Abstract: A gum stick wrapping machine with gum stick wrapper storage and feed means advancing wrapper blanks in strip form, a wrapper mechanism assembles conveyor advanced gum sticks and wrappers with the latter enveloping the former. Band storage and feed means advance bands in strip form and a wrapper mechanism folds the same about the sticks of gum. A stacker provides stacks of wrapped and banded sticks and a package wrapper mechanism folds the wrappers about the stacks. The package wrappers are also stored in end-to-end elongated strip form. Band feed rolls and package wrapper feed rolls are driven by associated discrete servo motors in slave-master relationship with a main servo motor. Computer control means regulates motor speed ratios and provides for correction of errors in band or package wrapper length and/or band or package wrapper registration.

Abstract: Vertical form-fill-seal packaging of a fluent product, such as flour, wherein flexible packaging material is formed into tubing around a downwardly extending mandrel, the tubing is intermittently fed downwardly in package length increments off the lower end of the mandrel with a dwell between each successive feed, the tubing is transversely sealed at a level below the lower end of the mandrel during each dwell to form a top seal for a package being completed and a bottom seal for the next package, the tubing is severed between each top and bottom seal during each dwell, product being fed downwardly from the mandrel into the portion of the tubing, sealed at the bottom, being fed off the lower end of the mandrel, wherein the downward feed of the tubing and the feed of the product are such as substantially to fill the volume of the said portion of the tubing created by the downward feed of the tubing.

Abstract: Apparatus for draping successive cigarette packs into blanks of light-transmitting material has a turret with radially extending open-ended pockets and is indexible to move successive pockets to a predetermined position of register with a fixed mouthpiece. A web of wrapping material is transported downwardly by a conveyor having independently driven upper and lower units. A severing device cuts across the leader of the web between the two conveying units to form a series of discrete blanks which are pushed by the respective packs through the mouthpiece and into the registering pockets of the turret. The lower conveying unit delivers successive blanks in front of the mouthpiece and can be accelerated to move blanks out of the way in the absence of packs as well as to evacuate blanks prior to stoppage of the apparatus.

Abstract: A film feed device for a form, fill and seal packaging machine includes front and rear rolls of film which are individually unwound and fed to the packaging machine via a drive assembly which contacts the rolls and rotates the same independent of other film feed mechanisms on the packaging machine. The drive assemblies contain motors which can be further controlled with sensing devices capable of sensing both when the film has been exhausted from the film roll and when the rate of output of the film from the film rolls by the drive assemblies is greater than the rate of further processing of the film in subsequent steps on the form, fill and seal packaging machine.

Abstract: A round baler includes a bale chamber in which, in use of the baler, a bale of crop material is formed; a source of bale wrapping material; bale wrapping control apparatus; and a knife operable under the control of the wrapping control means to cut the wrapping material. The bale wrapping control apparatus comprises a first set of worm and sector gears operable to drive the knife to a position ready for cutting the bale wrapping material and a second set of worm and sector gears operable to determine the length of wrapping material to be dispensed from the source of wrapping material for wrapping a given bale and then to initiate operation of the knife to effect cutting of the dispensed wrapping means from the source. Both of the worm gears are carried on a single master shaft which is rocked in one direction to activate the first set of gears and in the opposite direction to activate the second set of gears.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for feeding and tightening a band wherein a touch roller is brought into compressive contact with a reverse rotation driving roller for a predetermined time when a signal for detecting a decrease in the speed of rotation including the stopping of a forward rotation touch roller is developed prior to the development of a signal for detecting the approach of the front end of the fed band to a mechanism for grasping the band front end; whereby the band is restored and the compressive contact of the reverse rotation touch roller is released after passage of the predetermined time so as to restore the band; the band is then restored by means of a tension roller which is rotated at a lower speed and driven at a higher torque as compared with the reverse rotation roller and a touch roller which is brought into compressive contact with and capable of separating from the tension roller; and the band is finally tightened by starting the reverse rotation of the

