Abstract: The packaging machine comprises a supply unit for holding and providing a plurality of package goods or packaging materials. A display device assigned to the supply unit is configured to display at least one optical marking, which is indicative of a fill level of the supply unit and is different from an alphanumeric display. The at least one optical marking is variably adaptable as a result of at least one process parameter different from the fill level in a way that an assignment of the at least one optical marking to a certain degree of the fill level of the supply unit is changeable. A control unit, which communicates with the display device, is configured to adapt the at least one optical marking as a function of the at least one process parameter different from the fill level.

Abstract: A transfer device raises batteries of flat boxes inside a carton so that one battery at a time is in a waiting position beyond an open upper face of the carton at an inlet line of a boxing machine. A frame is predisposed to translate above the positioning station and the inlet line between a first position above the waiting position and a second position above the inlet line. Grippers on the frame both grip and retain a box battery at two ends thereof and release the battery. The grippers are activated, with the frame in the first position, to grip and retain the battery of boxes at its two ends and, with the frame in the second position, to release the battery into the inlet line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wrapping device to wrap an object, such as a bale, in foil material, including at least one clamping and cutting device to clamp the foil material after wrapping of the object, and to cut the clamped foil material, wherein the clamping and cutting device includes a catch element having a curved guiding element which is guided in a bearing, wherein the catch element is translatable between a catch position to catch the foil material and a clamp position in which the foil material can be clamped in order to facilitate cutting of the foil material.

Abstract: A system for controlling a braking mechanism for a supply roll with wrapping material for a round baler that passes through a first phase wherein, after detection of sufficient crop material in the baling chamber, wrapping material is brought up to the baling chamber and introduced into the baling chamber. The braking mechanism provides a higher braking force during the wrapping operation than the first phase. The wrapping operation is started on detection of movement in the wrapping material. This prevents the braking mechanism from being activated prematurely and leaves sufficient time to deactivate the braking mechanism after the wrapping operation.

Abstract: A thru-beam sensor is positioned such that the beam passes through the crease line of the envelope when the envelope is parked in the insertion area. As the envelope enters the insertion area, the through beam sensor is set to current level A. The sensor is used to accurately position the envelope based on the passing of the lead edge. Once the envelope is in position, the current in the thru-beam emitter pair is raised until the envelope is no longer obstructing the line of sight of the sensor. From this state, the insert or plurality of inserts that are entering the accumulator can be detected, as the presence of the inserts will inhibit light transmission between the emitter and receiver. Using the sensor system proposed here, the inserts trailing edge can be detected at the crease line of the envelope.

Abstract: An automated system and method for emptying the contents of pharmaceutical containers. In an embodiment, a gripper unit receives and holds a pharmaceutical container. A cutter cuts the pharmaceutical container, and a rotating unit, operable with the gripper, rotates at least a portion of the gripper unit to empty the contents of the pharmaceutical container.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by capturing the product in flexible packaging material. The packing apparatus includes a product detector for detecting the presence or absence of a product to be packaged. The detection of the product may cause the advancement of packaging material and the product through a nipping station to form a package. The failure to detect a product may cause the advancement of the packaging material to stop and conserve packaging material until a product is detected. The product detector may be a color sensor trained to detect a color of the first web, a luminescence sensor trained to detect a luminance of the first web, or a light-sensitive sensor trained to detect a difference in light passing through the first web. Also, a luminescence additive may be joined with the lower web to provide a distinct luminance.

Abstract: An automated system and method for emptying the contents of pharmaceutical containers. In an embodiment, a gripper unit receives and holds a pharmaceutical container. A cutter cuts the pharmaceutical container, and a rotating unit, operable with the gripper, rotates at least a portion of the gripper unit to empty the contents of the pharmaceutical container.

