METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING ARTICLES TO A CARRIER

Abstract

A method for at least partially forming assemblies. The method comprises moving a rough part and a plurality of articles in a downstream direction through an engagement station. The rough part may comprise at least a first joining panel, a second joining panel, and a keel portion extending from the first joining panel to the second joining panel. The method may further comprise forming an engagement assembly by engaging the first joining panel and the second joining panel of the rough part to the respective articles of the plurality of articles during the movement of the rough part and the plurality of articles through the engagement station, and forming a keel by moving the articles of the plurality of articles toward one another and folding the keel portion of the rough part between the articles as the engagement assembly moves in the downstream direction.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING ARTICLES TO A CARRIER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 016,607, filed on April 28, 2020. INCORPORATION AS A REFERENCE The descriptions of each of the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 016,607, filed on April 28, 2020, the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 779,689, filed on December 14, 2018, the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 783,752, filed on December 21, 2018, the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 796,830, filed on January 25, 2019, the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 797,585, filed on January 28, 2019, the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 810,015, filed on February 25, 2019, the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 814,412, filed on March 6, 2019, the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 817,120, filed on March 12, 2019, the United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 841,449, filed on May 1, 2019, United States Patent Application No. 16 / 426,050, filed on May 30, 2019, United States Patent Application No. 16 / 426,057, filed on May 30, 2019, United States Patent Application No. 16 / 426,060, filed on May 30, 2019, United States Patent Application No. 16 / 426,063, filed on May 30, 2019, United States Patent Application No. 16 / 426,066, filed on May 30, 2019, United States Design Patent Application No. 29 / 692,992, filed on May 30 May 2019, United States Design Patent Application No. 29 / 692,993, filed on May 30, 2019, United States Design Patent Application No. 29 / 692,994, filed on May 30, 2019, United States Design Patent Application No.29 / 692,996, filed on May 30, 2019, the United States Design Patent Application No. U.S. Patent Application No. 29 / 692,997, filed on May 30, 2019, U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 598,282, filed on October 10, 2019, U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 709,918, filed on October 18, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 952,839, filed on December 23, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 956,882, filed on January 3, 2020, and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 829,346, filed on March 25, 2020, are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, as if filed in the entirety of this document. BACKGROUND OF THE DESCRIPTION This description generally relates to packaging that includes carriers attached to the articles and to methods for forming the packaging. More specifically, this description is directed at Q707 iΠ / 77Ω7 / E / YILI to methods and systems for forming the packaging, hooking the rough pieces to the articles, forming keels of the rough pieces between the articles, and folding the rough pieces into carriers, for example. SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION In general, one aspect of the description is directed to a method for at least partially forming packings. The method comprises moving a rough piece and a plurality of articles in a downstream direction through a coupling station. The rough piece may comprise at least a first joining panel, a second joining panel, and a portion of the keel extending from the first joining panel to the second joining panel.The method may further comprise forming an attached assembly by attaching the first joining panel and the second joining panel of the rough piece to the respective articles of the plurality of articles during the movement of the rough piece and the plurality of articles through the attaching station, and forming a keel by moving the articles of the plurality of articles toward each other, and folding the keel portion of the rough piece between the articles as the attached assembly moves in the downstream direction. In another aspect, the description generally refers to a system for at least partially forming assemblies. The system may comprise a coupling station that receives a plurality of articles and a blank comprising at least a first joining panel, a second joining panel, and a keel portion extending from the first joining panel to the second joining panel. The coupling station can engage the first joining panel and the second joining panel of the blank to the respective articles of the plurality of articles to form a coupling assembly, while the blank and the plurality of articles are moved in a downstream direction. The system may further include a joining station that can receive the coupling assembly from the coupling station.The joining station can move the articles of the plurality of articles toward each other, while the keel portion of the rough piece folds between the articles to form a keel between the articles, as the attached assembly moves in the downstream direction. The additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description and accompanying Figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Those experienced in the technique will appreciate the advantages outlined above, as well as other benefits of several additional modalities, by reading the following detailed description of the modalities, with reference to the figures in the drawings listed below. It is within the scope of this description that the aspects discussed above are provided both individually and in various combinations. According to common practice, the features in the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. The dimensions of the various features and elements in the drawings may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly illustrate the description. Figure 1 is a plan view of an external surface of a rough-cut piece, to form a Q707 ίΠ / 77Ω7 / Β / YΙΛΙ carrier, according to an exemplary modality of the description. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of an attached assembly formed from the rough piece of Figure 1, and the articles according to the exemplary modality. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hooked assembly of Figures 2 and 3, with a pair of containers removed. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a package formed from the hooked assembly of Figures 2 and 3, according to the exemplary modality. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a system and method for forming by folding the hooked assembly of Figures 2 and 3, and forming the packaging of Figure 5, (sic) an exemplary modality of the description. Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a coupling station and a joining station of the system in Figure 6. Figures 8-10 are schematic perspective views of the coupling station portions of Figures 6 and 7. Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a gluing station and a portion of the joining station from Figures 6 and 7. Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of the joining station, a folding station, and a portion of the hooking station of the system in Figure 6. Figures 13 and 14 are schematic perspective views of portions of the folding station in Figures 6 and 12. Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of a product flow showing the formation of the hooked assembly of Figures 2 and 3, and the packaging of Figure 5, according to an exemplary modality of the description. The relevant parts are designated by the corresponding reference numbers through the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY MODALITIES This description generally relates to a system and method for forming packaging, which may include carriers that support containers or other items. The containers may be used to package food and beverage products, for example. The containers may be made of materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, L1DPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and / or other metals; or any combination thereof. The carriers, according to this description, may accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. For illustrative purposes and not to limit the scope of the description, the following detailed description includes beverage containers (e.g., aluminum cans) placed at least partially within the carrier.In this specification, the terms “lower”,. Q707 ίΠ / 77Ω7 / Β / YΙΛΙ “lower part”, “upper part”, “top part”, “front part” and “rear part”, indicate specific orientations in relation to fully armed carriers. Figure 1 shows a plan view of an outer side 101 of a rough-cut piece 103 used to form a carrier 105 (Figure 5), according to a first exemplary embodiment of the description. The carrier 105 may be provided together with one or more receptacles C, as a packaging 110 (Figure 5). In some embodiments, the carrier 105 and the packaging 110 may be similar or identical to one or more of the carriers and packagings described in the incorporated applications identified above.Generally, one embodiment of the system and method described herein may feed a number of rough parts (e.g., rough part 103) and a plurality of articles (e.g., containers C) in one machine direction (e.g., as indicated by arrow MD in Figure 1 in one exemplary embodiment), may carry the rough parts and articles together, may hook or otherwise join the rough parts to the articles, and may continue to move the joined rough parts and articles while applying glue and folding the sides of the rough parts to form carriers (e.g., carrier 105) and packagings (e.g., packaging 110). In alternate embodiments, rough part 103 could be oriented differently with respect to machine direction MD (e.g., arrow MD could be reversed in Figure 1). As shown