Abstract: Disclosed is an automated module for binding a cable bundle, including eight parts arranged in two halves and having an opening or closing movement around a cable bundle, a lacing tape being pushed between the parts, once the automated module is closed, to form around the cable bundle a first knot or clove hitch followed by a second safety knot as a double knot on the former, before exiting the automated module, followed by a guide releasing movement, tightening the respective knots in the listed order, cutting the ends of the lacing tape and opening the automated module to remove the cable bundle.

Abstract: A sorting system and method. A method includes receiving a plurality of items to be sorted. The method includes assigning a sort criterion to each of a plurality of bins and measuring and storing at least a thickness of each of the items. The method includes assigning each of the items to a bin based on the sort criterion assigned to the respective bins. The method includes transporting each of the items to a respective bin based on the assignments. The method includes determining that the items being transported to a first bin will cause the first bin to reach a capacity threshold based on the stored thicknesses or volume of the items being transported to the first bin. The method includes, in response to determining that the items being transported to the first bin will cause the first bin to reach the capacity threshold, assigning the first criterion to a second bin.

Abstract: A system and method for handling wicket bags involve a wicket bag holder for transporting wicket bags to a working position along a transport path, the bag holder including one or more holding devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of an upper tab of the wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is held suspended within a working zone. Also involved are one or more main gripping devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of a suspended wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is gripped to form a bag neck portion. The system and method may be used for bag filling applications.

Abstract: A wrapper assembly is disclosed that can be used, for example, to wrap a label around a wire. In the wrapper assembly, a pair of supports are spaced apart from one another and a plurality of rollers are disposed there between. The wrapper assembly further includes at least one yoke. Both the pair of supports and the yoke have positioning slots formed therein that support the rollers. By moving the yoke or yokes relative to the supports, the positioning slots in the yoke or yokes shifts relative to the positioning slots in the supports and thereby adjusting the positions of rollers relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clipping device for closing at least one closure means, like a closure clip, in a packaging machine, for closing tubular or bag-shaped packaging casings as well as a method for controlling a clipping device. The clipping device comprises a first closing tool and a second closing tool, wherein at least the first closing tool is reversibly movable towards the second closing tool, between an opened position and a closed position, for closing the at least one closure means and a drive means for reversibly moving at least the first closing tool towards the second closing tool in a closing direction. In the inventive clipping device, a monitoring device is provided in the region of the second closing tool for monitoring the second closing tool being prepared for the next clipping cycle.

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: A geared rotating cartridge for a waste disposal device having a geared rotation mechanism comprising an assembly of gears mounted on the device. The outside wall of the cartridge comprises a plurality of projections forming the teeth of a circumferential gear. The circumferential gear is operatively positioned thereon to interact with the assembly of gears of the geared rotation mechanism to allow for rotation of the cartridge directly by the geared rotation mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape closure device for securing the neck of a bag with an adhesive film and a non-adhesive backing. The device preferably includes a closure application assembly that has a guide rail, a contact member and a cutting member. The guide rail preferably includes a contact section, a gathering section and a staging section. The contact member preferably includes a contact surface adjacent the contact section of the guide rail. The tape closure device also preferably includes a tape feed assembly, a paper feed assembly and a bag feed assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a tie around the gathered open end or neck of a bag to close the bag. A feed device (6) feeds a length of tie material (1) to a former (3) where the tie material is formed into a tie loop (2) around the gathered open or neck of a bag inserted in the former (3). After forming the tie loop (2), a leading, free end of the tie material 1 is held in a gripper device (14) and the feed device (6) for the tie material (1) reversed to pull the tie material and close the tie loop (2) around the gathered open end or neck of the bag. A cutter device cuts the tie material (1) after the tying operation to allow the bag to be removed from the former (3) with the tie secured thereto. A guard ring (16) prevents tightening of the tie loop and requires the operator to use both hands to initiate removal of the guard ring so that the tie loop (2) cannot be tightened with a part of the operators hand or fingers in the former (3).

Abstract: A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tamper resistant seal on a plastic bag containing a loaf of bread or other products is disclosed. The neck of the bag is flattened, gripped between a pair of lower inboard and out board gathering belts adjacent opposite sides of a segment of the neck of the bag. A row of perforations is formed in the bag neck as the bag moves adjacent a roller provided with teeth or cutting elements. Heated air jets are directed to engage the segment of the bag bridging between the inboard and the outboard of the bag bridging between the inboard and the strip from the bag.

Abstract: A device and method of use for applying twist-ties onto flexible packages on an assembly line. Each package has a front panel including an exterior surface. Each twist-tie is a strip of material having a first face. The apparatus comprises a glue applicator (e.g., a spray head), a supply (e.g., reel) of twist-tie material, a carrier (e.g., channel shaped head including magnets), and a package support (e.g., conveyor). The package support holds each package at a first station in an orientation whereupon the exterior surface of the front panel is oriented vertically. The carrier is arranged to be oriented in a first horizontal position for receipt of a respective twist-tie thereon so that the first face of the twist-tie is facing upward. The glue applicator applies glue (e.g., sprays hot glue) downward onto the first face of the twist-tie as it is advanced onto the carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tamper resistant seal on a plastic bag containing a loaf of bread or other products is disclosed. The neck of the bag is flattened, gripped between a pair of upper inboard and outboard gathering belts and a pair of lower inboard and outboard gathering belts adjacent opposite sides of a segment of the neck of the bag. A row of perforations is formed in the bag neck as the bag moves adjacent a roller provided with teeth or cutting elements. Heated air jets are directed to engage the segment of the bag bridging between the inboard and the outboard gathering belts for fusing panels of the bag together to form a sealed strip spaced from the row of perforations in the bag neck to facilitate removal of the sealed strip from the bag.

Abstract: A mobile, automatic sandbagging machine includes a source of sandbags and a guide track positioned adjacent to the source of sandbags. A hook attached to a chain of the guide track selectively removes a sandbag from the source of sandbags and advances the sandbag along the guide track. An end of the sandbag is opened under a fill chute, and the sandbag is partially filled with fill material. A closing mechanism closes the open end of the sandbag and the sandbag is removed from the machine.

Abstract: A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

Abstract: A device and method of use for applying twist-ties onto flexible packages on an assembly line. Each package has a front panel including an exterior surface. Each twist-tie is a strip of material having a first face. The apparatus comprises a glue applicator (e.g., a spray head), a supply (e.g., reel) of twist-tie material, a carrier (e.g., channel shaped head including magnets), and a package support (e.g., conveyor). The package support holds each package at a first station in an orientation whereupon the exterior surface of the front panel is oriented vertically. The carrier is arranged to be oriented in a first horizontal position for receipt of a respective twist-tie thereon so that the first face of the twist-tie is facing upward. The glue applicator applies glue (e.g., sprays hot glue) downward onto the first face of the twist-tie as it is advanced onto the carrier.

Abstract: In a form fill and seal apparatus, a film is provided with a zipper oriented transverse to the direction of travel of the film. The zipper includes a central area which is secured to the film. However, the zipper further includes outer areas which are free of attachment to the film prior to the film being turned down by the forming collar of the filling tube.