Abstract: A machine for packaging products (13) in sealed film (25), comprises a product inlet feeding bench (12), a rotating head (15) for receiving and conveying products arriving sequentially from the feeding bench to a loading station (14) in the head and an outlet bench (17) that receives the products conveyed by the rotating head (15) to an unloading station (16) to evacuate them from the machine. The rotating head (15) comprises peripherally seats (30, 31) for receiving products and sealing means (45, 46, 47, 48) that rotates with these seats (30, 31) to achieve sealing of a film wound around the product in a seat (30, 31) whilst the head rotates to take the seat (30, 31) from the loading station (14) to the unloading station (31).

Abstract: A bale shape indicator includes a sensor configured for use with a substantially cylindrical bale being formed, to indicate, in a non-contacting manner, the presence of crop components corresponding to a predetermined area of an end region of the bale. The indications are capable of being manipulated to determine a density value for the end region of the bale.

Abstract: A product packaging apparatus that includes a notch former and a tab setter for creating an integrated tab on a product package. The notch former and tab setter are capable of forming a tab or an exposed area at any location of the product package, including creating a tab or an exposed area adjacent a longitudinal edge of the package. The notch former and the tab setter allow a tab to be created that has a length that extends beyond the longitudinal edge of the package. As a result, the present invention is capable of generating simple, easy to open packages that may also be re-used for re-mailing purposes.

Abstract: A detecting and protecting device includes detecting devices, and an ultrasonic sensor; the detecting devices are connected to respective ones of expanding assemblies of a shrink film machine, and each include a seat behind a supporting rod of a corresponding expanding assembly, a movable rod passed through the seat and projecting below the supporting rod, a stopping board pivoted to one end of the movable rod, a shading block joined to one end of the stopping board, and a sensor positioned on the movable rod and normally shaded by the shading block; if the stopping board comes into contact with goods while a shrink film is being lowered, it will tilt, and the shading block will no longer shade the sensor; the ultrasonic sensor is used for measuring height of the goods such that sealing and cutting action will start immediately after the film encompasses the goods.

Abstract: A feeder for feeding products to be dispatched, such as, for instance, documents, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and the like, to a conveyor of a packaging line, provided with transport pushers, the feeder being provided with a magazine for storing a stack of products, the dimensions of the magazine being settable through the setting of guides, wherein at least a number of the guides are in communication with a sensor, such that the position of the respective guide is known, while the control is arranged, on the basis of the signals coming from the sensors, to set at least one setting of a packaging line of which the feeder forms a part.

Abstract: An automatic high speed packaging machine for wrapping packages in polymer film is disclosed wherein the film seal at the sides and ends of the packages is made at a high rate of speed as the packages travel through the machine. The packages travel continuously in a straight line through the machine. The packages are delivered at the input end of the machine by an in-feed conveyor into a film inverting head where the packages are surrounded by longitudinally half-folded polymer film. Thereafter, the packages are transported to a side sealing mechanism which forms a longitudinal seal in the film on the side opposite the fold. Finally, the packages are transported to a traveling end seal mechanism where a lateral seal is formed at each end of the package and the film web connecting succeeding packages is severed. The machine produces packages which have a sealed film wrap around the entire package.

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: A packing material feeding apparatus for a vertical-type bag form-fill-sealing machine comprises a feeding device for feeding a web as a packing material along a filling tube at a constant velocity during a normal operation of the machine, and a controller for controlling the operation of the feeding device. When a filling operation of articles is absent, the controller reduces a web feeding velocity, and then accelerates the web feeding velocity to the constant velocity when filling of the articles is resumed afterward. The acceleration of the web is carried out using a period equal to or longer than a unit packing period which is required to produce one bag during the normal operation of the machine.

