Abstract: A system for dispensing items comprises trays each adapted to support items to be dispensed. A casing comprises a restocking volume receiving trays with items thereon for subsequent storage. A storage volume accommodates the trays in storage. An outlet is used to dispense any selected items on the trays. An arm displaces trays within the casing, and displaces items from the trays to the outlet. A controller unit receives an identification of each item in the trays when positioned in the restocking volume, and monitors a position of each identified item within the trays in the casing to control the actuation of the arm to dispense items through the outlet as a function of an order entered through the user interface.

Abstract: A bag opening method and apparatus for use in bag filling and packaging in which a bag B is gripped at its laterally opposite side edges with a pair of gripping members and moved along a predetermined path. A pair of suction cups 23 disposed facing each other at respective mutually spaced standby positions are moved to respective closest positions at which a vacuum is applied to the suction cups to cause them to adhere to the outer surfaces of the opposite side walls of the bag. The suction cups are retracted away from each other to respective intermediate positions between the closest and standby positions. The suction cups having reached the intermediate positions are stopped there for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the suction cups are retracted from the intermediate positions to the standby positions, respectively.

Abstract: A container holding a supply of plastic, tubular stock for the incremental withdrawal of portions thereof, said container comprising a malodor counteractant.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a bottom seal of a plastic bag is strengthened by welding together 8 layers of plastic film. In one respect, an embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus configured to weld together 8 layers of plastic film on a bottom edge of a folded bag, and then unfold the bag. The apparatus may also stack multiple unfolded bags into a bag pack.

Abstract: A bag retrieval assembly and bag, which facilitates the covering of a bale of cotton or other fibrous material, are discussed. The bag is configured to be used with the bag retrieval assembly, which is configured to manipulate the bag from a stacked or stored configuration to an open configuration that may be raised and held into a position for further processing.

Abstract: A method of forming and filling a pouch, comprises forming opposing walls of a film; sealing the opposing walls of film together to form at least one pouch; filling an interior section of the at least one pouch through an opening in an upper portion of the at least one pouch with a flowable material; forming a top sealed expressing-shaped region to close the opening in the at least one pouch; and cradling the pouch with a foldable flat that is more rigid than the pouch that can be folded or rolled to compress the pouch to express the flowable material through the expressing shaped region.

Abstract: A dispensing utensil (102) including a body (104) having: a carcass (104); and a pliable top wall (112) and a bottom wall (106), the walls (112, 106) supported by the carcass (104), wherein the pliable top wall (112) and bottom wall (106) define a cavity (124) for storing dispensable cavity contents; the utensil (102) further including: a lid (108) connected to the pliable top wall (112) and openable about a hinge (114) formed by the pliable top wall (112); a seal (110) sealing the lid (108) to the body (104?) to seal the cavity (124); a tool portion (150); and a handle portion (152); wherein the seal (110) may be broken and the lid (108) opened about the hinge (114) formed by the pliable top wall (112), thereby allowing the cavity contents to be dispensed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a side airbag device for use in a vehicle, comprising: an inflatable cushion for deployment from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. The inflatable cushion is positioned behind a headliner of the vehicle in an un-inflated state and the inflatable cushion is configured to traverse a side of the vehicle when it is inflated. The inflatable cushion also comprising a deploying edge that defines a portion of a periphery of the inflated cushion, wherein the inflatable cushion is folded in a manner that causes the deploying edge to deploy as a first leading edge as said inflatable cushion is inflated to an expanded state by an inflator wherein the deploying edge is the first portion of the inflatable cushion to expand around the headliner.

Abstract: The present invention describes an improved grip belt drive system for use in sealing machines used to wrap articles in thermoplastic film. Briefly, a timing belt is used in place of the traditional flat or V belt. The presence of teeth on the pulleys, coupled with the use of a timing belt eliminates the possibility of slippage between the belt and the pulleys. To protect the system in the case of a film jam or misplaced article, a torque-limiting mechanism is included, which disengages the drive system if there is excessive counterforce. Furthermore, the outer surface of timing belt contains a pattern, which when mated with a second belt having the same or a complementary pattern, meshes in such a way so that the two belts are positively locked in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated ice vending machine for delivering ice to consumers. The machine of the present invention includes an insulated enclosure, an ice manufacturing apparatus, a cooling unit, an ice inventory storage bin, an ice agitating device, an incline ice transport device, and a bagger assembly. The present invention also includes a method of vending ice to a consumer.

