Abstract: In an automated method for handling and packaging agriculturally grown food items, at least a portion of the exterior of the food item is removed to expose its interior region. From the exposed interior region, a number of food segments are extruded. For example, cylinders of pineapple or watermelon may be extruded. The extruded food segments are then inserted into a number of packaging units, such as single-serving tubes. The extrusion process for forming the food segments may be continuous with the insertion process, such as when the packaging units are located in alignment with movement of a corresponding number of extrusion members. Thus, an automated system may include a mechanized trimmer, a mechanized extrusion unit, and a mechanized packager that provides hands-free insertion of the food segments into the packaging units.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent cross-contamination between the test strip and the lancet. The sterility sheet allows the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. The sterility sheet gives the integrated strip a low profile, which is attractive for packaging multiple integrated strips in cassettes, drums, magazines or the like. In one form, the integrated strip is loaded in a meter that includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the test strip relative to the skin being sampled. This allows the user to adjust the position of the test strip so as to not apply excessive pressure against skin, which could hamper bleeding from the incision in the skin.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for forming a pouch having an evacuated headspace containing a flowable material. The process relates to optimizing both, the evacuation of the headspace in the pouch and the accuracy of the flowable material filled in the pouch. Specifically, the present invention employs a process that includes a multiple-step or a continuous compression of the pouch headspace to accomplish the goals. Also disclosed is a vertical form-fill-seal apparatus for forming a pouch containing a flowable material and having an evacuated headspace.

Abstract: A machine for canning tuna and similar food products comprises a conveyor belt feeder, a plurality of dosing chambers aligned with the feeder and formed in a rotor rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the feed direction, a mouth connecting the feeder to the dosing chambers, a blade to separate the product introduced in the dosing chambers from the bulk of fed product so as to obtain product cakes, shaping means suitable to shape the cakes into the desired shape and transferring means arranged at a second station reachable through a partial rotation of the rotor to transfer the shaped cakes into the cans carried by another rotor. The connecting mouth has a cross-section of substantially constant shape and the shaping is performed in the dosing chambers by shapers radially mobile along the arms of the rotor when the dosing chambers are still aligned with the feeder.

Abstract: A method for forming individual letters provided with envelopes from printed same-size sheets, includes pre-printed envelope forms for forming the envelopes, and in the immediate vicinity of each envelope form one or more letter forms for forming a letter or letters and inserting them in the envelope. The envelope form is led as such to envelope formation; the letter forms are cut at least on one side into letters which are smaller than the letter forms; the letters are brought to contact with the envelope form; the envelope form is folded in two around the letters and glued at the side edges to form an open envelope; and the open flap of the envelope is glued and folded so that a sealed letter provided with an envelope is formed.

Abstract: A tuna fish canning apparatus is provided wherein each can has a premium cake appearance. The machine has first and second turrets adjacent each other which rotate around a common axis. Fish slugs loaded into a shared pocket by the adjacent turrets are severed along a plane between the turrets to produce first and second cakes with each cake having a cut surface and each cake adapted to be transferred into a can. The present invention provides first and second knock-out plungers for ejecting the first and second cakes into cans, wherein the first and second knock-out plungers are positioned on opposite sides of the plane between the first and second turrets so that each cake has its freshly cut surface at the top of the can to provide a premium appearance. A method for achieving the same result is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment has: a positioning functionality that sequentially locates, at a predefined bight, coupons of a continuous web of coupons; a burst functionality whereby a foremost coupon is separated at the predefined bight from a next coupon of the continuous web of coupons; a staging functionality whereby the separated foremost coupon is moved to a staging position; and an insertion functionality whereby the first coupon is inserted into a container. In another embodiment the first coupon is inserted into a container only after the next coupon is separated from the continuous web. In another embodiment after the second coupon is sensed, the first coupon is burst and inserted into a container.