Abstract: A new computerized control system designed for packaging machines. This control system can be installed on any dieless packing machine. The advances achieved by this control system are: High speeds are achieved by synchronizing the machine index cycle and tooling controls, permitting the prestart of tooling before the end of the index cycle; because the motor speed is monitored and profiled by the computer continuously, faster machine speeds can be achieved while maintaining the minimum machine jerk; total index time savings; diagnostics which dramatically reduce machine down time as a user friendly hard-copy print out is produced describing and pinpointing locations of malfunctions in the timers, tooling, and motor performance; access to all timer control settings through easy to use thumbwhell switches. In addition, a new arrangement of the tooling stations is used, allowing for the increase of per cycle capacity several times the capacity of the prior art.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping generally cylindrical articles includes a web supply reel, an endless conveyor composed of a multiplicity of spaced-apart rollers for moving the articles along a predetermined path, a device for guiding and feeding the web on to the rollers, a device for feeding articles on to the web at a location at which it has already been guided on to the rollers, and transverse cutters for severing a predetermined portion of the web after an article has been placed thereon. An abutment is mounted along the predetermined path and disposed to tangentially engage the rollers to cause their rotation which, in turn, causes rotation of the articles thereby wrapping a predetermined portion of the web around themselves. The machine also includes an integral heat tunnel and an electronically-controlled drive for accelerating and decelerating the conveyor in timed relation with respect to the movement of the web. A method for wrapping cylindrical articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining a plurality of serially supplied sheets into a set, depending on markings carried by the sheets and read by a reader, and discharging a set to a further handling station, such as an inserting machine. The leading edge of the first sheet of a set, and successively the remaining part of the sheet, is deflected out of its plane of transport, preferably downwardly and through about 180.degree., into a new plane of transport, in which the sheet is arrested in a flat condition. Each subsequent sheet of a set is similarly deflected and displaced into a position overlying the preceding sheet, and after thus completing the set, it is discharged. At choice, a set can be discharged with the leading edges being the edges that were the trailing edges during the supply of the sheets, or with one of the feed side edges of the sheets in leading position.

Abstract: A method of changing or replacing one liquid or semi-liquid product by another for insertion in a succession of thermoplastic receptacles bearing respective decorative and/or informative elements wherein, a minimum buffer volume is determined for a first product contained in a metering dispenser and in a buffer tank, the buffer volume corresponding to the sum of the portions of first product which remain to be inserted into the receptacles prior to the receptacles being replaced in a filling station zone by receptacles provided with different decorative elements. While the installation is in operation, a first master strip of the decorating station and/or a first strip of receptacle tops are cut transversely at distances from the filling zone which corresponds to the lengths of the first master strip and/or of the first strip of tops which will be consumed by the receptacles receiving the last portions of product from the minimum buffer volume of the first product.

Abstract: The apparatus for closing envelopes includes two sets of drive wheels (11A, 11B; 12A, 12B) defining a substantially linear envelope path (1) along which envelopes which are received open are displaced flat, are closed, and are then ejected. The apparatus includes a pair of pivotally mounted presser elements (30, 31) disposed between the two sets of drive wheels and put in a rest position off the path while the envelope is advancing and moved to a working position on the path when an open flap reaches the pair of presser elements, with the direction of displacement of the envelope along the path then being reversed substantially simultaneously with the pair of elements being put into the working position. The invention is applicable to processing mail.

Abstract: A device for automatically inserting packs of photographic negatives and prints into respective pockets of a series of envelopes includes separate guides for supporting and guiding the negatives and prints toward the envelopes, which are supported by a conveyor having intermittent forward and retrograde movement. The device includes a pair of blades which engage the pockets when the envelopes are moved rearward, and then are raised to open the pocket, to permit the automatic insertion.

