Abstract: A system and method for creating a series of individualized custom doses for a consumer. The individualized doses being delivered in a package or packages, such that each individualized custom dose, comprising a plurality of medications and/or supplements, is individually separable from the remaining doses within the series. By way of example, and not of limitation, a system is described having a web based front-end interface within which the user may establish a dosing schedule, select supplements and/or medications (MS) from an MS database, elect which MS are to be included in each dose, and communicate the order to be processed by a packetizing system. The packetizing system utilizes a conveyance device which interconnects a series of pill dispensing bins. The conveyance device has compartments for collecting a series of doses which are then packetized and shipped for use by the consumer.

Abstract: A product package (10) having multi-layer labeling cover assembly (26), having a container base (20), a display layer (34), a label (32), an oxygen absorber (30) and a protective layer (28), is utilized to provide a product package that can have the top protective layer of the cover assembly removed for display purposes without requiring the package to be relabeled. The container base has a plurality of sidewalls (13) extending upwards from the container base, ending in a perimeter lip (18) around the top of the sidewalls. The display film layer is attached to the perimeter lip to close the container. The label and oxygen absorber are positioned on the display layer. A protective film layer is placed over the label and oxygen absorber and adhered to the display layer around the perimeter of the container.

Abstract: The method comprises viewing by means of a magnetic recording camera the zone for the opening of vials and for metered filling thereof and continuously recording said 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 method for the rejection of single defective items, in particular strip packages, during transferring from a packaging line to a conveying line, includes a preliminary check of the integrity of each product present on the packaging line and the subsequent removable gripping of each tested product by transfer means. The transfer means moves the products away from the packaging line and release the defective-tested products at a first collection section or at a second collection section, while each integral-tested product is released onto the conveying line.

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 sealable material and includes both an integral handle and a perforation to facilitate opening and pouring out the contents of 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: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for covering a flower pot with a sheet of material. The apparatus includes a supporting platform, a pot receiving opening formed through the supporting platform, a forming member concentric with the pot receiving opening, a bonding material applicator, and a printing and/or label applicator. The forming member is designed and disposed such that upon insertion of the flower pot and the sheet of material into the pot receiving opening the forming member presses the sheet of material against an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot. The bonding material applicator is designed or disposed so as to apply a bonding material to the sheet of material for bonding the sheet of material to the flower pot. The printing and/or label applicator is designed and disposed so as to apply printing and/or a label to the sheet of material.

Abstract: A method for making weather resistant packaging with high quality graphics on the exterior of packaging material wherein the desired graphics are printed on a thin vinyl sheet with an offset lithographic printing process using solventless, styrene-based, ultraviolet ink on the vinyl substrate. Optionally, a water-based coating can be applied over the cured ink to increase wear resistant attributes of the desired graphics. The vinyl sheet is attached to the packaging material, and an ultraviolet clear coat is placed over the combined vinyl sheet and packaging material. Finally, the combination is cut to form the weather resistant package having the desired graphics.

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 pre-prepared mesh-film web is used on a conventional vertical form-fill-seal packing machine to form a plurality of mesh-film bags.

Abstract: A method of finishing an enclosure formed from sheet metal includes the step of providing a tube formed from a film of a heat shrink polymer. The enclosure is inserted into the tube. Heat is applied to shrink the tube about the enclosure. Another method of finishing the enclosure includes the step of providing a sheet of a heat shrink polymer. The sheet is wrapped about the enclosure. The wrapped sheet may be affixed to the enclosure mechanically, chemically, or some combination thereof. Heat is applied to shrink wrap the sheet about the enclosure. In various embodiments the heat shrink polymer comprises at least one of the following polymers: irradiated low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyolefin, poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET), poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), and fluoropolymers such as poly-tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly-vinylidene di-fluoride (PVDF), fluoroethylenepropylene (FEP), and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).

