With Means Responsive To A Sensed Condition Patents (Class 53/52)
  • Patent number: 10867319
    Abstract: A container may hold one or more items and be associated with a customer order. The container may be identified as it moves along an inventory conveyance system. In response to identifying the container, a message may be selected that corresponds to one or more aspects of the customer order. The selected message may be provided to a laser marking system in a manner that allows the laser marking system to apply the message to the container as it moves along the inventory conveyance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Alan Snitselaar, Mangesh Suresh Kolharkar, Dean Christopher Fullerton
  • Patent number: 10745162
    Abstract: A system comprising a staging area and a packing area. The staging area may include a plurality of staging bins and a shuttle moveable along the plurality of staging bins. A staging bin of the plurality of staging bins may be configured to selectively retain a component of an order therein. Such staging bin may be configured to selectively release the component to the shuttle. The packing area may include a slide, a scanner, and a wrap seal conveyor. The shuttle may be configured to release the component onto the slide, and the scanner may be operable to scan and verify the component during placement of the component onto the wrap seal conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Robert E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9010073
    Abstract: The main objective of this invention is a Mobile plant for dosing, mixing and packaging of powdery products, characterized because it is comprised of a carrying structure and several areas for: reception and weighing, loading, mixing, sack filling, sewing and labelling, metal detection, palletizing and cleaning. This invention is included within the industrial plants technical sector of manufacturing and mixing of powdery products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Inversiones HIK16, S.L.
    Inventors: Henrik Stamm Kristensen, M. Maravillas Martinez Lopez
  • Patent number: 9008920
    Abstract: A system is provided that automatically stops a tractor as a function of a status of a round baler. This may include a controller such as a baler controller directly or indirectly detecting initial movement of an actuator that moves a wrapper assembly. Based on this detection, conditions for starting a wrap procedure may be determined either by actuator position or by a time period required for moving the wrapper assembly from a home position to a wrap start position. A time period required to bring the tractor to stop may be determined and compared with the time period required for the wrapper assembly to move from the home position to the wrap start position. The baler controller may send a tractor halt command signal for stopping the tractor to coordinate and synchronize bringing the tractor to a complete stop at the same time that the wrapping material is inserted and applied onto the bale at the beginning of a wrapping procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Carl M. Brewer
  • Patent number: 9003749
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine includes a vertical sealing mechanism, a first film detection sensor, and a controller. The vertical sealing mechanism has a horn, an anvil, and an ultrasonic transmitter. The vertical sealing mechanism sandwiches a cylindrical film conveyed by a pull-down belt mechanism, by the horn and the anvil, and seals the cylindrical film by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the cylindrical film. The first film detection sensor detects whether the cylindrical film is sandwiched by the horn and the anvil. The controller stops the ultrasonic transmitter in a circumstance in which the first film detection sensor detects that the cylindrical film is not sandwiched by the horn and the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Kamigaito
  • Publication number: 20150096267
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a packaging machine comprises a plurality of functional units arranged to perform operations in sequence including to form or receive a package, fill the package with liquid or solid content and seal the package. The monitoring system comprises a plurality of signal inputs, each arranged to receive signals from respective functional units indicating status or measured values; a graphical user interface permitting interaction with an operator of the packaging machine; and a processor arranged to process received signals and control operation of the graphical user interface, wherein the processor is arranged to, from the signals, identify an event if any of the functional units is preventing any other functional unit in the sequence to operate, and upon any such identified event, enable the graphical user interface to provide an indication thereupon in a displayed representation of the functional units of the packaging machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Ulf Svensson
  • Patent number: 8997440
    Abstract: A packaging system (100) includes a controller (102), an input device (104) in communication with the controller (102) that identifies one or more characteristics of the container, an illustration with indicia representing different degrees of fill for a container; and a manual input device (106) in communication with the controller (102) for inputting an estimated degree of fullness of the packing container having one or more articles to be packed correlated with the indicia in the illustration. The controller (102) provides an output signal indicating a quantity of dunnage to dispense to the container based on the input estimated degree of fullness and the one or more identified characteristics of the container. Then the controller can determine the amount of dunnage that needs to be provided to fill the remaining void in the container, and the controller can signal a dunnage dispenser (110) to dispense the determined amount of dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Carlson, Timothy A. Frederick, Joseph J. Harding, Kevin W. Park
