Abstract: Provided herein is a system for automated dispensing of articles. Systems may include: a robotic arm; an end-of-arm tool attached to the robotic arm; a scanning device proximate the end-of-arm tool; and a controller to control the robotic arm and the end-of-arm tool. The end-of-arm tool may include a body and two or more vacuum cups extending from the body, where the controller controls a level of suction provided to each of the two or more vacuum cups individually. Each of the two or more vacuum cups extending from the body may be movable between a retracted position proximate the body, and an extended position away from the body of the end-of-arm tool in response to instruction from the controller. Suction may be provided only to the vacuum cups of the two or more vacuum cups that are disposed in the extended position.

Abstract: A dispenser (200) includes a supply structure (202) and a biasing structure (206). The supply structure holds mailers (204). A mailer from the mailers includes a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls are closed at a first side of the mailer, closed at a second side of the mailer, and closed at a closed end of the mailer. The first and second walls are not closed at an open end of the mailer. The mailer is arranged to be dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) is arranged to engage the mailer as the mailer is dispensed from the supply structure (202). The biasing structure (206) has narrowing surfaces configured to contact the sides of the mailer as the mailer is dispensed. The narrowing surfaces of the biasing structure (206) are arranged to narrow the open end of the mailer thereby causing the open end to be biased open.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide packaging means for an absorbent article that allows an absorbent article group comprising multiple absorbent articles arranged in a thickness direction to be easily and efficiently housed in a packaging container. Specifically, a forcing member that forces an absorbent article group mounted on a mount member into a container fitted on a container fitting member and houses it therein, is provided on a forward direction of the mount member, and is constructed so that when moving forward it contacts only with the absorbent article group mounted on the mount member, stopping movement of the absorbent article group on the mount member, thereby allowing the absorbent article group whose movement has been stopped to be inserted and forced into the container fitted on the container fitting member through an opening.

Abstract: This device is used to decrease, roll, and wash hand wraps that boxers and martial artists use, the domes and their covers decrease the wraps, the axle rolls them inside the bag, and the mesh structure allows a thorough washing of the hand wraps inside the bag by placing it in a washing machine.

Abstract: A large container loading system and method for a packaging machine includes an infeed conveyor and a transfer flight. An array of pivotable cradle lugs is carried by the transfer flight in synchronized movement with cartons on an adjacent carton flight. Containers are moved into the cradle lugs in an upright orientation and the cradle lugs and containers are reoriented to a substantially horizontal or sideways orientation before being pushed into their cartons by an inserter assembly. A transfer block or a support conveyor may be positioned between each of the cradle lugs and an aligned open container to support a container as it moves between a cradle lug and a carton.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a pusher assembly, an electric motor, preferably a servo motor with a gear box, that drives a linear drive assembly. The devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the pusher assembly.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for encasing material in one of a stretchable bag and a shrinkable bag. The system comprises a pair of product horns rotatable in a plane from a first position to a second position; a stretchable-bag system comprising a bag carriage unit; a shrinkable-bag system, comprising a pair of pulling rollers mounted under the product horns and a collection roller mounted adjacent the pulling rollers, the collection roller configured to move a predetermined increment, a product ram configured to move material between the product horns and into one of a stretchable bag and a shrinkable bag, and an air jet for opening the bags.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: Computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting using actuators for operating barrier doors, pushers, and locks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glove packing apparatus for packing gloves into a box, and to a method of packing gloves into a box, particularly to the packing of disposable medical gloves. A glove packing apparatus (1) for packing gloves into a box comprises a receptacle (26) for forming a stack of gloves to be packed, the receptacle having a perimeter wall (24, 25) for containing a stack of gloves, a floor (22) within the perimeter wall for supporting the stack of gloves, and an opening (27) opposite the floor into which additional gloves may be added to during stacking of gloves. The floor (22) is movable relative to the perimeter wall (24, 25), so that, in use, the floor may be moved relatively away from the receptacle opening (27) so that as gloves are added to said stack of gloves, the perimeter wall continues to contain the stack of gloves. The floor (22) may then be moved relatively toward the opening to remove the stack of gloves from the receptacle (26).

