Abstract: By the method, a case having four sidewalls and at least four flaps at the bottom of the case is erected from a blank in a number of steps. The automated case erecting unit for use in erecting case blanks comprises a supporting device (9) and a picking and handling device (2), said picking and handling device being a robot with a robotic arm, wherein said robotic arm comprising a picking member (3) with a first leg and a second leg, which are placed perpendicularly and are locked in relation to each other, each leg comprising gripping means for picking up case blanks.

Abstract: A sealed multi-handled bag is provided that includes a first handle at a first end and a second handle at a second end. In one embodiment, the handles are on substantially opposite ends of the bag. The sealed bag may be made from plastic and may contain loose materials, such as a salt. In some embodiments, one or more of the handles are formed from heat-sealed layers of bag material having a grip cut therein. A method for filling and sealing the multi-handled sealed bag includes filling a bag having a first closed end through a second open end, and sealing the second open end to form a handle. In one embodiment, sealing the second open end includes heat-sealing opposing layers of bag material together and cutting a handle through the layers. In another embodiment, the method includes folding-over the layers of bag material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for formulating and aseptically filling liquid products. A first liquid source includes at least one first liquid component; a second liquid source includes at least one second liquid component; and a container includes a body defining an empty, sterile storage chamber therein that is sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The container is introduced into a sterile filling chamber. A first filling member coupled in fluid communication with the first liquid source is placed in fluid communication with the storage chamber of the container located in the sterile filling chamber, and the first liquid component is aseptically introduced through the first filling member and into the storage chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for enclosing bales of materials with at least four substantially rectilinear sides in flexible sheet material tubes having one open end into which the bales are inserted leaving the tube open end projecting loosely beyond the end of the bale utilizing structure temporarily placed inside the tube open end tending to resist inward movement of said tube such that the tube end may be formed into pleats at the four corners of the end of the bale and structure external of the tube cooperating to form and fold the pleats against the bale end surface where they are affixed.

Abstract: Described herein is a shuttle device for producing wrappers of sheet material (F) containing a product (P) with at least one fantail-twisted end obtained by twisting said sheet material (F). The shuttle (10) comprises a first part (112a, 112b) for receiving the product (P) located in the precursor of wrapper and at least one second part (212a, 212b; 312a, 312b) that grips on a respective part of precursor of wrapper (F). The first part (112a, 112b) and the second part (212a, 212b; 312a, 312b) of the shuttle (10) are able to turn with respect to one another about a given axis (X10) so as to produce at least one fantail-twisted end as a result of the twisting action imparted on the precursor of wrapper (F) following upon the relative movement of rotation about the aforesaid given axis (X10).

Abstract: A medicament respiratory delivery device including a housing having a chamber, an inlet and an outlet generally coaxially aligned with the chamber, wherein the chamber includes a medicament cartridge having a body including a generally cylindrical passage extending through the opposed ends of the cartridge generally coaxially aligned with the inlet and outlet of the housing having thin burstable polyolefin membranes having a burst pressure of between 1.2 and 10 atmospheres stretched taut over the ends of the cartridge, such that fluid delivered to the inlet ruptures the membranes, entraining medicament contained within the cartridge passage which is delivered to the patient's respiratory system through the outlet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the mass production of compound cigarette filters function to deposit granular filter material into the open ends of vertically oriented filter tubes. Predetermined amounts of diverse granular material are withdrawn by suction from sources of such material, and these amounts are deposited into the tubes. Solid filter segments seal the granular material within the tube. After one half of each filter tube is filled with granular material and sealed, the tube is inverted and the opposite end is filled in substantially the same manner. When cut in half each filter tube produces two cigarette filters.