  • Patent number: 8997441
    Abstract: There is provided a medicine packaging method, which is capable of rapidly coping with errors occurring during processes. The medicine packaging method includes the following steps: a medicine supplying step for supplying a relevant medicine according to a prescription data; a medicine standby step for allowing the supplied medicine to temporarily stand by; a medicine detecting step for detecting the standing by medicine; a printing step for printing a packaging paper when the medicine based on the prescription data is detected; a conveying step for conveying the packaging paper; and a packaging step for supplying the temporarily standing by medicine to a printed portion of the packaging paper and packaging the medicine. The steps are performed in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Tomohiro Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20150075114
    Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web, the web including opposing longitudinal edges and a pair of sheets sealed together by transverse seals that form a series of inflatable containers. The machine generally includes a support structure, a spool for supporting a roll of the inflatable web, a web conveyance system, an inflation system to inflate the containers, and a sealing device for sealing closed the openings of the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Brian A. Murch, Jason D. Lepine, Laurence B. Sperry
  • Patent number: 8966863
    Abstract: A medicine inspection device includes an inspection unit for inspecting a medicine disposed on the inspection unit; a vibrator to impart vibration to the medicine disposed on the inspection unit; and a shooting unit capable of photographing the medicine disposed on the inspection unit. The medicine inspection device further includes a medicine information detector capable of detecting at least the quantity or type of the medicine based on an image obtained by the shooting unit and a distribution detector which is configured to detect a distribution of the medicine on the inspection unit based on the image obtained by the shooting unit. The inspection unit includes a plurality of inspection areas where the vibrator independently provides vibration to each inspection area. The medicine inspection device is characterized by operating the vibrator so as to provide vibration in the inspection areas chosen based on the detection result of the distribution detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Amano, Koji Ito, Hiromichi Tsuda, Yasuyuki Yoshikawa, Keigo Nakamura, Dai Shimizube
  • Publication number: 20150041483
    Abstract: A system for counting diamonds includes a rotary table configured to accommodate diamonds, a collection box assembly provided in communication with the rotary table, an ejecting mechanism configured to enable controlled ejection of said diamonds from the rotary table to the collection box assembly, at least one scanner and a controller configured to regulate functioning of at least one of the rotary table, the collection box assembly, the ejecting mechanism and the scanner. Further, the scanner is configured to determine the number of diamonds collected in the collection box assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: TITAN INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Lalgudi Ramanathan Natarajan, R. Vivekanandan, Pachiappan Radhamanalan, Ganapathy Rajendran, R. Marxmani, P. Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 8950576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to bags made from medical-grade paper for sterilization, with sterilization-process indicators and pigmented-adhesive-based safety features, which is easy to handle and use and can be used to store materials, more particularly surgical medical material, for sterilization. Such bags are produced using medical-grade paper that is treated on the surface thereof with a microbiocide for sterilization, and, owing to the structure and design thereof, allow safe, rapid handling of the sterilized material placed within, since there are visual indicators that guarantee the hermetic closure and sealing thereof. Furthermore, generally, the invention has printed indicators that change color depending on the sterilization process carried out on the bags and on whether said process was carried out correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Albert Pla Andreu
  • Publication number: 20150033677
    Abstract: The apparatus (1) according to the invention for packing bulk material into a container (2) comprises a provisioning device (3) for the container (2). The container (2) has a filling side with a filling opening arranged therein. The apparatus (1) further comprises a gripping device (4) for gripping of the substantially closed and empty container (2) by the provisioning device (3). The apparatus optionally comprises a conveying device (5) for conveying the container (2) to a packing device (6). The apparatus further optionally comprises a container-opening device (9) for opening the container (2). The gripping device (4) has a detection device (7) for detecting the position of the container on and/or in the provisioning device (3). The apparatus (1) additionally has a positioning device for positioning the container on the basis of said detected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Christophe Vaucher, René Haid, Andreas Kleiner
  • Patent number: 8943779
