Means To Feed Cover Material Patents (Class 53/389.1)
  • Patent number: 10343865
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and an apparatus (1) for handling flat material and/or film material wound onto rolls (5) and that serves as packaging material for the packaging of piece goods, bundles, or the like sets of articles. Rolls (5), which are at least partially unwound, are alternately removed from at least one installation position (EB1; EB2) of a packaging machine (3), and in each case a new roll (5) of flat material and/or film material is mounted in the particular installation position (EB1; EB2). After each mounting, an externally arranged layer (15) is extracted from the particular new roll (5) near or in the area of its free end and attached to a section of a material web of a further roll (5) being guided in the packaging machine (3). This is done in a manner such that flat material and/or film material is unwound interruption-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Wimmer, Herbert Spindler, Juergen Werner
  • Patent number: 10040589
    Abstract: Systems (200) and methods (800) for causing certain operations to be performed by a Vacuum Packaging Appliance (“VPA”). The methods comprising: detecting when container material is at least partially disposed within a transparent vacuum chamber of the VPA using a proximity sensor mechanism; communicating a signal from the proximity sensor mechanism to an electronic circuit of the VPA in response to the detection of the container material within the vacuum chamber; and triggering a performance of a first operation by the VPA in response to the reception of the signal by the electronic circuit. The first operation is selected from the group comprising mechanical clamping operations to clamp the container material in position, vacuum operations to extract fluid from within a container defined by the container material, and heat sealing operations to create a heat seal along an open end of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David Owens
  • Publication number: 20150113917
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding capsules to a transferring wheel of a filling machine includes a store for containing the capsules. First feeding conduits are spaced apart along a first direction for drawing the capsules from the store and conveying the capsules from the store to first seats of the transferring wheel. Second feeding conduits are spaced apart along the first direction and spaced apart from the first feeding conduits along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction for drawing the capsules from the store and conveying the capsules from the store to second seats of the transferring wheel. A first horizontal pushing arrangement and a first vertical pushing arrangement for receive and orient the capsules coming from the first feeding conduits. A second horizontal pushing arrangement and a second vertical pushing arrangement receive and orient the capsules coming from the second feeding conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Roberto Trebbi, Fabrizio Salvatore Consoli, Massimo Ribani
  • Publication number: 20150030417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (20) for providing consumable material (24) for a packaging machine (30). The device (20) comprises a magazine (22) for the consumable material (24). The consumable material (24) for the ongoing operation is removed from the magazine (22) and fed via a feed device (26) to the packaging machine (30). The device (20) comprises a detection device (40) for determining an actual quantity (Va) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22). The invention further relates to a method (20) for providing consumable material (24) for a packaging machine (30). The consumable material (24) is provided as bulk material in a magazine (22) and is removed from said magazine (22) by means of at least one conveyor device (26) and fed to the packaging machine (30). The magazine (22) can accommodate a defined maximum quantity (Vmax) of consumable material (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Johannes Boehm
  • Publication number: 20150027085
    Abstract: A beverage capsule machine for making single use capsules (1) for infusion beverages such as coffee, milk, chocolate, tea or combinations of these ingredients, comprises: a transport element (8) for transporting the components of the capsule (1) and being closed in a loop around movement means (9); the transport element (8) is configured to define a plurality of pockets (10) for receiving the components of the capsule (1) and which are positioned one after the other, in succession; a plurality of stations which are positioned along a path (P) followed by the transport element (8) and which are configured for operating continuously in phase with the same transport element (8) and comprising at least: a feed station (11) for feeding rigid containers (2) into respective pockets (10) of the transport element (8); a dosing station (12) for dosing the product into the rigid container (2); a closing station (13) for closing the rigid container (2) with a length of sheet (7); an outfeed station (14) for the capsule (
