Abstract: Food service set assembly systems and methods include delivery of one or more utensils and a napkin to a receiving cradle where they are grasped by two fingers attached to a rotatable shaft and wound to a desired tension. Utensils are delivered to the receiving cradle is a uniform alignment via a gravity driven system. Sterilization of the utensils can also be provided. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.

Abstract: A device is provided for interconnecting a support and a connector through a quick release mechanism. The quick release mechanism is normally biased in the locked position and is configured to automatically move from the unlocked position back to the locked position when the connector mates with the support as a user re-connects the unit back to the support. Methods of releasing and re-connecting the unit to the support are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an absorbent article includes a holding tool, a female tool disposed along a machine axis, and a male tool disposed along the machine axis. The holding tool has an aperture aligned along the machine axis and means for holding a flexible sheet across the aperture. The female tool has at least one folding element extending in a direction radially away from the machine axis, and the male tool has means for holding a fluid storage element and at least one pleating blade extending in a direction radially away from the machine axis. At least two of the holding tool, female tool, and male tool are capable of relative motion along the machine axis. Further the at least one pleating blade and of the male tool and the at least one folding element of the female tool are aligned to permit manipulation of the flexible sheet about the fluid storage element.

Abstract: A device for the individual packaging of pharmaceutical tablets comprising a charging template (1) with recesses (5) for receiving tablets (11) of dosage at given times, the recesses (5) have recess bases (6) for openable by a displaceable arranged control template (2) to pass on the tablet (11), a tablet container (3), physically arranged below the charging template (1) such as to be displaced relative to the charging template (1) and having compartments for transfer of the tablets (11), and a weighing scale positioned beneath the charging template (1) and above the tablet container (3) for checking the weight of the tablets (11) assigned to the charging template (1).

Abstract: An ice bagging system is described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of insertion of uniquely shaped packaging elements may include one or more of the following steps: (a) transporting a container along a conveyor, (b) securing the container, (c) aligning a spray cap mechanism over a container opening with a transfer rake assembly, (d) grasping a diptube with a diptube assembly, (e) lowering the diptube assembly and the transfer rake assembly to insert the diptube into the container, (f) securing the container with a timing screw, (g) loading the spray cap mechanism into a sprayer magazine, (h) locking a retractable stop onto the spray cap mechanism, (i) transferring the spray cap mechanism from the sprayer magazine to the transfer rake, (j) locking a second spray cap mechanism with the retractable stop, and (k) retracting the diptube assembly after inserting the diptube into the container.

Abstract: Method for sealing a tear-off foil (16) onto a packaging element (12) including a sealing step in which the packaging element (12) is conveyed in a direction of transport (A) and, by a sealing stroke crosswise to the direction of transport (A), is moved towards a stamp tool (28) carrying punched-out foil (16), and is pressed against punched-out foil (16), with punched-out foil (16) and packaging element (12) being sealed together under the influence of heat, and in which the sealing step is preceded by a heating step in which packaging element (12) is heated by non-contact arrangement to at least the temperature required for subsequent sealing, and in that during the sealing step, stamp tool (28) carrying punched-out foil (16) is moved towards packaging element (12) by a feed stroke executed counter to the sealing stroke.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of transporting and packaging a plurality of preformed flower pot covers. Each preformed flower pot cover is formed from a flexible sheet of material which is of a shape and size to receive a flower pot. Each preformed flower pot cover has a base with a closed lower end and an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough for receiving the flower pot and further having a decorative skirt extending angularly upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the base. The method of the present invention includes the step of providing a portable platform configured to stabilize, receive, support and protect a plurality of stacked preformed flower pot covers. The platform with the preformed flower pot covers can then be wrapped to further stabilize the stacks of preformed flower pot covers so that the platform can be transported to a predetermined destination.

Abstract: A method and packing machine for combining an insert and a group of cigarettes; the group of cigarettes is fed to a first seat of a pocket, which first seat is designed to house the group of cigarettes; the insert is fed to a second seat of the pocket, which second seat is designed to house the insert and is separate from the first seat; and the group of cigarettes and the insert are expelled together from the pocket by a common ejector device, so as to combine the insert with the group of cigarettes.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.

Abstract: A device for processing filter tow material used for producing filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as cigarettes. The device includes a filter tow supply to provide at least two filter tow strips to at least two filter tow guideways. Each of the at least two filter tow strips is directed within the at least two filter two guideways, respectively. Apparatuses are also provided for processing the filter tow strips. The device includes a separately controllable independent processing apparatus assigned to each filter tow guideway.