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for placing trays into sleeves is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor system for transporting a mail tray, a sleeve blank presentment device and a robotic arm. The robotic arm is provided with an end of arm tool which retains and opens a sleeve blank. A tray induction system including a plurality of paddles configured to guide a tray into an open sleeve blank is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles, in particular a stack of insulation panels, includes an element for supplying a stack of articles to a transfer position, and an adjustable spout forming a discharge channel having a receiving end and a distal end. The apparatus is further operative to wrap the stack with a packaging foil material, and transfer it into the spout. The adjustable spout comprises at least four spout members which are moveable relative to each other so as to vary the height and the width of the spout.

Abstract: Automated pusher mechanisms with pusher heads that reciprocally travel in a product chute. The pusher head has a laterally extending planar forward portion and semi-circular side portions.

Abstract: Methods of automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting include: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: Breech-load chutes for packaging systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material have elongate chute bodies that angle downwardly in a direction of travel at a non-vertical orientation. The respective breech-load chute body resides above a product chute and drops target products into a location to be pushed through a product chute.

Abstract: Automated pusher mechanisms with pusher heads that reciprocally travel in a product chute. The pusher head has an inverted “V” shape and semi-circular side portions.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting, by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through first and second axially aligned product chutes; (b) pulling covering material from an exterior surface of a covering material chute residing about the second product chute to automatically enclose the object in the material as the object exits the second product chute; (c) applying at least one clip to the material to secure the object in the material; and (d) pivoting the covering material chute and second product chute together to load a sleeve of material onto the covering material chute.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute using an automated pushing mechanism with a pushing head.

Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.

Abstract: A method is provided for loading stacked food product into packages. Open top containers are arranged in rows and movable into a loading station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface having an end region extendable to a position arranged above the containers of a row of the containers. A guiding and pushing apparatus is arranged above the row and includes guides that are lowered to capture a row of stacked food products on the conveying surface, and plungers within the guides that lower and press a top of the stacks. When the conveying surface is retracted from beneath the guides and the row of containers, the guides are lowered further, adjacent to the containers, and the plungers are lowered with respect to the guides to push the stacks into the containers.

Abstract: Methods of automatically packaging an object in netting include: (a) automatically extending a product pusher having a pusher head through a product chute; (b) pushing at least one object from a location upstream of the product chute, through a product chute to a location downstream of the product chute in response to the extending step; (c) pulling netting material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the netting material as the object exits the product chute; (d) automatically retracting the pusher head after the pushing step extends the pusher head outside the product chute; then (e) automatically directing a clipper to pivot into position when the pusher head is partially retracted a distance sufficient to position the pusher head inside the product chute; and (f) applying at least one clip to the netting material using the clipper to secure the object in the netting material.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated barrel loader/confiner apparatus useful in a cartoning system for shaping and inserting a product into a carton. The integrated barrel loader/confiner includes an endless confiner cam track and an endless pusher cam track. A confiner element is endlessly driven and cammed by the confiner cam track to align the confiner element with a product to shape the product in a manner suitable for insertion into a carton. A pusher element is endlessly driven and cammed by the pusher cam track to align the pusher element with the thus shaped product and a carton to drive the shaped product into the carton.

