Abstract: Automatic packing machine for thin or small workpieces can include a supporting plate, a transferring belt, a cutting assembly, a vacuum-lifting assembly, and a packing assembly. The edge of the transferring belt has a plurality of positioning holes and carries the workpieces. The cutting assembly can include a cutting subassembly with a lifting mouth and a positioning subassembly including a rotating drive member and a pulling member. The toothed peripheral edge of the pulling member is driven to rotate by the rotating drive member, thereby the teeth of the pulling member are successively latched into the positioning holes of the transferring belt, and the transferring belt is pulled. The workpieces are successively aligned with the lifting mouth so that the cutting subassembly can cut the workpiece from the transferring belt. The vacuum-lifting assembly lifts and transfers the workpiece to packing.

Abstract: A modular food service equipment system includes an equipment docking station configured for receiving and docking a piece of food service equipment. The docking station further includes a work table having a work surface on an upper face of it. The docking station also includes a docking unit configured for receiving a piece of food service equipment inside of it. The modular food service equipment system may likewise include that the docking unit is provided adjacent to the work surface.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a system, process, and method of collecting, handling and processing paperboard based fast food service items for the production of pulp suitable for reuse into paper or paperboard and the contemporaneous recovery of the waterproofing film for the production of energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting a bar of product into slices of product by means of a cutting device. The invention also relates to a packaging machine for packaging slices of product, having a plurality of work stations and a cutting device for cutting a bar of product into slices of product. The invention further relates to a system consisting of a cutting device and a packing machine.

Abstract: Automatic packing machine for thin or small workpieces can include a supporting plate, a transferring belt, a cutting assembly, a vacuum-lifting assembly, and a packing assembly. The edge of the transferring belt has a plurality of positioning holes and carries the workpieces. The cutting assembly can include a cutting subassembly with a lifting mouth and a positioning subassembly including a rotating drive member and a pulling member. The toothed peripheral edge of the pulling member is driven to rotate by the rotating drive member, thereby the teeth of the pulling member are successively latched into the positioning holes of the transferring belt, and the transferring belt is pulled. The workpieces are successively aligned with the lifting mouth so that the cutting subassembly can cut the workpiece from the transferring belt. The vacuum-lifting assembly lifts and transfers the workpiece to packing.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing filters and inserting the filters into single dose capsules for preparing beverages comprises a punching and forming device for punching material portions from a sheet material and forming the material portions to assume the form of a beaker-shaped filters, an insertion device arranged in a distance of the punching and forming device along a work flow direction for inserting the formed filters into the capsules, a first transport device (175, 176) for accepting a plurality of formed filters from the punching and forming device and transporting the accepted filters to the insertion device, a second transport device (177) for accepting a plurality of formed filters from the punching and forming device and transporting the accepted filters to the insertion device. The first transport device (175, 176) and the second transport device (177) are movable with respect to each other.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a slicing machine (1) for cutting rows of slices (A) from several pieces of food product, and a loading unit (2) comprising a set of array-forming conveyor belts (7a, 7b, 7c) arranged in parallel, a device for aligning each of the array-forming conveyor belts (7a, 7b, 7c) with the slicing machine (1) for receiving successive rows of slices (A) arranged in a direction transverse to the forward movement direction while the array-forming conveyor belt is made to move forward synchronously with the operation of the slicing machine (1) until forming a partial array of slices (A) on each array-forming conveyor belt, and a transfer device for transferring a complete array of slices (A) formed by the partial arrays from the array-forming conveyor belts (7a, 7b, 7c) to a moving conveying surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selectively accessing a portion of a sterile cryopreserved sample are disclosed. The apparatus may include a container configured to receive the cryopreserved sample and having a first portion and a second portion, a heat sink chamber surrounding the first portion of the container, and a heat source adjacent to the second portion of the container. The chamber may be configured to maintain a non-accessed portion of the sample in a cryopreserved state. The heat source may be configured to separating an accessed portion of the sample from the non-accessed portion of the sample while maintaining the viability of the accessed portion while the non-accessed portion is maintained in the cryopreserved state.

