Abstract: A tablet packing device is proposed which accommodates a plurality of types of tablets and selectively discharges them from feeders for packing. A tablet is discharged from one of the feeders into a hole formed in a pocket plate. Since a shutter plate covers the hole, the tablet bounces on the shutter plate and settles down after a while. Thereafter, the shutter plate is rotated to open the hole to drop the tablet to a hopper. The tablet is then slid down along the inner wall of the hopper and, when a hopper cover provided at the bottom of the hopper is opened, it is dropped further therethrough. After the tablet has reached inside of the packing sheet which is folded into two, it is sealed in one packing bag as the heater rollers rotate. It is possible to save the time required to pack the tablets according to the tablet types by presetting the time required for each type of tablet to settle down from landing and discharging the tablet after lapse of the preset time.

Abstract: An apparatus integrating system such as a product shipping line includes a group of integrated apparatus each provided with a memory device for storing conditions of its operation, an input device through which conditions of operation for the group of apparatus can be set, a display device for displaying conditions and actual modes of operation of the apparatus group and control devices for controlling the apparatus group. Data are exchanged among the control devices of the apparatus through a communication device. Instead of providing a memory device to each apparatus, a master memory may be provided to only one or some of the apparatus or separately and away from the group of apparatus. The user can operate on the input device of any of the apparatus to set not only the conditions of operation of that apparatus but also the conditions of operation of the other apparatus through the communication device.

Abstract: In a machine for strapping a skid and a supported load by the use of a strap passing through aligned openings in the skid runners, a conveyor is provided for conveying the skid through a feeding zone. A turntable including powered rollers is provided for receiving the skid and the supported load from the conveyor, for positioning same within a strapping zone, and for rotating same within. A vertical scanner comprising a vertical array of photoelectric transmitters spaced from one another, on one side of the feeding zone, and a vertical array of photoelectric receivers spaced from one another, on the other side of the feeding zone, is provided for scanning the skid being conveyed. Two horizontal scanners, each comprising a single photoelectric transmitter and a single photoelectric receiver on each side of the strapping zone, are provided for scanning the skid being conveyed after it has been scanned by the vertical arrays.

Abstract: An automatic control device for controlling the placement of wrap material on a bale within a round baler. A pair of twine guide tubes are actuated for movement by an actuator which is energized by a controller for controlling a twine wrapping operation. Separate twine strands are fed to each of the twine guide tubes and the quantity of twine fed through the guide tubes is monitored by sensor pulleys which send a pulsed signal to the controller. The controller controls the location of the twine guide tubes in response to the sensed signal from the sensing pulleys whereby a predetermined quantity of twine is placed at predetermined locations along the bale.

Abstract: In a machine including structure for printing an indicia on a sheet at a predetermined printing speed, wherein the machine includes structure for feeding the sheet in a path of travel to the printing structure, apparatus for detecting a malfunction of the machine, the apparatus comprising, structure for controlling the machine, the controlling structure including a microprocessor, structure for sensing the sheet in the path of travel, the sensing structure including a first sensor connected to the microprocessor for providing a first sensing signal thereto in response to sensing the sheet, the sensing structure including a second sensor connected to the microprocessor for providing a second sensing signal thereto in response to sensing the sheet, and the microprocessor programmed for causing the sheet feeding structure to feed the sheet to the sensing structure at a first predetermined sheet feeding speed less than the printing speed, causing the printing structure to commence a printing cycle after a first p

Abstract: Folding mandrels (11) of a folding turret (10) are in the form of elongate thin-walled hollow bodies and are susceptible to mechanical stress. The folding mandrels (11) are monitored by a monitoring unit (13) with inductive tracers (14, 15; 29, 30) as regards correct arrangement and shape. Any changes in the shape of the mandrels actuate an error signal which is is assigned to the respective folding mandrel (11). The tracers may be arranged on one side of the path of movement of the folding mandrels (11) at different distances thereto. Alternatively, tracers can be installed at equal distances on either side of the path of movement of the folding mandrels (11).

Abstract: A packing device for articles having directionality that includes imaging means for taking an image of the articles, means for recognizing the direction of the articles, first memory means for storing the direction of the articles, second memory means for storing the direction of the articles to be packed into a container, and means for calculating the difference in angle between the directions stored in the first and second memory means. The direction of the robot hand for grasping the articles is controlled by the output of the calculating means.

