Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cap on a cylindrical container includes: a stage including a receiving region for separately receiving a cap and a container; and an elevator movable upwardly away from the stage and downwardly toward the stage. The elevator includes: a carrier disposed over the stage; a capturing member on the carrier and configured to capture the cap; and at least one extendable member extending from the carrier, the at least one extendable member movable from a home position with the extendable member above a center of the cap and an engagement position with the extendable member engaging the center of the cap and urging the center of the cap downwardly relative to an outer sidewall of the cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming fiber balls uses automated clippers that can cooperate with a wheel that turns and operates in a stop and go sequence to hold gathered segments of lengths of elongate fibers, then present the gathered segments to a clipper, then rotate with the clipped segments of elongate fibers, allowing a knife or blade to extend to cut between adjacent clipped segments to form fiber balls with a clip or clips at a medial portion thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide clip blow-off pulses of pressurized gas to clip dies using pressurized gas diverted from an onboard knife, gate and/or punch cylinder/valve during a reset or idle period of a clipping cycle and may be particularly suitable for rotating platform systems with circumferentially spaced apart respective clipper stations. Packaging systems include at least one clipper assembly with at least one pulse valve in communication with a pressurized gas (e.g., air) supply configured to generate a respective clip blow-off pulse of pressurized gas across a clip die.

Abstract: Packaging systems include a rotating table and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart spool mount assemblies mounted to the rotating table at respective clipper stations. The spool mount assemblies can include a laterally extending centrifugal force retention shaft that faces an outer perimeter of the table.

Abstract: A packaging machine including an insertion station for inserting the rolls in wrapping sheets; a feed path of the rolls; a conveyor for feeding the rolls along the feed path; and a folding station adapted to be equipped alternatively with different types of folding members, as a function of the type of pack to produce.

Abstract: A crimp control apparatus includes a threaded connection between a dipper and a punch to adjust the distance between the die and the bottom of the cylinder. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a cylinder, a connector, and a cylinder mount bracket, the cylinder mount bracket bore having threads engagable to threads of the connector, and a lock in the cylinder mount bracket to restrict movement of the connector through the cylinder mount bracket bore. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and having a piston shaft, a stud extending from the piston shaft and having threads, a punch holder having threads engagable to the threads of the stud, a lock to lock the position of the stud and the punch holder, and an adjustment device in the piston shaft.

Abstract: Pivotable clipper assemblies for attaching closure clips to a product held in casing and/or netting include a retractable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to the casing and/or netting; and a pair of clipper gathering plates attached to the clipper body so that the clipper gathering plates retract with the clipper mechanism, wherein, in operation, the clipper gathering plates gather casing and/or netting upstream of a product held therein prior to attachment of clips to the gathered casing and/or netting by the clipper mechanism.

Abstract: A bag accumulating device is provided with a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism. The first drive mechanism is configured to advance an open-mouth portion of a bag at a first speed. The second drive mechanism is provided adjacent and downstream of the first drive mechanism. The second drive mechanism is configured to advance the open-mouth portion of the bag at a second speed that is less than the first speed so as to accumulate and foreshorten the open-mouth portion of the bag. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Factory layouts of packaging apparatus modules include a frame with a base adapted to reside on a support floor, the frame having opposing right and left hand frame sides and at least one lateral beam that extends therebetween, the right and left hand frame sides comprising respective upwardly extending frame portions which are configured to reside on opposing sides of a longitudinal product travel path having an axially extending centerline; and a clipper mechanism configured to selectively attach to either one of the right and left hand frame sides in a manner that positions the clipper mechanism at a substantially common operative full-clip location in the product travel path when mounted to either the right or left hand frame sides to thereby allow build options with selectable mounting orientations.

Abstract: A clip-separating machine is provided with a guide frame, a clipper, and a displacement structure. The guide frame is configured to support a strip of clips. The clipper has a pair of opposed cutting edges. One of the edges is supported for movement toward and away from another of the edges. The displacement structure is configured to move the one cutting edge toward the other cutting edge so as to cause co-action of the cutting edges to sever a terminal clip from a strip of clips. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products configured to provide one or more of the following: improved rotary table or platform packaging systems, improved adhesive (glue) based film seal systems, and/or easier loading or releasing mounting systems of horns, forming collars and/or sprockets.