Abstract: A system for enclosing a target product in a covering material includes an elongate product chute, an elongate breech-loader chute and a receiving station. The elongate product chute has opposing ingress and egress end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough. The breech-loader chute has a primary chute body with opposing ingress and egress end portions residing above and upstream of the product chute in cooperating alignment therewith. The primary chute body slopes downwardly in a direction of product travel. The receiving station is disposed below the breech-loader chute and includes a receiver floor that receives the target product from the breech-loader chute. The receiver floor is selectively movable between an extended receiving position and a retracted staging position to thereby support and move the target product for delivery to the product chute.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the controlled depositing of pliable items in a package are hereby proposed. In this process, the items are conveyed to the packing zone on a conveyor belt. The items are captured on the conveyor belt and moved to the edge of the conveyor belt using a gripper on a rotating gripper arm, the axis of rotation of which runs perpendicular to the conveyor belt. From there, the items are pushed onto a plate with the aid of the gripper and conveyed to a position above their intended position in the package. As soon as the position above the package has been reached, the plate is pulled back, thereby enabling the item to fall into the package located underneath. A packaging conveyor system is used to convey the packages to the packing zone and transport them further once an item has been deposited in order to allow the next item to be deposited.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling food product drafts into packages. A supply of open top containers are arranged in rows and carried by an elongated web of film and are movable by the web into a fill station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface arranged above the fill station and having an end region extendable to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts into the containers of the first row by circulation of the conveying surface. The conveying surface is retractable, or extendable, to reposition the end to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts carried on the conveying surface into the containers of the second row and each subsequent row. A tamping apparatus is carried by the conveyor to retract or extend with the conveying surface end.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in packaging containers and associated lids together includes a moveable gantry with a first support portion and a second support portion alongside the first support portion. The first and second support portions are sized and configured to support the containers and the lids. A container path and a lid path are included along which containers and lids, respectively, are directed to the gantry. The gantry has a first orientation in which the first support portion is aligned with the container path to receive containers and the second support portion is aligned with the lid path to receive lids. The gantry also has a second orientation in which the gantry is repositioned such that the first support portion is aligned with the lid path to receive lids and the second support portion is aligned with the container path to receive containers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for placing patterns of product holders, more in particular placing stacks of layers of the holders, into boxes or crates, using a supporting band, cords or strips, whereby the use of complex gripper heads is avoided. Thus, a considerably cheaper packing process is obtained.

Abstract: An end of arm tool that is capable of handling fragile items such as eggs that are packaged in containers (e.g., egg cartons) that require special handling is provided. The end of arm tool comprises vacuum cup assemblies to grip the top surfaces of the packages, clamp fingers to clamp the edges of the packages, and optionally a pusher assembly to release the packages from the clamp fingers. In addition, a method of loading packages into cases using the end of arm tool apparatus of the present invention is provided. A gripper may be provided to place divider sheets between packages in the cases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for introducing goods to be packed into a packaging container, especially into folding boxes. The device comprises transport devices for the packaging container and the goods to be packed. The goods to be packed are compressed by means of pressure elements, in order to be introduced into the packaging container. The pressure element is guided on a carrier element in a displaceable manner, in order to avoid damage caused by the occurrence of an excess load. Due to the mobility on the carrier element, only very small masses are displaced in the event of an excess load, such that the excess load protection device reacts in a reliable manner, and the device has a relatively simple construction.

Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for loading stacked food product into packages. Open top containers are arranged in rows and movable into a loading station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface having an end region extendable to a position arranged above the containers of a row of the containers. A guiding and pushing apparatus is arranged above the row and includes guides that are lowered to capture a row of stacked food products on the conveying surface, and plungers within the guides that lower and press a top of the stacks. When the conveying surface is retracted from beneath the guides and the row of containers, the guides are lowered further, adjacent to the containers, and the plungers are lowered with respect to the guides to push the stacks into the containers.

Abstract: A device and method for loading cigarettes from a cartridge into a package. The device provides for transferring cigarettes from a cartridge supporting them to a package.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in packaging containers and associated lids together includes a moveable gantry with a first support portion and a second support portion alongside the first support portion. The first and second support portions are sized and configured to support the containers and the lids. A container path and a lid path are included along which containers and lids, respectively, are directed to the gantry. The gantry has a first orientation in which the first support portion is aligned with the container path to receive containers and the second support portion is aligned with the lid path to receive lids. The gantry also has a second orientation in which the gantry is repositioned such that the first support portion is aligned with the lid path to receive lids and the second support portion is aligned with the container path to receive containers.

