Patent Publication Number: US-2017348939-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for forming containers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/345,628 filed on Jun. 3, 2016. The contents of the aforementioned application are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for forming containers, including cases. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Containers are used to package many different kinds of items. One form of container used in the packaging industry is a carton. Cartons come in many different configurations and are made from a wide variety of materials. A related type of container used in the packaging industry is referred to as a case and is typically used for shipping items/products or cartons containing items/products. In the present document, the term “case” is used to refer to cartons, boxes, cases and other similar types of containers. 
     Cases come in many different configurations and are made from a wide variety of materials. Many cases are foldable and are formed from a flattened piece of material of a specific configuration (commonly called a case blank). Cases may be made from an assortment of foldable materials, including cardboard, paperboard, plastic materials, composite materials, and the like and possibly even combinations thereof. 
     In some known systems, partially formed tubular case blanks may be serially retrieved from a magazine, opened up from a flattened state into an erected state, and placed in a slot on a conveyor. The erected carton may then be moved by the conveyor to a loading station where the case may be filled with one or more items. 
     To permit the cases to be readily opened up into an erected state from a flattened state, the blanks may be held in the magazine in a partially folded configuration and be partially glued along at least one side seam to form a tubular configuration. Accordingly, each case may only require opposite panels to be pulled apart to provide a tubular shape that is suitable for delivery to a case conveyor. The case can then be moved by the case conveyor to be filled from a side while on the case conveyor and any required additional panel folding and gluing can be carried out to enclose and fully seal the case with one or more items/cartons contained therein. 
     However, such pre-folded and pre-glued blanks are not well adapted to shipping in bulk due to their asymmetric shape—being three layers thick on the glued seam area and two layers thick elsewhere. Unstable stacking characteristics of such blanks typically require the use of secondary containers and also reduce the number of blanks that can be shipped per unit volume. Both of these factors result in increased shipping costs compared to blanks that can be shipped to a case-filler in a completely flat arrangement. Additionally, some types of items/cartons do not lend themselves particularly well to being side-loaded into a case; rather such products/items/cases are more readily loaded into the top of an open-top carton. It can also be advantageous in some situations to be able to load some products through a relatively large opening, compared to smaller opening in a side-loaded carton. 
     Some other case forming systems are adapted to forming a case that can be top-loaded. In some known systems, a magazine may hold a number of blanks that are completely unfolded and unglued and which lie completely flat in a stack in the magazine. However, currently quite complicated systems are required in order to fold, configure and glue the case so that it is suitable to receive one or more items. 
     In the formation of cases from corrugated fibreboard material, it is also typically necessary as part of the forming process to fold over various parts of a blank made from a corrugated fibreboard material. However, current folding processes and machines are relatively complex. 
     One particular type of case that is in widespread use in packaging a wide variety of items/cartons is a case made from a corrugated material, such as corrugated fibreboard. The use of corrugated fibreboard generally enhances the strength of the case. Of those cases made from corrugated fibreboard, a common type is known as “Regular Slotted Container” case or “RSC” case and it is particularly well suited for packaging many types of items such as by way of example only, glass and plastic bottles, packaged goods, or other smaller cases/cartons. 
     Typically, an RSC blank is formed as a flat sheet of material, but usually is folded over and sealed down one seam with an adhesive to form a tubular shaped blank (often called a “knock down” RSC blank). After the knock down RSC blanks have been created, they are typically grouped with other RSCs and shipped to the facility of the customer where the knock-down RSCs are to be erected and filled/packed. 
     However, having to ship knock down RSCs from a location where they are formed to another location where they are erected has drawbacks, as referenced above. 
     Accordingly, an improved forming method and system is desirable which may permit a generally flat, unglued blank to be readily formed into a container such as a case, including for example an RSC case. This may for example, enable flat blanks to be formed into open top cases at the same location where they are filled with products/items/cases and then top-sealed. Also, an improved method and system of forming cases is desirable which can be rapidly and/or easily modified to accommodate cases of different sizes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a a method for forming a container from a generally flat re-configurable blank. The method includes supporting a reconfigurable blank in a first orientation, positioning a first portion of an outward facing surface of a blank support device proximate a first portion of the blank while the blank is in said first orientation. While the first portion of the blank is in the first orientation, rotating a second portion of the blank from the first orientation, around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device to form a blank that has a second generally tubular configuration around the outward facing surface of the blank support device. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a method for forming a container from a generally flat foldable blank. The method includes holding a first portion of a reconfigurable blank in a fixed position relative to a first portion of an outward facing surface of a blank support device. While the first portion of the blank is in a fixed position relative to the first portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device, rotating a second portion of the blank with a panel rotating apparatus around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device to form a blank that has a second generally tubular configuration, and wherein during the rotating of the second portion of the blank, the blank is held by the panel rotating apparatus at a surface side which forms an inwardly directed surface of the blank when the blank in formed into the second generally tubular configuration. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a method for forming a container from a reconfigurable blank. The method includes retaining a reconfigurable blank in a holding apparatus and applying adhesive to a surface of the blank while the blank is retained in the holding apparatus. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a system for forming a container from a re-configurable blank. The system includes a blank support device having an outward facing surface, the blank support device being positioned such that in operation a first portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device is located proximate a first portion of the blank while the blank is in the first orientation. The system may include a rotating apparatus operable such that while the first portion of the blank is in the first orientation, the rotating apparatus is operable to rotate a second portion of the blank from the first orientation, around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the blank support device to form a blank that has a second generally tubular configuration around the outward surface of the blank support device. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a system for forming a container from a generally flat reconfigurable blank. The system includes a holding apparatus operable to hold a reconfigurable blank and an adhesive applicator operable to apply adhesive to a surface of the blank while the blank is held by the holding apparatus. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a system for forming a container from a generally flat foldable blank. The system includes a blank support device and a panel rotating apparatus. The blank support device having a wall with an outward facing surface, the wall having a recess configured to receive a portion of the panel rotating apparatus therein. The rotating apparatus operable to rotate at least a portion of the blank around the outward facing surface of the blank support device to form a blank that has a second generally tubular configuration around the outward surface of the blank support device. The rotating apparatus being operable such that when the rotating apparatus rotates the at least a portion of the blank around the outward facing surface of the blank support device, a portion of the rotating apparatus is received in the recess and the rotating apparatus is engaged with an inwardly directed surface of the blank in the generally tubular configuration. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a system for forming a container from a generally flat foldable blank. The system includes a blank support device having a first surface oriented generally at a first orientation, a second surface oriented at a second orientation that is at a first angle to the first orientation, and a third surface oriented at a second angle to the second orientation, wherein the blank has a first portion that is operable to be positioned proximate the first surface of the blank support device at the first orientation. The system may include a rotating sub-system operable to engage a second portion of the blank and rotate the second portion of the blank from the first orientation while the first portion is maintained in a position proximate the first surface of the blank support device to the second orientation such that the second portion is oriented in the second orientation that is generally at the angle to the first portion of the blank and with the second portion of the blank being positioned proximate the second surface of the blank support device. The system may also include a rotating sub-system operable to engage a third portion of the blank and rotate the third portion of the blank from the first orientation while the first portion is maintained in a position proximate the first surface of the blank support device to a third orientation, such that the third portion is oriented in a third orientation that is generally at the angle to the first portion of the carton blank and the third portion of the blank being positioned proximate the third surface of the blank support device. The system may further include a connection mechanism operable to fixedly connect the third portion of the blank and the second portion of the blank together to form a generally tubular shape blank around the blank support device, wherein in operation, the rotating sub-system rotates the second portion of the blank around the blank support device and the rotating sub-system rotates the third portion of the blank around the blank support device, and the connection mechanism fixedly connects the third portion and the second portion to form a tubular shaped blank. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a method for forming a container from a generally flat foldable blank. The method includes releasably holding a generally flat foldable blank having first, second and third portions all oriented at a first orientation, providing a mandrel having an outward facing surface, relatively positioning the first portion of the blank proximate to a first portion of surface of the mandrel, engaging second and third portions of the blank, and rotating the second and third portions of the blank from the first orientation while the first portion is maintained in a position proximate the first portion of the surface, around the mandrel into a position proximate to the surface of the mandrel, and fixedly connecting the third portion of the blank and the second portion of the blank together to form a tubular shape blank around the mandrel. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a method for forming a container from a generally flat foldable blank. The method includes releasably holding a generally flat foldable blank oriented at a first orientation in a holding apparatus and moving a blank support device having an outward facing surface to a folding station, and while moving the blank support device to the folding station, applying adhesive to a surface of the blank. 
     In another embodiment there is provided a system for forming a container from a re-configurable blank. The system includes a mandrel having an outward facing surface, the blank mandrel being positioned such that in operation a first portion of the outward facing surface of the mandrel is located and maintained proximate a first portion of the blank while the blank is in the first orientation and a rotating apparatus operable such that while the first portion of the blank is maintained in the first orientation, the rotating apparatus is operable to rotate a second portion of the blank from the first orientation, around a second portion of the outward facing surface of the mandrel to form a blank that has a second generally tubular configuration around the outward surface of the mandrel. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the figures which illustrate by way of example only, embodiments of the present invention, 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an example RSC blank; 
         FIG. 2A  is schematic view of an example method of forming a case from a case blank, such as the blank of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is another schematic view of the method of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a is a top, left front perspective view of a case forming system in a first operational position; 
         FIG. 4  is a lower, left front perspective view of the case forming system of  FIG. 2 , in a second operational position; 
         FIG. 5  is an upper, right front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in the second operational position of  FIG. 4 , but with some components omitted for simplicity; 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram of a control system for the system of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the system of  FIG. 4  similar to  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an upper, right front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in a third operational position, but also with some components omitted for simplicity; 
         FIG. 8  is an upper, right rear perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in the third operational position; 
         FIG. 9  is an upper, right front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in a fourth operational position; 
         FIG. 10  is an upper, left front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in the fourth operational position; 
         FIG. 11  is an upper, right front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in a fifth operational position; 
         FIG. 12  is an upper, left front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in the fifth operational position; 
         FIG. 13  is an lower, left front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in a sixth operational position; 
         FIG. 14  is a lower, right front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in a the sixth operational position; 
         FIG. 15  is an upper, right front perspective view of an upper portion of the system of  FIG. 2  in the sixth operational position; 
         FIG. 16  is an lower, left front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in a seventh operational position; 
         FIG. 17  is a lower, left side perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in the seventh operational position; 
         FIG. 18  is a lower, left front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in an eighth operational position; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged view of portion of the system as shown in  FIG. 18 , in the eighth operational position; 
         FIG. 20  is a lower, left rear perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in the eighth operational position; 
         FIG. 21  is an upper, left side perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in a ninth operational position; 
         FIG. 22  is an upper, left front perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2  in a ninth operational position; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of some components of the system of  FIG. 2  shown in isolation; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of some other combination of components of the system of  FIG. 2  shown in isolation; 
         FIG. 25  is another perspective view of some combination of components of the system of  FIG. 2  shown in isolation; 
         FIG. 26  is a top plan view of an alternate blank; 
         FIG. 27  is schematic view of an alternate example method of forming a case from a case blank; 
         FIG. 28  is an upper, left front perspective schematic view of an alternate case forming system in a first operational position; 
         FIG. 29  is an upper, right front perspective view of the case forming system of  FIG. 28 , in a second operational position; 
         FIG. 30  is an upper, right front perspective view of the case forming system of  FIG. 28 , in a third operational position; 
         FIG. 31  is an upper, right front perspective view of the case forming system of  FIG. 28 , in a fourth operational position; 
         FIG. 32  is an upper, perspective view of some components of the case forming system of  FIG. 28  shown in isolation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a flat case blank  1000 , such as a case blank that is suitable to form an RSC case is shown. A case blank as contemplated herein may be made from a material and/or be formed in a way that is flexible so that it may be oriented and configured from a generally flat shape to a generally tubular shape positioned around the outer surface of a blank support device referred to herein as a blank support device, as will be described hereinafter. The case blank may thereafter be reconfigured to form a case with an opening to receive one or more items. For example a case blank  1000  may have minor side wall panels A and C and major side wall panels B and D. Minor side wall panel A may be located adjacent to and joined at a vertical side edge along a fold line (all fold lines shown in broken lines in  FIG. 1 ) to a vertical side edge of major side wall panel B. Major side wall panel B may be located adjacent to and joined at an opposite vertical side edge along a fold line to a vertical side edge of minor side wall panel C. Minor side wall panel C may be located adjacent to and joined at an opposite vertical side edge along a fold line to a side edge of major side wall panel D. A side sealing panel E may also be provided adjacent and joined along a fold line to an opposite vertical side edge to major side wall panel D. 