Abstract: A clip closure system for closing clips, each clip having a base section and first and second legs extending from opposite ends thereof, is described. The clip closure system has a rail configured to hold the clips; first and second jaws which are rotatably connected to the rail; a connector; first and second arms, the first arm being connected to the first jaw and to the connector, the second arm being connected to the second jaw and to the connector; an actuator configured to move the connector such that the first jaw rotates relative to the rail to contact and bend the first leg of the clip toward the base section of the clip, and such that the second jaw rotates relative to the rail to contact and bend the second leg of the clip toward the base section of the clip.

Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.

Abstract: Pivoting clippers with a rotary actuator that is eccentrically attached to a cam and yoke assembly configured so that the rotary actuator moves the cam and yoke assembly which causes the clipper body to pivot from a home position to an operative clipping position.

Abstract: A clip machine for dividing up and closing tubular packagings filled with filling material by closure clips, including at least a first and a second closure tool unit which for setting and closing at least one closure clip (clip) are reversibly movable relative to each other between an open position and a closure position. There is provided at least one piezoelectric sensor which is connected to one of the closure tool units and which is adapted to measure a closure force applied upon closure of a closure clip and to output a measurement value representing the closure force.

Abstract: A packaging system that includes an automated or semi-automated clipper and a conveyor mechanism in communication with the clipper, the conveyor mechanism comprising an axially telescoping conveyor with a belt defining a conveying surface having a conveying length configured to reciprocally axially extend and retract; the system also including at least one of the following: (a) at least one pair of upwardly extending product guide sidewalls residing at least partially above the conveying surface of the conveyor belt, the upwardly extending product guide sidewalls slidably attached to each other to axially translate substantially in concert with the axially telescoping conveyor between an extended and retracted position; (b) a first idler roller in communication with the belt with an idler in communication with the belt residing lower than the first idler roller and a substantially horizontal axially extending slot in a mounting bracket attached to the mounting frame, the slot and idler cooperate to allow f

Abstract: A system for enclosing a target product in a covering material includes an elongate product chute, an elongate breech-loader chute and a receiving station. The elongate product chute has opposing ingress and egress end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough. The breech-loader chute has a primary chute body with opposing ingress and egress end portions residing above and upstream of the product chute in cooperating alignment therewith. The primary chute body slopes downwardly in a direction of product travel. The receiving station is disposed below the breech-loader chute and includes a receiver floor that receives the target product from the breech-loader chute. The receiver floor is selectively movable between an extended receiving position and a retracted staging position to thereby support and move the target product for delivery to the product chute.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products configured to provide one or more of the following: improved rotary table or platform packaging systems, improved adhesive (glue) based film seal systems, and/or easier loading or releasing mounting systems of horns, forming collars and/or sprockets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clip feed arrangement comprising a magazine bar having an entry and an exit for guiding a line of clips from a clip supply to a separating device of a closure apparatus, and a clip drive arranged in the region of the magazine bar. The clip drive has two drive elements which can be successively brought alternately into engagement with the line of clips and which are so designed that a first drive element in a condition of engagement travels in the advance direction on a first advance path in the form of a segment of a circle while a second drive element in a condition of being out of engagement travels in opposite relationship to the advance direction on a second advance path in the form of a segment of a circle and that the engagement and the travel direction of the drive elements are reversible, wherein the first and the second advance paths have the same axis of rotation about which the drive elements are reciprocatingly pivotable.

Abstract: A clip machine comprising a pivotable closing lever having a first closing tool and including a feeder feeding clips into the first closing tool, a second closing tool slidably disposed along linear guide tracks on a linear carriage guide, wherein the first closing tool and the second closing tool are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position in order to close clips, a drive controller for the closing tools that is configured in such a way that first the first closing tool and then the second closing tool is moved into the closed position, and an adjusting mechanism designed to set the neutral position of the second closing tool and hence the gap between the closing tools.

Abstract: A net derucking rectifier system is described. The system has a stuffer, a product horn having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end mounted to the stuffer, a netting tube having an upstream end and a downstream end, the netting tube removably mounted coaxially over the product horn and having a tubular netting shirred thereon, a bracket mounted coaxially to the netting tube and having a plurality of fingers pointing radially inward to grip the netting, the bracket movable between a first position near the upstream end and a second position near the downstream end, the fingers biased to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the first position to the second position and not to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the second position to the first position, and a clipper located adjacent the distal end of the netting tube.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual, automatic and semi-automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include chutes with embossed floors.