Abstract: Procedure for the low-risk and zero-emission transportation of sulphur from solid sulphur deposits, in blocks of large dimensions, characterized in that it comprises the formation of blocks of sulphur, having suitable dimensions for being moved, by means of water cut techniques and the wrapping of the blocks obtained in polyethylene sheets.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved processes and systems for continuously bagging materials. In particular, the improved processes and systems can be used to bag tacky materials with improved throughput. The systems generally include at least one of a feeding section, mixing section, pelletizing section, transport piping, agglomerate catcher, defluidizing section, drying section, pellet diverter valve, and/or bagging assembly.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved processes and systems for continuously bagging materials. In particular, the improved processes and systems can be used to bag tacky materials with improved throughput. The systems generally include at least one of a feeding section, mixing section, pelletizing section, transport piping, agglomerate catcher, defluidizing section, drying section, pellet diverter valve, and/or bagging assembly.

Abstract: In a medicine packaging machine including a medicine accommodating mechanism for accommodating plural medicines, a chute for guiding medicines arbitrarily taken out from the medicine accommodating mechanism to a medicine packaging sheet, and a medicine packaging mechanism having a heater for thermally welding the medicine packaging sheet, the heater is provided with an incision tooth for forming an incision at an edge portion of the medicine packaging sheet at the same time when the medicine packaging sheet filled with the medicines. Furthermore, a cutting mechanism for cutting at a predetermined position a separate package bag formed by thermally welding the medicine packaging sheet is provided.

Abstract: A system for producing and transporting portions of food includes a filling machine for continuously transporting a stream of food, a separating device for dividing portions from the transported food stream, and a transport device for delivering the portions to a subsequent processing device. To prevent fluctuations in portion size and weight, the system further includes a sensor unit for generating a portion request signal in response to a portion request from the subsequent processing device. The sensor unit outputs the portion request signal to the filling machine, which is designed to control the continuous transportation of the food stream using the portion request signal. The system is operable to synchronize the entire line, including the filling machine, the separating device, the transport device, and the subsequent processing device.

Abstract: The illustrative method and apparatus provides a more efficient system for automated slicing and loading of food articles into containers. The apparatus includes at least one cutting assembly and at least two chutes and depositing assemblies. The apparatus may include a positioning receptacle that aligns the food articles with a knife set and a driving arm that advances the food article into engagement with the knife set. The chutes may include a movable chute portion, which moves from alignment with the knife set to alignment with the containers, and a chute extension. Openings for the sliced food sections, which extend through the movable chute portion and the chute extension, have a cross section that changes to rotate the orientation of the food sections passing therethrough. Once deposited into the containers, the food sections are oriented with at least some cut faces of the food article adjacent the container wall.

Abstract: A flower handling system includes loading, cutting, finishing, and boxing stations. Flowers are unloaded from dry-packed boxes at the cutting stations. Each cutting station includes a positioning arm that secures flower bundles and transports them from a first location adjacent a loading table to a second location above a conveyor. A bucket separating device deposits buckets one at a time onto the conveyor, and the buckets are filled with conditioning fluid. A cutting blade is positioned to cut flower stems as the positioning arm moves from the first to the second location. A clamping arm closes around the flowers and lifts them out of the positioning arm before lowering them into a fluid-filled bucket on the conveyor. The flower filled bucket is then transported through the finishing station to a boxing station where the bucket is deposited into a box for shipping to a wholesaler or retailer.

