Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a strip of carriers for delivery to an apparatus for applying a can carrier to successive groups of cans from a strip of carriers on a roll where the strip is fed from the roll to an applicator comprising a cleaning device interposed between the roll and the applicator. The cleaning device includes opposite cleaning brushes between which the strip of carriers is moved such that dirt, dust and material plate-out is removed from the surfaces of the strip.

Abstract: The film, which is cyclically extended in the station for wrapping the product, is acted on by a jet of hot air supplied from a therm-electric generator controlled by a control logic unit which through suitable sensors measures the ambient temperature and the temperature of the film and controls any other inputs, so that the film is kept in optimal and substantially constant conditions to react without tearing to the pre-stretching and/or stretching to which it is normally subjected in the product packaging cycle.

Abstract: This invention refers to a continuous or intermittent air injection system for enveloping machines consisting in an air tubing comprising suitable air expulsion means, controlled by an electrovalve and equipped with at least two impulsion positions when are the positions confronting the sealed area of the envelope that allows the cooling of the welding, and the upper position which is the corresponding to the stoppage of the machine with the cooling of the thermowelding rollers that permits their temperature regulation and control.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing the force required to expel a catamenial tampon from a tampon applicator. The tampon applicator is also disclosed. The tampon applicator includes a first member which is capable of housing an absorbent tampon. The first member has an inside diameter, first and second spaced apart ends, and an insertion tip formed adjacent to the first end. The insertion tip at least partially closes the first end of the first member and facilitates insertion of the tampon applicator into a woman's vagina. The insertion tip is opened, expanded and reclosed prior to positioning the tampon in the first member. This action allows the insertion tip to be reopened with a minimum amount of expulsion force. The apparatus includes a first punch having an outside diameter which is sized slightly less than the inside diameter of the first member. This enables the first punch to slide within the first member from the second end toward the first end.

Abstract: A method of loading disks includes first and second air-jet nozzles and a continuous flow of air. The first air jet nozzle is directed into the opening of the flexible bag to initiate opening the bag at a localized region. The continuous flow is designed to fully open the bag by taking advantage of the localized opening. The second air jet nozzle improves the reliability of the opening process by striking a surface of the flexible bag to overcome the continuous flow. Impinging the bag in this manner tends to remove any wrinkles at the opening, so that when the second jet is terminated the continuous flow fully opens the bag. Preferably, the second air jet flow is ionized, thereby neutralizing any static charge that is stored by the bag. Typically, the first and second air jet flows do not overlap in time.

Abstract: A medicine tablet is described as a new article of manufacture. The tablet is enrobed in a gelatin coating formed by application of respective layers of elastic gelatin film to opposite sides of the tablet. The applied gelatin layers conform tightly to the tablet surface, bond securely to the tablet, and are sealed together in essentially edge-to-edge manner at a seal line which extends around the tablet at a desired place on the tablet. The gelatin layers can be colored differently from the tablet and differently from each other. A range of formulations are described for film which can be peelable from a tablet or other product core, and for films which bond to the core. A presently preferred formulation for producing tablets having a bonded tamper-evident coating comprises a water-based gelatin preparation having about 45% gelatin and about 9% plasticizer (glycerin and/or sorbitol) by weight. Method and apparatus for producing such new products are also described.

Abstract: Method and device for manufacturing a thermally insulated container (1) for storing and transporting material such as vaccine, biological material and the like requiring a substantial constant temperature during a substantial period of time, the container comprising an insulated first can-shaped vessel (2) filled with a solid-to-liquid phase transforming refrigerant material (5). In a first step of the method a multilayer insulation is baked under vacuum and arranged about said first vessel (2) by wrapping so that it encloses said first vessel on all sides, in a second step said first vessel is inserted under vacuum into an outer vessel, in a third step the bottom part (18) and the cover part (19) of the container are welded together under vacuum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for wrapping a signature bundle by moving a wrapping sheet into the path of movement of a bundle, said sheet being maintained in self-supporting fashion by imparting a bend thereto as it is fed to the wrapping station. The bundle "crashes" into the sheet causing it to collapse and wrap itself about the bundle. When the wrapping operation is completed, the wrapping sheet is wrapped around three contiguous surfaces of the bundle. The sheet is automatically cut and a new wrapping operation is initiated. The wrapping sheet may be printed upon by an ink jet printing characters "on the fly". The characters are printed backwards and "bleed through" the wrapping sheet to appear in normal manner.

