Abstract: A group of objects is packaged in a package formed of a blank having a base panel, base flaps joined at respective longitudinally extending fold lines to the base panel, a pair of side panels joined at respective transversely extending fold lines to and longitudinally flanking the base panel, and respective pairs of side flaps joined at respective longitudinally extending side fold lines to the side panels. Each pair of side flaps transversely flanks the respective side panel. The blank is advanced longitudinally parallel to the side fold lines to a loading station with the blank horizontal and similarly the group of objects is advanced horizontally and longitudinally to the station and deposited on the base panel there. The side flaps are folded up through about 90.degree. and thereafter the base flaps are folded up through between 45.degree. and 80.degree.. The side panels are then folded up through about 90.degree.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for printing and collating multiple webs of materials, particularly for use in creating personalized direct mail materials, are disclosed. The invention includes a single, highly flexible press having components capable of being driven at unequal speeds to account for different sizes of insert materials and their associated envelopes. Operating a single press in this manner reduces the amount of waste web material which otherwise would be present. The press similarly includes novel collating and inserting apparatus whereby each outgoing envelope is effectively formed around the "insertable" materials. Control mechanisms and verification systems associated with the press additionally maintain any personalized materials in registration, permitting a single press to produce the entire direct mail piece from multiple webs with minimal waste.

Abstract: Folio reams are draped into discrete panels of paper or other wrapping material while in continuous motion along a horizontal path. The panels are fed from below so that the front, lateral and rear portions of each panel extend beyond the respective sides of the corresponding ream. The rear portions of successive panels are folded upwardly against the rear sides and thereupon forwardly against the top sides of the respective reams. The front portions of the panels are provided with films of adhesive and are folded upwardly against the front sides and thereupon rearwardly against the top sides of the respective reams so that their leaders overlie and are adhesively secured to the folded rear portions. The folding of front and rear portions is preceded by squaring of the reams and is followed by tucking and folding of front, rear and lateral portions of successive panels against the adjacent lateral sides of the respective reams.

Abstract: A C-shaped innerframe is preformed and then applied to a preformed cigarette bundle as part of a cigarette packing operation. The preformed innerframe first contacts the bundle with the back of the C in contact with the front surface of the bundle, and with the arms of the C adjacent the sides of the bundle and projecting rearwarly behind the rear surface of the bundle. Thereafter, the arms of the C are brought in against the side and rear surfaces of the bundle to complete application of the innerframe to the bundle.

Abstract: The present invention allows for producing an envelope by a process in which the envelope is die cut from a continuous paper web, folded in four directions to produce four flaps, glued such that the two side flaps are glued to the bottom flap and the top flap is glued to the bottom flap around the contnets of the envelope. The present invention also allows for in-line printing, stuffing and sealing of the contents of the envelope from plurality of high speed webs of paper for mass mailings and the like. The preesnt invention allows for the in-line making of an envelope by high speed paper web that will produce a four flap envelope with one of the flaps of the envelope, corresponding to one of the directions of folding in the process, to be folded in the opposite direction of the web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for packaging a fragile product (8) in a folding carton (19), the problem being to carry out the forming of the folding carton blank (1), the filling of the carton (19) and the closing of the carton (19) automatically in a continuous movement without damaging the fragile product (8). To solve this problem, the invention proposes transporting the folding carton blank (1) in a constant direction, involving initial partial pre-forming of the blank (1), which is then filled with the product (8) and closed with overlapping (12) lid flaps (5), after which the filled blank (1,19) is turned through 90.degree. around a vertical axis and is subsequently closed in a continuous forward movement.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for folding the front and rear ends of a tubular film which covers an article toward the bottom surface of the article. After the front end of the film has been folded while the article is transported, a bar-like roller traveling along the bottom surface of the article at a higher speed than the transport speed of the article catches the rear end of the film and folds it. An air blowing device is installed along the path of travel of the bar-like roller. The air from the air blowing device presses the front and rear film ends against the bottom surface of the article. Thereby the front and rear film ends are prevented from being contacted by the bar-like roller which would strip it from the bottom surface of the article.