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Emanuele Rubbi, Pierluigi Castellari
  • Publication number: 20140109514
    Abstract: A drug packaging device is provided in which both sheets are easily connectable to each other with a simple construction. A working plate having a first portion for temporarily fixing an end portion of a sheet remaining at a drug filling unit side, and a second portion for temporarily fixing an end portion of a new sheet are provided. The end portions of the respective packaging sheets which are temporarily fixed at the first portion and the second portion are connectable to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akinori Hatsuno, Hiroshi Hama
  • Patent number: 8607538
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a reel-holding unit for a wrapping machine for wrapping a product with a film unwound by a plurality of rollers from the reel and a reel-changing unit for replacing a finished reel with a new reel, the reel-holding unit and the reel-changing unit being mutually positionable in a reel-change configuration in such a manner that the new reel can be positioned instead of the finished reel, the reel-changing unit being provided with elements that define a curvilinear path for an initial portion of the film of the new reel, the elements being positionable in the reel-change configuration such that when a roller of the plurality of rollers is positioned at a curve, at least one of the elements is completely interposed between the film and the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Aetna Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cerè
  • Publication number: 20130232915
    Abstract: Preformed bag feeder for packaging machines which comprises buckets containing the preformed bags and first means that pick up the successive bags from the buckets and supply them, one by one, to fastening clamps located at a point of the trajectory of the transporter, the clamps allowing the pick-up of the successive bags, in the vertical position, by the transporter. The transporter comprises, following the fastening clamps, a positioner that carries out the horizontal and vertical alignment of the successive bags with respect to horizontal and vertical reference lines; arranging them in a fixed position wherein the lower extremity of the successive bags matches the horizontal reference line and the aforementioned bags are centered with respect to the vertical reference line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: BOSSAR PACKAGING, S.A.
    Inventor: Rodrigo Israel SALAS
  • Publication number: 20120240520
    Abstract: A web wrap apparatus is provided having a separator with a separating edge and a feeder transporting web to a bale chamber. In order to keep the separating edge free of dirt, web fibers, etc. a stripper is connected to the feeder, which during a relative movement with respect to the separator strips along the separating edge and removes any particles sticking thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Pascal Gresset, Emmanuel Chapon
  • Patent number: 8156717
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wrapping a stack (12, 13) of superposed sheets, brochures and/or folders with a wrapping sheet (15). The stack (13) is travelling in a first direction (4) on a first conveyor (2) defining a conveying path. A supply of wrapping sheets (14) is placed in line with the first conveyor (2). At the downstream end of the first conveyor (2) a rotating waver wheel (10) is arranged. This waver wheel pulls a top sheet (15) from the supply of wrapping sheets (14) and turns the wrapping sheet (15). Downstream of the first conveyor (2) a second conveyor (3) is provided defining a gap (5) between the first and second conveyors in which the wrapping sheet is inserted. As the stack (13) engages the wrapping sheet (15), the rotating waver wheel (10) folds the sheet around the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Schur Packaging Systems A/S
    Inventor: Kristian Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 8137252
    Abstract: A bag supply device receives large bags are retained in a stacked state on its mounting portions that are provided on chains. In addition, this bag supply device includes a horizontal support mechanism that supports the rear portion of the stacked large bags so that they can be raised and lowered in order to retain an uppermost surface of an uppermost large bag in a horizontal posture at a discharge position. The chains and the mounting portions are disposed such that the rear portion of the large bags hangs down. The horizontal support mechanism includes a roller that moves along the transport direction, and the uppermost large bag will be retained in a horizontal posture by moving the roller to support the rear portion of the large bags from below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yokota, Seisaku Iwasa, Yuichiro Minakuchi
  • Publication number: 20120011811
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly for use in shrink sleeve labeler machines includes a replaceable insert having a cutting slot that is spaced apart from both upper and lower elements of the mandrel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Nyren
  • Patent number: 8020361