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

Abstract: The apparatus includes a slicing machine (1) for cutting rows of slices (A) from several pieces of food product, and a loading unit (2) comprising a set of array-forming conveyor belts (7a, 7b, 7c) arranged in parallel, a device for aligning each of the array-forming conveyor belts (7a, 7b, 7c) with the slicing machine (1) for receiving successive rows of slices (A) arranged in a direction transverse to the forward movement direction while the array-forming conveyor belt is made to move forward synchronously with the operation of the slicing machine (1) until forming a partial array of slices (A) on each array-forming conveyor belt, and a transfer device for transferring a complete array of slices (A) formed by the partial arrays from the array-forming conveyor belts (7a, 7b, 7c) to a moving conveying surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conveying articles, in particular product slices produced by simultaneous slicing of a plurality of food products or respective portions including a plurality of product slices, wherein the articles are conveyed in a conveying direction on a main conveying path in multitracks in desired arrangements formed by articles from different tracks, in particular in rows extending transverse to the conveying direction, incomplete arrangements of articles having at least one deficient point are expelled onto a secondary conveying path and desired arrangements are formed from the articles forming the incomplete arrangements.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow meat logs to be manually loaded into a slicing station and thereafter be continuously automatically processed at the slicing station, a harping station, and an insertion station for automated packaging thereof without the need for handling of the meat stacks by workers. To this end, the slicing station is effective to form smaller sections or chubs from the meat logs and to do so such that the chubs are provided with substantially parallel flat end-faces to ensure that high quality meat slices are generated therefrom. The chubs are then transported to the harping station where each of the chubs undergoes a single cutting operation, thus simultaneously forming the meat slices therefrom and substantially maintaining the slices in the configuration of the chubs for generating well-formed stacks of the slices.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved processes and systems for continuously bagging materials. In particular, the improved processes and systems can be used to bag tacky materials with improved throughput. The systems generally include at least one of a feeding section, mixing section, pelletizing section, transport piping, agglomerate catcher, defluidizing section, drying section, pellet diverter valve, and/or bagging assembly.

Abstract: A system for preparing food product minimizes bacterial contamination and outgrowth within the packaged food product, includes a powered slicer to sequentially separate slices of food product to create a stack of food product slices. The system also includes a first spray nozzle for depositing a first predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation onto the first face of the log or other food product piece each time a slice is removed as well as a a second spray nozzle for depositing a second predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation into a vacuum pouch prior to reception of a stack within the pouch. In an embodiment, the spray system is implemented with respect to a mixer/blender to pretreat a mix prior to further processing.

Abstract: A process for recovering packaged ingredients from multi-component product packets, comprises the steps of: (a) Providing a supply of multi-component product packets that contain at least two components; (b) orienting the multi-component product packets so that one of the components is in a desired position and feeding the oriented multi-component product packets to a breaching station; (c) breaching the multi-component product packets so as to access one of the components; (d) manipulating the multi-component product packets to collect the component accessed in step (c); and (e) further manipulating the multi-component product packets to release and collect another one of the components.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically mounting substrates with medical and/or pharmaceutical and/or food-supplementing products, including at least one magazine to store blister strips rolled up on rolls or the like, each magazine having at least one holding position for the rolls, a delivery device to unroll the blister strips and deliver the unrolled blister strips to a supply position for the products provided by each roll in the magazine to be mounted, a separating device for separating product-filled blister sections from the blister strip, and a mounting head to receive, rotate and dispense the separated blister sections with the products sealed therein, the mounting head controlled by a control system to transport the separated blister sections from the supply position to a mounting position over the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow meat logs to be manually loaded into a slicing station and thereafter be continuously automatically processed at the slicing station, a harping station, and an insertion station for automated packaging thereof without the need for handling of the meat stacks by workers. To this end, the slicing station is effective to form smaller sections or chubs from the meat logs and to do so such that the chubs are provided with substantially parallel flat end-faces to ensure that high quality meat slices are generated therefrom. The chubs are then transported to the harping station where each of the chubs undergoes a single cutting operation, thus simultaneously forming the meat slices therefrom and substantially maintaining the slices in the configuration of the chubs for generating well-formed stacks of the slices.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging system having an automatic bag cutter. The vacuum packaging system includes a housing constructed to sealingly engage a platen. A vacuum system is constructed to remove the gas from a container, or bag, placed between the housing and the platen. A blade is operable to sever excess material of the bag whereupon the bag is evacuated by the vacuum system, and a seal bar seals the severed end area of the bag.

