Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a box having four top flaps initially disposed in an open position. The apparatus includes a conveying system for conveying the box from a first end of the apparatus to a second end of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a flap folding system for folding the top flaps of the box into folded and horizontal positions as the box is conveyed from a first end of the apparatus to a second end of the apparatus. The flap folding system has a first flap folding member configured to fold a fourth top flap of the box, a second flap folding member configured to fold a second top flap of the box, and a pair of oppositely disposed side flap folding members configured to fold a first and third top flaps of the box so as to abut each other. A tape dispensing system is configured to dispense tape across at least a portion of the third and fourth top flaps of the box in order to maintain the third and fourth top flaps in abutment with each other, thereby sealing the box.

Abstract: A detecting and protecting device includes detecting devices, and an ultrasonic sensor; the detecting devices are connected to respective ones of expanding assemblies of a shrink film machine, and each include a seat behind a supporting rod of a corresponding expanding assembly, a movable rod passed through the seat and projecting below the supporting rod, a stopping board pivoted to one end of the movable rod, a shading block joined to one end of the stopping board, and a sensor positioned on the movable rod and normally shaded by the shading block; if the stopping board comes into contact with goods while a shrink film is being lowered, it will tilt, and the shading block will no longer shade the sensor; the ultrasonic sensor is used for measuring height of the goods such that sealing and cutting action will start immediately after the film encompasses the goods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping stacks of web product with wrap web material supplied from a supply roll. The apparatus includes a conveyor for supporting and moving the stacks to be wrapped along a conveying path, a drive assembly operable to receive wrap material from the supply roll and positively feed the wrap material to the conveying path, and a wrapping assembly for manipulating the wrap material around the stack. The method includes supporting and moving the stacks to be wrapped along a conveying path, rotating a cutting roll, clean cutting the wrap material received from the supply roll to separate a wrap sheet from the wrap material, defining a trailing edge of the wrap sheet, delivering the trailing edge to the conveying path after the wrap sheet is separated from the wrap material, and manipulating the wrap sheet around the stack.

Abstract: A bag packaging system includes a bag packager and a defect detection device that receives bags manufactured by the bag packager and conveys the bags while checking for defects. The defect detection device includes a first conveyor belt that is arranged below the bag packager, a line sensor that is arranged adjacent to a downstream end of the first conveyor belt, and a controller. The line sensor sends a detection signal when it detects an object that is conveyed by the first conveyor belt. The controller stores the size of a proper bag that is being manufactured. The controller finds a defective bag based on the size of the proper bag, the conveying speed of the first conveyor belt, and duration of the detection signal from the line sensor. The defect detection device can detect defects in bags promptly after the bags are manufactured by the bag packaging machine.

Abstract: A Process for feeding products of variable height and length into a continuous packaging apparatus comprising a conveyor with thrusters that receives publishing products or similar, such as newspapers, magazines, books, envelopes, giveaways or other similar products, from a certain number of feeders, a conveyor belt where the packaging in a plastic or paper film takes place, fed continuously above the conveyor belt that foresees, in a downstream area, longitudinal and transversal sealing devices that make finished packages of various sizes in height and length, said process comprising the steps of: varying the pitch on the conveyor belt of the products or groups of products fed by the conveyor with thrusters through continuous variation of the speed of the conveyor belt, and operatively adapting the speed of the sealing devices to the sizes in height and length of the products or groups of products.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring one or more packaging material conversion machines includes one or more sensors for monitoring one or more operating characteristics of the one or more conversion machines. The system also includes a controller in communication with the one or more sensors. The controller evaluates the one or more operating characteristics of the one or more conversion machines to thereby provide diagnostic, inventory and machine usage information. In addition, a method of monitoring one or more packaging material conversion machines includes sensing an operating characteristic of the one or more conversion machines and evaluating the operating characteristic of the one or more conversion machines. The sensed operating characteristics may be evaluated either local to the conversion machines or at a remote site, thereby providing a substantial amount of flexibility.