Abstract: A strapping machine includes a machine body which defines a package-strapping space with a strap guide path. A package support plate is disposed above the strap guide path, and has opposite left and right sides which extend in a direction transverse to the strap guide path. A strap is fed to encircle the left and right sides of the package support plate. A swing arm is mounted pivotally to the machine body, and is turnable away from the machine body for strap tightening operation. A clamp unit is mounted movably on the swing arm. A swing lever is mounted swingeably underneath the package support plate adjacent to one of the left and right sides in such a manner that one end of the swing lever passes over the strap guide path, and that the other end of the swing lever is urged to abut against a micro switch which is electrically coupled to a driving unit for driving the clamp unit.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal packaging machine has a pull-down mechanism for advancing an elongated bag-making film, a longitudinal sealer for sealing the film in the longitudinal direction to make a tube and a transverse sealer for sealing the film transversely to form the bottoms and the tops of the bags, and is controlled such that the longitudinal sealer is activated for a specified length of time whenever a ready signal is outputted to the weigher to request a discharge of articles to be packaged but the operations of the pull-down mechanism and the transverse sealer are not started unless a signal is received from the weigher, indicating that it has discharged articles as requested.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus including parallel conveyors for moving loaded pallets to wrapping areas of the conveyors, a mobile wrapping machine on wheels, a guide for maintaining the wrapping machine along a path, position sensors for detecting loaded pallets at loading areas, and a computer control for directing the mobile wrapping machine to wrap the loaded pallets on a prioritized basis. The invention is extremely mobile, and is computer controlled to wrap the pallets without need for an operator.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for a high speed non-bruising dry bin loader for apples and other produce. A transfer belt receives fruit from an transfer source and transfers fruit to a distribution belt once the transfer belt has accumulated a predetermined, staged pattern of fruit. While fruit is transferred from the transfer belt, the distribution belt reciprocates into a bin, which is held in a sideways loading position. As the distribution belt retracts out of the bin, it discharges its load of fruit. The bin is lowered in pre-determined increments between discharge cycles of the distribution belt, so that the fruit is deposited into the bin one layer at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically inserting a tray of articles, such as a tray of letters for mailing, into a tubular packaging sleeve includes a conveyor for positioning a tray at an inserting position, and a sleeve carrier to move a sleeve into position for inserting the tray in the sleeve. The carrier includes a vacuum head for gripping a sleeve blank from the top of a sleeve supply, and sleeve forming plates for unfolding the blank into the tubular shape. The sleeve is positioned in axial alignment with the tray and a pusher arm pushes the tray into the sleeve. The invention includes automatic controls for initiating and controlling the sleeving operation without operator intervention. The invention includes a method of inserting a tray of articles in a sleeve using the apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for packaging newspapers comprises a conveyor which transports a newspaper through an entrance into the machine. The newspaper imparts a tension on both a top sheet, deployed from a first roll, and a bottom sheet, deployed from a second roll. A top and bottom dance bar communicates with the top and bottom sheet, respectively. In response to the tension, each dance bar simultaneously releases a brake and activates an electric motor, causing the first and second rolls to rotate and feed out the top and bottom sheet, respectively. The top and bottom sheet is guided over the top and bottom surface of the newspaper by a pair of first and second edge guides, respectively, for preventing lateral movement of the top and bottom sheets. A cutting and sealing mechanism comprising a front sealing bar is placed into contact with the top and bottom sheets near the rear edge of the newspaper for simultaneously sealing together and cutting the top and bottom sheets.

Abstract: A baggage protection device wherein the device consists of a base carriage onto which is mounted a turntable with a securing device. Also mounted on the base carriage is a roll of stretch-wrap plastic film, along with feeder posts and a vertical frame. An alternative embodiment of the baggage protection device consists of a base carriage unit having a rear section and a front section which may be extended outwards from the rear section to accommodate larger baggage to be wrapped thereon. A turntable is mounted on the front section of the base carriage unit, the turntable having a pair of hydraulic rams which act to urge together a pair of grip tongs movably mounted on the upper surface of the turntable. Mounted atop the rear section is a roll of stretch-wrap plastic film. As the plastic film is drawn from the roll, it passes around an idler roller and around a tensioning roller, the tensioning roller and idler roller being in contact with one another.

Abstract: A plurality of clamps arranged in equally spaced relation on an endless track are intermittently advanced at a pitch equal to the distance of each two adjacent clamps. A switch reactive only to the passage of a sufficiently heavy or filled bag which has been filled with an article is disposed downstream of a filling station, one of the stop positions for clamps. When the passage of a bag is not responded by switch, that is, when an empty or unfilled bag has passed near the switch, the particular clamp by which the empty bag is held is caused to pass through the final stop position and, in turn, through the first stop position before it can again reach the filling station, with the empty bag being held by the clamp all the while.