    Abstract: A medicine inspection device includes an inspection unit for inspecting a medicine disposed on the inspection unit; a vibrator to impart vibration to the medicine disposed on the inspection unit; and a shooting unit capable of photographing the medicine disposed on the inspection unit. The medicine inspection device further includes a medicine information detector capable of detecting at least the quantity or type of the medicine based on an image obtained by the shooting unit and a distribution detector which is configured to detect a distribution of the medicine on the inspection unit based on the image obtained by the shooting unit. The inspection unit includes a plurality of inspection areas where the vibrator independently provides vibration to each inspection area. The medicine inspection device is characterized by operating the vibrator so as to provide vibration in the inspection areas chosen based on the detection result of the distribution detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Amano, Koji Ito, Hiromichi Tsuda, Yasuyuki Yoshikawa, Keigo Nakamura, Dai Shimizube
  • Publication number: 20140345235
    Abstract: A base sheet and a cover sheet are supplied, the height of at least one product which is placed on the base sheet is measured, and second fold lines are formed on the base sheet and the cover sheet such that the second fold lines are spaced from respective first fold lines formed on the respective side portions of the base sheet and the cover sheet and such that the space between each of the first fold lines and the corresponding one of the second fold lines is adjusted based on the value of the measured height of the product. The base sheet is folded, the base sheet and the cover sheet are arranged so that the base sheet crosses the cover sheet, the cover sheet is placed on the base sheet, and the cover sheet is folded to bond the cover sheet to the bottom sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: RENGO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naho Yamazaki, Takafumi Makiuchi, Takahiro Yagoshi, Masayuki Handa
  • Publication number: 20140298754
    Abstract: A system for packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions comprises a plurality of dosing stations (2) for dispensing a dosed quantity of solid drug portions, a plurality of guiding ducts (7), a plurality of collecting containers (17) for receiving drug portions guided through the guiding ducts (7), and at least one discharge and packaging station (3) for transferring drug portions collected by each collecting container (17) to a packaging and for closing the packaging. The guiding ducts (7) are coupled to a transport means (6a, 6b, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16) for moving the guiding ducts (7) along the dosing stations (2), wherein each guiding duct (7) is adapted to receive drug portions dispensed from at least one of the dosing stations (2) when the guiding duct (7) is positioned at the at least one dosing station (2), and to guide the received drug portions to an passage opening of the guiding duct (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: CareFusion Switzerland 317 Sarl
    Inventor: Arie Van Wijngaarden
  • Patent number: 8763352
    Abstract: An ice bagging system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Publication number: 20140123601
    Abstract: A laser capsule marking system and method may comprise at least two indexing wheels, a feeding mechanism, a laser marker, a first inspection system, a rejection subsystem, a reject verification sensor, and a collection device. The wheels are coaxial and have respective circumferential peripheries with multiple open pockets distributed thereabout. Each pocket is configured to releasably receive a pharmaceutical capsule doped with pigment particles reactive to laser light. The indexing wheels are configured to be incrementally rotated in alternating indexing fashion for transporting discrete arrays of respective pockets through a loading zone, an inspection zone, a marking zone, a reject zone, and an unloading zone. An actuatable reject block may be provided to simultaneously blow a rejected capsule from its pocket, and draw it in for transport to a rejection bin. Each circumferential periphery may be comprised of multiple arcuate shoes removably and replaceably secured to their respective indexing wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Tri-Star Technologies
    Inventor: Igor Murokh
  • Patent number: 8707661
    Abstract: A packing and filling machine produces a container by forming web-shaped packing material into a tube, filling the tube with liquid food up to a liquid level, and laterally sealing the tube with a seal jaw and a counter jaw under the liquid level. The machine includes a diagnostic device having a pressure flange above the position of the lateral sealing under the liquid level and including sterilized gas to detect a vibration propagated when the packing material is clamped by the seal jaw and counter jaw and to diagnose the residual quantity of sterilized gas from the vibration thus detected. The packing and filling machine operating at high speed does not damage the external surface or the longitudinal sealing portion of a packing container, and even the forming/lateral sealing pressing from the opposite sides at high speed does not have a tendency to vary or oscillate the liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Kinoshita, Dennis Lundmark, Naoya Isshiki, Katsunori Nakanishi, Keiji Yano
  • Publication number: 20140096490
    Abstract: The device for the monitored loading of tablets into pockets in a web of plastic sheet for the production of blister packs comprises a transport device for conveying the plastic sheet and a feed unit for feeding the tablets into the pockets in the plastic sheet. The feed unit comprises a plurality of filling channels. Downstream from the feed unit, an inspection device is provided to verify that each individual pocket in the plastic sheet has been filled. A control unit actuates a lighting or beam-emitting device on the basis of the results acquired by the inspection device to visually identify any blocked filling channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Regner, Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius
  • Publication number: 20140083058
    Abstract: Storage and order-picking system for storing and picking piece goods, comprising: a manual work station comprising a defined working area, in which an operator is supposed to manipulate a piece good with his/her hands in a default manner, which is communicated to the operator visually and/or audibly, in that the operator moves the piece good within the working area; a motion-sensor system, which detects motions, preferably of the hands and/or forearms, of the operator within the working area of the work station and which converts same into corresponding motion signals; and a computing unit, which is data connected to the motion-sensor system and which is configured to convert the motion signals into corresponding, preferably time-dependent, trajectories in a virtual space, which is an image of the working area and where the trajectories are compared to reference trajectories, or reference volumina, in the virtual space, in order to generate and output control signals which indicate a correct or wrong performa
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Elmar Issing, Rudolf Keller
  • Publication number: 20140087035
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coordinating and balancing continuous product production, including continuous flow processes such as aseptic sterilization with package filling rate. The methods and systems include an averaging level control scheme to actively manage the balance between the continuous flow rate and the package filling rate. The methods and systems allow the flow rate to be adjusted for changes in the package filling rate, preventing a need for stoppage of the continuous product production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel Louis CUMMINGS
  • Patent number: 8677721
    Abstract: An apparatus for marking plastic containers, comprising a marking device which applies a marking to the containers and a checking device in the form a temperature-sensitive sensor which checks for the presence of the marking on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Stefan Piana
  • Patent number: 8661774
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for packaging at least two products with individual weights in a package in a quantity corresponding to a target weight. The device comprises a feed, packaging means, weighing means (9) and throughfeed means. The device further comprises at least two adding means with associated weighing means (17) in a weighing unit (14) for the purpose of selectively adding unrelated products or groups thereof to the packaging, and with selection and control means for selecting at least one of the at least two unrelated products or groups on the basis of the weight of the initial group, the target weight and the weights of the at least two unrelated products or groups determined with the weighing means (17) associated with the adding means for the purpose of actuating the adding means in order to add at least one selected of the at least two unrelated products or groups thereof to the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Visser 'S-Gravendeel Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Adrianus De Vos
  • Publication number: 20140053510
    Abstract: Monitoring current draw of an actuator associated with a rotating arm on a round baler during a net wrapping cycle is used to determine the position of the rotating arm and actuator, as well as to determine the net tension. The current draw of the actuator may be correlated with the home and insert positions of the rotating arm during the net wrapping cycle; thus by monitoring the current draw, the rotating arm and actuator position is determined and may be provided to aid an operator. The net tension during the net wrapping cycle is a function of the rotating arm and actuator current. A calculation of net tension is determined and provided to an operator, allowing the operator to verify performance issues related to the net tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. SMITH, Mark K. Chow, Carl Brewer, James D. Walker, Justin J. Snook, Larry L. Hoover
  • Publication number: 20140041336
    Abstract: There is provided a moisture-sensitive vacuum packing machine, and particularly, there is provided a moisture-sensitive vacuum packing machine for sensing moisture within a chamber. The moisture-sensitive vacuum packing machine includes: a device housing having a controller and a vacuum driving unit; a chamber unit positioned above the device housing and having a first chamber and a second chamber whose interiors are vacuumized when the vacuum driving unit operates; and a sensing unit installed in the chamber unit such that it is associated with the controller, and sensing the presence or absence of moisture within the second chamber according to whether the sensing unit comes into contact with the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicants: Rollpack Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyul-Joo LEE
  • Publication number: 20140033644
    Abstract: A medicine inspection device includes an inspection unit for inspecting a medicine disposed on the inspection unit; a vibrator to impart vibration to the medicine disposed on the inspection unit; and a shooting means capable of photographing the medicine disposed on said inspection unit. The medicine inspection device further includes a medicine information detector capable of detecting at least the quantity or type of the medicine based on an image obtained by the shooting means; and a distribution detector configured to detect a distribution of the medicine on the inspection unit based on the image obtained by said shooting means. The inspection unit includes a plurality of inspection areas where the vibrator independently provides vibration to each inspection area. The medicine inspection device is characterized by operating the vibrator so as to provide vibration in the inspection areas chosen based on the detection result of the distribution detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: YUYAMA MFG. Co., LTD
