Abstract: A system is provided comprising a carton conveyor and a bypass carton accumulator adjacent to, and interfaced with, the carton conveyor. The bypass carton accumulator may comprise: a carton pick apparatus comprising a carton pick head; at least one stop device comprising a stopper movable between a first and a second position; and a storage apparatus. When in the first position, the stopper does not interfere with the flow of cartons along the conveyor and when in the second position, the stopper engages with a carton to stop a flow of cartons along the conveyor. The carton pick apparatus may be configured to pick up via the carton pick head a set of cartons from a pick-up zone of the carton conveyor after the stopper has moved to its second position and place the set of cartons in the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A pressing roller is provided including an inner core and a roller cover structure where the roller cover structure is divided into segments. Each roller cover segment may have a rigid inner ring, an elastomeric outer ring, and a deformable coupling structure located between the inner ring and the outer ring. The deformable coupling structure may be formed from a shape memory alloy, a carbon fiber composite, or nylon.

Abstract: A folding apparatus is provided to be positioned adjacent a conveyor along which product having a flexible film wrapper wrapped about the product moves adjacent the folding apparatus such that the folding apparatus effects the folding of a first flap of the wrapper. The folding apparatus comprises a passive folding device comprising a first passive folding member defining a first passive folding surface adapted to engage the first flap as the product and the film wrapper move in a machine direction and folding the first flap from a first position away from the product to a second position adjacent the product.

Abstract: A folding apparatus is provided to be positioned adjacent a conveyor along which product having a flexible film wrapper wrapped about the product moves adjacent the folding apparatus such that the folding apparatus effects the folding of a first flap of the wrapper. The folding apparatus comprises a passive folding device comprising a first passive folding member defining a first passive folding surface adapted to engage the first flap as the product and the film wrapper move in a machine direction and folding the first flap from a first position away from the product to a second position adjacent the product.

Abstract: A laminar air flow development device for use with stationary web material testing equipment is disclosed. The laminar air flow development device has a machine direction, a cross-machine direction orthogonal thereto, and a Z-direction orthogonal to both the machine and cross-machine directions. The stationary web material testing equipment has a first web material support having a Z-direction thickness, D. The device has first and second surfaces contactingly and matingly engaged to form an airfoil having a machine direction length, L, a cross-machine direction width, a leading edge, and a trailing end. The airfoil has a chord disposed between the first and second surfaces. The trailing end has a width equal to the Z-direction thickness, D. The device has a ratio of L/D ranging from about 1 to about 70 and provides machine direction laminar air flow to at least one surface of the first web material support.

Abstract: A laminar air flow development device for use with stationary web material testing equipment is disclosed. The laminar air flow development device has a machine direction, a cross-machine direction orthogonal thereto, and a Z-direction orthogonal to both the machine and cross-machine directions. The stationary web material testing equipment has a first web material support having a Z-direction thickness, D. The device has first and second surfaces contactingly and matingly engaged to form an airfoil having a machine direction length, L, a cross-machine direction width, a leading edge, and a trailing end. The airfoil has a chord disposed between the first and second surfaces. The trailing end has a width equal to the Z-direction thickness, D. The device has a ratio of L/D ranging from about 1 to about 70 and provides machine direction laminar air flow to at least one surface of the first web material support.