Abstract: A collapsible storage apparatus for fabrics includes a container movable between a collapsed position and a use position, and a fabric receiving member dimensioned to receive fabric wrapped therearound such that the fabric receiving member and fabric wrapped therearound can be removably stored within the container when the container is in the use position. The container is formed from two opposed side walls, two opposed end walls, and a flexible bottom section attached to bottom edge portions of the side and end walls. The two side walls are configured to fold such that the container has a flat configuration with the folded side walls sandwiched between the end walls when in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A method of forming, filling, and sealing a flexible pouch with a guide pocket includes the steps of forming the pouch, and forming a first crease and second crease in the pouch that each projects outwardly and extends longitudinally from the upper edge, tapering in the direction of the lower edge. The method further includes the steps of opening and filling the pouch with the product and closing the pouch by sealing the upper edge transversely through the guide pocket, such that the first and second crease is eliminated as the upper edge is sealed.

Abstract: Methods of automatically packaging an object in netting include: (a) automatically extending a product pusher having a pusher head through a product chute; (b) pushing at least one object from a location upstream of the product chute, through a product chute to a location downstream of the product chute in response to the extending step; (c) pulling netting material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the netting material as the object exits the product chute; (d) automatically retracting the pusher head after the pushing step extends the pusher head outside the product chute; then (e) automatically directing a clipper to pivot into position when the pusher head is partially retracted a distance sufficient to position the pusher head inside the product chute; and (f) applying at least one clip to the netting material using the clipper to secure the object in the netting material.

Abstract: A method of filling dry vegetable soup packets in a packet filling plant using a filling machine and an apparatus therefor, and a method of filling bags with either liquids or solids in a filling plant and an apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: An empty bag supply method and apparatus first lifting up with a first suction member an empty bag of which bag bottom being in contact with and positioned by a first positioning stopper. The lifted bag is then held by chucks and transported upwards so that the empty bag is vertical with the bag bottom facing upward, and then a second suction member suctions the empty bag near the bag mouth and transports it onto a conveyor with the bag mouth facing forward, so that the bag mouth of the bag is stopped and positioned by a second positioning stopper. The empty bag is then lifted up by a third suction member, held by a chuck and transported upward so that the attitude of the bag is changed to vertical with the bag mouth facing upward, and then the bag is transferred to a gripper of a packaging apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, bagging and dispensing ice has an ice supply station, an ice collection station, a film supply, a bag forming station, and an ice transport device to transport ice from the collection station to the bag forming station. A controller controls supply of two superimposed film layers to the bag forming station, bag forming, and ice supply to the bags. A bag is partially formed from the superimposed film layers by a sealing device at the bag forming station, and ice is transported from the ice collector into the partially formed bag. The remaining open portions of the bag are sealed when sufficient ice has been supplied to the bag, which is then separated from the film supply for discharge into a storage and freezer compartment. The preceding steps are repeated until the storage and freezer compartment is filled to a predetermined level with bags of ice.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual, automatic and semi-automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include chutes with embossed floors.

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: A device for manufacturing foam cushions in particular for packaging purposes, said device comprising a foil supply station and a foam dispensing station, said foil supply station being provided for supplying to said foam dispensing station a foil material, having a first and a second side wall joining each other at a common first border and positioned so as to delimit an inner space accessible by an opening applied in a second border, said foam dispensing station comprising first retaining means, provided for retaining said second border, said foam dispensing station further comprising a dispensing member, provided for penetrating through said opening and supplying a foaming substance into said inner space, said device further comprising transport means, provided for transporting said foil material through said dispensing station towards a welding station, said foam dispensing station further comprises slot shaping means mounted offset and downwards from said first retaining means in such a manner as to form

Abstract: A system and method to form a transportable package is disclosed. The method includes placing a frame on a suitable base and placing a collapsible bag inside the frame, wherein an open top portion of the collapsible bag is draped over an open top of the frame to support the collapsible bag in an open position. The collapsible bag is then filled with flowable particulate matter and a vacuum is drawn in the interior of the collapsible bag. While the vacuum is being applied, the frame is removed and the collapsible bag is spirally wrapped with a reinforcing material. The open top portion of the collapsible bag is then preferably sealed to form the transportable package.