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

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

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

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

Abstract: An installation for slicing whole loaves and packaging each sliced loaf in its entirety or in halves after splitting of the loaf that has been sliced in its entirety. The installation comprises a slicing device for slicing whole loaves, and a packaging device which is disposed downstream of the slicing device and is suitable both for packaging a sliced loaf in its entirety and for packaging sliced half loaves. Splitting means are disposed downstream of the slicing device, for splitting a sliced whole loaf into a first and a second half. Adjacent and separate first and second conveyor paths are provided between the slicing device and the packaging device, for conveying the first half and the second half respectively of a sliced loaf.

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

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow meat logs to be manually loaded into a slicing station and thereafter be continuously automatically processed at the slicing station, a harping station, and an insertion station for automated packaging thereof without the need for handling of the meat stacks by workers. To this end, the slicing station is effective to form smaller sections or chubs from the meat logs and to do so such that the chubs are provided with substantially parallel flat end-faces to ensure that high quality meat slices are generated therefrom. The chubs are then transported to the harping station where each of the chubs undergoes a single cutting operation, thus simultaneously forming the meat slices therefrom and substantially maintaining the slices in the configuration of the chubs for generating well-formed stacks of the slices.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for converting a large bale of hay into a plurality of smaller sized bales having the same nutritional composition and texture as the large bale. The apparatus comprises a first cutting assembly which has a first set of blades which are orthogonally oriented with respect to a second set of blades. The apparatus further comprises a driver head assembly which is used to force a large bale of hay through the first cutting assembly. The apparatus also has a second cutting assembly which comprises a metering knife oriented substantially orthogonal to both the first and second sets of blades of the first cutting assembly. The associated method for processing the large bale fibrous comprises a first step of producing bale sections by pushing the large bale through the first cutting assembly. The method has a second step of producing metered bales through operation of the second cutting assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for cutting out a row of capsules from a capsule strip and for fixing them on a transverse row of filled receptacles advancing stepwise in an installation for filling receptacles.

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

Abstract: A loading apparatus for loading a strip of a soft material into a container includes a sleeve member rotatable among first, second, and third angular positions, a first cylinder unit for pushing the strip of the soft material into the sleeve member at the first angular position, a second cylindrical unit for compressing the strip of the soft material in the sleeve member at the second angular position against a spring-biased abutting member, and a third cylindrical unit for pushing the compressed form of the soft material into the container.

Abstract: This invention comprises a unique method for the sale of natural stone, special packaging for the stone and a method of doing business to make the stone available in high volume stores to the average consumer. The method comprises prefabricating the stone into slabs at or near the location where it is quarried, into sizes and shapes which are common, and often standard, in household bathrooms and kitchens. The stone slabs may, or may not, include cut-outs for sinks and faucets of various standard size. The pre-fabricated stone is then packaged in a box or carton which is designed to specially protect the stone, especially at the corners where most damage occurs, and shipping the packages to high volume, do-it-yourself consumer outlets.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying items (P), comprising a line for transporting said items (P) from a machine (12) for working said items situated upstream, which advances and transfers to the line (15) said items (P) at a predetermined speed (V0), to a utilization situated downstream. At least in the initial part (15′) of said conveying line downstream of said working machine (12), the speed of advance (V1) of said items is maintained substantially equal to the speed of advance and transfer (V0) of said working machine situated upstream (12). It is further provided that, in order to carry longitudinally said items from said upstream machine to said downstream machine, said items are advanced in longitudinal groups or trains of items, such that, in each group or train of items, said items are longitudinally approached to each other.

Abstract: This invention comprises a unique method for the sale of natural stone, special packaging for the stone and a method of doing business to make the stone available in high volume stores to the average consumer. The method comprises pre-fabricating the stone into slabs at or near the location where it is quarried, into sizes and shapes which are common, and often standard, in household bathrooms and kitchens. The stone slabs may, or may not, include cut-outs for sinks and faucets of various standard size. The pre-fabricated stone is then packaged in a box or carton which is designed to specially protect the stone, especially at the corners where most damage occurs, and shipping the packages to high volume, do-it-yourself consumer outlets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portioning device for packaging in containers such as trays a pre-established amount of foodstuff such as ground meat, supplied through an extrusion plate of a grinder, which lays down a mass of ground meat in a continuous strip on a belt conveyor. The portioning device generates metered portions of ground meat by a cutting element which operates in cooperation with a fixed element located above the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip of material includes a splice defined by the two ends of the strip. The two ends of the strip are held together by yarn stitches passing through and bridging the strip ends.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a compost bagging machine with perforated conduit. A perforating mechanism is mounted at an inlet to a guide tube that directs conduit into the bag of the bagging machine. Three or more wheels, each of which have at least one piercing blade are freely rotatably mounted on a base plate at the entry of the guide tube. As the conduit is fed through the perforating mechanism, the conduit will rotatably drive the wheels and the piercing blades will produce openings in the conduit.