Abstract: A rewinder machine for the production of rolls of web material is described, comprising: a winder unit (3, 5, 7); a path for delivering the web material (N) to said winder unit; a system for continuously feeding said web material into said winder unit; a distributor (31) of a sheet material (F) for wrapping the rolls formed by said winder unit, installed and operated so as to deliver a length of sheet material to said winder unit on completion of the winding of each roll without stopping the forward feed of the web material.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming individual letters provided with envelopes from printed same-size sheets, comprising pre-printed envelope forms for forming the envelopes, and in the immediate vicinity of each envelope form one or more letter forms for forming a letter or letters and inserting them in the envelope. In accordance with the invention, the envelope form is led as such to envelope formation; the letter forms are cut at least on one side into letters which are smaller than the letter forms; the letters are brought to contact with the envelop form; the envelope form is folded in two around the letters and glued at the side edges to form an open envelope; and the open flap of the envelope is glued and folded so that a sealed letter provided with an envelope is formed.

Abstract: A method or a device, respectively, for packaging of bulk goods in bags (26) comprises a lid (5) which forms a chamber (4) together with a lower portion (25), or the method is carried out in the chamber (4), respectively. It is the object of the method or the device, respectively, to package bulk goods in a chamber machine under vacuum. For this purpose a bag (26) is perforated in the chamber (4) or is inserted into the chamber (4) already perforated.

Abstract: A coupon insertion apparatus configured for sequentially inserting coupons into receiving containers, including a machine frame, at least one pair of opposed rollers mounted to the frame and adjustable between a closed position and an open position. A moving carriage system including a main carriage housing having one roller of each of the at least one pair of rollers that are automatically slidably adjustable between open and closed positions. A control system is constructed and arranged for automating the movement of the main carriage relative to the machine frame.

Abstract: Proposed are a method and a device for consolidation of a number n of items, whose weight varies within predefined limits, in a container to a single unit with a predefined target weight. For this purpose, n-1 portions are combined and the weight of all of the n-1 portions is determined. Then the difference between the target weight of the n portions on the one hand and the weight of the n-1 portions on the other is determined. Ultimately, an nth portion with a precise weight is cut-off from a piece, where the weight equals the weight of the nth portion of the difference. For this purpose, the device is provided with a first and a second insertion station, a scale, a computer, and a portioning and cutting device.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing multicolored solid powder wafers for use in solid beauty products, wherein the solid powder wafers so produced have a mosaic effect.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and bagging decorative grass, comprising an extruder, a godet, a slitter, a cutter, a divider, a bagging assembly and a programmable logic controller. The extruder produces a sheet of flexible material, which is fed by the godet into the slitter, cutter and divider. The slitter slits the sheet into a web of strands of material. The cutter cuts the web of strands, producing a quantity of decorative grass, which is then divided into discrete aggregates and sent by ducts to bagging assemblies, each of which has a rotatable turret having magazines for receiving and discharging discrete aggregates, an inserter and a bag handler. A programmable logic controller coordinates the production and bagging of the decorative grass, based on the properties of the sheet and the divider, and the predetermined properties of the decorative grass.

Abstract: A coupon insertion apparatus configured for sequentially inserting coupons into receiving containers, including a machine frame, at least one pair of opposed rollers mounted to the frame and adjustable between a closed position and an open position. A moving carriage system including a main carriage housing having one roller of each of the at least one pair of rollers that are automatically slidably adjustable between open and closed positions. A control system is constructed and arranged for automating the movement of the main carriage relative to the machine frame.

Abstract: A method for creating mailpieces from a single web of printed material. The web of printed material includes a continuous web having a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets is comprised of envelope sheets and content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. The method starts with cutting consecutive attached sheets into separated sheets. The content pages belonging to a same mailpiece are accumulated together. The separated envelope sheet is transported, bypassing the accumulating and turning steps. The accumulated and turned content pages are then merged with the envelope sheet, and the envelope sheet is folded and closed around the accumulated content pages to form a finished enclosing envelope.

Abstract: A method of operating an inserter with infeed and outfeed each driven by a separate servo motor. A controller independently energizes the servo motors to drive the infeed and outfeed to position a continuous feed of objects with a first object in the outfeed and a web between the first and second objects within a bursting space. The outfeed exerts tension on the continuous feed when the web is within the bursting gap. The web is burst and the first object is ejected from the outfeed into an item on a production line. An inserter with separate servo motors driving the infeed and the outfeed to position objects of a continuous feed, to burst webs between the objects by generating tension in the webs and to eject the burst objects from the inserter.