Abstract: A device is provided for adjusting wrapping rollers of a coin wrapping machine so that a coin stacks of different denominations can be wrapped. The device automatically adjusts the wrapping rollers to any one of a large number of possible positions, and, therefore, allows the coin wrapping machine to wrap virtually any type of coin stack.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a strip feeder (13) and tube former (14) for heat-welding plastic film strip into a tube. First welding apparatus (15) weld between them the side edges of the strip while a feed line (11) inputs into the tube thus formed products (12) that are to be packaged. Second weld apparatus (16) welds transversely of the tube at intervals to isolate each product in a section of the tube, thus realizing the packaging. Characteristically the first (15) and second (16) welding apparatus are pressed against the strip parts to be welded by an actuator (33, 34, 36, 37, 44, 43) controlled by a control device (46) to exert a pressure which is a function of the speed of travel of the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically feeding and packing surimi of fish or shellfish, including a feed hopper having a top inlet for feeding the surimi therefrom and a bottom outlet for discharging the surimi therefrom. A screw feeder connected to the bottom outlet of the fed hopper has two screws for passing the surimi through the screw feeder. A feed pump feeds a predetermined quantity of the surimi flowing out from an exit of the screw feeder in which the predetermined quantity of the surimi is formed into a desired shape by a forming tube. A wrapping tube forming device forms a plastic film into a continuous wrapping tube to be packed with the surimi.

Abstract: A moistening arrangement for moistening the flap of an envelope moving in a first direction in a given plane, includes a nozzle directed to spray a liquid at an envelope flap along a given locus in the plane. A source of first signals that are a function of the position of the edge in the plane is provided. An arrangement responsive to the first signals moves the nozzle in a direction substantially parallel to the plane for moistening the flap at positions thereof. The source comprises a source of first signals corresponding to the edge positions of the flap at a position spaced a given distance from the locus in a second direction opposite the first direction. A source of a second signal corresponding to the velocity of the envelope is provided.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the advance and the positioning of envelopes in an insertion machine includes a stepper motor (27) coupled in common both to means (20) for transferring empty envelopes towards said insertion station, and to means (40) for transferring filled envelopes to be ejected, and a circuit (70) for controlling and governing the speed of the motor, causing said motor to be driven on the basis of clock signals generated by a clock circuit (62) synchronously with mechanical commands within the machine, and governing the speed of the motor on the basis of defined numbers of motor steps as detected counting from the moment that an envelope ceases to go past an intermediate point on the transfer path, as determined by a detector (29). The invention is applicable to automatic mail processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously filling flexible bags or pouches with a perfusion liquid contained in a reservoir to which the perfusion liquid is fed from a source.The apparatus comprises regulating means including a sensor which sends a signal as a function of the level of the liquid in reservoir and is connected to a regulator that continuously regulates the feeding of the perfusion liquid to said reservoir, so as to maintain the level of the liquid in reservoir close to a pre-set level.

Abstract: Each unit number of coins to be stacked and wrapped are centrifugally aligned on a rimmed turntable and fed in a row along a horizontal coin guideway to a stacking position, where the successive coins are stacked by a toothed stacking wheel capable of placing each new coin under the preceding one. Thus the coins are stacked on, rather than under, the plane of the coin guideway with a view to the reduction of the vertical dimension of the machine to a minimum. Disposed around the stack of coins thus formed are a set of parallel wrapping rolls at least one of which is displaceable for rotatably engaging the coin stack between itself and the other wrapping rolls. With the forced rotation of the wrapping rolls together with the coin stack, a piece of wrapper strip is wound around the latter, and the side edges of the wrapper strip are folded against the opposite ends of the stack. The wrapped stack of coins is ejected downwardly.

Abstract: An installation for processing of photograph envelopes intended to equip a large photography processing laboratory. The installation includes a picking station, a bar code reading station, a thickness detection station, a station for recognition of shapes and characters, a manual input and introduction station, a marking station, and finally a station for feeding a traditional sorting machine.

Abstract: A weighing and packing device including a weighing section for successively weighing out quantities of product each having a predetermined weight and a packing section for successively packing the quantities of product delivered from the weighing section. The device further includes a metal detector for detecting a metallic substance included in each quantity of product and means for enabling removal of defective packages containing metallic substances from the normal conveying line.

Abstract: A collapsible elevator for a package elevating wrapping machine comprises a base member, a package supporting member and a pair of spring-biased rods. The rods resiliently engage the package supporting member to maintain it in a package elevating position relative to the base member, yet permit it to be resettably collapsed relative to the base member upon exertion of a defined force on the package supporting member. The package supporting member comprises a top plate and two downwardly extending spaced supports which have notches in their lower ends for receiving the spring-biased rods. The supports define surfaces which taper inwardly toward the top plate to facilitate resetting the elevator. An electrical switch is coupled to the base member and a switch actuating rod is coupled to the package supporting member and adapted to activate the electrical switch upon collapse of the elevator.

