Abstract: An improved tray packer-shrink wrapper is provided in a preferred embodiment with a computer control to permit relatively efficient changeover from processing a batch of one product size to a batch of another product size. A servocontrolled pin grouper is provided wherein at least two sets of pins such as pins A and B are mounted on corresponding endless chains such as chains A and B, which endless chains are independently cyclable by corresponding independently controlled servomotors A and B. The pin sets are inserted into a row of articles positioned on a stationary deadplate, with one pin set leading a trailing pin set, and the leading pin set is accelerated with respect to the trailing pin set to separate articles downstream of the leading pin set into an article group, which separation operation is continuously carried out in a cyclical fashion to group articles from the row.

Abstract: An improved palletizer is provided for receiving successive groups of articles in a pattern forming area and transferring the groups in succession to a stacking area on a pallet. A servocontrolled sweep system transfers article groups from the pattern formings to the stacking area for stacking one group on top of the other as the pallet is indexed downward by a hoist system after each successive group, and a carriage system interleaves separator sheets between successive groups. A programmable logic controller controls the servocontrolled sweep system in accordance with a velocity characteristic designed to increase machine speed and efficiency.

Abstract: A packaging machine for bonding a sheet to opposite walls and over the articles therein. One embodiment has a conveyor which moves the trays down a predetermined path, during which a film sheet is disposed over the tops of the articles in each of the trays, and flight bars traveling about an orbital path interpose the sheet between the trailing and leading walls of each of the successive trays and press the sheet against the adjacent trailing and leading walls. Heating elements associated with each of the flight bars heat the sheet, while compressed, to form a bond between the film sheet and the tray walls. The heating elements are controlled by an improved electrical circuit. Three independently movable sets of flight bars are provided for placing each of the trays in compression whereby the apparatus is adjustable as required to accommodate trays of different sizes over a range within the limits of the machine.

Abstract: A feeder mechanism specially adapted for use in conjunction with plastic open-ended sleeve type article carriers includes a hopper (8) in which collapsed transversely folded sleeves (S) are stacked, the ends of the sleeves being folded upwardly along a transverse fold line (7) so that a minor shorter end portion (7a) of each sleeve is in outermost relation with respect to the hopper and to a major longer sleeve portion (7b), and a hollow, cylindrical rotatable feeder element (9) having a slot (10) arranged in parallel relation to its axis is disposed so that rotation of the feeder element in one direction causes the upper edge (1a) of the minor part of the sleeve to enter the slot so as to effect withdrawal of the sleeve from the hopper. A feed roll (23) is disposed below the feeder element and is arranged so that a sleeve withdrawn from the hopper is fed between the feed roll and the cylindrical feeder element and on to an endless conveyor (25) which operates in synchronism with the feeder element.

Abstract: Sleeve wrapping apparatus, particularly for wrapping units each consisting of a plurality of products, such as cans, of relatively low stability, which enables orderly wrapping of a unit without the use of a tray or other receptacle for holding the products in the unit against disorientation, comprising a conveyor for conveying units to be wrapped through a sealing station, means for supplying webs of heat-sealable wrapping material to lie under and over a unit, means for sealing the webs together at the sealing station, and means for separating a number of rows of product from an infeed of products to constitute units each comprising said number of rows for delivery to said conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for packing articles, particularly bottles, in units each consisting of a plurality of parallel rows of articles, each row comprising a plurality of articles, in side-by-side contact, and with the rows in contact, comprising means for collating articles into said units and sleeve-wrapping the units. Each unit of articles, as formed, is deposited on a conveyor and conveyed thereby through a sealing station, means being provided for supplying webs of heat-sealable wrapping material to lie under and over each unit, and for sealing the webs together at the sealing station to form a sleeve of the material around each unit. In collating cylindrical bottles (or other cylindrical articles), the rows are staggered for nesting of the bottles to reduce the voids in the units.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus in which units to be wrapped and flexible packaging material for wrapping the units are fed forward with the units spaced apart in the direction of feed, with a dwell interval between successive feed cycles, and having means for forming a seal across the width of the material between two successive units during each dwell interval. The units are fed forward by conveyor means intermittently driven via a chain and sprocket drive including a crank rotatable about a predetermined axis, means for continuously rotating the crank in one direction about its said axis, a first sprocket secured to the crank with the axis of the first sprocket offset from the crank axis for rotation of the first sprocket about the crank axis without rotation of said first sprocket about its own axis, a second sprocket and a chain trained around said first and second sprockets. The sealing means is operated during the dwell intervals by a similar chain and sprocket drive mechanism.