     Case blank  1000  may also have lower minor panels J and G and lower major panels H and F, joined at transverse side edges along fold lines, to respective minor side wall panels A and C and major side wall panels B and D. Case blank  1000  may also have upper minor panels K and M and upper major panels L and N, joined at opposite transverse side edges along fold lines, to respective minor side wall panels A and C and major side wall panels B and D. However, in other embodiments, case blanks having other panel configurations can be formed into cases ready to be loaded using the methods and apparatuses disclosed hereinafter. 
     As indicated, the panels may be fixedly connected to and/or integrally formed with, adjacent panels by/along predetermined fold lines. These fold lines may be formed by a weakened area of material and/or the formation of a crease with a crease forming apparatus. The effect of the fold line is such that when one panel such as for example panel 
     C is bent relative to an adjacent panel D, the panels C and D will tend to be pivoted relative to each other along the common fold line. 
     As will be described hereinafter, the major and minor side wall panels A, B, C and D, and the lower major and minor panels F, G, H and J, may be folded and sealed to form a desired open top case configuration that can be delivered to a case discharge conveyor. The sealing of specific panels together can in various embodiments be made with any suitable connection mechanism (such as for example with application of an adhesive or in some alternate embodiments, a mechanical connection such as for example is provided in so-called “click-lock” case blanks) so as to interconnect panel surfaces, to join or otherwise interconnect, panels to adjacent panels, to hold the case in its desired configuration. 
     Case blanks  1000  may be made of any suitable material(s) configured and adapted to permit the required folding/bending/displacement of the material to reach the desired configuration yet also meet the particular structural requirements for holding one or more items. Examples of suitable materials are cardboard or creased corrugated fiber board. It should be noted that the blank may be formed of a material which itself is rigid or semi-rigid, and not per se easily foldable but which is divided into separate panels separated by creases or hinge type mechanisms so that the carton can be formed. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an example sequence of steps  1000 ( 1 ) to  1000 ( 10 ) are shown of folding and sealing a flat RSC blank  1000  to from an open top RSC case that is suitable for top loading of items/other cases. 
     A plurality of case blanks may be presented  1000 ( 1 ) in a stacked arrangement with the blanks each configured in a generally flat and planar configuration. A particular individual case blank  1000  may be identified at/selected from the front of the stack of blanks for processing  1000 ( 2 ). In a first folding step  1000 ( 3 ) side wall panel C along with its respective adjacent upper and lower minor panels M and G along with major side wall panel D and its respective adjacent upper and lower major panels N and F, along with sealing panel E, can all be rotated together from the orientation shown at  1000 ( 2 ), 90 degrees in a counter clockwise direction about the vertically oriented fold line between side wall panels B and C, to the configuration as shown at  1000 ( 3 ). In the next folding step  1000 ( 4 ), side wall panel D and its respective adjacent upper and lower major panels N and F, and sealing panel E, are all rotated together counter clockwise 90 degrees about the vertically oriented fold line between side wall panels D and C, to the configuration shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  at  1000 ( 4 ). 
     In the next folding step  1000 ( 5 ), sealing panel E is rotated counter clockwise 90 degrees about the vertically oriented fold line between sealing panel E and side wall panel D to the configuration shown at  1000 ( 5 ). In the next folding step, minor side wall panel A and its respective adjacent upper and lower minor panels K and J, are all rotated together clockwise 90 degrees about the vertically oriented fold line between side wall panels A and B, to the configuration shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  at  1000 ( 6 ), and wherein an upper surface of sealing panel E engages with part of the lower surface of side wall panel A. Adhesive or other connection mechanism may be provided, such as adhesive line  1005  (see  FIG. 1 ), for example between opposing surfaces of sealing panel E and side wall panel A, such that sealing panel E may engage and become permanently connected to minor side wall panel A. The result at the end of this step, as depicted at  1000 ( 6 ), case blank  1000  is formed into a generally rectangular shaped tube. While not shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , folding steps from case blank orientations depicted at  1000 ( 3 ) to  1000 ( 6 ) may be carried out in such manner the panels are wrapped about a centrally positioned blank support device, as is described hereinafter. 
     The remaining steps to configurations shown from  1000 ( 7 ) to  1000 ( 10 ) as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  represent a sequence of steps that may be utilized to close and seal the lower major and minor panels, F, H and G, J respectively to close and seal the bottom of the case blank  1000  to form an RSC case with an open top. 
     In the next step, as depicted at  1000 ( 7 ), the tubular shaped case blank  1000  may be moved vertically downwards to a second vertical location, at which the lower major panels F and H may be rotated outwards, about their respective horizontally oriented fold lines with respective major side panels D and B. The amount of rotation is sufficient to ensure that there will be no interference with the subsequent inward rotation of lower minor panels G and J and no contact is made with adhesive that may be on an inward surfaces of lower major panels F and H, such as respective adhesive lines  1001 ,  1002  and  1003 ,  1004  ( FIG. 1 ). By way of example only, the amount of outward rotation of lower minor panels G and J from vertical planar alignment with their respective adjacent lower major side wall panels D and B may be about  45  degrees. 
     In the next step, as depicted at  1000 ( 8 ), lower minor panels G and J are rotated inwardly, preferably about 90 degrees, about their respective horizontally oriented fold lines with respective major side wall panels C and A. 
     In the next step, as depicted at  1000 ( 9 ), lower major panels F and H may be rotated inwards, about their respective horizontally oriented fold lines with respective major side panels D and B. The amount of rotation is sufficient to ensure that there will be contact between inner surfaces of lower major panels of lower major panels F and H and the outer surfaces of lower minor panels G and J. 
     Adhesive or other connection mechanism may be provided on the inner surfaces of lower major panels F and H so that these panels engage with, and become fixedly connected to the outward adjacent surfaces of lower minor panels G and J. For example, adhesive lines  1001 ,  1002 , and  1003 ,  1004  ( FIG. 1 ) may be on the inward surfaces of lower major panels F and H and may make contact with the outward surfaces of lower minor panels G and J and provide for a fixed connection. 
     The result at the end of step, as depicted at  1000 ( 9 ), case blank  1000  is formed into a generally cuboid shaped, open top case. 
     In the final step, as depicted at  1000 ( 10 ), case blank  1000  may be moved away to another location, and may be subsequently filled with one or more items/other cases and thereafter the upper major panels N and L, may be folded about 90 degrees along with upper minor panels M and K, to close and seal the completed case. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 3-5 , in overview, a case forming system  100  may include a magazine  110  adapted to hold a plurality of case blanks  1000  (only one or two case blanks  1000  are shown for clarity in  FIGS. 3-5 ) in a substantially flat orientation such as is shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . System  100  may also include a case blank support apparatus (also referred to herein as a mandrel apparatus)  120  and a panel rotating sub-system  134  (designated in  FIG. 4 ). As will become evident from the description that follows, panel rotating sub-system  134  may be configured in some example embodiments of the system to engage a blank on an outward facing surface of the blank as the bank is held in the magazine  100  and rotate the blank  1000  around a case blank support device  137  of case blank support apparatus  120  in such a manner that the blank surface that is engaged becomes an inner surface of a tubular shaped and formed case blank. 
     Panel rotating sub-system  134  may utilize one or more panel rotating apparatuses in order to rotate one or more panels of a blank such as blank  1000  relative to each other. For example, panel rotating apparatus  134  may include a first panel rotating apparatus  124 . Panel rotating sub-system may also include a second panel folding apparatus  130 , and may also include a third panel rotating apparatus  131 . Panel rotating sub-system  134  may also include a fourth panel rotating apparatus  138 . Case forming system  100  may also include an adhesive applicator apparatus  135 , a support frame  140  and a vertical mandrel movement apparatus  136  (designated generally in  FIG. 8 ). 
     The operation of the components of carton forming system  100  may be controlled by a controller such as a programmable logic controller (“PLC”)  132  (such as for example as shown schematically in  FIGS. 3 and 5A ). PLC  132  may be in communication with and control all the components of system  100 , in a manner such as is depicted schematically in  FIG. 5A  and may also control other components associated therewith such as conveyor  102 . PLC  132  may for example be a model from the Compact Logix PLC family made by Allen-Bradley. Additionally PLC  132  may include a Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) such as the Allen Bradley Panelview  700  plus colour touch screen graphic workstation so that the operation of system  100  can be monitored, started, operated, controlled, stopped, modified for different mandrel/case blank configurations, by an operator using a touch screen panel. 
     A generally vertically oriented support frame  140  may support vertical blank support device apparatus (mandrel movement apparatus)  136  for vertical upward and downwards movement. It should be noted however, that while system  100  is generally oriented for vertical movement of the mandrel movement apparatus  136 , other orientations can be utilized in other embodiments. 
     Mandrel movement apparatus  136  may include a generally vertically oriented linear rail  142  ( FIG. 8 ) which may support for sliding upward and downward sliding vertical movement a carriage block  144  ( FIG. 5 ). It should be noted that in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 , for simplicity, support frame  140  and linear rail  142  have been omitted. The movement of carriage block  144  on linear rail  142  may be driven by a drive belt (not shown) interconnected to carriage block  144  and supported by vertical support frame  140 . The drive belt (not shown) may be interconnected to, and driven by, a servo drive motor  145 , mounted at an upper end portion of vertical support frame  140 . An encoder (not shown) may be associated with servo drive motor  145  and the encoder and servo drive motor  145  may be in communication with PLC  132 . In this way, PLC  132  on receiving signals from the encoder may be able to monitor and control the vertical position of carriage block  144  (and the components interconnected thereto) by appropriately controlling and operating servo motor  145 . 
