Abstract: Disclosed is a detector for detecting a product flow on a conveyor, including a base, to be fixed at a side of the conveyor, a pendulum, fixed to the based with a rotation to an axis, the pendulum rotating when products are pushed against it, a sensor, for detecting the position of the pendulum. The pendulum includes at an end thereof a contact unit having a flat plate shape, with a non-metallic surface for contacting the products.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to access and advance a work flow for a product or a plurality of products during unloading and loading shipments at a distribution center or unloading and processing shipments at a retail store. In some embodiments, RFID tags and wearable smart devices are employed such that products are monitored as they are unloaded from shipments at a retail facility, such as a distribution center, and repackaged into containers and onto a delivery truck for delivery to another retail facility, such as a physical retail store, or one or more customers.

Abstract: A machine for sealing containers by applying a covering film or a lid, which is located downstream of an infeed system for feeding containers to be sealed, the infeed system including an accumulation unit driven by motor and located downstream relative to a feeder unit driven by motor the feeder unit feeding containers to the accumulation unit.

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

Abstract: An automated, fully programmable, and adaptable device fills straws or straw-like packages with any type of flowing, or flowable, liquid. A straw is dropped from a hopper down chutes into a capture area where it is held and filled with liquid, after which it is sealed. The straw dropping, capture, filling, and sealing actions are preferably automatically controlled by a preprogrammed electronic controller. The major elements of a typical embodiment of the invention include means for dropping a straw or other receptacle into a fixed mounting position consistently, optional means for heating fluids throughout the fill process, means for filling the receptacle, and means for sealing the receptacle. The straw hopper has a retractable slide plate at its base that slides back to allow only one straw at a time to fall through the chutes into the capture area. In the preferred embodiment, the slide plate at the bottom of the hopper moves back and forth in a predefined fully programmable sequence.

Abstract: In order to be able to quickly and inexpensively feed articles, in particular bags, into spaces, for example insides of folding boxes of a continuously moving, transporting device, the speed of the transporting device is slower during a feed-in operation than the speed of the transporting device outside of the feed-in operation. A control device is provided in a device for feeding in the articles in order to control this change in speed.

Abstract: For the purpose of checking packs (10), in particular cigarette packs, for the correct configuration of the outer appearance, the packs (10) are moved past stationary optoelectronic checking means, namely cameras (32, 33). The latter register outer surfaces of the packs (10). The checking means, namely cameras (32, 33), are triggered by the pack to be checked via an activating sensor (39). A downstream ejector (34) is actuated by a further sensor, namely by a defect sensor (42), which reacts to a defective pack.

Abstract: A packaging unit (1) for continuously producing aseptic sealed packages (2), containing a pourable food product, from a tube (14) of packaging material filled with the food product; the unit (1) has a first and second chain conveyor (10, 11) respectively having a number of jaws (12) and a number of counter-jaws (13), which cooperate with and grip the tube (14) to heat-seal the tube at successive cross sections (54) by means of induction heating elements (29) on the jaws (12); and each jaw (12) has a pair of movable elements (60) for interacting with and correcting supply of the tube (14), and the travel of which is controlled by a control assembly (95) in response to a signal (107) related to the position of designs (31) on the packaging material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of applying pouring elements to flat-gabled packages filled with free-flowing products, where the pouring elements are glued to the individually conveyed and sealed packages, where a fully automatic application operation is possible, where trouble due to improper positioning and incomplete gluing of the pouring elements is reliably prevented. In addition, it is desirable to prevent packages not having the pouring elements attached to them from leaving the gluing station. This is accomplished by the following steps: horizontal conveyance of successively arranged packages standing upright, separation of the packages and introduction of the separated packages into a gluing station depending on the presence of a pouring element, applying adhesive to the pouring element and gluing and pressing the pouring element to a predetermined area of each package.

