Abstract: Bag packaging machine comprising an intermittent carousel having vertical spindles (M) fastened to the horizontal carousel (G) and facing upwards allowing the realization of bags (S) with the opening facing downwards and the bottom facing upwards and a collecting device adapted to collect the bags (S) from the spindles (M) and to reverse them so as to place them with the opening facing upwards and the bottom facing downwards so as to be able to fill them. For example, the collecting device may comprise a belt (N) in continuous transit, to which holding devices (V), such as for instance suction cups, are connected.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly for use in shrink sleeve labeler machines includes a replaceable insert having a cutting slot that is spaced apart from both upper and lower elements of the mandrel assembly.

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 method of folding a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises the following steps: first, the gas bag is unfolded between a base and an opposing surface. A spacing is provided between the base and the opposing surface, which corresponds to a height of a housing into which the gas bag is to be inserted after folding. Then, a folding funnel is provided which comprises one end having a large cross-section and one end having a small cross-section, the large cross-section being larger than or equal to a cross-section of the gas bag when unfolded between the base and the opposing surface, and the small cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of the housing; beginning with its large cross-section. Finally, the folding funnel is placed over the unfolded gas bag and moved relative thereto such that the gas bag is pushed together on the base by the folding funnel to the small cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus is arranged to successively make plastic bags. The apparatus comprises a trapezoidal plate including a short edge having opposite ends from which opposite oblique edges extend divergently. The trapezoidal plate comprises a double walled structure in which clearance means is formed between walls. The apparatus further comprises drive means by which the trapezoidal plate is moved in a direction of height of trapezoid so that the short edge can be engaged with the bottom gusset material. In addition, the apparatus comprises a pair of folding plates arranged to be engaged with the bottom gusset material and then inserted into the clearance means at positions corresponding to the oblique edges in accordance with the movement of the trapezoidal plate so that the bottom gusset material can be inserted into the clearance means by the folding plates to be folded into halves along the short edge and folded into the clearance means along the oblique edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creasing planar material includes a pair of confronting drums between which the material is passed with at least one of the drums having at least one electrical filament thereon adapted to engage the planar material as it is passed between the drums for melting the planar material to a predetermined depth. The filaments are preferably quick heating and also dissipate heat quickly so that they can be activated and deactivated in short intervals so that the drums upon which the heat filaments are mounted do not heat up between the filaments.

Abstract: Machine and method for converting paper stock to cushioning material or dunnage in which paper is withdrawn from a supply, passed about an arcuately curved forming bar to impart a lateral curvature to the paper, and then passed between confronting surfaces of feed belts to crumple the curved paper and thereby form the cushioning material, after which the crumpled paper or cushioning material is cut to desired lengths with a knife blade. Operation of both the feed belts and the knife blade is controlled by a foot switch, logic circuitry, and a limit switch which monitors the position of the blade. Depressing the foot switch causes the feed belts to advance, and releasing it causes the belts to stop and the knife blade to advance.

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of packaging from unitary blanks comprising a first tool having a convex end surface said convex end surface having edges that define a first center segment and a first plurality of triangular segments and a second tool having a concave end surface said concave end surface having edges that define a second center segment and a second plurality of triangular segments.

Abstract: A way of folding an air bag used in an air bag module is disclosed, as well as a process and device for folding an air bag. The air bag is folded in the direction of an imaginary longitudinal axis, forming a ring with separate folds at its inner and outer sides, the imaginary longitudinal axis preferably extending through the filling mouth of the air bag. The folding process is characterized in that the empty air bag is stretched in the direction of an imaginary longitudinal axis and folded up in the direction of the longitudinal axis within a boundary, in particular a boundary having a ring-shaped cross-section. A device for folding the air bag has a molded part, at least one device for introducing the air bag into the molded part and at least one device for compressing the air bag inside the molded part. The advantage of the invention is that only a few process steps and a simple device are required for folding the air bag.

Abstract: A reclosable packaging bag comprises a main bag body having an opening portion and at least one heat-sealed portion; and a linear fastener provided on the opening portion of the main bag body. The linear fastener is provided along the opening portion of the main bag body by an insert injection molding so as not to extend to the heat-sealed portions. A method for manufacturing the bag comprises the three steps. First, the first and second linear fastening members are formed on a prescribed position of a sheet of film material by an insert injection molding so as to be spaced from each other. These fastening members are engageable with each other to form a linear fastener. Second, the sheet of film material is folded in two so that the fastening members can engage with each other. Third, each of opposite portions of the sheet of film material thus folded is heat-sealed to form side heat-sealed portions.

