Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer including a case lifter configured to lift a case out of engagement with a lower drive element 115 (such as a drive belt) of the case sealer as the case reaches a holding position beneath the top-head assembly 400 and, afterwards, to lower the case into engagement with the lower drive element once the top-head assembly has descended to within a designated distance of the top surface of the case. In certain of these embodiments, the case lifter includes a case blocker 215 positioned to stop the case from moving any further beneath the top-head assembly once it reaches the holding position.