    Abstract: The transfer machine extends between the die-cut blank erecting station and the discharge conveyor on which the resulting boxes are carried away. It has a carriage that moves lengthwise underneath the sole plate of the various stations over which the box blank progresses. The carriage carries a system of clamps having movable upstream and downstream arms for gripping the blanks and a pusher. Together, the clamps and the pusher are used to move the blanks along the sole plate and push the box onto the discharge conveyor. The arms and the pusher are situated on a plate which is vertically movable relative to the carriage and the height of the projecting part of the upstream arms is greater than the height of the downstream arms and than that of the pushers. The upstream arm couple is hinged to the plate and pivots to allow it to retract upstream relative to the machine and beneath the sole plate. This pivoting of the arm couple is combined with the up-down movement of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Bernard Kobierzycki, Pierre-Yves Jacob
  • Patent number: 7984603
    Abstract: For supplying machines, namely packaging machines, with web-like packaging material which is present in the form of a reel, a reel store (15) is fitted out with a portal (16), in which the reels (10 . . . 13) are kept on pallets (14). A portal robot (20) with an articulated arm (27) transfers reels (10 . . . 13) as required to winding subassemblies (29 . . . 32) arranged outside the portal (16). From these winding subassemblies, the material webs are transported toward opposite sides, in the direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the portal (16), to the consuming machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Harald Freudenberg, Andreas Prahm, Frank Sachs, Michael Schlenker
  • Publication number: 20110162330
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to a packaging system having a blister pack sandwiched between a plurality of protective layers. One or more protective layers disposed above the blister pack may include perforations running along the perimeter region. A child attempting to separate the protective layers from the blister pack may only be able to strip away the perimeter region thereby securing the blister pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Gary Paul Cotton, Juliet Gail Mcquillan, Mani Sundararajan
  • Publication number: 20110047942
    Abstract: Packing unit (1) with a packing machine (2) for filling bulk materials (3) in open sacks with a sack suspension device (7), for suspending the open sacks at a filling nozzle (8-10) of a product supply device (11, 13) and filling the same with at least one bulk material. The sack suspension device is provided with at least two selectable product supply devices. The at least two product supply devices and the sack suspension device are movable relative to each other in order to select a product supply device and to suspend a sack by means of the sack suspension device at the filling nozzle of the selected product supply device and to fill bulk material in the open sack by means of the corresponding filling nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: HAVER & BOECKER OHG
    Inventor: Alois Combrink
  • Publication number: 20110030311
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprising two independent paths (26, 28) upon which articles (C) to be contained by a carton (6) are conveyed from an infeed end (56) to an integral tertiary packaging device (12, 24). Cartons directly output from said two independent paths are merged and combined with a tertiary package (8), the tertiary packages are conveyed along a transfer means out of said tertiary packaging device travelling at a speed the same as that of each of the two independent paths (26, 28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Pascal Martini
  • Publication number: 20100307106
    Abstract: In a machine for wrapping sticks of chewing gum, sticks of substantially rectangular outline and relatively small thickness advance singly and in succession on a conveyor, arranged flat and spaced apart at a predetermined first pitch, toward a position where they are transferred to a spacing roller revolving tangentially to the conveyor and presenting peripheral seats spaced apart at a pitch greater than the first pitch; the sticks are taken up at the transfer position by a pick-up and transfer mechanism operating between the conveyor and the seats of the spacing roller, describing a trajectory that includes a movement perpendicular to the plane occupied by the sticks and producing a minimal displacement equating approximately to the thickness of a single stick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE A.C.M.A. S.p.A
    Inventors: Marco CARRARA, Daniele CIVOLANI
  • Patent number: 7797910
    Abstract: A loading apparatus for loading blister cards into sleeves includes a blister card magazine for receiving a stack of blister cards and a sleeve magazine for receiving a stack of sleeves. A loading conveyor moves a lug along a path to load a blister card into a sleeve. A gate releasably retains the sleeve in a loading position as the blister card is loaded into the sleeve. The loading apparatus also includes a hopper that facilitates loading sleeves into the sleeve magazine and sensors that ensure the blister cards are properly loaded into sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: John Cash, III, Rafe Patterson, Michael Flagg