Abstract: An automated, fully programmable, and adaptable device fills straws or straw-like packages with any type of flowing, or flowable, liquid. A straw is dropped from a hopper down chutes into a capture area where it is held and filled with liquid, after which it is sealed. The straw dropping, capture, filling, and sealing actions are preferably automatically controlled by a preprogrammed electronic controller. The major elements of a typical embodiment of the invention include means for dropping a straw or other receptacle into a fixed mounting position consistently, optional means for heating fluids throughout the fill process, means for filling the receptacle, and means for sealing the receptacle. The straw hopper has a retractable slide plate at its base that slides back to allow only one straw at a time to fall through the chutes into the capture area. In the preferred embodiment, the slide plate at the bottom of the hopper moves back and forth in a predefined fully programmable sequence.

Abstract: There is provided an improved method for filling a tube with a paste, ointment, gel or cream along with a device therefore which comprises simultaneously reducing the internal volume of the filled tube with the flattening and closure of the filling orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting spouts into bags comprising a plurality of spout holding member disposed at equal intervals on the circumference of a continuously-rotating rotating table; and a pair of holding members which position and hold both side edges of bags, bag bottom receiving stands that support the lower ends of the bags, and suction plates which open the mouths of the bags with suction. The holding members hold side edges of supplied bags, the bag bottom receiving stand is raised to move the mouths of the bags to the suction plates, and the mouths of the bags are opened by suction by the suction plates. Then, the holding members, bag bottom receiving stand and suction plates are raised, and bags are fitted over the spouts and raised to the upper end of the sealing portion of the spouts. Afterward, the bags and spouts are temporarily sealed.

Abstract: With a use of a transfer rotor that has gripping claws on its circumference, spouts are received by the gripping claws and conveyed and transferred to spout holding members of a continuously rotating rotor. The transfer rotor rotates intermittently 60° in a cycle consisting of stopping, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stopping. When the transfer rotor is stopped, spouts are received by gripping claws. During the constant rotation, the gripping claws are matched with the speed of the spout holding members, and the gripping claws and the spout holding members run side by side. During this side-by-side running, the spouts are transferred from the gripping claws to the spout holding members. At a transfer position, the gripping claws open, and the spouts move along a guide member as the spout holding members rotate, so that the spouts are pushed into the interiors of holding grooves of the spout holding members.

Abstract: A method and the relative device for packaging ordered groups of products in a carton comprises the following stages: feeding one carton at a time, in the form of a flat pre-folded blank, to a loading table and simultaneous opening of the blank, by means, to form a tubular carton body with two opposite openings one on either side, two first pairs of smaller flaps and two second pairs of larger flaps or lids; folding of the two pairs of smaller flaps, by first means, during carton feed in a preset direction, so as to form a first partial closure of the openings; and closing of the carton body, by second means, by simultaneous folding of the pair of lids towards the two openings so as to obtain a closed package. FIGS.

Abstract: A machine to make up doses of semen in a container comprising welded thermoplastics films that can be opened by hand without using instruments in order to insert therein an insemination probe includes a tubular needle having a nozzle over which is threaded a cleaning ring to prevent coating of a region to be sealed by welding with semen and to keep the walls of the thermoplastics films dry after filling the dose with semen. The sealing weld is made by a device having inverted U-shape jaws. An incision perpendicular to the branches of the U-shape is made at the same level as the latter by an incision device including an orientable blade.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing covers (5, 8) on a cassette (1) and taking covers (5, 8) off a cassette (1) comprises an upper cover removal structure (100U), a lower cover removal structure (100L), and means for holding the cassette in place (170-176). The upper cover removal structure (100U) includes a central body portion (102), a pair of arms (104, 106) rotatably mounted at the end of the central body portion, and fingers (112, 114) located at the end of the arms (104, 106). The fingers (112, 114) can be moved up and down in a direction parallel to the main axis of the arms. The upper cover removal structure (100U) includes means for moving the upper cover removal structure (100U) toward or away from the cassette (1). The lower cover removal structure (100L) includes a central body portion and a pair of arms 156, 158 having fingers (190, 192) at the ends thereof. The arms can move inwardly or outwardly to grasp the bottom cover (8).