Abstract: Apparatus for discriminately treating containers and the like, the apparatus includes a continuous conveyor mounting arms to carry a random stream of containers along first and second paths of travel; two photoelectric sensors positioned to sense and discriminate among the random stream of containers, and a control mechanism is mounted adjacent to the continuous conveyor to divert selected containers into the first or second path of travel, containers diverted into the second path of travel being urged into oscillating engagement with a vibrating bed for the purpose of settling the contents of the container.

Abstract: When drinking straws are fastened to packs, it is particularly difficult to press the drinking straws precisely onto glue spots previously applied to the packs. For this purpose, it is proposed to determine the position of the packs on their conveyor and then actuate the glue applicator device or a press-on means for drinking straws when this point of the conveyor has been reached and consequently the pack has arrived in front of the glue applicator device or the straw press-on means. Alternatively, the control is determined by measuring the position and speed of the particular pack to be processed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of tensioning a web packaging material in a form-fill-seal packaging apparatus wherein the web is pulled from a supply roll through web feeding rolls, guided over means for forming it into tubing and fed toward means for feeding the tubing forward, and wherein articles to be packaged are provided in the tubing and sealing operations are performed on the tubing to seal it to form packages. The invention method is characterized in that the web feeding rolls and the tubing feeding means are concurrently started, and when the web feeding rolls and the tubing feeding means are stopped to form a seal on the tubing, the tubing feeding means is stopped slightly later than the web feeding rolls so that the web forward by the web feeding rolls is taken up and pulled toward the tubing feeding means under tension.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for synchronizing a series of packaging machines positioned along a chain conveyor, expecially in the confections industry, that is intended for use when articles are to be packaged individually in one packaging machine and supplied to a downstream packaging machine for packaging as a set, characterized in that a chain-and-pusher buffer is interposed in the chain-conveyor section (C) connecting two (A & B) of the packaging machines and carrying the pushers (6) for the individually packaged articles (1) and in that each packaging machine (A & B) has its own chain-drive mechanism (8 and 9 respectively), both of which are connected to one set of electronic controls that carry out the synchronization.

Abstract: An end effector apparatus for attachment to an industrial robot for transferring prepressed windshields to an autoclave tub. Vacuum cups engage and secure the windshield to the end effector for transfer of the windshield from an upender conveyor to the tub. A combination spacer clip sensing device and spacer clip retaining device senses the presence of a spacer clip on the top edge of the windshield and holds the clip in place during transfer.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising an endless conveyor, a mandrel wheel disposed above the starting end of the path of transport of the conveyor and having mandrels, a closed main chamber enclosing the conveyor and the mandrel wheel entirely, a series of devices arranged on the top wall of the main chamber from the rear to the front in succession for making tubular blanks into containers by closing one end of each blank to form the bottom of the container, filling contents into the bottomed blank and thereafter closing the other end of the blank to form the top of the container, the series of devices having portions operative on the blank and extending into the main chamber, and a closed subchamber disposed to the rear of the main chamber and communicating therewith, the subchamber having installed therein a blank sterilizer and a blank transfer assembly for transferring tubular blanks from a blank shaping-feeding unit to the blank sterilizer and for transferring sterilized tubular blanks from the sterilizer to t

Abstract: A system for synchronizing the operation between a filling unit for filling desired contents into bottles and a capping unit for capping the thus filled bottles in a bottle handling line is provided. The present synchronized driving system includes separate driving motors for separately driving the filling and capping units. The timing of operation of each of the filling and capping units is detected and its information is supplied to a micro-computer which then, after carrying out predetermined calculations, controls the operating conditions of the driving motors to keep the filling and capping units synchronized.

Abstract: A skin packaging machine for the vacuum application of a film over goods to be packaged including a microprocessor-based control. The skin packaging machine includes a film supply, an oven, a film-bearing frame, a base having a platen with a perforated surface, a blower or turbine for drawing a vacuum at the surface, and a variable speed motor for moving the frame from a position adjacent the oven to a position adjacent the perforated surface in order to apply the film to a package on the surface. The microprocessor-based control cooperates with an alphanumeric display to provide a sequential display of machine function parameters which may be individually set, such as the time duration of a particular function. The control arrangement further includes, in a test mode, means for sequentially displaying on the alphanumeric display the condition of sensors and switches.