Abstract: The blocking troubles due to the static electricity can be completely removed in the opening of the prefolded film. In a continuous packaging machine according to this invention; A web of a synthetic resin packaging material prefolded along the longitudinal direction thereof is fed under a predetermined tension through one or more guide rollers into a film opening mechanism. The prefolded film is opened in the film opening mechanism and is simultaneously inverted and formed into a substantially lateral U-shaped cross section. After package articles are successively transferred into the opened inner parts of the lateral U-shaped synthetic resin packaging film, the opening of the synthetic resin packaging film in the periphery of the package articles is automatically sealed in the automatic sealing section.

Abstract: A method to prevent tearing of packaging film is provided using a carriage which includes a stand, a supporting shaft for a film reel and a roller device; the carriage being intended to be incorporated in a packaging machine for wrapping loads. Plastic film is unwound from a film reel and longitudinal creases are formed on the longitudinal edges of the film web to prevent tearing of the film during packaging.

Abstract: Electrostatic method and apparatus for opening liners within containers and maintaining such liners in spread apart disposition preparatory to filling comprises (1) A.C. electrostatic ionizing means for directing a stream of bipolar air ions toward the outer walls of the containers substantially symmetrical therewith, and (2) D.C. electrostatic charging means for directing an ion wind of a single polarity toward the interior of liners within the containers whereby the liners and the containers will be charged to opposite polarities to cause electrostatic pinning of the liners to the interior of the containers and effect opening thereof while the net charge on the package is substantially neutral. Subsequent to opening, the spread apart liners in the containers may be easily filled with the appropriate material.

Abstract: In regard to the case when a stretch film is wound round in a state of tension on amassed goods for packing the same, this invention is so designed that the film is split in the width direction and in parallel into a large number of narrow-width tapes, while it is stretched, in a process of winding the film around the goods and thereby diagonal spaces are formed naturally on a desired circumference of the amassed goods, so as to produce an airing effect on the amassed goods.

Abstract: An oxygen-absorber accommodation parcel in which an air-impermeable material is superimposed on and peelably bonded to an air-permeable face of an air-permeable accommodation parcel which accommodates an oxygen-absorber compound. In the case of strip-formed continuous parcels in which accommodation parcels are connected side-by-side in one direction, a strip-formed air-impermeable material is bonded to the continuous parcels. During use, the air-impermeable material is peeled and removed from the strip-formed continuous parcels and, immediately thereafter, the strip-formed continuous parcels from which the air-impermeable material has been removed is cut along each connecting seal portion into individual oxygen-absorber accommodation parcels.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping a pallet load with a wrapping film applied selectively as a film rope or as a film sheet. The load is supported in an elevated position. A rotary arm supported above the load is arranged to be rotatably driven. An upright member depending from the rotary arm is spaced outwardly from the load in any rotary arm position. A carriage is arranged to be upwardly and downwardly driven along such member. A dispenser on the carriage dispenses the wrapper as a rope or as a sheet. A guide, which comprises a lever and a hook on the lever, is moveable among extended, partly retracted, and fully retracted positions. In the extended position, the guide guides the rope across the respective corners of the load. In the partly retracted position, the guide does not interfere with driving the carriage along the upright member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for wrapping a signature bundle by moving a wrapping sheet into the path of movement of a bundle, said sheet being maintained in self-supporting fashion by imparting a bend thereto as it is fed to the wrapping station. The bundle "crashes" into the sheet causing it to collapse and wrap itself about the bundle. When the wrapping operation is completed, the wrapping sheet is wrapped around three contiguous surfaces of the bundle. The sheet is automatically cut and a new wrapping operation is initiated. The wrapping sheet may be printed upon by an ink jet printing characters "on the fly". The characters are printed backwards and "bleed through" the wrapping sheet to appear in normal manner.