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting, arranging and bagging a matrix of bottles. The apparatus includes a collecting platform upon which bottles are arranged into a matrix. A bagging station is adjacent to the collection platform. Adjacent the end of the bagging station opposite the collection station is a mechanism for grasping and opening a continuous sleeve. A pusher is provided to push the matrix of bottles into the open end of the sleeve. A sealing/cutter mechansim seals both ends of the filled sleeve and severs the formed bag from the continuous sleeve stock.

Abstract: A disposable enclosed container is provided which is loaded with product from an end and accessed through a hooded top for dispensing of product. An end construction comprising a leading minor flap panel, a trailing minor flap panel, an inner major flap panel, an intermediate minor flap panel, and an outer major flap panel allows a blank to be assembled into a sleeve for loading of product and to be subsequently assembled into a container which may be opened into a tray and hooded top for dispensing of product. An apparatus for erecting and loading the sleeve, and then assembling the ends of the sleeve to form the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pair of relatively movable jaws (306) are provided with magnetic holders (306-316) for holding end caps (24) to be applied to a substantially cylindrical shell (28) positioned between the jaws; so that, closing of the jaws installs the end caps on the end edges of the shell. An end cap placing mechanism (50) removes end caps from a source (356) by means of a pair of rotatably mounted gripper arms (364) which place the caps in the magnetic holders.

Abstract: A machine and a method for folding bottom flaps of a box after or in coordination with box loading where all of the activities take place along one axis. The arrangement of all elements along the axis provides improved accessibility to facilitate clearing and servicing the machine. Precise indexing moves the boxes with a smooth cycling transfer motion from station to station in the machine as product in the box is supported and the bottom flaps of the box are folded under the product.The folding of the box's bottom minor trailing flap is accomplished by a three piece mechanism which supports the product in the box and closes this flap.The in-line arrangement permits easy adjustment of the machine for different size boxes. Threaded rods which are connected by chains, chain sprockets, unit rate gear boxes, half rate gear boxes, and shafts which move relevant operating elements to easily adjust the machine's box guide dimensions.

Abstract: A method for applying an end plate to a container body includes applying a heated end blank made of deformable material to one end of the container body and creating a pressure difference between the two sides of the end blank to seal the edges of the end blank to the edges of the container body. The apparatus for applying an end plate to a container body includes a jacket having a chamber into which the container body can be fitted. A vacuum source is provided at one end of the jacket and a lid or clamping device is located at the opposite end of the jacket. The chamber into which the container body is fitted is not as deep as the container body so that when the container body is fitted into the chamber, the upper edges of the container body extend above the surface of the jacket. In that, the end blank can be applied to the container body and thereafter, the clamping device is used to clamp the end blank between the upper edge of the jacket and the clamping device.

Abstract: A packaging machine for cardboard boxes and a process for packaging articles in the cardboard boxes in which an insert (15) is placed into at least one side of an open cardboard shell (10). Insert units (16, 17), disposed on both sides of a moving track for the cardboard shell (10), each have an insert transmitter (19) which removes insert (15) successively from a magazine (18) and swivels the insert (15) to an upright position. The insert-transmitter (19) is moved synchronously with the packaging machine by an operating rod (22), having two double-armed levers (23, 24).

Abstract: An apparatus for filling receptacles with honey comprising heating means and pumping means to force the honey in a circular shaped filler with a plurality of feed tubes arranged like spokes on a wheel. A conveyor nestles the receptacles between clogs of the conveyor. As each feed tube is inserted in the receptacle, the receptacle is filled. Additionally, the receptacle, which is moving on the conveyor, causes the filler to rotate so that each successive receptacle is filled by the next feed tube. A bottom sealer and a top sealer gradually squeeze the ends of the receptacle until they are cut and sealed by a current carrying wire.

