Abstract: A station for picking up and delivering shaped sheets that define box-like bodies of different types includes a magazine for the sheets and at least one handling element for at least one sheet at a time. The magazine accommodates a plurality of mutually aligned and juxtaposed sheets and the at least one handling element includes an end bracket provided with at least one grip element and at least one assembly with arms which are articulated with respect to the bracket and are independently movable with respect to a fixed frame. The bracket can move between a first configuration of alignment with the end sheet accommodated in the magazine, in the condition where the at least one grip element is in contact with the end sheet, and a second configuration of alignment with a conveyance line of the sheets which corresponds to the delivery region.

Abstract: An apparatus inserts documents into envelopes and includes a document insert station and a document conveyor that conveys documents to be inserted within envelopes to the document insert station. Each envelope has an envelope opening and a flap to close the opening and defines a hinge line. An envelope feeder feeds envelopes upside down on the hinge line with the flap up into the document insert station and angled from the document conveyor. An insert plate is positioned at the document insert station that receives a document conveyed from the document conveyor and includes orifices though which air is blown onto the envelope fed into the document insert station to open the envelope and receive a document conveyed from the document conveyor.

Abstract: A method of using a packaging unit with a selected beverage container comprises obtaining a packaging unit having a receiving chamber for popcorn or the like and a square pocket coupled to the outside of the receiving chamber, a lower end portion of the pocket having one or more strip-shaped wall sections; selecting either a conical beverage cup or a beverage bottle; configuring the pocket based on the configuration of the selected beverage container; and inserting the selected beverage container into the correspondingly configured pocket, wherein in a first configuration, the conical beverage cup is held in a clamp seat, or in a second pocket configuration the beverage bottle is supported on a partial bottom support member formed by the strip-shaped wall sections.

Abstract: A method for production of drink containers includes the steps of providing a compressed container, exposing the compressed container to a gaseous medium to expand this, wherein preferably during expansion a wall thickness of the container does not change by more than 10%, and filling of the expanded container with the fluid.

Abstract: Vertical packaging machine for packages such as boxes, bags and similar, comprising a closed path along which gripping means arc movable to grasp and carry the packages, means for feeding products to the machine and dosing means to direct a predetermined amount of product to said packages, characterized by further comprising at least one plurality of product feeding containers. The containers are disposed above a corresponding plurality of gripping means of the packages and are movable along one or more guides to follow at least part of the path of the gripping means and packages present on the gripping means. The containers are assembled on means sliding inside said guides and they arc composed of several portions and the position of said portions can be adjusted by the machine to change the dimensions of said containers.

Abstract: A method of using a packaging unit with a selected beverage container comprises obtaining a packaging unit having a receiving chamber for popcorn or the like and a square pocket coupled to the outside of the receiving chamber, a lower end portion of the pocket having one or more strip-shaped wall sections; selecting either a conical beverage cup or a beverage bottle; configuring the pocket based on the configuration of the selected beverage container; and inserting the selected beverage container into the correspondingly configured pocket, wherein in a first configuration, the conical beverage cup is held in a clamp seat, or in a second pocket configuration the beverage bottle is supported on a partial bottom support member formed by the strip-shaped wall sections.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for aligning a package are proposed, wherein the apparatus comprises the following: a vacuum chamber (32) in which a vacuum is created such that a package (10), which is located inside the vacuum chamber (32), unfolds, and at least one fixing means (22) which fixes the aligned package (10).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for opening pairs of opposed reclined walls of a plurality of crates, comprises carrying a first stack to a first working station, raising opposed walls of the upper crate by rotation with respect to the bottom plane, raising the other two front walls by rotation, blocking at least one of the side walls to an adjacent side wall, horizontally transferring the open crate into a position where it is lowered onto an adjacent second stack opened crates.

Abstract: Different length and diameter size catheters may be packaged in a universal catheter tray assembly that utilizes identical base trays. Catheter size selectors, which include a size indicia formed therein, are snap connected to the base tray and define at least a portion of a catheter capture channel with an opening width corresponding to the size indicia. The universal catheter tray assembly is configured for packaging a catheter with a size corresponding to the size indicia and with any one of a plurality of tip shapes such that first and second segments of the catheter are confined in first and second catheter capture channels, respectively.