Abstract: A spreader is positioned downstream of stretching rollers arranged to stretch a plastic film laterally and longitudinally. The spreader comprises a plurality of freely rotatable rollers arranged along an arc so as to spread the stretched plastic film laterally. A pair of guide rollers are provided for guiding the spread and stretched plastic film to a load.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying a freshness keeping agent to a food packaging body arranged to comprise: a step in which a hot-melt adhesive agent is, at a predetermined interval, dripped on to the inner surface of a wrapping film which is being continuously supplied; a step in which an elongated train consisting of a plurality of freshness keeping agent bags successively connected in a direction and continuously supplied is cut into individual freshness keeping agent bags; a step in which each freshness keeping agent bag is conveyed to the wrapping film through a chute; and a step in which either side of each freshness keeping agent bag and the inner surface of the wrapping film are joined to each other under pressure at a portion to which the hot-melt adhesive agent is applied.

Abstract: A packaging machine and a method for continuous forming of filled packages from relatively unstretchable roll stock of crinkled heat sealable filter paper. A series of pouch forming drum sockets are provided in an outer surface of a revolving drum and the paper is trained on the drum over the sockets. Another mechanism is provided for slitting the sheet of the filter paper along its length creating a pair of side-by-side heat sealable filter paper strips before the paper reaches the drum. A driven endless flexible before the paper reaches the drum. A driven endless flexible belt is operatively engaged with the outer drum surface. A suction device is provided for drawing overlapped belt areas of the belt into the drum sockets along with the relatively unstretchable crinkled filter paper strips sandwiched between the overlapped belt area and the pouch forming drum sockets thereby forming side-by-side continuous strips of crinkled filter paper pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for iso-thermally sealing electronic packages with a thermosetting adhesive have first and second platens for holding and for heating a package and a lid, respectively. The second platen is operatively coupled to the first platen, so that alignment of the package to the lid is automatically achieved when the first platen and the second platen are placed in a sealing position. The process includes the steps of pre-heating a package and a lid, the lid having a mating surface coated with a thermosetting adhesive; and mating together the heated package and the heated lid when iso-thermal conditions are achieved. The iso-thermal seal process and apparatus are based on the principle of uniting the package and the lid with a thermosetting adhesive after all three components, and gases in the cavity as well, are already at a stable adhesive curing temperature.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal pouch packaging machine is augmented by including a heating component for heating the surfaces of its film during product addition. The film is heated to a temperature sufficient to inhibit condensation of hot liquid product on the interior walls of a partly formed pouch during the product addition and/or to achieve asepsis during product addition. The heating member can be positioned in one of several positions adjacent to the surfaces of the film. Irrespective of the positioning of the heating member the surfaces of the film of a partially formed pouch or of the film prior to formation of the pouch is heated to a temperature sufficient to inhibit condensation of vapor on the film and/or to sterilize the surfaces of the pouch.

Abstract: The invention provides a package and associated method for packaging of products which enhances the resistance to tampering with or adulteration of the product, and which also permits a readily visible indication that any such tampering or adulteration has occurred. The invention in one form provides an inner container which is in turn provided with an outer protective layer of epoxide resin. The outer layer is cured and it becomes extremely brittle such that any physical penetration of the outer layer will cause the entire outer layer to shatter. Such shattering will provide a clear indication that penetration of the protective layer has occurred. Also there may be provided an associated dye which will exhibit a color change when the outer protective layer is shattered. A warning message may be provided on said packaging underlying the outer layer.

