Abstract: An improved form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers is accomplished by a plurality of stations disposed along a path of travel of a thermoplastic web including means to attach a pair of mated, resealable closure strips to the base web. The machine is intermittent in its operation, with movement of the web through the machine controlled so that the various steps of applying the closure strips, forming, filling, sealing and separating the reclosable containers are performed during periodic stops of the machine. The machine is further characterized by its use of two pairs of web belts to move the web through the machine. A first pair of web belts initially receive the folded web stock and partially form and completely fill the containers. The second pair of web belts overlap with the downstream end of the first pair of belts, but are disposed lower than the first belts.

Abstract: An improved form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers is accomplished by a plurality of stations disposed along a path of travel of a thermoplastic web including means to attach a pair of mated, resealable closure strips to the base web. The machine is intermittent in its operation, with movement of the web through the machine controlled so that the various steps of applying the closure strips, forming, filling, sealing and separating the reclosable containers are performed during periodic stops of the machine. The machine is further characterized by its use of two pairs of web belts to move the web through the machine. A first pair of web belts initially receive the folded web stock and partially form and completely fill the containers. The second pair of web belts overlap with the downstream end of the first pair of belts, but are disposed lower than the first belts.

Abstract: A gum stick wrapping machine with gum stick wrapper storage and feed means advancing wrapper blanks in strip form, a wrapper mechanism assembles conveyor advanced gum sticks and wrappers with the latter enveloping the former. Band storage and feed means advance bands in strip form and a wrapper mechanism folds the same about the sticks of gum. A stacker provides stacks of wrapped and banded sticks and a package wrapper mechanism folds the wrappers about the stacks. The package wrappers are also stored in end-to-end elongated strip form. Band feed rolls and package wrapper feed rolls are driven by associated discrete servo motors in slave-master relationship with a main servo motor. Computer control means regulates motor speed ratios and provides for correction of errors in band or package wrapper length and/or band or package wrapper registration.

Abstract: A form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers is accomplished by a plurality of stations disposed along a path of travel of a thermoplastic web including a pair of mated, resealable closure strips present on the base web. The machine is intermittent in its operation, with movement of the web through the machine controlled so that the various steps of forming, filling, sealing and separating the reclosable containers are performed during periodic stops of the machine. The machine is further characterized by its use of two pairs of web belts to move the web through the machine. A first pair of web belts initially receive the folded web stock and partially form and completely fill the containers. The second pair of web belts overlap with the downstream end of the first pair of belts, but are disposed lower than the first belts.

Abstract: A novel combination weigher for producing a product charge of precise weight by combining the contents of a plurality of scales each of which contains a portion of the product charge is characterized by an auxiliary or standby weighing scale or hopper which provides a product charge if a controller determines that there is no combination of the scales which will provide a product charge within a specified weight range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a blended product charge includes a combinatorial weigher which receives a major product and a fill-to-cutoff weigher which receives a minor product. A controller selects a minor constituent product weight and then combinatorially searches through available major constituent product weighing scales for the combination of major product weighing scales which together with the minor product weighing scale yields a product charge nearest in weight to a target weight.

Abstract: A form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine wherein receptacle forming, filling and sealing is accomplished by a plurality of stations disposed along the path of travel of a web which continuously moves through the packaging machine. Both the base web material and the lid web material are supplied to the packaging machine from supply rolls of appropriate material. Not only are the work stations of the machine constructed and disposed so that the packaging operation is performed on a continuously moving web, but also both the base and lid web supplies include primary and secondary rolls so that the source of web material may be replenished without interrupting the continuous movement of the web material through the machine. Once the receptacles have been formed, filled and sealed, the packaging machine further includes an intermittent drive station for perforating and cutting the sealed receptacles from the main web body.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine has a tube former for receiving flexible packaging material in thin flat strip form and progressively juxtaposing opposite longitudinal edge portions thereof in parallel vertically extending relationship to provide a depending tube open at the top. A side sealer attaches the vertically extending overlapping edge portions and an end sealer provides vertically spaced horizontally extending transverse or end seals across the tube. A product dispenser discharges measured quantities of product into the tube interior through the former and through the open upper end of the tube. Tube feed means comprise first and second pairs of vertically spaced rolls respectively on opposite external sides of the tube of packaging material and first and second tube feeding belts respectively trained over said pairs of rolls. Inner runs of the belts engage the tube and have vertically extending perforate portions.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine is characterized by a sealing apparatus which provides for variable sealing jaw displacement having an externally selectable magnitude. The sealing apparatus also includes a displacement sensor for providing feedback signals indicative of a measured sealing jaw displacement.

Abstract: A combination weighing machine produces a weight of product closely approximating a target weight by selecting a combination of lesser weights from a plurality of weigh scales and discharging the selected combination into a container or packaging machine. Each weigh scale has multiple bins for weighing and discharging multiple quantities of product respectively, and a single weight sensor. The weight of product in each bin is determined separately by delivering product to one bin at a time and measuring the change in the aggregate weight of product on the scale after each delivery. The weights determined for each bin are stored and are used in searching for and selecting an acceptable combination for discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a metal detector is incorporated in a combination weighing system where the metal detector is located to monitor product as it passes through a discharge chute of the combination weighing machine into a package. The apparatus includes a computer programmable by an operator to initiate a metal detector test operation. Upon such initiation, the computer holds out a first one of the scales from one or more subsequent combination searches while a metal test object is deposited in a first scale. Then the computer performs a combination search of the scales to select a test combination which includes the first scale and other scales as needed to achieve the target weight, discharges the selected combination and monitors the output of the metal detector or determine if it is working. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A levelling apparatus for a combination weighing system comprises a first, rotating tine assembly supported adjacent to a vibrating feed chute to rake product, a second, stationary tine assembly supported adjacent to the first tine assembly so that as tines of the first tine assembly revolve about a tine assembly axis the tines of the first tine assembly interdigitate with tines of the second tine assembly to strip product from the first tine assembly and participate in the levelling process. The first tine assembly is pivotally supported to a guide means which leads from the chute to an accumulator bucket so that the first tine assembly does not interfere with vibrations of the feed chute and is pivotally moveable away from the chute to facilitate servicing of the chute.