  • Publication number: 20100154355
    Abstract: For supplying machines, namely packaging machines, with web-like packaging material which is present in the form of a reel, a reel store (15) is fitted out with a portal (16), in which the reels (10 . . . 13) are kept on pallets (14). A portal robot (20) with an articulated arm (27) transfers reels (10 . . . 13) as required to winding subassemblies (29 . . . 32) arranged outside the portal (16). From these winding subassemblies, the material webs are transported toward opposite sides, in the direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the portal (16), to the consuming machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Harald Freudenberg, Andreas Prahm, Frank Sachs, Michael Schlenker
  • Publication number: 20100064633
    Abstract: An improved carton feed drive includes feed dog drives for delivering carton blanks to transport lugs of a carton. Components of the feed dog drives are inclined to the vertical, providing ability to handle very short depth cartons by operating feed dogs in an operative run closely adjacent the transport lugs while the feed dog drives are inclined away from the transport lug drives so the respective drives to not interfere in any way to unduly limit the ability to handle short depth cartons. Feed dogs are selectively pivoted on their drives to positions for operative engagement of cartons, and are releasable to retracted positions to avoid carton damage as the dogs move to a return run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: R.A. Jones & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Kalany, Paul A. Frederick, Scott J. Ziemer
  • Patent number: 7673436
    Abstract: A loading assembly for a packaging system includes a carriage coupled and reciprocally moveable relative to a support structure. The carriage is moveable relative to the support structure along a longitudinal axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite said first direction. A continuous loop configured with a plurality of spaced apart receptacles is moveably supported by the carriage. The loop includes a first portion that is moved at a continuous speed relative to the support structure, and a second portion that is alternatively moved and stopped relative to the support structure. Various methods of loading a receptacle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Triangle Package Machinery Company
    Inventors: Boris Bershadsky, Vadim A. Lubezny
  • Publication number: 20100018159
    Abstract: A method of advancing packaging blanks disposed standing upright in a magazine, one after the other, in a file or queue resting against the bottom of the magazine and disposed to be driven forwards through the magazine towards a stop at an outlet end for individual discharge comprises the file or queue of blanks being divided into two pressure zones, a first and forward pressure zone extending from the zone limit between the pressure zones up to the stop and displaying a first mutual pressure between neighbouring blanks, as well as a rear second pressure zone displaying a second mutual pressure between neighbouring blanks. The first mutual pressure is higher than the second mutual pressure. Another aspect of the disclosure pertains to an apparatus for carrying out advancement of the packaging blanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Persson
  • Patent number: 7621107
    Abstract: To palletize packages, a wrapping vehicle includes a vertically mounted drive screw having a plurality of ball nuts mounted at wrapping-effective distances from each other on the vertically mounted drive screw. Each ball-nut has a corresponding cantilever mounted to the ball nut to support a roll of wrapping material. A tension adjustment mechanism is mounted to adjust the resistance to motion of each roll of wrapping material and thus the tension on the wrapping material. The ball nuts are each connected to side support guide plates positioned to slide against the sides of mast housing the drive screw wherein said ball nuts are supported against tilting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick J. Vanderheiden, Michael A. Herman
  • Publication number: 20090272080
    Abstract: A wrapping device 1 for packaging goods, specifically goods stacked on pallets or the like, with a tube-like film, with a film feeding device 4 with fusion and cutting systems to generate and feed a dome-like film cover within a device frame 6, where film feeding device 4 works in conjunction with a covering device 7 that moves vertically up and down within device frame 6, where covering device 7 is designed to grasp the film cover and place it to cover goods located in the lower segment of device frame 6, is characterized by having film feeding device 4 move vertically within device frame 6. This arrangement simplifies installation, maintenance and repairs, specifically to the film feeding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Per Lachenmeier