Abstract: A banding machine provides for a controlled intermittent flow of a tubular web or sleeve of thin plastic material from a storage reel, over a tensioning arm and guiding rollers onto a group of machine elements which first open the tube somewhat, stop the flow of material, slice the tube transversely, and pass the cut segment of web over a floating mandrel to form it into the shape of a container positioned below it, while continuing the flow of tubing from the reel down onto the same group of elements to form the next band. The open segment of band is now placed over the container automatically to complete the banding operation.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping cylindrical rolls of paper wound on a reel having a central core has a loading conveyor and vertically adjustable drive rolls which raise the reel so that its longitudinal axis is placed on an axis of rotation of the wrapping machine. A wrapping head winds wrapping material endwise around the paper roll which is rotated about its longitudinal axis during the wrapping operation by the drive rollers. The wrapping head is tilted at an angle to the vertical so that the endwise wrapping takes place in a plane at an angle to the axis of rotation of the roll so that the wrapping does not cover the ends of the core of the reel.

Abstract: A packaging machine suitable for the continuous packaging of products, or of groups of products having a different shape and size in height, wherein, thanks to a particular combined movement of the transversal welding unit, both of sinking down towards the product, and of accompanying of the same product during the welding step, relatively to a car for its essentially horizontal shift, a quick and correct packaging of the products is obtained, even very different as regards the length in the direction of advancement of the packaging film, besides as regards the height, with the consumption of the packaging material being minimized to the strictly necessary amount, and the continuous packaging after each other being made possible of products or of product groups, having mutually different dimensions.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for packaging product masses in a form, fill and seal machine, wherein a continuous length of packaging film is joined in running relation by a continuous length of separately formed plastic reclosable fastener assembly having interlock profile strips spot sealed together at package length intervals. The corunning fastener strip assembly and the packaging film are oriented so that the spot seals of the strip are located in alignment with the spaces between the product masses on the film to assure that the fastener strip assembly will be cross sealed at the spot seals when the film is cross sealed between the product masses to provide individual packages. The orienting may be effected by an indexing arrangement including sensor response to index marks on the film and the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A bag covering apparatus that puts a cover, which has been folded in two at the folding portion, on the opening of a bag. The same bag covering apparatus includes a folding piece which can operate to fold the cover in two at the folding portion and a cover retaining piece provided near the folding piece, having at least two holding portions capable of holding the folding portion of the cover. The folding portion of the cover is inserted into the holding portion of the cover retaining piece by the action of the folding piece, the cover retaining piece being movable such that when one of the holding pieces of the cover retaining piece faces the opening of the bag, the other holding piece of the cover retaining piece faces the folding piece.

Abstract: A control system and method for an apparatus for sealing packages wherein a web of flexible packaging material having a series of registration marks is formed into tubing and fed past a sealing device for sealing the tubing to form packages. As the tubing is fed past the sealing device, a photoeye detects the registration marks. A CPU, responsive to the photoeye, compares the location of registration marks relative to a window. A counter, responsive to the CPU, sets a delay length of tubing to be fed past the sealing device in response to the relative location of the registration marks and the window. The feeding of the tubing is stopped after the counter has been decremented to zero and the delay length of tubing has passed the sealing device. An in registration delay length of tubing to be fed past the sealing device is set in response to detection by said photoeye of a registration mark within the window.

Abstract: A stretch wrapping machine is disclosed having a prestretcher having a single driven roller and a controlled supply roll of stretchable wrapping material. In several embodiments, a variable ratio transmission varies the ratio of the rotational velocity of the driven roller and the rotational velocity of the supply roll to maintain a substantially constant ratio of the peripheral velocity of the driven roller to the peripheral velocity of the supply roll. In several embodiments, a brake applies a variable braking force to the supply roll to maintain a substantially constant ratio of the peripheral velocity of the driven roller to the peripheral velocity of the driven roller.

Abstract: A packaging machine suitable for the continuous packaging of individual products, or of groups of overlapped products having a different size in height, such as signatures, newspapers, magazines, books, and the like, and provided with at least one running-belt pressing device which is vertically shiftable and is made integral with a car which suitable for reciprocating inside the packaging machine, and which supports a transversal-welding unit, which is provided with a combined motion of the welding element both downwards towards and products and of accompanying of the same products, so as to make it possible said products to be correctly packaged and to be perfectly stacked, with the packaging of even one individual product being made possible, independently on whether it even contains an extremely small number of pages.

