Abstract: Systems and method of wrapping an object are disclosed. An object wrapping system includes a contractible loop, a positioning system, and a wrapping material system. The contractible loop is configured to be deployed in an expanded position and a contracted position. The positioning system is configured to position an object in alignment with an aperture defined by the contractible loop. The wrapping material system is configured to position a wrapping material between the object and the aperture. The positioning system is configured to move the object into the wrapping material and through the aperture when the contractible loop is deployed in the expanded position. The contractible loop is configured to deploy into the contracted position to at least partially close the wrapping material around the object.

Abstract: A system for end-folding a wrapping onto a stack of bags includes a folding machine having a first folding station and a second folding station. The first folding station configured to receive the stack of bags with the wrapping partially covering the stack of bags and defining wrapping flaps, and is further configured to end-fold one or more of the wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags while leaving other flaps unfolded. The second folding station is downstream from the first folding station is configured to receive the stack of bags from the first folding station and further end-fold unfolded wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags.

Abstract: A method and a device for packaging a confectionery product (P) in a shaped wrapper of sheet material (1, 2) having a cup-shaped portion (1c, 2c) (pleated cup) formed from the same sheet material as the product wrapper; the method and the device comprise the use or a mandrel with petals (14a, 14b) which cooperates with a forming cavity (11) and which may assume a retracted configuration so that it can penetrate into the forming cavity to shape the wrapper into a cup shape adhering to the product. The packaging is characterized in that the wrapper has a central region (2a) on which the product bears and from which the cup extends with a transverse dimension (or diameter) smaller than the maximum transverse dimension of the packaged product.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an absorbent article includes a holding tool, a female tool disposed along a machine axis, and a male tool disposed along the machine axis. The holding tool has an aperture aligned along the machine axis and means for holding a flexible sheet across the aperture. The female tool has at least one folding element extending in a direction radially away from the machine axis, and the male tool has means for holding a fluid storage element and at least one pleating blade extending in a direction radially away from the machine axis. At least two of the holding tool, female tool, and male tool are capable of relative motion along the machine axis. Further the at least one pleating blade and of the male tool and the at least one folding element of the female tool are aligned to permit manipulation of the flexible sheet about the fluid storage element.

Abstract: Products (2) presenting bevelled or rounded corner edges (35) are advanced singly and in succession along a predetermined path (P), each enveloped in a wrapper (11) of parallelepiped box-like shape, and directed ultimately into a station (15) where each product (2) is subjected to a finishing step that consists in deforming at least one part of the wrapper (11) and causing it thus to adhere to the surface of the relative product (2), in particular at the bevelled or rounded corner edges (35); thereafter, the finished products (2) are stacked and wrapped in respective stick packs (36) of which the longitudinal corner edges (38) will hug the corner edges (35) of the stacked products (2), adapting to the contours of the bevelled or rounded profile.

Abstract: Groups of products stacked on edge are wrapped in sealed stick packs by a method that involves passing a sheet (4) of heat-sealable wrapping material around each group (1) of products (2) and sealing the two side edges (8) in such a way as to fashion a tubular wrapper (12) with end portions (14) projecting axially from the assembled group (1), then spreading each end portion (14) flat by inserting a tongue (16) and heat-sealing each relative pair of flattened edges to render the wrapper airtight. Thereafter, the sealed ends are subjected to a cold crimping action from which each end portion (14) emerges with two impressed crease lines (24) positioned to delimit a central portion (25) that will be folded directly against the corresponding end face of the group (1), and two lateral portions (26) that will be folded inwards over the central portion (25).

Abstract: A process and a device are disclosed for packaging products in a stretchable plastic film; the device comprises: means for supporting and heating a product; means for supplying and clamping the film in a position overlaying the product; means for contacting and adhering the film, when stretched, to the product; means for cutting the film along its still not-free side; means for locking and releasing the cut film in stretched contact with the product; means for bending and adhering the film to the product through a bending action on the whole product perimeter; means for removing the packaged product; and control means for the device.

