Abstract: A device for wrapping bales of agricultural produce such as bales of hay, straw or green crop with a film. The bales are completely wrapped with the film and are marked to set forth the quality of the bale as silage and with further information. The information may include the amount of film used to wrap the bale and thus the number of wrapping layers, and the name of the person responsible for wrapping the bale. Electronic devices may be applied to the wrapping film for ascertaining the location of the bale after it has been wrapped by GPS or DGPS. The information can be imprinted directly on the film used for wrapping the bale or on labels applied to the film.

Abstract: A standup bag for granular products or the like and a method of manufacturing the bag. The standup bag is manufactured from an extruded heat scalable material and includes both an integral handle and a perforation to facilitate opening and pouring out the contents of the bag.

Abstract: An integrated medicament package comprises a prefabricated medicament container having a plurality of initially open top blisters, a closure cover affixed to one marginal edge thereof by at least one living hinge, the closure cover having at least one clasp on an open end of the closure cover opposite the living hinge, the blisters arranged in rows and columns separated by longitudinal and transverse shoulders, at least one of the longitudinal and the transverse shoulders having perforations therethrough wherein the prefabricated medicine container is adapted to be separated along the perforations into a plurality of units, and a sealing sheet with medicament information at a location corresponding to the at least one said plurality of blister such that the medicament information on the outside surface of the sealing sheet corresponds with the medicament in the blisters, the medicament information comprising the name of the patient, the name of the medicament, the dosage of the medicament, the time of day, th

Abstract: According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of packaging an arrangement of plates is disclosed. The method of packaging an arrangement of plates comprises providing a plurality of plates that have a depiction associated with a common theme, selecting from the plurality of plates to form a first group of plates and a second group of plates, and packaging the first and second group of plates for commercial distribution. The plurality of plates including a number of different depictions, and the second group of plates containing plates with different depictions than the first group of plates.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly is provided for a package. The package provides storage for a variety of items. A sleeve at least partially surrounds the package and connects to the package through a connection point. The sleeve includes a reinforced adhesive material which provides reinforcement to the connection point and prevents both tearing of the sleeve and displacement of the sleeve from the package.

Abstract: A system and method places a printed label on a bag. A first plurality of rollers can feed one or more bags, and a second plurality of rollers can feed one or more labels. A tamp pad can place the label on the bag.

Abstract: A bagger feeds shingled open-ended bags to a workstation. Each bag is printed with information, typically date and product source information. The print area on each underlying bag is located by flipping up a trailing portion of an overlying bag.

Abstract: A method of advertising on wine and spirits bottles, which provides both advertising and a way to protect the bottles from damage in a shopping bag or box, in which bottle packaging dividers are imprinted with advertising material, and then distributed to retail sellers of wine and spirits so that employees may use the bottle packaging dividers to cushion the wine and spirit bottles sold by them to consumers, while at the same time providing an advertising vehicle.

Abstract: An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies, such predetermined spacing corresponding with a distance between holders provided in a handling apparatus. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for the placement of contents-related information on belt segments between adjacent syringe bodies and for separating the belt segments, wherein a flap is left interconnected to each syringe body. The syringe handling apparatus may alternatively or also provide for automated filling of the syringe bodies wherein cap removal, filling and cap replacement operations are completed free from manual handling.

Abstract: A double-bag package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines and perforation knives. In a preferred embodiment, the invention involves producing a double-bag package from a single sheet of packaging film by feeding a roll of film having graphics printed sideways rather than vertically into a vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine and using a novel perforating/cutting knife to alternately cut and perforate transverse seals. The perforating/cutting knife has teeth in the shape of oblique triangular pyramids, with each tooth having three cutting edges. The perforating/cutting knife produces self-correcting T-shaped perforation patterns capable of capturing and redirecting errant tears for fail-safe directional separation.

Abstract: An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies, such predetermined spacing corresponding with a distance between holders provided in a handling apparatus. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for the placement of contents-related information on belt segments between adjacent syringe bodies and for separating the belt segments, wherein a flap is left interconnected to each syringe body. The syringe handling apparatus may alternatively or also provide for automated filling of the syringe bodies wherein cap removal, filling and cap replacement operations are completed free from manual handling.

Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.

Abstract: A custom-decorated giftwrap is made by feeding a folded sheet into a printer, while avoiding paper jams therein by holding together sheet portions of the sheet.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of performing biological assays, including: providing a longitudinally extending carrier tape having thermally formed therein a plurality of reagent receiving wells; adding a reagent to each of said reagent receiving wells; permitting each of said reagent receiving wells to incubate at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time; and performing a biological analysis on each of said reagent receiving wells.