     Magazine  110  may be configured to hold a plurality of case blanks  1000  in a stacked, vertically and transversely oriented, flat configuration on their bottom edges (see  FIG. 10 ). Many different types and/or constructions of a suitable magazine  110  might be employed in system  100 . Magazine  100  may be configured to hold a plurality of case blanks  1000  that may be held in a longitudinally extending, stacked arrangement. Magazine  110  is adapted to present an outward facing surface of a plurality of case blanks  1000 , individually in turn. Magazine  110  may comprise a large number of case blanks  1000  held in a generally vertically and transversely oriented, longitudinally extending, case blank stack by side walls  114   a,    114   b  ( FIG. 3 ). In this configuration where case blanks  1000  are individually and selectively retrieved in series from the front of a stack of generally flat blanks, the stack of case blanks  1000  in the magazine can be moved forward by longitudinally oriented conveyors  113   a,    113   b  each having a first set of longitudinally oriented conveyor belts  112  driven by a motor which is also controlled by PLC  132 . The purpose of moving the stack of blanks  1000  forward is so that the outward facing surface of major panel B, of the most forward case blank  1000  in the stack, is positioned and held close to or against an outer generally adjacent surface of the mandrel  137 . This enables first panel rotating apparatus  124  ( FIG. 3 ) and second panel rotating apparatus  130  ( FIG. 5 ), to be able to engage the other exposed outward facing surfaces of panels of the forward most case blank  1000  in the stack held in magazine  110 , as described further hereinafter. Additionally, a back pressure device  165  (only shown schematically in  FIGS. 8 and 10 ) may be provided that can apply a back pressure against the case blank stack in a longitudinal direction toward the front of the magazine, of a magnitude and direction sufficient to keep the stack upright and prevent it from falling longitudinally backwards as the case blank stack on conveyors  113   a,    113   b  is indexed longitudinally forward to maintain the next case blank  1100  at the front of the stack securely in a pick-up position. 
     Selected panels of the forward most blank may be pulled away from holding clips associated with magazine  110  by first panel rotating apparatus  124  and second panel rotating apparatus  130  from retention by magazine  110  then rotated (wrapped) around mandrel  137  of mandrel apparatus  120 . As case blanks  1000  are taken from magazine  110  and formed, PLC  132  may cause the conveyor  112  of magazine  110  to move the entire stack forward sequentially so that the most forward case blank  1000  has its the outward facing surface of major panel B positioned against or very close to adjacent outer rear vertically and transversely oriented surface of mandrel  137 . A sensor (not shown) in communication with PLC  132  may be provided to monitor the level of case blanks  1000  in magazine  110  during operation of case forming system  110 . Magazine  110  can be loaded with additional flat case blanks  1000  at the rear of the magazine. 
     Magazine  110  may have a magazine frame generally designated  127 . Magazine  110  may include a conveyor system to move flat case blanks sequentially to a pick-up position. A wide variety of conveyor systems or other case blank movement systems may be employed. By way of example, conveyor system may include a pair of spaced conveyors  113   a,    113   b  mounted to frame  127 , each conveyor  113   a,    113   b  having a generally horizontal floor plate  115 . Conveyors  113   a,    113   b,  may be longitudinally spaced from each other, and be oriented generally longitudinally, and generally parallel to each other. Each conveyor  113   a,    113   b,  may be operated to move longitudinally together to move case blanks  1100  in a stack of blanks forward in the magazine, while being maintained in a generally transverse and vertical orientation. 
     Each conveyor  113   a,    113   b,  may in some embodiments be divided into a rear conveyor portion  191  ( FIG. 8 ) and a forward conveyor portion  193  ( FIG. 8 ). Rear conveyor portion  191  may have a plurality of continuous conveyor belts  112 . Continuous belts  112  may be oriented longitudinally parallel to each other and be supported for longitudinal movement at opposite ends by opposed sets of drive pulleys  117  and idler wheels  177 . Belts  112  of the rear portions of each conveyor  113   a,    113   b  may be driven by drive pulleys  117  ( FIGS. 8 and 19 ). Drive pulleys  117  may be interconnected to a drive motor  178   b  (that may be a DC motor operated by PLC  132 ) through a drive mechanism comprising drive gears  172  ( FIG. 19 ) and drive chains  176  (only partially shown in  FIG. 19 ) connected to driven wheels  179  that are fixed to drive shaft  173 . Thus drive shaft  173  may be driven by drive motor  178   b  that is in communication with, and controlled by PLC  132 . An encoder may be provided to monitor and control the position of the drive belts  112 . 
     Each forward conveyor portion  193  ( FIG. 8 ) of conveyors  113   a,    113   b  may utilize conveyor chains  174  which may also move/intermittently index blanks to the pick-up position of the magazine as described herein. A similar drive mechanism as the rear conveyor portions  191  may be provided for forward conveyor portion  193  on each conveyor. For example a motor  178   a  such as a DC motor in communication with PLC  132  may be inter connected to driven wheels  175  ( FIG. 19 ) which may be fixedly attached to drive shaft  128 . Driven wheels  175  may be inter-connected with driven conveyor chains  174  ( FIG. 8 ) which are supported also at opposite end by wheels. Thus by controlled operation of motor  178   a,  conveyor chains  174  may move blanks supported thereon and transferred from rear conveyor portion  191 , to the pick-up position on front conveyor portion  193 . 
     Blanks  1000  in the stack supported on belts  112  in conveyors  113   a,    113   b,  may be moved forward by belts  112  and then be transferred to conveyor chains  174 . Conveyor chains  174  may move together longitudinally to move a forward group of blanks into the pick-up position. A back pressure device  165  (shown only schematically in  FIG. 8 ) may be provided to keep a low level of pressure acting in a forward direction on the rear of the stack of case blanks (see  FIG. 10 ). This can prevent some or all of the blanks in the stack from falling backwards as they are indexed forward. 
     Electronic sensors (not shown) in communication with PLC  132  may be positioned to monitor the stack of blanks and ensure that a blank  1000  at the front of the stack of blanks is properly positioned at the pick-up position. 
     Conveyor belts  112  and conveyor chains  174  of both conveyors  113   a,    113   b  may be oriented longitudinally and parallel to each other and the belts of each conveyor  113   a,    113   b  may be synchronized to move intermittently together at the same speed driven by drive motors  178   a,    178   b.  The top run portions of conveyor belts  112  of conveyors  113   a,    113   b  may be supported on the upper surface of floor plates  115  of magazine  110  and the bottom edges of the case blanks  1000  in the stack of case blanks may rest on top of the upper runs of the drive belts  112 . Similarly conveyor chains  174  may be oriented longitudinally and parallel to each other and may be synchronized to move intermittently together at the same speed driven by drive motor  178   a.  The top run portions of conveyor belts  112  of conveyors  113   a,    113   b  may be supported on the upper surface of floor plates  115  of magazine  110  and the bottom edges of the case blanks  1000  in the stack of case blanks may rest on top of the upper runs of the drive belts  112 . 
     Conveyors  113   a,    113   b  may thus be operable to move a vertically and transversely oriented stack of flat case blanks  1000  sequentially longitudinally forward under the control of PLC  132 , so that single case blanks  1000  may be sequentially placed in the pick-up position to be retrieved in series from the stack for processing by first panel rotating apparatus  124 . 
     The stack of case blanks  1000  may be supported at vertically oriented side edges by longitudinally and vertically oriented side wall plates  114   a,    114   b  that may be spaced apart from each other and oriented generally parallel to each other. One or both of side wall plates  114   a,    114   b  may be mounted on transversely oriented and movable rods  126  that are supported on magazine frame  127 . Actuation of rods  126  may be made by any suitable mechanism such as by way of example only, servo drive motors with appropriate drive shafts and gear mechanisms or a hand operated gear and crank shaft mechanism. Side wall plates  114   a,    114   b  serve to guide the case blanks within magazine  110  and can be accurately adjusted to be in close proximity to or contact with the particular case blank size that is being handled at a particular time. This adjustability of the relative transverse spacing of side walls  114   a,    114  allows for case blanks of different configurations to be easily held in magazine  110  for processing as described herein. 
     Clip mechanisms  111   a - d  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) may be provided to releasably hold each case blank  1000  that is at the front of the stack within magazine  110 , and thus hold the stack in place. When first panel rotating mechanism  124  and second panel rotating mechanism  130  selectively engage panels D/F and A respectively, as described hereinafter, clip mechanisms  111   a  ( FIG. 4 ), and  111   b  ( FIG. 5 ) and  111   d  allow for the engaged panels E/D/F/N and A/K/J of the front case blanks  1000  in the stack to be pulled away from the same corresponding panels on the case blank immediately behind the front case blank in the stack held in the magazine. Also, clip mechanisms  111   c  ( FIG. 5 ) will hold panels H, B and L, in magazine  110  while the other panels are being wrapped around the mandrel  137 , but will then allow for the release of panels H, B and L to allow the remaining portion of case blank  1000  to be removed from being held by magazine and moved vertically downward once the case blank  1000  at the front of the stack is engaged by second panel rotating apparatus  130  and mandrel  137  moves vertically downwards, all as described further hereinafter. 
     First panel rotating apparatus  124  may be one of numerous types of robotic systems, but a particularly useful and efficient type of robotic system that may be employed is a Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm (referred to as a “SCARA”) device. By way of example, first panel rotating apparatus  124  may be a SCARA robot made by Epson Robots, Motoman or Fanuc. First panel rotating apparatus  124  may be capable of intermittent motion, as will be evident from this description. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 3-6 , first panel rotating apparatus  124  may be secured to a fixed, longitudinally oriented robot support member  158  proximate a first end thereof. An opposite end of longitudinal robot support member  158  may be secured to an end portion of a fixed, transversely oriented robot support member  156 . The opposite end portion of transverse robot support member  156  may be fixedly mounted to vertical support frame  140 . 
     First panel rotating apparatus  124  may include a first rotational drive unit  160  having one upper end fixedly mounted to longitudinal robot support member  158 . Extending from an opposite lower end of first rotation drive unit  160  is a first rotational drive that may comprise a drive shaft (not shown) that is operable for rotation clockwise and anti-clockwise about a first vertical axis of rotation Y 1  ( FIG. 3 ). The drive shaft of first rotation drive unit  160  is operably connected to a first end portion  162   a  ( FIG. 4 ) of a first articulating arm  162 . Thus, when rotational drive unit  160 , under the control of PLC  132 , causes the drive shaft of first rotation drive unit  160  to rotate, first articulating arm  162  is able to pivot clockwise or anti-clockwise relative to the drive shaft about vertical axis Y 1 , depending upon the direction of rotation of the drive shaft. 
     A second rotational drive unit  169  may be mounted at or proximate a second opposite end portion  162   b  ( FIG. 5 ) of articulating arm  162 . Rotational drive unit  169  may include a second rotational drive  164  ( FIG. 5 ) that has a drive shaft (not shown) that is operable for rotation clockwise and anti-clockwise about a second vertical axis of rotation Y 2  ( FIG. 5 ) under the control of PLC  132 . The drive shaft of rotational drive  164  may be located proximate a first end portion  169 a of rotational drive unit  169 . The drive shaft of rotational drive  164  is fixedly connected to opposite end portion  162   b  of first articulating arm  162 . 
     When rotational drive unit  169 , under the control of PLC  132 , causes the drive shaft of rotational drive  164  to rotate relative to rotational drive unit  169  about axis Y 2  ( FIG. 5 ), and thus rotational drive  164  along with rotational drive unit  169  can rotate clockwise and anti-clockwise relative to first articulating arm  162  about the drive shaft of rotational drive  164  and thus about vertical axis Y 2 . 
     Rotational drive unit  169  may also have an opposite end portion  169 b at which may be another vertical drive shaft  163  ( FIG. 5 ) which is operable for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation by a third rotational drive  167 , under the control of PLC  132 , about vertical axis Y 3 . Mounted to drive shaft  163  of second rotational drive  164  is an end effector rod  166  formed in a generally tubular cylinder and having suction cups  168 . 
