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices. 
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein said second angle is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein first engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices having suction cup surfaces generally arranged in a first plane. 
     
     
         9 . A system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said second engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices having suction cup surfaces generally arranged in a second plane. 
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 2  to  9 , further comprising a flap rotating apparatus operable to rotate a flap of said blank relative to said first and second panels after said blank is in said open configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said flap rotating apparatus is located on said erector device. 
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said flap rotating apparatus is a first flap rotating apparatus and comprises part of a folding and sealing apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . A system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said folding and sealing apparatus comprises a second flap rotating apparatus operable to rotate a second flap of said blank relative to said first and second panels and said first flap when said blank is in said open configuration. 
     
     
         14 . A system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said first and second flaps are minor bottom leading and trailing flaps. 
     
     
         15 . A system as claimed in  claim 13  or  14  wherein said folding and sealing apparatus comprises a third flap rotating apparatus and a fourth flap rotating apparatus operable to rotate third and fourth flaps respectively of said blank relative to said first and second panels and said first and second flaps. 
     
     
         16 . A system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said third and fourth folding and sealing apparatuses are operable to operable to rotate third and fourth flaps respectively of said blank relative to said first and second panels and said first and second flaps, after said first and second flaps have been rotated. 
     
     
         17 . A system as claimed in  claim 15  or  16  wherein said third and fourth flaps are major bottom flaps. 
     
     
         18 . A system as claimed in  claim 16  or  17  wherein said third flap rotating apparatus and said fourth flap rotating apparatus are operable to rotate third and fourth flaps respectively of said blank relative to said first and second panels and said first and second flaps, after said first and second flap rotating apparatuses have rotated said first and second flaps. 
     
     
         19 . A system as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising a sealing apparatus operable to seal said first, second, third and fourth flaps in a folded configuration to from a bottom of said container. 
     
     
         20 . A system a claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  19  further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of said panel rotating apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  or  2  wherein said first engagement device comprises at least one suction cup device. 
     
     
         22 . A system as claimed in  claim 23  wherein said second engagement device comprises at least one suction cup device. 
     
     
         23 . A system a claimed in any one of  claims 9  to  22  further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of said panel rotating apparatus and a valve device in communication with said plurality of suction cups of said first and second engagement devices, said controller operable to control said valve device to control the operation of said plurality of suction cups of said first and second engagement devices. 
     
     
         24 . A system as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising a plurality of vacuum generators in communication with each of said plurality of suction cups, and wherein said controller controls said valve device to control the flow of pressurized air from a source of pressurized air to said vacuum generators. 
     
     
         25 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 2  and  9  to  24 , further comprising a movement apparatus for moving said erector device along a path, said movement apparatus operable for moving said erector device from a position where said first rotating apparatus opens said container, to a folding and sealing apparatus where a bottom of said container is closed. 
     
     
         26 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 2  or  9  to  25 , wherein said erector device comprises an erector head having a body interconnected to and supporting said first and second engagement devices. 
     
     
         27 . A system as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said first engagement device comprises a first group of suction devices. 
     
     
         28 . A system as claimed in  claim 26  or  27  wherein said first rotating apparatus is coupled to said body for rotation relative thereto. 
     
     
         29 . A system as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  28  wherein said first orientation of said second panel is generally horizontal and said second orientation is generally vertical. 
     
     
         30 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 2  to  29  further comprising a movement sub-system, said movement sub-system comprising at least one movement apparatus, said at least one movement apparatus comprising:
 a vertical movement device, said vertical movement device being connected to said erector device; 
 a horizontal movement device connected to a frame, said horizontal movement device operable sliding longitudinal movement relative to said frame; 
 said vertical movement device being interconnected to said horizontal movement device and operable for vertical sliding movement relative to said horizontal movement device; 
 a drive apparatus operable to drive said horizontal movement device horizontally and to drive said vertical movement device vertically relative to said horizontal movement device 
 a controller operable to control said drive apparatus; 
 whereby through operation of said drive apparatus, said controller is operable to cause said vertical movement device and said horizontal movement device to move said erector device along a path in space having vertical and longitudinal components. 
 