Abstract: A machine for the packaging of products with stretchable and thermoplastic film, comprising of a tubularization means comprising a tubular forming head device having an inlet and an outlet, for the tubularization of a wrapping film taken from a feeding bobbin and means for the longitudinal tight-seal welding of the superimposed edges of such tubularization film; means which alternate in the transversal grip of the head of the tubular wrapping which comes out from the tubularization means, which are pre-arranged for the longitudinal movement of the wrapping, to longitudinally stretch it and to perform on same at least two transversal, parallel and tight seal weldings, a transversal cut placed between the weldings and to retain the wrapping upstream and downstream of the two welded zones separated by the cut; means for the cyclical introduction of a product through the inlet of the tubularization means and through the outlet of the tubularization means thereby advancing the tubular wrapping film; means to tempo

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling food product drafts into packages. A supply of open top containers are arranged in rows and carried by an elongated web of film and are movable by the web into a fill station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface arranged above the fill station and having an end region extendable to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts into the containers of the first row by circulation of the conveying surface. The conveying surface is retractable, or extendable, to reposition the end to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts carried on the conveying surface into the containers of the second row and each subsequent row. A tamping apparatus is carried by the conveyor to retract or extend with the conveying surface end.

Abstract: An article to be packaged and a packaging bag for covering the article are supplied to heat sealing mechanisms which arrive at uniform time intervals, in synchronism with cycle timing of the respective heat sealing mechanisms. A vertically openable beak-shaped hopper and a sliding plate perform reciprocal movement at a uniform time interval along guides on both sides, and arrive at circulating sealing platforms. The hopper is inserted into an opening of the packaging bag hanging down from above, and conveys the packaging bag to the sealing platform whilst extending the same. In response to a relevant signal, a forward-and-reverse motor coupled to a ball screw causes the article to advance following the hopper by an insertion rod moving along the guides.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for packaging objects, like soiled diapers, into an elongated flexible plastic tube. The apparatus includes a container with an upper portion with an opening and a lower portion. A cassette is mounted in the upper portion of the container coaxially with the opening to store a tube in a compacted form. A plunging device is provided to compress the object to be disposed of, and to push it into the tube and then to the bottom part of the container. The plunging device includes biased flaps and biased slides orthogonal to the arms which permits to push the object down while allowing a hermetic seal of the flexible tube to prevent escape of bad odours.

Abstract: A carton filling device incorporates a conveyor 1 for moving cartons 3 and objects 2 to be located in the cartons simultaneously down a track with the objects respectively facing opposite to open ends of the cartons located at one side of the conveyor, A control arm 5 is situated in a start position at the other side of the conveyor and carries pushers for engaging the objects 2 and pushing them towards and into the open ends of the cartons 3. A control mechanism is adapted to move the control arm 5 not only across the conveyor 1, but also down the conveyor at the same speed of movement as the conveyor and to return the control arm 5 back to the start position once the objects have been inserted into the cartons.

Abstract: The invention comprises an insert delivery system for use with an automated packaging machine. Preferably, the system is used to include coupons and the like with products being automatically packaged, such as sliced loaf bread. The system may comprise an insert delivery tray, card conveyor, or carousel and magazine combination, a feeder mechanism, and an insert placer configured to select an insert from the tray, conveyor, or magazine. Preferably, the insert placer includes a vacuum system and moves linearly. Additionally, the feeder mechanism may be positioned either perpendicularly, or parallel, to the scoop assembly, so as to feed an insert onto the scoop assembly at various points along the path of the scoop. The invention also comprises methods of using the system.