Abstract: The invention is an under-filled cushion detector that is capable of conveying a string of packaging cushions and detecting whether the string of packaging cushions may be under-filled. The detector includes an upper driven belt that is movably suspended above a lower belt. The belts cooperate together to define a longitudinal cushion pathway between the belts. The distance between the upper and lower belts may vary depending upon the thickness of the string of packaging cushions. If a string of under-filled cushions travels between the upper and lower belts, the upper belt can move downwardly in the direction of the lower belt. A switch stops the upper and lower belts if the height of the cushion pathway decreases below a predetermined threshold. The detector can be used in a system for manufacturing and transporting packaging cushions to a desired location.

Abstract: A system for packaging a flat panel product includes a dispensing device for dispensing a length of inner protective packaging material, a folding table for wrapping the inner protective packaging material around the product and folding an outer protective packaging material around the product, and a binding device for binding the outer packaging material, inner packaging material, and product together, suspending the product relative to at least one of the walls of the sidewall and supporting the product laterally. A data entry device provides data related to the length of inner protective packaging material required, and this data is fed to a controller, which controls the dispensing device to provide an appropriate length of material. The data entry device can also provide shipping information, fed to a printer for printing a shipping label.

Abstract: A typical product overwrap machine includes a crossfeed conveyor, a pusher bar for transferring bread products to a lifting table which moves upwardly to wrap the bread product with a sealing wrap, and the wrapped bread product is sealed by heated rollers. The present invention provides a sensor and control systems operating servomotors or AC drives so that the crossfeed conveyor is operated only when product is detected at a conveyor inlet, and the pusher bar is actuated to move the product from the crossfeed conveyor when product is detected. The control systems detect the width of a pusher bar plate and adjust the separation of flight bars in the crossfeed conveyor to match the size of the installed pusher bar plate, thereby preventing damage to the crossfeed conveyor if there is a mismatch in sizes. Other control systems may be provided to adjust both the width of the pusher bar and the separation of flight bars in the crossfeed conveyor.

Abstract: A cross-feed wrapping apparatus and process for wrapping an object such as a paper roll including a stand assembly for supporting a paper wrapper roll, a feeder assembly for moving a paper wrapper section in a first direction, and a knife assembly for cutting the paper wrapper section from the paper wrapper roll. The apparatus has a table assembly including a conveyor assembly for moving the paper wrapper section in the first direction until the paper wrapper section is centered with respect to the paper roll. The table assembly includes a table roller assembly for moving the paper wrapper section in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction toward the paper roll. A vacuum assembly holds the paper wrapper section in the centered position prior to the wrapping of the paper roll. The apparatus includes a support assembly for the paper roll having a support roller assembly for moving the object as the paper roll is being wrapped by the paper wrapper section to produce a wrapped paper roll.

Abstract: According to a method for selecting and feeding articles to blisters or containers, a first hopper filled with unselected articles feeds a second main hopper with selected size-matching articles, by means of a tapered inlet section. Size non-matching articles get jammed and stopped within the tapered inlet sections and are removed by means of a shutter hinged to each inlet section. A sensor detects when the flow of size-matching articles is interrupted. According to a second embodiment the inlet sections are replaced by swinging tubular portions. The shutters and tubular portions can be operated cyclically, thus avoiding the need for the sensor. An apparatus is also described for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A feeder for feeding products to be dispatched, such as, for instance, documents, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and the like, to a conveyor of a packaging line, provided with transport pushers, the feeder being provided with a magazine for storing a stack of products, the dimensions of the magazine being settable through the setting of guides, wherein at least a number of the guides are in communication with a sensor, such that the position of the respective guide is known, while the control is arranged, on the basis of the signals coming from the sensors, to set at least one setting of a packaging line of which the feeder forms a part.

Abstract: A simulation program that determines a packaging configuration for placement of any math-based part/assembly into a selected shipping container(s) for transfer of the product to customer plants. The simulation program determines either automatically or manually an efficient packaging configuration for placement of any part/assembly into any appropriate shipping container.

Abstract: A system for feeding containers on conveyor consisting of a feeder conveyer and an accumulator conveyor in which the speed of the accumulator conveyor is controlled to meter the distribution of containers to a processing station, such as a sealing unit.