Abstract: Collapsible containers are presented including: a bottom cup having a circular base and a cylindrical wall attached with the circular base, where the cylindrical wall includes a cup lip formed along an edge of the cylindrical wall, and where the cylindrical wall includes a number of bottom cup guide tabs formed along the cup lip; a middle sleeve having a middle sleeve upper edge and a middle sleeve lower edge, the middle sleeve forming a middle sleeve cylinder capable of nesting the bottom cup, where the middle sleeve includes a number of middle sleeve guide channels for slidingly engaging the bottom cup guide tabs, where the middle sleeve further includes a middle sleeve gasket channel formed along the middle sleeve lower edge and along a middle sleeve inner surface of the middle sleeve, where the middle sleeve gasket channel is configured for receiving a middle sleeve gasket.

Abstract: A method for assembling a fin seal container including folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into the internal volume, the end portion including a first fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces, folding the end portion such that the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, separating the first fin seal panel from the second fin seal panel, treating the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel and/or the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, and pressing the first fin seal panel into engagement with the second fin seal panel.

Abstract: A pouch-gripping apparatus includes a frame having a vertical mounting surface and a base mounted to that surface. A stationary arm projects outwardly from the vertical mounting surface. The stationary arm has an “L”-shaped distal free end that defines a stop wall. A second arm is rotatably mounted to the stationary arm and a plug is secured to the free end of the second arm. The second arm has a position of repose where it is angled relative to the stationary arm. The plug bears against the stop wall when the second arm rotates from the position of repose to a substantially horizontal position. A rim of a pouch sandwiched between the plug and the stop wall is held by the pressure between the plug and the stop wall and the pressure increases as a weight of the pouch increases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing and filling containers (1) made of thermoplastic plastic, in which an extruded plastic hose is inserted into an open mold having movable mold parts, mold parts forming the container (1) are closed, the hose being expanded by a pressure gradient acting on the hose in order to form the container (1), preferably in the form of a bellows, and being filled with filling material, and the level of the filling material is raised by reducing container volume in the direction of the container opening, a container closure (5) for the container opening being formed from the hose by closing head jaws of the mold, wherein said method is characterized in that the container (1), preferably in the region of the container closure (5), is formed in such a way that at least one section of the plastic hose remains unclosed for the time being in order to form a venting cannula (3) and in that, when the container volume is reduced, the level of the filling material is raised in such a

Abstract: A packaging station of a packaging machine for filling containers with products, the station comprising a transport device for feeding the products along a feed path and via first and second charging paths which run parallel to said feed path and transport the containers. The containers are filled by a filling device designed to seize one or more of the products from the feed path and to place said seized products into one or more containers on one or other of the charging paths. The charging paths consist of the following sequence of items, listed in order in the displacement direction of the containers to be filled: a set-up assembly, a transport device and a sealing unit. The device and method permit a more rapid filling of packaging materials with products in a relatively small space, in particular on a platform.

Abstract: A disposable rigid package containing pharmaceutical compositions which protects tablets, capsules, soft shell pills against hard transporting conditions and undesired rupture. The package allows for personal transportation, e.g. in a pocket, and it is easy and convenient to open for people of all level of ability and dexterity. Its design allows for transport as standard mail withstanding temperature fluctuation, vibrations and shocks, mechanical pressure and variation in atmospheric pressure which may occur during transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a carton containing a group of articles and a method of forming a carton. The apparatus comprises an article positioning system for positioning articles into a plurality of groups of articles and moving the groups of articles along a processing path, a blank handling apparatus for conveying a plurality of carton blanks towards the plurality of groups of articles, and a folding mechanism that is downstream of the blank handling apparatus for folding a portion of the ends of each respective carton blank downwardly around the respective group of articles.

Abstract: A container assembly is provided which includes a container selectively moveable between an erect condition and a collapsed or substantially flattened condition. A packaging material for support objects is disposed within an object receiving space of the container and secured thereto so that the packaging material remains in the object receiving space of the container when the container is in either the erect condition or the collapsed or substantially flattened condition.

Abstract: A self-propelled bagging machine for storing grain in a sleeve (unfolding plastic film pipe or silo bag) made up of an upper receiving hopper which outlet leads to a grain discharge tunnel over which such folded sleeve fits, all of this mounted on a chassis equipped with running gear and dragging pole, where such hopper outlet comprises a wall that is transversally connected to the hopper according to a downward slant plane leading to the discharge tunnel arranged under the vertical projection of the mouth of said hopper, and where such running gear comprises a back single-shaft running gear that is connected to the wheels, and a smaller front steering running gear; such grain bagging machine further includes: a dual compensated braking device made up of an adjustable primary hydraulic braking mechanism and an adjustable secondary hydraulic braking mechanism which act simultaneously on the back shaft of the bagging machine, and where a mechanic articulation mounted on the chassis in such a way that it is sens

Abstract: A flexible bulk container includes side walls coupled to a bottom wall. The side walls and the bottom wall generally enclose an interior space that is accessible through a top of the flexible bulk container for loading materials therein. A support structure includes elongate frame elements. Each of the frame elements may be attached to at least one of the side walls and is configured to support the at least one of the side walls generally upright so that the flexible bulk container is maintained in a generally open position. Each of the frame elements may be detachable from the respective at least one of the side walls. The flexible bulk containers and the support structures may be used in a waste management system for loading and sorting of bulk waste materials.