Abstract: A tool for sampling building materials for the suspected presence of asbestos fibers. An annular (tubular) cutter element is rotated to remove a plug-like sample from a wall under study. A shroud-like canister surrounds the cutter element to trap any asbestos fiber particulates that might otherwise escape into the atmosphere. Closure caps can be applied to the canister, whereby the canister can be used to ship (transport) the sample to a laboratory for analysis.

Abstract: Collapsed sleeve type article containers are withdrawn in sequence from a hopper by suction cup means which then holds each carton at a loading station for an interval of time during which a plurality of articles are inserted through an open end of each container sleeve. Minor end closing flaps of the loaded container are moved into closed positions while the container is held stationary at the loading station. Thereafter the loaded container is moved out of the loading station and its major end flaps are closed and secured in closed position.

Abstract: A case packer for loading open side cases and trays with generally upright articles includes apparatus for controlling the location of the case flaps during the loading operation. A pair of doors is interposed in the path of the articles being loaded. The articles contact the doors, which swing open to push the side flaps out of the way. A plow-like strip is employed to control the location of the case bottom flap. The case blanks are stored in generally vertical stacks in an open-bottom hopper. The blanks are folded and supported so that pulling the lowest blank downwardly partially unfolds the blank before it is deposited onto a conveyor. The conveyor completes the unfolding process while transporting the case to the article loading station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling bags with a material and for sealing them, and it can carry the bags in a direction of a bag thickness. A first feature of the present invention resides in that, in the case that the bags are arranged between a pair of chain conveyors disposed in parallel vertical planes, they are gripped by plural pairs of grippers mounted on a pair of axes extending through each rectangular parallelepiped carrier. Further, a second feature of the present invention is that the apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with nozzles for introducing a compressed gas into the bags and pressure gauges for measuring a pressure within the bags in order to detect whether or not each bag is normally gripped by the grippers. Furthermore, another feature of the present invention is that a return pipe is fixed to a filling device so that the filling material may be returned to a storage tank, without being discharged therethrough, by closing the filling nozzle.

Abstract: An intermittently cycled packaging machine for erecting, filling, closing and sealing cartons with hot melt adhesive. A reciprocation carton transfer mechanism is cycled in response to filling of a carton at the filling station and is operative to advance cartons in step fashion from a carton erecting station through a lower carton closing zone, the filling station and through an upper carton closing zone with the last flap to be folded at the lead side of the carton, and the adhesive applying nozzles and the lead flap folding apparatus are located in relation to each other and to the stroke of the transfer mechanism such that adhesive is applied to the end flaps on the carton and the lead flap is infolded as the carton is advanced in a continuous forward step. The upper carton closing zone includes movably mounted flap folding arms arranged to infold one side flap and the trail flap on the upper end of the carton while the carton is dwelling at one dwell position.

Abstract: A machine for automatically sealing the end of various sized lengths of plastic tubing and for filling same has a clamshell clamp for straightening and firmly positioning the tubing, a carriage with an alignment ring which is lowered over the end of the tubing, a heat probe with a separate drive for insertion into the tube end to heat it, and a plurality of plows having depending guide legs which are simultaneously advanced radially inward against the heated tube end to collapse it and hold it as it cools, thereby creating a weld seal. An abrading arm assembly is mounted to the carriage and has an abrading brush or roller which may be rotated upon insertion into the tube end to roughen the inner surface of the tube end to enhance the weld seal. The tube straightener and the alignment ring positively align the pipe and the heat probe. A filler arm assembly is mounted to the carriage and may be extended to align with the tubing.