Abstract: A roll baler equipped with a hopper 2, and a transporting conveyor 3 for carrying bale shaping material discharged from beneath a discharge port 20 defined in the bottom face of the hopper 2 into a material receiving port 40 of the bale-shaping chamber, wherein the transporting conveyor 3 is divided into two parts of: a hopper-side transporting conveyor 3a provided in a space extending from beneath the discharge port 20 to the front position beneath the delivery mechanism 5; and a bale-shaping-chamber side transporting conveyor 3b provided in the space extending from beneath the delivery mechanism 5 to the receiving port 40 of the shaping chamber 4, both these hopper-side transporting conveyor 3a and bale-shaping-chamber-side transporting conveyor 3b being each driven independently one from the other.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in packing meat cuts including a machine vision system arranged to scan or view individual meat cuts and acquire dimensional, volume, shape, cut type, or meat quality or grading information or other information relating to the individual meat cuts, two or more meat cut packing stations arranged to receive the acquired information relating to individual meat cuts and to dispense to an operator or automatedly apply to the meat cuts a pack matched to each individual meat cut as meat cuts arrive at the packing stations, and a diversion stage arranged to direct individual meat cuts to one or other of the packing stations based on the acquired information relating to the individual meat cuts from the machine vision system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a meat packing process in which carcasses of animals (102) are weighed (100) and moved on a boning line (101) in sequence past a number of boning and trimming stations (103 and 105). The trimmed cuts are transferred to a main conveyor (108). The cuts are placed in bags dispensed by one or more machines (22) which produce bag's whose lengths and widths are matched to those of the cuts placed therein. Each hook (38) has a bar code (39), which is scanned at the boning stations. Feed conveyors (241-243) are controlled by the central processor (34). The travel of the main conveyor (108) is monitored by the central processor so that each position on the main conveyor to which the cuts are transferred from the feed conveyors is identified at each trimming station and at the bagging station. By this each bagged cut can be identified with the animal from which if was derived.

Abstract: An automatic packaging system has a first feed mechanism for feeding a light-shielded photosensitive roll in the direction indicated by the arrow A, an inspection mechanism for reading bar-code information from the light-shielded photosensitive roll, measuring and comparing dimensions of the light-shielded photosensitive roll with the bar-code information to inspect whether the light-shielded photosensitive roll is correct or wrong, a second feed mechanism for feeding the light-shielded photosensitive roll in the direction indicated by the arrow B if the light-shielded photosensitive roll judged as being correct, and a third feed mechanism for feeding the light-shielded photosensitive roll in the direction indicated by the arrow C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mushroom packing apparatus comprising a grading conveyor and a plurality of locations distributed under a longitudinal axis of the grading conveyor, each location being provided, in use, with a container for collecting the mushrooms as they are deposited from the grading conveyor. The apparatus is arranged to weigh the respective container at each location and to facilitate removal of the loaded container once the loaded container has reached a predetermined weight, the apparatus being further adapted to replace each loaded container with an empty container once the respective loaded container has reached a predetermined weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging products having different shape and dimensions, such as for example food products of different size, into pre-formed bags of appropriate size, such as for example heat-shrinkable bags of thermoplastic material, comprises a conveyor for carrying in sequence a plurality of products to be packaged from a product loading portion to a product packaging bracket end portion thereof, means for detecting the dimensions of each product to be packaged while it moves from said product loading portion to said product packaging bracket end portion of said at least one conveyor and a plurality of bag dispensing devices for dispensing a plurality of bags varying in at least one dimension thereof.

