Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for producing handle bags made of thermoplastic web material by transporting segments of gusseted web to a cutting device that removes a generally rectangular portion of material to produce at least one style of a bag with handle portions that can be either gripped by hand or receive a forearm of a user. Moreover, there is disclosed apparatus for folding and collecting the bags so produced.

Abstract: This application discloses methods and apparatus that advance, from a single longitudinal file of abutting articles, a portion of the file containing a desired number of articles which, for convenience, will sometimes be referred to as a sub-group. The first and subsequent sub-groups are sequentially further advanced to a magazine or collection station preferably constructed with overlying vertically spaced compartments. On each compartment containing a sub-group of articles, and for purposes of this description bringing together the sub-groups will be referred to as a group, the group is advanced to the forming box of a horizontal form, fill and seal wrapping machine which essentially produces, from a flat strip of thermoplastic material, a tube having its edges welded and which is thereafter transversely severed and sealed between groups of articles. In advancing the accumulated individual articles of each sub-group in the formation of a group the articles rest upon the lower article aligned therewith.

Abstract: A bag machine and method includes a continuously driven rotary drum for making articles such as bags from a folded web of thermosealing material. A bag stripping and accumulating mechanism is driven in timed relation with the bag making drum for removing each bag from the drum and accumulating a predetermined plurality of bags in groups before depositing the groups of bags at a location such as on the pins of a wicket conveyor when the pins are stationary, or in shingled stacks on a takeaway conveyor. Several embodiments of the bag machine are disclosed.

Abstract: Feeding a longitudinally extending lane of regularly spaced articles to a horizontal form, fill and seal wrapping machine is disclosed. To insure regularity of spacing and that no gaps are created, in-line operatively integrated storage and transferring conveyors and an infeed wrapper lug conveyor are provided. Articles in abutting relation on the storage and transferring conveyors are dispensed to the lug conveyor so that each successive article is engaged and fed by each successive lug of the infeed conveyor. In being transferred to the infeed lug conveyor longitudinal spacing of the articles is effected. Also according to the disclosed concept more than one article may be simultaneously transferred to the infeed lug conveyor.

Abstract: A wrapping machine and method is provided which forms a tube of wrapping material around spaced articles to be packaged. A four side rotary tucker cooperates with a crimping, sealing and cut-off mechanism to produce uniformly tucked, crimped end style packages with articles in packages after air has been discharged from reduced cut-off length with the result that wrapping material costs are minimized while package appearance is improved. The wrapping machine is readily adjustable to handle articles of different cross sections and lengths, and means are provided for removing air from the tube of wrapping material.

Abstract: A wrapping machine and method is provided which forms a tube of wrapping material around spaced articles to be packaged. A four side rotary tucker cooperates with a crimping, sealing and cut-off mechanism to produce uniformly tucked, crimped end style packages with articles in packages after air has been discharged from reduced cut-off length with the result that wrapping material costs are minimized while package appearance is improved. The wrapping machine is readily adjustable to handle articles of different cross sections and lengths, and means are provided for removing air from the tube of wrapping material.

Abstract: A mechanism for rapidly transferring and changing the spacing of easily damaged articles between a multilane input conveyor and a single lane output conveyor. The mechanism includes a pair of diverging transfer conveyors with evenly spaced article receiving buckets pivoted thereon. Guide rails support the buckets of both transfer conveyors in positions inclined upwardly and toward the incoming articles when receiving articles from the input conveyor and permitting buckets to move to a horizontal position for acceptance by teflon coated arcuate shields which invert the buckets and articles therein and dump the articles from each transfer conveyor into the single lane output conveyor at a spacing different from the spacing of the articles on the input conveyor.