Abstract: A device for shaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable is shown and described, including: a conveyor system with cells fixed to it to receive the packages, at least one gable folder to fold a fin seam in the gable region of the packages and at least two ear folders to fold ears in the gable region of the packages. In order to enable rapid and reliable shaping of the gable even in packages with slanted gables, it is proposed that both the gable folder and the ear folders be mounted movably relative to the conveyor system and the packages to be transported therewith. A method for shaping the gable surfaces of packages with a slanted gable is also shown and described.

Abstract: A bale bagging apparatus and method are provided. The bale bagging apparatus includes a bale feeding station, a bale chute, a bale bagging station, and a transportation system that transports a bale to be bagged from the bale feeding station through the bale chute and into the bale bagging station. The bale bagging station includes a bag receptacle, a first opening, and a bag retrieval assembly. The bag receptacle is positioned on a side opposite of the first opening from the side of the first opening on which the bale to be bagged is to be transported. The bag retrieval assembly retrieves a bag from the bag receptacle through the first opening. The bag retrieval assembly positions a first end of said bag around at least a portion of the bale chute before the bale to be bagged is transported through the bale chute by the transportation system.

Abstract: A packaging bag line-folding and sealing machine includes a first sealing unit and a second sealing unit for sealing a packaging bag therebetween, a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm mounted at the first sealing unit, a locating block, a first link coupled between the first rocker arm and the locating block, two line-folding units, and two second links coupled between the second rocker arm and the line-folding units for moving the line-folding units to make folding lines on the packaging bag between the first and second sealing units upon movement of the first sealing unit relative to the locating block. The application of the packaging bag line-folding and sealing machine greatly improves the packaging quality of packaging bags, and allows adjustment of the line-folding units to fit different sizes of packaging bags, enhancing user convenience.

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: A stationary tucker bar mechanism attached to a vertical form, fill, and seal packaging machine used to construct a vertical stand-up pouch and a gusseted flat bottom bag. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by forming one or two vertical creases along opposing sides of the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. The vertical crease is formed using the stationary tucker bar gusseting mechanism positioned outside the packaging film tube and positioned between two forming plates located inside the packaging film tube. While the tucker bar gusseting mechanism is stationary during operation, it is fully adjustable along multiple axes of orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a bag provides a tube of material that is passed over a former. A portion of the tube is folded over the former to define the rim of the bag. Portions of the rim are then welded. The apparatus includes arms that move transverse to the tube. The arms carry crimping fingers that pivot to fold the tube up and in over the former.

Abstract: A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

Abstract: The method entails unwinding portion of film stored in roll form. The film is made of a heat-sealable single- or multilayer flexible material. The flaps for the unwound portion are folded until they are side by side or overlapped along a narrow band. The resulting new lateral edges are folded further so as to form longitudinal accordion-like portions and the bottom is then formed with a transverse heat-sealed portion which is produced simultaneously with a median cut relative to the heat-sealed portion, successively separating two pairs of adjacent containers. The heat-sealed bottom is inserted into the container by an extent which is equal to half the width of the lateral accordion-like portion and a longitudinal heat-sealed portion is then produced in the region where the flaps lie side by side and/or overlap, blocking the bottom and the accordion-like portion, simultaneously with a complete or partial cutting of the longitudinal heat-sealed portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging an article in a wrapping of a sheet material surrounding the article and closed in a fantail configuration, comprising:

Abstract: A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

Abstract: A method for the production of packs of rolls of paper, in which the rolls are collectively wrapped with a sheet of plastic film which is folded and sealed, allows a rational method of closing one front surface of packs and the simultaneous automatic production of an opening at the surface for the pack handle. An apparatus for implementing the method comprises suction plates, which move vertically in opposite directions to join end flaps of the sheet of plastic film, closing the pack. The flaps are joined with the aid of means designed to neatly arrange the material of the side surface of the sheet between the flaps inside the flaps as they are joined. Further means seal the two flaps and make a pack handle opening.

Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping cigars provides for feeding the cigars continuously along a given path, along which a sheet of wrapping material is folded about each cigar, the sheet of wrapping material is closed about the cigar and at the opposite ends to form a closed wrapping, and the closed wrapping is sealed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evacuating and sealing a bag made of a sealable material and containing a comminuted product. The bag is positioned with its open upper end around a sleeve through which a hollow probe can be extended. A pair of upper jaw members close to form an outer temporary seal above an intermediate region of the bag above the level of the surface of the charge in the bag where a permanent seal is to be formed. A pair of lower jaws members close to form an inner temporary seal about a lower region of the bag above the surface of the charge. With the probe extended through the sleeve into the bag, the bag is evacuated through the probe. After evacuation is completed and after withdrawal of the hollow probe, a pair of sealing members close against the intermediate region of the bag in order to form a permanent seal for the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for aligning a packing material tube (1) with a treatment station in a packaging machine in which a tube (1) with a circular cross-section is produced from a strip of printed packaging material having embossed lines. Said tube is closed by longitudinally sealing it, filled and shaped in a cross-sealing unit (12) and divided into cuboid packages. The unit (12) is provided with an adjustable lift of stroke so that it intermittently convey the tube (1). It is also provided on diametrical sides with a folding flap (16) that can be pivoted about an axis (15). For feeling the position mark, a sensor is arranged. The aim of the invention is to facilitate a faster termination of the initial phase when the packaging machine is put into operation while at the same time producing less cuttings and to prevent the paper tube from being damaged. To this end, a folding finger (19) is arranged upstream of every folding flap (16).

Abstract: A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

Abstract: A top panel pre-folder for a form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing an extended top panel gable top carton includes an mandrel positioned along the machine processing path that is movable from above the carton to the interior of the carton as the carton moves along the processing path. A pair of spaced apart pivotal arms, each disposed on opposing sides of the mandrel and transverse to the processing path, is pivotal about an axis toward and away from the mandrel. Each arm includes a flap mounted thereto having a raised portion extending from a face of the flap. The arms pivot to contact the flaps with gable side panels of the carton to infold the gable side panels inwardly over the mandrels. The flap raised portions contact the gable side panels at about gable side panel/vertical side panel junctures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evacuating and sealing a bag (133) made of a sealable material and containing a charge (134) of a comminuted or other flowable product, such as roasted and ground coffee. The bag (133) is positioned with its open upper end around a sleeve (12) through which a hollow probe (14) can be extended. A pair of upper jaw members (UJ) close to form an outer temporary seal about an upper region of the bag above an intermediate region of the bag which is also above the level of the surface of the charge (134) in the bag (133) where a permanent seal is to be formed. A pair of lower jaws members (LJ) close to form an inner temporary seal about a lower region of the bag below the upper and intermediate regions and above the surface of the charge (134) in the bag (133). With the probe (14) extended through the sleeve (12) into the bag (133), the bag (133) is evacuated through the probe (14).

Abstract: A gussetting machine having adjustable spans between the gussetting fingers. The gussetting fingers on opposite sides of a wrapper move in opposite directions driven by rotating a spline shaft which engages a hub having an angled bore therethrough such that the surface of the hub nutates with a pitch and yaw motion. A housing riding on the surface of the hub experiences the pitch and yaw motions. A bracket surrounding the hub has a shaft for allowing the hub to rotate about the pitch axis. A the bracket is pivotably mounted on a pivot block to allow the bracket to yaw. Gussetting arms attached to the brackets swing back and forth in opposite directions simultaneously. The angled bores in the hubs are 180 degrees offset from each other such that the gussetting arms move in unison in opposite directions. The angles of the bores can be increased for larger gussetting arm swings or decreased for smaller gussetting arm swings.