     Air suction cups  168  may be interconnected through hoses passing through cavities in end effector  166 , second rotational drive  164 , articulating arm  162 , first rotational drive  160  and robot support members  158 ,  156  and vertical support frame  140  to a source of vacuum by providing for an air channel through the aforesaid components. The supply of vacuum to suction cups  168  may be provided by a pressurized air distribution unit generally designated  227  ( FIG. 5A ). Air distribution unit  227  may include a plurality of valves that may be operated by PLC  132  and may also include local vacuum generator apparatuses that may be in close proximity to, or integrated as part of, suction cups  168 . In other embodiments, a vacuum pump mounted externally may generate vacuum externally and then vacuum can be supplied through the aforementioned air channels. If local vacuum generators are utilized, pressurized air may be delivered from an external source through air distribution unit  227  to the vacuum generators. The local vacuum generators may then convert the pressurized air to vacuum that can then be delivered to suction cups  168 . 
     The air suction force that may be developed at the outer surfaces of suction cups  168  will be sufficient so that when activated they can engage and hold panel D, and rotate panels D (along with panels F, N, E and M, C and G) of a case blank  1000  from (i) the position shown in  FIG. 3  to (ii) the position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and thereafter (iii) to the position shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  and then (iv) after releasing a first engaged blank  1000 , eventually return to the position shown in  FIG. 3  to engage a next case blank  1000  positioned at the pick-up position in magazine  110 . The vacuum generated at suctions cups  168  can be activated and de-activated by PLC  132  through operation of air distribution unit  227 . 
     First rotating apparatus  124  may be readily adjustable for different types/configurations of mandrel apparatuses  120 , including mandrels  137 , for forming different types/configurations of case blanks  1000  into cases by suitable programming of PLC  132  appropriately to provide for appropriate movements of the suctions cups  168  through movement of the first rotational drive  160  and second rotational drive  164  and third rotational drive  167 . Thus by an interchange of mandrel  137  to provide for alternate configurations of the mandrel side wall and bottom walls, PLC  132  and its operation of first rotating apparatus  124  may be appropriately programmed and thus different sized and configurations of blanks may be processed. 
     Mandrel apparatus  120  may have several components including a mandrel  137  ( FIG. 3 ) and a mandrel support apparatus generally designated  148  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ). Mandrel  137  may be easily removable from mandrel support apparatus  148 , so that a mandrel of one configuration may be easily replaced with a mandrel of another configuration. With particular reference to  FIGS. 5-6  and  FIGS. 23-25 , mandrel  137  may comprise a pair of opposed, spaced, vertically and transversely oriented, spaced, major side walls  121   a,    121   b  interconnected with a pair of opposed, spaced, vertically and longitudinally oriented, spaced, minor side walls  122   a,    122   b.  A generally horizontally and transversely oriented bottom wall  118  is interconnected to major and minor side walls  121   a,    121   b,    122 ,  122   b  to form a generally cuboid, open top, box shape. Mandrel  12  may be generally configured in a variety of different sizes and shapes, each selected for the particular type of case blank  1000  that are to be formed into cases. 
     The dimensions of the outer surfaces of mandrel  137  may be selected so that the specific case blank  1000  that it is desired to fold has, during the forming process, fold lines that are located substantially at or along the four corner vertical side edges and the four corner horizontal bottom edges of mandrel  137 . Such a selection may improve the performance of case forming system  100  in creating a formed case that is ready for loading with items. Mandrel  137 , and surrounding components in system  100 , may be configured to permit for the easy interchange of mandrels  137  so that case forming system  100  can be readily adapted to forming differently sized/shaped cases from differently configured case blanks  1000 . 
     Front mandrel side wall  121   a  may be provided with a vertical slot  123  that may be configured to permit part of end effector  166  and suction cups  168  to move from the position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and pass through slot  123  to the position shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . By allowing the end effector  166  to pass through vertical slot  123 , end effector  166  and suction cups  168  may engage the outer surface of the major side panel D of case blank  1000  when it is held in magazine  110  and then may wrap the case blank around the mandrel  137  such that the surface being held becomes an inner surface of the tubular formed case blank and major side panel D may be held substantially flat against the outside surface of major side wall  121   a  of mandrel  137 , as shown. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 23-25 , rear mandrel side wall  121   b  may not extend transversely the full length of bottom wall  118  and may have a vertical end edge  171  that defines an opening  170 . Mounted to an inward surface of rear side wall  121   b  may be a releasable mandrel mounting bracket unit  125 . Mandrel mounting unit  125  may be configured to releasably connect a transversely extending mandrel mounting plate  155  to mandrel rear side wall  121   b,  such as having mounting plate  155  be received into slot  161  in mounting bracket unit  125 , with the plate being releasably held in the slot by a screw of the mounting bracket unit being removably receivable in a threaded aperture  159  of the mounting plate  155 . It will be noted that by simple transverse movement of mandrel  137  relative to mounting plate  155  one mandrel  137  may be replaced by another mandrel  137  of a different configuration. 
     Horizontally and vertically oriented mounting plate  155  can be fixedly connected to an end of vertical mandrel support member  154 . A lower portion of mandrel support member  154  may also serves to complete the rear side wall of mandrel  137 , when mandrel mounting plate  155  is received into mounting bracket unit  125 . 
     Mounted to an inner surface of mandrel mounting plate  155  is second panel rotating apparatus  130 . With particular reference to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , second panel rotating apparatus  130  may include a double acting pneumatic cylinder device  180  which may for example be one of several different types made by Festo. 
     Pneumatic cylinder  180  may be supplied with pressurized air controlled by valves (not shown) operated by PLC  132 . Pneumatic cylinder  180  may have a piston arm  181  that has an end pivotally connected to a suction cup arm  182 . Suction cup arm  182  may be provided with suction cups  183 . Air suction cups  183  may be interconnected through hoses passing through cavities (not shown) in suction cup support arm  182 , first vertical support member  154 , longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  152 , second vertical mandrel support member  150  and longitudinally oriented and carriage support arm  146  and carriage  144  to a source of vacuum by providing for one or more air channels carrying pressurized air through the aforesaid components. The supply vacuum to suction cups  183  may be controlled by pressurized air distribution unit generally designated  227  ( FIG. 5A ). Air distribution unit  227  may include a plurality of valves that may be operated by PLC  132  and may also include local vacuum generator apparatuses that may be in close proximity to, or integrate as part of, suction cups  168 . In other embodiments, a vacuum pump may generate vacuum externally and then vacuum can be supplied through the aforementioned air channels. If local vacuum generators are utilized in close proximity to vacuum cups  183 , pressurized air may be delivered from an external source through air distribution unit  227  to the vacuum generators. The local vacuum generators will then convert the pressurized air to vacuum that can then be delivered to suction cups  183 . 
     The air suction force that may be developed at the outer surfaces of suction cups  183  will be sufficient so that when activated they can engage and hold panel A, and rotate panels K, A and J of a case blank  1000  past clip mechanisms  111   b  and  111   d,  from the position shown in  FIGS. 5-9  to initially the positon shown in  FIG. 11 , and then, once the case blank  1000  is released, eventually return to the position shown in  FIG. 5 . The vacuum generated at suctions cups  183  can be activated and de-activated by PLC  132  through operation of unit  227 . 
     When PLC  132  causes pneumatic cylinder  180  to extend piston arm  181 , such cup arm  182  with suction cups  183  can rotate about a pivot device  184  through a longitudinally and vertically extending opening  119  in mandrel side wall  122   a  (see for example  FIG. 9 ) and can then suction cups  183  can engage an outward facing surface of a panel A of case blank  1000 . 
     It may be appreciated that the end effector  166  engages an outward facing surface of a case blank  1000  held in a pick-up position in the magazine  110 . However, by allowing end effector  166  with suction cups  168  to pass into a recess in the wall, and in this embodiment shown, through vertical slot  123  in mandrel  137 , and allowing suction cup arm  182  to pass through opening  119  in mandrel  137 , and then move their respective suction cups to appropriate positions at least partially within the respective slot  123  and opening  119 , enables the first panel rotating apparatus  124  and second panel rotating apparatus  130  to in effect wrap the case blank around the outer surfaces of  122   a - 122   d  of mandrel  127  by engaging only what become the inward facing vertical surfaces of the tubular case blank formed from case blank  1000  (ie. the case blank  1000  is wrapped around the mandrel by engaging what become inward facing surfaces of the tubular shaped case blank  1000 . 
     Horizontally and vertically oriented mounting plate  155  may be fixedly connected at an outer end to a lower end portion of vertical mandrel support member  154 . 
     An opposite, upper end of vertical mandrel support member  154  may be fixedly connected to a first end of a longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  152 . An opposite second end of longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  152  may be fixedly connected to a first end of a second vertical mandrel support member  150 . A second opposite end of second vertical mandrel support member  150  is fixedly attached to a first end of longitudinally oriented and extending carriage arm  146 . Proximate the connection location of mandrel support member  150  and carriage arm  146  may be mounted to opposite outer surfaces of vertical mandrel support member  150 , a pair of spaced and opposed, longitudinally oriented support blocks  147   a,    147   b  (see  FIG. 25 ). 
     Mandrel side wall  121   b,  with its mounting plate  125  can facilitate the support of mandrel  137  on mandrel support frame  148  that includes mounting block plate  155 , first vertical support member  154 , longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  152 , second vertical mandrel support member  150  with longitudinally oriented support blocks  147   a,    147   b,  and carriage arm  146 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 24 , as noted above, vertical mandrel support member  150  is fixedly attached at is upper end portion to a first end portion of longitudinally oriented and extending carriage arm  146 . The opposite end portion of longitudinally oriented and extending carriage arm  146  is fixedly connected to carriage block  144 . Carriage block  144  is attached for sliding vertical upward and downward movement on a vertically oriented linear rail  142 . Linear rail  142  may for example be a linear rail device of many types made by Bosch Rexroth AG, and provides a vertical movement apparatus  136  for mandrel apparatus  120  and the mandrel supporting members. 
     Linear rail  142  may be mounted to vertical support frame  140 . Linear rail  142  may have a carriage drive mechanism  198  ( FIGS. 8 and 2 ) which is operable under the control of PLC  132  to move the carriage  144  and thus also mandrel  137  vertically upwards and downwards within a range of movement as required for completing the case forming operations described herein. 
     First vertical support member  154 , longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  152 , second vertical mandrel support member  150  and longitudinally oriented and carriage support arm  146  and carriage  144  may be appropriately configured to permit electrical and communication cables and pressurized air/vacuum air hoses to pass through from an upper end to a lower end where operational components of mandrel apparatus  120  are located. In this way, electrical power/communication cable and air hoses can deliver power, electrical signals and pressurized air/vacuum to the mandrel  137  and second panel rotating apparatus  130  which is mounted on mandrel  137 . 
     It will also be appreciated that in first panel rotation apparatus  124  and second panel rotating apparatus  130 , suction cups are used to apply a force to hold and move panels of a case blank  1000 . However alternative engagement mechanisms to suction cups could be employed in other embodiments to engage, hold and rotate panels of case blanks  1000 . 