Abstract: A combination weighing system is disclosed which system is adapted to weigh out quantities of two or more different types of products and mix them together. The system includes a plurality of weighing scales divided into two groups, one group weighing out quantities of a first type of product and the other group weighing out quantities of a second type of product. A computer is provided to search the first group of scales and select a combination which contains a combined quantity of the first type of product near in weight to a predetermined fractional target weight and for searching the second group of scales and select a combination which contains a quantity of the second type of product near in weight to the difference between a target weight for both products and the weight of the product within the combination of scales selected from the first group. The selected scales of both groups empty into a common discharge chute after weighing and searching is completed.

Abstract: A container filling machine having a parallel series of elongated slats for movement in a closed path in a direction generally transverse to their length. The slats have cavities carrying articles such as capsules, tablets, caplets, etc. and deliver the same to a first set of horizontally extending chutes which in turn deliver the same to a second set of chutes there beneath. The first set of chutes is fixed with the second set of chutes being adapted for a "shuttle" or reciprocating movement so as to alternately deliver the articles to first and second rows of containers therebeneath. An associated conveyor has single and double container sections with a gate which alternately directs the containers to the first and second rows of containers in the double row section. Similarly, a pair of lead screws at the container filling station alternately assist in delivery, hold the containers in position for filling and thereafter discharge the filled containers.

Abstract: Elongated rectangular pouches are longitudinally compressed for packing in a conventional packing case by a pair of counter-rotating paddle assemblies. Each paddle assembly has four paddles arranged in staggered relationship around an associated shaft, the shaft being located outside of and slightly below the path of movement of the pouches as the pouches move in side-by-side relationship between two upright paddles. Two horizontally arranged adjacent paddles receive the pouches at a load station, and rotation of the paddle assemblies drops the pouches between the paddle assemblies as these two paddles move into depending vertical positions where they are more closely spaced relative to one another than the upright paddles in order to compress the pouches as the pouches drop into the case.

Abstract: A package fill height detector comprises a probe for abutting a batch of product in a package, means for inserting the probe into an opening in the top of the package so that the probe rests on the product, and a sensor for sensing the height of the probe when it rests on the product in the package to determine the fill height of the package. The means for inserting the probe into the package comprises an arm which supports the probe, a motor for rotating the arm and a cam for guiding the arm downwardly into the package until the probe rests on the product within the package and then upwardly out of the package.An associated weighing and packaging system includes a control coupled to the sensor for decreasing the delivered weight of subsequent batches of product when the fill height is below a target level and vice versa.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine having plows for forming an advancing web of thermoplastic material into a depending upwardly opening tubular configuration. A heat sealing belt located below the forming plows, seals overlapping marginal portions of the web together to form a long seam. A sealing jaw mechanism located below the plows in vertically stationary relation thereto includes a pair of coupled rotary actuators which move links in opposite directions to open and close sealing jaws which form transverse seals at spaced intervals along the formed tube to complete the packages.

Abstract: Cartoning apparatus for packaging sealed bags containing loosely packed discrete articles in board cartons comprises a carton transfer and erecting mechanism which withdraws a collapsed carton sleeve from a magazine and deposits it in erected condition on a carton conveyor which advances the erected carton sleeve with step-by-step motion through a plurality of work stations. A form, fill and seal machine delivers a sealed bag containing a product to a vacuum conveyor which accelerates the bag through a guide shroud and into the near open end of an associated carton sleeve supported on the carton conveyor at a carton filling station. A rail disposed at the far open end of the associated carton sleeve arrests the bag within the sleeve. The carton conveyor advances the carton sleeve and bag to further work stations where the carton end flaps are closed and sealed.

Abstract: A sealing wheel having a plurality of radially outwardly opening pockets is rotatably indexed through loading and discharging positions. Each pocket, formed by a pair of stationary jaws, receives an article and its wrapper at the loading position and forms the wrapper to a U-fold about the article. Movable heat sealing jaws associated with each pair of stationary jaws have U-shaped sealing surfaces which engage marginal portions of the wrapper outwardly of the stationary jaws to form a U-shaped fin seal around three sides of the package, a fourth side being formed by the wrapper fold. A jaw opening mechanism opens each set of sealing jaws as it approaches the discharging position, where the wrapped and sealed package is ejected. The jaw opening mechanism is also arranged to simultaneously open all jaws in closed position in response to a predetermined condition, such as machine shut-down.

Abstract: A combination weighing system searches a plurality of scales for a combination which provides a minimum total weight of product not less than a pre-established target weight. The search for the best combination is performed on the basis of an ordered search sequence of all combinations, and certain steps of the sequence and corresponding combinations are omitted from the sequence if they involve subcombinations previously searched and found to be at or above the target weight. The scales produce signals representative of the product weight, and the signals are calibrated and processed to eliminate measurement errors.