Abstract: A machine wherein block-shaped arrays of cigarettes are confined in envelopes having closed ends and open ends located at the adjacent end faces of the confined arrays. Each open end includes two confronting elongated flaps alternating with narrow tucks which are to be folded against the adjacent end face of the confined array ahead of the flaps. Successive envelopes are delivered onto a platform constituting the bottom wall of a receptacle and being movable from a lower level, in which the receptacle receives an envelope, to an upper level in which it delivers the finished envelope into a pocket at the underside of an indelible turntable. The tucks of an envelope on the platform are folded over the adjacent end face of the confined array by two folding elements which are movable in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: The articles to be wrapped are located over the mouth of a forming device with the interposition of a sheet of wrapping material. Extending from this mouth is a cavity in which, as a result of the advancement of the article caused by a pusher element, the wrapper material is wrapped around the front face of the article relative to its direction of the advance. Subsequently the cavity contracts around behind the article to be wrapped and this contraction completes the wrapping of the wrapper material around the article itself. The preferred application is in the packaging of food products such as, for example, confectionery products.

Abstract: A method of wrapping generally spherical objects (16), for example, lettuces, includes placing a thermoplastic film on a work surface (14) which includes a downwardly movable support member (17) on to which the object (16) is placed. A displacement member (21) is then moved into engagement with the object (16) so as to displace the object (16) and the film downwardly through the central opening of an iris diaphragm (20). After the displacement member (21) has moved a predetermined distance downwardly, it is retracted upwardly and the iris diaphragm (20) is then closed. The object (16) is then rotated to gather the film around it. The displacement member (21) also comprises a heater head (22) which is then moved downwardly to contact the portions of the film projecting upwardly through the diaphragm (20) to fuse them together.

Abstract: In a device for wrapping commodities of discoid shape, having a die by means of which to enfold each commodity initially in a tubular wrapping flush with one face of the discoid and enveloping the peripheral surface, the commodities and their wrappings are provided with rolling movement by a system incorporating wheels and a stationary guide, during the course of which successive folds of the wrapping are engaged and flattened against the top face by a set of fixed teeth.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved form of ejection and transport mechanism in a tray wrapping machine with an elevator that elevates a tray of meat or other product causing it to be wrapped on top and sides by a sheet of stretchable PVC film from a storage roll after which arms fold the edges of the film underneath the tray; the mechanism includes a pusher bar which pushes the fully wrapped tray off of the side of the tray elevating platform while the tray is constrained by a freely rotating endless hold-down belt serving to restrain and guide the tray; the tray is received from the pusher bar action onto a powered roller conveyor with rolls arranged radially along an arc of 90.degree.; the motion of the finished tray upon exiting the roller conveyor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tray wrapping machine defined by the direction of travel of the PVC film from the storage roll to the elevator position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a machine for wrapping filled trays in thermoplastic film, said machine having a film folding device in which the side folding arms and back folding bar move along linear paths in synchronized motion so that the points of coincidence between the back folding bar and the side folding arms define a curve which approximates a diagonal to the tray being wrapped. This film folding device provides uniquely smooth folds on the bottom of a tray which can be readily heat sealed to produce a relatively leakproof package.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved form of folding arms in a tray packaging wrapping machine that elevates a tray of meat or other product causing it to be wrapped on top and sides by a sheet of stretchable PVC film after which arms fold the edges of the film underneath the tray; wherein the improved folding arms move with nonrotational motion from opposing edges of the tray toward the center of the tray. Said arms have a film-engaging edge portion with a length substantially less than the width of the film sheet being folded, this edge portion being defined by an indentation in the outline of the arm at each end of the edge portion; the depth of the indentations are about 10% to about 50% of the length of the film-engaging edge portion and the transition between the film-engaging edge portion and the indentations is curved with a radius of curvature of about one-half inch.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reciprocating folders (6) used in packaging machines, packing machines and the like, particularly in cellophane wrapping machines, for folding on one side (103) of an article (3) to be packaged an edge (104) of a sheet (4) or slip of wrapping material, particularly of a material which is not much rigid and/or is easily charged with static electricity. According to the invention, for preventing the folder (6) from dragging along, during its return stroke, the folded edge (104) of the sheet (4) or slip, one or more blowing nozzles (9,109) are provided, and are oriented and arranged in such a manner that an air layer is generated between the folder (6) and the folded edge (104) of the sheet (4) or slip.

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: The object to be wrapped is deposited on thin aluminium foil which extends over the mouth of a forming device comprising an annulus and a plurality of resilient blades each fixed at one end to the annulus and converging at their other, free ends towards a first half mould having a hemispherical cavity coaxial with the annulus. A push rod is advanced axially of the preforming device to push the object and the aluminium foil between the resilient blades, making the foil adhere to the leading surface of the object and effecting a first moulding of the aluminium foil around the trailing surface of the object. The partially wrapped object is expelled from the forming device the blades of which close to effect a second moulding of the aluminium foil over the trailing surface of the object, forming a rear projection in the form of a tail constituted by that part of the aluminium foil which does not adhere to the object.