     With particular reference now to  FIGS. 8 and 20 , linear rail  142  may include carriage drive mechanism  198  that is operable to drive carriage  144  vertically upwards and downwards on line rail  142 . Carriage drive mechanism  198  may include a continuous vertically oriented drive belt  143  that extends between an idler wheel  141  and a drive wheel  139 . Drive wheel  139  may be driven in both rotational directions and at varying speeds by the drive shaft of a servo drive motor  145 . The operation of drive motor  145  may be controlled by PLC  132  in combination with a position sensing apparatus such as an encoder (not shown) associated with drive motor  145  so that PLC  132  can determine when and how to operate drive motor  145  to appropriately position the drive belts  143   a,    143   b  and thus move carriage  144  upwards and downwards, consequently also moving mandrel  137  and adhesive applicators  133   a - e  upwards and downwards. Drive motor  145  may be mounted at an upper end portion of support frame  140 . Carriage  144  may be interconnected to drive belt  143  with a connection mechanism that may include opposed side connector plates  205  ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ). 
     Also associated with vertical moving apparatus  136  may be a caterpillar device  189  ( FIG. 9 ). Caterpillar  189  has a hollow cavity extending along its length. Within the cavity of caterpillar  189  hoses carrying pressurized air/vacuum and electrical/communication wires can be housed. Caterpillar  189  allows such hoses and wires to move vertically as the mandrel support components and thus mandrel  137  are moved vertically by vertical moving apparatus  136 . The hoses and wires may extend from external sources to enter at an inlet of caterpillar  189  mounted to vertical support frame  140  and emerging at an outlet on carriage arm  146 . Upon leaving the outlet of caterpillar  189 , the hoses and wires may pass into the internal cavity of carriage arm  146  (see  FIG. 9 ). An example of a suitable caterpillar device that could be employed is the E-Chain Cable Carrier System made by Igus Inc. 
     Also mounted for vertical upwards and downwards movement with mandrel apparatus  120  is an adhesive applicator apparatus  135 . Adhesive applicator apparatus  135  may include a transversely oriented support beam  149  to which may be mounted a plurality of adhesive applicators  133   a  to  133   e  ( FIG. 3 ). Adhesive applicators  133   a - e  may be provided with nozzles  153  ( FIG. 8 ) Individual adhesive applicators  133   a  to  133   e  can be appropriately positioned transversely along support beam  149  such that adhesive applicators  133   a - e  can provide a suitable adhesive pattern to the outward facing surface of a case blank  1000  and certain panels thereof, held at the front of magazine  110  in the pick-up position. The operation of each adhesive applicator  133   a - e  may be controlled by PLC  132  by for example suitable wire connections that pass through caterpillar  189  and other components of mandrel apparatus  120 . Applicators  133   a - e  can apply a suitable adhesive to various panel surfaces of a bank  1000  held in magazine  110  so that when the panels are folded as described herein, the panels and flaps can be held in the desired carton configuration. 
     An example of a suitable adhesive applicator apparatus  135  that can be employed is the model ProBlue 4 hot melt application system made by Nordson Inc. which includes adhesive tank, nozzles/guns and hoses as well as solid state temperature control for the tank, guns and hoses. The operation of adhesive applicator apparatus  134  may be monitored and controlled by PLC  132 . 
     Various types of adhesives may be employed in case forming system  100 . A particular class of adhesives that may be suitable are adhesives in the class of “Hot Melt Adhesives” (referred to as a “HMA”). HMAs may be a thermoplastic adhesive/glue which may be heated in an applicator such as applicators  133   a - e  by respective heating elements and then expelled from the applicators while hot and tacky onto surfaces which are to be adhered to other surfaces. Depending upon the particular formulation of the HMA selected, the adhesive may for example remain tacky and capable of bonding two surfaces together for, from perhaps a second or a few seconds, to up to a minute or more. In case forming system  110 , an HMA may be applied to the outward facing surfaces of panels of a blank  100  (such as shown in  FIG. 1 ) while held in magazine  100  by applicators  133   a - e,  to form adhesive lines such as adhesive lines  1001 ,  1002 ,  1003 ,  1004  and  1005 . 
     One particular type of HMAs are pressure sensitive HMAs which may remain tacky and capable to bonding two surfaces together until pressure is applied to the HMA, such as when the HMA is compressed between two surfaces of two panels of a blank  1000  as the two panels are brought together. Such pressure sensitive HMAs may remain tacky and capable of bonding two surfaces together for a long period of time, and potentially for an infinite amount of time, until pressure is applied to the HMA. 
     An example of a suitable adhesive that could be employed on a case blank  1000  made of cardboard is Cool-Lok adhesive made by Nacan Products Limited or a suitable pressure sensitive HMA made by Henkel. 
     Adhesive applicators  133   a - e  can for example be positioned transversely along support beam  149 , and their operation controlled by PLC  132  to provide apply a suitable adhesive to various panel surfaces, such as vertical adhesive lines  1001 ,  1002  on lower major panel F, vertical adhesive lines  1003 ,  1004  on lower major panel H and adhesive line  1005  on minor side wall panel A ( FIG. 1 ). This can be done as the adhesive applicators  133   a - e  are moving upwardly on support beam  149  during an upward stroke of the mandrel apparatus  120  including mandrel  137 . 
     The transverse positions of adhesive applicators  133   a - e  may be individually selected and adjusted by use of a releasable adjustment mechanisms  199   a - e  which releasably secures the applicators  133   a - e  to support beam  149 , at positions suitable dependent upon which particular type/configuration of case blank  1000  that is being processed (see for example  FIG. 25 ). This adjustable positioning of adhesive applicators  133   a - e  is another part of the features of case forming system  100  that enables case forming system  100  to be easily modified when changing over from handling one type/configuration of case blank to another type/configuration of case blank. 
     Applicator support beam  149  may be fixedly mounted to support blocks  147   a,    147   b  ( FIG. 5 ) and thus applicator support beam  149  and adhesive applicators  133   a - e  may move and stroke vertically upwards and downwards along with carriage  144  and mandrel movement apparatus  136  within a range of intermittent movement as required for completing the case forming operations and process described herein. It will be appreciated that by interconnecting adhesive applicator apparatus  135 , including applicator support beam  149  carrying adhesive applicators  133   a - e,  to the carriage  144 , the adhesive applicator apparatus  135  may be moved in reciprocating motion vertically upwards and downwards in space with the mandrel apparatus  120  and mandrel  137 . Both portions of adhesive applicator apparatus  135  and at least portions of mandrel apparatus  120  will occupy some of the same spatial region in the vicinity of the front of the magazine  110  and the pick-up location of case blanks  1000  located in the magazine  110  at the front of the stack. This enables the adhesive applicator apparatus  135  to apply adhesive to the outward facing surface of the blank at the pick-up position during upward vertical movement, while the case blank  1000  at the front of the stack is being held in the magazine, and prior to the mandrel apparatus  120  being brought into an engagement position with the case blank being located at the pick-up location. 
     The next component of system  100  to be described in detail is third panel rotating apparatus  131  which is configured to cause the appropriate lower panels F, G, H, J ( FIG. 1 ) to be folded and sealed to provide a closed bottom and thus form an open top case configuration that is suitable for delivery to a case conveyor  102  ( FIG. 3 ). Third panel rotating apparatus  131  is operable (a) to rotate outwards lower major panels F and H about their respective fold lines with respective major side panels D and B. The amount of rotation is sufficient to ensure that there will be no interference with the subsequent inward rotation of lower minor panels G and J and no contact is made with adhesive that may be on an inward surfaces of lower major panels F and H, such as respective adhesive lines  1001 ,  1002  and  1003 ,  1004  ( FIG. 1 ). In an example embodiment the amount of outward rotation of lower minor panels G and J from vertical planar alignment with their respective adjacent lower major side wall panels D and B, may be about  45  degrees from the vertical. 
     Third panel rotating apparatus  131  may also be operable to (b) rotate lower minor panels G and J inwardly, preferably about 90 degrees to a generally horizontal orientation, about their respective fold lines with respective major side wall panels C and A; and (c) rotate lower major panels F and H inwards, about their respective fold lines with respective major side panels D and B, an amount of rotation is sufficient to ensure that there will be contact between inner surfaces of lower major panels of lower major panels F and H and the outer surfaces of lower minor panels G and J. Third panel rotating apparatus  131  may also be operable to apply compression to lower major panels F and H against the bottom wall  188  of mandrel  137  to ensure that a fixed adhesive connection is formed between inner surfaces of lower major panels of lower major panels F and H and the outer surfaces of lower minor panels G and J. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , third panel rotating apparatus  131  may include opposed longitudinally oriented pivoting fingers  200   a,    200   b,  that may pivot within a desired range outwards and inwards about respective pivots  201   a,    201   b  about transversely oriented pivot axes. The pivoting movement of fingers  200   a,    200   b  may be caused by actuator motors  202   a,    202   b  controlled in operation by PLC  132 . 
     Operation of fingers  200   a,    200   b  can rotate outwards lower major panels F and H about their respective fold lines with respective major side panels D and B. 
     Third panel rotating apparatus  131  may also include opposed transversely oriented plough devices  210   a,    210   b,  that have plough plates  211   a,    211   b  that may be moved transversely in intermittent, reciprocating movement by actuating double acting pneumatic cylinders  212   a,    212   a,  with movable piston arms, within a desired range outwards and inwards. The transverse movement of plough devices  210   a,    210   b  may be controlled by valves in air distribution unit  227  (not shown) that selectively deliver pressurized air through hoses (not shown) to double acting pneumatic cylinders  212   a,    212   b,  under the control of PLC  132 . 
     Third panel rotating apparatus  131  may also include opposed longitudinally oriented plough devices  220   a,    220   b,  that have plough plates  221   a,    221   b  that may be moved transversely in intermittent, reciprocating movement by double acting pneumatic cylinders  222   a,    222   a,  with movable piston arms, within a desired range outwards and inwards. The transverse reciprocating intermittent movement of plough devices  220   a,    220   b  may be controlled by valves (not shown) that selectively deliver pressurized air through hoses (not shown) to pneumatic cylinders  222   a,    222   b,  that may be supplied by pressurized air controlled by valves in air distribution unit  227 , under the control of PLC  132 . 
     The aforementioned components of third panel rotating apparatus  131  may be mounted to a frame (not shown for simplicity). In some embodiments, the horizontal longitudinal/transverse positions and possibly also their vertical positions may be adjustable on the frame to enable the components of third panel rotating apparatus  131  to accommodate different sized/configured mandrel apparatuses  120  and corresponding different size and configuration of case blanks and their lower panels F, G, H, J. The adjustment may be made by hand or by servo motors operating moving support components under control of PLC  132 . However, it is preferred if third panel rotating apparatus is configured so that it can accommodate the processing of several different size/configurations of mandrels and case blanks without having to adjust the positions of their components, to be more easily able to facilitate change-over from one mandrel/case blank size and configuration to another. 
     The next component of system  100  to be described in detail is fourth panel rotating apparatus  138 . Fourth panel rotating apparatus  138  can co-operate with first panel operating apparatus  134  and second panel operating apparatus  130  to form a tubular shaped blank. Fourth panel rotating apparatus  138  is operable to rotate inwards 90 degrees, sealing panel E of case blank  1000  relative to major side wall panel D, from the position shown in  FIG. 7  to the position shown in  FIG. 9 . Fourth panel rotating apparatus  138  may be mounted to a supporting frame component (not shown) and include a plough device  230  having plough plate  231  that may be moved longitudinally in intermittent, reciprocating movement by a double acting pneumatic cylinder  232 , with a movable piston arm, within a desired range outwards and inwards. The longitudinal reciprocating intermittent movement of plough device  220  may be controlled by valves (not shown) in air distribution unit  227  that deliver pressurized air through hoses (not shown) to pneumatic cylinder  232  under the control of PLC  132 . 