Abstract: A static seal is applied to overlapping edges of film wrapped about a product. A hollow forming head forms the film into a generally tubular configuration so that longitudinally extending opposite edges of the film overlap. A first electrode is disposed within the tubular cavity defined by the film and bears downwardly upon the overlapped edges of the film as the film travels past the first electrode. A second electrode is positioned downwardly of the overlapped edges and outside the tubular cavity. A stream of electrons flowing across an air gap between the electrodes applies the electro static seal.

Abstract: A machine is provided for continuously packing products, in particular food or pharmaceutical products, in plastic material containers, comprising a thermoforming station in which a horizontal platen receives two identical mold parts and is mounted for rotation about an axis between a position for thermoforming the containers and a position for receiving decorative elements for the containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sterilizing packaging material, in particular packaging containers by means of a liquid sterilizing agent containing hydrogen peroxide, in which a mixture consisting of sterilizing agent and air is vaporized within a spray pipe (18) and guided positively within the spray pipe so that a very good vaporization capacity is achieved. In order to achieve this, a rotary flow movement along a central axis is imparted to the mixture of vapor and air by swirl bodies (19, 21) and coil spring inserts (22, 23) inserted alternately therewith inside the spray pipe (18) and the liquid which has not yet vaporized is given a flow direction in opposition to that of the main stream of the mixture and consequently a long residence time of the liquid on the pipe wall of the spray pipe (18) is achieved.

Abstract: A bag covering apparatus that puts a cover, which has been folded in two at the folding portion, on the opening of a bag. The same bag covering apparatus includes a folding piece which can operate to fold the cover in two at the folding portion and a cover retaining piece provided near the folding piece, having at least two holding portions capable of holding the folding portion of the cover. The folding portion of the cover is inserted into the holding portion of the cover retaining piece by the action of the folding piece, the cover retaining piece being movable such that when one of the holding pieces of the cover retaining piece faces the opening of the bag, the other holding piece of the cover retaining piece faces the folding piece.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing flexible packages and particularly transdermal medication patches. The method includes the continuous and rapid production of a plurality of such packages while continuously treating one portion of the laminate forming the package by corona discharge in order to modify the surface adhesion properties thereof to provide, simultaneously, a proper seal of a transdermal membrane in the laminate forming the package, while maintaining the desired medication dispensing properties thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a form stable, preferably product contour tight package in a roller operated packaging machine. A thermoformable web (14) is pre-heated to a suitable forming temperature and the web is thereafter supplied to a mould tray (20). The tray is provided with vacuum passages and/or other arrangements for forced forming to the contour of the tray. A sealing tool (22) surrounds, completely or partly, the periphery of the tray and is used for sealing of the second web to the first one. The heat of the sealing tool is superposed, primarily by heat radiation, onto the cooling, preferably such that a boarder region (26) head/cold is created in the marginal portion of the mould tray.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for helical screw controlled-quantity extrusion of powdered material, such as, for example, moisture-absorbent super fine powders, with automatic filling of hot-melt laminated pouches, at least partially porous, as for use in diaper or other similar applications, and while obviating hazardous release of the powder.

Abstract: Sterile packages are produced which have a shaped depression and a closure sheet sealed onto this depression. In order to furnish sterile inner surfaces for the packages, two tubes of packaging material each of which have a sterile inner surface are slit lengthwise and opened out into flat strips in order to form the depressions and the closure strip. Depressions are produced in one strip, which is underlaid with a reinforcing strip; thereafter the depressions are filled and sealed with the closure strip, which has one layer comprising the strip made from the other tube and another layer from another strip. The sterile surfaces of the strips are arranged so that they face one another.

Abstract: A container capping method and system for applying mechanical lock type tamper-evident closures to containers wherein the closures are heated prior to closure application to temporarily increase the flexibility thereof in a manner that tamper-indicating portions of the closures more readily withstand the closure application process without incurring visible damage or otherwise degrading the tamper-indicating function.