Abstract: An automatic, continuous-cycle machine adapted for the wrapping of products consisting of groups of paper rolls, in which the product (P) is conveyed along a longitudinal path of travel and a wrapping sheet (15) in positioned thereon, said sheet being severed from a continuous ribbon which is unwound from a reel (21). The wrapper sheet is folded into tubular shape on the product, with partial overlapping of its edges (115-215) on the bottom of said product, and continuous sealing of said overlapped edges is then effected. Successively, the product with the tubular wrapper is rotated 90.degree. about a vertical axis, so that the portions of said wrapper which are still open are subjected to the action of final folding and sealing members.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for erecting and closing a folding carton made from a one-piece board blank consisting of base, side and top panels connected by folding lines. The board blank is transported with its base panel (5) facing downwards through a device in which the side and top panels (7,9) are folded upwards and on top of each other. A fixed tongue (12) which is fastened at one end from above and is located inside the sleeve-shaped folding carton once the top panels have been folded into position, is provided to support the top panels (9). The transport unit has supports (14) which move with it, engage the underneath of the tongue and give it support against downward pressure.

Abstract: Articles, such as glass containers, are fed continuously in end-to-end relationship through a pin spacer adapted to provide a space between adjacent rows so that cross partitions can be fed therebetween. The articles are then grouped by a pin type grouper to provide predetermined members of article rows and columns in each group. The columns of articles are then spread slightly to allow longitudinal extending partitions to be fed between adjacent columns. At the same time flat tray blanks are withdrawn from a horizontally extending magazine and provided on a lug conveyor located below the path of the grouped articles and each blank is mated with a group of articles at a load station where the blank is formed around the articles by a pocket chain conveyor and article folding means operated in conjunction with an overhead flight bar conveyor which cooperates with the trailing portion of each pocket to fold all flaps provided on the tray blank.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically feeding individual pre-cut sheets and stuffing a personalized letter or some other pre-cut insert into a personalized envelope. The mechanism has means to permit additional inserts to be automatically added to the envelope and to automatically seal the contents within the envelope. The mechanism will also combine pre-cut inserts and envelopes fed from different sources and form them into a completed mailing envelope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for packing products (2) coming from a product line using packing blanks in a packing machine including at least one conveyor for advancing the blanks (1) through the machine, as well as erecting means for erecting the blanks around the products during conveyance through the machine. In accordance with the invention, the blanks are advanced upstanding from a magazine in the machine with the lid directed upwards, simultaneously as products (2) are advanced with the same direction, speed, spacing and number as the advanced blanks.

Abstract: A high-speed packing machine includes a magazine holding a plurality of flat case-forming sheets having a plurality of folding lines. These sheets are formed into U-shaped cases one after another and the cases are transported by a case conveyor. The articles to be packed are supplied by an article conveyor extending along the case conveyor. A dead plate extends from the article conveyor for receiving the articles from the article conveyor. A plurality of flight bars are provided above the dead plate for receiving the articles from the dead plate. The flight bars are movable synchronously with the article conveyor. A plurality of pushers are movable along guide rails extending below the dead plate for supplying the articles from the flight bars to the U-shaped cases on the case conveyor traveling synchronously with the article conveyor. The pushers are movable along a path extending at an angle to the conveyors.

Abstract: The known type of front and rear flap folding apparatus in a wraparound caser in the prior art is improved in that the folding apparatus comprises front flap folding means in which when an article is fed from a dead plate onto a flat blank sheet that is being transported as placed on a sheet receiver of a case transporting conveyor, front flap folding guide members mounted to the case transporting conveyor are erected by a roller follower which rolls along a cam rail to fold the front flap of the sheet, rear flap folding means in which after the article has been fed onto the sheet, rear flap folding guide members mounted to the case transporting conveyor are erected by a roller follower which rolls along a cam rail to fold the rear flap of the sheet, and combined guide and press members which press the article and the sheet while guiding the article upon the above-mentioned folding operations to prevent them from rising up from the sheet receiver.