     Pneumatic cylinders  211   a,    212   b,    222   a,    222   b,  and  232  may each be a conventional pneumatic reciprocating cylinder with piston arms that are operable to move in a reciprocal movement between fully extended positions and fully retracted position. This reciprocating motion can be achieved in known ways such as for example, by using a double acting cylinder, which can for example, channel compressed air to two different chambers which in turn provides interchanging forward and backward acting forces on the piston arms of the cylinders. Pneumatic cylinders  211   a,    212   b,    222   a,    222   b,  and  232  may for example be one of many different types made by Festo. 
     Compressed air may be delivered to pneumatic cylinders  211   a,    212   b,    222   a ,  222   b,  and  232  by hoses (not shown) in communication with a source of pressurized air through air distribution unit  227 . To channel the compressed air appropriately, valves (not shown) in distribution unit  227  ( FIG. 5 ) can be driven between open and closed positions by solenoids responsive to signals from PLC  132 . The valves could be located proximate the pneumatic cylinders  211   a,    212   b,    222   a,    222   b,  and  232  or be disposed elsewhere. Electrical communication lines carrying signals to and from PLC  132  could also be provided to operate the valves. 
     It should also be noted that during the downward vertical movement of a case blank  1000  secured to mandrel  137 , a compression rail  195  supported on part  140   a  of vertical support frame  140  ( FIG. 3 ) is configured and positioned to apply pressure to the panels A and E pushing against the outward surface of side wall  122   a  of mandrel  137 , to ensure appropriate sealing of panels A and E with the adhesive. 
     In some embodiments, the longitudinal/transverse position and possibly also the vertical position of compression rail  195  may be adjustable on the frame  140  to enable the components of third panel rotating apparatus  131  to accommodate different sized/configured mandrel apparatuses  120  and corresponding different size and configuration of case blanks and their lower panels F, G, H, J. The adjustment may be made by hand or by servo motors operating moving support components under control of PLC  132 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3, 21 and 22 , case discharge conveyor  102  (for simplicity not shown in the other Figures) may be provided with spaced continuous conveyor belts  105  driven in a conventional manner by a drive motor under control of PLC  132  and configured to support and move open topped cases formed from case blanks  1000  by case forming system  100 . A lift platform  104  may have upward facing suction cups  103 . Lift platform  104  may be employed to assist in “handing off” a formed case from mandrel  137  to case conveyor  102 . The lift platform  104  may be vertically movable upwards and downwards and along with suction cups  103  and corresponding suction cup valves (not shown) be controlled by valves and PLC  132 . Lift platform  104  may move suctions cups  103  to engage and hold the blank (which has become a formed case) in position during disengagement of the mandrel  137  from the formed case. Then lift platform  104  may be lowered to position the formed case onto the case conveyor for discharge for filling, packing and top sealing. Suction cups  103  may be deactivated allowing case conveyor  102  to move the formed case from case forming system  100 . 
     Various components of system  100  such as mandrel apparatus  120  including mandrel  137  and the various support members  155 ,  154 ,  152  and  150 ; first, second, third and fourth panel rotating apparatuses; robot support members  156  and  158 ; and support frame  140 , may all be made of any suitable materials such as for example aluminium or steel. 
     Also a least some of the various components of system  100  mandrel support members  155 ,  154 ,  152  and  150  may be integrally formed or interconnected to each other by known techniques. For example if the components are made of a suitable metal or plastic, welding techniques can be employed. Also, the use of screws and/or nut and bolts may be employed. 
     The operation of system  100  will now be described in detail. A plurality of case blanks  1000  may be presented in a vertically and transversely oriented stacked arrangement and held in magazine  110 . Magazine  110  may be operated such that the front generally vertically and transversely oriented surface of panel B of the forward-most blank  1000  will be at a pick-up location that will be just in contact with, or be a very short distance spaced from (e.g. within ¼ inch), the inward surface of rear wall  121   b  of mandrel  137  when the mandrel is appropriately vertically positioned. 
     The start position of mandrel  137  will typically be a vertically downward position, where the adhesive ejection nozzles  153  ( FIG. 8 ) of adhesive applicators  133   a - e  are also below the level of the bottom edge of case blank  1000  held in magazine  110 ). Then, under control of PLC  132 , vertical movement apparatus  136  can cause mandrel apparatus  120  with adhesive applicator apparatus  135  connected thereto, to move vertically upwards an appropriate amount at an appropriate velocity. In doing so, ejection nozzles  153  of adhesive applicators  133   a - e  can be operated by PLC  132  over a suitable range of upward movement , to apply adhesive to respective panels A, H and F. PLC  132  is able to activate adhesive applicators  133   a - e  at a suitable vertical location because of signals received from the encoder associated with servo drive motor  145 . Adhesive applicators  133   a - e  will then apply adhesive lines  1001 ,  1002 ,  1003 ,  1004  and  1005  as shown in  FIG. 1 , to the outward facing surface of the front case blank  1000  in magazine  110 , while the front case blank is in the pick-up position. 
     Next, under control of PLC  132 , magazine  110  and first panel rotating apparatus  124  may co-operate so that suction cups  168  engage and hold the outward facing surface of major side wall panel D, and pull panels N, D and F from clip mechanism  111   a , while clip mechanisms  111   c  holding panels G/C/M and J, B/L in the pick-up position in the magazine, and clip mechanisms  111   b,    111   d  hold panels J/A/K also in the pick-up positon in the magazine. 
     First panel rotating apparatus  124  can then start to rotate major side wall panel D along with panels E, N, F and also pull panels M, C and G from retaining clips  111   c  to also rotate them, 90 degrees in a counter clockwise direction about the vertical fold line between side wall panels B and C, to the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , where minor side wall panel C is held against the outer surface of mandrel side wall  122   b  (see also step  1000 ( 3 ) in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). 
     In the next folding step, PLC  132  causes first panel rotating apparatus  124  to rotate side wall panel D and its respective adjacent upper and lower major panels N and F, and connected sealing panel E, together counter clockwise 90 degrees about the vertical fold line between side wall panels D and C, to the configuration shown in  FIG. 7 , where major side wall panel D is held against the outer surface of mandrel side wall  121   a,  as end effector  166  with suction cups  168  pass through slot  123  (see also step  1000 ( 4 ) in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). 
     In the next folding step, PLC  132  causes plough plate  231  of fourth panel rotating apparatus  138  to extend causing sealing panel E to be rotated counter clockwise 90 degrees about the vertical fold line between sealing panel E and side wall panel D to the configuration shown in  FIG. 9  (see also step  1000 ( 5 ) in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). 
     In the next folding step, PLC  132  causes second panel rotating apparatus  130  to be activated by activating pneumatic cylinder  180  to extend piston arm  181  so that suction cups  183  can engage and hold the outward facing surface of side wall panel A. PLC  132  can then cause pneumatic cylinder  180  to retract piston arm  181 , causing suction cup arm  182  to rotate about its pivot  184 , thus causing side wall panel A, along with and its respective adjacent upper and lower minor panels K and J, to be all rotated together clockwise 90 degrees about the fold line between side wall panels A and B, to the configuration shown in  FIG. 11 . But as panel A is approaching the position shown in  FIG. 11 , where a large portion of minor side wall panel A is held against the outer surface of mandrel side wall  122   a,  PLC  132  causes plough plate  231  of fourth panel rotating apparatus  138  to retract allowing an outward facing surface of sealing panel E to engage with an edge portion of the inward facing surface of minor side wall panel A, and wherein the surface of sealing panel E becomes connected to side wall panel A as a result of adhesive line  1005  bonding the two panels together. Thus sealing panel E in combination with adhesive line  1005  provides a connection mechanism for connecting the free vertical side edge portions of blank  1000 . However, in other example embodiments, other connection mechanisms may be provided to connect the free vertical side edge portions to secure the blank in a generally tubular configuration. 
     The result at the end of this step is that blank  1000  is formed into a generally rectangular tubular shape, such that panels A-E have been wrapped about a centrally positioned mandrel  137  as shown in  FIG. 12  (see also step  1000 ( 6 ) in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The case blank  1000  is being held on the mandrel by suction cups  183  of second rotating apparatus  130  and suction cups  168  on end effector  168  which are engaged on what have become the inner surfaces of the tubular shaped case blank. The result is a very efficient sequence of movements to extract a flatly configured blank held in magazine  110  and form it into a tubular shaped blank. 
     The remaining steps carried out by case forming system  100  as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 to 23  show a sequence of steps that may be utilized to close and seal the lower major and minor panels F, H, and G, J to close and seal the bottom of the case blank  1000  to form an RSC case with an open top and deposit the formed case onto case discharge conveyor  102 . However, alternate bottom panel closing systems may be employed in other embodiments. 
     In the next step of carton forming system  100  as disclosed, PLC  132  de-activates suction cups  168  so that only suction cups  183  hold case blank  1000  on mandrel  137 . Thereafter, PLC  132  will activate vertical mandrel movement apparatus  136  and in particular servo motor  145  to move carriage  144  and thus mandrel  137  vertically downward with case blank  1000  secured thereto, to a lower panel folding and sealing position shown in  FIG. 13  (see also step  1000 ( 7 ) in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Clip mechanisms  111   c  ( FIG. 5 ) holding panels H, B and L, in magazine  110  will allow for the release of panels H, B and L to allow the remaining portion of case blank  1000  to be removed from being held by magazine  110  and moved vertically downward once the case blank  1000  at the front of the stack is engaged by second panel rotating apparatus  130  and mandrel  137  moves vertically downwards. Additionally, PLC  132  will cause the suction force at suction cups  168  on effector  166  of first rotating panel apparatus  124  to be curtailed, thus allowing the case blank  1000  formed around mandrel  137  to move vertically away from suction cups  168 . The tubular formed case blank  1000  may be held in contact for movement with mandrel  137  by surface friction forces between the blank and the exterior surface of mandrel  137  and by the operation of suction force exerted by suction cups  183  of second panel folding apparatus  130 . 
     At the vertical position of mandrel  137  shown in  FIG. 13 , PLC  132  activates motors  202   a,    202   b  to rotate fingers  200   a,    200   b  outwards, so that they engage respective lower major panels F and H may be rotated outwards, about their respective fold lines with respective major side panels D and B. The amount of rotation is sufficient to ensure that there will be no interference with the subsequent inward rotation of lower minor panels G and J and no contact is made with adhesive that is on inward surfaces of lower major panels F and H, such as respective adhesive lines  1001 ,  1002  and  1003 ,  1004  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , PLC  132  activates pneumatic cylinders  212   a,    212   b  to cause plough plates  211   a,    211   b  to be extended transversely inwards to rotate lower minor panels G and J respectively inwards, preferably about 90 degrees, about their respective fold lines with respective major side wall panels C and A. 
     Next with reference to  FIG. 18 , PLC  132  activates motors  202   a,    202   b  to rotate fingers  200   a,    200   b  inwards it a vertically downward position, so that they no longer engage with lower major panels F and H, so that lower major panels F and H may be rotated inwards, about their respective fold lines with respective major side panels D and B. The amount of rotation of fingers  200   a,    200   b  is sufficient to ensure that there will be no interference with the subsequent inward rotation of lower major panels F and H. 