in Figure 5, the carrier 105 is sized to hold or support six containers C, with three containers CA1, CA2, CA3 being attached to a first or left portion 106 of the carrier 105, and three containers CB1, CB2, CB3 being attached to a second or right portion 108 of the carrier 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 may be beverage cans, or they could be any other suitable type and size of container, without departing from the description. The carrier 105 may be sized and formed to hold more or fewer than six containers. In one modality, the first portion 106 and the second portion 108 of the carrier 105 each have three containers, and in other modalities, the first portion 106 and the second portion 108 of the carrier 105 may carry more or less than three containers, without departing from the description. As shown in Figure 1, the rough piece 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The rough part 103 has a first side 107 to form the first portion 106 of the carrier 105, and a second side 109 to form the second portion 108 of the carrier 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the rough part 103 can be moved in a system to form the packings 110 (for example, the system 200 described in more detail below), with the first side 107 on the left side of the system and the second side 109 on the right side of the system, as determined when viewed in the downstream machine direction as indicated by arrow MD in Figure 1. The first side 107 and the second side 109 of the rough part 103 are folded together at a side fold line 112, which forms a side center line CL of the rough part 103, as shown.In the illustrated form, the first side 107 of the rough piece 103 comprises a first center panel 125a having a pair of adhesive or glue openings 127a in its inner portions and a pair of surface features or areas 129a adjacent to the respective glue openings 127a. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the surface areas 129a are represented in a manner. Q707 ίΠ / 77Ω7 / Β / YΙΛΙ schematic by rectangles, which may not be visible on the actual rough part. In some embodiments, the surface features 129a may be, for example, an embossed feature or another raised or recessed surface configuration, at least partially. In some embodiments, the surface features 129a may be omitted. In the illustrated embodiment, a first vessel retention panel or first joining panel 131a is folded to the first center panel 125a at a side fold line 133a. The first joining panel 131a includes a vessel retention portion 135a (e.g., a crown panel), which is at least partially defined between a pair of longitudinally spaced side fold lines 137a, 139a, each interrupted by a respective pair of longitudinally spaced cuts 141a, each of which may include one or more curved and / or angled portions. As shown, the longitudinally spaced cuts 141a define vessel retention tabs 148a (e.g., crown tabs), which extend outward from the vessel retention portion 135a.As also shown, the respective oblique cuts 143a and 145a extend outward from each respective cut 141a to form flexible retaining edges on the first joining panel 131a for coupling the upper portions (e.g., metal rings) of the respective vessels. In one embodiment, each pair of cuts 141 can at least partially define a hooking feature 149a on the first joining panel 131a for coupling a respective vessel CA1, CA2, or CA3. As shown in Figure 1, an inner marginal portion 136a of the joining panel 131a is defined between fold lines 137a, 133a, and an outer marginal portion 138a of the joining panel 131a is defined between fold line 139a and a side fold line 157a. A gusset or first side panel 155a, as shown, is foldably connected to the first joining panel 131a at side fold line 157a, and a top panel 159 (for example, a first top panel 159) is foldably connected to the first side panel 155a at a side fold line 161a. In the illustrated version, the second side 109 of the rough part 103 includes a second center panel 125b, a second container retaining panel or second joining panel 131b, and a second side panel 155b, which have associated features that are generally a mirror image of the corresponding panels and tabs of the first side 107 of the rough part 103. The corresponding components (e.g., panels, tabs, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding part numbers, which differ by the suffix “a” or “b”, with the “a” components corresponding to the first side 107 of the rough part 103, and the “b” components corresponding to the second side 109 of the rough part 103. The second side 109 of the rough part 103 also includes a joining tab 177 (e.g., a second top panel 177), connected foldable to the second side panel 155b on a side fold line 161b. In the illustrated version, the rough-hewn piece 103 may include grasping or gripping features, which include a pair of gripping tabs 163 (broadly, first and second handles, respective grasping or gripping features), each of which folds into the top panel 159 at a respective fold line 165, and which are at least partially defined by a respective curved cut 167. The grasping features may also include gripping openings 130, which extend into the center panels 125a, 125b and into the Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI inner marginal portions 136a, 136b. In one embodiment, the gripping openings 130 may provide space for the gripping tabs 163 and / or for a user's fingers when gripping the carrier 105 in the gripping features. The rough-cut piece 103 and the carrier 105 may have a different arrangement of gripping features, or may be devoid of gripping features, without departing from the description. As shown in Figure 1, the upper edges of the respective glue openings 127a are separated by a longitudinal distance D1 from the centerline CL, which is greater than the longitudinal distance D2 that the upper edges of the respective glue openings 127b of the second side 109 of the rough-cut piece 103 are separated from the centerline CL. In another embodiment, each of the glue openings 127a, 127b, may be replaced by a set of four glue openings or any suitable number of glue openings, which may be separated along the longitudinal direction L1. For example, each set of four glue openings may include glue openings that are aligned or at least partially aligned in the longitudinal direction L1.Each of the glue openings in each set of glue openings in the first center panel 125a, can be separated differently from the side fold line 112, than each of the glue openings in the respective sets of glue openings in the second center panel 125b. As shown in Figure 1, the rough-cut piece 103 may include two notches for the lug 179 to engage features in system 200 as described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the notches for the lug 179 may extend from the respective longitudinally extending front and rear edges of the rough-cut piece 103 on the center panels 125a, 125b (e.g., centered on the centerline CL). Any of the panels, tabs, fold lines, cuts, or other features may be formed, arranged, and / or otherwise omitted from rough piece 103 without departing from the description. Rough piece 103 may be sized and / or formed to accommodate more or fewer than six containers without departing from this description. As shown in Figure 1, glue G can be applied to one or more portions of the center panels 125a, 125b, for example, across the respective surface areas 129a, 129b. While glue G is illustrated on the outer surface 101 of the rough part 103 in Figure 1, for clarity of illustration and to indicate the relative positioning with other features of the rough part 103, it shall be understood that glue G is applied to at least the inner surface of the center panels 125a, 125b, as shown in Figure 2. In one embodiment, glue G can be applied to both the inner and outer surfaces of the center panels 125a, 125b. Glue G can be applied in multiple drops on each of the center panels 125a, 125b, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the drops can be arranged in a row or any suitable number of rows on each of the center panels 125a, 125b.Alternatively, each of the center panels 125a, 125b, could include a long drop of glue G. As shown in Figure 2, the outer surface 101 of the rough part 103 can be placed on top of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, so that the retaining portion of the container 135a Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI of the first joining panel 131a, overlaps the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, and such that the retaining portion of the container 135b of the second joining panel 131b, overlaps the containers CB1, CB2, CB3. Positioning the joining panels 131a, 131b downwards over the plurality of containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, can activate the respective retaining portions of container 135a, 135b, to couple the respective containers. For example, as the first joining panel 131a is lowered or pushed down into the vessels CA1, CA2, CA3, the retaining portion of the vessel 135a can engage the upper T portions of the vessels as the marginal portions 136a, 136b fold down, relative to the retaining portion of the vessel 135a.This may cause the retaining portion of the vessel 135a to separate at least partially from the remainder of the first joining panel 131a at the cuts 141a, to form the retaining edges in the marginal portions 136a, 138a. As the marginal portions 136a, 138a are folded down further, the upper or top portions T (for example, the metal rings) of the respective vessels CA1, CA2, CA3 may extend at least partially through the respective openings formed by the respective cuts 141a and the retaining edges may engage under the metal rings of the vessels CA1, CA2, CA3, so that the rough piece 103 is now attached (hooked) to the vessels CA1, CA2, CA3. Such reconfiguration of the corresponding portions of the second joining panel 131b can occur as the second joining panel 131b is lowered or pushed down into the CB1, CB2, CB3 vessels.The marginal portions 136a, 138a of the joining panel 131a may be folded at least partially downwards at the respective fold lines 137a, 139a, in such a configuration, and similarly, the marginal portions 136b, 138b of the joining panel 131b may be folded at least partially downwards at the respective fold lines 137b, 139b. In some embodiments, the marginal portions 136a, 138a, 136b, 138b may extend obliquely from the upper portions T to the rims