Abstract: A blank for forming a wrap-around carton is delivered to a moving support carriage which is moved to a station where the moving carriage receives a predetermined number of articles to be packaged. The carriage, with the articles resting on the bottom portion of the blank, is moved downstream while cams actuate tucker fingers which pivot up to fold the tuck flaps of the blank toward each other, causing the end and side panels to be elevated. Another cam actuates a pusher bar which pivots up to push the articles. The carton blank and the articles are thus positively moved through subsequent flap folding and gluing stations, avoiding the problems which can arise due to the use of separate means for moving the articles and the carton blank. A cam operated hinged plate is used to segregate the leading articles at the entry to the machine.

Abstract: A centralized drive device in a machine for packaging products in continuous plastic film which unwinds from a reel comprising essentially a feed unit for said products, an individual product feed unit, a unit for wrapping said products in said film, and a unit for welding and cutting the individual packaged products, in which a rigid transmission shaft extends along the entire length of the interior of the packaging machine from a central variable-speed drive. A series of individual motion transmissions, each operating one of the units of the machine, branches from the shaft, there being also connected to the variable-speed drive a further variable-speed drive which, by positive transmission, drives a belt for conveying the products to be packaged, in accordance with the predetermined succession.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically feeding individual pre-cut sheets and stuff a personalized letter or some other pre-cut inset into a personalized envelope. The mechanism has means to permit additional inserts to be automatically added to the envelope and to automatically seal the contents within the envelope. The mechanism will also combine pre-cut inserts and envelopes fed from different sources and form them into a completed mailing envelope.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically feeding individual pre-cut sheets and stuffing a personalized letter or some other pre-cut insert into a personalized envelope. The mechanism has means to permit additional inserts to be automatically added to the envelope and to automatically seal the contents within the envelope. The mechanism will also combine pre-cut inserts and envelopes fed from different sources and form them into a completed mailing envelope.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading articles into trays where the articles are first separated into rows with a divider assembly, then separated into groups with a grouper assembly and then pushed onto a dead plate to form a load. Different divider and grouper assemblies are provided to make different load configurations. A tray blank is moved under the dead plate and pushed out from under the dead plate synchronously with the movement of the article load over the dead plate so that the article load is deposited on the tray blank. Thereafter, the flaps on the tray blank are folded to erect the tray around the group of articles. Mechanical folding mechanisms are provided to fold certain of the flaps on the tray without folding the other flaps. The method of loading the articles in the tray and forming the tray around the articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a cartoning machine which wraps cartons about preformed blocks of objects, it is proposed to insert a new carton one after the other into the block feed line before the preceding carton has left the insertion zone, with temporary partial overlap of the cartons, so as to reduce the distance between the successive fed blocks. Furthermore, in the insertion station, the blocks of objects are fed by transverse bars carried in a projecting manner from a chain conveyor disposed entirely on that side of the feed line opposite the side from which the cartons are inserted.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for folding floppy disk envelopes. Envelope blanks are manipulated while attached to a continuous web of envelope material to facilitate handling and alignment of the blanks. Initially, fold lines are prescored into the envelope blanks to define the precise dimensions of the envelope. Envelope flaps are then partially folded to define a receptacle into which the disk media is then inserted. The remaining flaps are then folded and sealed, and lastly the folded envelope is detached from the continuous web.

Abstract: A machine for packaging objects such as rolls of paper comprises a direction changing loading wheel to feed objects and groups of objects into closely grouped orientation in the wrapping machine for high speed passage through the machine in a continuous motion generally in a single direction and substantially at a single speed. A wrapper supply mechanism feeds sheets of wrapping material to lie between conveying belts above the article to be wrapped with the leading edge of the wrapper substantially ahead of the article or group of articles to be wrapped. A pair of vacuum wheels alongside the path of the article on axes skewed slightly outwardly from the article path pull the wrapper down in front of the article and allow it to pass underneath as the article passes so that the wrapper becomes wrapped around the top, front and bottom of the articles.

Abstract: A machine for segregating and packaging a plurality of articles in a wrap-around carton first separates a selected number of articles from those on an infeed conveyor, brings the selected articles together with an opened carton blank, and wraps and secures the carton blank about the articles.