Abstract: A feed apparatus for strip wrapping material, comprising two pairs of power driven, breasted belts which incorporate sets of transverse teeth offset one from the other and are looped around respective pulleys driven from the output shaft of a motor interlocked to monitoring and control means; the drive is stopped for a given interval each time the belts are indexed through a distance corresponding to the length of the wrapping sheet, thus ensuring that the sheet lies directly in the path of the oncoming commodity.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine has a tube former for receiving flexible packaging material in thin flat strip form and progressively juxtaposing opposite longitudinal edge portions thereof in parallel vertically extending relationship to provide a depending tube open at the top. A side sealer attaches the vertically extending overlapping edge portions and an end sealer provides vertically spaced horizontally extending transverse or end seals across the tube. A product dispenser discharges measured quantities of product into the tube interior through the former and through the open upper end of the tube. Tube feed means comprise first and second pairs of vertically spaced rolls respectively on opposite external sides of the tube of packaging material and first and second tube feeding belts respectively trained over said pairs of rolls. Inner runs of the belts engage the tube and have vertically extending perforate portions.

Abstract: A wrapping-paper feeding apparatus for use in a coin wrapper includes a paper feeding roller for drawing wrapping paper out of a wrapping-paper storage portion, wrapping rollers for wrapping the wrapping-paper fed out of the paper feeding roller around accumulated coins and a cutter disposed between the paper feeding roller and the wrapping rollers. A paper cutting roller is disposed between the paper feeding roller and the wrapping rollers to impart tension to the wrapping paper so as to cut the wrapping paper by the cutter.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improvement of a bag-making-and-filling packaging apparatus in which a web supplied from a roll of packaging material is formed into a tube through a tube-forming member and intermittently delivered and the formed tube is filled with a material to be packaged and when the filling is completed, the tube is sealed along the width thereof. The apparatus comprises an improved packaging material delivery device which is effective to assure durability of delivery means and to prevent damage to the packaging material for good packaging finish as well as to increase precision of delivery of the packaging material, and an improved registering device in which setting and adjusting operation of registering is facilitated and the structure associated with a register mark sensor is simplified.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a bagging machine which handles bags linked together in a chain-like arrangement, the machine being of a construction that the movement of the chain of bags is controlled such that the bags in the chain, especially those in the filling zone and lead up to the filling zone, can be precisely positioned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for controlling a driving system in a packaging machine. The method comprises providing a first motor for driving an article infeed conveyor for feeding articles to be packaged into a tube of packaging material, a second motor for driving a pair of rollers for drawing a film of packaging material and a third motor for driving a pair of sealing heads at an end seal mechanism and controlling the speed of the second motor and the speed of the third motor to be dependent upon the speed of the first motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for loading articles into bags formed from a known roll of web material delineated by perforations at desired intervals. The web includes a first and second sheet of material. A sensor detects a perforation line and activates a sheet separator which opens or tears only the first sheet along a perforation line. The second sheet remains intact and preserves the web. A stream of air is directed at the open edge to inflate a bag. The bag is stabilized on a platform while articles are inserted. After articles are loaded, the second sheet is separated so that the bag is removed from the web and can be closed as desired.