    Inventors: Hirokazu Amano, Koji Ito, Hiromichi Tsuda, Yasuyuki Yoshikawa, Keigo Nakamura, Dai Shimizube
  • Publication number: 20140020329
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for packaging a curable resin composition and a catalyst composition that react with each other when mixed, comprising providing a partitioned tube for receiving the resin composition and the curing agent in separate compartments; delivering a stream of a resin composition into one compartment of the tube; delivering a stream of a curing agent in the other compartment of the tube; advancing the partitioned tube and constricting and sealing the partitioned tube at spaced apart intervals and severing the sealed tube to produce a package partitioning the resin composition from the catalyst composition. Solid particulate is continuously added into the stream of at least one of the catalyst composition and the resin composition and mixing the solid particulate and stream to produce a mixed composition; and the relative amount of solid particulate in the mixed composition is controlled by continuously determining the mass of solid particulate added to the mass of the stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: J-Lok Co.
    Inventors: John G. Oldsen, Walter John Simmons, W. Neal Simmons, Robert McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20130340389
    Abstract: A storage bag includes an upper layer and a lower layer. The lower layer is bonded to the upper layer. A detectable element is coupled to or integrally formed with the upper layer. An internal cavity is formed by the layers. An edge is formed by the upper and lower layers. The edge has an opening to provide access to the internal cavity. A vacuum sealing system and a method of sealing a storage bag are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Harder
  • Publication number: 20130318929
    Abstract: A mail tray filler includes a filling mechanism that is vertically movable to be lowered and lifted into and out of a mail tray. With the mechanism in the raised position an empty mail tray is moved into position to underneath the mechanism. The mechanism lowers a feeding arm down into the first mail tray to feed envelopes starting at a forward end of the mail tray. The apparatus detects a pack pressure of the envelopes. When the pack pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the relative position of the feed arm is moved towards a back end of the mail tray to make room for more envelopes. After the pack pressure is below the predetermined threshold feeding continues. When the tray is full, the feeding arm is lifted from the mail tray, and a next empty mail tray is advanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. KEANE, Donato C. Farole, Glenn A. Nester
  • Patent number: 8577563
    Abstract: A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Smith, Riccardo Morselli, Mark Wileniec, James W. Henry, Gianluca Conti, Christopher A. Foster, Mark K. Chow
  • Patent number: 8567156
    Abstract: A paper sheet processing system has a paper sheet processing apparatus and a paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus. The paper sheet processing apparatus sends category information of a bundle of 100 paper sheets to the paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus when discharging the bundle of 100 paper sheets. The paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus classifies and accumulates the bundle of 100 paper sheets based on the category information when receiving the bundle of 100 paper sheets. The paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus bands ten bundles of 100 paper sheets as a bundle of 1000 paper sheets. Since the paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus receives the bundle of 100 paper sheets of different category from the paper sheet processing apparatus and accumulates the bundle of 100 paper sheets for every category to form the bundle of 1000 paper sheets, the usage rate of the paper sheet bundle wrapping apparatus becomes high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Haruhiko Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 8561375
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: VEMAG Mashinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Kiel, Dieter Meier, Christian Carstens, Uwe Aldag
  • Patent number: 8539738
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for packaging a curable resin composition and a catalyst composition that react with each other when mixed, comprising providing a partitioned tube for receiving the resin composition and the curing agent in separate compartments; delivering a stream of a resin composition into one compartment of the tube; delivering a stream of a curing agent in the other compartment of the tube; advancing the partitioned tube and constricting and sealing the partitioned tube at spaced apart intervals and severing the sealed tube to produce a package partitioning the resin composition from the catalyst composition. Solid particulate is continuously added into the stream of at least one of the catalyst composition and the resin composition and mixing the solid particulate and stream to produce a mixed composition; and the relative amount of solid particulate in the mixed composition is controlled by continuously determining the mass of solid particulate added to the mass of the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: J-Lok Co.