Abstract: A continuous and automatic system and method for packing a container with a utensil applied thereto in a carton forms a finished package. Initially, the containers travel along an infeed conveyor and are transferred by a transferring device to flighted belt. The transferring device includes a first sensor for sensing the presence of a backlog of the containers at the transferring device and for enabling the transferring device when the backlog is sensed. After being placed on the flighted belt, the containers have a respective wrapped utensil applied thereto. The applying device includes a second sensor which senses a presence of each successive container. A feedback device is also used for matching a selected line speed of the containers on the flighted belt with a transferring speed of the transferring device. Finally, each container with the utensil applied thereto is placed in a carton by a suitable cartoning device.

Abstract: A packaging machine of the type, in which products are inserted into the gap between two halves of center-folded film. The machine comprises two sealers. The first sealer cuts and heat-seals the center-folded film along a line extending at right angles to the fold of the film, thereby forming a bag containing a product. The second sealer heat-seals each bag at the open side thereof which extends parallel to the fold of the film. The machine further comprises a clamper and an evacuator. The clamper clamps the open side of the bag before the bag is sealed completely. The removes air from the bag through the clamper before the bag is sealed completely.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wrapping a product, particularly a bundle of newspapers or magazines, especially an extra thick bundle or an extra thin bundle comprising a few or a single newspaper or magazine. The product is carried on a conveyor system through a plane towards a curtain of film formed by an upper and a lower sheet of film. The curtain thus accompanies the product and is auto-sealed behind the product, after which the sheets of film are separated in the middle of the sealing region, the curtain of film being re-established and the product being provided with a wrapper.

Abstract: An improved positioning apparatus for conveyor systems uses a pair of retractable stops mounted laterally of the conveyor belt to extend diagonally over the belt and engage an article thereon at a precisely repeatable point. The conveyor drive is augmented by auxiliary drive means which are engaged to urge the article against the stops and to prevent excessive shock in the system.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus and method that includes a container support movable on a frame so as to raise and lower a container mounted thereon. A conveyor discharge section is also movably mounted on the frame so as to raise and lower the conveyor discharge end. The container support is coupled to the conveyor discharge section by a linkage that provides the container filling apparatus with the ability to initially lower the container support through an initial filling phase while maintaining the conveyor discharge section in a lowered condition, and thereafter simultaneously lower the container support while raising the conveyor discharge section. The linkage preferably includes a slotted bracket pivotally couple to the container support, a joining bracket pivotally mounted on the frame and having a follower mating with the slotted bracket, and a conveyor bracket pivotally mounted to the joining bracket and to the conveyor.

Abstract: An inserter is provided for use with one or more feeders. The inserter will receive material ejected from the first feeder, create at least one fold in the insert and then direct the insert into an awaiting envelope. The envelope is gradually opened as it is moved into position to receive the insert. A second insert may be urged into the first insert to initiate the fold in the first insert and urge the first insert into the envelope. The envelope preferably is provided with a pair of slits on one surface to facilitate the initial separation of the opposing surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A product line is provided for forming a sheet product composed of products such as bacon slices resting on a pre-cut thin substrate such as a sheet of paper. The substrate sheets are pre-cut to a predetermined length, and a flow of individual products and a flow of pre-cut sheets are coordinated such that the products deposit onto the pre-cut sheets in a predetermined pattern. The line may also include an assembly for reducing the flow rate of the thus formed sheet products, after which the reduced flow is conveyed to a stacking assembly for forming stacks of sheet products of a preselected size.