Abstract: A packing apparatus by which trays containing articles are wrapped by a film of flexibility and extensibility, the film wrapping the trays in a tubular shape being cut between the successive trays, so that the leading end of the cut tubular film is taken in a first air suction channel and held therein and then folded toward the bottom surface of each tray and the trailing end of the film is taken in a second air suction channel and held therein and then folded by a roller mechanism having an opening toward the bottom surface of the same.

Abstract: A packaging machine for applying a film over the articles in an open top tray and bonding the film to the tray side walls. A plurality of unconnected flight bars are mounted for free movement around an endless path. Each tray and film is captivated between adjacent flight bars as they move along a compression portion of the endless path. A feed conveyor individually feeds the flight bars into one end of the compression portion of the endless path to captivate the trays and to push the released flight bars along the compressive portion of the endless path through the captivated trays so that different size trays are automatically accommodated. The flight bars are returned to the feed conveyor by a lift conveyor and a metering conveyor.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes moveable spaced metering bars and guide means for supplying groups of articles from an infeed conveyor to a packaging station and is arranged to tighten a carrier blank about a group of articles while the blank and articles are moved by the metering bars and includes tightening means movable along the group of articles on each side thereof and which engage portions of the blank on each side of the group near the bottom portions of the articles by means which moves at substantially the same velocity as the velocity of movement of the group of articles and blank and which imparts a downward tightening force thereto without causing any substantial frictional dragback and which need not move in precisely timed sequence with a blank and an associated group of articles.

Abstract: There are depicted, described and claimed an apparatus and method for receiving and transporting tray blanks of corrugated cardboard. Cutouts provide means for bending of flap portions of the blank which form the outer retaining walls or members. Asjustment is provided for the frame support and for the size of the tray as to its width, length and sidewall height. The tray blanks are advanced forwardly to and into a hopper where the lowermost tray blank is withdrawn from a stacked array by a plurality of vacuum cups carried by and on arms. The tray is erected on a reciprocably-moved table by apparatus whereat the back edge portion is brought to a normal position, then the partially erected tray is filled with containers brought by conveyors and said containers are inserted by pushers. The forward end of the tray is brought to a substantially vertical condition by Y-fingers. The rear inner side flaps are moved to a position against the containers by pivoted finger mechanism.

Abstract: In order to wrap dishes filled with fruit, meat or vegetables with a thin stretchable foil, a group of grippers carried on spaced endless chains are arranged to clamp the foil edges. The grippers are held in their foil gripping position each by a presser plate. The grippers transport the foil and hold it while the goods are raised thereagainst, stretching the foil. A cutter cuts off a foil section. It is situated in such a position that the severing operation is carried out at a position while the two foil edges are held fast by the grippers, thus facilitating the drawing forward of a foil, unwound from a supply roll.

Abstract: The equipment of the present invention is one used in preparation of confectionary, cakes and other sweets of western and oriental fashion as well as of the Japanese fashion. Regardless of whether the viscosity of the materials is high or low, they can be disposed of in the manner of becoming easy to handle. When to bake them, they, in the state of raw material or contents, are wrapped in a heat-resistant film, which, rolled back, is continuously fed. Thus, if the raw material is baked into a desired product, its process is sanitary and efficient, and that inexpensive.

Abstract: This relates to a metering device particularly adapted for separating articles being conveyed in end-to-end relation and in side-by-side rows into sets of transversely aligned articles with adjacent sets of articles being displaced in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the articles so as to provide for the metering or separation of the articles of adjacent sets. To this end there is provided a metering device which includes a pair of endless conveyors having opposed runs and each endless conveyor including first and second sets of article supports or carriers with one set of such article supports or carriers of each conveyor being transversely offset and the article supports or carriers being of the same length in a longitudinal direction as the length of the articles or a unit multiple of such articles. The transverse offsetting of articles of longitudinally adjacent sets serves to automatically transverse the aligned articles of each set.

Abstract: A pet waste containment or waste matter disposer unit is disclosed as including a first sheet of sealable material for receiving the waste matter and a covering sheet of sealable material superimposed relative to the first sheet. The free marginal edges of the superimposed sheets are then sealed to each other to form a package and the now encapsulated waste material can be easily and sanitarily disposed.