Abstract: In a process and an apparatus for folding a gas bag 15 for a passenger restraint system, a gas bag (15) is introduced, in an uninflated state, to an apparatus that includes a folding tool (12), folding aids (16) and a clamp (19). The folding tool (12) includes a holding plate (1), an intermediate plate (4) with a spiral strip (8) thereon, and a form plate (5) with a spiral slot 10 to accept the spiral strip 8. Prior to a folding process, the gas bag (15) lies on the spiral strip (8), which protrudes through the form plate (5). With help from the folding aids (16), the gas bag is folded into a free space between the protruding strip 8 and the intermediate plate (4). In the process, the gas bag (15) is pressed, as two plies, in spiral shape along the strip (8). The folding occurs uniformly from an inside to an outside. Using a clamp (19), the folded gas bag (15) is brought to a required shape for a housing (25) of the passenger restraint system.

Abstract: A bag folding apparatus comprises an in-feed mechanism, a rotatable spindle, a stripper, and a pair of folding nip rollers. The stripper is slidably mounted on the spindle and is movable between a retracted position and a forward position. To fold a bag segment having one or more bags connected by perforations, the in-feed mechanism first feeds the bag segment to the rotatable spindle while the stripper is disposed in the retracted position. Rotation of the spindle causes the bag segment to be wound about the spindle. After the bag segment is wound about the rotating spindle, the stripper is moved from the retracted position to the forward position. Movement of the stripper from the retracted position to the forward position strips the wound bag segment from the spindle. With the spindle positioned adjacent to the pair of nip rollers, the stripped bag segment is fed between the pair of nip rollers. The pair of nip rollers flatten the stripped bag segment so that the bag segment is effectively folded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to form tubular shaped individual cartons from a web of flat tubular material. The flat tubular material is advanced to a tube forming station whereat a portion thereof is bulged so that it can be inserted on a mandrel to maintain its shape. After insertion on the mandrel it is cut to form an individual carton separate from the web of flat tubular material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic manufacture of flat bottom bags from a substantially continuous supply of a sealable material whereby the material is formed as a bag having a reinforced sealed flat bottom formed by an interior bag forming assembly that is cooperable with a relatively movable folder assembly that folds the bottom of the bag and removes it from the bag former assembly after a length of the bag is severed from the remainder of the material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making sealed packages for spreadable products includes means for transporting a relatively stiff base member carrying a spreadable product in the approximate center thereof, means for feeding a relatively thin flexible sheet material and for cutting such flexible material into predetermined lengths and for feeding such cut lengths to a rotatable vacuum drum having a plurality of die stations. There is a first tamper which cooperates with the die at the die station as the stations rotate past the tamper to shape each cut length of flexible material into a predetermined three-dimensional form. The three-dimensional form is transported by the vacuum drum to a position over the stiff base and the spreadable product thereon where the formed flexible sheet is released by the vacuum drum and cohesively joined along its outwardly extended edges to the base member to enclose the spreadable product positioned thereon.

Abstract: This relates to a mandrel assembly for forming a continuous web into individual pouches. The web is drawn onto a reciprocating mandrel through a suitable guide so as to have adjacent free edge portions. The free edge portions are sequentially heat sealed by a side sealer and the so formed continuous tube is sequentially pushed onto the mandrels carried by a turret, followed by the heat sealing closed of the forward most portion of the tube and then the cutting thereof from the tube. A drive is provided for reciprocating each mandrel and the drive constructed wherein the advance of each mandrel may be selectively varied. The web is preferably provided with suitable indicia printed thereon and in order that the indicia may be properly oriented with respect to each bag or pouch, there is an indicia or printing detector which functions to vary the advance of the mandrel upon each stroke thereof so as to maintain registration of the printing.

Abstract: This relates to a bag forming machine wherein a continuous tube is formed from a contuous web, the tube having a side seam and being cut off at predetermined intervals to form short tubes with closed bottoms. The tubes are placed on mandrel assemblies of a turret and the mandrel assemblies, as the turret is indexed, are actuated so as to axially elongate the closed tubes while holding the open end of each tube against movement, thereby generally forming a flat bottom on the tube and triangular bottom portions. The turret is next indexed so as to plow down the triangular bottom portions flat against the flat bottom portion followed by further indexing of the turret to heat seal the triangular positions to the flat bottom portion and then cool the heat seals. Finally, each closed bottom bag is gripped by a combined rotator and orientation device wherein the side seam of the bag is rotated to a selected orientation.

Abstract: A machine for forming envelopes from blanks comprising a scoring means for receiving said blanks and adding score lines thereto, means for receiving said blanks from said scoring roller and applying glue to selected first locations thereon, means receiving said blanks with applied glue and folding said blanks to cause a seal at said glue locations, means for receiving said folded blanks and inverting said blanks whereby a first portion of said blanks is stationary while said blanks are being inverted, means located at said blank inversion means for forming a desired shape in said stationary portion of said blanks while said blanks are being inverted and means for receiving said formed blanks for gluing and folding said blanks to form completed envelopes.