Abstract: A system for automatic inspection and ejection of cartons in a packaging machine includes detection elements (20, 22) for determining whether a carton (C) has assumed a predetermined configuration at a predetermined point in its path of travel. Carton ejection elements include rollers (30, 32) which are actuated to eject a carton (C) when the detection elements (20) determine that the carton has not assumed the predetermined configuration at the predetermined point in its path of travel. A synchronous relationship between a flow of cartons (C) and a flow of groups of articles (G) to be packaged is preserved at and as cartons leave the carton inspection and ejection station of a packaging machine.

Abstract: A carton folding apparatus operable to close the top of a carton having a front inner flap, a rear inner flap, a right outer flap, and a left outer flap. The carton folding apparatus comprises a frame which has an input end and an output end. Extending between the input end and the output end of the frame is a conveyor which is adapted to transport cartons from a position upstream of the input end of the frame to a position downstream of the output end thereof. A flap folding assembly is mounted for vertical movement along the frame in order to accommodate cartons of various sizes. The flap folding assembly is positioned above the conveyor and includes a stationary front flap folding bar, a rotatable rear flap folding arm, a right outer flap folding member, and a left outer flap folding member. Each of outer flap folding members includes an end. The ends of the outer flap folding members are adapted to be moved closer to or further from one another upon rotation of the outer flap folding members.

Abstract: Enveloping apparatus with an envelope filling position (4) and, extending therefrom, an envelope transfer track (46) extending along a closing nip (49) beside the envelope transfer track (46). Beyond the closing nip (49) the envelope transfer track (46) comprises opposite surfaces and a brake, blocking or drive mechanism (60) for at least delaying movement in direction of transport of those surfaces. The control structure (43, 61, 72) is adapted to activate an upsetting feature (55, 56, 71) in response to a displacement of that envelope (5) from the envelope filling position (4) through a fixed, specific distance. With the opposite surfaces with a nip thereinbetween, movement in direction of transport of envelopes with the leading edge in different positions can be delayed, stopped or reversed, without requiring adjusting a stop or the like. There is also described a method for filling and closing envelopes.

Abstract: A down-article indicator which automatically adjusts for the height difference of articles, such as bottles, when article size is changed for a new run on a machine conveying articles. A pivotably mounted height sensing arm, located on one lane of the machine, down stream from an array of freely pivoting detecting arms, is connected by an adjustable mechanical linkage to a pivoting bracket holding a retro-reflective photo eye in proper location with respect to the detecting arms so that the detecting arms do not break a light beam from the photo eye during normal operation. A non-upright article will cause a detecting arm to pivot and break the light beam to stop the machine. As a new group of articles having a different height moves into the down-article indicating station, the height sensing arm automatically moves the photo eye to its proper location for the new height articles.

Abstract: A flap opening apparatus wherein envelopes are sequentially conveyed past a jet nozzle, which delivers timed blasts of air to open the flaps of each envelope. A computer controller tracks the position of the envelopes by a shaft encoder, and activates the jet nozzle when each envelope is correctly positioned. The opened flaps of the envelopes are held in an open position by a plate so that mail materials may be inserted into the envelopes.

Abstract: A ball placer device is provided for containers in a capping machine, which consists of a vertical tube assembly mounted to the capping machine to receive a series of balls therein. A feed assembly for the balls is retained above the vertical tube assembly on the capping machine, so that the balls can enter into the vertical tube assembly in a stacked relationship. A conveyor is to carry a series of the containers in upstanding positions under the vertical tube assembly. Each container is of the type having a neck with a collar thereon. A mechanism is for placing each ball from the vertical tube assembly upon each collar on the neck of each container, one at a time, as the containers are carried under the vertical tube assembly by the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying twist ties comprises structure for receiving the open end of the film wrapper of a bakery product; structure for severing the leading end from a length of ribbon to form a twist tie; and structure for twisting the twist tie around the end of the film wrapper, thereby closing same. A naked loaf detector and a hook jam detector are provided. All operations of the apparatus are controlled by a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: In order to prevent spilling the contents or fracturing a package being filled, a rigid tray is moved into a filling area by pushers in which the pusher is advanced under controlled acceleration and then deceleration for gently stopping the pusher in contact with or in close proximity to a filled tray. A short time delay in movement of the tray is provided and then the pusher is advanced along with the tray moved thereby under a controlled acceleration into a sealing station. The tray is brought under controlled deceleration to stop in the sealing station at a predetermined position where another short time delay is provided in the stop position of the pusher. The pusher is then retracted to a safe position out of the way in order to permit the sealing of the tray without the interference of the pusher while the tray is sealed. The sealed tray is then transferred to an outfeed area and the sequence is repeated for filling and sealing a following tray.