Abstract: An improved machine and method of making and folding an insert and an envelope.

Abstract: A card having a product thereon is fed by a conveyor into a card folding device. This involves the use of an air jet located below the conveyor, which is activated and causes the leading portion of the card as it passes thereover to go into an upright position approximately perpendicular to the conveyor. While in this position, the conveyor causes the card to be fed into fingers located above the conveyor which complete the fold rearwardly. While still under the influence of the fingers, the leading edge, or fold line, of the now folded card is fed into a creaser. At this point, a switch is tripped which raises a stop-bar which stops the card. A reciprocal plunger is now activated and is used to crease the leading edge by exerting downward pressure thereon against the stop-bar. Once creasing is completed, the stop-bar and plunger retract allowing the conveyor to take the card and product to the next packaging station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier pack for a number of bottles or similar objects that are produced with a relatively large tolerance in their diameter. The carrier pack consists of a blank that is wrapped around the bottles or similar objects. The two ends of the blank overlap where they are joined. At least one of these two ends has incisions which extend into the side wall next to respective the end section. The incisions are preferably positioned beside the bottles or similar products, which means that tabs are formed that are as wide as the bottles.The closing process for the carrier pack involves the individual tabs of an end section being pressed onto the other end section separately and elastically according to the dimensions of the bottles or similar objects, until the bottles are firmly held in place.The apparatus needed to close the carrier pack involves fingers attached to a chair mechanism. These fingers engage with edges of the blank at the end of the same.

Abstract: A machine and method for packaging travelers checks in which the checks are automatically packaged in predetermined denominations and in predetermined amounts.

Abstract: Two parallel lines 13, 14 of six-packs 10 are continuously delivered to a stop device 38 and starting conveyor 19 disposed above a stationary platform 24 by a belt conveyor 15. The stop device and starting conveyor carry downwardly depending pins 39, 40; 22, 23 that are synchronously driven both transverse to and in the transport direction. These pins separate the six-packs into groups 18 of two and accelerate them to an intermediate conveyor 20 running at the same speed and comprising endless chains 30 mounting transverse bars 29 that pass through opening slots 26, 28 at the beginning and end of the conveyor 20 and engage the six-pack groups at their rear ends. The groups converge along the conveyor 20, at the end of which they are engaged by an end conveyor 21 in the form of a slide member 31 coupled to a pantograph linkage and driven by a chain drive 33.

Abstract: The machine includes a roll case for positioning and conveying a package to be wrapped into position. In the first position, paper is folded along the front of the package and stapled. The package is then conveyed to a second position during which time the paper is dispensed onto the top and two sides of the package and stapled along the sides. After the package comes to rest in its second position, the paper is cut, folded and stapled along the back side of the package to produce a package which is neatly wrapped with paper on its top and four sides.

Abstract: A package preferably of cube shape is supported and moved by a series of notched rollers (5-9) and a film (F) is disposed in overlying relation to the package with its leading part (FL) underneath the leading part of the package and a movable tucking bar (23) is arranged to move into engagement with the trailing part (FT) of the film and movable in sequence through the notches (11, 25, 27, 29, 31) in the rollers so as to tuck the trailing part (FT) of the film (F) underneath the trailing part of the package and in overlapping relation with respect to the leading part (FL) of the film (F).

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a tray blank into a tray about its contents. The apparatus includes leading and trailing tray flap folders and side flap folders. The flaps on the tray blank have end tabs which are interconnected in angled oblique relation when the tray blank is formed into a tray, thus to create beveled or oblique corners of the tray. The leading and trailing tray flap folders have oblique fingers which engage the end tabs on the leading and trailing tray flaps to fold the end tabs into oblique position when the flaps are folded. The end tabs on the side flaps of the tray blank have notches into which the fingers are received. A conveyor moves the tray and its contents through the various folding elements.