     
     
         31 . A system as claimed in  claim 30  wherein at least one movement sub-system comprises first and second movement apparatuses arranged in opposed relation to each other, said first movement apparatus for moving a first erector device along a path, and said second movement apparatus for moving a second erector device along said same path, said first erector head being out of phase with said second erector head along said path such that the movement of said first erector head does not interfere with the movement of said second erector head. 
     
     
         32 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 2  to  29  further comprising a movement sub-system, said movement sub-system comprising at least one movement apparatus, said at least one movement apparatus comprising:
 a continuous belt; 
 a generally vertically oriented support member having a first pulley positioned proximate an upper end of said belt support member, said support member adapted for connection to a first erector device; 
 a slidable pulley block, said block being adapted for sliding longitudinal movement on a support member, and said block having a series of spaced pulleys, said vertical support member being interconnected to said pulley block for vertical sliding movement relative to said pulley block; 
 first and second longitudinally spaced belt drives, each of said belt drives being independently operable to rotate at varying speeds and in the same and opposite directions to each other, said belt drives both operable to drive said belt on opposed sides of said vertical support member; 
 a controller to control the speed and direction of rotation of said belt drives; 
 said vertical support member being received adjacent said block and being supported by said belt for vertical sliding movement relative to said block, said belt extending from a fixed location on said vertical support tube upwards to a first pulley on said block, longitudinally to said first belt drive, from said first belt drive over a second pulley of said block, upwards to said first pulley of said vertical member, downwards to a third pulley of said block to said second belt drive; from said second belt drive and longitudinally to over a fourth pulley of said slide block, and then downward to a second fixed location of said vertical member; 
 whereby through operation of said first and second belt drives, said controller can cause said vertically oriented support member and said first erector device connected thereto, to be moved up and down relative to said block and move longitudinally right and left with said block between said first and second belt drives with said block on said block support member such that said erector device follows a path in space having vertical and longitudinal components. 
 
     
     
         33 . A system as claimed in  claim 32  wherein at least one movement apparatus comprises first and second movement apparatuses, said first movement apparatus for moving a first erector device along a path, and said second movement apparatus for moving a second erector device along said same path, but said first erector head being out of phase with said second erector head along said path. 
     
     
         34 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  33  wherein said container is a carton. 
     
     
         35 . A system as claimed in  claim 34  wherein said carton is regular slotted case. 
     
     
         36 . A system for forming a container from a tubular blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened tubular configuration, wherein said plurality of panels comprise a first panel, and a second panel interconnected to said first panel, said second panel being rotatable relative to said first panel, said system comprising:
 (a) a magazine for storing a stack of blanks in a generally flat configuration;   (b) an erector head for retrieving a carton blank from said stack in said magazine and opening said carton blank, said erector head comprising: (i) a first engagement device for engaging said first panel of said blank; and (ii) a second engagement device for engaging said second panel of said blank; said second engagement device being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate said second panel of said blank from a first orientation wherein said first panel is in a generally parallel relation to said second panel, to a second orientation wherein second panel is oriented at an angle to said first panel, such that said generally flattened tubular blank may be reconfigured from a generally flattened configuration to an open configuration;   (c) a folding and sealing apparatus;   (d) a movement system having at least one movement apparatus connected to said erector head for moving said erector head along a cyclical path extending between said magazine and said folding and sealing apparatus.   
     
     
         37 . A system as claimed in  claim 36  wherein said movement apparatus is operable to move said erector head, while said erector head is engaged with said first and second panels of said blank, and said blank is in an open configuration, towards said folding and sealing apparatus, so that a flap of said carton blank can be rotated relative to said first and second panels and said first flap by co-operation of said movement of said erector head relative to a plough member of said folding and sealing apparatus. 
     
     
         38 . A system a claimed in  claim 37  wherein said erector head is operable to be moved by said movement apparatus: from a first position where said erector device is operable to retrieve a blank from said magazine; to a second position where said erector head is operable to open said blank to said open configuration; to a third position, such that during said movement of said erector head from said second position to said third position, a folding apparatus is operable to fold said second to at least partially form a container bottom. 
     