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 banknote handling apparatus including a first unit for receiving banknotes deposited from outside the machine, a second unit for checking validity, quality and denomination of the deposited banknotes, and a third unit for bundling and packaging checked banknotes using a packaging device that has a roll carrying transparent packaging material for encasing banknotes in a closed package so that unnoticeable resealing of a banknote package that has been sealed in the apparatus and then broken open is difficult to achieve. A printing device is located above and close to the roll for printing information relating to the content of the banknote package with each bundling/encasing function in mirror image on an inner side of the transparent packaging material taken from the roll so that the content information is durably printed thereon and readable right-way-up from outside the closed 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 accordance with an exemplary embodiment, automated pharmaceutical product packaging systems and methods ensure that a pharmaceutical product package label accurately reflects the contents of the product package. During the packaging process coding techniques are utilized, wherein prior to or immediately after automatically filling a particular pharmaceutical product package with selected pharmaceuticals as specified in a patient prescription, the packaging systems and methods employ a specific code identifier or designator associated with the package to be filled that is recognized by the system. The system maintains information that correlates the identifying code with the particular prescription that is filled into the package. The pharmaceutical product package is preferably automatically filled with the desired specified pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A packet (2) of cigarettes and relative production method, wherein a label (7), defined at least partly by a portion (8) of magnetic tape, is applied to a component (3a, 16, 20) of the packet (2) so as to be visible on the outside of the finished packet (2); the label (7) being printed, on the machine and by means of a printing device (34), with data relating to the packet (2).

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement of plates for receiving food is disclosed. The arrangement of plates comprises a plurality of nestable plates, wherein the plates within the plurality of nestable plates have an animal theme. Each of the plates having an animal theme include a main compartment depicting a primary attribute of an animal corresponding to the animal theme, and at least two independent wells adjacent to the main compartment. Each of the wells are shaped to depict a secondary attribute of the animal corresponding to the animal theme. The plurality of plates include a first plate depicting a first animal and a second plate depicting a second animal that is different from the first animal. The secondary attribute within the wells of said first plate is a first physical feature of the first animal and the secondary attribute within the wells of the second plate is a second physical feature of the second animal.

Abstract: A method for printing indicia on bags interconnected in a continuous web. A bagging machine has a printer and a plurality of tensioning rollers, at least one of which is driven by a roller motor. The web is moved from an initial bagging machine station through a print station and to a load station in which goods are placed in the bags. A perforation sensor featuring a spring biased hemispherical tip indicates to a bagging machine controller that a perforation is present. First roller motor control signals are received from a printer controller comprising a frequency modulated first motor speed signal and a first motor enable signal. The first roller motor control signals are transmitted to the roller motor to cause it to drive the roller to move bags through the print station.

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: Disclosed is a product carrier having a desiccant incorporated therein and a method for making the same. The inventive carrier reduces the number of steps required to package a semiconductor device.

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: In surface packaging of thin resin packages such as resin molded memory ICs or the like, cracks of the package occur frequently at a solder reflow step where thermal impact is applied to the package because the resin has absorbed moisture before packaging.

Abstract: A coffee filter pack apparatus has a coffee filter bag formed with a plurality of coffee filter sheets attached together to form a plurality of enclosed spaced therein, each enclosed spaced having a plurality of measured amounts of predetermined ground coffee. One of the coffee filter sheets has indicia thereon to indicate the direction of flow of heated water through the coffee bag during brewing of the coffee. A method of making a coffee filter bag includes the steps of selecting predetermined amounts of first and second ground coffee, closing each into attached first and second coffee filter bags, and labeling the combined coffee filter bags to indicate the direction of flow of heated water therethrough.

Abstract: A sticky element, comprising a sticky element having an insect-attracting color and an insect-attracting scent, the sticky element comprising sufficient sticky qualities to cause an insect to become permanently attached to the sticky element when any portion of the insect contacts with the sticky element, the sticky element adaptable to being disposed upon a surface. The surface may comprise a wrapping material, a flower pot cover, a flower pot, a floral arrangement, or other surface. When the sticky element is disposed on a wrapping material, the wrapping material is used to wrap a floral arrangement or decoratively cover a flower pot.

Abstract: A method of finishing an enclosure formed from sheet metal includes the step of providing a tube formed from a film of a heat shrink polymer. The enclosure is inserted into the tube. Heat is applied to shrink the tube about the enclosure. Another method of finishing the enclosure includes the step of providing a sheet of a heat shrink polymer. The sheet is wrapped about the enclosure. The wrapped sheet may be affixed to the enclosure mechanically, chemically, or some combination thereof. Heat is applied to shrink wrap the sheet about the enclosure. In various embodiments the heat shrink polymer comprises at least one of the following polymers: irradiated low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyolefin, poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET), poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), and fluoropolymers such as poly-tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly-vinylidene di-fluoride (PVDF), fluoroethylenepropylene (FEP), and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).