Abstract: A stretch wrapping machine is disclosed having a prestretcher having a single driven roller and a controlled supply roll of stretchable wrapping material. In several embodiments, a variable ratio transmission varies the ratio of the rotational velocity of the driven roller and the rotational velocity of the supply roll to maintain a substantially constant ratio of the peripheral velocity of the driven roller to the peripheral velocity of the supply roll. In several embodiments, a brake applies a variable braking force to the supply roll to maintain a substantially constant ratio of the peripheral velocity of the driven roller to the peripheral velocity of the driven roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the unwinding of a plastic film in a packaging machine. The film before coming in contact with a conveyor belt for the products to be packaged passes in succession through a pair of dragging rollers and about a floating bar disposed between fixed guide rollers. The drive roller of the pair of rollers is driven by a variable speed motor by way of two alternately activated transmission of different ratio. Two microswitches disposed at different levels cooperate with the floating bar in order to activate one or the other of the transmissions.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system for a fluid container filler line having an empty container in-feed conveyor (11), a multivalve fill station (14), a multihead scanner station (17), a discharge conveyor (20) and a fill height detector (25), the system comprising a sensing module (22) having a first sensor (44) to indicate the first of a sequence of numbered valves with means to reset a valve counter, a second sensor (45) to count each valve of the sequence and controller means (50) responsive to said sensors to spacially track each container (12) through the system and to identify the particular fill valve for each particular container. A detector (54) is responsive to the controller and signals from the height detector to detect an improperly filled faulty container and identify the particular number valve which did the faulty filling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pill dispensing machine which can selectively dispense a plurality of different medications into preformed recesses in a plastic strip. The machine includes data entry means for entering the various types of medications to be dispensed and the time and date at which such medications are to be administered to the patient. The machine controls a plurality of dispensing devices to dispense into each of the recesses one or more pills associated with a particular time and date for administration. The machine also includes printing means for printing the date and time of administration onto a backing label adapted to cover the recesses to form a wholly contained pill container. The machine also includes a conveyor mechanism for moving the plastic strips past the dispensing means and the label applying area so that, at the output of the machine, completed packages of pills ready for administration at the specified printed time can be given to the patient.

Abstract: Wrapping apparatus for use with a baling machine of the type having a forming chamber in which a round bale is formed and into which a wrapping material is fed to wrap the bale, includes a housing, a feeding device mounted on the housing for feeding a wrapping material from a source of wrapping material to the forming chamber, and a drive on the housing having a drive position for driving the feeding device, the drive being biased into a non-drive position so that the drive is disengaged from driving the feeding device. A cutter is provided for cutting the wrapping material after the wrapping material exits the feeding device, the cutter being movable between a first and a second position. A pivotal lever is operable between an initial position and a first operable position, the pivotal lever being movable from the initial position to the first operable position to actuate the drive from its non-drive to its drive position to thereby drive the feeding device to feed the wrapping material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for wrapping a resiliently stretchable film wrap around a group of articles stacked on a pallet, with the film wrap tensioned to a desired tension, by feeding the film wrap along a feed path from supply rolls to a wrapping station, with tension rollers placed serially along the feed path such that the film wrap is coupled for movement with the surface of each tension roller, the tension rollers being driven so that the surface speeds of the serially located roller surfaces differ from one another in order to stretch and tension the film wrap to a given tension, and the stretched and tensioned film wrap being applied to the stacked articles with essentially uniform tension in the film wrap around the periphery of the unit load.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for applying a series of labels to a corresponding sequence of containers. Operation of a label applying apparatus is automatically monitored and corrections made to that operation based upon apparatus performance. More particularly, after an endmost label is severed from a web of like labels, the position of the end of the web is sensed and the web end repositioned in anticipation of the next label applying stage. More accurate labeling is achieved without disrupting the speed with which labels are applied.

Abstract: A wrapping device comprises a free wheeling film roll mounted on a frame, a film withdrawal slot to guide the film exterior of the frame, a detector to detect the withdrawn film length, a comparator which produces a locker signal each time when the film withdrawn accords with a predetermined length of the film by means of detector signal from the detector, a locker structure for locking the roll in the film withdrawal direction by means of the locker signal, and a press roller to seal the film about a wrapped goods-laden tray. The film on the roll is prevented from being unnecessarily withdrawn and thus allows and economical use of the film.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a tubular member over an article includes a supply of individual tubular members. A pair of opposed gripping members that are movable towards and away from each other are disposed on a rotatable pick-up and deposit wheel. As the wheel rotates, the gripping members come together to mechanically grip a tubular member from the supply. A vacuum is connected to the gripping members after they have mechanically gripped the tubular member, and the gripping members are moved apart as the wheel rotates them towards the application station so as to open the tubular member. The article is conveyed to the application station at a speed greater than that of the tubular member such that at the application station, the article meets the tubular member, is threaded therein, and pulls it fully open and around the article by a camming action. The vacuum is then disconnected so that the tubular member rests loosely around the container for further processing such as heat shrinking.