     
         39 . A system a claimed in  claim 38  wherein said erector head is operable to be moved from said third position to a fourth position wherein said erector device is operable to disengage from said container. 
     
     
         40 . A system as claimed in  claim 39  further comprising a controller operable to control the operation of said first engagement device, said second engagement device, said panel rotating apparatus and said movement apparatus. 
     
     
         41 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  40  wherein said at least one movement apparatus comprises;
 a vertical movement device, said vertical movement device adapted for connection to a first erector device; 
 a horizontal movement device connected to a frame, said horizontal movement device operable sliding longitudinal movement relative to said frame; 
 said vertical movement device being interconnected to said horizontal movement device for vertical sliding movement relative to said horizontal movement device; 
 a drive apparatus operable to drive said horizontal movement device horizontally and drive said vertical movement device vertically relative to said horizontal movement device a controller to control said drive apparatus; 
 whereby through operation of said drive apparatus, said controller can cause said vertical movement device and said horizontal movement device to move said erector device along a path in space having vertical and longitudinal components. 
 
     
     
         42 . A system as claimed in  claim 41  wherein at least one movement apparatus comprises first and second movement apparatuses arranged in opposed relation to each other, said first movement apparatus for moving a first erector device along a path, and said second movement apparatus for moving a second erector device along said same path, said first erector head being out of phase with said second erector head along said path. 
     
     
         43 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  40  wherein said at least one movement apparatus comprises:
 a continuous belt; 
 a generally vertically oriented support member having a first pulley positioned proximate an upper end of said belt support member, said support member adapted for connection to a first erector device; 
 a slidable pulley block, said block being adapted for sliding longitudinal movement on a support member, and said block having a series of spaced pulleys, said vertical support member being interconnected to said pulley block for vertical sliding movement relative to said pulley block; 
 first and second longitudinally spaced belt drives, each of said belt drives being independently operable to rotate at varying speeds and in the same and opposite directions to each other, said belt drives both operable to drive said belt on opposed sides of said vertical support member; 
 a controller to control the speed and direction of rotation of said belt drives; 
 said vertical support member being received adjacent said block and being supported by said belt for vertical sliding movement relative to said block, said belt extending from a fixed location on said vertical support tube upwards to a first pulley on said block, longitudinally to said first belt drive, from said first belt drive over a second pulley of said block, upwards to said first pulley of said vertical member, downwards to a third pulley of said block to said second belt drive; from said second belt drive and longitudinally to over a fourth pulley of said slide block, and then downward to a second fixed location of said vertical member; 
 whereby through operation of said first and second belt drives, said controller can cause said vertically oriented support member and said first erector device connected thereto, to be moved up and down relative to said block and move longitudinally right and left with said block between said first and second belt drives with said block on said block support member such that said erector device follows a path in space having vertical and longitudinal components. 
 
     
     
         44 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  43  wherein said first engagement member, said second engagement member and said panel rotating apparatus comprise part of said erector head. 
     
     
         45 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  44 , wherein said first engagement device comprises a first suction cup device. 
     
     
         46 . A system as claimed in  claim 45  wherein said second engagement device comprises a second suction cup device. 
     
     
         47 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  44  wherein said first engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices. 
     
     
         48 . A system as claimed in  claim 47  wherein said second engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices. 
     
     
         49 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  48  wherein said second angle is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         50 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  49  wherein first engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices having suction cup surfaces generally arranged in a first plane. 
     
     
         51 . A system as claimed in  claim 50  wherein said second engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices having suction cup surfaces generally arranged in a second plane. 
     
     
         52 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  51 , further comprising a flap rotating apparatus operable to rotate a flap of said blank relative to said first and second panels after said blank is in said open configuration. 
     
     
         53 . A system as claimed in  claim 52  wherein said flap rotating apparatus is located on said erector head. 
     
     
         54 . A system as claimed in  claim 53  wherein said flap rotating apparatus is a first flap rotating apparatus and comprises part of a folding and sealing apparatus. 
     
     
         55 . A system as claimed in  claim 54  wherein said folding and sealing apparatus comprises a second flap rotating apparatus operable to rotate a second flap of said blank relative to said first and second panels and said first flap when said blank is in said open configuration. 
     
     
         56 . A system as claimed in  claim 55  wherein said first and second flaps are minor bottom leading and trailing flaps. 
     
     
         57 . A system as claimed in  claim 54  or  55  wherein said folding and sealing apparatus comprises a third flap rotating apparatus and a fourth flap rotating apparatus operable to rotate third and fourth flaps respectively of said blank relative to said first and second panels and said first and second flaps. 
     
     
         58 . A system as claimed in  claim 57  wherein said third and fourth folding and sealing apparatuses are operable to operable to rotate third and fourth flaps respectively of said blank relative to said first and second panels and said first and second flaps, after said first and second flaps have been rotated. 
     
     
         59 . A system as claimed in  claim 57  or  58  wherein said third and fourth flaps are major bottom flaps. 
     
     
         60 . A system as claimed in  claim 59  wherein said third flap rotating apparatus and said fourth flap rotating apparatus are operable to rotate third and fourth flaps respectively of said blank relative to said first and second panels and said first and second flaps, after said first and second flap rotating apparatuses have rotated said first and second flaps. 
     
     
         61 . A system as claimed in  claim 60  further comprising a sealing apparatus operable to seal said first, second, third and fourth flaps in a folded configuration to from a bottom of said container. 
     
     
         62 . A system a claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  61  further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of said panel rotating apparatus. 
     
     
         63 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  62  wherein said first engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices. 
     
     
         64 . A system as claimed in  claim 63  wherein said second engagement device comprises a plurality of suction cup devices. 
     
     
         65 . A system a claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  64  further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of said panel rotating apparatus and a valve device in communication with said plurality of suction cup devices of said first and second engagement devices, said controller operable to control said valve device to control the operation of said plurality of suction cup devices of said first and second engagement devices. 
     
     
         66 . A system as claimed in  claim 65  further comprising a plurality of vacuum generators in communication with each of said plurality of suction cups, and wherein said controller controls said valve device to control the flow of pressurized air from a source of pressurized air to said vacuum generators. 
     
     
         67 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 2 , and  claims 9  to  24 , further comprising a movement apparatus for moving said erector device along a path, said movement apparatus operable for moving said erector device from a position where said first rotating apparatus opens said blank, to a folding and sealing apparatus where a bottom of said open blank is closed. 
     
     
         68 . A system as claimed in claim in any one of  claims 36  to  67  wherein said first engagement device comprises a first group of suction cup devices. 
     
     
         69 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  68  wherein said first rotating apparatus is coupled to a body of said erector head for rotation relative thereto. 
     
     
         70 . A system as claimed in any of  claims 36  to  69  wherein said first orientation of said second panel is generally horizontal and said second orientation is generally vertical. 
     
     
         71 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  70  wherein said magazine comprises:
 a conveyor for moving a stack of blanks longitudinally; 
 a lateral stack alignment apparatus operable to align the blanks in the stack of laterally; 
 a longitudinal stack alignment apparatus operable to align the blanks in the stack longitudinally. 
 
     
     
         72 . A system as claimed in  claim 71  wherein said longitudinal alignment apparatus comprises first and second, spaced apart, generally parallel, longitudinally oriented side members, the spacing between said first and second side members being adjustable relative to each other, such that a stack of blanks positioned between said first and second side members may have their side edges longitudinally and vertically aligned. 
     
     
         73 . A system as claimed in  claim 72  wherein said first and second side members are side wall members, said first side wall member being operable to move towards and away from the right side edges of said blanks in said stack. 
     
     
         74 . A system as claimed in  claim 73  wherein said lateral stack alignment apparatus comprises (i) an tamper actuator secured to a first side wall member (ii) a vertical bar member connected to said actuator and operable to extend to engage rear edges of said blanks in said stack and operable to retract (iii) a front wall member; whereby said stack of blanks positioned between said first and second side members and said vertical bar member and aid front wall member may have their front and rear edges laterally and vertically aligned. 
     
     
         75 . A system as claimed in  claim 74  further comprising a controller operable to control the operation of said first side wall and said tamper actuator. 
     
     
         76 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 36  to  75  wherein said container is a carton. 
     
