Abstract: Method and apparatus for orienting a container, or plurality thereof, incident to a packaging operation by engaging the container with an elongate driven member travelling at a different speed than the container along a conveyor or assembly line. In particular, the containers may have the shape of a petaloid bottle, for beverages and the like, and the bottles are rotated into a common position to conform to requirements of the carton, carrier or other packaging material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a case can package wherein two twelve can-one-half case can packages are joined to form a one case can package by means of an overwrap. The package film of the one-half case can packages is provided on the outer surface thereof with a suitable overprint in the form of a resist which prevents bonding of the overwrap film thereto. The overwrap film interlocks with the cans of the two one-half case can packages to form a readily handleable one case package unit. The overwrap film is readily removable to present two one-half case can packages for individual sale. The overwrap joining the two one-half case can packages eliminates the need for the usual paper board tray, which is quite expensive, and at the same time provides for improved stacking of the can packages in case lots on pallets.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a web splicer wherein a running web is fed between two rolls into a nip therebetween and wherein a new web is joined to the running web in the nip by means of a joining strip which has a pressure sensitive adhesive on one face thereof, the joining strip being secured to the new web in projecting relation therefrom. The rolls are provided with grooves and a make-ready unit for the new web includes a support having fingers for positioning the splice strip with the fingers being movable down into the associated roll in grooves therein to present the joined strip and the new web to the associated roll. Detector means are provided for detecting the end of the running web and support positioning means are actuated by the detector to position the new web relative to the rolls.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shrink tunnel for heat shrinking film about products to form packages. Most particularly, this invention relates to a shrink tunnel for forming a package of a plurality of cans having a shrink film wrapped thereabout. The tunnel is particularly adapted for effecting the required shrinking of the shrink film about the cans to form a tight package while at the same time being so constructed to prevent undue distortion of a central portion of the shrink wrap whereby the shrink wrap may have a universal product code preprinted thereon with the product being substantially undistorted and readily scannable by a conventional electronic scanner to determine product identification and price.

Abstract: This relates to a feeder for feeding articles on a continuous basis one behind the other. The feeder includes a plurality of flight bars which are mounted for rotation about an axis with the flight bars being circumferentially spaced and having article engaging elements carried thereby. The flight bars are so mounted wherein the distances of the flight bars from the axis of rotation may be infinitely varied to thereby infinitely vary the circumferential spacing between adjacent flight bars. In this manner, the feeder may be readily adjusted so as to feed articles of all dimensions within a prescribed range.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for altering a package of containers encased by heat shrunk packaging material without structurally damaging the package. The package is modified in areas immediate of each container to expose a portion of each container for the affixing of a price mark thereupon, while providing sufficient structural strength to facilitate shipping of the package.

Abstract: This relates to a carton forming machine for automatically erecting cartons on a continuous bases wherein the cartons are of the type coated with a heat sealable plastics material. A single forming well is provided and forming heads carried by an endless conveyor repeatedly move carton blanks through the forming well to effect the erecting thereof, followed by the heat sealing of flaps to maintain the erected state of the cartons, followed by the taking away of the cartons and stacking the same.

Abstract: This disclosure has to do with a bottle package of the type wherein at least four bottles arranged in two columns are formed into a package by wrapping a heat shrinkable plastics material film thereabout and effecting shrinking of that film to tightly grip bottles. In order to facilitate the carrying of the package, finger receiving openings are formed on opposite sides of central ones of the bottles with the film engaged over the top of the central ones of the bottles between the finger receiving openings defining a carrying strap. The shrinking of the film is effected in a shrink tunnel where hot air is directed against the film. The finger receiving openings are formed in the film between adjacent pairs of bottles after initial shrinking of the film has occurred, but before the film reaches the end of the shrink tunnel so that after slitting of the film occurs, there is further shrinking of the film, primarily down between adjacent pairs of bottles.

Abstract: This relates to the formation of packages of containers, particularly those formed by heat shrinking a plastics material wrap around a plurality of containers and wherein the package is intended to be picked up by engaging an upper central portion of the wrap. A reinforcing strip is interlocked with upper portions of central ones of the containers. The reinforcing strip is divided in roll form and is first perforated to interlock with upper portions of containers, then is applied to adjacent pairs of containers followed by pressing the reinforcing strip down to assure interlocking thereof with two adjacent containers of two adjacent pairs of containers with the strip being severed between the two adjacent containers while held in place relative thereto. The containers are continuously moving during the application of the reinforcing strip and a single movable support is provided for all of the apparatus components. The movable support is driven by a plurality of cooperating cranks.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a package forming machine wherein one or more articles are packaged as a unit by the wrapping of a film of shrinkable plastics material thereabout, the plastics material being provided as a continuous web. The machine is particularly adapted to the packaging of plural containers arranged in plural rows. A particular feature of the machine is the provision of draw members to draw the film down between adjacent units with the draw members being carried by an endless conveyor for circulation in a plane which extends transversely of the path of movement of the article being packaged and slopes downwardly in the direction of movement of the articles. The plane of the draw members may be varied in accordance with the height of the articles whereby a basic machine may be adjusted to accommodate articles of different heights.

Abstract: Packages are now being formed by applying plastic materials of the type which shrink upon being heated to form a casing or wrapper in which a plurality of containers are encased for ease in handling. The plastics material is very thin and in the form of a film and the usual articles packaged therein are containers, most particularly cans. A limited number of articles is presently being incorporated in such packages. It is proposed to join together at least two of such packages to form a further and larger package utilizing strips which will bond to the plastics material of the casings and wherein at least one strip is provided with an extension in the form of a pull tab and wherein when the one strip is pulled relative to the package, it will result in the tearing of portions of the casings so as to open the individual packages and make the articles therein readily available for use.