Abstract: A process for making a crimped tow of filaments suitable for forming a bale of crimped tow for conversion to cigarette filter rods comprising, presenting an uncrimped tow of filaments in a banded condition, adhesively bonding to the filaments of the banded tow (3), porous particles having absorbent surfaces imparting filtration capacity for tobacco smoke constituents, and crimping the banded tow, wherein the process comprises the steps, of: (i) pre-treating the particles to load them with a material capable of generating a gaseous emission from the particles thus forming pre-treated particles; (ii) applying to the filaments of the banded tow, the pre-treated particles and an adhesive for bonding the particles to the filaments; and subsequently (iii) treating the tow to generate the gaseous emission from the pre-treated particles so as to limit deactivation of the absorbent particle surfaces by the adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a vacuum-sealed package comprising the placement of the item to be vacuum packed in a container; sealing the container, placing a portion of the container in contact with a sealable chamber; sealing the chamber, creating holes in the container, evacuating the desired amount of air from the container and creating a seal between the interior of the container and the holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning package containing an article to be packaged, characterized by comprising an article storage space forming unit that forms an article storage space by overlapping a cushioning sheet that includes small cells that inflates with air filled therein, a sheet adhering unit that adheres the overlapped cushioning sheet together and closes an article storage opening, an article disposing unit that disposes an article to be packaged in the article storage space, and an air-filling unit that fills air in the small cells.

Abstract: A unit operation station for use in a web processing machine comprising: a shuttle system including an input roller for receiving a web and an attached zipper, an output roller and a the connecting element for maintaining the input roller and the output roller in a fixed position relative to each other; a plurality of stations performing distinct operations for mechanically altering the attached zipper, one of the plurality of stations including a slider-insertion mechanism for placing a slider onto the zipper; a web path located beyond the input roller and including the plurality of stations; a driver for providing reciprocating movement to the shuttle system to cause intermittent movement of the web and the attached zipper along the web path; wherein the output roller releases the web and the attached zipper at a rate substantially equal to a continuous input feed rate of the web and the attached zipper, and wherein the shuttle system moves at a speed substantially equal to the continuous input/output feed

Abstract: It is disclosed a device (1) for altering the storage capacity of a tubular mesh bag of heat sealable material during the manufacture thereof and the bag (15) obtained from its using. The device comprises an expansion core (2) to which the tubular mesh is peripheral, which is essentially oblong and will be inserted vertically inside the tubular mesh, thus determining two from faces (21) and two side faces of said mesh as it passes over the expansion core. The device has a mechanism for inserting, in a variable way as the mesh passes over the expansion core, sections of the peripheral tubular mesh into it, thus accumulating a greater or smaller quantity of mesh in each longitudinal section of mesh corresponding with one bag unit.

Abstract: A flexible container and a method of manufacturing the same where a spout or fitment is attached to the outside of the flexible container. The flexible container includes a patch having at least a portion of the patch overlapping an opening of the flexible container. The fitment is attached to the outside of the sidewall of the container and the portion of the patch which overlaps the opening of the flexible container. The fitment includes a flange with a bottom surface having sealing beads. The sealing beads can be bonded to the outside of the sidewall of the container and/or the portion of the patch which overlaps the opening of the flexible container.

Abstract: A suture package retaining device having a housing with an interior space. Suture packages are located in an interior space of the housing and biased towards a top of the device. A top-most suture package is positioned at the top in alignment with an opening. The top-most suture package is held in position in the retaining device, permitting a user to access a suture of the package through the opening. When a user applies upward force to remove the suture, the suture package is maintained in a fixed position, allowing the user to disassociate the suture from the package. The device may include a slot through which suture packages may be inserted into or removed from the interior space.

Abstract: A machine and method for the continuous folding of sheet material into different three-dimensional patterns. The innovative machine and method folds sheet material by force converging the sheet to a final stage that imparts a final fold or pattern into the sheet material, the patterns selectively including one of a Chevron pattern, a honeycomb-like pattern, a double-sided inclined folded core structure, and singular inclined direction folded core structure sheet material.

Abstract: A reclosable, tamper-proof, fillable package includes a first side panel and a second side panel joined to each other along a pair of spaced side seals. A bottom wall extends between the first and second side panels with the bottom wall and the first and second side panels defining a package interior. A tamper-evident structure having opposite sides connected to each other extends above a combined zipper closure and slider device, and is connected to the zipper closure. Only one side of the tamper-evident structure is initially connected to one of the first and second side panels so that a fill opening adapted to receive a product is created between the other side of the tamper-evident structure and the other of the first and second side panels.