Abstract: Air in the space above the fill level in the neck of a bottle or similar container is displaced before the closure is applied, by injection of a liquid or gaseous medium that causes the product to foam. The system consists of a filling station, a closure station, a star wheel to transfer bottles between the two stations, and a jetting device. The jetting device is mounted to a horizontal holding arm above the transfer star and pivots concentrically around the axis of the transfer star. The conveyor speed is automatically monitored by a tach generator. Its signal activates a servo motor which engages the holding arm and moves it together with the jetting nozzle along the bottle path according to the operating speed. The jetting device is moved closer to the closure station at lower operating speeds while its distance to the closure station is increased during higher speeds.

Abstract: A control arrangement for terminating the film-heating segment of a sequence of operations for a skin packaging machine. A skin packaging machine having a film supply, a film-bearing frame, an oven for heating the film in the frame, a base having a perforated surface with means for drawing a vacuum at the surface, and means for moving the frame from a position adjacent the oven to a position adjacent the perforated surface of the base further includes a control arrangement for terminating the heating of the film in the frame by the oven substantially responsive to the temperature of the film. The control arrangement includes a temperature sensor positioned adjacent the film in the frame when the frame is adjacent the oven. The temperature sensor cooperates with a temperature comparison circuit in the control arrangement to provide a comparison between the sensor temperature and a reference temperature to produce a comparison signal.

Abstract: A control and monitoring system for cigarette packaging machines comprises a control station (1) connected in cascade to each of a plurality of remote stations (2 and 3) in turn, in a ring. The control station 1 supplies an interrogation signal to a D-type latch (20, 30) of the first remote station, which changes state on the next clock pulse edge and applies an interrogation signal to the D-type latch of the second remote station so that the stations are sequentially interrogated in essentially non-overlapping time periods. An interrogated station communicates with the control center (1) via an information line (16) either to receive machine control signals to be passed on to a machine or machine part with which the remote station is associated, or to send machine fault signals indicating a fault in the associated machine or machine part.

Abstract: A gauging system for an envelope inserter provides simplified set up procedures for adjustment of a set of enclosure pick-up station side guides, an envelope stop and coordinated adjustment of both a set of envelope station side guides and sets of stripper fingers. A panel at the face of the inserter includes a slot and a pointer for lengthwise insertion of an enclosure. The operator places a specimen enclosure against an index end of the slot and rotates a knob to frame the enclosure length between the index and the pointer. Rotation of the knob provides simultaneous movement of the pointer and adjustment of the enclosure side guides to correspond with the framed length. A further slot and pointer are provided for envelope widthwise insertion. Rotation of its knob for framing the envelope width simultaneously adjusts the envelope stop. A further slot and pointer are provided for lengthwise envelope insertion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved envelope processing machine. The machine includes a processing station arranged to present each envelope in an opened condition to an operator in one-by-one relation to facilitate the removal of contents from or the insertion of materials into the envelopes by the operator. A detecting means downstream from the processing station acts upon the envelopes one at a time for sensing a predetermined event corresponding to the suspected absence of complete removal of the contents from or complete insertion of materials into the envelopes. An illumination means actuable in response to the detecting means sensing the predetermined event is arranged to direct light through the envelopes to afford visual verification of the predetermined event by the operator.

Abstract: An automatic bagging apparatus for automatically packing articles into a comprises a horizontally movable tray assembly operable to transport and insert the articles towards the bag and a loader assembly simultaneously movable together with the tray assembly during the loading of the articles into the bag. When the loader assembly is to be retracted leaving the articles inside the bag, the loader assembly starts its return movement independently of and subsequent to the return of the tray assembly. The bag is, after having been fed from at least one bag box to a bag receptacle, positioned frontwardly of the tray assembly and is completely opened by the application of at least one blow of compressed air in to the bag subsequent to the opening of the mouth of the bag. The loading of the articles into the bag is initiated after the bag has been so completely opened.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coin wrapper discharge assembly for use with a coin wrapping apparatus that momentarily stops a coin roll to change its direction, and senses the presence of loose coins. The assembly includes a chute disposed beneath a coin wrapping apparatus that accepts coin rolls falling downwardly after being wrapped. The chute directs a coin roll laterally from its original downward direction into a V-shaped trap. The trap is formed by an inclined floor and a swingable door. A solenoid is provided to hold the door in its normally closed position until actuated by a paper feed mechanism in the coin wrapping apparatus. When actuated, the solenoid releases the door to allow a trapped coin roll to fall onto a conveyor for removal to a packaging point. In addition, the door is electrically insulated from the floor and chute to provide a pair of electrical contacts that are bridged by loose coins to complete an electric circuit that disables the coin wrapping apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling a sequence of operations on products moving on an indexing conveyor. The electronic control system is illustrated as controlling a sequence of operations, carried out at various work stations, on cartons in a packaging machine, such as filling operations, sealing operations, and clean-in-place operations on carton filler heads. A limit switch carton detector detects the presence or absence of cartons on the indexing conveyor of the packaging machine and feeds such carton information into a first shift register, which in turn feeds the carton position information into a first "and" gate. A limit switch machine timing indicator functions to feed a first machine timing signal into said first shift register, and into a machine cycle counter. An output signal from the machine cycle counter is fed into a sequence selector which products a sequence signal that is fed to said first "and" gate, which in turn produces a filler sequence signal.