Abstract: A packaging line and method for packaging separate products such as, for instance, magazines, CDs, DVDs and combinations thereof in a continuous manner, comprising: a product assembling path (2) which is provided with a conveyor and feeders arranged therealong; a packaging module provided with folding means for forming a packaging tube from a continuous packaging web, and a cross separating device for separating, in cross direction, separate packages filled with product from the packaging tube; a control for controlling the discharge of the products from the feeders, for controlling the transport speed of the conveyors and for controlling the speed of the cross separating device, the control being designed for processing information about the length of each product to be packaged and for setting in-process, per product, the horizontal, and optionally, the vertical, stroke length of the cross separating device such that packages with different lengths for products of different lengths can be manufactured in

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: A packaging system includes a cushioning conversion machine for converting stock material into relatively low density cushioning material or dunnage and a packaging system controller. The packaging system controller provides packaging instructions related to a part or parts to be packaged and instructs the cushioning conversion machine to produce the cushioning material. In one aspect of the present invention the packaging system controller provides packaging instructions by retrieving a predetermined set of packaging instructions associated with a particular part. In another aspect of the present invention the packaging system controller provides packaging instructions by determining an optimized packaging methodology using one or more characteristics of the part or parts to be packaged. The packaging system also provides for automated inventory control and productivity monitoring.

Abstract: An operation sensor for a wrap material dispensing system of a round baler. The operation sensor includes a rotatable member with which the wrap material is engaged, and which rotates along with the wrap material as the wrap material is fed to a wrap material feeding arrangement for introduction into the round baler. Rotation of the rotatable member is detected by a sensing arrangement, which is interconnected with a visual display for providing a user with a visual indication as to the rate of advancement of the wrap material.

Abstract: A system for check weighing the content of a blister strip which includes a guide adapted to receive a blister strip comprised of at least one blister, a punch aligned with the guide for receiving the at least one blister, an actuator engaged with the punch for driving the punch toward the blister strip, whereby the blister is punched from the blister strip, and a balance adapted to receive the punched blister for weighing the punched blister and generating a weight signal after subtracting a predetermined value representing the weight of an empty blister. An alternative method of determining the content of a blister strip comprises reflecting a beam of energy off of a blister strip and determining the height of the blister from the reflected energy. The measured height is compared to a predetermined height to derive the amount of powder contained therein.

Abstract: A semi-automatic gift or package wrapping method and apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a machine frame that provides a work surface with measuring and wrapping sections. A sheet feed and cutting mechanism feeds paper from a role in two steps with a time pause in between for enabling a user or operator to partially wrap the package with part of the first section of dispensed paper web. Thereafter, the second section of paper web is dispensed and the web cut transversely at a trailing edge. Multiple selectable supply rolls are optionally provided, or a single roll machine can be used. Longitudinal cutters trim the sides of the paper to obtain a custom desired width for the full cut sheet. A user interface display controls machine functions such as start, continue and sheeter. In the sheeter mode, a selected number of sheets of a selected size can be dispensed and cut for use at another workstation to warp other boxes of known uniform size (i.e. shirt boxes at a department store).

Abstract: Packages of varying dimensions are loaded into a plurality of electrical package tubes. A guide arrangement is provided, which is programmable to receive the electrical packages by automatically configuring to accommodate the varying dimensions of the electrical packages, the configuring being performed without manual intervention, and a receiving arrangement is provided to receive the electrical package tubes and configured to individually align the electrical package tubes with the guide arrangement to receive the electrical packages. Upon application of a feeding force to the electrical packages, the guide arrangement guides the electrical packages into the electrical package tubes.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an apparatus for wrapping all exposed surfaces of a large annular coil, including its hollow cylindrical core, to prevent contamination and to prepare it for shipping. A pair of opposing robotic arms hand off or transfer a roll of wrapping material, such as paper or plastic, from a gripper on one arm to a gripper on the other arm. The arms travel around both ends of the coil, handing off the roll back and forth above the coil and in the center of its hollow core, as it is slowly rotated by a variable-speed coil roller. The speed of the coil roller is adjusted such that the wrap overlaps during each successive pass around the coil, thereby ensuring its sealed integrity. A compact variable-tensioning mechanism, inserted into the roll, maintains constant tension on the wrapping material to keep it taut while being pulled around the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging products having different shape and dimensions, such as for example food products of different size, into pre-formed bags of appropriate size, such as for example heat-shrinkable bags of thermoplastic material, comprises a conveyor for carrying in sequence a plurality of products to be packaged from a product loading portion to a product packaging bracket end portion thereof, means for detecting the dimensions of each product to be packaged while it moves from said product loading portion to said product packaging bracket end portion of said at least one conveyor and a plurality of bag dispensing devices for dispensing a plurality of bags varying in at least one dimension thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a mechanism for receiving flat articles, such as mail, moving in a travel path with a substantially horizontal orientation and for dropping selected such articles into either a single receptacle positioned below the mechanism or into a plurality of receptacles spaced along the length of the travel path, while maintaining the substantially horizontal article orientation for all such articles. The mechanism includes a holding station for each receptacle into which each article to be dropped is initially deposited, the holding station being just below the travel path, a retractable floor for the holding station and a driver selectively operable for rapidly retracting the floor in a substantially horizontal direction to permit articles accumulated in the holding station to drop substantially vertically into the corresponding receptacle. The driver may be activated in response to the holding station being filled by a selected amount.