Abstract: Heat sealing of foam-paper laminates and the like around articles to cushion them. Foam can be coated with anti-stat and/or corrosion inhibitor to protect articles against static electricity and/or corrosion. Such coatings can reduce the heat sealing temperature. Laminate portions to be heat sealed can be pre-heated to shorten heat sealing dwell.

Abstract: A skin packaging machine having a vacuum box, an oven spaced above the vacuum box, a film frame movable between the vacuum box and the oven, and a source of film. The film frame is hollow and is connected to a source of vacuum. Holes are formed around the upper surface of the film frame to hold the film to the frame during the packaging operation.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for wrapping units to be wrapped, such as two rolls of paper, in which transverse lines of weakness are formed in a web of flexible sheet wrapping material at measured intervals along the length of the web corresponding to wrapper length as the web is continuously fed forward, the web is formed into a tube around the units with the lines of weakness extending girthwise of the tube and spaced lengthwise of the tube at the wrapper length intervals, the units are fed into the tube one after another spaced lengthwise in the tube at wrapper length intervals and located between the lines of weakness, the tube with the units therein is continuously fed forward at a predetermined speed, and the leading wrapper of the tube with a unit therein is pulled forward at higher speed to sever it from the tube at the line of weakness between it and the preceding wrapper.

Abstract: An ice cream cone product is provided having a sanitary paper jacket adhered thereto which is sufficiently adherent for shipping, handling and vending but which is selectively removable without leaving jacket remnants thereon at the point of consumption. A jacket is telescopically juxtaposed over the cone after the jacket interior is dosed with a mixture of water vapor and propylene glycol.

Abstract: A system for filling generally cylindrical barbell weight shells with a relatively viscous slurry of cementitious material comprises a roller conveyor which transports a plurality of carriers each supporting a plurality of barbell weight shells thereon through a plurality of stations. At a lubricating station, the exterior of the shells is coated with a light film of oil to facilitate subsequent cleaning thereof. At a filling station, a dispensing hopper having a plurality of downwardly projecting nozzles dispenses the cementitious slurry into the shells. Each of the carriers is positioned beneath the hopper, the shells thereon are aligned with the nozzles, and a lift table lifts the shells off of the roller conveyor into engagement with the nozzles. Vibrator and agitator devices induce the flow of the slurry from the hopper into the shells under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: Articles to be packaged are brought by a conveyor above a vacuum chamber and a preheated plastic film is sucked toward a cardboard sheet supporting the articles and resting on the conveyor.

Abstract: A skin packaging machine for the continuous production of air-free skin packages comprising a suction box, a perforated conveyor for traversing over the suction box an imperforate lower web of thermoplastic material carrying spaced articles to be packaged, means for feeding a heated imperforate upper web of thermoplastic material towards the lower web and guiding its edges into contact with the upper surface of the lower web as the latter travels over the suction box and a thermoforming unit, disposed between a supply reel for the lower web and the conveyor, which is operative to impose a dimpled upper surface on the lower web, said thermoforming unit being constituted by a heated drum and an adjoining thermoforming drum around both of which the lower web is passed, and the thermoforming drum having an air-permeable and dimpled peripheral surface and including means for applying suction to the interior thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing thermoformed plastics trays comprising means for entraining along a plane a thermodeformable strip proceeding through a heating station, a station for forming container cells in the strip, a station for filling with a product the cells and a station for closing the cells with a metal strip comprising wording relative to the nature of the contained product. The heating system consists of mutually overlying heating plates driven intermittently parallel to the feed direction of the thermodeformable strip. The closing station comprises guide means for the metal strip which accompany this latter tangentially above the thermodeformable strip so as to close the container cells. The guide means cooperate with a metal strip stretching device controlled by members for off center detection so as to elongate the strip and center the print on the formed trays.

Abstract: The invention concerns the production of closed containers filled with a liquid or particulate material. Production takes place on a machine having two tiers revolving about a common, stationary shaft. The container wall is shaped from a blank and then welded and the container bottom fitted in the upper tier. The container is filled shortly before or during its transfer to the lower tier where the lid is fitted and the finished product swung out onto a conveyor belt.

