Patent ID: 7000365

Claim:
A method of packaging a group of articles into a container formed from a carton blank, the method comprising: associating a partially erected carton blank with a group of articles, said carton blank having a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a plurality of unbent major flaps extending from the bottom panel, and a plurality of unbent minor flaps extending from each of the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel connect the bottom panel with the top panel such that the top panel is substantially parallel with the bottom panel and is spaced from the bottom panel, and such that the first side panel is substantially parallel with the second side panel and is spaced from the second side panel; providing a vertically oriented channel having at least one deflector assembly; and moving said associated carton blank and group vertically through said channel in a single direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the bottom panel, whereby said movement results in the maintaining of said side panels in their position relative the bottom and top panels throughout a portion of the channel corresponding to said deflector assembly and bending of said major flaps and said minor flaps by said deflector assembly such that said carton blank is substantially fully assembled around said group before said associated carton blank and group exit the channel.