Abstract: Cartoning apparatus for packaging sealed bags containing loosely packed discrete articles in board cartons comprises a carton transfer and erecting mechanism which withdraws a collapsed carton sleeve from a magazine and deposits it in erected condition on a carton conveyor which advances the erected carton sleeve with step-by-step motion through a pluraltiy of work stations. A form, fill and seal machine delivers a sealed bag containing a product to a vacuum conveyor which accelerates the bag through a guide shroud and into the near open end of an associated carton sleeve supported on the carton conveyor at a carton filling station. A rail disposed at the far open end of the associated carton sleeve arrests the bag within the sleeve. The carton conveyor advances the carton sleeve and bag to further work stations where the carton end flaps are closed and sealed.

Abstract: A machine for packaging sundry articles between two weldable plastics material sheets is disclosed, in which provision is made for the formation of a top sheet loop to cope with different tallnesses of the articles as they are being packaged and sealed between the plastics sheet: undue sheet tensions are prevented as well as undue slackening of the sheet.Waste of plastics material is also efficiently done away with.

Abstract: A smoke filter for removing injurious components from the smoke. Comprises a fiber matrix in conjunction with a water-swellable synthetic mica. The fiber matrix may be made of cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, or the like. The water-swellable synthetic mica is of the general formulaW.sub.1/3 to 1 (X,Y).sub.2.5 to 3 (Si.sub.4 O.sub.10)F.sub.2wherein W is Na or Li cation, and X and Y represent 6-coordinate ions, for example, Mg and Li. Suitable synthetic micas include Na-tetrasilicic mica, Na-taeniolite, Li-taeniolite, Na-hectorite, and Li-hectorite.

Abstract: A packaging machine in which a belt-shaped packaging sheet fed continuously is cut to a predetermined length while being guided and conveyed in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of articles to be packaged. Position detectors detect the arrival of the top end of said packaging sheet, detect the arrival of each article at a position before the position where said article crosses said packaging sheet and the arrival of the top end of the packaging sheet returned from the feeding limit position by being moved as said article abuts against said packaging sheet and is further conveyed, at a predetermined reverse return position. The detectors are used to generate the necessary control signals for feeding and cutting the packaging sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming bags about hanger mounted garments using heat sealable wrapping material from a continuous flattened tubular web supplied on a roll. When a hanger mounted garment is placed on the apparatus, a sufficient length of tubing is drawn over the garment, cut free, and sealed at one or both ends. When the wrapped garment is removed, the apparatus returns to starting position.

Abstract: A wrapping machine has film feed rolls driven through a one revolution clutch to advance a wrapper length of stock in each cycle, past a continuously driven cutter, to separately driven and intermittently operating sheet locating belts. First sensing means disengage the clutch when no articles are ready to be wrapped. Second sensing means stop the belts in correct wrapping position of the sheet. Movable pressure rollers hold sheets on the belts, to stop with belts. Electrically actuated lifting devices lift the rollers from the belts. Cyclically driven switch means and holding circuits are connected to successively engage an electric clutch to drive the belts while opening a circuit to a brake for stopping the belts and deenergizing the roller lifting devices, then deenergize and disengage the electric clutch while conditioning the circuit to the brake for completion by the second sensing device, then energize the lifting devices for lifting the rollers from the belts.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, wrapping packages of different sizes in thin-gage film and heat sealing the film includes transporting the package at the same horizontal level through the machine, pulling the film down across a horizontal in-line package path to form a vertical wall of film, pushing the article along the path forwardly into the wall of film, forming a tubular loop of film about the package with the loop open at the rearward end, severing the film, closing and sealing the rearward end of the loop, stretching, and/or underfolding the film, and heat sealing the package. The length of film needed to wrap packages of randomly different sizes is sensed and fed automatically. A trailing-end portion of over-lapping film of preselected fixed length, irrespective of the size of the particular package, is provided at the rearward edge of the package. This over-lapping trailing portion is heat sealed and then pushed against the back of, or under, the package.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to tumble pack a pre-selected number of tetrahedron containers into a transport container without breaking the seals of any of the tetrahedron containers. A sliding discharge chute is employed which slides into the transport container adjacent the bottom thereof to allow the first few containers to be placed therein without dropping a long distance. Then the chute is slid upward as the rest of the containers are dropped into the transport container.