of the vessels for vessels with rims that have a smaller diameter than the sides of the vessels. In some other forms, in which the containers have upper portions with a diameter similar to the sides of the containers, the marginal portions may extend vertically or almost vertically from the metal hoops of the containers. As shown in Figure 2, the first center panel 125a and the second center panel 125b can be folded at the fold line 112, such that the first center panel 125a and the second center panel 125b are brought into at least partial face-to-face contact, and such that the respective glue openings 127a, 127b, and the respective surface areas 129a, 129b, on the respective center panels 125a, 125b, are positioned to align laterally, but are deflected longitudinally due to the different relative separation of the respective glue openings 127a, 127b, away from the center line CL.In this regard, the center panels 125a and 125b are arranged so that a portion of the first center panel 125a overlaps each of the glue openings 127b, and a portion of the second center panel 125b overlaps each of the glue openings 127a, to provide communication between the center panels 125a and 125b and the respective surfaces to which the respective containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, and CB3 can be adhered or otherwise joined, as further described herein. Such a rearrangement of the center panels 125a and 125b may also cause the respective center panels 125a and 125b to fold downwards. Q707 ίΠ / 77Ω7 / Β / YΙΛΙ with respect to the respective joining panels 131a, 131b, on the respective fold lines 133a, 133b. As shown in Figure 3, when the center panels 125a and 125b are folded, brought into face-to-face contact, and attached to the respective vessels CB1, CB2, CB3 and CA1, CA2, and CA3, the center panels 125a and 125b can generally form a keel 180, which spans between the rows of vessels. Consequently, in one embodiment, the center panels 125a and 125b can be considered a portion of the keel in the rough piece before the center panels 125a and 125b are folded to form the keel 180. Referring to Figure 4, in which containers CA2 and CB2 are removed for clarity, glue G can be at least partially aligned with the glue openings 127a to adhere containers CA1, CA2, and CA3 to their respective exposed portions of the center panel 125b, through the respective glue openings 127a. Similarly, glue G can be at least partially aligned with the respective glue openings 127b to adhere containers CB1, CB2, and CB3 to their respective exposed portions of the center panel 125a, through the respective glue openings 127b. The adhesive G can cover at least a portion of the surface areas 129a, 129b, so that one or more of the surface areas 129a, 129b, present additional surfaces for adhesion and / or separation between the first portion 106 and the second portion 108 of the carrier 105. The attachment of vessels CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, and CB3 to the respective center panels 125a and 125b may provide retention and support for the respective vessels, for example, preventing the vessels from detaching from the carrier 105 under their own weight, in addition to, or alternatively to, the retention and support provided by the respective vessel retention portions 135a and 135b. The adhesive G described herein may be, for example, a hot-melt adhesive, a high-tack adhesive, an epoxy, a polymer cement, etc., or combinations thereof. As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, the first side panel 155a can be folded upwards at the fold line 157a, to be in a vertical or oblique arrangement relative to the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the top panel 159 can be folded at the fold line 161a, in at least partial face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the joining panels 131a, 131b. Similarly, the second side panel 155b can be folded upwards at the fold line 157b, in a vertical or oblique arrangement, with the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, and the joining tab 177 can be folded at the fold line 161b, in at least partial face-to-face contact with the joining panel 131b, as shown in Figure 5. Such an arrangement can be held in place with an adhesive such as glue.For example, the glue may be applied to the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b and / or to the top panel 159 and the joining tab 177, before folding the top panel 159 and the joining tab 177 into face-to-face contact with the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b. In the illustrated embodiment, the top panel 159 and the joining tab 177 are folded so that the laterally extending edges of the top panel 159 and the joining tab 177 are close together and / or butted together. Alternatively, the top panel 159 and the joining tab 177 may be separated from each other, or they may be at least partially overlapping. Therefore, the containers can be coupled using joining panels 131a, 131b Q707 ίΠ / ZZΖηZ / E / YILI respective, and can be extended below the respective retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b, in the assembled packing 110, shown in Figure 5. In such an arrangement, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3 extend below the retaining portion of the container 135a in the first portion 106 of the carrier 105, and the containers CB1, CB2, CB3 extend below the retaining portion of the container 135b, in the second portion 108 of the carrier 105, with the top panel 159 and the joining tab 177 overlapping the respective portions of the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b. In addition, keel 180, which includes the first center panel 125a and the second center panel 125b, is positioned between and joins vessels CB1, CB2, CB3, CA1, CA2, CA3. Figures 6-15 illustrate various exemplary modes and components of the systems and methods 200 for forming the packagings (e.g., packagings 110), according to the description. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown schematically, for example, in the product flow of Figure 15, the packing system 200 generally feeds the containers C and the rough pieces (for example, rough piece 103), at an upstream end 203 of the system 200, hooks the rough pieces 103 to a group of the containers C (for example, containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3), to form a hooked assembly 182 (rough pieces 103 joined to the respective containers C), folds portions of the rough pieces 103 and moves the group of containers C together, to form the keels (for example, keels 180), and folds portions of the rough pieces 103 to form the carriers (for example, carrier 105).The rough parts 103 and the containers C can be moved through the system 200 to a downstream end 205, generally in a downstream MD direction. As shown in Figure 6, the upstream MU direction of the system 200 extends opposite the downstream MD direction. Additionally, the system 200 may have a horizontal transverse MT direction that is transverse to the downstream MD direction, and a vertical MV direction that is transverse to the downstream MD direction. In this application, the system 200 may have a left side (SL) and a right side (SR), which are determined while viewing the downstream MD direction.In one embodiment, the system 200 of the present description includes a hooking station 211, which brings the rough pieces 103 and the group of vessels C together, to form the hooked assembly 182 (Figures 2-4, 9 and 11), a joining station 213 which moves the vessels C together and forms the keel 180, and a folding station 215 which folds the side panels and top panels of the rough piece 103, to form the carrier 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the rough parts 103 can be fed to the coupling station 211 at the upstream end 203 by means of a carton feeder (e.g., a pick-and-place carton feeder, a belt feeder, a conveyor belt, or any other suitable feeder and / or conveyor), not shown, and the containers C can be fed to the coupling station 211 in two streams.In one embodiment, the system may include a pair of orientation units 221 (Figure 6), which can selectively rotate the individual C containers so that the C containers are fed to the coupling station 211 with a predetermined orientation (for example, to ensure that one or more of the universal product codes or other information on the C containers face upward and are concealed by the C containers in the package 110 and / or to ensure that a label or other information on the C containers faces outward in the resulting package 110). In the illustrated embodiment, the orientation units 221 may Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI receive the containers C from the respective feed conveyors (not shown), and deliver the containers C in the predetermined orientation onto the upstream conveyors 223 (Figures 7, 10 and 12) of system 200, wherein the two upstream conveyors 223 (e.g., a first upstream conveyor 223 and a second upstream conveyor 223) can move the containers C in the downstream direction on a respective first and second stream, along a portion of system 200. Alternatively, the orientation assemblies 221 could be omitted or bypassed, so that the containers C can be fed directly to the coupling station 211. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the containers C could be fed to the upstream conveyors 223 in a different manner. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the hooking station 211 may include a support plate 225 (Figures 7 and 8) at the upstream end of the hooking station 211, an overhead mount 227 (Figure 8) for moving and guiding rough parts 103, and two upstream side conveyor belts or upstream metering belts 229 (Figures 7, 9, 10, and 12) on opposite sides of the upstream conveyors 223. Multiple upstream metering belts 229 are shown schematically on each side of the system 200 in Figures 6 and 7 to illustrate that different belts may be used in the system 200. However, only one upstream dosing belt 229 would be included at a time, on each side of the system; the belts are selected with a length and configuration for size (e.g., diameter) appropriate for the containers C being packed, as described in more detail below.In the illustrated embodiment, the support plate 225 can be tilted and can guide the rough pieces 103 received from the carton box feeder as the rough pieces 103 move along the support plate 225 (for example, by one or more belts or other conveyors mounted along at least a portion of the support plate 225 and / or by sliding due to gravity). A set of brushes 231 (Figure 7) can be positioned at the upstream end of the support plate 225, above the rough pieces 103, to control the movement of the rough pieces 103. Alternatively, the brushes 231 could be omitted or mounted below the rough pieces 103 and / or replaced by other features that can slow down or otherwise control the rough pieces 103 as they slide along the support plate 225.Support plate 225 could be omitted, or could be arranged, formed, positioned, or otherwise configured, without departing from the description. In the illustrated embodiment, the overhead assembly 227 may include a frame plate 233 (Figures 7 and 8), which is mounted above at least a portion of the upstream conveyors 223. A fly-belt (cross-slatted) or lug-belt 235 for the rough workpiece may be mounted on the frame plate 233 by means of a drive wheel 237a, and drive wheels 237b. Multiple lug-belts 235 are shown schematically in Figures 6 and 7 to illustrate that different lug-belts 235 may be used in the system 200; however, only one lug-belt 235 would be used in the system 200. The lug-belt is selected with an appropriate length and lug spacing for the rough workpieces handled by the system 200, as described in more detail below.In one embodiment, the drive wheel 237a can move the lugged belt 235 along the wheels at the same time (e.g., at the same speed) as the upstream conveyors 223 with the lower portion of the lugged belt 235 moving in the downstream MD direction, across. Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI the coupling station 211. As shown in Figures 7-9, a plurality of lugs 239 are separated along the band with lugs 235 to couple the rough pieces 103, and move the rough pieces 103 in the MD direction downstream, along the coupling station 211. In one embodiment, each of the lugs 239 couples a notch for lug 179 on a rear edge of a rough piece 103 and a notch for lug 179 on the front edge of a rough piece 103, which is adjacent to and upstream of the first rough piece 103.In one exemplary embodiment, the lugs 239 can be sized so that the rough pieces 103 can be butted together or otherwise arranged relative to one another, such that the rough pieces 103 can be engaged with the containers C, while the containers C are in a product-through arrangement (e.g., each container butted with the adjacent upstream and downstream containers respectively, so that the containers are not separated along each of the streams). In one embodiment, the support plate 225 can include a groove (Figure 8) that can accommodate the lugs 239 as the lugged belt 235 moves the rough pieces 103 along the support plate 225 for engagement with the containers C. As shown in Figures 7-9, the overhead assembly 227 may include two pressing units 241 mounted on either side of the frame plate 233. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pressing units 241 may include a guide strip 243 mounted to the frame plate 233 on a drive wheel 245a and a guide wheel 245b. In addition, each of the pressing units 241 may include one or more guide bars 247 mounted to the frame plate 233 by means of adjustable clamps 249 (Figures 7 and 8). In the illustrated embodiment, the guide bars 247 may press down on the lower portion of the guide strips 243, where the lower portions of the guide strips 243 move in the downstream MD direction. In one embodiment, the pressing units 241 can help hold the rough pieces 103 against the upper T parts of the containers C.In some embodiments where it is desired to maintain the orientation of the C-containers (for example, as adjusted by the optional orientation units 221) as they move through the coupling station 211, the downward pressure of the clamping units 241 on the C-containers (for example, against the upstream conveyors 223 that support the C-containers from below) can help prevent the C-containers from rotating as they move in the downstream MD direction. In other embodiments, the clamping units 241 can be configured to help hold the rough parts 103 against the upper portions T of the C-containers, without regard to preventing container rotation, or the clamping units 241 could be omitted.In one embodiment, the drive wheel 245a can move the guide belt 241 along the wheels at the same time (e.g., at the same speed) as the lugged belt 235 and the upstream conveyors 223, with the lower portion of the guide belt 243 moving in the MD direction downstream through the engagement station 211. As shown in at least Figures 8-10, the overhead assembly 227 may further include two hooking guides 251a, two internal hooking guides 251b, and two tension guides 251c, for hooking the rough parts 103 to the containers C, as the rough parts 103 and containers C move through the hooking station 211. In the illustrated embodiment, the hooking guides 251a, 251b, and 251c may be mounted to the plate Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI frame 233 (for example, via the adjustable clamps 249) and / or other system features. As shown in at least Figures 8-10, the engagement guides 251a, 251b, 251c, can be mounted on the rough pieces 103, and can have inclined upstream ends or inclined surfaces 252 that engage (for example, come into contact) and gradually push the respective portions of the rough pieces 103 downward, as the rough pieces 103 move in the downstream direction in the engagement station 211.In the illustrated embodiment, the external engagement guides 251a can be separated outwards (e.g., in the transverse MT direction) from the internal engagement guides 251b and the tension guides 251c, such that the external engagement guides 251a engage the external portions (e.g., the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b, the side panels 155a, 155b, and / or the top panels 159, 177) of the rough-cut pieces 103. Positioned partially downstream of the external engagement guides 251a, the internal engagement guides 251b can be mounted within (e.g., immediately within) the two streams of the containers C on the respective upstream conveyors 223, to engage the internal portions (e.g., the inner marginal portions 136a, 136b). and / or the central panels 125a, 125b) of the rough pieces 103 (Figure 10).The internal engagement guides 251b can initially engage the inner marginal portions 136a, 136b, to provide tension on the internal portions of the rough pieces 103, as the external engagement guides 251a drive the external portions of the rough piece downwards, which may at least partially cause the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b to engage the metal rings of the vessels C.In one embodiment, the external hooking guides 251a can engage the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b, to press the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b downwards, with respect to the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b, folding the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b downwards along the side fold lines 139a, 139b, and engaging the metal rings in the upper T portions of the containers C, with the respective retaining edges formed in the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b by the cuts 141a, 141b.In some embodiments, the pressing units 241 (Figure 9) can help hold the rough pieces 103 in place (e.g., by pressing the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b of the rough pieces against the upper portions T of the containers C), while the hooking guides engage the rough pieces to hook the rough pieces into the containers. In the illustrated embodiment, the tension guides 251c can be mounted outside (for example, immediately outside) the two streams of the containers C on the respective upstream conveyors 223 (Figure 10), to engage the outer portions of the rough pieces 103 (for example, adjacent to where the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b are engaged to the metal rings of the containers C), to retain the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b in engaged engagement with the containers C, as the inner engagement guides 251b further press the inner marginal portions 136a, 136b downwards, to engage the metal rings of the containers C.In one embodiment, the internal engagement guides 251b can press the inner marginal portions 136a, 136b downwards, with respect to the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b, folding the inner marginal portions 136a, 136b downwards, along the lateral fold lines 137a, 137b and engaging the metal rings on the upper T portions of the containers C, with the. Q707 iΠ / 77Ω7 / B / YILI respective retaining edges formed on the inner marginal portions 136a, 136b, by means of the cuts 141a, 141b. Accordingly, the rough pieces 103 can be hooked to the containers C (for example, the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3 of Figures 2-5), by means of the hooking station 211 to form the hooked assemblies 182 as the containers C and the rough pieces 103 move in the MD downstream direction on the upstream conveyors 223, and by means of the lugged belt 235. Any portion of the overhead assembly 211 could be omitted or could be arranged, formed, positioned or configured otherwise, without departing from the description. In the illustrated embodiment, two or more starter paddles 253 (Figures 9, 10 and 12) can be positioned at a downstream end of the coupling station 211 to couple the top panels 159, 177 and / or the side panels 155a, 155b of the rough pieces 103, and gradually fold the top panels 159, 177, and the side panels 155a, 155b upwards, along at least the side fold lines 157a, 157b. In one embodiment, each of the starter paddles 253 can be a vertical plate extending along the downstream MD direction on either side of the upstream conveyors 223, and can have an inclined upstream end 254.In one exemplary embodiment, the initial pallets 253 may be separated in the transverse MT direction in order to engage the top panels 159, 177 (e.g., adjacent to fold lines 161a, 161b), and / or the side panels 155a, 155b (e.g., adjacent to fold lines 157a, 157b). The inclined upstream ends 254 of the initial pallets 253 may push the top panels 159, 177 and / or the side panels 155a, 155b upwards, so that the top panels 159, 177 or the side panels 155a, 155b and the top panels 159, 177 may be at least partially vertical as the engaged assemblies 182 move downstream in the MD direction (e.g., by means of upstream conveyors 223).As the hooked assemblies 182 continue in the downstream MD direction, the top panels 159,177 and / or the side panels 155a, 155b can engage the inner surfaces of the initial paddles 253 (for example, the surfaces facing the upstream conveyors 223), which can retain the top panels 159,177 and the side panels 155a, 155b in the at least partially vertical position (Figure 10). As shown in Figures 7, 9, 10, and 12, the upstream dosing belts 229 are positioned partially under the overhead mounting 227 on the respective sides of the containers C carried on the upstream conveyors 223. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the upstream dosing belts 229 can be mounted on a drive wheel 257a and guide wheels 257b. The upstream dosing belts 229 can be driven on the wheels 257a and 257b so that the innermost sections (e.g., those closest to the upstream conveyors 223) of the upstream dosing belts 229 move in the downstream MD direction at the same time as the lugged belt 235 and the guide belts 243.In one embodiment, each of the upstream dosing bands 229 may include lugs or wedge projections 259 (Figures 7, 9, 10, and 12, which schematically show some of the projections 259 along a portion of the length of the bands 229), spaced apart along the bands so that each projection 259 couples two adjacent vessels C. The projections 259 may be curved, triangular, or otherwise contoured to couple portions of the sides of the cylindrical vessels C, and may be spaced apart to couple each vessel C in between. Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI two projections 259 when the containers C are in a product-pass arrangement (e.g., coupled in contact with each other in each of the container streams), in one exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, the upstream dosing belts 229 can assist in moving the containers C in the downstream MD direction, in alignment with the respective engagement features 149a, 149b, of the rough pieces 103, as the rough pieces 103 are located and moved by the lugs 239 on the lugged belts 235. The upstream dosing belts 229 could be omitted or could be arranged, formed, positioned, or configured otherwise, without departing from the description. In the illustrated mode, the lugged belt 235 and the upstream dosing belts 229 can be aligned (e.g., so that the containers C moved by the upstream dosing belts 229 are aligned with the hooking features 149a, 149b on the rough pieces 103, moved by the lugged belt 235), with a predetermined time stop of the lugged belt 255a (Figure 7), and predetermined time stops of the dosing belt 256a (Figures 7, 10 and 12). In one embodiment, the preset time stop of the lugged belt 255a may include a lock or sliding pin 255b, which is slidable in a slot in a clamp 255c, which is mounted to the frame plate 233. Similarly, the preset time stops of the dosing belt 256a may include a lock or sliding pin 256b, which is slidable in a slot in a clamp 256c.When not in use, the bolts 255b, 256b can be secured in a position out of the way of the belt with lugs 235, and the dosing belts 229 upstream. When the belts are aligned, the lugged belt 235 can be moved to align a lug 239 with the pin 255b, and the pin 255b can be advanced to engage the lug 239. Similarly, each of the upstream metering belts 229 can be moved to align a projection 259 with the pin 256b, which can then be advanced to engage the projection 259. In one exemplary embodiment, the positions of the pre-timed stops 255a and 256a can be preset so that the lugged belt 235 and the upstream metering belts 229 are aligned when the pins 255b and 256b engage a lug 239 and a projection 259, respectively.After alignment, bolts 255b, 256b can be secured in the uncoupled position for operation of system 200. The predetermined time stops 255a, 256a could be omitted or could be arranged, formed, positioned, or configured otherwise, without departing from the description. In the illustrated version, aspects of System 200 can be adjusted and / or replaced to configure it to form packings with containers of varying diameters, heights, volumes, etc. For example, the container diameters might be approximately 53 mm, approximately 58 mm, and approximately 66 mm, or the containers could be any suitable diameter. Furthermore, aspects of System 200 can be adjusted and / or replaced to configure it to form packings with different rough pieces. For example, System 200 could be configured to form any of the packings shown and described in the referenced applications listed above. The rough pieces can be of varying sizes to accommodate different container sizes and / or configurations (e.g., configured to accommodate containers in arrangements such as 2x2, 2x4, 2x6, etc.).In addition, the pieces are rough. Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI can have different keel depths, where, for example, a carrier might have a deeper keel to accommodate larger and / or heavier containers, or a shallower keel for carton efficiency. Furthermore, packaging intended for retail sale might have deeper keels for a stronger connection between containers than packaging used only for transporting and / or storing containers for individual sale, for example. In some embodiments, the keel depth can vary from approximately 40 mm to approximately 70 mm, for example. Alternatively, the keel can be any suitable depth.Different keel depths can result from the size of the center panels (e.g., center panels 125a, 125b in rough piece 103) in the longitudinal direction L1, so that a deeper keel will result in a rough piece that is longer in the longitudinal direction L1 and a shallower keel will result in a rough piece that is shorter in the longitudinal direction L1. In one embodiment, aspects of the attachment station 211 (as well as other aspects of system 200) can be adjusted to accommodate different rough parts and containers. For example, the position of the overhead mount 227 can be adjusted in the vertical MV direction for different container heights. In one exemplary embodiment, the overhead mount 227 can be mounted to the frame of system 200 with a motor or other features (not shown) that can move the overhead mount in the vertical MV direction. In another example, the lugged band 235 can be adjusted or replaced to accommodate different rough part widths in the lateral L2 direction (e.g., for different container formats and / or diameters).In one embodiment, the lugs 239 can be secured to the belt 235 at the spacing required for a particular rough part, and the belt 235 can be selected for length, such that each lug 239 is separated from the next lug by the required spacing along the lugged belt 235. Several different belt lengths for the lugged belt 235 are shown schematically in Figures 6 and 7. In one embodiment, when the lugged belt 235 is changed to one of a different length, one or more of the guide wheels 237b can be adjusted to apply appropriate tension to the lugged belt 235. In another embodiment, the pressing units 241, the hooking guides 251a, 251b, 251c, the upstream metering belts 229, and / or the starting paddles 253 can be adjusted in the direction MT transverse for different vessel diameters and / or different keel depths.In a further example, the upstream dosing belts 229 can be adjusted and / or replaced to accommodate different container diameters. In one embodiment, the spacing between the projections 259 can be adjusted for a particular container diameter, and the length of the upstream dosing belts 229 can be selected so that all projections 259 are appropriately spaced from their respective adjacent projections 259 along the upstream dosing belts 229. Different belt lengths for the upstream dosing belts 229 are shown schematically in Figures 6 and 7. In one embodiment, when the upstream dosing belts 229 are replaced with belts of different lengths, one or more of the guide wheels 257b can be adjusted to apply appropriate tension to the upstream dosing belts 229.In a further example, the positions of the two rails or streams of the C vessels can be adjusted in the transverse MT direction, so that the C vessels align with the joining panels 131a, 131b of the different rough pieces (for example, the positions of the C vessels can be adjusted in the. Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI upstream conveyors 223 and / or the positions of the upstream conveyors 223 can be adjusted). In one embodiment, carriers with different keel depths can have differently dimensioned portions of the keel (e.g., the center panels 125a, 125b) on the unfolded rough piece, which can lead to adjustment of the positions of the upstream conveyors 223 and / or other aspects of the system, to align the vessel rails with the joining panels 131a, 131b. Any portion of hitch station 211 could be omitted or could be arranged, formed, positioned, or otherwise configured, without departing from the description. As shown in Figures 6, 7, 11, and 12, the hooked assemblies 182 formed at the hooking station 211 pass to the joining station 213. As shown in Figures 6-8, 10, and 11, the hooked assemblies 182 can pass a keel gluing unit 261 at one end downstream of the hooking station 211 and one end upstream of the joining station 213. In one embodiment, the keel gluing unit 261 can apply any suitable number of drops of glue G1 (Figure 11) to the center panels 125a, 125b of the rough part 103, to glue the center panels 125a, 125b to the respective receptacles C, via the glue openings 127a, 127b and / or to each other.Generally, the joining station 213 can guide the C-vessels in the hooked assemblies 182 toward each other (for example, toward a system centerline 200), while the center panels 125a, 125b fold down between the C-vessels to form the keel 180. As shown in Figure 12, the C-vessels can be moved from upstream conveyors 223 to a downstream conveyor 263, a portion of which extends between the upstream conveyors 223. Also, as shown in Figures 7, 11, and 12, the joining station 213 can include two joining guides 265 that are angled so that they are separated in the transverse MT direction by a greater distance at the upstream end of the joining station 213 than at its downstream end.Accordingly, the joining guides 265 can couple the rough parts 103 (for example, on the side panels 155a, 155b and / or the top panels 159, 177), and the C-shaped containers of the hooked assemblies 182, to gradually drive the C-shaped containers together, and to drive the C-shaped containers from the