Abstract: A system for continuously packaging or sorting fragile articles having varying thicknesses in a stack includes a plurality of proportional shifters coupled to each of a plurality of stripping devices in an article infeed assembly. Each proportional shifter has an article gauge for measuring the height of a stack having a set or desired number of fragile articles, such as crackers or cookies. An article stripping device may be quickly and accurately adjusted in-process to measure the thickness of a set number of stacked articles contained in a given batch coming from an article infeed. The article gauge provides a measure of the height of a stack of a set number of articles sampled from an article infeed. The stack height is equivalent to the height of the stack of articles stripped by the strip feeder.

Abstract: A system for continuously packaging or sorting fragile articles having varying thicknesses in a stack includes a plurality of proportional shifters coupled to each of a plurality of stripping devices in an article infeed assembly. Each proportional shifter has an article gauge for measuring the height of a stack having a set or desired number of fragile articles, such as crackers or cookies. An article stripping device may be quickly and accurately adjusted in-process to measure the thickness of a set number of stacked articles contained in a given batch coming from an article infeed. The article gauge provides a measure of the height of a stack of a set number of articles sampled from an article infeed. The stack height is equivalent to the height of the stack of articles stripped by the strip feeder.

Abstract: An automatic packaging system has a first feed mechanism for feeding a light-shielded photosensitive roll in the direction indicated by the arrow A, an inspection mechanism for reading bar-code information from the light-shielded photosensitive roll, measuring and comparing dimensions of the light-shielded photosensitive roll with the bar-code information to inspect whether the light-shielded photosensitive roll is correct or wrong, a second feed mechanism for feeding the light-shielded photosensitive roll in the direction indicated by the arrow B if the light-shielded photosensitive roll judged as being correct, and a third feed mechanism for feeding the light-shielded photosensitive roll in the direction indicated by the arrow C.

Abstract: A bagging device (6) including at least two bag forming means (2, 3) capable of forming bags of a selected variable length from a supply of the material (4) from which the bags are to be formed, transporting means (7, 8, 10) to, in use convey item of differing dimensions to a selected position (5) or to one of a range of available selected positions, sizing means (15) to determine the size of each individual item, and production means to cause in use a bag of desired length to be formed by a selected one of said bag forming means (2, 3).

Abstract: A packaging machine for wrapping and enclosing products of various dimensions and consistency in packaging material, such as paper, bags, cans and the like, includes individual processing units, to each of which a drive with a control unit is assigned. Predetermined movement rules, e.g., time-path functions, are processed by the control units. Sensors are included for detecting the operational state, wherein the movement rules of the corresponding drive are scaled when the synchronization between the packaging material and the product to be packaged deviates. The resulting path-time rule is constant and constantly differentiable, so that either the acceleration change in the non-diffentiable points of the speed-time rule is less than a predetermined limiting value, or the resulting speed-time rule is constantly differentiable.

Abstract: A packaging line and method for packaging separate products such as, for instance, magazines, CDs, DVDs and combinations thereof in a continuous manner, comprising:

Abstract: A semi-automatic round baler having an “auto kick” or “auto wrap” mode. In the auto kick mode, at the conclusion of the forming cycle the baler will stop and await the operator's signal to continue. Once the operator has signaled to continue, the baler will wrap the bale and will immediately proceed to the ejecting cycle. In auto wrap mode, the baler will automatically enter into and complete the wrapping cycle (after a short delay) following completion of the forming cycle. At the conclusion of the wrapping cycle in the auto wrap mode, the baler will await the operator's signal before ejecting the completed bale.