     
         77 . A system as claimed in  claim 76  wherein said carton is regular slotted case. 
     
     
         78 . A movement apparatus for handing a blank of a container, said movement apparatus comprising:
 a vertical movement device, said vertical movement device adapted for connection to a first erector device;   a horizontal movement device connected to a frame, said horizontal movement device operable sliding longitudinal movement relative to said frame;   said vertical movement device being interconnected to said horizontal movement device for vertical sliding movement relative to said horizontal movement device;   a drive apparatus operable to drive said horizontal movement device horizontally and drive said vertical movement device vertically relative to said horizontal movement device;   a controller to control said drive apparatus;   whereby through operation of said drive apparatus, said controller can cause said vertical movement device and said horizontal movement device to move said erector device along a path in space having vertical and longitudinal components.   
     
     
         79 . A system as claimed in  claim 78  wherein at least one movement apparatus comprises first and second movement apparatuses arranged in opposed relation to each other, said first movement apparatus for moving a first erector device along a path, and said second movement apparatus for moving a second erector device along said same path, said first erector head being out of phase with said second erector head along said path. 
     
     
         80 . A movement apparatus for handling a blank of a container, said movement apparatus comprising:
 a continuous belt;   a generally vertically oriented support member having a first pulley positioned proximate an upper end of said belt support member, said support member adapted for connection to a first erector device;   a slidable pulley block, said block being adapted for sliding longitudinal movement on a support member, and said block having a series of spaced pulleys, said vertical support member being interconnected to said pulley block for vertical sliding movement relative to said pulley block;   first and second longitudinally spaced belt drives, each of said belt drives being independently operable to rotate at varying speeds and in the same and opposite directions to each other, said belt drives both operable to drive said belt on opposed sides of said vertical support member;   a controller to control the speed and direction of rotation of said belt drives;   said vertical support member being received adjacent said block and being supported by said belt for vertical sliding movement relative to said block, said belt extending from a fixed location on said vertical support tube upwards to a first pulley on said block, longitudinally to said first belt drive, from said first belt drive over a second pulley of said block, upwards to said first pulley of said vertical member, downwards to a third pulley of said block to said second belt drive; from said second belt drive and longitudinally to over a fourth pulley of said slide block, and then downward to a second fixed location of said vertical member;   whereby through operation of said first and second belt drives, said controller can cause said vertically oriented support member and said first erector device connected thereto, to be moved up and down relative to said block and move longitudinally right and left with said block between said first and second belt drives with said block on said block support member such that said erector device follows a path in space having vertical and longitudinal components.   
     
     
         81 . A magazine for holding a stack of blanks, said magazine comprising:
 a conveyor for moving a stack of blanks longitudinally;   a lateral stack alignment apparatus operable to align the blanks in the stack of laterally;   a longitudinal stack alignment apparatus operable to align the blanks in the stack longitudinally.   
     
     
         82 . A system as claimed in  claim 81  further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of said longitudinal stack alignment apparatus and said lateral stack alignment apparatus. 
     
     
         83 . A system as claimed in  claim 82  further comprising an information reader operable to read information about a blank located in said magazine, said information reader being in communication with said controller, said controller controlling the operation of said longitudinal stack alignment apparatus and said lateral stack alignment apparatus based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         84 . A system for forming a container from a blank comprising:
 (a) a magazine for storing a stack of blanks in a generally flat configuration;   (b) an erector head for retrieving a carton blank from said stack in said magazine;   (c) a folding and sealing apparatus;   (d) a movement sub-system having at least one movement apparatus connected to said erector head for moving said erector head along a cyclical path extending between said magazine and said folding and sealing apparatus;   (e) a controller operable to control the operation of said erector head;   (f) an information reader operable to read information about a blank located in said magazine, said information reader being in communication with said controller, said controller controlling the operation of movement apparatus based on information provided by said information reader.   
     
     
         85 . A system as claimed in  claim 84  wherein said controller is operable to also control the operation of said magazine, and wherein said controller controls the operation of said magazine based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         86 . A system as claimed in  claim 84  or  85  wherein said controller is operable to also control the operation of said erector head, and wherein said controller controls the operation of said erector head based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         87 . A system as claimed in  claim 84  wherein said magazine holds a plurality of different blanks wherein said information reader is operable to read information about each of said plurality of blanks in said magazine and wherein said controller is operable to control the operation of movement apparatus for each of said plurality of blanks based on information provided by said information reader about each of said plurality of blanks. 
     