Abstract: A packaging sealer printer employing a bag sealing mechanism in a printer assembly. The sealer printer transports a web of bags past a printing head and to a filling station and sealer assembly. The bags are sequentially indexed during the transporting operation. At the printing head, information regarding the content and/or recipient of the bag is printed on the bag. The same information is displayed on a video screen when the bag is indexed to the filling station and sealer assembly for filling by the operator. The bag is then sealed by a pressure bar pinching the bag against a spring plate and heater bar. A transfer printing tape is interposed between printing head and the bag to be printed. A low voltage sensing finger rides upon the web of bags and is operative to sense the presence of uniformly positioned apertures along the web of bags to assure and maintain proper registration of the bags with the printing head and filling and sealing stations during operation.

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 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: An apparatus for manufacturing a low profile magnetic component, a method of manufacturing an apparatus for manufacturing low profile magnetic components, and a method of manufacturing a low profile magnetic component. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame with a fixture adapted to hold a magnetic core. The apparatus includes a loading station coupled to the frame that is adapted to load the magnetic core onto the fixture. Also coupled to the frame is a wire feeding and cutting station configured to feed and cut a wire and form a conductive element having a particular configuration. The wire feeding and cutting station also positions the conductive element for mounting on the magnetic core. The embodiment includes a clamping station coupled to the frame for clamping and mounting the conductive element on the magnetic core.

Abstract: A method of bringing together and joining plastic cards, which are provided with an identification mark, and printed card carriers associated with the respective plastic cards, has the following steps: providing the plastic card, detecting the identification mark of said plastic card, deriving a test mark from said identification mark of the plastic card in such a way that unequivocal calculating back to the identification mark is not possible on the basis of the test mark, reading a data base by means of said identification mark, printing on the card carrier data read from the data base as well as the test mark, detecting the test mark of the card carrier prior to joining said card carrier to the plastic card, determining whether the test mark derived from the identification mark of the plastic card, which is about to be joined to the card carrier, corresponds to the detected test mark, and, provided that the test marks of the plastic card and of the card carrier correspond, bringing together and joining the

Abstract: A combined shrink wrap gift wrap in which decorative indicia is applied to a shrink wrap film and the film is shrink wrapped onto a package using conventional shrink wrapping machinery.

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 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: The present invention is directed to a candle packaging system that is comprised of a three part assembly. The first part is a clear box having a slightly frosted appearance. The candle packaging apparatus has a separate internal top and bottom cap units that are designed to be placed on top of and at the base of the candle in order to protect the top and bottom edges of the candle. The top and bottom caps are also constructed of a clear, frosted material. The third part of the construction is a printed insert that is designed to highlight the purpose and design of the candle itself. The box is designed to provide ease of access to allow the prospective buyer to smell the aroma of the candle and, at the same time, provide protection and keep the candle clean and fresh. A method of producing the candle packaging system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A package and a process is provided for packaging a perishable product and providing a tamperproof visible date code on the resultant package. The process includes the steps of providing form, fill and seal package making process equipment; and providing to that equipment a supply of plastic film in strip form having opposed first and second lateral edges and a thermally sealable side. A date code is printed adjacent to the first edge on the sealable side. The film is then conveyed through a folding device to cause the printed date code to be overlaid by the opposite or second lateral edge of the plastic film. The lateral edges of the film are then thermally sealed together with the second edge overlying the imprinted area thereby forming a tube. The tube is then formed into a series of individual packages which are filled with the perishable product.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to produce magazines, books, catalogues, brochures, periodicals, or the like on a collation or binding line, transport these products in a single stream of products towards a packaging line, divide the single stream of products into distinct streams of products where one such stream comprises products requiring wrapping and another such stream comprises products which do not require wrapping, transport the products requiring wrapping to a wrapping machine and sending these products through a wrapping process, transport the products that do not require wrapping around the wrapping machine, and merge the separate streams of products back into a single stream of products such that the products are arranged in a predetermined output order, such as demographic order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an information-based indicia program (IBIP) address and postage in a document inserter mailing system is disclosed wherein a third-party word processing software with mail merge capabilities generates text and a matching address is used as the input for a client application in high-volume document processing and mail systems without programmatically altering the word processing program to accommodate the printing subsystem. Addresses are validated and corrected in the printing subsystems prior to creation of the indicia image and address image to be printed on the mailpiece. One or more documents are inserted into the corresponding address matched envelope, which is sealed and has appropriate postage affixed prior to placement in the delivery stream.

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 process for blow-molding and coating plastic containers under conditions of positive control in a close-coupled, compact machine to enhance operational efficiency. According to one of the preferred methods, the containers are coated promptly after the containers are discharged from hot molds to take advantage of the residual heat of the freshly blown containers to enhance curing/drying of the coating and to enhance bonding of the coating to the container surface. According to another one of the preferred methods, the containers are aseptically filled and capped either before or after the containers are coated. Alternatively, the process can include hot-filling and capping of containers in which the containers are coated promptly after being hot-filled to take advantage of the elevated temperature of the hot-filled containers.