Abstract: A method of color printing on packaging containers using transparent colors is described. The method is limited to the use of no more than two of the primary process colors. For many images primary process colors are not needed at all. Preferably, only two transparent inks will be used. In some cases an opaque ink may be applied first as a masking image underlying a part or all of the transparent ink overprint. In other cases the opaque ink may be applied last as a masking print over part of the image. The method can be used on any substrate color but it is particularly useful on dyed papers or unbleached kraft brownboard. While color reproduction is not totally accurate, nor is this expected in a colorimetric sense, surprisingly attractive and realistic images generally faithful to the original are attainable.

Abstract: A standup bag for granular products or the like and a method of manufacturing the bag. The standup bag is manufactured from an extruded heat scalable material and includes both an integral handle and a perforation to facilitate opening and pouring out the contents of the bag.

Abstract: An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies, such predetermined spacing corresponding with a distance between holders provided in a handling apparatus. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for the placement of contents-related information on belt segments between adjacent syringe bodies and for separating the belt segments, wherein a flap is left interconnected to each syringe body. The syringe handling apparatus may alternatively or also provide for automated filling of the syringe bodies wherein cap removal, filling and cap replacement operations are completed free from manual handling.

Abstract: An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies, such predetermined spacing corresponding with a distance between holders provided in a handling apparatus. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for the placement of contents-related information on belt segments between adjacent syringe bodies and for separating the belt segments, wherein a flap is left interconnected to each syringe body. The syringe handling apparatus may alternatively or also provide for automated filling of the syringe bodies wherein cap removal, filling and cap replacement operations are completed free from manual handling.

Abstract: A method of advertising on wine and spirits bottles, which provides both advertising and a means to protect the bottles from damage in a shopping bag or box, in which bottle packaging dividers are imprinted with advertising material, and then distributed to retail sellers of wine and spirits so that employees may use the bottle packaging dividers to cushion the wine and spirit bottles sold by them to consumers, while at the same time providing an advertising vehicle.

Abstract: A method to make packages of objects for celebrations or parties, such as paper cups, plates, cutlery, and napkins with graphical of figurative elements, i.e., identifying indicia, different from one another, an apparatus that carries out this method, and a package resulting therefrom. The method comprises the steps of: printing or applying on each object (10a) a first plurality of a first graphical or figurative element (11a); repeating the printing or applying step for further pluralities of equal objects (10b, 10c) with a second graphical or figurative element (11b) for a second plurality (10b), with a third graphical or figurative element (11c) for a third plurality (10c), etc.; creating stacked groups of objects picked up one at a time from each plurality of equal object, whereby each unit comprises only one of said objects of each plurality (10a or 10b or 10c); and packaging the stacked groups (30).

Abstract: The method comprises viewing by of a magnetic recording camera the zone for the opening of vials and for metered filling thereof and continuously recording the zones visually during the operation of the installation and simultaneously carrying out the identification marking of each full glass container, with indelible marking means, at the outlet of the installation.

Abstract: A package comprises two or more toothbrushes which are dated to indicate a service period such as by designating a starting date and/or an ending date, or some other date in the service period. The service periods are sequential and add up, ideally, to one complete year so that a package, purchased at any time during a year, provides toothbrushes that can be used for twelve sequential months. Providing sequentially dated toothbrushes provides an indication to the user to discard used toothbrushes at the ends of the service periods thereby promoting dental health as recommended by dentists and toothbrush manufacturers. The service period indicator may be numbers, letters, words, symbols, colors, figures or any combination that suggests a period of service of a particular toothbrush and may be placed at any suitable location on each toothbrush. Suitable instructions, placed on and/or in the package or separate from the package, are preferably provided to inform potential users of the meanings of the indicators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a consumer product package that contains an affixed, yet removable, promotional offering that is invisible to the consumer at purchase but is one that can be processed through an established financial network once removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package comprising a flexible substrate having a silver halide formed image.

Abstract: An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies, such predetermined spacing corresponding with a distance between holders provided in a handling apparatus. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for the placement of contents-related information on belt segments between adjacent syringe bodies and for separating the belt segments, wherein a flap is left interconnected to each syringe body. The syringe handling apparatus may alternatively or also provide for automated filling of the syringe bodies wherein cap removal, filling and cap replacement operations are completed free from manual handling.

Abstract: A system for automatically packaging prescription orders composed of one or more prescription containers. The system includes a printer for generating literature associated with each order and a packer for packing the prescription containers and the associated literature into a package. The packer has a scale or other means for determining the weight of the prescription containers. A packer controller calculates package weight information based on the container weight information. The package weight information is transmitted to a mail manifest system, which generates shipping information comprising postage. A labeler applies the shipping information to the package. The packer also includes a loading mechanism for inserting the prescription containers and the literature into the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing filled gelatin capsules created from strips (4) of gelatin ribbon. The strips are led to an encapsulation station (6) where they are enclosed around the fill that is delivered thereto. Means are provided for controlling the lateral alignment of the strip in its path to the encapsulation station (6) preferably, such means comprises a pivotal guide bar assembly (52).