Abstract: A foldable and flexible carrier which may include a polymeric form that is foldable to provide a carrier having sufficient strength to securely hold and carry items while maintaining position about the items and which can be assembled without fastening hardware.

Abstract: A collapsible and/or erectable, shape-sustaining substantially egg-shaped container is selectively moveable from a substantially erect condition to a substantially collapsed condition and/or from a substantially erect condition to a substantially collapsed condition.

Abstract: A clamp for sheets of material. The clamp includes a longitudinal main body with an external clamping side. The external clamping side comprises an external dragging surface for engaging a sheet of material. An internal clamping area inwardly extends from the external clamping side. The external dragging surface is at least partially movable into the internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into the internal clamping area therewith. Clamping devices and bagging apparatus including such clamps are also disclosed. A method of clamping overlaying sheets of material is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cargo shipping crate having a base, four sides and a top cap, a first panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel form four sides of the crate. Each panel has a first, a second and a third subpanel. The first subpanel of the first panel is positioned to overlap the third subpanel of the second panel, and the second subpanel of the first and the second panel have substantially identical dimensions. The first subpanel of the first and the second panel have substantially identical dimensions, and the third subpanel of the first and the second panel have substantially identical dimensions. The top cap has four flaps, each of the four flaps are rotatable to a position superjacent a subpanel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for bagging material into a stretchable bag having an open end, comprises a movable bag stretching structure (18) displaceable between a first position for receiving the bag and a second position for holding the bag in a stretched state, wherein said stretching structure (18) is provided with elongated corner members (70, 72) for accumulating the bag thereon, each of said elongated corner members (70, 72) being provided with a movable strap-like member (210) extending along the length of the corner members (70, 72) to facilitate loading and unloading the bag on and from the corner members (70, 72).

Abstract: An inserting apparatus is equipped with a circulatable member arranged downstream of an envelope feeding path and rotatable about an axis transverse to the envelope feeding path. The circulatable member has envelope flap catcher members, each having a free edge arranged for entering between a flap and a body of an envelope fed along the envelope feeding path for engaging the flap and for holding the flap while the circulatable member is circulated so as to turn the flap to an opened position. An envelope support is provided for holding an envelope of which the opened flap is held by one of the catcher members of the circulatable member in an inserting position.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus or system for automatically assembling or erecting tote containers, and a corresponding method or process for practicing or implementing the assembly or erection of the tote containers, is disclosed wherein tote container workpieces are disposed in a serial array within a magazine or hopper.

Abstract: A collapsible floral container stored and shipped in a substantially planar configuration and expanded into the form of a flower pot or flower pot cover is disclosed. The collapsible container includes a plurality of segments and a connecting member for connecting the segments such that the segments define a sidewall and such that the segments are movable between an expanded position wherein the segments cooperate with one another to form an object receiving space and to provide the sidewall with a unitary appearance and a collapsed position wherein the sidewall is substantially flattened.

Abstract: In a machine for packaging articles into boxes, a magazine of flat folded tubular blanks is shifted with respect to a conveying line of boxes obtained in an inlet station, by a roto-translating arm for withdrawing blanks and introducing the withdrawn blanks into holding modules, associated to the conveying line. The initial part of the conveying line is situated at an inlet station, while the terminal part of the conveying line corresponds to a discharge station of the boxes already filled with articles. Along the conveying line, a pick-and-place system picks up articles from a feeding line and introduces the articles into the boxes, which are closed before reaching a discharge station. The feeding line and the articles outlet line are arranged, during the machine construction, according to a position of the same machine with respect to the production line, that is in order to allow coupling of the machine with working units, arranged aligned or perpendicular with respect to the machine.