Abstract: Plant for packing bars after the rolling cycle comprising a feeding unit, a shear (45) for cutting the bar to size, a pair of deflector devices (46), (47) and a bar braking device. The bar segment deflector devices send the bar segments into seats (58) arranged along the perimeters of pairs of rotating cylinders (50), (51), (52), (53) and parallel to the axis of the cylinder, after making them pass through a bar braking device (48) to slow the bars down to the predefined speeds. The bars are unloaded from the seats onto conveyors (60), (61), (62), (63) and transported to a station where they are packed into bundles.

Abstract: According to an air packing bag for tightly holding an article and manufacture thereof of the present invention, a first outer film and a second outer film are staked together, in which the first outer film comprises a first side, a second side and a foldable side. The foldable side is positioned between the first side and the second side and an accepting space is formed on the first outer film after the first outer film is folded up along the foldable side.

Abstract: An apparatus in one embodiment has: a positioning functionality that sequentially locates, at a predefined bight, coupons of a continuous web of coupons; a burst functionality whereby a foremost coupon is separated at the predefined bight from a next coupon of the continuous web of coupons; a staging functionality whereby the separated foremost coupon is moved to a staging position; and an insertion functionality whereby the first coupon is inserted into a container. In another embodiment the first coupon is inserted into a container only after the next coupon is separated from the continuous web. In another embodiment after the second coupon is sensed, the first coupon is burst and inserted into a container.

Abstract: A multi-layered wound dressing includes a moisture-retaining portion for enhancing the healing of a wound. The wound dressing includes an intermediate layer that has both water soluble and water insoluble fibers. An apparatus that includes a cutting tool and a reservoir of liquid to pre-moisten a portion of the dressing may be used to manufacture the dressings.

Abstract: A method for packaging in block form a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product comprises the steps: (a) of continuously supplying a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product, (b) of immersing the sheathed hot-melt adhesive product in a liquid refrigerant, (c) of pressing the sheathed adhesive product at a portion thereof, (d) of ultrasonically welding the sheathed adhesive product at the pressed portion; and (e) of cutting the sheathed adhesive product into a block at the pressed portion. A block of sheathed hot-melt adhesive product and an installation for packaging a sheathed hot-melt adhesive product are also provided.

Abstract: Stacks of pieces (24) are cut out from the lay-up (20) on a cutting table, on the basis of recorded information relating to the locations of the pieces on the surface of the lay-up, and the skeleton (26) of the lay-up is split up (lines 28) into a plurality of portions while the stacks of pieces are being cut out. Then the lay-up is brought onto an unloading table (60) for successively unloading the stacks of cut-out pieces by causing an unloading tool (80) to move so as to bring it into contact with the stacks that have arrived on the unloading table, by using information relating to the locations of the pieces, and so as to take off each stack from the remainder of the lay-up merely by moving it substantially parallel to the plane of the lay-up, without interfering with the stacks of pieces that have not yet been unloaded.

Abstract: A package of a strip of material is formed by slitting or perforating a web to separate the web into side by side strips and fan folding the web to form a plurality of side by side stacks of the strips. The strip of each stack is spliced to the strip of the next stack to form a continuous strip through the package which can be unfolded for supply continuously to an end use machine. The package while compressed is wrapped by a packaging material which includes a bottom header plate and heat shrink bag wrapped around the package and under a bottom header plate and heat sealed to a bottom surface of the bottom header plate. The spliced connecting portions are held attached to the end plane of the package by a series of spaced tie members formed of spare strip material each of which extends across the end plane and has opposed ends of the tie member tucked between two of the strip portions of respective ones of the outermost stacks.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a burst functionality whereby a foremost coupon is separated from a next coupon of a continuous web of coupons; a staging functionality whereby the separated foremost coupon is moved to a staging position; and an insertion functionality whereby the first coupon is inserted into a container only after the next coupon is separated from the continuous web.

Abstract: A sorting and conveying line provided at an X-ray film cutting and collection operation includes a defective sheet gate, a collection gate and a sample gate for sorting X-ray film sheets, which have been cut to a predetermined size at a cutting section, while the X-ray film sheets are conveyed. Film detection sensors are disposed at entrance and exit sides of each of the defective sheet gate, the collection gate and the sample gate, and each film detection sensor detects the X-ray film sheet at times when the X-ray film sheet should be conveyed and sorted. Based on the results of detection, a determination is made as to whether or not there is any failure in control on a number of produced X-ray film sheets, and the like, as well as conveyance and sorting operations. This allows smooth and quick handling in the event of a failure.

Abstract: A slicing machine has a deposition surface adapted to support a fusible bottom sheet. Slices are cut from a foodstuff and deposited as a stack on the bottom sheet on the surface between edges of the surface so that a fusible top sheet can be placed atop the stack. Respective bars at the surface edges have bar edges and are each pivotal between a working position projecting over the surface with the bar edges aligned vertically with the respective surface edges and rest positions retracted from above the sheet on the surface. Actuators can pivot the bars from their rest positions into their working positions. Heaters are provided in at least some of the edges. In the working positions the sheet edges are pinched between the bar edges and the heated surface to bond the edges together.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing folder sheets with reinforce holes, which comprises unwinding a spindled paper band; printing predetermined graphics on the paper band; causing the paper band to go through corona treatment; applying a reinforcement strip of thermoplastic material to selected areas of the paper band; cutting the printed and partially reinforced paper band in a direction substantially perpendicular to one edge of the paper band in such a fashion as to form a plurality of paper strips each having an elongated reinforced edge area; layering and counting the paper strips until they reach a predetermined number; punching the paper strips in the reinforced edge area in accordance with a predetermined pattern; cutting the punched paper strips in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first cutting to form a plurality of folder sheets; counting and piling the folder sheets to form a block until they reach a predetermined number; and packaging and boxing the folder sheet blocks.

Abstract: A method of packaging and freezing food substance comprising shaping of a plate of unfrozen food substance and subsequent packaging and freezing of the unfrozen plate of food substance, and wherein a carton packaging is used for packaging the unfrozen plate of the food substance that comprises a substantially rectangular bottom panel with two opposed, long side panels and two opposed, short end panels and a substantially rectangular cover panel, wherein the cover panel and the bottom panel are preferably connected to each other via one of the short end panels; wherein the unfrozen plate of food substance is arranged directly on the bottom face of the carton packaging, following which the cover panel of the carton package is closed over the bottom panel, such that the unfrozen plate of food substance is enclosed completely by the bottom panel, cover panel and side panels of the carton packaging, and following which the carton packaging containing the unfrozen plate of food substance is arranged in a freezer wi

Abstract: A process for introducing a plurality of segregated sheet-like administration forms into a dispenser under formation of a multilayered stack for individually dosable removal, with sheet-like tapes wound-up on rolls being present as starting material, utilizes the following steps. In a first step, a number of sheet-like layers of said tapes, which number corresponds to the stack, is simultaneously drawn from a plurality of rolls. In a further step, the individual tapes are united, using guide means, to form a multilayered strand, which in yet another step, is drawn forward to a cutting station where one length of stack is severed at a time, and wherein a length segment of the multilayered strand corresponding to the stack is substantially in the dispenser prior to being severed from a remainder of the multilayered strand by the cutting device.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process and a device for producing strip elements for electronically securing articles and a corresponding produced strip element. The aim of the invention is to present a process, a device, and a strip element which can be economically produced according to said process. As for the process, the aim is achieved in that an endless strip of electronically detectable material is fed and is cut into individual segments of a defined length, in that the individual segments are advanced by means of a conveyor, the speed of which is greater than the speed at which the endless strip is fed, the relative velocity being adjusted to provide the desired interval between two consecutive strip segments, and in that the segments separated by intervals are given a coating on one or both sides.