Abstract: A device for applying adhesive bands to packets, whereby an annular conveyor feeds the bands along a path having a first portion extending along a portion of the path along which the packets are supplied, a second portion extending between the output of the first portion and a loading station where the bands are loaded on to the conveyor, and a third portion extending between the loading station and the input of the first portion and past a gumming device; the conveyor being a suction conveyor having at least a first suction chamber wherein a selective vacuum is formed and extending along the first and second portions of the path along which the bands are fed, and a second suction chamber wherein a constant vacuum is maintained and extending along the third portion of the path along which the bands are fed.

Abstract: Packaging trays are displaced over the entire length of a packaging machine by the horizontal top run of a single conveyor provided with a series of transverse bars which are capable in each case of pushing one of the trays and are attached to driving chains which form a closed loop with the push-bars, the packaging trays being slidably displaced on guide plates or tracks. Moreover, the control elements of the conveyor are capable of subjecting this latter to a forward displacement until a packaging tray is brought onto a platform located within the welding station, then to a slight backward displacement (R) until the corresponding push-bar has withdrawn behind the welding station in order to avoid any interference with the closing of the moving parts of the station, and finally to another forward displacement of the push-bars after completion of the welding operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the positioning of articles driven on a path comprises a first position detector mounted on the path upstream from a desired stop position for the articles on the path and a sensor for sensing displacement steps of the articles and triggered by the first position detector. The apparatus is characterized in that first detector is at a non-critical distance from the stop point, and in that it further includes a second position detector mounted at a distance which is known and referenced relative to the stop point, and means for deriving a stop-controlling parameter P during an initialization cycle using one of the articles driven along the path, on the basis of the number N of article displacement steps representing the known distance and on the basis of a number n of sensor steps measured between the article being detected by one of the two position detectors and then by the other. The invention is applicable to mail processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for bagging foodstuffs such as potatoes includes a carousel having a number of hopper recesses defined in a top surface and an electric motor and transmission assembly for rotatably moving the carousel. Each of the hoppers terminates in a chute for guiding the foodstuffs, and the carousel is vibrated in two separate directions in order to prevent the foodstuffs from becoming stuck. An automatic bag gripping mechanism is provided beneath each of the chutes, and is adapted to close when a bag is placed into position between its grippers when the carousel is in a first position. A control and interface unit continuously moves the carousel from the first position to a second loading position, and interfaces with a commercially available weighing machine to control the transfer of a load of foodstuffs from the weighing machine into one of the hoppers.

Abstract: The invention comtemplates the automatic tagging of seedling transplants which have been or are about to be inserted in the prepared soil within individual cells of matrices (e.g. 3.times.4 matrices of cells). The tags are stacked and retained in individual vertically extending magazines which are above and in transversely spaced array, across the path of the row-by-row indexed conveyor advance of each successive matrix. The tags of each stack are retained by lateral side-edge lug formations of each magazine, at the otherwise open bottom end of the magazine. A tag-picker arm carries an elastomeric suction cup which is configurated, in its horizontal pick-off relation with the bottom face of the bottom tag, to engage and arcuately deform the tag, thus removing or decreasing magazine-lug restraint and affording an initial extracting displacement wherein the arched tag can be downwardly displaced, essentially without shear or other interaction with the next-adjacent and other remaining tags in the magazine.