Abstract: An article is packed with a heat shrinkable film having a width larger than that of the article. The film is moved in contact with a heating member and then immediately wrapped under tension about the article with the opposite side edges of the film protruded beyond the opposite ends of the article. At the same time, the film shrinks about the article to tightly pack it not only on the peripheral surface but also on the end surfaces of the article.

Abstract: A carrier is disclosed for interconnecting and holding an array of cans or the like together as a unitary package. Preferably the carrier is made from a thermally shrinkable plastic sheet, and is formed to be placed around an array of cans then shrunk by application of heat to interconnect the cans and form the package. A machine is disclosed for performing this packaging operation efficiently and rapidly, the method including the step of preforming the plastic sheets to provide a cylindrical collar about each opening, thereby enhancing the hold and interconnection afforded by the carrier. A cover sheet may be employed with the carrier to keep the can tops clean. The method for performing this packaging operation also is disclosed.

Abstract: Blister packaging of medicaments or the like is accomplished in a succession of discrete stages to provide unit-dose packages in strip form, with one or more blisters per strip. Modular machinery to do so is powered from electrical and pressurized fluid energy sources, and the respective modules abut one another sequentially and conduct the fluid to actuate the various stages.

Abstract: A process and a machine for packaging items in stretchable foils of plastic material, wherein the foil is subjected to maximum stretching in at least a transversal direction, before bringing the item to be packaged into contact with the thus pre-stretched foil. To avoid further stretching of the pre-stretched foil, the machine comprises a lifting table for vertically elevating the item relative to the pre-stretched foil, and means for controllably releasing at least the transversal opposed foil side edges as the lifting table moves upwardly, while folding the side edges under the item.

Abstract: With the view to obviating or mitigating the disadvantages that in processes for the production of containers, for example, product-filled containers, in which processes a substantial proportion of scrap is produced and that the space occupied by a plurality of the containers prior to the product-filling thereof is considerable even if the containers are disposed in stacked relationship, there is provided a process for manufacturing a rimmed container preparatory to the filling and closing thereof from a one piece homogeneous blank, composed entirely of heat formable material containing just the requisite amount of material for forming the rimmed container to be filled, filling rim and an apparatus for performing the process, wherein the process includes the steps of uniformly heating a substantially rigid planar preshaped homogeneous blank of thermo plastic material, out to at least immediately adjacent the portion thereof adapted to form the container rim to a formable state while leaving the outermost peri

Abstract: A process for providing a hermetic, heat-sealed closure for a filled, thermoplastic or thermoplastic coated container by the steps of: providing a continuous web of a thermoplastic material, having a temperature within the drooping and heat-sealing ranges of the thermoplastic material, draped over the mouth of the filled container; urging the web inwardly of the mouth of the container so that the web overlies interior and exterior, thermoplastic surfaces of the mouth of the container; and pressing the web against the interior and exterior, thermoplastic surfaces of the mouth of the container to form a heat-sealed bond, by directing a stream of a gas against an exposed surface of the web overlying a thermoplastic surface of the mouth of the container.

Abstract: Disclosed are a pouch for containing a material therein, a laminate film for the pouch, and a method for producing the pouch. The laminate film comprises a first plastic layer and at least one second plastic layer on which said first plastic layer is laminated. The first plastic layer is partially subjected to surface roughening treatment prior to the lamination, and surface irregularities are filled with a plastic material of the second plastic layer. In a pouch having substantially rectangular shape, at least one folded portion is provided at a side edge of the pouch. The surface roughened portion is positioned at and around the folded portion and at an external surface of the pouch. In one embodiment, the folded edge is provided at one side of the pouch and a heat sealed portion is provided at the other side edge thereof. In another embodiment, folded portions are provided at both side edges of the pouch and a heat-sealed portion is provided at a rear central portion thereof.