Abstract: A machine for stretch wrapping articles, such as trays of produce, poultry, meat and the like, has a wrapper feeding mechanism which positions measured lengths of stretchable wrapping material between an elevator mechanism and a folding mechanism which is located above the elevator mechanism and includes a plurality of relatively movable folding plates. Clamping mechanism releasably secures opposite marginal portions of the positioned wrapping material while the elevator mechanism raises an article to be wrapped into stretching engagement with the wrapping material, held by the clamping mechanism, and pushes the article up through an opening of adjustable size defined by parts of the wrapper feeding mechanism and the folding mechanism to stretch the wrapping material tightly over the article. Portions of the taut wrapping material are then folded under the article by the folding mechanism.

Abstract: A stretch wrap packaging machine packages articles received on trays, and can handle various different article geometries and tray sizes without modification. In an initial phase of a wrapping operation film is sleeve wrapped around an article and tray by elevating the article and tray upwardly against a horizontally stretched length of film to draw the film over the article and tray and downwardly along and beyond both ends of the article and tray, and by then joining the downwardly extending film portions below the tray and cutting them from the film supply through the use of a heat-seal and cut-off device having a heated wire which supplies heat to the film, to perform the heat-seal and cut-off functions, by radiation and without engaging the film.

Abstract: A high speed wrapping machine designed to wrap individual tablet-like products utilizes a wrapping wheel having a plurality of peripheral pockets into which the individual products are moved in the axial direction to drape a panel of wrapping material snuggly over the product. A rotary folding mechanism is situated adjacent the periphery of the wrapping wheel and tucks and folds panel portions extending axially from the pocket against the product as the product moves past the folding mechanism. The rotary folding mechanism is comprised of two rotors, each of which has a plurality of folding blades, and which rotate adjacent the pockets at one side of the wrapping wheel in synchronized relationship. The rotors have spaced and parallel axes of rotation, both of which are located outside the periphery of the wrapping wheel.

Abstract: A product wrapping and discharge apparatus for receiving and wrapping a product such as an ice cream sandwich delivered by a machine of the type which includes a conveyor for carrying the ice cream sandwich to a wrapping station where a wrapper is disposed above the sandwich; an elevator which moves the sandwich upwardly through a wrapping mechanism which folds the wrapper downwardly over the front and rear sides and ends of the sandwich; a pair of end fold tuckers operative to provide end folds; a rear fold paddle operative to provide a rear fold; and a pusher operative to move the sandwich off the elevator and at the same time provide a front fold. The various actuating arms and linkages for the end fold tuckers, rear fold paddle and pusher are mounted just above the wrapping mechanism, thereby minimizing the number and length of actuating arms and linkages required, and consequently achieving a relatively high sandwich wrapping rate.

Abstract: A wrapping machine wraps articles, such as vegetables and meat carried on trays, in sheets of stretchable film. A lifting platform lifts the articles into the film sheet at a wrapping station and wrapping blades engage each edge of the sheet to stretch the sheet and move the edges under the article. The wrapped article is pushed away from the wrapping station to a discharge conveyor where the film is heated to seal and secure the film around the article. The film sheets are fed in predetermined lengths to the wrapping station from a roll of film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging various relatively thin and long rolls, which is suitable for packaging rolls having a center hole or recess in the opposite ends thereof. According to the present invention, it is possible to package the rolls with high efficiency and without the necessity of changing packaging paper rolls even when the length of the rolls to be packaged is varied. Firstly, a packaging paper is derived and cut from a packaging paper roll to a desired length and the cut paper sheet is put on a flat table. A roll to be packaged by this paper sheet is made to roll on the paper sheet in a direction normal to the paper sheet supply direction. When one edge of the packaging paper sheet is adhered to the roll to be packaged and the roll is advanced with the rotation thereof, the paper sheet wraps around the outer periphery of the roll tightly.

Abstract: Articles are wrapped in packaging film or foil by folding a sheet of film or foil round them. The film or foil is first folded round the article by four equi-spaced folding blades to leave four pleats of film or foil, and these pleats are then formed by second folding blades into neatly bunched ribs.