Abstract: Packaging method and apparatus for depositing a predetermined number of sheets, such as bookplates, in a rectangular box bottom having a bottom wall and four upstanding side walls, placing a box top of the same shape but slightly larger size over the box bottom and applying a label to the box top. The box bottoms are conveyed past a loading station at which a predetermined number of bookplates are "extruded" through a slot in a front wall of a hopper, with the height of the slot being adjusted as desired to allow just the desired number of bookplates to be pushed or extruded through it to a box bottom positioned opposite the loading station. As the loaded box bottoms move past the loading station they are intersected by the box tops which move at right angles to the box bottoms and, just before each box top meets a box bottom, the box top leading edge is lifted by means of a suction so that it clears the side wall of the box bottom.

Abstract: The article being wrapped has a sheet of wrapping material draped over it so that it hangs down on each lateral side thereof. Initially the article travels on a conveyor which supports it along a central region. Thereafter the article is transferred to two supports which form part of two endless series and which travel with the conveyor. The supports are displaced laterally towards the conveyor while travelling with it until they are located beneath the edge regions of the article. The relative levels of the conveyor and supports are then changed so that the article is transferred to the supports. The supports and/or mechanical ploughs and/or air blasts overlap the hanging portions of the wrapping material along said central region. Thereafter the article is transferred to a further conveyor which engages the central region and holds the overlapping portions in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling extrudable substances has a source of power for driving a series of rollers and cutters in response to a control signal. A dispenser feeds paper or other suitable wrapping material to a first set of rollers which may include a cutter for cutting the paper into sheets. The sheets of paper are fed to a second set of rollers timed by the control signal. The second series of rollers overlap the sheets of paper to provide a shingling effect. A third set of rollers, again timed with the control signal, receives the paper and a pliable substance extruded thereon. The third set of rollers includes a cutter for cutting the extruded substance at least at the area of shingling of the paper. Thereafter, the substance extruded on individual sheets of paper is separated along shingled edges and delivered by a conveyor timed with the control signal to a point for packaging. Also, a paper wrapper is timed with the control signal for wrapping the paper around the extruded substance.

Abstract: A method of and a machine for the simultaneous forming of and stuffing of an insert into an envelope blanked from a paper web wherein the web is intermittently advanced along a first path, scored along preselected fold lines and notched at preselected spaced intervals for defining unsevered envelope blanks having a bottom flap, a closure flap and end flaps. The bottom flap of each envelope blank is folded as the web advances along the first path to form a pocket, the leading envelope blank is stopped and registered at a preselected position, severed and charged with an insert into the pocket defined by the bottom flap. The charged envelope blank is advanced along a second path perpendicular to the first path, where adhesive is applied to the end flaps, the end flaps folded into sealing relationship with the bottom flap.

Abstract: An improved machine and method of making and folding a personalized letter and a personalized envelope.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding and sealing upper and lower end portions of a wrapper of heat sealable plastic film which has previously been positioned about the top, bottom and sides of the article. The wrapper end folding and sealing apparatus includes an endless type article conveyor arranged to advance the articles and wrapper along a path with the end portions of the wrapper extending laterally from opposite sides of the article conveyor; endless type upper and lower finger conveyors disposed at each side of the article conveyor and having film folding fingers arranged to engage the laterally extending end portions of the wrapper to fold the end portions of the wrapper into overlapping relation at the ends of the article as they are advanced by the article conveyor, and heat sealing members for sealing the overlapping portions of the wrapper at the ends of the articles as they are advanced.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring soap bars to be wrapped from a lower feed conveyor to an upper wrapping conveyor, with the purpose of avoiding any scratches or dents on the freshly manufactured soap bars due to sliding against fixed parts. The apparatus comprises, arranged on the lower conveyor, a plurality of containers open at the top and presenting in plan a cross-like section, so as to leave free the corner portions of the soap bars carried thereby. The soap bars are taken off from the containers of said lower conveyor by composite cradles arranged on a rotating turntable conveyor having its axis of rotation horizontal and orthogonal with respect to the lower conveyor. The composite cradles consist of two cradle halves which are opened during their descent towards the lower conveyor, so as to pass through this conveyor and position themselves beneath a soap bar-carrying container.