Abstract: A coin wrapping machine includes a rotatable disk for feeding coins toward a coin passage by centrifugal force produced by the rotation thereof, a disk motor for rotating the rotatable disk, a transporting belt for transporting the coins along the coin passage, a belt motor for driving the transporting belt, a coin stacker, a coin wrapping device having a plurality of wrapping rollers, a wrapping roller motor for driving the wrapping rollers, a pair of crimp claws, a crimp claw motor for moving the pair of crimp claws, and a driving speed controller for controlling the disk motor, the belt motor, the wrapping roller motor and the crimp claw motor based on the denomination of the predetermined coins. According to this coin wrapping machine, it is possible to stack and wrap coins having different shapes, diameters, thickness and the like efficiently and as desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging apparatus for wrapping flat articles, such as books, in a cardboard-made flat package blank, including first flaps remaining on the inside and second flaps remaining on the outside. The packaging apparatus comprises a supply station for package blanks, including alignment and centering elements for a bundle of package blanks and feed means for delivering the blanks from the bundle one by one onto a packaging line, an opening mechanism for the inner flaps of package blanks, a supply station for feeding one or more articles, or a consignment, onto each package blank, means for folding and bending the inner flaps around the consignment means for turning the package blank through 90° relative to its advancing direction, and means for folding and bending the outer flaps around the consignment on top of the inner flaps. The packaging apparatus is provided with first measuring elements capable of measuring the package blank for its width lateral to the travel direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. Mail is placed into an input bin having a conveyor that conveys the mail towards a feeder. The feeder serially feeds the envelopes by engaging the lead envelope in the stack of mail and displacing the lead envelope transverse the stack of mail. The mail is fed into a shuttle that vertically displaces the envelopes to position the envelopes for entering a justifier. The justifier justifies the top edge of the envelopes and conveys the envelopes to a cutter that severs the top edge of the envelopes. A transport conveys the envelopes from the top cutter to an extractor. The extractor opens the edge-severed mail and presents the contents of the envelopes to an operator who manually extracts the contents. The transport conveys the empty envelopes from the extractor to a verifier that verifies that all of the contents have been removed from the envelope before the envelope is discarded.

Abstract: An insulation strapping machine comprises a vertically reciprocable platen and horizontally reciprocable opposed pairs of compressors which are able to have their relative positions adjustably controlled such that the platen and compressors cooperate together so as to form or define a variably sized package cavity within which the variously different or different sized articles, packages, or materials to be strapped can be disposed for properly achieving a strapping or packaging operation. A vertically movable package stop is incorporated within the package cavity conveyor system so as to predeterminedly longitudinally center articles, packages, or materials of various different length dimensions within the package cavity, and each one of the package compressors can develop 10,000 pounds of compressive force so as to achieve a predetermined amount of compression with respect to certain insulation materials.

Abstract: A slicing machine has a main housing having a horizontal conveyor surface and a subassembly in the main housing for cutting slices from a foodstuff and depositing them on the conveyor surface. A supply housing immediately upstream of the main housing carries a supply roll of flexible strip and mechanism for feeding the flexible strip downstream toward the main housing. A cutter on the supply housing can sever a sheet from a leading end of the flexible strip. A gripper above the surface is displaceable between an upstream and downstream positions of the surface. The gripper is closable to grip and openable to release the leading end of the flexible strip so as it moves into its downstream positions it pulls the strip downstream above the surface and, once the cutter has operated, the gripper opens to drop the sheet severed from the strip down onto the surface.

Abstract: A method for determining bag size to adequately accommodate a food product filled into a ba y a form and fill machine, and subsequently determining the appropriate case pack configuration. The method efficiently and accurately determines a bag size that is large enough to accommodate the product that falls into the bag without interfering with the sealing process of the bag and while determining the appropriate amount of fill within the bag. The method uses various empirically determined relationships from historical bag sizing trials for a specific product and applies these relationships to a series of models in order to solve for a bag length. The method eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming bag sizing trials.