upstream conveyors 223 to the downstream conveyors 263, as the hooked assemblies 182 move in the downstream direction by means of the conveyors 223, 263. In one embodiment, the keel gluing unit 261 can be adjusted in the vertical MV direction (e.g., to accommodate different vessel heights) and / or in the transverse MT direction to apply glue drops to the center panels 125a, 125b as required for the different rough parts 103. Furthermore, the joining guides 265 can be adjusted in the transverse MT direction (e.g., to accommodate different vessel diameters and / or keel depths). Any portion of the joining station 213 may be omitted, or may be arranged, formed, positioned, or configured otherwise, without departing from the description. As shown in Figures 6 and 12-14, the hooked assemblies 182 with the keels 180 formed can pass from the joining station 213 to the folding station 215. As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 14, the hooked assemblies can pass under a crown panel gluing unit 267 at the upstream end of the folding station 215. In one embodiment, the crown panel gluing unit 265 can Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI apply any suitable number of drops of G2 glue (Figures 11 and 12) to the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b (e.g., the crown panels) of the rough pieces 103, to glue the top panels 159, 177 to either or both of the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b. Generally, the folding station 215 can further fold the top panels 159, 177 of the rough pieces 103 into the retaining portions of the container 135a, 135b. In the illustrated version, the folding station 215 may include two downstream side conveyor belts or downstream dosing belts 269, a first top pallet 271a, a second top pallet 271b, and a down pallet 271c.The downstream dosing belts 269 may be similar or identical to the upstream dosing belts 229 and may assist in moving the containers C of the hooked assemblies 182 in the downstream MD direction, through the folding station 215. For example, the downstream dosing belts 269 may be mounted on a drive wheel 257a and guide wheels 257b and may include a preset time stop 256a (Figure 13), which may be similar or identical to the preset time stop 256a associated with the upstream dosing belts 229, and may be configured to adjust the downstream dosing belts 269 in coordination with the lugged belt 235 and the upstream dosing belts 229.Similar to the upstream dosing belts 229, the downstream dosing belts 269 may include projections 259 (Figures 6 and 12-14, which schematically show some of the projections 259 along a portion of the length of the belts 269). In one embodiment, the downstream dosing belts 269 may apply a compressive force (e.g., the transverse MT direction) to the C-shaped containers, at least in a portion of the folding station 215, to assist in bonding the C-shaped containers to the respective center panels 125a, 125b, with the glue drops G1. As shown in Figures 12-14, the upper paddles 271a, 271b may include a horizontal plate (e.g., generally or substantially horizontal) that extends at least partially over the downstream conveyor 263. The upper paddles 271a, 271b may include respective angled edges 273a, 273b that engage the respective upper panels 159, 177 of the rough-cut pieces 103 to fold the upper panels 159, 177 (e.g., along the side fold lines 161a, 161b) over the crown panels 135a, 135b as the engaged assemblies 182 move in the downstream MD direction via the downstream dosing belts 269 and the downstream conveyor 263.In the polished form, the angled edge 273a is longer than the angled edge 273b, and the downstream end of the first top paddle 271a extends further over the downstream conveyor 261 than the downstream end of the second top paddle 271b, because the top panel 159 is larger (for example, in the longitudinal direction L1) than the top panel 177. In other forms, the top paddles 271a, 271b could be configured alternately for rough pieces with different top panel configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the downward-facing paddle 271c may be at least partially separated downstream from the upper paddles 271a, 271b. As shown in Figures 12-14, the downward-facing paddle 271c may have an upstream angled edge 273c and a sloped surface 274 (Figure 13) to engage the respective upper panels 177, 159 and gradually press the respective upper panels 177, 159 downward. Q707 iΠ / 77Ω7 / B / YILI against the corona panels 135b, 135a, with the G2 glue drops between them, to secure the upper panels 177, 159 in position on the now closed carrier 105, as the downstream conveyor 263 and downstream dosing belts 269 move the containers C and the attached carrier 105 in the direction of the MD machine. In one embodiment, the vanes 271a, 271b, and 271c can be adjusted in the vertical MV direction and the transverse MT direction (for example, to accommodate the C containers with different heights and diameters). Furthermore, the downstream dosing belts 269 can be adjusted in a similar or identical manner to the upstream dosing belts 229. Since the keel 180 is formed before the hooked assemblies 182 are moved to the folding station 215, the depth of the keel 180 (and the size of the center panels 125a and 125b in the longitudinal L1 direction) may have little or no impact on the adjustments of the vanes 271a, 271b, and 271c, and / or the downstream dosing belts 269. Any portion of folding station 215 could be omitted or could be arranged, formed, positioned, or otherwise configured, without departing from the description. As shown in Figures 6 and 13, the system 200 may include a compression belt 281 positioned on the downstream conveyor 263, downstream of the folding station 215. In the illustrated embodiment, the compression belt 281 can be driven on wheels so that the lower section of the belt moves in the downstream MD direction, in contact with the top panels 159, 177 of the carrier 105, as the packs 110 move in the downstream MD direction on the downstream conveyor 263. In one embodiment, the compression belt 281 can be pressed down on the top panels 159, 177 of the carriers 105 (for example, against the support of the downstream conveyor 263) to facilitate joining the top panels 159, 177 to the crown panels 135a, 135b.In the illustrated version, the compression band 281 can be adjusted in the vertical MV direction to accommodate C-shaped containers of varying heights, for example. The compression band 281 could be omitted, or arranged, formed, positioned, or configured in another way, without departing from the description. In one exemplary embodiment, the formed packages 110 can be moved downstream on the downstream conveyor 263 from the compression belt 281 for further processing (e.g., positioning the packages 110, loading the packages into cartons, etc.) and / or for storage and / or shipping. The system 200 could be configured differently without departing from the description. For example, in one embodiment, the upstream conveyors 223 and / or the downstream conveyor 263 could be replaced by a single, wider conveyor that runs the length of the system 200. In operation, in one exemplary embodiment, a package 110 can be formed in the system 200 (for example, as schematically shown in the product flow of Figure 15). For example, a rough part 103 can be fed to the support plate 225 and can slide down the support plate 225 to the engagement station 211 (Figures 7-10). In one exemplary embodiment, the rough part 103 can be moved along at least a portion of the support plate 225 by means of one or more belts or other conveyors mounted along at least a portion of the support plate 225. A leading edge (for example, the downstream edge) of the rough part 103 can engage the lugged belt 235, such that one of the lugs Q707 iΠ / 77Ω7 / Β / YILI 239 engages a notch for lug 179 on the leading edge of the rough part 103. As the rough part 103 continues to move on the support plate 225, the lugged belt 235 can engage the rough part and assist in moving it in the downstream MD direction. A rear lug 239 on the lugged belt 235 can engage the notch for lug 179 on the trailing (e.g., upstream) edge of the rough part 103, and the lugged belt 235 and the lugs 239 can move the rough part 103 in the downstream MD direction at the same speed that the containers C move on the upstream conveyors 223 in the first and second streams / lanes. In some forms, the rough pieces do not include notches for the lug and the 239 lugs can attach to the front and / or rear edges of the rough pieces.In one embodiment, the lugs 239 are arranged on the lugged belt 235 so that the engagement features 149a, 149b of the rough part 103 align with the T-shaped tops of the containers C when the containers C are coupled between the respective projections 259 on the upstream dosing belts 229. As shown in Figure 7, the lugged belt 235 can move the rough part 103 past the downstream end of the support plate 225 so that the container retaining portions (crown panels) 135a, 135b rest on the T-shaped tops of the containers C and the guide belts 243 couple the rough part 103 (Figure 9).The guide strips 243 and guide bars 247 can be pressed down on the crown panels 135a, 135b, and the C-shaped vessels located below the rough piece 103, to help retain the rough piece 103 in contact with the C-shaped vessels, and to help prevent the C-shaped vessels from rotating as the guide strips 243, the rough pieces 103, and the C-shaped vessels move in the MD downstream direction.As shown in Figures 7, 9 and 10, the top panels 159, 177, the side panels 155a, 155b, and / or the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b of the rough piece 103, can engage the external hooking guides 251a as the rough piece 103 and the containers C move in the downstream MD direction by means of at least the lugged band 235 and the respective upstream dosing bands 229, and the upstream inclined end 252 of the external hooking guides 251a, can press the outer portions of the rough piece 103 downwards, relative to the rest of the rough piece 103. As shown in at least Figures 9 and 10, the internal hooking guides 251b can engage the inner margin portions 136a, 136b and / or the center panels 125a, 125b of the rough-cut piece 103, to provide tension in the inner portion of the rough-cut piece 103, as the external hooking guides 251a engage the top panels 159, 177, the side panels 155a, 155b, and / or the outer margin portions 138a, 138b of the