     
         88 . A system as claimed in  claim 87  wherein said controller is operable to also control the operation of said magazine, and wherein said controller controls the operation of said magazine for each of said plurality of blanks based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         89 . A system as claimed in  claim 87  or  88  wherein said controller is operable to also control the operation of said erector head, and wherein said controller controls the operation of said erector head for each of said plurality of blanks based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         90 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 84  to  89 , wherein said erector head comprises (i) a first engagement device for engaging said first panel of said blank; and (ii) a second engagement device for engaging said second panel of said blank; said second engagement device being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate said second panel of said blank from a first orientation wherein said first panel is in a generally parallel relation to said second panel, to a second orientation wherein second panel is oriented at an angle to said first panel, such that said generally flattened tubular blank may be reconfigured from a generally flattened configuration to an open configuration; 
     
     
         91 . A method of forming a container from a blank comprising:
 (a) reading information about a blank held in a magazine;   (b) providing the information to a controller;   (c) said controller controlling the operation of a system for processing said blank based on said information.   
     
     
         92 . A method as claimed in  claim 91  wherein said system comprises:
 (a) an erector head for retrieving a carton blank from said stack in said magazine; 
 (b) a folding and sealing apparatus; 
 (c) a movement sub-system having at least one movement apparatus connected to said erector head for moving said erector head along a cyclical path extending between said magazine and said folding and sealing apparatus; 
 (d) a controller operable to control the operation of said erector head; 
 (e) an information reader operable to read information about a blank located in said magazine, said information reader being in communication with said controller, said controller controlling the operation of movement apparatus based on information provided by said information reader. 
 
     
     
         93 . A method as claimed in  claim 91  or  92  wherein said method comprises:
 a. reading information about a plurality of blanks held in a magazine; 
 b. providing the information about the plurality of blanks to a controller; 
 c. said controller controlling the operation of a system for processing said plurality of blanks based on said information. 
 
     
     
         94 . A method for forming a container from a tubular blank, said blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened tubular configuration, where said plurality of panels comprise a first panel and a second panel interconnected to said first panel, said second panel being rotatable relative to said first panel, said method comprising:
 (a) orienting said blank in a generally flat orientation with said first and second panels being generally parallel to each other;   (b) engaging said first panel;   (c) engaging said second panel and rotating a second panel of said blank from said first orientation to a second orientation that is generally orthogonal to said first panel to open said tubular blank.   
     
     
         95 . A method as claimed in  claim 94  further comprising after (b), (c) rotating a flap of said carton blank relative to said first and second portions to a third orientation. 
     
     
         96 . A method as claimed in  claim 95  wherein said rotating a flap of said carton blank comprises moving said carton blank longitudinally while said first panel remains generally orthogonal to said second panel, said flap being rotated relative to said first and second panels by co-operation of said movement and engagement with a folding apparatus. 
     
     
         97 . A method for forming a container from a tubular blank, said blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened tubular configuration, where said plurality of panels comprise a first panel and a second panel interconnected to said first panel, said second panel being rotatable relative to said first panel, said method comprising:
 (a) retrieving a blank from a magazine storing a plurality of carton blanks in a generally flat tubular configuration;   (b) transferring said retrieved blank from said magazine to an opening apparatus, said opening apparatus comprising:
 (i) a first engagement device for engaging said first panel of said blank; 
 (ii) a second engagement device for engaging said second panel of said blank; 
   said second engagement device being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate said second panel of said second panel from a first orientation wherein said first panel is in an opposed face to face relation with said first panel, to a second orientation wherein second panel is oriented at an angle to said first panel, such that said generally flattened tubular blank may be reconfigured to an open position;   (c) engaging said first panel with said first engagement device;   (d) engaging said second panel with said second engagement device;   (e) rotating said second panel with said rotating device from a first orientation wherein said second panel is in an opposed face to face relation with said first panel, to a second orientation wherein second panel is oriented at an angle to said first panel, such that said generally flattened tubular blank is reconfigured to an open configuration.   
     
     
         98 . A system for forming a container from a blank comprising a plurality of panels and flaps interconnected to provide a generally flattened configuration, said system comprising:
 a. a magazine for storing a stack of blanks in a generally flat configuration;   b. an erector device for retrieving a carton blank from said stack in said magazine a folding and sealing apparatus;   c. a movement system having at least one movement apparatus connected to said erector head for moving said erector device along a cyclical path extending between said magazine and said folding and sealing apparatus;   d. a controller for controlling the movement system to control the movement of said erector device along said path.   
     
     
         99 . A system a claimed in  claim 98  wherein said erector device is operable to be moved by said movement apparatus: from a first position where said erector device is operable to retrieve a blank from said magazine; to a second position where said erector device such that during said movement of said erector device from said first position to said second position, said folding apparatus is operable to fold said blank to at least partially form a container. 
     
     
         100 . A system a claimed in  claim 99  wherein said erector device is operable to be moved from said second position to a third position wherein said erector device is operable to disengage from said container. 
     
     
         101 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 98  to  100  further comprising a controller operable to control the operation of said magazine and said movement apparatus. 
     
     
         102 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 98  to  101  wherein said at least one movement apparatus comprises;
 a vertical movement device, said vertical movement device adapted for connection to a first erector device; 
 a horizontal movement device connected to a frame, said horizontal movement device operable sliding longitudinal movement relative to said frame; 
 said vertical movement device being interconnected to said horizontal movement device for vertical sliding movement relative to said horizontal movement device; 
 a drive apparatus operable to drive said horizontal movement device horizontally and drive said vertical movement device vertically relative to said horizontal movement device 
 a controller to control said drive apparatus; 
 whereby through operation of said drive apparatus, said controller can cause said vertical movement device and said horizontal movement device to move said erector device along a path in space having vertical and longitudinal components. 
 
     
     
         103 . A system as claimed in  claim 102  wherein at least one movement apparatus comprises first and second movement apparatuses arranged in opposed relation to each other, said first movement apparatus for moving a first erector device along a path, and said second movement apparatus for moving a second erector device along said same path, said first erector head being out of phase with said second erector head along said path, and wherein said controller controls the movement of said first and second movement apparatuses. 
     
     
         104 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 98  to  103  further comprising:
 a controller operable to control the operation of said erector device; and 
 an information reader operable to read information about a blank located in said magazine, said information reader being in communication with said controller, said controller controlling the operation of movement apparatus based on information provided by said information reader. 
 
     
     
         105 . A system as claimed in  claim 104  wherein said controller is operable to also control the operation of said magazine, and wherein said controller controls the operation of said magazine based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         106 . A system as claimed in  claim 104  or  105  wherein said controller is operable to also control the operation of said erector device and wherein said controller controls the operation of said erector device based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         107 . A system as claimed in  claim 104 ,  105  or  106  wherein said magazine holds a plurality of different blanks wherein said information reader is operable to read information about each of said plurality of blanks in said magazine and wherein said controller is operable to control the operation of movement apparatus for each of said plurality of blanks based on information provided by said information reader about each of said plurality of blanks. 
     
     
         108 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 104  to  107  and wherein said controller is operable to also control the operation of said magazine, and wherein said controller controls the operation of said magazine for each of said plurality of blanks based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         109 . A system as claimed in  claim 107  or  108  wherein said controller is operable to also control the operation of said erector device, and wherein said controller controls the operation of said erector device for each of said plurality of blanks based on information provided by said information reader. 
     
     
         110 . A system as claimed in any one of  claims 98  to  109 , wherein said erector device comprises (i) a first engagement device for engaging a first panel of said blank; and (ii) a second engagement device for engaging a second panel of said blank; said second engagement device being located on a panel rotating apparatus operable to rotate said second panel of said blank from a first orientation wherein said first panel is in a generally parallel relation to said second panel, to a second orientation wherein second panel is oriented at an angle to said first panel, such that said generally flattened blank may be reconfigured from a generally flattened configuration to an open configuration.