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: An apparatus for packing products includes a product information acquisition stage arranged to acquire information relating to one or more characteristics of products on a product packing line; a bag supply system arranged to supply bags sequentially as individual products on a conveyor approach a packing apparatus; and a bag opener arranged to automatedly take up a bag from the bag supply system as each individual product approaches the bag opener, and to subsequently machine open a mouth of each bag to a controlled extent based on information relating to products being packed acquired at the upstream product information acquisition stage. An apparatus for packing products includes a product information acquisition stage arranged to acquire information relating to one or more characteristics of products on a product packing line; a product packing stage; and two or more generally parallel conveyors arranged to deliver products of different sizes to the packing stage.

Abstract: An empty bag supply method and empty bag supply device in which a first suction-hold member suction-holds a bag set horizontally in a conveyor magazine and the first suction-hold member is swung upward so as to raise the front end of the bag, a grip member grips a portion near the front end of the raised bag and suction-holding of the bag by the first suction-hold member is released, the grip member is swung upward and the bag is thus moved up while being changed into a substantially vertical attitude, a second suction-hold member suction-holds the front-side surface of the bag in the substantially vertical attitude and the grip member opens to release the bag; and when the grip member thus opens, unwanted bag(s) adhering to the suction-held bag is dropped, and only the bag suction-held by the second suction-hold member is moved horizontally onto a bag support member.

Abstract: A system for enclosing a target product in a covering material includes an elongate product chute, an elongate breech-loader chute and a receiving station. The elongate product chute has opposing ingress and egress end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough. The breech-loader chute has a primary chute body with opposing ingress and egress end portions residing above and upstream of the product chute in cooperating alignment therewith. The primary chute body slopes downwardly in a direction of product travel. The receiving station is disposed below the breech-loader chute and includes a receiver floor that receives the target product from the breech-loader chute. The receiver floor is selectively movable between an extended receiving position and a retracted staging position to thereby support and move the target product for delivery to the product chute.

Abstract: A package includes a pouch including a base portion having a first width, the base portion having a closed bottom; and a neck integrally connected to the base portion, the neck having a second width narrower than the first width, the neck including an end portion; and a first easy-open device adapted to remove the end portion from the neck; wherein a common wall formed by the base portion and neck has an outer and inner surface; a discrete cap in connected relationship with the outer surface of the common wall of the pouch, the cap covering the end portion of the neck, the cap including a second easy-open device adapted to remove at least part of the cap and provide access to the end portion of the neck; and a flowable product disposed in the base portion of the pouch. Methods for making a package are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing dump bin insert that allows for fast, economical resupply, and increased marketing opportunities is provided along with systems and methods utilizing such a dump bin insert. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a dump bin insert comprising one or more walls, a bottom coupled with the one or more walls to define a display region, and one or more products received within the display region.

Abstract: A bale bag support device, system and method that provides for placement of a bale into a bale bag by maintaining a bale bag in an opened configuration employing a bale bag support device that includes a frame adapted for advancing motion, a bag support and a bale threshold attached to the frame that define a bale aperture through which bales may be placed onto a bale receiving area located on an inner surface of the bale bag beyond the bale threshold. The bale bagging system also includes a pick and place device for placing bales into the opened bale bag and which may also be employed to advance the bale bag support device a distance sufficient to create a bale receiving area located inside the bale bag beyond the bale threshold.

Abstract: A method for forming a plate-mat bag using a form, fill, and seal machine and the resultant bag. The film used to form the bag is oriented so that the product side layer is not a critical barrier layer. The top most portion of the bag is unsealed forming a tab. Below the top most portion, a peelable upper seal is utilized so that a consumer can destroy the upper seal using the tab and tear open the bag along slits made in the product side layer. This results in an easy open package which when opened can serve as a plate.

Abstract: A sorbent canister having a hollow body and porous end caps fused to opposite ends of the hollow body includes beveled surfaces at the fused sites to aid in the dispensing of the canisters into product packaging.

Abstract: Waste disposal devices and methods are provided. The device includes a housing, a lid, a bucket frame, a pair of members, and a foot pedal. The foot pedal is operatively associated with the lid and the pair of members so that the lid is in the closed position and the pair of members is in the non-use position when the foot pedal is in the upper position. Further, the foot pedal is operatively associated with the lid and the pair of members so that the lid is in the open position and the pair of members is in the use position when the foot pedal is in the lower position.