rough-cut pieces 103, to fold the outer margin portions 138a, 138b downwards with respect to the crown panels 135a, 135b, and form the retaining edges on the outer margin portions 138a, 138b at the cuts 141a, 141b. Downward pressure from the external engagement guides 251a on rough-cut pieces can cause (e.g., force) the retaining edges on the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b to engage under the metal rings of the vessels C.Subsequently, the tension guides 251c can engage the outer portions of the rough piece 103. The internal engagement guides 251b can gradually press the inner marginal portions 136a, 136b and / or the center panels 125a, 125b of the rough piece downwards, relative to the crown panels 135a, 135b, while the external engagement guides 251a and, Q707 ίΠ / 77Ω7 / Β / YILI Subsequently, the tension guides 251c engage (e.g., press down) the outer portions of the rough-cut piece to help retain the outer marginal portions 138a, 138b in engagement with the metal rings of the vessels. Consequently, retaining edges can be formed on the inner marginal portions 136a, 136b in the cuts 141a, 141b and can be driven to engage beneath the metal rings of the vessels C by the internal engagement guides 251b. In one embodiment, with the retaining edges on the marginal portions 136a, 138a, 136b, 138b that couple the metal rings of the containers C, the rough piece 103 is hooked (e.g., joined or hooked) to the containers C, to form the hooked assembly 182 (Figures 2 and 911).The upstream dosing belts 229, the upstream conveyors 223, and the lugged belt 235, can continue to move the hooked assembly 182 in the downstream MD direction. As shown in Figures 7, 9 and 10, as the rough piece 103 moves in the downstream MD direction, the top panels 159, 177 and / or the side panels 155a, 155b can engage the initial pallets 253 and fold upwards to a vertical (e.g., generally or substantially vertical) orientation. Subsequently, as shown in at least Figures 7, 10 and 11, the hooked assembly 182 can pass under the keel gluing unit 261, which can apply drops of glue G1 to the center panels 125a, 125b, such that the drops of glue G1 on the center panel 125a align with the respective glue openings 127b on the center panel 125b when the keel 180 is formed at the joining station 213, and the drops of glue G1 on the center panel 125b align with the respective glue openings 127a on the center panel 125a when the keel 180 is formed. As shown in Figures 7 and 12, the hooked assembly 182 can be moved on the upstream conveyors 223 through the joining station 213, in which the joining guides 265 can gradually drive the C-vessels inward from the upstream conveyors 223 to the downstream conveyors 263 between them, while the conveyors 223, 263 move the C-vessels in the downstream MD direction. As the C-vessels move toward each other, the center panels 125a, 125b can fold down between the C-vessels, and in face-to-face contact with each other, to form the keel 180 (e.g., Figures 7 and 12).The drops of G1 glue on the center panel 125a can attach the C-shaped containers that hook onto the joining panel 131b via the glue openings 127b in the center panel 125b, and the drops of G1 glue on the center panel 125b can attach the C-shaped containers that hook onto the joining panel 131a via the glue openings 127a in the center panel 125a in the formed keel 180 (for example, as discussed above with regard to Figure 4). In some embodiments, the drops of G1 glue can also join the center panels 125a and 125b together. As the hooked assembly 182 with the formed keel 180 moves downstream in the MD direction on the conveyor 263 downstream from the joining station 213 to the folding station 215, the crown panel gluing unit 267 can apply drops of G2 glue (e.g., as shown in Figures 7, 12, and 14) to the crown panels 135a and 135b. As the hooked assembly 182 moves in the folding station 215, the downstream dosing belts 269 can couple the C containers (e.g., with each of the coupled containers between two projections 259) and press the C containers together (e.g., in the Q707 (Π / 77Ω7 / Β / YILI transverse MT direction) to move the hooked assembly 182 in the downstream MD direction and facilitate joining the receptacles C with the center panels 125a, 125b, using the glue drops G1. As shown in Figures 12-14, the upper paddles 271a, 271b can fold the upper panels 159, 177 over the crown panels 135a, 135b, as the hooked assembly 182 moves in the downstream MD direction. Subsequently, the downward paddle 271c can press the upper panels 159, 177 down onto the crown panels 135a, 135b. For example, the downward-sloping edge 273c of the paddle 271c can press the top panel 177 against a portion of the crown panel 135b, and then the sloping surface 174 can press the top panel 159 downward against the crown panels 135a, 135b.The compression band 281 can further press down the top panels 159, 177 to facilitate joining the top panels 159, 177 to the crown panels 135a, 135b via the glue drops G2. In one embodiment, with the top panels 159, 177 secured to the crown panels 135a, 135b, the folding station 215 can be considered to have formed triangles on the outer portions of the carrier, as viewed from the ends of the carrier 105. For example, the triangles can include the respective outer edge portions 138a, 138b, the respective side panels 155a, 155b, and the respective top panels 159, 177. In one exemplary embodiment, the triangles can help support the engaged coupling between the carrier 105 and the vessels C. Accordingly, the top panels 159, 177 are joined to the crown panels 135a, 135b, to form the carrier 105 with the C vessels hooked to the joining panels 131a, 131b, and attached to the keel 180 to form the packing 110, which is moved to the downstream end 205 of the system 200, for further processing, storage, shipping, etc. The packing 110 could be formed in another way in the system 200 without departing from the description. Although system 200 has been described in relation to forming the packing 110 with the rough part carrier 105 103, other rough parts may be fed into the system to form other carriers. For example, a carrier without top panels 159, 177 and / or side panels 155a, 155b (e.g., the carrier shown and described in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 426,066, incorporated by reference) may be formed in system 200, and the crown panel gluing unit 267, paddles 253, 271a, 271b, 271c, and / or compression band 281 may be removed or otherwise deactivated. In general, the rough pieces described herein may be constructed of cardboard of a thickness that makes it heavier and stiffer than ordinary paper. The rough piece may also be constructed of other materials, such as cardstock, or any other material with properties suitable to allow the cardboard box to function at least generally as described above. The rough piece may be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed with product information, advertising, and other information or images. The rough pieces may then be coated with a varnish to protect any printed information. The rough pieces may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides.The rough pieces can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials on the selected panels or panel sections. Q707 ίΠ / ΖΖηΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ As an example, a rip line may include: a groove that extends partially into the material along the desired weakening line, and / or a series of separate grooves that extend partially into and / or completely through the material along the desired weakening line, or various combinations of these features. More specifically, one type of rip line consists of a series of separate grooves that extend completely through the material, with adjacent grooves slightly separated, so that a notch (e.g., a small, bridge-like piece of material) is defined between adjacent grooves to temporarily connect the material across the rip line. The notches break during ripping along the rip line.The notches are typically a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively, the notches may be omitted or torn into a tear line, so that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of this description that each of the tear lines be replaced with a continuous groove, or something similar. For example, a cut line may be a continuous groove or could be wider than a groove without departing from this description. According to the exemplary modalities, a fold line can be any substantially linear, though not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding along it. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present description, fold lines include: a scored line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, that creates a flattened or pressed portion in the material along the desired weakening line; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired weakening line, and / or a series of cuts that extend partially into and / or completely through the material along the desired weakening line; and various combinations of these features.In situations where a cut is used to create a crease line, the cut will typically not be excessively extensive, in a way that could cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the crease line to be a tear line. The above-mentioned configurations can be described as having one or more panels glued together during the assembly of the cardboard box. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all forms of adhesives commonly used to secure the cardboard box panels in place. The preceding description illustrates and describes several modalities. Since various changes could be made to the construction without departing from the scope of the description, it is intended that all material contained in the preceding description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present description covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the modalities described above. Moreover, the description shows and describes only the selected modalities, but several other combinations, modifications, and environments are within the scope of the description as expressed herein, in accordance with prior teachings and / or within the experience or knowledge of the relevant technique.Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each modality can be selectively exchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated modalities of the description.

