Abstract: An aim assembly includes a hub movable about a central axis and at least one support operably connected to the hub. At least one arm is operably connected to the at least one support and thereby movable about the central axis in a predetermined path. At least one adjustment mechanism is located at the central axis and is capable of altering the predetermined path during movement of the at least one support about the central axis. A method of operating an arm assembly includes locating at least one hub at a central axis and moving at least one arm about the central axis in a predetermined path. The at least one arm is operably connected to the at least one hub via at least one support. An adjustment mechanism is engaged thereby altering the predetermined path during movement of the at least one arm about the central axis.

Abstract: A packing method and unit (11) for folding a sheet (3) of packing material about a group (2) of cigarettes, and having: a first packing conveyor (12) having a first pocket (14) for receiving the group (2) wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material; a second packing conveyor (18) having a second pocket (20) for receiving the group (2) wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material; and a transfer device (24) which transfers the group (2), wrapped in the tubular-folded sheet (3) of packing material, from the first pocket (14) to the second pocket (20), and has a pusher (26) located at the first pocket (14) and engaging a first base wall (4) of the group (2), and a counter-pusher (27) located at the second pocket and engaging a second base wall (4), opposite the first base wall (4), of the group (2); the pusher (26) and/or the counter-pusher (27) of the transfer device (24) having respective lateral appendixes (28) which engage minor lateral walls (6) of the group (2), when the push

Abstract: A packaging module for wrapping packs or article groups with packaging film. The packs or article groups to be wrapped are transported in an upright position on a horizontal conveying device to a packaging station. A film wrapping device includes at least one wrapping rod extending perpendicular to the transport direction and is guided on both long sides of the horizontal conveying device by continuous traction devices. The continuous traction devices each includes guiding sections that define the position and the deflection of the continuous traction device. The corresponding guiding sections of the two parallel continuous traction devices are adjustable pair wise in the same direction in their vertical and/or horizontal position and/or in their angular position about a pivot point.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging groups of containers of liquid products into bundles includes at least one pair of wrapping stations of groups of containers. Each station includes means for wrapping an extensible film around a group of containers and manipulating means for feeding and discharging the groups of containers to/from the wrapping station, at least one feeding line of the containers, and at least one discharge line of the bundles. Advantageously, the feeding and discharge lines are shared between the different wrapping stations.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined fixed amount of pre-stretched packaging material based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt driven by a motor. A packaging material dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring may include a pulley that connects to the band, such that the rotating ring is driven by the drive belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched packaging material to be dispensed for at least a portion of a revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum packaging material use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched packaging material that is between approximately 90% and approximately 120% of load girth. Once the amount of packaging material to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a ratio of rotating ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e.

Abstract: An improved wrapping apparatus for an ice-cream sandwich-making machine comprises an oscillating arm and cam which drives a horizontal slider plate connected to a frame, and a pusher unit connected to an air cylinder; an improved paper feeder system, including separate paper and knife drives, air compression springs, and a paper low sensor; and a hinged exit tray.

Abstract: A multi-row wrapping machine for wrapping products (P) comprising a plurality of wrapping lines or rows (F), adjacent and coplanar to each other, each wrapping row being defined between a common input station (2) and a respective output station (3) for wrapped products, the rows developing parallel to each other along a direction of advance from the input station towards the output station, conveying means (N) being provided to convey the products (P), one in line with the other, along each respective wrapping line, the products being fed to the input station (2) in ranks at a set rate, each product of each rank engaging with each respective wrapping line at the same time. The machine has dragging means provided on each respective wrapping row to drag a respective wrapping film (T) in an unwinding direction, wrapping means to wrap the individual product (P) in wrapping film (T) and also to cut and weld the reciprocally superimposed edges of the wrapper, feeding the wrapped product to the output station (3).

Abstract: For the purpose of wrapping articles, in particular groups (19) of packs, in a blank (10), use is made of a folding turret (21) having a single pocket (23) passing through its diameter. Lateral boundaries of the pocket (23) comprise belts (30, 31) which, upon introduction of a group (19) of packs with blank (10), can be moved in the pushing-in direction and which butt in a friction-free manner against legs (27, 28) of the blank (10), which is folded in a U-shaped manner. A block-form stop component (37) can be moved within the pocket (23) from one end position to the other.

Abstract: A semi-automatic gift or package wrapping method and apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a machine frame that provides a work surface with measuring and wrapping sections. A sheet feed and cutting mechanism feeds paper from a role in two steps with a time pause in between for enabling a user or operator to partially wrap the package with part of the first section of dispensed paper web. Thereafter, the second section of paper web is dispensed and the web cut transversely at a trailing edge. Multiple selectable supply rolls are optionally provided, or a single roll machine can be used. Longitudinal cutters trim the sides of the paper to obtain a custom desired width for the full cut sheet. A user interface display controls machine functions such as start, continue and sheeter. In the sheeter mode, a selected number of sheets of a selected size can be dispensed and cut for use at another workstation to warp other boxes of known uniform size (i.e. shirt boxes at a department store).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

Abstract: A unit for wrapping packets, wherein a first seat, carried on a first conveyor, closed by a sheet of wrapping material and housing a packet, is brought into engagement with a second seat on a second conveyor to insert the packet inside the second seat and fold the sheet into a U about the packet; the first seat engaging a respective packet by the end surfaces of the packet; and the second seat engaging the packet by a pair of lateral walls crosswise to the end surfaces.

