Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling a completed package from the machine.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected pre-opened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling air from the bag and compressing the contents prior to completion of the package. The method includes both the steps of expelling air and compacting the contents and the step of allowing the differential escape of oxygen from a package while retaining nitrogen therein.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for labeling bottles in a stream. An input conveyor is provided for supplying bottles to a presenting station. Bottles are restrained at the presenting station until the appropriate time by an entrance gate. Bottles are conveyed from the presenting station to a work station by an advancing conveyor. Bottles entering the work station drive the predecessor bottle out of the work station. An exit gate is provided to halt bottles leaving the work station so that they act as a registration stop for bottles entering the work station.

Abstract: A coil of an interconnected chain of open bags is provided in which the coil has a center opening having a diameter at least as great as the transverse dimension of the bags. A dispenser is provided on which a coil of bags is mounted. An end of the chain is pulled from the center opening and fed around a tapered mandrel and thence over a feed control mandrel oriented in angular relationship with the tapered mandrel. The web is then fed to a bagging machine for dispensing, loading and closing of the bags. The table on which the coil is mounted is rotatable so that the orientation of a span of bags running from the coil to the tapered mandrel remains substantially constant as the web is fed.

Abstract: A machine and method for loading bags of a preformed web of side interconencted bags. The top of a bag web is slit open and then fed between a pair of belt conveyors. The tops of the bags projecting over the conveyors belts are folded down over them and then gripped by a second pair of conveyor belts. At a load station the belts are spread to open bags sequentially and one at a time for loading. After loading a bag is separated from the web and fed through a sealing section comprising two pairs of hot air cartridges which are movable such that they do not emit hot air into the path of bag travel when it is undesirable to do so and a pair of crimp rollers.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag-supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling a completed package from the machine.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag-supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling a completed package from the machine.

Abstract: A purging system for a heating apparatus according to the present invention includes a pair of three-way valves interposed serially between a burner head and a supply of combustible fluid. Each valve is connected to a switch for switching between two modes of conduction. One of the valves is controlled by a remote switch so that the burner may be flushed manually by an operator. The other switch senses whether the heating apparatus is operating and flushes the burner automatically when the apparatus is inoperative.

Abstract: A tabletop machine for automatically loading and sealing flexible containers such as plastic bags forming part of a chain of bags. The apparatus includes structure for supporting a supply of preformed, interconnected bags which are sequentially fed to a loading station. At the loading station, the bag is inflated by a blower having a shutter controlled outlet so that the flow of inflation air is reduced or terminated during feeding and which provides a blast or surge of air to "pop" the bag open when the bag arrives at a loading station. A residual air stream maintains inflation of the bag. After loading, a clamping mechanism is activated which applies a substantially increasing clamping force as a clamp bar nears a heat sealing unit so that should an obstruction or other obstacle be encountered as the clamping bar moves towards the bag, motion in the clamping bar can be resisted by the obstacle without damage to the obstacle or clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A machine and method for loading bags of a preformed web of side interconnected bags. The top of a bag web is slit open and then fed between a pair of belt conveyors. The tops of the bags projecting over the conveyors belts are folded down over them and then gripped by a second pair of conveyor belts. At a load station the belts are spread to open bags sequentially and one at a time for loading. After loading a bag is separated from the web and fed through a sealing section.

Abstract: A web structure with electromagnetic radiation shifting indicia is disclosed. The indicia provide signals used in controlling various processes to be performed on the web as well as for controlling movement of the web. The preferred indicia are normally essentially invisible so that the physical appearance of the web is not affected. The indicia emit wave-shifted electromagnetic radiation in response to incident radiation of a given range to provide a means for determining the positioning of the web during movement as the processes are performed. Process and apparatus for making and using such webs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying tubular labels to empty or filled product containers at a labeling station including a reciprocally moveable labeling assembly and a container advancing mechanism including a pair of confronting, rotatable star wheels. The star wheels include arms for engaging and holding a container to be labeled at a label applying position. The star wheels operate to stabilize the container until the labeling applying assembly engages the container. The star wheels then move out of the labeling station to provide clearance for the label applying assembly. A cam drive system is utilized to both reciprocate the label applying assembly and the star wheel mechanism. Sensors monitor torque in the star wheels and terminate operation should excessive torque be encountered. An additional star wheel and associated guide are used to advance a container from either an inline or side conveyor to a container presenting position.