Claims

1. A method for at least partially forming assemblies, the method comprising: moving a rough part and a plurality of articles in a downstream direction through an engagement station, the rough part comprising at least a first joining panel, a second joining panel, and a keel portion extending from the first joining panel to the second joining panel; forming an engagement assembly by engaging the first joining panel and the second joining panel of the rough part to the respective articles of the plurality of articles during the downstream movement of the rough part and the plurality of articles through the engagement station; and forming a keel by moving the articles of the plurality of articles toward one another and folding the keel portion of the rough part between the articles as the engagement assembly moves in the downstream direction.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising joining the respective articles of the plurality of articles to the keel.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the rough piece comprises a plurality of openings extending into the keel portion, and the joining of the respective articles to the keel comprises applying drops of glue to areas of the keel portion, such that at least a portion of each drop of glue adheres a respective article to the keel via the respective opening of the plurality of openings.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein joining the respective articles of the plurality of articles to the keel comprises applying drops of glue to the portion of the keel, such that the drops of glue adhere at least a portion of the keel to the respective articles during the formation of the keel.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the formation of the keel further comprises compressing the attached assembly in a transverse direction with respect to the downstream direction, after folding the portion of the keel between the articles to press the keel between the articles, to facilitate the adhesion of the articles to the keel with the glue drops.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attachment station comprises two outer attachment guides and two inner attachment guides, each having an inclined surface, and the attachment of the first joining panel and the second joining panel to the respective articles comprises moving the respective outer portions of the rough part downwards, under the inclined surfaces of the two outer attachment guides, and moving the respective inner portions of the rough part downwards, under the inclined surfaces of the two inner attachment guides during the movement of the rough part and the plurality of articles in the downstream direction through the attachment station.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein each of the first joining panel and the second joining panel comprises a respective inner marginal portion and a respective outer marginal portion Q707 ίΠ / 77Ω7 / B / YILI, the downward movement of the outer portions of the rough piece causes the outer marginal portions to fold downward and engage under the respective metal rings of the containers, and the downward movement of the inner portions of the rough piece causes the inner marginal portions to engage under the respective metal rings of the containers.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the two inner engagement guides are positioned at least partially downstream of the two outer engagement guides.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the hooking station further comprises two tension guides positioned at least partially downstream of the two outer hooking guides, the two tension guides coming into contact with the outer portions of the rough part during at least a portion of the downward movement of the inner portions of the rough part.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the rough part and the plurality of articles in the downstream direction through the attachment station comprises moving the plurality of articles in a first stream and a second stream, on at least one amoeba stream conveyor, and moving the rough part with a lugged belt.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the band with lugs is positioned at least partially above the rough piece and comprises a lug that pushes the rough piece in the downstream direction.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attachment station comprises a plurality of guide bands positioned above the rough part, each guide band of the plurality of guide bands pressing down the respective first joining panel and second joining panel, during the movement of the rough part and the plurality of articles in the downstream direction through the attachment station.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the rough piece and the plurality of articles in the downstream direction through the attachment station comprises moving the plurality of articles in a first stream and a second stream, and the keel formation comprising driving the articles in the first stream and the second stream toward each other, with the respective joining guides, while allowing the keel portion of the rough piece to fold down between the articles in the first stream and the second stream, while moving the attached assembly in the downstream direction.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the movement of the articles in the first stream and the second stream comprises moving the articles in the first stream and the second stream on a respective first upstream conveyor and second upstream conveyor, and the propulsion of the articles in the first stream and the second stream toward each other comprises moving the articles from the first upstream conveyor and the second upstream conveyor to a downstream conveyor. Q707 iP / 77Ω7 / B / YILI 15. A system for at least partially forming packages, the system comprising: a hooking station receiving a plurality of articles and a rough piece comprising at least a first joining panel, a second joining panel, and a keel portion extending from the first joining panel to the second joining panel, the hooking station hooks the first joining panel and the second joining panel of the rough piece to the respective articles of the plurality of articles to form a hooked assembly, while moving the rough piece and the plurality of articles in a downstream direction;A joining station receives the attached assembly from the joining station; the joining station moves the articles of the plurality of articles toward each other, while the keel portion of the rough piece folds between the articles to form a keel between the articles as the attached assembly moves in the downstream direction.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the joining station is configured to join at least partially the respective articles of the plurality of articles to the keel.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the rough piece comprises a plurality of openings extending into the keel portion, and the system further comprises a glue applicator that applies glue drops to areas of the keel portion, such that at least a portion of each glue drop adheres a respective article to the keel via a respective opening of the plurality of openings, wherein the joining station forms the keel between the articles.

18. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a glue applicator that applies drops of glue to the keel portion, such that at least a portion of each drop of glue adheres a respective article to the keel when the joining station forms the keel between the articles.

19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a pair of dispensing belts receiving the hooked assembly from the joining station, wherein the dispensing belts are positioned on opposite sides of the hooked assembly and configured to compress together the articles in the hooked assembly with the keel between them, as the hooked assembly moves in the downstream direction to facilitate adhesion of the articles to the keel with the glue drops.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the attachment station comprises two external attachment guides and two internal attachment guides, each having an inclined surface, the two external attachment guides being positioned to contact the respective external portions of the rough part, to move the respective external portions of the rough part downwards, under the inclined surfaces of the two external attachment guides, as the rough part and the plurality of articles move in the downstream direction, and the two internal attachment guides being positioned to contact the respective internal portions of the rough part, to move the respective internal portions of the rough part downwards, under the inclined surfaces of the internal attachment guides, as the rough part and the plurality of articles move in the downstream direction.

21. The system according to claim 20, further comprising an overhead mount mounted on the rough piece, the overhead mount comprising the two outer engagement guides, the two inner engagement guides, and a lug band, wherein the lug band moves at least partially the rough piece in the downstream direction.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the two inner engagement guides are positioned at least partially downstream of the two outer engagement guides.

23. The system according to claim 20, wherein the attachment station further comprises two tension guides positioned at least partially downstream of the two outer attachment guides, the two tension guides coming into contact with the outer portions of the rough piece, while at least a portion of the two inner attachment guides coming into contact with the respective inner portions of the rough piece.

24. The system according to claim 15, further comprising at least one upstream conveyor and a lugged belt, wherein the articles of the plurality of articles are arranged in a first stream and a second stream on at least one upstream conveyor, and the lugged belt is positioned at least partially above the rough piece and comprises a lug that pushes the rough piece in the downstream direction.

25. The system according to claim 15, wherein the attachment station comprises a plurality of guide bands positioned above the rough piece, each guide band of the plurality of guide bands being configured to press down the respective first joining panel and second joining panel of the rough piece, while the rough piece and the plurality of articles move in the downstream direction through the attachment station.

26. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a first upstream conveyor, a second upstream conveyor, and a downstream conveyor, the first upstream conveyor and the second upstream conveyor extending along at least a portion of the coupling station and the joining station, at least a portion of the downstream conveyor being positioned between the first upstream conveyor and the second upstream conveyor at the joining station, wherein the articles of the plurality of articles are arranged in a first stream on the first upstream conveyor and a second stream on the second upstream conveyor,and the joining station comprises joining guides configured to gradually drive the articles in the first stream and the articles in the second stream towards each other from the respective first upstream conveyor and second upstream conveyor, onto the downstream conveyor as the articles move in the downstream direction by means of the first upstream conveyor, the second upstream conveyor, and the downstream conveyor.

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