     Also as shown in  FIG. 18  and in  FIG. 19 , next PLC  132  will cause pneumatic cylinders  222   a,    222   b  to be operated to cause plough plates  221   a,    221   b  to be extended transversely inwards to rotate lower major panels F and H respectively inwards, preferably about 90 degrees, about their respective fold lines with respective major side wall panels D and B. The amount of rotation is sufficient to ensure that there will be contact between inner surfaces of lower major panels of lower major panels F and H and the outer surfaces of lower minor panels G and J such that the lines of adhesive  1001 ,  1002  on the inward surface of panel F, and lines of adhesive  1003 ,  1004  on inward surface of panel H will cause panels F to fixedly connect with both panels G and J, and cause panel H to fixedly connect with both panels G and J such that blank  1000  is formed into a generally rectangular shaped, open top case (see also step  1000 ( 9 ) in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). There is a sufficient gap present between lower major panels F and H when they are rotated to permit the plough plates  211   a,    211   b  to remain in position to hold panels J and G in a suitable orientation for engagement with panels F and H. 
     Next with reference to  FIG. 20 , PLC  132  activates pneumatic cylinders  212   a,    212   b  to cause plough plates  211   a,    211   b  to retract transversely outwards. Next PLC  132  activates activating cylinder  222   a,    222   b  to cause plough plates  221   a,    221   b  to be retracted transversely outwards as shown in  FIG. 21 . 
     Lift platform  104  may be operated along with upward facing suction cups  103  to assist in “handing off” a formed case from mandrel  137  to case conveyor  102 . The lift platform  104  may be vertically movable upwards and along with suction cups  103  and corresponding suction cup valves (not shown) be controlled by valves and PLC  132  may be operated to engage the bottom of the case. PLC  132  may also cause suction cups  183  to be deactivated, thus releasing the case from engagement with mandrel  137 . Mandrel  137  may then be moved upwards back to the start position. Lift platform  104  may move suctions cups  103  to engage and hold the blank (which has become a formed case) in position during disengagement of the mandrel  137  from the formed case. Then lift platform  104  may be lowered to position the formed case onto the case conveyor for discharge for filling, packing and top sealing. Suction cups  103  may then be deactivated allowing case conveyor  102  to move the formed case from case forming system  100 . 
     The formed, open top case, may be moved away to another location, and may subsequently be filled with one or more items/other cases and thereafter the upper major panels N and L, may be folded along with upper minor panels M and K, to close and seal the completed case. 
     The foregoing cycle can be repeated multiple times to form multiple cases. It is anticipated that cartons may be formed at a rate of in the range of about 10 to about 50 cases per minute depending on the overall dimensions of the case and the size of the machine but other rates of operation are also possible and contemplated. In general, the smaller the case blank that is being processed, the faster will be the case forming rates. 
     As discussed above, when it is desired to change the type/configuration of case to be formed, using a different type/configuration of case blank  1000 , case forming system  100  can be quite easily modified. For example, one mandrel  137  can be replaced by a differently configured mandrel. PLC  132  may be pre-programmed to make adjustments to the operation of other components in particular to the operation of the first, third and fourth panel rotating apparatuses and the position of compression rail  195 . Additionally, it may in some circumstances be necessary to adjust the positioning and movements of some components of third panel rotating apparatus  131  such as fingers  200   a,    200   b ; plough devices  210   a,    210   b,  and their plough plates  211   a,    211   b ; and plough devices  220   a,    220   b,  and their plough plates  221   a,    221   b.    
     Many variations of the embodiments described above are possible. For example, now with reference to  FIG. 26  another alternate form of case blank  2000  that may be configured and formed in any similar way to case blank  1000 , except that case blank  2000  has panel E adjoined to the outer edge of minor side wall panel A, instead of to major side wall panel D. Also, a line adhesive  2005  is formed on a surface of panel D instead of on sealing panel E. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 27 , an example sequence of steps  2000 ( 1 ) to  2000 ( 10 ) are shown of folding and sealing a flat blank  2000  to from an open top case that is suitable for top loading of items/other cases. 
     A plurality of case blanks  2000  may be presented in a stacked arrangement with the blanks each configured in a generally flat and planar configuration [step  2000 ( 1 )]. A particular individual case blank  2000  may be identified at/selected from the front of the stack of blanks for processing [step  2000 ( 2 )]. In a first folding step  2000 ( 3 ) side wall panel B along with its respective adjacent upper and lower minor panels L and H, along with minor side wall panel C and its respective adjacent upper and lower minor panels M and G, along with major side wall panel D and its respective adjacent upper and lower major panels N and F, can all be rotated from the orientation shown at  2000 ( 2 ), so that panel B is rotated 90 degrees in a counter clockwise direction about the vertically oriented fold line between side wall panels A and B, to the configuration as shown at step  2000 ( 3 ). In the next folding step  2000 ( 4 ), minor side wall panel C and its respective adjacent upper and lower minor panels M and G, along with major side wall panel D and its respective adjacent upper and lower major panels N and F, are all rotated counter clockwise so that panel C is rotated 90 degrees about the vertically oriented fold line between side wall panels B and C, to the configuration shown in  FIG. 27  at step  2000 ( 4 ). 
     In folding step  2000 ( 5 ), sealing panel E is rotated clockwise 90 degrees about the vertically oriented fold line between panel E and panel A. This step can be done in any time prior to the next step  2000 ( 6 ). In the next step  2000 ( 6 ) major side wall panel D and its respective adjacent upper and lower major panels N and F are rotated counter clockwise 90 degrees about the vertically oriented fold line between side wall panel C and side wall panel D to the configuration shown at  2000 ( 5 ). In this folding step the adhesive line  2005  on the inner surface of panel D will engage with the outward facing surface of sealing panel E such that sealing panel E may engage and become permanently connected to major side wall panel D. The result at the end of this step, as depicted at  2000 ( 6 ), case blank  2000  is formed into a generally rectangular shaped tube. While not shown in  FIG. 27 , folding steps from case blank orientations depicted at  2000 ( 3 ) to  2000 ( 6 ) may be carried out in such manner the panels are wrapped about a centrally positioned mandrel, as is described hereinafter. 
     The remaining steps to configurations shown from  2000 ( 7 ) to  2000 ( 10 ) may be substantially the same as the steps  1000 ( 7 ) to  1000 ( 10 ) as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  and represent a sequence of steps that may be utilized to close and seal the lower major and minor panels, F, H and G, J respectively to close and seal the bottom of the case blank  2000  to form an RSC case with an open top. 
     Now with reference to  FIGS. 28-32 , a case system  2100  is disclosed which may be substantially the same as case forming system  100  except as varied as shown in schematic illustrations in  FIGS. 28-32  with reference to the following description. In overview, a first panel rotating apparatus  2134  is positioned relative to a stack of blanks (stack not shown) like blanks  2000  held in a magazine  2110  (like magazine  110 ), with the mandrel  2137  when positioned at a pick-up positon to pick-up the front blank in the stack, being located transversely and vertically in front of panel A of case blank  2000 . In this way, first panel rotating apparatus  2134  is able to wrap each of panels B, C and D around corresponding side walls of mandrel  2137 , and engage with sealing panel E, which may be rotated clockwise 90 degrees about the vertical fold line with panel E. Thus by use of just a first panel rotating system  2134  and a second panel rotating apparatus  2138 , a generally flat case blank  2000  held in magazine  2100  can be formed into a tubular shaped blank around mandrel  2137 . Thereafter bottom panels can be closed with another panel rotating apparatus which may be like third panel rotating apparatus  131 , as described above in relation to system  100 , to form an open top, case from case blank  2000 . In some other embodiments only a single panel rotating apparatus may be required to wrap the blank around a mandrel. 
     System  2100  may include a magazine  2110  like magazine  110  adapted to hold a plurality of case blanks  2000  in a substantially flat orientation such as is shown in  FIG. 28  (only one case blank  2000  is shown for clarity). Case blanks  2000  may generally be like blanks  1000 , except with respect to an alternative positioning of sealing panel E, as shown in  FIG. 26 . System  2000  may also include a mandrel apparatus  2120  (including a mandrel  2137 ) and a panel rotating sub-system  2134  (designated in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Panel rotating sub-system  2134  may include a first panel rotating apparatus  2124  which may be generally like panel rotating apparatus  124 . A controller (not shown) like PLC  132  may be programmed to provide a different sequence of movement for first panel rotating apparatus  2124  compared to the sequence of movement of first panel rotating apparatus  124  described above in system  100 . Panel rotating sub-system  2134  may also include a second panel folding apparatus  2138  that is like panel folding apparatus  138 , but arranged and oriented to move in a longitudinally opposite direction to panel folding apparatus  138 , so it can fold panel E in a clockwise direction 90 degrees relative to panel A of blank  2000 , as described further hereinafter. System  2100  may also include a third panel rotating apparatus (not shown) that may function like third panel rotating apparatus  131 , to close the lower panels F, G, H and J, in a manner similar to that described above. 
     Case forming system  2100  may also include a mandrel apparatus  2120  similar to mandrel apparatus  120  with a mandrel  2137 , and an adhesive applicator apparatus  2135  (only shown in  FIG. 32  for simplicity) that may be substantially the same as adhesive applicator apparatus  135  and include adhesive applicators  2133   a - e  with nozzles that are mounted on transversely oriented support beam  2149 . Mandrel apparatus  2120  may be interconnected to adhesive applicator apparatus  2135  and operable for vertical up and down movement together, like that described above in case forming system  100 . Case forming system  2100  may also include a vertical support frame and a vertical mandrel movement apparatus also like those described above in relation to case forming system  100 . The operation of the components of carton forming system  2100  may be controlled by a controller like PLC  132 . 
     A generally vertically oriented support frame (not shown) that may be like support frame  140 , may support a vertical mandrel movement apparatus (also not shown) like mandrel movement apparatus  136 . Mandrel movement apparatus may include a generally vertically oriented linear rail (not shown) like linear rail  142  but which may support for sliding upward and downward sliding vertical movement a carriage block  2144  ( FIG. 29 ) which may be like carriage block  144 . The movement of carriage block  2144  on linear rail may vertically aligned with panel A of a case blank  2000  held in magazine  2110  and may be driven by a drive belt (not shown) interconnected to carriage block  144  and supported by vertical support frame, like with case forming system  100 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 32 , mandrel apparatus  2120  may have several components including a mandrel  2137  and a mandrel support apparatus generally designated  148 . Mandrel  2137  may be easily removable from mandrel support apparatus  2148 , so that a mandrel of one configuration may be easily replaced with a mandrel of another configuration. Mandrel  2137  may comprise a pair of opposed, spaced, vertically and transversely oriented, spaced, major side walls  2121   a,    2121   b  interconnected with a pair of opposed, spaced, vertically and longitudinally oriented, spaced minor side walls  122   a,    122   b . A generally horizontally and transversely oriented bottom wall  2118  is interconnected to major and minor side walls  2121   a,    2121   b,    2122 ,  2122   b  to form a generally cuboid, open top, box shape. Mandrel  12  may be generally configured in a variety of different sizes and shapes, each selected for the particular type of case blank  2000  that are to be formed into cases. 
     The dimensions of the outer surfaces of mandrel  2137  may be selected so that the specific case blank  2000  that it is desired to fold has, during the forming process, fold lines that are located substantially at or along the four corner vertical side edges and the four corner horizontal bottom edges of mandrel  2137 . Mandrel  2137 , and surrounding components in system  2100 , may be configured to permit for the easy interchange of mandrels  2137  so that case forming system  2100  can be readily adapted to forming differently sized/shaped cases from differently configured case blanks  2000 . 