Abstract: A compaction and transfer apparatus adapted to measure the length and/or weight of a waste log during compaction and transfer thereof, is provided. The apparatus comprises a compaction chamber, a closure device, a compaction ram, and a movement and/or weight detector. The compaction chamber is adapted to receive waste material. The compaction chamber has a discharge opening. The closure device is selectively movable into and out of the discharge opening to control the size of the discharge opening. The compaction ram is movable through the chamber to press the waste material against the closure device and thereby provide compaction of the waste material. The movement detector preferably is mounted on the closure device. The movement detector is adapted to detect movement of the waste material through the discharge opening, which movement corresponds to the length of the waste log extending out of the discharge opening.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for the automatic loading of e.g. commissioned goods in the form of articles into or onto individual transport containers such as cardboard boxes or pallets. The goods, all or some of which may be commissioned, are conveyed to at least one pre-defined loading point past which the transport containers continuously move. The goods are placed in or on the appropriate transport container at the loading point. The supplying and loading of the goods and the movement of the transport containers are controlled in timely, i.e. synchronized, fashion by a control unit.

Abstract: An insulation strapping machine comprises a vertically reciprocable platen and horizontally reciprocable opposed pairs of compressors which are able to have their relative positions adjustably controlled such that the platen and compressors cooperate together so as to form or define a variably sized package cavity within which the variously different or different sized articles, packages, or materials to be strapped can be disposed for properly achieving a strapping or packaging operation. A vertically movable package stop is incorporated within the package cavity conveyor system so as to predeterminedly longitudinally center articles, packages, or materials of various different length dimensions within the package cavity, and each one of the package compressors can develop 10,000 pounds of compressive force so as to achieve a predetermined amount of compression with respect to certain insulation materials.

Abstract: An insulation strapping machine comprises a vertically reciprocable platen and horizontally reciprocable opposed pairs of compressors which are able to have their relative positions adjustably controlled such that the platen and compressors cooperate together so as to form or define a variably sized package cavity within which the variously different or different sized articles, packages, or materials to be strapped can be disposed for properly achieving a strapping or packaging operation. A vertically movable package stop is incorporated within the package cavity conveyor system so as to predeterminedly longitudinally center articles, packages, or materials of various different length dimensions within the package cavity, and each one of the package compressors can develop 10,000 pounds of compressive force so as to achieve a predetermined amount of compression with respect to certain insulation materials.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, an automatic measuring and material length control device, including: apparatus for measuring length of an article to which a material is to applied, the apparatus for measuring being able to measure the length without contacting the article; and apparatus for receiving from the apparatus for measuring a signal representative of the length and determining a length of the material to be dispensed and providing a control signal to a dispenser of the material to dispense the length of the material.

Abstract: An empty envelope assurance system is provided. The system includes a conveyor for conveying an opened envelope having a front face and a rear face along a path of movement. The conveyor is arranged such that any contents of the envelope rests against one of the front face or the rear face. A first sensor measures a thickness of the front face and any contents resting thereagainst, and generates a signal having a value indicative of the thickness. A second sensor measures a thickness of the rear face and any contents resting thereagainst, and generates a signal having a value indicative of the thickness. A signal processor receives the signals generated by the first sensor and the second sensor, and compares the values of the signals generated by the first sensor with the values of the signals generated by the second sensor to determine whether they correspond within a predetermined limit to determine whether the envelope contains any contents.

Abstract: As a substrate (10) is carried on a conveyor (20), an image analysis system (40) detects its presence and derives the various data, at least indicative of the footprint. The footprint data are used in selecting appropriate packaging components. Data may also indicate the transverse location and/or orientation and/or alignment of a substrate, and be used to control position adjustors for adjusting one or more of these. Data may also serve for categorizing the substrate, e.g., in terms of size or color. Such data may be used to control rejection of products, or categorization, e.g., by selection of distinguishable packaging.