Abstract: A method of forming a package by heat sealing a trap-printed laminate to a support member (e.g., tray). The laminate has a free shrink in each of the transverse and machine directions of at least about 10% at 200° F. and at least about 21% at 240° F. The laminate has an oxygen transmission rate of no more than about 100 cubic centimeters. The outside layer of the laminate comprises at least about 40% of one or more relatively high-melt polymers each having a melting point at least about 25° F. higher than the lowest melting point polymer of the sealant layer. The first film has an oxygen transmission rate greater than the oxygen transmission rate of the second film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling personalized CDs, DVDs and other types of optical disks, magnetic media, and data storage devices into magazines, catalogs, pamphlets, and other printed products in order to enhance the amount and quality of personalization associated with the printed product includes reading and/or writing personalized information to/from a data storage device and assembling the data storage device within a printed product that is to be delivered to a particular individual. The reading and/or writing of personalized information may be directed to either digital information stored on the data storage device or to more conventional optical indicia that is printed on and/or optically scanned from the data storage device.

Abstract: A system to reduce error in procurement of over-the-counter drugs that has a prescription drug dispensing container that contains a prescription drug, an over-the-counter drug dispensing container that contains an over-the-counter drug, and indicia displayed on the prescription drug dispensing container and the over-the-counter drug dispensing container to link the prescription drug and the over-the-counter drug and thereby guide the procurement of the over-the-counter drug.

Abstract: A system and method places a printed label on a bag. A first plurality of rollers can feed one or more bags, and a second plurality of rollers can feed one or more labels. A tamp pad can place the label on the bag.

Abstract: A substantially flexible, shape-sustaining article having an appearance simulating paper made by forming a flexible, laminated material having a paper-like texture or appearance into a substantially flexible article for receiving an object. The substantially flexible article includes a base having a lower end, an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough and a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base. The lower end of the base of the article may be closed and may also contain a gusset.

Abstract: A device for producing individual metal contact parts for electrical connectors includes a processing machine for processing a semi-finished product to assemble the electrical contact parts as one unit on a strip. The device includes a packaging device connected downstream of the processing machine in the direction of travel of the strip. The packaging device includes an exchangeable storage and transport module such as a spool for receiving a given length of the strip formed by the individual, assembled contact parts. A marking device is mounted between the processing machine and the packaging device. The marking device places an identification on each of the individual contact parts on a length of a strip assigned to the spool. The identification characterizes the strip segment and is different from the identification of other strip segments on other spools. The marking device marks the individual contact parts in the form on an impression.

Abstract: A machine for forming individual packages from a web of preopened and interconnected bags one at a time is disclosed. A web is fed along a path of travel from a supply to a load station. A pair of nip rolls are positioned along the path near the load station. A printer is positioned along the path between the supply and the nip rolls. A nip roll drive is provided for rotating the nip rolls selectively and one at a time at a printing rate for the feed of the web when the printer is operating and at a faster feed rate for positioning a bag at the load station when the printer is not operating. A supply station tensioner is provided for tensioning a web along the path such that the printer when operating prints a section of a tensioned web.

Abstract: A method of product packaging wherein oblong sleeve-simulating product packaging labels are adapted to be printed with variable product information as weight data and are fed long-edge first towards a product packaging station while being maintain in an indexed relationship to a series of product items which are likewise fed towards the product packaging station. By adopting a long-edge-first feed direction for the packaging elements the indexed relationship with the product items can be established and maintained whereby direct printing of the variable data on the packaging elements or sleeves is feasible without the need to resort to printing on adhesive labels for application to the sleeved product.

Abstract: A product packaging system and method. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a backing member to which a product will be adhereingly disposed thereon. The packaging system is further comprised of an adhering material disposed upon the backing material for adhering the product to the backing member. The packaging system is further comprised of a flexible plastic material for encasing the backing member with the product adhereingly attached thereto. The flexible plastic material is sealable and tear resistant. The present invention is further comprised of a sealing component for sealing the flexible plastic material, such that the product and the backing member to which the product is disposed thereon are packaged. In one embodiment, the backing member is relatively rigid in nature and readily recyclable. In one embodiment, the flexible plastic is adapted to receive marketing communication materials and graphics/artwork.

Abstract: A method of wrapping an object with a heat-shrinkable material. A sheet of the heat-shrinkable material is heated to its frosting temperature and then fitted around the object like a sleeve so that leading and trailing ends of the sheet overlap and are welded together. The object and the sleeve are allowed to cool to shrink the sleeve onto the object.