    Inventors: John G. Oldsen, Walter J. Simmons, W. Neal Simmons, Robert A. McGinnis, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130212982
    Abstract: A device for quickly grouping picked goods for transport. The device includes a pair of stacking bridges lying opposite each other for pushing goods containers together in a defined manner to form a layer. The stacking bridges include a plurality of parallel, finger-like conveyor belts. The goods containers are pushed together in the direction of the diagonals of their base surfaces. A lifting apparatus is provided for lowering a layer of goods containers and placing a layer onto an empty pallet. A film-wrapping apparatus is provided for wrapping a shipment of picked goods prepared for transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Baumann
  • Publication number: 20130091804
    Abstract: A method and system identify an orientation of a part to be packaged by a tape and reel machine. The method includes identifying a packing slot of the tape and reel machine. The method includes identifying the orientation of the part in the packing slot. The method includes determining whether the orientation of the part in the packing slot matches a predetermined orientation for the part. Additionally, the method includes generating an alert in response to determining that the orientation of the part does not match the predetermined orientation of the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Enfora, Inc.
    Inventor: B. Kenneth M. Boland
  • Publication number: 20130061556
    Abstract: A solid preparation packaging apparatus includes a solid preparation accommodating unit, a transfer mechanism unit and a solid preparation packaging mechanism unit each individually accommodated in a main body so as to be capable of being pulled out or pushed back in the back-and-forth direction; an electrical component chamber containing a CPU circuit board and a power supply at the lowest portion of the solid preparation packaging apparatus, and a flexible wiring cover mounted across the electrical component chamber and the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit in order to pass, through the flexible wiring cover, a wiring of the solid preparation accommodating unit, the transfer mechanism unit and the solid preparation packaging mechanism unit to the CPU circuit board and the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akinori HATSUNO, Tetsuo SAKURAI
  • Publication number: 20130047551
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foam-in-bag dispensing system, including a dispensing apparatus operative to dispense foam precursor, the foam precursor being configured for expanding and solidifying into a polymeric foam, to a dispensing location between first and second web plies extending respectively on first and second sides of the dispensing apparatus; and a bag-status indicator associated for providing an indication to the operator indicative of the readiness of the bag for removal from the device for avoiding premature bag removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Pregis Intellipack Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Paul Jones
  • Patent number: 8381494
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an aseptic product filling machine includes the steps of performing a pre-production test procedure during a pre-production phase in which at least a set of subcritical control parameters are measured, diagnosed and stored, checking if those subcritical control parameters are within their range, starting a production phase if all of the subcritical control parameters are indeed within their range, and measuring, diagnosing and storing a set of supercritical control parameters and not the subcritical control parameters during the production phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Stork Food & Dairy Systems B.V.