Abstract: A product packaging system for receiving a series of products from one or more product transport lines. The products are loaded into a series of carriers and transported through a downstream inserter unit. Inserter assemblies moving in timed relation with the movement of the carriers through the inserter unit engage and urge the products out carriers and into a carton for packaging.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging tubular canisters in a charging direction with a stack of face-to-face oriented flat items, includes a conveyor for supporting and positioning an item stack thereon; a canister holder for supporting and positioning a canister; an arrangement for advancing the item stack in an item feeding direction from the conveyor into the canister positioned by the canister holder; an elongated guide member movable parallel to the feeding direction for introduction into and withdrawal from the canister positioned by the canister holder; a holding plate supported at an end of the guide member and being pivotal into a first position in which it projects into a feed path of the item stack for engaging a leading item of the item stack and into a second position in which it is clear of the feed path; and a drive for moving the guide member parallel to the feeding direction and for rotating the holding plate into the first and second positions.

Abstract: A device for introducing an gas bag into a pot-shaped receiving container with an insertion opening for insertion of the gas bag and an installation opening at the bottom for the arrangement of an inflator is provided. The device comprises a tubular housing having a cross-section adapted to the insertion opening of the receiving container, and an axially reciprocating ram arranged in the housing and serving for introducing the gas bag into the receiving container. Further, a method for folding a gas bag is provided, wherein the gas bag is introduced into a tubular housing, wherein a body is introduced into the gas bag as a dummy for an inflator intended to be mounted later, and wherein the gas bag is folded around the body.

Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacturing lightweight fibrous casings constructed of abaca paper substrates suitably wet-strengthened using viscose, or viscose and resin, and subsequently viscosed a second time, and the casings made by this method. The method of this invention employs an arrangement of a die and related apparatus for the single-sided viscosing of light weight paper substrates at increased machine speeds. The die arrangement of this invention provides superior impregnation of viscose during the casing manufacturing stage, ensures smooth surfaces of both the inner and outer casing surfaces and renders the need for double-sided viscosing unnecessary, or undesirable. This new arrangement of viscose die minimizes drag upon impregnating the paper matrix with viscose and during the subsequent crucial period before coagulation of the viscose and its regeneration into cellulose has been completed; so as to permit the casing to be stretched but not irreversibly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously loading a plurality of small items such as small items into the wells of a multiple well microtiter plate which includes a small item loading unit and a small item insertion device. The small item loading device includes a top plate having a plurality of openings positioned to register with the microtiter plate wells and a closure unit to close the openings on one side of the top plate. The small item insertion device includes a base mounting a plurality of plunger pins which each register with a well in the microtiter plate. A movable deck unit is mounted in spaced relationship above the base and is provided with apertures, each of which receives a plunger pin. The small item loading device rests on the deck unit and the closure unit opens the openings therein to drop small items into the apertures over the pins. The deck unit is moved toward the base to cause the pins to enter the wells of a microtiter plate and seat the small items.

Abstract: A device for insertion of products into a packaging container in a packaging machine comprises an insertion plunger which is guided along a certain path parallel to the product and a cover element which can be pre-positioned above the product by a first displacement control and which can be lowered onto the products via a second displacement control. The insertion plunger and the cover element can exercise an insertion motion to insert the products into the container. In order to guarantee a precise seating of the cover element and to facilitate a simple reconfiguration to differing product formats, the second displacement control comprises a substantially vertical control surface as well as an element engaging the control surface for horizontal displacement thereby, wherein the horizontal adjustment displacement of the element can be transformed by a transformation device into the vertical lowering motion of the cover element.

Abstract: Tissue clips are placed on the upper level of bi-level product buckets, with the length of the tissue clips in the machine direction. The lower level of the product bucket is comprised of a full-width transverse channel whose width is greater than the width of the tissue clips but less the length of the tissue clips. To package flat packages of tissues, extensible pushers turn the tissue clips 90 degrees so they drop into the transverse channels. Subsequently flat overhead tamps descend and the tissue clips are pushed through guide buckets into the end of the flat-pack cartons. To package boutique packages of tissues, the extensible pushers are disengaged so the length of the tissue clips remain in the machine direction spanning the transverse channels. Subsequently, narrow tamps descend, pushing the center of the tissue clips into the transverse channels, forming the tissue clips into the beginning of a U-shape ready for pushing through guide buckets into the side of boutique cartons.