Abstract: Boxes which are open at the top and partly open at the bottom are transported by a chain conveyor past assembling, filling and sealing stations. At the assembling station, each box receives a bag which is open at the top and closed at the bottom, and each box further receives a platform which is inserted through its partially open bottom and extends to such a level as to maintain the open top of the respective bag above the open top of the box. Successive containers consisting of boxes and empty bags are then advanced to the filling station where the bags receive metered quantities of pulverulent, granular or other material, and the thus filled containers are advanced to the sealing station where the tops of the filled bags are readily sealable because they project upwardly beyond the open tops of the corresponding boxes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine design to fill hollow profile rods, such as spacer rods for insulating window panes, with a granular material which serves as a desiccating agent.The purpose of the machine is to mechanize to a large extent the filling operation which has hitherto been performed manually.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for erecting, filling and closing paperboard cartons of a type that are initially supplied in a flattened condition and have four body panels, lower closure flaps; and an open top, and a separate plastic cover. The packaging apparatus opens and erects the paperboard cartons in an inverted position and advances the cartons while inverted along a path past a filling station. Covers are fed to a position below the cartons and are pressed into the open ends of the cartons as they are advanced along the path and before they reach the filling station. The lower closure flaps are thereafter folded to close the cartons.

Abstract: Cartons of the leakproof type comprising a rectangular sleeve each end of which is formed with crease lines to present four closure wall portions or flaps, two of said flaps being further provided with crease lines defining triangular portions to provide gussets, are closed by apparatus comprising means for holding a carton in position for closure, a pair of angularly movable pressure plates adapted to engage the triangular portions of the end wall flaps and to partially fold inwardly the end and side wall flaps, a pair of spaced pressure rods to further fold inwardly the end and side wall flaps so that the free ends of the side wall flaps are in overlapping engagement, and a pressure bar provided to engage the overlapping side wall flaps along a previously applied line of adhesive. A reaction plate may be provided to co-act with the pressure bar. The end closure apparatus may be incorporated in an installation for filling and closing cartons.

Abstract: The specification describes a cartoning apparatus adapted to carry out a plurality of cartoning steps which in the past have been carried out by individual independent machines. The cartoning apparatus includes a set-up station for the opening of flat carton blanks, a conveyor for advancing the opened carton blanks along the apparatus, and closure means downstream of the set-up station for closing the bottom and/or top of the carton. The closure means is adapted to both fold and tape the carton and automatically apply the required amount of tape to each carton. It includes means for applying the strip of tape extending between adjacent spaced apart cartons and a plunger member for plunging between the cartons to sever the extended strip of tape and to apply the thusly provided free tape ends to the opposing end walls of the adjacent cartons.

Abstract: A case packer for placement of loads through the bottom of a carton so as to accommodate loads of a type which cannot be dropped or placed into a carton from above or from the side. The apparatus includes a support plate mechanism mounted for elevational movement and supplied with individual case loads by a case conveyor. The cases themselves are delivered sequentially to a case packing station by a case conveyor. The plate mechanism is movable upwardly to locate the load within the downwardly open case. Flap engaging elements then fold opposed flaps beneath the plate mechanism and provide elevational support to the case and load within it. Plate shift means spreads the plate mechanism laterally from a position located between the load and the folded flaps to a position clear of the flaps. The plate mechanism can then be sequentially moved downward to clear the case before it moves outward from the case packing station.

Abstract: In a packaging machine having a first conveyor for supporting and transporting a plurality of loaded cartons to an end closure station, the cartons being supported with an open end disposed in a substantially vertical plane, the improvement of a mechanism for reorienting the carton as it is driven towards the end closure station so that the open end is relocated so as to open upwardly and the weight of the contents of the package is directed away from the open end so that during subsequent closure, the contents of the package will not interfere with the movement of the end flaps to the closed position. Preferably a vibrating mechanism is also provided for vibrating the cartons after they have been reoriented so that the contents of the package are urged to settle in a direction away from the open end.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for packaging of flat articles, such as paperback books or the like, in a base number or multiples thereof, and includes structure for arranging the flat articles in a plurality of stacks and imposing a known pressure on each stack whereby the number within a given dimension is a constant, removing the desired number from the stack while retaining the remainder of the stack in position, enclosing the stacks in a container, adding additional flat articles to make the base number of multiples thereof, and closing the flaps of the container.