Abstract: In the case of a packaging machine, in particular for blister packs, a device for flexographic printing on a strip of packaging having a continuous movement comprises a roll supporting a printing block of resilient material in plate form which is detachably associated with the said roll and an ink tray with which there is associated a plurality of inking rollers and so-called anilox rollers which is movable with respect to the said printing block support roll in order to distance the said anilox roll from the support roll together with roller means for pressing the strip against the said printing block support roll by means of control means operated by the means for controlling and stopping the packaging machine, the said printing block support rolls, inking roller and anilox being maintained in a movement of rotation when the said packaging machine is stopped.

Abstract: Improved method and device for feeding a specific length of wrapping paper to a packaging section in a coin packaging machine are disclosed, wherein the improvement consists in that every cycle of wrapping paper feeding is carried out by way of the steps of forwarding a certain length of wrapping paper to the packaging section by means of wrapping paper feeding rollers until the leading end part of the forwarded wrapping paper is brought to the position located at the side of one of wrapping rollers, firmly holding the wrapping paper against the guide wall of a guide passage, displacing a movable guide away from the latter, carrying out an additional feeding in dependence on the selected diameter of coins to be packaged and cutting off the wrapping paper to the specific length by thrusting it against a cutting knife while it is stretched.

Abstract: In a horizontal packaging machine for wrapping and sealing articles with flexible films, a servo control system for maintaining synchronism between the finwheel drive, the in-feed conveyer and the cut-off knife assembly so that proper registration of the graphic art work on the packaged article is achieved. The finwheels are driven by a D.C. motor whose armature windings are connected to the output of a servo amplifier. A master tachometer driven by the horizontal wrapper's drive motor provides a voltage which is directly proportional to the angular velocity of that drive motor. The output from the master tachometer is passed through a calibrating network and into a first input of the servo amplifier circuit. A second tachometer is coupled to the finwheel shaft and produces a feedback signal proportional to the angular velocity of the finwheels. The feedback signal is applied to the second input of the servo amplifier and functions to control the D.C. current driving the finwheel drive motor.

Abstract: A weighing scale and a label printer/applier are cooperatively combined with a wrapping machine to form a packaging machine into which a trayed commodity can be inserted and a wrapped and priced package removed. The weight of a trayed commodity is preferably determined as it is transported into the packaging machine. The tray size, known commodity and weight of the trayed commodity or package are utilized to determine the length and width of a sheet of film to be used to wrap the package. The package weight is passed to a label printer which calculates the price for the commodity being packaged, prints the label and passes it to a labeling head incorporated into a portion of the wrapping machine. The package weight is determined by subtracting a tare weight based on sensed package dimensions from the gross weight of the package to arrive at an accurate net pricing weight.

Abstract: A discarding device (1) for discarding cigarette packs (PS) not provided with a label or duty stamp (T) comprises an operational endless conveyor (4) driven step by step and carrying a plurality of open containers (5) each adapted to receive one cigarette pack (P).Loading means are provided to load sequentially into said containers (5) the packs (P) not yet provided with labels; and, spaced with respect to one another according to the feed steps of the intermittent conveyor (4), there are provided: a labelling station (S1) where the labels (T) are applied to the packs (P) in the containers (5), a checking station (S2) to detect the presence of the label on a pack, a discard conveyor (2) to discharge the unlabelled packs (PS), and a transfer conveyor (3) to convey the regular (i.e. labelled) packs (P) from a operational conveyor (4) to a further delivery conveyor (22, 23, 24).

Abstract: A stretch wrapping system including apparatus and process is disclosed in which rotation of a non-cylindrical or off-centered load draws film web at a continually fluctuating speed from a film roll through a prestretching device to wrap the load. The prestretching device includes an upstream roller coupled to a braking device and a downstream roller coupled to a positive torque device. The speed of the downstream roller is proportional to the take-up speed of the web on the load and the feedback device continually senses the speed of both rollers and adjusts the braking device so that the speed ratio of the rollers produces a constant stretch of the film web above its yield point. The feedback device also continually senses the forces contributed by the braking device and the torque device and continually adjusts the torque device so that the force on the web between the downstream roller and the load is held constant at a level below the yield point of the web.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus for simultaneously filling all containers in a group of containers with a desired volumetric quantity of liquid. A lead group of containers is separated from a line of unfilled containers received by the apparatus. The group of containers is sequentially subjected to a filling operation and to the application of sealing caps, followed by the discharge of the resulting group of filled and capped containers from the apparatus. Each group of containers is supported during the filling and capping operation for proper orientation of the fill openings.