  • Publication number: 20090266872
    Abstract: Carton blanks are disclosed for accommodating articles therein to form packages. A packaging system for packaging articles within blanks is capable of packaging a wide variety of packaging configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: James C. Fogle, Colin P. Ford
  • Patent number: 7607280
    Abstract: A clamp for sheets of material. The clamp includes a longitudinal main body with an external clamping side. The external clamping side comprises an external dragging surface for engaging a sheet of material. An internal clamping area inwardly extends from the external clamping side. The external dragging surface is at least partially movable into the internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into the internal clamping area therewith. Clamping devices and bagging apparatus including such clamps are also disclosed. A method of clamping overlaying sheets of material is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Jacques Dussault
  • Patent number: 7603835
    Abstract: A device (100) for feeding blanks (99) to a packaging machine (M), includes at least one rotating group (G) for picking up flat folded carton blanks from the bottom of a stack (94) of blanks (99), in a picking up position (P), by the use of a picking up vacuum device (7) supported by the group (G). Then, the picked up folded blanks are erected into box-like configurations (A) in an erecting position (K). Then, the group (G) feeds the blanks (99) to an inlet station (98) of the machine (M), to place them one by one in the station (98) in a placing position (ID). The group (G) includes one first kinematic series (C1) for determining the movement of the picking up vacuum cups (7) along a closed path (T), extending between the picking up position (P) and the placing position (ID). A second kinematic series (C2) controls and maintains constant the orientation of the picking up vacuum cups (7, V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche
    Inventor: Antonio Caporale
  • Publication number: 20090188828
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pack for pharmaceutical and/or medical products and/or food supplements, comprising a substrate which is fitted with one or more prefabricated, sealed product carriers which each contain one or more isolated products, for a given length of time, and is provided with instructions for application or administration time for the patient, wherein each product carrier exclusively contains products of a special active ingredient or a special combination of active ingredients in a special dosage, which is distinguished by the fact that each product carrier forms part of a single-strip blister pack that can be rolled up, and the product carriers each containing one or more isolated products are assembled on the substrate individually to the patient. Furthermore the invention concerns a method as well as an apparatus for the manufacture of such packs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: KORBERG AG
    Inventors: Nikolai Strub, Gottfried Von Bismarck, Gerhard Breu
  • Publication number: 20090044497
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus forms a completely sealed composite package. The apparatus employs a continuous process which involves conditioning a surface of the package substrate. The substrate includes an adhesive coating that can be reactivated by infra-red radiation and adheres the package substrate to a juxtaposed face of a second surface. The apparatus uses rollers (102, 104, 118, 120) to compress the two surfaces together to complete the construction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Ladislav Falat, Rune Haraldsson, Benoit Poutot, Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Pierre-Yves Poget
  • Publication number: 20080264000
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and subsequently dispensing a plurality of flexible baglike containers. In one embodiment the baglike containers are configured in an unloaded, empty, mode to be in a substantially flat configuration. These flat items are stacked flat into a batching container and (such as a cardboard box) dispensed “off the bottom” of the stack by a container loading apparatus. The container loading apparatus grasps the flat items, pulls them from the bottom of the stack, and then loads them through a feed hole as known in the art. One of the inventions herein is the particular manner in which the flexible baglike containers are loaded into a stack within the batching container. Under this particular inventive manner, the bags are stacked in offset sub-batches. This provides improved stacking but still provides suitable dispensing characteristics. Another disclosed concept is the use of multiple boxes and an automated feed system for said boxes to reduce associated infeed labor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Ollie B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7392634
    Abstract: A machine and method for printing and feeding a top web onto a bottom web in a form, fill and seal machine without stressing the bond formed between the two webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventors: Anthony J. Maye, Gregory P. Rochon