     Mandrel side wall  2121   b  may be provided with a vertical slot  2123  that may be configured to permit part of end effector  2166  and suction cups  2168  to move from the position shown in  FIG. 28 , and pass through slot  2123  to the position shown in  FIG. 31 . By allowing the end effector  2166  to pass through vertical slot  2123 , major side panel D of case blank  1000  may be held substantially flat against the outside surface of major side wall  2121   b  of mandrel  2137 . 
     Mandrel side wall  2122   b  may not extend transversely the full length of bottom wall  2118  and may have a vertical end edge that defines a slot  2170 . Mounted to an inward surface of rear side wall  2122   b  may be a releasable mandrel mounting bracket unit  2125 . Mandrel mounting unit  2125  may be configured to releasably connect a transversely extending mandrel mounting plate  2155  to mandrel rear side wall  2122   b,  such as having mounting plate  2155  be received into a slot in mounting bracket unit  125 , with the plate being releasably held in the slot by a screw of the mounting bracket unit being removably receivable in a threaded aperture of the mounting plate  2155 . 
     Horizontally and vertically oriented mounting plate  2155  can be fixedly connected to an end of vertical mandrel support member  2154 . A lower portion of mandrel support member  2154  may also serves to complete the rear side wall of mandrel  2137 , when mandrel mounting plate  2155  is received into mounting bracket unit  2125 . 
     Mounted in an opening  2199  in side wall  2121   b  may be one or more suction cups  2198 . In some embodiments, to establish a firm connection between the outer surface mandrel wall  2122   b  and the adjacent surface of panel A of a blank  2000  held in magazine  2110 , mounted in an opening  2196  in side wall  2122   b  may also be one or more suctions cups  2195  ( FIG. 32 ). In other embodiments there may be only suction cups on side wall  2122   b  and in some embodiments suction cups may not be required on either wall  2121   b  or  2122   b  or on any other wall. Friction or other forces may be sufficient to hold the tubular shaped blank once formed on the mandrel, during subsequent folding of the lower panels. 
     Suction cups  2195  and  2198 , if present, may be supplied with pressurized air controlled by valves (not shown) operated by the PLC. Air suction cups  2195  and  2198  may be interconnected through hoses  2194  and  2197  respectively passing through cavities (not shown) in vertical support member  2154 , longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  2152 , second vertical mandrel support member  2150  and longitudinally oriented and carriage support arm  2146  and carriage  2144  to a source of vacuum by providing for one or more air channels carrying pressurized air through the aforesaid components. The supply vacuum to suction cups  2195  and  2198  may be controlled by pressurized air distribution unit which may include a plurality of valves that may be operated by the PLC and may also include local vacuum generator apparatuses that may be in close proximity to, or integrate as part of, suction cups  2195  and  2198 . With local vacuum generators utilized in close proximity to suction cups  2198 , pressurized air may be delivered from an external source through air distribution unit to the vacuum generators. The local vacuum generators will then convert the pressurized air to vacuum that can then be delivered to suction cups  2195  and  2198 . 
     An air suction force that may be developed at the outer surfaces of suction cups  2195  that is may be sufficient so that when activated they can engage with and hold panel A to mandrel side wall  2122   b,  as the rest of case blank  2000  is wrapped around mandrel  2137 . The vacuum generated at suctions cups  2195  can be activated and de-activated by the PLC through operation of distribution unit. 
     The air suction force that may be developed at the outer surfaces of suction cups  2198  will be sufficient so that when activated they can engage and hold panel D and the rest of case blank  2000  wrapped around mandrel  2137  on the mandrel including during vertical downward movement to close the bottom panels. The vacuum generated at suctions cups  2198  can be activated and de-activated by PLC through operation of distribution unit. 
     Horizontally and vertically oriented mounting plate  2155  may be fixedly connected at an outer end to a lower end portion of vertical mandrel support member  2154 . An opposite, upper end of vertical mandrel support member  2154  may be fixedly connected to a first end of a longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  2152 . An opposite second end of longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  2152  may be fixedly connected to a first end of a second vertical mandrel support member  2150 . A second opposite end of second vertical mandrel support member  2150  is fixedly attached to a first end of longitudinally oriented and extending carriage arm  2146 . Proximate the connection location of mandrel support member  2150  and carriage arm  2146  may be mounted to opposite outer surfaces of vertical mandrel support member  2150 , a pair of spaced and opposed, longitudinally oriented support blocks  2147   a,    2147   b  which can be used to secure adhesive applicator apparatus  2135 . Mandrel side wall  2122   b,  with its mounting plate  2125  can facilitate the support of mandrel  2137  on mandrel support frame  2148 . 
     Vertical mandrel support member  2150  can be fixedly attached at is upper end portion to a first end portion of longitudinally oriented and extending carriage arm  2146 . The opposite end portion of longitudinally oriented and extending carriage arm  146  is fixedly connected to carriage block  2144 . Carriage block  2144  can be attached for sliding vertical upward and downward movement on a vertically oriented linear rail. 
     First vertical support member  2154 , longitudinally oriented mandrel support member  2152 , second vertical mandrel support member  2150  and longitudinally oriented and carriage support arm  2146  and carriage  2144  may be appropriately configured to permit electrical and communication cables and pressurized air/vacuum air hoses to pass through from an upper end to a lower end where operational components of mandrel apparatus  2120  are located. In this way, electrical power/communication cable and air hoses can deliver power, electrical signals and pressurized air/vacuum to the mandrel  2137  and second panel rotating apparatus  2130  which is mounted on mandrel  2137 . 
     It will also be appreciated that in first panel rotation apparatus  2124  with suction cups  2198  and  2195 , suction cups are used to apply a force to move and hold to mandrel  2137  panels of a case blank  2000 . 
     Just like with mandrel  137  in system  100 , the start position of mandrel  2137  in system  2100  will typically be a vertically downward position, where the adhesive ejection nozzles of the adhesive applicators are below the level of the bottom edge of case blank  2000  held in magazine  2110 . Then, under control of PLC, the vertical movement apparatus can cause mandrel apparatus  2120  including mandrel  2137  to move vertically upwards. In doing so, ejection nozzles of adhesive applicators can be operated by PLC over a suitable range of upward movement, to apply adhesive to respective panels D, F and H. PLC  132  is able to activate adhesive applicators at a suitable vertical location because signals received from the encoder associated with the servo drive motor. Adhesive applicators will then apply adhesive lines  2001 ,  2002 ,  2003 ,  2004  and  2005  as shown in  FIG. 26 , to the outward facing surface of the front case blank  2000  in magazine  2110 , while the front case blank is in the pick-up position. 
     Next, under control of the PLC, magazine  2110  and first panel rotating apparatus  2124  may co-operate so that suction cups (not shown) on end effector  2166 , engage and hold the outward facing surface of major side wall panel D, and pull panels N/D/F; M/C/G and L/B/H from a clip mechanisms (not shown), while another clip mechanism (not shown) holding panels K/A/J in the pick-up positon in the magazine. 
     First panel rotating apparatus  2124  can then rotate all of major side wall panel D along with panels N/F; M/C/G; and L/B/H, 90 degrees in a counter clockwise direction about the vertical fold line between side wall panels B and A, to the configuration shown in  FIG. 29 , where major side wall panel B has an inward surface held against the outer surface of mandrel side  2121   a  (see also step  2000 ( 3 ) in  FIG. 27 ). 
     In the next folding step, PLC causes first panel rotating apparatus  2124  to rotate side wall panel D and its respective adjacent upper and lower major panels N and F, along with panels M/C/G, together, counter clockwise 90 degrees about the vertical fold line between side wall panels C and B, to the configuration shown in  FIG. 30 , where major side wall panel C has an inward surface held against the outer surface of mandrel side wall  2122   a , (see also step  2000 ( 4 ) in  FIG. 27 ). 
     In the next folding step , PLC causes plough plate of panel rotating apparatus  2138  to extend longitudinally causing sealing panel E to be rotated clockwise 90 degrees about the vertical fold line between sealing panel E and side wall pane A to the configuration (see step  2000 ( 5 ) in  FIG. 27 ). 
     In the next folding step, the PLC can cause panel rotating apparatus  2124  to rotate side wall panel D and its respective adjacent upper and lower major panels N and F, counter clockwise 90 degrees about the vertical fold line between side wall panels D and C, to the configuration shown in  FIG. 31 , where major side wall panel D has an inward surface held against the outer surface of mandrel side wall  2121   b,  (see also step  2000 ( 6 ) in  FIG. 27 ). In moving to this position, part of end effector  2166  and suction cups  2168  can slide thorough slot  2123  to a position where suction cups are still able to engage with the inward directed surface of panel D of case blank  2000 . Also, as panel D is approaching the position shown in  FIG. 31 , where a large portion of side wall panel D is held against the outer surface of mandrel side wall  2121   b,  PLC can cause the plough plate of panel rotating apparatus  2138  to retract allowing an outward facing surface of sealing panel E to engage with an edge portion of the inward facing surface of side wall panel D, and wherein the surface of sealing panel E becomes connected to side wall panel D as a result of adhesive line D 005  bonding the two panels together. 
     The result at the end of this step is that blank  2000  is formed into a generally rectangular shaped tube, such that panels A-E have been wrapped about a centrally positioned mandrel  2137  as shown in  FIG. 31  (see also step  2000 ( 6 ) in  FIG. 26 ) while being held by panel rotating apparatus  2134  on a surface that will become an interior surface of the tubular shaped blank. 
     The remaining steps to close and seal the bottom panels F, G, H and J can be carried out by case forming system  2100  in the same manner as case forming system  100  closes and seals the bottom panels of case blank  1000 . In carton forming system  2100  the PLC will de-activate suction cups  2168  so that only suction cups  2198  hold case blank  2000  on mandrel  2137  allowing mandrel  2137  with tubular case blank  2000  secured thereto, to be move vertically downwards. 
     Many other variations of the embodiments described above are possible. By way of example, in some other embodiments, a first panel rotating apparatus like panel rotating apparatuses  124  or  2124  may be employed and configured to on its own engage a suitable case blank and wrap the case blank around a mandrel while holding the case blank on one or more surfaces that will form an interior surface of a tubular shaped case blank. Similarly, there are other embodiments where while a case blank is being held in a magazine with a surface exposed, adhesive is applied to the exposed surface of the blank prior to it being removed from the magazine for folding into a case that is suitable to be loaded. 
     By way only of another example, in some other embodiments, case blanks that are not used to form substantially cuboid shaped boxes, may be formed with a modified system. For example, the initial rotation of one portion of the blank from a generally flat configuration of the entire blank, may for example be only in the range of from forty-five degrees to ninety degrees onto a correspondingly shaped mandrel Once the first portion has been rotated from the flat configuration to the angled position, the blank is then more readily capable of being engaged by other mechanisms such that a further rotation of other portions of the blank can be carried out wrap the case around the mandrel to form a generally tubular shape. In some applications a mandrel might be employed which has outer surfaces that are not completely at rights angles to each other. 
     While it is contemplated that system  100  is oriented in a particular mutually orthogonal vertical, transverse and longitudinal frame of reference, systems could, with some other modifications, be provided in other spatial orientations. In such an inverted configuration, a blank could by way of example only, be retrieved from the stack and after being wrapped around a mandrel be moved vertically upwards to close the bottom panels. 
     Of course, the above described embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and in no way limiting. The described embodiments of carrying out the invention are susceptible to many modifications of form, arrangement of parts, details and order of operation. The invention, rather, is intended to encompass all such modification within its scope, as defined by the claims. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.