Abstract: A knock-down crate has a base and four sides detachably engageable with the base for deployment parallel to the length and breadth of the base. The upper surface of the base has an elongated recess extending most of the length and sized for receiving the sides. The sides can be engaged with the base to form a four-sided crate with the recess of the base contributing to the available volume of the crate. When not in use, the sides are received within the recess in the base for compact transportation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting an object into an envelope in which the envelopes are stacked in a stacker. An envelope flap of the envelope is grasped by a lip on a rotary cam to open the envelope. The envelope flap of the envelope is brought into and maintained in contact with a surface of the rotary cam. The envelope is then pulled, via the envelope flap, so as to place and maintain the envelope in contact with the surface of the rotary cam. The rotary cam reverses the envelope to move the envelope into an inserting area where the envelope is detached from the surface of the rotary cam. An object is then inserted into the envelope and the envelope is then removed from the inserting area.

Abstract: A stand-up flexible pouch for packaging a product and a method of forming and filling the pouch is provided. The pouch includes a panel forming a body of the pouch using a flexible material having an inner surface and an outer surface. A rib is integrally formed in the pouch body, and the rib is spaced a predetermined distance from an edge of the pouch body. The pouch also includes opening means integral with the panel for accessing a product contained within the pouch. The method of forming the pouch thermoforms a rib in each panel of material across multiple lanes of a high speed machine.

Abstract: An apparatus, machine and method for opening a flexible pouch includes a pair of opposed side grippers each holding a side of the pouch. A pair of opposed panel grippers each hold an upper edge of the pouch. The side grippers are displaced inwardly towards each other and the panel grippers are displaced outwardly away from each other to partially open the pouch. A pair of pouch opening fingers are displaceable between a raised position above the pouch and a lowered position within the pouch. The pouch opening fingers are open in the raised position and closed after lowered into the lowered position, to grip the wall of the pouch. The pair of pouch opening fingers move together a predetermined distance in an outboard direction to fully separate the pouch walls.

Abstract: Methods of loading cartons in a packaging machine are provided. A method comprises providing cartons with an end opening having a width less than a pitch of flight bars of a packaging machine, and detachably affixing the cartons so that one carton is horizontally adjacent another and the combined end opening width of the horizontally adjacent cartons is substantially equal to the pitch of the flight bars. The method also includes placing the cartons between the flight bars so that the horizontally adjacent cartons are disposed within the pitch of flight bars and detaching the plurality of cartons from one another after the cartons have been loaded. Other embodiments are claimed and disclosed.

Abstract: A stack of object is wrapped by first transversely outwardly stretching a tube having open ends and then pulling the transversely outwardly stretched tube over the stack to a position with the tube extending generally a full length of the stack and one open end of the tube projecting past an end of the stack. Then the tube is released such that it retracts into engagement with sides of the stack and the one open tube end bears on the end of the stack at least adjacent edges of the end of the stack.

Abstract: Methods are known for conveying bags in the form of a continuous web such that they open at a suitable place during continuous conveyance and during maintenance of the open condition so they can be filled and sealed after closing. Prior art methods utilize complicated methods for retention. According to the invention, the bag web is suspended on horizontal studs mounted on carrier chains running in such a way that the bags open and a surrounding groove around the studs along the chains prevents the bags from falling off during passage of filling stations etc.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of handling flexible tubes, for example in the production of a liner for a cargo container to provide a tubular attachment on the liner. A tube 16 in the form of a web of flexible material is drawn over a support 39 mounted on a carrier 29,30, the support having a greater area than that of the opened-out tube and being tilted to the radial plane (FIG. 2) during the drawing action. The support is then moved to the radial plane (FIG. 4) so as to stretch the tube 16 in the region of the support whereafter the tube is cut from the web, in the vicinity of the support. The support 39 is moved to a further processing station (FIG. 8), carrying the cut off tube 16, whereat the tube is released from the support 39 by tilting the support once more and withdrawing the support from the tube. The support is then returned to its initial position ready for another cycle of operation.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided that can be attached in depending relation to the chute of a bagging machine in order to supply material to form several bags. The cartridge employs a hollow mandrel on which a tube of plastic film is mounted in a collapsed state. The tube is capable of being pulled off the mandrel in an automatic manner. The cartridge also includes a spreader bar at the lower end of the mandrel to brake the movement of the tube off the mandrel when in use.

Abstract: Automated apparatus for filling of a bag with a loose commodity comprises a bag filling station for dispensing commodity into a bag; a wicket for feeding a stacked and interconnected array of empty bags; and a conveyor for removing filled bags from the filling station. Reciprocating clamps grip the open mouths of the filled bags, and transfer the filled bags away from the filling station, with a subsequent bag being drawn into appropriate position for filling by means of the connection formed between the contacting bags.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine has mandrels with a plurality of fingers for gripping an object. A cam track has contours which defines the location of positions along a conveyor carrying the mandrels. The fingers are closed by a spring and opened by a cam follower encountering a contour of cam track. This way a plurality of objects having a variety of widths may be carried by the fingers without requiring a readjustment of the machine.