Abstract: In a clip apparatus (1) with a drive (2, 3) and a control (4), on the holder (6, 7, 17) of one of the clip closing work tools a force measuring device (9) is provided. Based on the measured force and through the control the drive is influenced and in the case of excessively high force values, the clip apparatus is stopped to avoid damage.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: A net derucking rectifier system is described. The system has a stuffer, a product horn having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end mounted to the stuffer, a netting tube having an upstream end and a downstream end, the netting tube removably mounted coaxially over the product horn and having a tubular netting shirred thereon, a bracket mounted coaxially to the netting tube and having a plurality of fingers pointing radially inward to grip the netting, the bracket movable between a first position near the upstream end and a second position near the downstream end, the fingers biased to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the first position to the second position and not to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the second position to the first position, and a clipper located adjacent the distal end of the netting tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging material in netting is described. The apparatus in a first embodiment is a netter for enclosing material in netting and a scissors assembly for severing the netting. The scissors assembly comprises a pair of blade elements pivotally connected by a pin affixed to the netter and each of the pair of blade elements comprises a knife section extending in a first direction from the pin and a lever section extending in a second direction from the pin. The scissors assembly further comprises a pair of link arms each connecting one of the lever sections of the pair of blade elements to a piston, the piston extendable in a first direction to pivot the knife sections of the blade elements toward each other and extendable in a second direction to pivot the knife sections of the blade elements away from each other. In another embodiment, the piston comprises an air-actuated cylinder.

Abstract: A clip feed arrangement including a magazine bar for guiding a line of clips from a clip supply to a separating device of a closure apparatus, and a clip drive arranged in the region of the magazine bar. The clip drive has two drive elements which can be successively brought into engagement with the line of clips and which separately produce the advance.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of enclosing material in a netting and supplying a handle for ease of carrying the netted material, comprising clippers, irises, and a handle maker. A novel scissors assembly for severing the netting is disclosed. A conveyor carries the material to a pair of irises. The irises gather the netting around the material, the first clipper closes and severs the netting, and the handle maker forms a loop out of the severed netting. The second clipper attaches the loop back to the netting to form a handle. A scale can be used to weigh the material and a printer can create a label, with the weight or whatever other information is desired, for attachment to the netting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying a clip to a clip window associated with a closure attachment mechanism having a closure punch path for attaching a single clip or two clips to a target tubular work piece in a closure zone include: (a) forcing a plurality of clips to travel in a first predetermined clip travel path having a forward direction toward a first punch path in a closure zone at a first point in time; (b) selectively retracting the plurality of clips so that the clips travel in a reverse direction along the first predetermined clip travel path; and then (c) forcing the plurality of clips to again travel in the forward direction along the first predetermined clip travel path at a second point in time.

Abstract: An apparatus for encasing material in continuous roll stock netting is described. The apparatus has a product horn axially aligned with and diametrically opposed to a mandrel over which continuous roll stock netting has been placed. The mandrel is movable into a passageway between two gates and the netting is engaged by a set of claws, after which the mandrel retracts. A set of claws holds the netting open as a ram pushes the material through the product horn into the open netting. The first gate gathers the open end of the netting for closure by a clipper. The second gate gathers the netting and a set of adjustable clamps retracts the netting, pulling the netting tightly over the material. A second clipper clips and severs the gathered netting to enclose the material in the netting.

Abstract: A rib (206c) is formed on a ceiling surface of a tape guide mounted on a driver handle of a binding machine for gardening, and two plate springs (224a, 224b) are mounted on the bottom plate portion of the tape guide. The plate spring (224a), which is situated on the downstream side, is elastically contacted with the rib (206c) to thereby allow the plate spring (224a) and rib (206c) to hold tape (T) between them, while the upstream-side plate spring (224b) is contacted with the tape. When a tape roll is rotated reversely and the tape is thereby pulled back, tension is applied to the tape existing between the rib (206c) and tape roll, and the upstream-side plate spring (224b) is raised up due to the friction of the tape to curve a passage of the tape, which increases the frictional resistance of the tape to thereby be able to prevent the tape (T) against reverse movement.

Abstract: In a process for the production of portion packs of viscous to pasty filling material such as sausage meat, grease, putty or cement and the like in a tubular film (12) which is formed prior to introduction of the filling material (10) by welding or sealing of the longitudinal edges of a film strip (1) drawn off a supply and bent into a tubular form, and into which filling material portions are discontinuously introduced under pressure, whereupon the tubular film (12) is closed with braid formation, the tubular film (12) is drawn out of the welding or sealing station towards the filling station directly by the filling pressure and film strip (1) is subsequently drawn along from the supply into the welding or sealing station.

Abstract: A work cell has an inbound portion and an outbound portion. The inbound and outbound portions are angled relative to each other, at approximately 135°. The inbound portion is comprised of an inbound cradle to facilitate the loading of items within containers. The outbound portion has a processing region comprised of a fastening device to secure the containers in a closed condition. The fastening device has at least one alignment device to facilitate the alignment of the containers with the fastening device. The fastening and alignment devices may be positioned to accommodate containers of different sizes. The outbound portion also has a labeling region with an outbound cradle to facilitate the application of labels to an exterior of the containers. The work cell is equipped with numerous ergonomic devices facilitating the storage and placement of items useful in the operation of the work cell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying a clip to a clip window associated with a closure attachment mechanism having a closure punch path for attaching a single clip or two clips to a target tubular work piece in a closure zone include: (a) forcing a plurality of clips to travel in a first predetermined clip travel path having a forward direction toward a first punch path in a closure zone at a first point in time; (b) selectively retracting the plurality of clips so that the clips travel in a reverse direction along the first predetermined clip travel path; and then (c) forcing the plurality of clips to again travel in the forward direction along the first predetermined clip travel path at a second point in time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of enclosing material in a net and supplying a handle for ease of carrying the netted material, comprising clippers, irises, and a handle maker. A conveyor carries the material to a pair of irises. The irises gather the netting around the material, the first clipper cuts and closes the netting, and the handle maker forms a loop out of the severed netting. The second clipper attaches the loop back to the netting to form a handle. A scale can be used to weigh the material and a printer can create a label, with the weight or whatever other information is desired, for attachment to the netting.

Abstract: Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for automating the positioning and fastening of a clip to a pouch. The system describes automated assembly of first and second clip members having ends, clamping surfaces, latching components, and hinge components with a product. Each of the clip members are loaded into feed mechanisms and mechanically manipulated into desired orientations. The clip members are dispensed in aligned, spaced apart relation with their clamping surfaces, latching components, and hinge components disposed one toward the other with the product situated between the clamping surfaces. The invention also relates to a product created by the automated assembly of clip members with a product.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching shaped metal clips at intervals to viscous-product-filled casing includes a support frame, a clipper assembly, a clipper assembly mounting rail, and a clipper assembly reciprocation mechanism. The clipper assembly is reciprocally mounted for reciprocal movement back and forth between a first casing entry station and a second casing exit station. A continuous tube of filled casing enters the apparatus at the first station and exits at the second station. The clipping assembly includes a filled casing support passage. Filled casing is directed through this passage as the casing extends between the first and second stations. The clipper assembly further includes first and second casing gathering plates which are projectible into the passage to gather the filled casing to form a neck section therein. The neck section is for attachment of at least one clip about the casing.

Abstract: A device for partitioning portion packages from a filled casing string by constricting it and applying at least one closing clip onto the casing string, which consists of two sets of displacement elements and a clipping apparatus consisting of two interacting elements that can move between the displacement element sets in mutually opposite directions, wherein he displacement elements and the elements of the closing apparatus are connected via rotating joints to the cranks driven in the same direction and are guided via a joint guiding element, which is seated in a swiveling manner about the (virtual) casing axis on a carrier holding also the cranks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bundling layered material comprises an anvil for receiving multiple units of bundled material, and a plurality of blades for compressing a tying material onto the bundled material. An apparatus of the invention is illustrated for use in a specific method of simultaneously stapling the end wire of a plurality of tire beads.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for wrapping a load with a flexible wrapping material which prevents the flexible material from unwrapping itself after the load has been wrapped. The apparatus includes a supply of flexible wrapping material which can be delivered as a rope or as a full web. The apparatus includes a first finger and a gripper for positioning a portion of a first rope supplied by the supplying means at a predetermined location. The load and the supply are relatively moved to wrap the load with the flexible material. Once the load has been wrapped, a second finger and a guide wheel are provided to position a portion of a second rope supplied by the supply at the predetermined position. The first and second ropes are fastened together at the predetermined position, and the portion of the second rope is cut downstream of the predetermined position.