Abstract: Shrink wrapping apparatus including a hot air circulation system having a stand-by circuit and an operating circuit. A movable control plate switches from one circuit to the other dependent on the existence of an article the envelope of which is to be shrunk. The operating circuit is provided with a retaining chamber which is open at the front side of the apparatus and can only be covered by an article. A hot air recovery system is provided for collecting the hot air leak streams in the neighborhood of the opening of the retaining chamber.

Abstract: A machine for packing flat articles in a case which includes a case elevator on which a case is supported with an open side of the case sloping and exposed. Flat articles are directed into the case transversely of the open side to form a stack inside the case. A tongue engages the stack as the stack increases in size. The tongue controls means for lowering the case as the articles are projected into the case so that the level of the upper end of the stack remains substantially constant. The tongue is withdrawn when the stack has reached a predetermined size. A hold down and pusher member is advanced into engagement with an upper portion of the stack when the stack has reached the predetermined size to hold the articles of the stack in the case as the tongue is being withdrawn. The case is transferred to a tipover frame which swings the case upwardly against a flap folding belt. As the case is transferred, flaps are closed.

Abstract: A skin packaging machine for the continuous production of air-free skin packages comprising a suction box, a perforated conveyor for traversing over the suction box an imperforate lower web of thermoplastic material carrying spaced articles to be packaged, means for feeding a heated imperforate upper web of thermoplastic material towards the lower web and guiding its edges into contact with the upper surface of the lower web as the latter travels over the suction box and a thermoforming unit, disposed between a supply reel for the lower web and the conveyor, which is operative to impose a dimpled upper surface on the lower web, said thermoforming unit being constituted by a heated drum and an adjoining thermoforming drum around both of which the lower web is passed, and the thermoforming drum having an air-permeable and dimpled peripheral surface and including means for applying suction to the interior thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling extrudable substances has a source of power for driving a series of rollers and cutters in response to a control signal. A dispenser feeds paper or other suitable wrapping material to a first set of rollers which may include a cutter for cutting the paper into sheets. The sheets of paper are fed to a second set of rollers timed by the control signal. The second series of rollers overlap the sheets of paper to provide a shingling effect. A third set of rollers, again timed with the control signal, receives the paper and a pliable substance extruded thereon. The third set of rollers includes a cutter for cutting the extruded substance at least at the area of shingling of the paper. Thereafter, the substance extruded on individual sheets of paper is separated along shingled edges and delivered by a conveyor timed with the control signal to a point for packaging. Also, a paper wrapper is timed with the control signal for wrapping the paper around the extruded substance.

Abstract: An automatic bagging machine for placing transparent plastic bags over garments so as to enclose individual garments. The apparatus includes a turntable which has a number of upright garment stands, and an indexing system for rotating the turntable. The garments are carried by the stands on the turntable from a loading station to an operative station and then to an unloading station. The apparatus also includes an assembly for placing a plastic tube from a supply of plastic tubular material over a garment located at the loading station and then cutting and sealing this tube at an upper portion to form a transparent bag for the garment. Thereafter, the garment in its bag is moved to the unloading station and then is transported to a storage rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging yarn packages in plural layers in a cardboard box or a like container is disclosed. A plurality of yarn packages carried to a packaging station by a transporting carrier are grouped in several groups and, then, a group of yarn packages is received by a supporting means with sufficient intervening space between two adjacent yarn packages for easy mechanical handling. Then, the above-mentioned space between two adjacent yarn packages is contracted automatically while the group of yarn packages is carried to a station for transferring them into a cardboard box or a like container, so as to fix the disposition of the yarn packages in the arrangement of a square lattice on a partition plate disposed in the container.

Abstract: Method of making multiple container carrier stock comprising strands of a resilient and deformable plastic material that has been extruded and fused in the molten or semi-molten state.