Abstract: In connection with the packaging of items or loose material in sheet packings it is known to use a web of cohering flat bag members, which is successively conveyed to a filling station, in which the bag members are opened, one by one, for filling and subsequent closing and separation from the web. The free mouth edges of the bag members or the web are profiled for supported conveyance on opposed carrier rods, tubes or gripping chains which, just before the filling station, diverge from each other for effecting opening of the bag members. The invention provides for a flat bag web, the upright edge strip portions of which are caused to be folded down over respective opposed carrier chains.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for continuously producing, handling and filling bags (8), especially bags for handling by automatic machines, formed from a thermoplastic line of film. The aim of the invention is to facilitate handling in the logistical sequence between the bags (8) being produced and being filled and to improve the quality of the bag stacks (6). To this end, the bags (8) are attached (22) in places, then held in place in the area of a packing machine by holding elements (31) which interact with suspension holes (18). The attachment (22) on the bag stack (6) is then removed, after which the bags (8) are filled. The filling movement releases the bags (8) from the holding elements (31) and the bags (8) are finally sealed. The bags (8) are advantageously separated by a clamping and pulling-apart apparatus located in the area of the packing machine.

Abstract: A method for opening prefabricated pouches for the subsequent filling thereof with each pouch having a circumferential seal and an opening zone comprising holding a pouch on a support and introducing the support with the pouch into a vacuum chamber which has a first opening facing the opening zone of the pouch connected to the environment and a second opening remote from the opening zone, suctioning air from the vacuum chamber through the second opening with a volume flow adequate to produce a vacuum to open the pouch and moving the support with the opened pouch out of the vacuum chamber and apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A flap folding assembly for engaging a work piece, such as a paperboard carton flap, and moving that flap into a desired position. The flap folding apparatus can be used in a continuous motion packaging machine to engage a sleeve type carton flap as the carton is transported downstream through the package machine. The apparatus is operated in timed relationship with the machine's carton conveyor either by mechanically interlinking the apparatus to the main machine drive, or by the use of a servo drive operated from and controlled by the packaging machine's main controller. The flap folding apparatus includes a vacuum cup driven in a circular path by a drive mechanism comprised of two spaced gears which are driven in the same direction of rotation.

Abstract: The combination of a carrier for a container, a squaring plate, a drive for the squaring plate, and a sealing assembly. The carrier accepts a container having first and second spaced flat walls that are substantially parallel to each other with the container in an erected state and third and fourth walls each connecting between the first and second flat walls. The carrier has a first edge against which the first wall of the container can be abutted so that the first wall is thereby supported in a first orientation with the container operatively held by the carrier. The squaring plate is guided in movement relative to the carrier towards the first edge.

Abstract: A method of expanding and feeding cartons to a filling line; the cartons being made of sheet material, presenting four walls defined by preformed bend lines, and being expanded as of an initial flattened configuration wherein each carton is arranged in two superimposed, substantially contacting layers, each defined by two adjacent walls of the carton; each carton being expanded by rotating each wall of each layer about an arc of over 90.degree. in relation to the other wall of the same layer and into a configuration causing yielding of the bend lines; and by only permitting each carton to assume its final parallelepiped-section configuration inside the conveyor pocket of the filling line.

Abstract: A collapsible container for facilitating the transportation and handling of heat meltable materials, such as, e.g., caprolactam, hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), dodecanedioic acid (DDDA), or any monomer and salt combinations used in the production and polymerization of polyamides. An expandable/collapsible container or bag is employed for holding and dispensing the bulk material. The bulk material is transported in a solid form, and converted to liquid form for removal from the container. The container includes heat tubing circulating a heat carrying medium or a heating element for heating and converting the bulk material to liquid form. The liquified material is then pumped from the container into a suitable storage facility.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging compact disc into respective cases along feed line having one station for opening the cases, a first work station in which an informational leaflet and informational booklet are respectively inserted in a housing portion and a lid portion of the case, a second work station in which a compact disc is engaged with a tray, if present, and a cover are respectively inserted in the housing portion and lid portion, and a final station for closing the case. The lid portion of the case is rotated by means of air blowing nozzles positioned at the opening and closing stations, respectively, to direct an air flow against the lid portion.

Abstract: The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances.

Abstract: The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances.