Abstract: The disclosure concerns an integral weigh wrapper for wrapping products in stretch film, by weighing each product as it is placed on an infeed support surface, and feeding successive weight signals to a data processor. Successive signals are compared, and when a stabilized weight signal is received, as determined by the successive comparisons, the data processor produces a start signal which activates a drive motor to rotate one revolution. This initiates one cycle of operation of the weigh wrapper, in which the product is advanced from the infeed station to the wrapping station, a wrapping cycle is initiated for any product then in the wrapping station, and a previously wrapped product is advanced to a printing and labeling station--where it is automatically indexed, a printed label pneumatically applied to a selected location on the wrapper, and the wrapped and labeled product outputted.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an integral weigh wrapper for wrapping products in stretch film, by weighing each product as it is placed on an infeed support surface, and feeding successive weight signals to a data processor. Successive signals are compared, and when a stabilized weight signal is received, as determined by the successive comparisons, the data processor produces a start signal which activates a drive motor to rotate one revolution. This initiates one cycle of operation of the weigh wrapper, in which the product is advanced from the infeed station to the wrapping station, a wrapping cycle is initiated for any product then in the wrapping station, and a previously wrapped product is advanced to a printing and labeling station--where it is automatically indexed, a printed label pneumatically applied to a selected location on the wrapper, and the wrapped and labeled product outputted.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an apparatus and method for wrapping products in stretch film by placing each product on a product support table having collapsible fingers. A pivotable frame is loaded with successive lengths of stretch film and pivoted down over each product placed on the support table. Tucking blades mounted on the frame tuck the side edges of the film under the product, while infeed and outfeed rollers tuck the front and back edges under the product. Pusher means then advance the product onto the outfeed conveyor to complete the front tuck and seal the film beneath the product.

Abstract: The disclosure is of conveyor belt tracking apparatus comprising an endless conveyor belt having a right edge and a left edge and supported on rollers on which the belt is driven along a predetermined path. First and second rollers are provided under the belt adjacent to the left and right edges and sensing switches are provided adjacent to the left and right edges. The sensing switches are coupled to and turn on a motor having a drive shaft whose direction of rotation pivots the first and second rollers in the proper direction to bear against the belt to move it to the right or left to compensate for undesired belt movement to right or the left and to return the belt to the predetermined path.

Abstract: The bag sealing machine includes a horizontal working table having all of its working parts at the same level. Adjacent to the table are (1) a product in-feed conveyor driven by a novel support and drive arrangement, (2) a product pusher having a novel, pivotable pusher means, (3) a supply of folded film and an adjustable plow for forming the film into bags, of different selectable sizes, having two open sides, (4) a scissors-type L-sealer operated by a novel drive arrangement, and (5) a package out-feed conveyor driven by a novel support and drive arrangement like that of the in-feed conveyor.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an L-sealer and a supply of folded film which is fed across a horizontal table to the vicinity of the sealer, where a product to be packaged is placed between the upper and lower sheets of folded film. The sealer is then operated to hold closed the open side of the film opposite the fold and thus to form a bag which is closed, but not sealed, on three sides.The edge of the table facing the open end of the bag is provided with a vacuum chamber which is operated to remove air from the bag, whereupon the L-sealer is operated to complete the sealing of the bag and the severing of the bag from the film supply.

Abstract: The machine includes a horizontal operating table and various apparatus associated therewith for performing different functions. The apparatus includes, as a first portion of the operating table, a product in-feed conveyor, a supply of film and bag-forming means, bag-sealing means including means for operating sealing bars to form a seal and simultaneously moving the packaged product along the table to an out-feed conveyor. The invention is particularly concerned with the bag-sealing means.

Abstract: The disclosure is of apparatus including a pallet load which is to be wrapped with film, the pallet and load being horizontally movable along a straight-line path from a loading area to a wrapping station. At the wrapping station, there are a fixed vertical roll of wrapping film and a movable vertical roll of wrapping film, and the film to be wrapped around the load extends, as a curtain, between the two rolls. When the pallet load is moved into the wrapping station, it is pushed into the curtain of film which partially encloses the load, and the movable roll is driven toward the fixed roll to complete the wrapping of the film about the load and to provide a region where two layers of film overlap each other. With the load thus completely enclosed, a clamping bar secures the seal area, and a heat-sealing device is used to seal the overlapping layers of film to complete the wrap.