Abstract: Waste disposal devices and methods are provided. The device includes a housing, a lid, a bucket frame, a pair of members, and a foot pedal. The foot pedal is operatively associated with the lid and the pair of members so that the lid is in the closed position and the pair of members is in the non-use position when the foot pedal is in the upper position. Further, the foot pedal is operatively associated with the lid and the pair of members so that the lid is in the open position and the pair of members is in the use position when the foot pedal is in the lower position.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a product to be packaged to a packaging machine provided with a dosing unit, comprises a lifting arrangement suitable for lifting and moving at least a container of the product in such a way as to connect the container to the dosing unit to transfer thereto the product contained in the container; a method for feeding a product to be packaged to a packaging machine provided with a dosing unit by the apparatus, comprises the steps of introducing a container of product inside the apparatus, fixing the container to a lifting arrangement of the apparatus, moving the container using the lifting arrangement in such a way as to connect it to the dosing unit, transferring the product contained in the container to the dosing unit.

Abstract: The invention discloses a waste disposal apparatus including a waste packet forming device integrated with a tool for cutting the packet, and a method for using the apparatus. The disclosed integrated twist-and-cut system provides an improvement over existing waste disposal systems by reducing steps in the disposal of waste material.

Abstract: Device for fabricating tubular containers made from plastics material and consisting of three distinct elements, namely a flexible tubular body, a rigid base, a top part including a neck, the said device comprising a mandrel and means for fixing a top part and a base to a flexible tubular body, characterized in that it consists of at least one fabrication unit comprising a support shaft having a free end provided with a retaining member adapted to prevent the movement of a container base in one direction, a tubular sleeve mounted slidably around the support shaft and having a free end located on the same side as the free end of the support shaft, a member for driving the tubular sleeve, and a space adapted for the relative movement of a tubular body around the tubular sleeve, the said tubular sleeve additionally comprising a top part grip member located near the free end of the sleeve, the said top part grip member comprising means for the instantaneous fixing and retention of an assembly consisting of a top

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making packages with internal headers from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags. The packages with internal headers are made by inserting a product or a header into a bag. The bag is sealed to form a first compartment that contains the inserted bag or header. The other of the product and the header is inserted into the bag. The bag is sealed to form a second compartment that contains other of the product or header. The package is separated from the elongated web of interconnected bags.

Abstract: The bag opening assembly (8) of an automatic bag loader includes a pair of contra-rotating air-pervious endless belts (9, 10). Opposing pinch portions (24, 25) of the belts are provided for grasping opposing sides (5a, 5b) of the hag (1) therebetween and working flights of each belt are opposingly orientated and diverge from the pinch portions. A partial vacuum is drawn in a space (41, 42) adjacent each working flight (38, 39), formed in a shoe (36, 37) which supports the thereby separate the sides to open the bag while it is advanced between the diverging working flights. At least on of the rotary members (26, 27) is displaceable and an actuator (40) is connected thereto to press the pinch portions together to grasp the sides of the unopened bag and to separate the pinch portions to release the opened bag.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) loads product in the form of bags into a carton held at a tilt angle. The leading ends of the bags on an adjustment conveyor (20) are abutted by a bumper (30) to reorient the bags 90° on the adjustment conveyor (20). The downstream roller (44) of a twist conveyor (40) is tilted to collate bags on a decline conveyor (70). The collated bags are moved on an orientation conveyor (74) to engage a product scoop (110) extending at an inclined position and moved to a vertical position to vertically orient the bags. The orientation conveyor (74) is moved to an offset position to allow the bags to drop onto a lowerator (92) of an accumulator (86) where they can be sandwiched between retainer plates (88, 90). A pusher plate (94) pushes the bags off the lowerator (92) into the carton and is tilted to correspond to the tilt angle of the carton.

Abstract: A net derucking rectifier system is described. The system has a stuffer, a product horn having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end mounted to the stuffer, a netting tube having an upstream end and a downstream end, the netting tube removably mounted coaxially over the product horn and having a tubular netting shirred thereon, a bracket mounted coaxially to the netting tube and having a plurality of fingers pointing radially inward to grip the netting, the bracket movable between a first position near the upstream end and a second position near the downstream end, the fingers biased to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the first position to the second position and not to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the second position to the first position, and a clipper located adjacent the distal end of the netting tube.

Abstract: Systems and devices for automatically pressing a covering material against a product chute during a packaging operation to apply a braking force.

Abstract: A flexible container forming and filling apparatus comprising a flexible container forming assembly, a flexible container filling assembly and a transfer assembly. The flexible container forming assembly is configured for forming at least two side by side flexible containers which define at least a first output and a second output. The flexible container filling assembly is associated with the flexible container forming assembly and has a receiving region configured for receipt of sequential flexible containers for filling. The transfer assembly is configured for sequentially transferring flexible containers from the first output to the receiving region of the flexible container filling assembly and from the second output to the receiving region of the flexible container filling assembly.