    Inventor: Bernardus Antonius Johannes Krakers
  • Publication number: 20130000252
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, assemblies, and systems relate to producing on-demand packaging. For example, packaging can be automatically produced on-demand and be sized and configured for use with a customized set of items and/or a customized arrangement of items. In one aspect, items are arranged on a resting device and an imaging component obtains image or other data related to such arrangement. Based on the image, dimensions of the arrangement may be determined and a packaging template, such as a box template, may be designed. The designed template may have dimensions suitable to enclose the items when arranged in the manner provided on the resting device. A packaging production machine may produce a box template, on-demand, after the box template has been designed based on the physical arrangement of items on the resting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: PACKSIZE, LLC
    Inventors: Niklas Pettersson, Ryan Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8333053
    Abstract: A system for automatically packaging prescription orders composed of one or more prescription containers. The system includes a printer for generating literature associated with each order and a packer for packing the prescription containers and the associated literature into a package. The packer has a scale or other means for determining the weight of the prescription containers. A packer controller calculates package weight information based on the container weight information. The package weight information is transmitted to a mail manifest system, which generates shipping information comprising postage. A labeler applies the shipping information to the package. The packer also includes a loading mechanism for inserting the prescription containers and the literature into the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Mahar
  • Publication number: 20120272617
    Abstract: An apparatus for disposal of photocurable fluid waste may include a conduit for conducting photocurable fluid waste from a source of photocurable fluid waste; a dispenser for automatically dispensing a receptacle made of material that is impermeable to the photocurable fluid waste and that transmits radiation capable of curing; a welder or other sealing device for welding the receptacle to form a bag with a portion of the photocurable fluid waste inside; and a source of radiation for curing the photocurable fluid waste in the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Meir BAR NATHAN, David ESHED
  • Patent number: 8297028
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems that may be used for individualized selection of one or more pharmaceutical agents and packaging of the one or more pharmaceutical agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Lowell L. Wood
  • Publication number: 20120240522
    Abstract: A system and a method for the production, filling, packaging and/or transport of beverages in beverage containers. The system components are coupled physically and by a common control unit. Furthermore the system components are coupled at least partially energetically. The system components form mutually coupled energy conversion units, energy storage units and/or energy consumption units. The system components are provided with energy from one common energy generating device, which supplies mechanical operating power (wave energy) and/or electrical energy and/or thermal energy to the system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Klaus Wasmuht, Albert Link
  • Publication number: 20120222387
    Abstract: The present invention refers no a plant for filling bottles or containers with continuous calibration and to a continuous calibration method of such a plant. The calibration method (100) is characterised in that it comprises the steps consisting of collecting (110) at least one set of data relating to filling and/or closing parameters of containers or bottles (16) treated through the same tap or filling valve (15) of the filling plant (10) and/or through the same closing and/or capping head (14) of the filling plant (10); based on the data collected, calculating (120) statistical data associated with the tap or filling valve (15) and/or with the closing and/or capping head (14); updating (130) the statistical data based on new data collected and monitoring the progression thereof; in the case of a variation of the statistical data over time, adjusting the tap or filling valve (15) and/or the closing and/or capping head (14) associated with the statistical data so as to compensate for the variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicants: AROL S.P.A., FT SYSTEM S.R.L.
    Inventors: Fabio Forestelli, Alberto Cirio
  • Patent number: 8256187
    Abstract: There is provided a medicine packaging apparatus, which is capable of rapidly coping with errors occurring during processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Tomohiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8245483
    Abstract: There is provided a medicine packaging apparatus, which is capable of rapidly coping with errors occurring during processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Tomohiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8242466
    Abstract: The invention relates to an activation device for temperature-sensitive and/or time-sensitive indicators for product labeling, said indicators being activated by UV light and said device comprising a UV light source. The device is equipped with a controller/regulator, which can be used to control and/or regulate the irradiation period and/or the irradiation intensity of the UV light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Uber
  • Publication number: 20120192526
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging system comprising a product feeder and a packaging machine, wherein a monitoring unit, which is arranged upstream of or along the product feeder, detects at least one characteristic of the products and transmits it to the control unit. Depending on the category of the packed products, a downstream sorting station sorts the packagings into collecting containers provided for them or onto conveyor belts provided for them. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for operating a packaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Guido Spix, Michael Lang, Tieme Jan Slomp
  • Patent number: 8220223
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant, in which beverage bottles are filled, closed, packed, and transported on dollies and pallets, an arrangement for transporting dollies, and a method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Junghans