Abstract: A continuous line process for making a packaged cosmetic device comprising a pre-formed sheet and a coating composition in a sealed package, wherein the pre-formed sheet is produced from a sol phase composition comprising a solvent and a gelling agent having a sol-gel transition point between about the melting point of the solvent and about the boiling point of the solvent by a process comprising heating the so phase composition, forming surfaces of the sol phase composition by pressing the sol phase composition between a plurality of liners, cooling the sol phase composition into a gel phase, cutting the gel phase composition to form the pre-formed sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically forming raw tuna loins into homogenized, formed packets and packing those packets into bags for freezing and shipping to distant canning plants. A conveyed stream of raw tuna loins is tamped and compacted into a homogenized tuna stream of a predetermined height and width with dimensions compatible with processing equipment at the canning plant. A predetermined length of the homogenized tuna stream is measured and cut into packets and automatically packed into bags of predetermined size. In one embodiment, a servo controlled, intermittent advance conveyor is provided which is adapted to periodically advance said stream of raw tuna loins a distance which corresponds to the length of the bags into which the tuna is being packed. The apparatus for homogenizing the raw tuna loins is either a ski-shaped tamper driven by rotating cranks or a top belt including a pressure cylinder for urging the top belt into contact with the stream of raw tuna loins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of packaging stone cell plate, in which four steps as follows: the first step is to cut the stone plate into a size that the cust omers can lay over directly; the second step is to lay a crash pad on the bottom side of the stone cell plate, in which said crash pad is made of fiber board or expanded material; the third step is to encapsulate the stone cell plate and the crash pad together with plastic film so that the surface of the stone cell plate is covered by the plastic film, and the stone cell plate and the crash pad are tied tightly together. The present invention simplifies the packaging process, and facilitates to operation, and the customers looking at and selecting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a mark to a plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from a sheet of food product before the individual pieces of food product are at least partially divided from the sheet of food product. In an aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a sheet of food product, transferring the sheet of food product to an intermittently movable conveyor, marking the sheet of food product, feeding the marked sheet of food product to a cutting plate, and dividing, at least partially, the sheet of food product into individual pieces of food product.

Abstract: A package of a strip of material is formed by slitting or perforating a web to separate the web into side by side strips and fan folding the web to form a plurality of side by side stacks of the strips. The strip of each stack is spliced to the strip of the next stack to form a continuous strip through the package which can be unfolded for supply continuously to an end use machine. The package while compressed is wrapped by a packaging material which includes a bottom rigid plate, a top header and heat shrink bag wrapped around the package and under the bottom plate and heat sealed to a plastic layer covering a bottom surface of the bottom header plate.

Abstract: A cottoner having a wadding section forming station, the station having: a carrier, a holder, and a feed mechanism mounted on a base in series. Moving means on the base reciprocate the a carrier toward and away from the feed mechanism. An operating controller on the base open and close the holder. The carrier has a gripper for gripping a length of wadding material to carry it from the holding means toward the feeding means when the carrier is moved toward the feed mechanism while the holder is open. The carrier releases the length of wadding material when moved away from the feed mechanism while the holder is closed to hold the length of wadding material. The cottoner includes an inserting station for inserting each section of wadding material formed at the wadding section forming station into a container. The cottoner also has a sensing station for sensing if the wadding material has been inserted, and inserted properly, into the container at the inserting station.

Abstract: A produce harvesting and wrapping apparatus and method, which facilitates the harvesting, wrapping and packing of produce in the field. The apparatus is elongated, and has a plurality of work tables extending perpendicularly therefrom. Individual workers, called packers, are positioned between work tables, and these pack harvested produce into boxes. Empty boxes are transported along the apparatus on a first, upper conveyor belt, and packed boxes are transported along the apparatus on a second, lower conveyor belt toward a loading platform that travels alongside the apparatus. It is preferred that the surfaces potentially contacting the produce, including specifically the work tables, be of stainless steel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a mark to a plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from a sheet of food product before the individual pieces of food product are at least partially divided from the sheet of food product. In an aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a sheet of food product, transferring the sheet of food product to an intermittently movable conveyor, marking the sheet of food product, feeding the marked sheet of food product to a cutting plate, and dividing, at least partially, the sheet of food product into individual pieces of food product.

Abstract: A sorting and conveying line provided at an X-ray film cutting and collection operation includes a defective sheet gate, a collection gate and a sample gate for sorting X-ray film sheets, which have been cut to a predetermined size at a cutting section, while the X-ray film sheets are conveyed. Film detection sensors are disposed at entrance and exit sides of each of the defective sheet gate, the collection gate and the sample gate, and each film detection sensor detects the X-ray film sheet at times when the X-ray film sheet should be conveyed and sorted. Based on the results of detection, a determination is made as to whether or not there is any failure in control on a number of produced X-ray film sheets, and the like, as well as conveyance and sorting operations. This allows smooth and quick handling in the event of a failure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and bagging decorative grass, comprising an extruder, a godet, a slitter, a cutter, a divider, a bagging assembly and a programmable logic controller. The extruder produces a continuous sheet of flexible material, which is fed by the godet into the slitter, cutter and divider. The slitter slits the sheet into a continuous web of strands of material. The cutter cuts the continuous web of strands, producing a quantity of decorative grass, which is then divided into discrete aggregates and sent by ducts to bagging assemblies, each of which has a rotatable turret having magazines for receiving and discharging discrete aggregates, an inserter and a bag handler. A programmable logic controller coordinates the production and bagging of the decorative grass, based on the properties of the sheet and the divider, and the predetermined properties of the decorative grass.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cutting food products. The apparatus includes a support for a food product, a blade, and an intercalated sheet feeding device, which guides a free end of a continuous strip by using compressed air.

Abstract: A method of preparation and delivery of pocket bread in which the pocket bread is cut immediately after baking, the walls of the pocket bread are separated along the cut line, and individual pieces of pocket bread are nested one inside another to create a stack. Each piece of pocket bread is therefore pre-opened, and the stack is packaged for delivery to consumers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the continuous production of beverage filter bags, especially tea bags with a hanging strip made from a carrier sheet material and with at least one pocket which consists of a filter material and is closed on all sides, contains at least one portion of a beverage substance, and is connected to the hanging strip; whereby individual beverage-substance portions are deposited in a row on a continuous web of filter paper, a sleeve is formed, at least one string of consecutive, contiguous pockets, each containing one portion of the substance, is produced by individually sealing them off with a transverse seam, said transverse seam including both the trailing seam of one pocket and the leading seam of the following pocket, with perforations between the two seams along which neighboring pockets can be separated in the course of the process; the individual pocket is separated from the string of pockets; the pocket separated from the string of pockets is connected to a hanging-st

Abstract: A method for defining the operation of a plant for producing, conveying and packaging articles. The articles include rolls, such as rolls of paper material and the like. The plant includes the following operative sections: at least an apparatus for forming articles positioned upstream, at least a machine for packaging the articles in respective packs positioned downstream, and an apparatus for conveying the articles which is able to transfer the articles between the forming apparatus and the packaging apparatus. The method and the plant provide that, through a central control unit of the plant, starting from predefined setting data, operating parameters of the sections of the plant are determined.

Abstract: A surgical spear includes a cut sponge element that has been processed to render it at least substantially free from particulates and other debris; an eye spear comprised of an essentially particulate-free sponge element is uniquely suited for LASIK surgery. In most instances the surgical spear will be enclosed in a packaging component, which may or may not be fabricated from a water-permeable material and may or may not be left unsealed in the packaging step.

Abstract: When any of facilities of a film producing and packaging system suffers a failure, a film processing controller shuts off the film producing and packaging system. The operator repairs a failing facility and manually discharges a length of an elongate film which may possibly be defective. After the failing facility is repaired, the film processing controller is restarted to operate the film producing and packaging system, which then automatically discharges a length of the elongate film corresponding to a preset number of sized films. It is possible to easily and quickly discard a portion of the elongate film which has been made defective by the facility failure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting separate portions of a food product and inserting dividers between adjacent portions, in which a cutting blade is ultrasonically energized during a first cutting movement, the blade is withdrawn while a divider sheet is inserted between the blade and the food item, and then the blade is driven in a second cutting movement to fold the divider sheet and to insert the thus-folded divider sheet into the cut between the two now separate portions of the food item. A particular feature of the invention is a camming mechanism to provide precise support for and folding of the divider sheet.

Abstract: A process for introducing a plurality of segregated sheet-like administration forms into a dispenser under formation of a multilayered stack for individually dosable removal, with sheet-like tapes wound-up on rolls being present as starting material, utilizes the following steps. In a first step, a number of sheet-like layers of said tapes, which number corresponds to the stack, is simultaneously drawn from a plurality of rolls. In a further step, the individual tapes are united, using guide means, to form a multilayered strand, which in yet another step, is drawn forward to a cutting station where one length of stack is severed at a time, and wherein a length segment of the multilayered strand corresponding to the stack is substantially in the dispenser prior to being severed from a remainder of the multilayered strand by the cutting device.