Abstract: A plant package includes a flower pot containing a floral grouping and a sleeve having a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth, wherein the sleeve is formed of a flexible, laminated material having a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth. The sleeve includes a lower portion, which has a base portion and a skirt portion, and an upper portion which is detachable from the lower portion. The base, skirt and/or upper portion of the sleeve may be provided with a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth. A method for wrapping a floral grouping in a sleeve having a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth includes placing a floral grouping in the sleeve and binding the sleeve about a stem portion of the floral grouping via a bonding material disposed on the sleeve having a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth.

Abstract: A method for packaging a plant using a flexible sleeve having a cloth-like appearance.

Abstract: A beverage can with a protective cover, a blank for it, as well as a method and device for application of a protective cover to the lid area of a beverage can, wherein the protective cover is made of embossed aluminum foil. An essentially flat blank of the embossed aluminum foil, while covering at least the can lid, is brought into contact with the beverage can and, while being shaped in a ductile manner, is molded to at least the can lid. The cans, while in an upright position, are conveyed with a conveyor apparatus beneath a placement apparatus for blanks made of embossed aluminum foil, which placement apparatus places the blanks onto the top area of the cans while pressing them, at least partially, against the lid area and/or the can edge.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth suitable for use in the formation of decorative flower pot covers are disclosed.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling personalized CDs, DVDs and other types of optical disks, magnetic media, and data storage devices into magazines, catalogs, pamphlets, and other printed products in order to enhance the amount and quality of personalization associated with the printed product includes reading and/or writing personalized information to/from a data storage device and assembling the data storage device within a printed product that is to be delivered to a particular individual. The reading and/or writing of personalized information may be directed to either digital information stored on the data storage device or to more conventional optical indicia that is printed on and/or optically scanned from the data storage device.

Abstract: A method of forming a package by heat sealing a trap-printed laminate to a support member (e.g., tray). The laminate has a free shrink in each of the transverse and machine directions of at least about 10% at 200° F. and at least about 21% at 240° F. The laminate has an oxygen transmission rate of no more than about 100 cubic centimeters. The outside layer of the laminate comprises at least about 40% of one or more relatively high-melt polymers each having a melting point at least about 25° F. higher than the lowest melting point polymer of the sealant layer. The first film has an oxygen transmission rate greater than the oxygen transmission rate of the second film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous strip of detachable consecutive interconnected products manufactured by folding, such as envelopes and the like, and to a process for manufacturing the said strip, two of those consecutive products being interconnected through a joint (22) which is not part of the products themselves and links up detachably, through successive lines of demarcation, with each of those two consecutive products in such a way that, on removing this joint (22), the said two consecutive products are entirely separated.

Abstract: A laminate is provided for both labeling a data disk and creating an envelope for storing thereof. The laminate includes a base sheet having first and second pages joined together at a primary fold line. Flaps extend along corresponding edges of one of the pages at secondary fold lines in a configuration to form a closed envelope when folded together. A patch is laminated to the first page by layers of adhesive and release. The patch or first page includes a circular diecut defining a removable disk label having the adhesive on the back thereof.

Abstract: An integrated medicament package comprises a prefabricated medicament container having a plurality of initially open top blisters, a closure cover affixed to one marginal edge thereof by at least one living hinge, the closure cover having at least one clasp on an open end of the closure cover opposite the living hinge, the blisters arranged in rows and columns separated by longitudinal and transverse shoulders, at least one of the longitudinal and the transverse shoulders having perforations therethrough wherein the prefabricated medicine container is adapted to be separated along the perforations into a plurality of units, and a sealing sheet with medicament information at a location corresponding to the at least one said plurality of blister such that the medicament information on the outside surface of the sealing sheet corresponds with the medicament in the blisters, the medicament information comprising the name of the patient, the name of the medicament, the dosage of the medicament, the time of day, th

Abstract: A polymeric film structure having a cavitated skin layer with a cold seal adhesive applied thereto. The cold seal adhesive may be applied to the cavitated layer in the absence of pretreatment or precoating. When used in packaging applications, the film structure provides a tamper evident seal. This same film structure may also be used in pressure sensitive labeling applications without a releasable liner.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing a mixed batch of consumer products without the use of a mechanical mixer to carry out the mixing. An image sequencing means is provided which sequences images to be printed by a digitally-controlled printhead. Varying images are placed on consumer products or parts thereof—e.g. cigarette cards—as those products or parts of products pass under the printhead at a point in the production line. The consumer products, once assembled, are packaged directly from the production line to form mixed batches of product—without an additional mixing step.

Abstract: A sheet product/pouch system (such as a packaged two-ply sticker product) made by a process wherein individual sheets of a sheet product are cut from a continuous web before said individual sheets are provided with a bottom pouch layer (or a top pouch layer). The edges of the bottom pouch layer and top pouch layer are joined to create a pouch or package for the sheet product. An edge of the resulting pouch is provided with a perforation line to facilitate opening said pouch in order to gain access to the sheet product.