Abstract: A self-standing bag containing a generally rectangular-shaped bale of compressed loose material. The self-standing bag has a generally elongated shape with a height and a base section defined by a first side and a second side. The bag is formed from a tube of impervious flexible material defining an enclosure completely enclosing the bale. The bag comprises a flat bottom end, preferably closed by an end seal. The bottom end is normal to a longitudinal axis of the tube and enables the bag to stand upright. The self-standing bag further comprises a sealed top end. A method for producing such a self-standing bag of compressed loose material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making packages with internal headers from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags. The packages with internal headers are made by inserting a product or a header into a bag. The bag is sealed to form a first compartment that contains the inserted bag or header. The other of the product and the header is inserted into the bag. The bag is sealed to form a second compartment that contains other of the product or header. The package is separated from the elongated web of interconnected bags.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system for opening a valve bag includes a bag separator assembly and a valve opening assembly. The bag separator assembly is rotatable about a rotation axis and is configured to move along a taxis toward a plurality of valve bags to obtain a valve bag. The bag separator assembly also is configured to move along the y-axis in an opposing direction to separate the valve bag from the plurality of valve bags. The rotation axis and y-axis are perpendicular to one another. The valve opening assembly is configured to open a valve end of the valve bag. The valve opening assembly also is configured to move along an x-axis to be inserted into and removed from the valve end of a valve bag being held by the bag separator assembly. The bag separator assembly avoids contact with the valve opening assembly by rotating about the rotation axis before moving along the y-axis toward the plurality of valve bags.

Abstract: A system for collecting a harvested product is provided. The system may include a continuously constructed flexible container for collecting the harvested product. For instance, the continuously constructed flexible container is a continuous sheet of flexible material such as plastic. A sealing device may be included within the system which is operationally coupled to the continuously constructed flexible container to allow the container to be sealed in discrete increments. Further, the system includes a traceability device operationally coupled to each of the discrete increments of the continuously flexible container to allow the harvested product included within each increment to be tracked. The use of the continuously constructed flexible container allows the harvested product to be collected continuously.

Abstract: A method for bagging ice using an ice-bagging apparatus comprising an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker, a door and drawer system operatively associated with the hopper for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice, a bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag, a bag supply mechanism, a blower for opening the mouth of the bag to receive the ice, a sealer for sealing the mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice, and a control device for managing and monitoring the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.

Abstract: A method of filling a bag that includes inserting an insulator between first and second side walls of a closure strip and joining an outer surface of the second side wall of the closure strip to an inner surface of a bag wall in a region of the wall behind which the insulator is positioned.

Abstract: An ice measuring and dispensing apparatus includes a rotating drum rotatable about a horizontal axis. The rotating drum has a plurality of chambers, and an ice supply hopper has a delivery opening for delivering ice into the plurality of chambers. A discharge tube to dispense ice from the plurality of chambers is also provided. The delivery opening of the supply hopper is larger than an opening of each of the chambers.

Abstract: An article packaging device for packaging articles within a tubular sheet. The article to be packaged is inserted into and enclosed within a length of tubular sheet, and separated from the remaining length of tubular sheet and the device to form the closed individually packaged article. The packaging device is designed to be portable, convenient, lightweight and easily maintained. A thermoplastic, vapor-impermeable tubular sheet having adhesive on one surface can provide an airtight seal that is especially effective when the device is used to package waste-containing disposable adsorbent articles, such as soiled diapers, for disposal. An apparatus for forming the tubular sheet into a layered pack of pleats having an adhesive material positioned on at least one surface.

Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing products includes a product information acquisition stage arranged to acquire information relating to one or more characteristics of products on a product packing line; a bag supply system arranged to supply bags sequentially as individual products on a conveyor approach a packing apparatus; and a bag opener arranged to automatedly take up a bag from the bag supply system as each individual product approaches the bag opener, and to subsequently machine open a mouth of each bag to a controlled extent based on information relating to products being packed acquired at the upstream product information acquisition stage. An apparatus for packing products includes a product information acquisition stage arranged to acquire information relating to one or more characteristics of products on a product packing line; a product packing stage; and two or more generally parallel conveyors arranged to deliver products of different sizes to the packing stage.