Abstract: A comprehensive system is disclosed for the pattern forming and loading of packaged bakery products into pallet trays or baskets (herein collectively referred to as baskets) for delivery to stores. An arrangement of basket and product conveyors delivers product packages to a pick-up station and baskets to loading positions. A programmable robotic loader is fitted with a special gripper adapted for the pick-up of groups of the packaged goods by applying suction to the product packages and physically laterally confining the suspended bags. The programmed loader picks up product groups and places them in a programmed, optimal pattern in the shipping basket. The special gripper mechanism enables the robotic loader to execute rapid translational and rotational motions in transferring product to the shipping baskets in a desired orientation.

Abstract: The machine has a set of wheels and a set of backing wheels for bringing envelopes into a filling position where they face a mail path, and holding them therein, the mail path having mail advance means and envelope body opening fingers. The set of backing wheels (4) is coupled via a free wheel mechanism (26) to the mail advance means (8) and is controlled to leave a retracted position once an envelope is in a filling position to return to a position where it presses against the set of wheels (3) by means (17, 35-36) for detecting that an item of mail has been partially inserted into the envelope, and is stopped together with the mail advance means by means for detecting that the item of mail has been fully inserted into the envelope. The invention is applicable to processing mail.

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: A Multi-Purpose Conveyor System particularly designed for efficiently handling different types of dough products which conveyor system includes a plurality of coordinated and synchronized conveyor mechanisms, constructed and arranged to eliminate the necessity for manual handling of the dough during the cutting of the dough onto individual pieces, and assembling the desired number of pieces into a product carrier and delivering the product carrier to a transport conveyor system for final processing.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for facilitating the rapid hand packing of fragile ingredients such as used in salads. Mechanisms are provided to transport empty containers to a filling station, introducing the ingredients by a hard raking procedure into the container and then further moving the containers to a weighing station and finally passing them for sealing and packaging. Facilities are included so that containers of a number of different sizes can be accommodated.

Abstract: A packaging machine for bonding a sheet to opposite walls and over the articles therein. One embodiment has a conveyor which moves the trays down a predetermined path, during which a film sheet is disposed over the tops of the articles in each of the trays, and flight bars traveling about an orbital path interpose the sheet between the trailing and leading walls of each of the successive trays and press the sheet against the adjacent trailing and leading walls. Heating elements associated with each of the flight bars heat the sheet, while compressed, to form a bond between the film sheet and the tray walls. The heating elements are controlled by an improved electrical circuit. Three independently movable sets of flight bars are provided for placing each of the trays in compression whereby the apparatus is adjustable as required to accommodate trays of different sizes over a range within the limits of the machine.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for facilitating the rapid hand packing of fragile ingredients such as used in salads. Mechanisms are provided to transport empty containers to a filling station, introducing the ingredients by a hand raking procedure into the container and then further moving the containers to a weighing station and finally passing then for sealing and packaging.

Abstract: Label inserting apparatus for automatically inserting identification labels in plant containers or the like comprises a conveying track for conveying containers on a predetermined path; a horizontal label storage magazine positioned above the path for holding the labels in a horizontal stack wherein all labels except the outermost label in the stack are constrained from downward movement; an insertion mechanism mounted transversely to the outer end of the storage magazine and having a vertically reciprocable slide member abutting the outermost label in the stack, the slide having a gripping means for gripping the outermost label only and driving it downwardly into the plant container; and control means for causing labels to be inserted in each plant container. The gripping means may be a projection on the slide that engages the label and also can include a vacuum device.

Abstract: A machine for sealing the top and/or bottom flaps of random size cases is disclosed. The location of the front and rear of cases moved through the machine by a conveyor is continuously monitored by a programmable controller that uses the location information to control the operation of various case alignment, flap folding, and glue-applying mechanisms. Case entry is initially prohibited by a raised gate. When the conveyor reaches a predetermined position the gate is lowered and a case enters the machine. As a case enters the machine, the case is aligned along the center of the case path of travel through the machine; and a T-deck drops to allow the bottom major flaps to separate from the bottom minor flaps. Such separation is necessary for the bottom flaps to be sealed simultaneously with the top flaps. If the bottom flaps are sealed when the case enters the machine, no separation occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing jams in a carton coding machine or the like are disclosed. The apparatus includes a pivotally mounted coding assembly actuated by a cylinder and cooperating solenoid operated directional control valve. A photo transceiver and reflector are provided for detecting a change in article flow, such as is caused by a defective article or article jam. Control means, responsive to a detected defective article or article jam, substantially simultaneously interrupts power to the coding assembly and displaces the coding assembly from the path of the articles. This prevents the defective article from wedging in the coding assembly and jamming the machine. After a delay period, the coding assembly is returned to the operative position for coding the following articles.

Abstract: A case sealing machine, wherein the position of cases moving through the machine is continuously monitored by a programmable controller that uses information about case position to control the operation of various flap folding and glue applying mechanisms, is disclosed. Cases are moved through the machine by a chain-driven flight bar conveyor mechanism. Case entry is prevented by a raised gate until the flight bar conveyor mechanism is synchronized. Thereafter, the gate is lowered and a power roller feeds the case into the machine. After entering the machine, a case is pushed through the machine by the flight bar conveyor mechanism. The programmable case sealing machine can be programmed to seal the top and/or bottom of the case. If the bottom is to be sealed, the bottom major flaps of the case are separated from the bottom minor flaps by a T-deck mechanism as the case enters the machine. If the bottom of the case was previously sealed, the T-deck is rendered inoperative by the program.

Abstract: A case feeding apparatus moves open cases onto a lift table where each case is moved upwardly onto the funnel portion of a shifting grid structure so that a slug of articles can be deposited therein. Line pressure advances the cases toward a retractable stop and side belts move the cases individually into an intermittently operated pair of case conveyors capable of handling cases of different size. Arrival of a case at the lift table triggers both the raising and lowering of the lift table and an indexing device controls the case conveyor cycle. The cases have their side flaps folded down by side guides to maintain the case in laterally centered positioned on the lift table and each case conveyor has either pusher lugs or leading lugs to control case position longitudinally.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling bags and providing completely controlled handling of bags from pickup through their movement to a bag closing station. A pair of elongated forming bars supported for up and down movement and traversing movement between a bag filling hopper and a laterally spaced bag closing station grip, flatten, and assist in forming gusseted bags after filling while the bags are still clamped on a filling spout, and thereafter controllably lower the filled bags to a conveyor and support the bags on the conveyor in traversing movement to a final bag closing station. A pair of gusset arm assemblies supported for lateral shifting movement on opposite sides of a filling spout each include a pair of gusset clamping fingers which are disposed inside of the mouth of a bag during filling. The clamping fingers are actuated in a predetermined sequence to hold and form the gusset pleats of the bag while permitting the bag to be opened over its full width during the filling operation.

Abstract: A case loader for articles in which the articles are received in a straight line extension from the article conveyor and in which they trip a first sensor when a case load is received, and the cases are directed to a loading station below and beside the article receiving station, the cases themselves tilted to receive the articles from an inclined chute the articles falling down the chute, the chute being arranged to reorient the bottles from a straight line into the rows and columns for the case, the case falling back onto the conveyor when filled and being removed from the case loader by the conveyor chain.

Abstract: A case loader for articles in which the articles are received in a straight line extension from the article conveyor and in which they trip a first sensor when a case load is received, and the cases are directed to a loading station below and beside the article receiving station, the cases themselves tilted to receive the articles from an inclined chute the articles falling down the chute, the chute being arranged to reorient the bottles from a straight line into the rows and columns for the case, the case falling back onto the conveyor when filled and being removed from the case loader by the conveyor chain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling and filling bags or envelopes fed from a continuous length supply are disclosed wherein each bag or envelope is open at or adjacent one marginal edge of the continuous length supply for insertion thereinto of filling material.

Abstract: An apparatus which grips an article on the opposite sides of the article to hold the article in a predetermined orientation. One or more work operations are performed on the article while it is held in the predetermined orientation. The article is gripped between a movable resilient member and a guide which holds the article against the movable resilient member.

Abstract: A packaging machine for bonding a sheet to opposite walls and over the articles in a paperboard tray. One embodiment has a conveyor to move the trays along a predetermined path that includes, in sequence, a film sheet supply station, a compression and heat bonding station, and a heating tunnel or shrinkage station. As the trays move in the predetermined path, a film sheet is drawn over the tops of the articles in each of the successive trays, and flight bars associated with the compression and heating station interpose the sheet between the trailing and leading walls of each of the successive trays and press the sheet against the adjacent trailing and leading walls. Heating means associated with the said flight bars heat the sheet, while compressed, to form a bond between the sheet and the trailing and leading walls.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of transferring a strip-like plastic bag material in a packing machine. The method comprises the steps of transferring the bag material by a pair of intermittently operated pinching rollers. The bag material comprises a series of interconnected bags each having a heat-sealed bottom portion with a flap-like margin. The flap-like margin is raised during transfer of the bag material by guide means. The bottom portion is then detected by means of a microswitch having an elongated contact adapted to be releasably engaged with the flap-like margin as the flap-like margin is raised by the guide means during transfer of said bag material. The bag material is then stopped for a packing operation in response to detection by the microswitch of the bottom portion.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for transferring a strip-like plastic bag material in a packing machine. The apparatus comprises a pair of intermittently operated pinching rollers for intermittently transferring the bag material, said bag material comprising a series of interconnected bags each having a heat-sealed bottom portion with a flap-like margin, a mechanism for raising said flap-like margin during transfer of said bag material, a microswitch for detecting said bottom portion, said microswitch having an elongated contact adapted to be releasably engaged with said flap-like margin as said flap-like margin is raised during transfer of said bag material and means for stopping said bag material in response to detection by said microswitch of said bottom portion.

Abstract: Case packer apparatus having an upper grid supplied with streams of rows of abutted articles for receipt for case packing action, a lower grid of corresponding size and article grouping as the upper grid is positioned directly thereunder and is operatively connected thereto by position control means, such control means secure the lower grid to the upper grid for vertical movement to and away from a position adjacent the upper grid, drop fingers depend from the lower grid and are engageable with a case on a case supply conveyor having a horizontal operative course positioned directly below the vertically aligned grids.

Abstract: A box metering system for use with a box filling and weighing system in which a box forming machine discharges two-piece partially ensleeved box parts in partial assembled relation to a conveyor leading to the box filling and weighing stations. The box metering system includes a reciprocally movable box stop member which in one position stops a box and causes actuation of a box completion assembly device to complete the assembly of the box before advancement to a filling and weighing station. The completely assembled box is released by movement of the box stop member to a retracted position in response to movement of leading boxes toward the filling and weighing stations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying empty boxes to a plurality of filling and weighing stations for filling boxes at said stations each independently of other filling stations, and removal of filled boxes from said filling and weighing stations along a common discharge path without box interference. The filling and weighing stations are arranged in a line. Parallel to this line for at least the length of the filling station line is an empty box feed conveyor. Empty boxes are moved along said box feed conveyor so that an empty box is in ready position opposite a filling and weighing station for immediate replacement of a filled box, the empty box being utilized to displace the filled box from the filling and weighing station and to move the filled box onto a discharge conveyor arranged along a line parallel to said filling and weighing station line and on the side opposite from the box feed conveyor.

Abstract: A depositing mechanism deposits wire bottle closure elements sequentially onto a conveyor. The conveyor transports a continuous supply of closure elements to a bottle wiring station. Closure elements which are not utilized at the wiring station return on the conveyor to the depositing station. To avoid duplication of closure elements on the conveyor a sensing system scans the conveyor at a sensing station located ahead of the depositing station. If no closure element is detected the depositing operation proceeds as usual. If a closure element is detected, the depositing operation is interrupted. The depositing mechanism includes a magnetic transfer device for transferring closure elements onto the conveyor and which is particularly suited to high-speed operation.