  • Patent number: 7356976
    Abstract: A film changer apparatus changes the reel of extensible film in wrapping machines for packaging palletized loads. A supporting structure has an assembly for carrying the reel of the wrapping film and retains the free end of the film of a reel. Supporting structure is vertically movable between a wrapping position and a lowered position for changing a reel. A retainer provides temporary support of the free end of the film and is movable between two end positions. The automatic changer includes a release and expulsion device for the reel and for positioning the carriage for placing the reel into proper position. The changer also includes devices to position the spindles for carrying the reels to pick up the new reel from the carriage and transfer the free end of the film to be retained. The changer moves the support structure back to a wrapping position and moves the carriage to bring a new reel from the reel changer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Tosa S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Tosa
  • Publication number: 20080066427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine which is used to produce several packagings and/or trough-shaped packaging elements from packaging film and which can be separated from each other by means of a longitudinal and transversal cutter. The longitudinal cutter consists of a blade (2) and a counter-roller (3) which are driven and which are vertically displaceable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: Klaus Meyer
  • Patent number: 7231748
    Abstract: An adjusting device that is mounted in a film packaging machine includes a moving mechanism that selectively moves two support blocks in opposite directions and toothed wheels mounted to the support blocks in a symmetric manner and driven by a timing belt that is mechanically coupled to a motor for rotating film drive rollers that are mounted to selected ones of the toothed wheels. Thus, the film drive rollers are movable in opposite directions with the support blocks for adjusting the distance between the rollers, which allows for accommodation of packaging films of different sizes between the rollers, while not interfering with the operation of the film drive roller for driving the packaging film therebetween. This arrangement allows for uniform application of driving force to the film by the film drive rollers and thus realizing smooth and stable movement of the film in packaging an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Benison & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Benker P. C. Liao
  • Patent number: 7197862
    Abstract: A log packaging apparatus for packaging logs using a turret or a shuttle. The turret or shuttle can be used in conjunction with a wrap conveyor. The turret system can include a rotatable turret with at least one clamp movable into different positions in the apparatus, a log station at which logs are received, and a log ejector for ejecting logs from the log station into clamps of the turret. Logs can be ejected from the log station, through wrap material, and into the turret clamps. In other embodiments, a wrap conveyor inserts wrap material between a shuttle and a log station at which logs are received. Logs in such embodiments can pass from the log station to the shuttle through the wrap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Daoust, Joseph A. Yachinich, Dennis P. Couturier
  • Patent number: 7162852
    Abstract: A device for filling stand-alone flat-bottom bags with opposing side edges and a bottom, in particular filling them with liquid including a filling carousel which can rotate about a vertical axis and which has a plurality of holders for one bag each provided on its circumference. The filling carousel has a bag feeding station, a bag opening station, a filling station and a removal station as well as a sealing station. To optimize the filling device and in particular to achieve a higher throughput, a magazine for prefabricated bags and a feeding carousel for the bags is provided in the bag feeding station, containing a plurality of holding devices for one bag each whereby the holding devices can be driven to rotate about a common axis in order to remove each bag individually from the magazine and transfer it continuously to a holder of the filling carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Erich Eder
  • Patent number: 7159372
    Abstract: A sheet interleave system for a reciprocating mold plate patty-forming apparatus includes a hopper for holding sheets, a shuttle, a sheet transfer device, at least one precise position controlled motor, and a drive train. The shuttle has a sheet-holding frame that is slidable between a sheet receiving position and a sheet dispensing position beneath knockout cups of the patty-forming apparatus. The sheet transfer device has a suction device for gripping a sheet from the hopper. The suction device is moveable from a position to grip a sheet from the hopper to a position to place the sheet on the sheet holding frame. The drive train is driven by one or two precise position controlled motor. The drive train is mechanically connected to the carriage and to the sheet transfer device to impart controlled motion thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Salvatore Lamartino