Abstract: A cover forming apparatus for forming a flower pot or flower pot cover from a sheet of material by engaging a sheet of material about the outer surface of a mold, die or pot. The cover forming apparatus includes a plurality of pivotable forming members resting in a surface which supports a sheet of material upon which is positioned a flower pot mold or flower pot. When the forming members are pivotally moved from the storage position to an extended position, the forming members cause the sheet of material to be appressed to or engaged with the mold or pot. The article formed in accordance with the present invention may be separable from the mold or pot and usable as a flower pot or flower pot cover or may be more or less securely attached to the pot by adhesive, cohesive, barbs, friction pinches or other securing means thereby forming a decorative cover connected to a flower pot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

Abstract: A method of overwrapping packets of cigarettes is implemented utilizing a machine by which packets and respective sheets of wrapping material are fed singly and in timed succession to a folding station where each packet is directed against a central portion of the corresponding sheet and advanced together with the sheet through a tubular duct of proportions such that the sheet is constrained to fold into a U formation around the packet. To optimize the folding action, the duct is fashioned with two longer side walls of convex profile by which the two lateral portions of the sheet flattened over the main lateral faces of the respective packet are engaged and compressed only along a limited central band of their full advancing width, and caused as a result to spread gradually into uniform contact with the overwrapped surfaces, without creasing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cover about an article and for automatically fastening the cover to the article, and optionally for automatically placing a label on the covered article. The article may be an article such as a potted plant and the cover may be a decorative cover. The invention satisfies the need for a means for rapidly covering and fastening the cover about an article with a minimal amount of manual effort and in a location having a limited amount of available space. The apparatus comprises a platform having at least one opening sized to receive the article. The apparatus comprises a tying device for automatically applying a band or fastener about a portion of the outer surface of the covered article for fastening the cover about the article after the sheet is formed into a cover about the article.

Abstract: A wrap around caser including a holding and moving robot is provided. The holding and moving robot holds a predetermined number of bottles collected in a collection station and moves the bottles onto a center section of a blank sheet located at a receiving station and in succession pushes the bottles and the blank sheet downward along a predetermined path defined in a folding station so as to have the blank sheet folded into the shape of a box-shaped case around the bottles. The bottles are not released until they are placed in the box-shaped case so that the casing operation is stable and may be carried out at an increased.

Abstract: An upholstery wrapping apparatus and method using a mold having a flexible lip around the open top of the mold cavity so that as a substrate and covering therefore are pushed down into the cavity, the lip deflects and then snaps back to force the flexible margin of the upholstery to wrap around to the back side of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the application of strips of material to a heat-shrinkable web of wrapping in packaging machines with a tunnel furnace for the formation of the handle of the wrapped products. The apparatus has a wheel assembly supported to rotate about a horizontal axis with the wheel substantially tangential to a substantially horizontal section of the heat-shrinkable material strip, a feeder for the supply of a tape of adhesive material to the periphery of the wheel with the adhesive surface facing outwardly, a container for the supply, in spaced succession, of strips of material to the adhesive surface of the tape of adhesive material, a cutter for cutting the adhesive tape between two successive strips along the path of the wheel and a pressure roller which may be radially displaced with respect to the wheel to apply, by adhesion, the adhesive end areas of the sections of adhesive tape having a corresponding strip applied to them to the strip of heat-shrinkable material.

Abstract: A tree ball tying apparatus is disclosed comprising a tripartile inverted, truncated conically shaped holder whose included angle is less than 60.degree. and is made of sheet metal attached to a stand by its rearmost part. The two forward parts are hinged, latchable doors which swing open or may be closed and latched in the conical shape. Cordage is woven around hooks and pins in the peripheries of the cone's base and truncation to form a sling over which is placed a degradable material such as burlap. A tree, whose ball is conically cut with typically a 60.degree. included angle, is removed from the ground and installed ball first onto the burlap and sling and set down sling and burlap first into the holder whose included angle is less than that of the ball thereby holding it above the truncation. Thereafter the burlap is folded around the tree trunk and tied with the loose ends of the sling and the tree removed from the holder with its ball wrapped and tied.

Abstract: A food wrapping apparatus (10) includes a conveyor (12) for passing unwrapped food product (24) to an elevator platform (14). The elevator platform (14) has a plurality of tucking fingers (16) disposed thereon to provide a yieldable platform. When the food product (24) is disposed on the top of the tucking fingers (16), the elevator platform (14) raises the food product (24) upwards into a layer of wrapping material (18). Tucking arms (36) and (38) are operable to pass under the food product (24) disposed on the top of the tucking fingers (16) and pull the wrapping material (18) therearound. The tucking fingers (16) rotate on longitudinal rods (28) to allow the tucking arms (36) and (38) to pass thereover without disturbing the food product (24). Each of the tucking fingers (16) has a tapered leading end (66) and a tapered trailing end (64). The tapered leading end (66) is designed to mesh with the tapered trailing end (64) of an adjacent one of the fingers (16).

Abstract: Packs 12 of coffee or the like centrally disposed on a carton blank 11 are pushed down into the mouth of a holder compartment 53 by a ram sensing plate 33 under predetermined pressure, which folds up the side walls 16, 17 of the blank in a U-shape. Pivot arms 41, 42 disposed on opposite upper sides of the compartment and having vertically spaced embossing edges 38, 39 at their ends are then moved inwardly to crease the side walls at the height of the compressed packs in cooperation with sharp edges 34, 35 of the sensing plate. The latter is then withdrawn, whereafter horizontally movable folding tools 51, 52 move in laterally to bend down and overlap the upwardly extending coverwall tabs 19, 20.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically applying flexible strips around objects consists essentially of a guide for the objects, the cross-section of which is substantially equal to that of the objects, means for sequentially introducing at least one object into the guide at one of its ends, means for feeding a flexible strip in front of the said end in synchronism with the arrival of the object and means cooperating with the said guide for folding down the ends of the strip on the rear face of the object.