Abstract: In a film wrapping machine for wrapping packages in stretchable film, a monitoring system is provided to generate a signal each time film is drawn into the machine. If no film is drawn into the machine indicating that the film source has expired, broken or otherwise become disengaged from the film feeding apparatus for the wrapping machine, the machine is stopped. The film draw into the machine is monitored by an electrical switch which is coupled to a tensioning roller, the motion of which is adjusted to activate the switch each time even at least a minimum length of film is drawn into the machine.

Abstract: A process and an installation for supplying fragile caps to a closure machine which operates at a high rate, wherein caps are manufactured in situ in a plurality of cells which operate in a parallel mode, with the caps then supplied to the closure machine by a single conveyor which preserves the orientation of the caps. Detectors disposed on inclined intermediate channels control the output rate of the cells and the conveyor to ensure the machine is supplied with caps at all times, even when a cell is stopped for maintenance.

Abstract: Machine for automatically capping and labelling bottles or like containers comprising, in addition to the labelling and capping device, apparatus for orienting the caps synchronized with said labelling and capping device, and for holding the oriented caps and depositing them on the bottles maintained fixed with respect to the axes of the capping heads.

Abstract: Equipment for covering a stack of goods with a shrink-wrap having a vertically displaceable lift carriage; guide means for said carriage; means for displacing said carriage; a substantially horizontal support connected to said carriage, said support rotateable substantially 180.degree. around a vertically displaceable horizontal axis; means for rotating said horizontal support; and, shrink-wrap gripping and releasing means connected to said horizontal support and moveable therewith for placing said shrink-wrap around said goods is disclosed.

Abstract: A packing paper supply apparatus for use with a coin packing machine which packs several kinds of coins with packing paper supplied from the supply apparatus. This supply apparatus includes a carriage which is accommodated in the machine body and which is charged with several kinds of the packing paper for the kinds of coins to be packed. A corresponding number of stoppers such as pins or recesses are provided in the outer periphery of the carriage and are arranged to correspond to the kinds of the packing paper. Drive means including an electric motor and a power train of belt and pulley type is used to drive the carriage so that it may rotate. An actuating member such as a bail having its extending end provided with a hook or roller is resiliently biased into abutment contact with one of the stoppers and can be brought into and out of engagement with the selected stopper in a manual manner so that the packing paper selected may be held in its supply position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a machine which is operable in cycles, the machine carrying out a plurality of functions during each cycle. Values representing the stages of the machine in its cycle are generated as the machine progresses through a cycle, the values being determined by the actual stage of the machine independently of time. Starting and stopping points in the cycle for at least one of the functions of the machine is preset in terms of the generated values. The generated values are compared with the preset starting and stopping point values. The machine function is initiated and maintained when the generated values are greater than the preset starting point value but are less than the preset stopping point value and the function is stopped when the generated values equal or are greater than the preset stopping point value. Apparatus and method for computing starting and stopping points for an eyespot window using only a single set of delay switches is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a machine for wrapping individual articles with a thermoplastic film, a device is provided for correctly positioning the film, which is for example printed with certain symbols, relative to the articles. Said device comprises a mechanism for detecting at every instant the position of an article, a photoelectric cell for detecting the position of the film and a comparison circuit which receives signals from both the detecting means. The comparison circuit comprises logical gates (of AND type) and storage means and is associated to timing means for actuating a motor so as to increase or reduce the speed of the film consistently with the positive or negative results of the speed comparison made by the comparison circuit, or to leave said speed unaltered when the phase relationship between the film and the articles has been found correct.