  • Patent number: 7140163
    Abstract: A lower foil formed with upwardly open filled pockets passes horizontally at a constant transport speed through a work station of a machine frame. A support table holds an upper tool immediately above the foil in the station. A double parallelogrammatic linkage has two upper pivots on the support table, two lower pivots on the machine frame, and two upright links pivoted on the upper and lower pivot. A table drive mounted on the frame includes a crank connected to the link for oscillating the link about the lower pivot and thereby reciprocating the support table generally in the transport direction. A lower tool is carried by guides on the support table for only vertical movement relative to the support table. A tool drive mounted on the frame includes another crank connected to the lower tool for reciprocating the lower tool vertically relative to the support table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Eck, Detlev Gertitschke, Wolfgang Rodi
  • Patent number: 7051496
    Abstract: A high-speed envelope transport and insertion machine includes a slip-drive system having a plurality of belts configured to move envelopes along an envelope path at a first speed, an envelope transmission device disposed to input envelopes into the slip-drive system, an envelope stuffing device comprising a registration member and a drive member having a plurality of spaced-apart gripping members disposed to move continously between the slip-drive system and the envelope stuffing device at a second speed less than the first speed. The path of the gripping members and the envelopes crosses within the slip-drive system to permit the gripping member to engage and grip the envelope. The gripping member is configured to release the envelope upon registration of the envelope against the registration member of the envelope stuffing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventor: Robin L. Heilman
  • Patent number: 7024838
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming packages of pre-cooked meals. The package comprises a tray enclosed at least partially by a card sleeve having top and bottom faces and two opposing side walls. The forming apparatus includes a series of forming tools mounted for movement at spaced intervals and each forming tool is provided for the reception of a sleeve in a blank flattened form. As the sleeve is introduced into the forming tool the sleeve is moved to the erected condition, the tray is inserted in the erected sleeve and the formed package removed from the forming tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: T. Freemantle Ltd
    Inventor: Tony Freemantle
  • Patent number: 7000364
    Abstract: A novel apparatus and method of automatically stuffing folder pockets includes providing a folder with one or more pockets; providing one or more inserts which can be of differing sizes; the accumulation of the one or more inserts in a stack for insertion into the one or more pockets of the folder; opening the one or more pockets of the folder; and the insertion of the accumulated stack of the one or more inserts into the one or more folder pockets. Predetermined inserts can be selectively processed and stuffed into selected folder pockets. An embodiment also can fold the folder, producing a final product of a stuffed folder ready for distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Neal J. Middelberg, Gerard A. DeRome, Jr., Barry D. Hageter
  • Patent number: 6931824
    Abstract: A method of filling a flexible pouch having a base and sidewalls extending from the base to define a mouth. The method comprising the steps of delivering the pouches an infeed conveyor to a predetermined orientation and transporting the pouches in a controlled manner toward a filler station, and transferring the pouches from the infeed conveyor to a transport conveyor in which the pouch is gripped adjacent to the mouth so as to be suspended from the transport conveyor. Opening the mouth of the pouch to permit filling at the filling station passing the pouches through the filler station, closing the mouth and sealing the mouth prior to release from the transport conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: AMEC E&C Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6928787
    Abstract: A banding packing machine capable of inexpensively detecting the end of a band reel, thereby contributing to a reduction in cost. In a banding packing machine having a back pool box in a packing machine body and serving to feed an unused band (B) stored in the back pool box and a band from a band reel, the rotating speed of a touch roller is detected when a required amount of band is being pulled out of the band reel wherein the band is not left in the band reel if the rotating speed is not changed but the rotation is carried out at an almost constant speed, and the tip portion of the band does not arrive at the predetermined position of a band guide arch. Then, the driving operation of a normal rotating roller is stopped based on the decision signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Strapack Corporation