Abstract: A tabletop machine for automatically loading and sealing flexible containers such as plastic bags forming part of a chain of bags. The apparatus includes structure for supporting a supply of preformed, interconnected bags which are sequentially fed to a loading station. At the loading station, the bag is inflated by a blower having a shutter controlled outlet so that the flow of inflation air is reduced or terminated during feeding and which provides a blast or surge of air to "pop" the bag open when the bag arrives at a loading station. A residual air stream maintains inflation of the bag. After loading, a clamping mechanism is activated which applies a substantially increasing clamping force as a clamp bar nears a heat sealing unit so that should an obstruction or other obstacle be encountered as the clamping bar moves towards the bag, motion in the clamping bar can be resisted by the obstacle without damage to the obstacle or clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A web structure with electromagnetic radiation shifting indicia is disclosed. The indicia provide signals used in controlling various processes to be performed on the web as well as for controlling movement of the web. The preferred indicia are normally essentially invisible so that the physical appearance of the web is not effected. The indicia emit wave-shifted electromagnetic radiation in response to incident radiation of a given range to provide a means for determining the positioning of the web during movement as the process are performed. Process and apparatus for making and using such webs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and circuitry is disclosed for controlling and stabilizing temperature of a resistance heat sealing element used in packaging operations. Temperature of the heat sealing element is measured by monitoring its resistance by means of a current sensing resistor placed in series with the heat sealing element. The resistivity of the heat sealing element is a function of temperature and current measurement, assuming substantially constant applied voltage, is an accurate measure of sealing element temperature. The circuitry reduces application of electric power to the sealing element in response to current in the sealing element dropping below a predetermined level. The circuit either continues application of electric power, or increases it, in response to the current being above the predetermined level. Circuitry is also provided for compensating for undesirable line voltage changes to maintain the heating element at a constant temperature.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method for simultaneously loading, sealing and severing bags forming part of at least two independent chains of bags. Two juxtaposed nip roll assemblies including axially aligned feed roll portions can be independently actuated in order to selectively feed one or two webs. A drive motor, having a dual output, is selectively coupled to the nip roll assemblies by clutch/brake units which can be selectively actuated. After a bag or bags are loaded, a sealing mechanism is actuated to seal the loaded bag or bags. A sensor monitors movement in a seal unit member and terminates the sealing cycle if movement in the seal member occurs prior to the pressure bar reaching a predetermined position. While a bag or bags are being sealed, a tear off mechanism including a rod-like member is advanced into and through the web path in order to sever the loaded bag from the remainder of the web.

Abstract: A stretching mechanism of a device for cutting slaughtered poultry, said mechanism being provided with a support member with a support face for the bird, with means to hang the bird by the legs, with fixed hooks for the wings of the bird and with movable wing hooks cooperating therewith and with means to hold the trunk of the bird on the support face, said holding means including a movable centering fork, which is operable to engage the spine of the bird at the inside of the trunk and which is vertically and horizontally movably guided in guide slots in the support member between an inoperative position and an operative position by means of a guide bar and two transverse bars fixed thereto.

Abstract: A web structure with electromagnetic radiation shifting indicia is disclosed. The indicia provide signals used in controlling various processes to be performed on the web as well as for controlling movement of the web. The preferred indicia are normally essentially invisible so that the physical appearance of the web is not affected. The indicia emit wave-shifted electromagnetic radiation in response to incident radiation of a given range to provide a means for determining the positioning of the web during movement as the processes are performed. Process and apparatus for making and using such webs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging machine for loading a chain or web of interconnected bag-like containers, including a conveyor system for advancing a lead bag to a loading station, a gripper assembly for clamping the bag to be loaded to a funnel mechanism including a pair of pivotally mounted horns; and, an incremental reversing mechanism for retracting the web after the bag is loaded to effect severance of the bag from the web along a line of weakness. The web is advanced by a transmission that includes a drive motor and clutch for selectively coupling the drive source to a web feed roll. The drive system includes a chain for driving the feed roll a segment of which is reeved around a pair of sprockets carried by a slidable shuttle. The shuttle is reciprocated by a fluid pressure operated actuator to produce incremental reverse translation in the chain when web retraction is desired. An accumulating mechanism is provided for storing product to be packaged while a bag is being positioned at the loading station.

Abstract: A packaging machine for loading a chain or web of interconnected bag-like containers, including a conveyor system for advancing a lead bag to a loading station, a gripper assembly for clamping the bag to be loaded to a funnel mechanism including a pair of pivotally mounted horns; and, an incremental reversing mechanism for retracting the web after the bag is loaded to effect severance of the bag from the web along a line of weakness. The web is advanced by a transmission that includes a drive motor and clutch for selectively coupling the drive source to a web feed roll. The drive system includes a chain for driving the feed roll a segment of which is reeved around a pair of sprockets carried by a slidable shuttle. The shuttle is reciprocated by a fluid pressure operated actuator to produce incremental reverse translation in the chain when web retraction is desired. An accumulating mechanism is provided for storing product to be packaged while a bag is being positioned at the loading station.