Abstract: A method of forming a decorative cover, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover for a floral grouping or flower pot from a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three-dimensional appearance.

Abstract: A method of forming a decorative cover, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover for a floral grouping or flower pot from a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three-dimensional appearance.

Abstract: An improved automated method for dispensing bulk medications with machine-readable code. The method includes dispensing oral solid and liquid unit-of-use medications in unit dosage amounts. The medications are dispensed with machine-readable information which is generated as the medication is dispensed. The machine-readable information is patient- specific and can be customized to suit the needs of the operator. The machine-readable information can be used to monitor and control the medication from the time it is dispensed through to the time it is taken by the patient.

Abstract: The invention is a method of overlaying a plastic film material on a shipping container blank whereby all surfaces and edges are sealed. A container subsequently made from the blank is rendered highly water resistant. The film material is applied to both sides of the blank and severed from the supply source. The covered blank is then heated above the softening point of the film. The film becomes bonded to the surfaces of the blank and sags around the edges and into any openings so that the film on the two sides of the blank come into contact and are sealed to each other. The edges and any slits and cutouts are then trimmed, as by a die cutter, while preserving the seals along the edges. Containers made by the process can generally be recycled, in contrast to wax or resin impregnated corrugated board.

Abstract: A flexible sleeve disposable about at least a portion of a flower pot or floral grouping is disclosed wherein the flexible sleeve is formed of a flexible, expanded core polymeric material in which at least one surface of the material has been textured or modified so that the material is provided with a cloth-like appearance. The flexible sleeve having a cloth-like appearance may also be provided with perforations at preselected areas. A method for making the perforations in the sleeve in preselected areas further comprises both vertical perforations and circumferential perforations.

Abstract: Sipping straws are confined in discrete envelopes while advancing in a single file of spaced-apart straws through a wrapping station. The envelopes are obtained from a continuous strip of wrapping paper which is conveyed to the wrapping station in the direction of advancement of the file of spaced-apart straws and is draped around the straws in such a way that one of its longitudinally extending marginal portions overlies and adheres to the other marginal portion with simultaneous formation of a seam rather than an outwardly extending fin. The thus obtained tubular wrapper is thereupon severed in the gaps between successive spaced-apart straws, and the end portions of the thus obtained discrete envelopes are sealed by knurling, e.g., simultaneously with severing of the tubular wrapper.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method to produce magazines, books, catalogues, brochures, periodicals, or the like on a collation or binding line, transport these products in a single stream of products towards a packaging line, divide the single stream of products into distinct streams of products where one such stream comprises products requiring wrapping and another such stream comprises products which do not require wrapping, transport the products requiring wrapping to a wrapping machine and sending these products through a wrapping process, transport the products that do not require wrapping around the wrapping machine, and merge the separate streams of products back into a single stream of products such that the products are arranged in a predetermined output order, such as demographic order.

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 method for printing packaging parts which constitute a part of a continuous web of foil 1, in that the individual packaging parts 2 lie at a distance from each other and are in connection with each other via the foil, whereby the continuous web of foil with the packaging parts is fed forward to a printing section B, where the printing of the packaging parts 2 is effected with print-pads 10, and each printing cycle comprises a packaging part or several packaging parts lying parallel and at the side of each other with a distance between them, and the position of the parts being sensed at an entrance to the printing station, a controller receiving a signal from the position sensor and calculating an amount of movement for precisely positioning the packaging parts for printing, and controlling a drive for the foil web to assure that the packaging parts are moved to the calculated position for printing.

Abstract: A method for making decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. Printed designs or materials and/or embossed materials can also constitute a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. The method includes slitting a material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof and then cutting the slit material into segments of a predetermined length to provide the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging tissue in a pop-up tissue dispenser is disclosed. The pop-up dispenser being a carton having a top wall, a bottom wall and four sidewalls which join the top wall to the bottom wall. The carton also has an opening formed in the top wall through which the tissues can be withdrawn. The method includes the steps of providing several tissues that are substantially identical to one another. The tissues are described as a first tissue and a plurality of other tissues. The several tissues are transported to a folding station and are interfolded to form an interfolded assemblage. Only the first tissue is colored or has a visual indicator printed or applied to it to form a visually distinctive tissue. The interfolded assemblage is then cut to form a plurality of clips of interfolded tissues. Each of the clips includes one of the visually distinctive tissues and a plurality of the other tissues.