    Inventors: Tokio Shibazaki, Kenichi Enda, Yoshikatsu Aizawa, Saburo Tsurumaki, Mitsuru Sato, Shigeru Oofukuji, Eiji Tobita, Hirohiko Kusuhata
  • Patent number: 6922977
    Abstract: A blister packaging machine comprises a combination load/offload station having a blister magazine that is filled from the outside of the machine rather than the inside of the machine. The load mechanism includes a pick and place mechanism that is adapted to place individual blisters into nesting trays on a rotary carousel. The offload mechanism includes a pick and output mechanism that is adapted to pick formed blister packages from the nesting trays and output them into a collection bin. The load mechanism is arranged to cooperate with the offload mechanism without interference. The load and offload mechanism may be incorporated into a six station blister packaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Alloyd Co,. Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Agostini, Ronald Worden, Tom Aidich, Joe Minkwitz
  • Patent number: 6883292
    Abstract: A carpet protective film packing device includes two side frames, two upper rotatable discs for supporting a film cylinder, an intermediate elongate rod, and a lower elongate roller. The intermediate rod is combined between the intermediate sections of the two side frames, adjustable in its length by an inner rod telescoping in an outer rod and fixed with a handle. The lower roller is pivotally connected between the lower ends of the two side frames for pressing and laying the protective film wound on the film cylinder supported by the two upper discs pivotally connected with the upper ends of the two side frames. Then the film cylinder and the lower roller is changeable to suit to the length of a carpet to be packed with a film, with the intermediate rod adjustable to suit with any length of the protective film to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6874302
    Abstract: A sleeve-type packaging machine system comprises: first (10) second (20) and third (30) article conveyor means, piece wrapping means (40), piece conveyor means (50) with a conveyor belt (51), a first modular unit (T100-G100) for forming and feeding pieces (S1) of packaging material, and a second modular unit (T200-G200) for forming and feeding pieces (S2) of packaging material. The said two modular units (T100-G100; T200-G200) can assume at least two transverse positions, namely a first position in which the modular unit (T100-G100; T200-G200) is positioned at least transversely at the side of the packaging machine, and a second position, in which the modular unit (T100-G100; T200-G200) is positioned under the packaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Baumer S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Gambetti
  • Patent number: 6874300
    Abstract: Pouches which can then be filled and sealed are made by thermoforming a film (29) into moulds (23) in a conveyor (8, 10, 11, 21) while holding the side edges (45) of the film to the side margins (46) of the conveyor by under-pressure applied to the underside of the film through a plurality of holding orifices (44) which extend up through the conveyor and into each side margin (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giacomo Di Lauretis, Mario Rosario Di Donna
  • Patent number: 6848239
    Abstract: A band refeeding method in a banding packing machine is disclosed which can prevent the tip portion of a band from being excessively pulled back even if the band is not supplied correctly but is automatically pulled back, and can stay the band in a predetermined position and can successively supply the band to the band guide arch side. A length of a band to be pulled back to an original position by band pull back means is previously detected based on the number of rotations of a touch roller constituting band supply means. In addition, the number of rotations of the touch roller before reaching a predetected set value is detected when the tip portion of the band is pulled back. Then, a rotating speed of a roller of the band pull back means is reduced when the number of rotations is detected. Therefore, the roller of the band pull back means is subsequently rotated at the low speed, thereby pulling back the tip of the band to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Strapack Corporation
    Inventors: Tokio Shibazaki, Kenichi Enda, Yoshikatsu Aizawa, Saburo Tsurumaki, Mitsuru Sato
  • Patent number: 6796103
    Abstract: In a machine for packaging stacks of multiply articles of paper into wrapping sheets, a first line conveys stacks of multiply articles of paper to a a wrapping station while a second feeds wrapping sheets to the wrapping station. Each sheet is kept vertically in a waiting position in the wrapping station until one stack is moved towards the sheet, so that the sheet gradually folds around the stack with overlapping parallel edges to be heat-welded. In the said second line there are first endless belts and second endless belts for a wrapping sheet received from conveying means situated upstream. The sheet is pulled up to the wrapping station and is clamped in the wait position by suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Gianluigi Gamberini