Patent ID: 7080726

Claim:
A transfer unit configured to receive a partially erected carton from a first station in a tubular form and in a first orientation and for conveying and reorienting the carton, the transfer unit comprising: a hub defining a longitudinal hub axis, the hub configured for rotational movement about the hub axis; at least one car mounted to the hub for movement from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position along the hub, the at least one car having first and second mandrels mounted thereto, each mandrel configured to receive a partially erected carton, each mandrel defining a mandrel axis at a predetermined offset and at a predetermined angle relative to the hub axis; means for rotationally moving the hub about the hub axis; and means for moving the car along the hub between the first and second longitudinal positions; wherein the hub rotates and the at least one car moves between the first and second longitudinal positions to convey and reorient the carton.