Abstract: A tablet packing apparatus is provided which can split a tablet into halves and wrap each of the half tablets automatically. Tablet supply section 1 supplies tablets housed therein kind by kind. Tablet cutting section 2 cuts a tablet supplied from the tablet supply section 1 into two parts. Tablet accumulating section 3 temporarily accumulates each tablet cut at the tablet cutting section. Tablet packing section 4 packs tablets stored in the tablet accumulating section 3.

Abstract: In a sheet wrapping body producing apparatus, an oxygen absorbing strip sheet supplied from an oxygen absorbing sheet supplying shaft is cut out by a first rotary die cut unit to make an oxygen absorbing sheet tip. The tip is transported in such a manner to prevent the misalignment by a delivery drum unit and a first transportation belt unit. During the transportation, a breathing layer strip sheet is supplied on a transporting surface of the first transportation belt unit, on which the oxygen absorbing sheet tip is placed. Also, a strip cover film is placed on the oxygen absorbing sheet tip. Then, a rotary seal unit seals the breathing layer strip sheet and strip cover film, and the sealed portion is cut by a second rotary die cut unit. Accordingly, a sheet wrapping body can be produced at high speeds.

Abstract: A compression apparatus for compressing livestock feed comprises a hopper for receiving the feed; a precompression assembly precompressing the feed; a first compression chamber coupled to the hopper to receive the precompressed feed therefrom; a first ram movable along a longitudinal axis of the first compression chamber and having a first pusher plate for pushing the precompressed feed along the longitudinal axis of the first compression chamber to produce a compressed block of mixed feed product; and a second, reduced volume compression chamber operatively connected to the first compression chamber at a distal end of the first compression chamber for receiving compressed feed pushed from the first compression chamber by the first pusher plate. The first pusher plate defines one side of the second compression chamber when the first ram is fully extended and the second compression chamber has an opening at one end thereof for discharging the compressed feed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are providing for shredding and loading pre-portioned quantities of products, typically food products such as cheeses. The food product or the like is shredded at an on-line location which is a component of a filling and sealing line by which a plurality of pockets of packaging components are filled and then sealed under vacuum or gas-flushed conditions. The resulting pre-portioned shredded or grated product is moved into one of the pockets of the packaging component prior to the sealing operation. This movement is coordinated and in timed sequence with a conveyor assembly which properly positions the pocket under the fixture through which the grated product flows. Tamping equipment can be provided by which the grated product is leveled off while it is within the pocket and prior to sealing. Multiple pocket filling is also addressed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a photo-sensitive film magazine packed in a container is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) assembling a photosensitive film magazine in a photosensitive film magazine assembly section (b) feeding successively the photosensitive film magazine to a container accommodation section from said photosensitive film magazine assembly section through a predetermined passage and (c) setting the photosensitive film magazine into a photosensitive film magazine container in the container accommodation section.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging fibrous material in uniform, high density, self supporting, packages. Fibrous materials, such as alfalfa hay, grasses, etc. in the form of bales or loose material, are received. The material is moved through a cutting device, if needed, to form uniform sized portions, the material is formed into a level stream on a conveyor, measured into selected quantities and compressed to form very dense, self supporting packages. Preferably, the packages are inserted into plastic film enclosures for handling and shipping. This material is much more convenient and economical to ship and store than the much larger equivalent weight of loose, uncompacted material. Preferred mechanisms for stripping bands from bales, cutting and milling the received material to a desired size distribution and for weighing and compressing the material are also disclosed.