Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying tubular labels to a product container at a labeling station including a reciprocally movable labeling assembly. The assembly is adjustably secured to carriage that is mounted for reciprocating movement at the labeling station. A drive system including a drive cam defining an asymetrical profile is operatively coupled to the carriage by a lever arrangement including a cam follower driven by the drive cam. The profile of the drive cam is configured to have a steep rise and a gradual drop so that the average speed at which the labeling assembly is driven through a label applying strobe is substantially less than the speed at which the assembly is driven through a return stroke thus reducing the stress applied to the label as it is installed. A fluid pressure operated actuator pressurized to a first predetermined pressure exerts a biasing force on the lever to urge the cam follower into contact with the drive cam.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a chain of interconnected containers from a continuous web of flexible material such as plastic. The apparatus includes upper and lower assembly portions 10a, 10b, the upper portion reciprocally mounting a heat sealing head 12 having a pair of depending jaws 44 that define heat sealing edges 50. The head is driven downwardly until the edges 50 contact associated contact bars 90, 92, clamping the web material therebetween and forming a pair of spaced, parallel transverse heat seals 98, defining leading and trailing edges of adjacent containers 99a, 99b. A perforating device 100 reciprocally mounted in the assembly portion 10b includes a perforating wheel 102 reciprocally movable between the contact bars 90, 92 is cycled to cut a transverse perforation in the web material between the adjacent heat seals 98. The web remains stationary during both the heat sealing and perforating cycle so that the heat seals and perforation are precisely registered.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting slaughtered poultry into individual pieces including a keel cutting station for severing a front breast section from the carcass. The station includes a first cutter for cutting a rear portion of the keel and a second, reciprocating cutter for effecting a second cut that intersects a cut made by the first cutter such that the keel is completely severed from the carcass. The movement of the second cutter is coordinated with the movement of a carcass supporting module so that the reciprocating knife remains substantially vertically aligned with the carcass supporting module during the cutting sequence. A size sensor is provided for adjusting the relative position of the reciprocating knife with the module to compensate for changes in bird size. A pair of interconnected actuators provide a three step adjustment for the reciprocating knife. An intermediate conveyor is provided for receiving the severed keel and transferring it to a primary conveyor.

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: 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: An article in web or sheet form, especially useful in the packaging or container art, having control indicia. The indicia are detectable under special conditions for controlling operations in the manufacture and/or use of the article. In the preferred embodiment the indicia are invisible and of a polar or ionic organic material that will not significantly migrate through a plastic web. The indicia emit electromagnetic wavelength-shifted radiation in response to incident electromagnetic radiation of a selected wavelength.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying tubular labels to containers comprised of structure defining a labeling station, a container directing unit for directing a succession of containers to the labeling station, a label feeding unit for positioning individual labels at a predetermined position with respect to the labeling station, label applying mechanism including a label engaging device cyclically movable along a path of travel for removing a label from the feeding unit and assembling the label about a container at the labeling station, and a drive unit for imparting harmonic motion to the label engaging device.

Abstract: A container strip of flexible film or sheet material is disclosed having inserted elements or materials which have an effect on contents which may be disposed in a container and/or enhance the package. In one embodiment the insert has anti-corrosion properties. After corrosion-susceptible products have been sealed within the container, chemicals in the insert create a protective environment for the products. By providing inserts with other appropriate chemical constituents, other desirable effects can be created.In an alternative embodiment, an insert can be used in a header portion of the container to provide support for display purposes.

Abstract: A detector 10 used to sense the presence of control markings 20 on a moving web 12. The detector responds to abrupt changes in intensity of electromagnetic radiation rather than merely to absolute intensity values. Gradual changes in or a constant level of detected radiation or detector temperature do not change the magnitude of the abrupt changes in radiation intensity to which the detector responds. This capability allows the detector to distinguish between electromagnetic radiation emitted by wavelength-shifting control marks 20 and changes in web background and/or ambient radiation. A filter 38 is interposed between a photo diode 36 in the detector 10 and the web 12 to further enhance detector performance.

Abstract: Detachable container strips and method of making and using the strips are disclosed. The container strips are connected in side-by-side relationship by narrow thin bridges with adjoining container portions of the strips in registry with each other lengthwise of the strips. The strips can be fed through packaging machinery for loading side-by-side container portions simultaneously.

Abstract: In a system for dispensing weighed or counted articles, articles are fed from a supply hopper by a vibratory conveyor to maintain a controlled level of articles in a bowl-shaped feeder hopper. In a weigher embodiment, articles are initially discharged from the feeder hopper through two discharge openings into an accumulator bucket. A weighing unit monitors the weight of articles in the bucket and signals a door to close one of the discharge openings as the weight of articles in the bucket begins to approach a predetermined weight. The weighing unit subsequently signals the feeder hopper drive to slow its feeding action as the weight of articles in the bucket more closely approaches the predetermined weight. The feeder hopper discharge openings are arranged near each other at locations where the door-controlled opening will provide a rapid, bulk feed of articles, while the other opening will provide a single-file trickle feed.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus including drive structure for driving a feeder bowl is disclosed. A control circuit for controlling the drive includes a Hall effect amplitude sensing transducer for monitoring the magnitude of bowl vibrations and a braking circuit for controlling the damping of vibratory motion after the requisite amount of material has been fed from the feeder bowl. The braking circuit selectively reverses the current flow through a drive coil which comprises a portion of the drive circuitry of the apparatus. This current reversal disrupts the rhythm of forced oscillations which feed material from the bowl and causes bowl motion to be damped. A mechanical brake coupled to the bowl complements the braking action of braking circuit and locks the bowl in place to prevent accidental dispensing of parts.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus including drive structure for driving a feeder bowl is disclosed. A control circuit for controlling the drive includes a Hall effect amplitude sensing transducer for monitoring the magnitude of bowl vibrations and a braking circuit for controlling the damping of vibratory motion after the requisite amount of material has been fed from the feeder bowl. The braking circuit selectively reverses the current flow through a drive coil which comprises a portion of the drive circuitry of the apparatus. This current reversal disrupts the rhythm of forced oscillations which feed material from the bowl and causes bowl motion to be damped.

Abstract: Detachable container strips and method of making and using the strips are disclosed. The container strips are connected in side-by-side relationship by narrow thin bridges with adjoining container portions of the strips in registry with each other lengthwise of the strips. The strips can be fed through packaging machinery for loading side-by-side container portions simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of forming a container strip of flexible sheet material having anti-corrosion inserts is disclosed. The method includes the steps of bringing two webs of flexible material into superimposed relationship, applying an adhesive to one of the webs, and feeding inserts, one by one, between the two webs. Thereafter, the webs are passed between rolls which compress the webs and the inserts to adhere the inserts to the web having adhesive. Edge seals, end seals, and perforations then are formed to produce a strip of flexible containers suitable for reception of corrosion prone articles.In an alternative embodiment, an adhesive is applied to both webs at spaced locations and an insert then is compressed between the webs at a location toward one end of the container. This technique produces a container having a header portion to provide support for display purposes.

Abstract: In a system for dispensing weighed or counted articles, articles are fed from a supply hopper by a vibratory conveyor to maintain a controlled level of articles in a bowl-shaped feeder hopper. In a weigher embodiment, articles are initially discharged from the feeder hopper through two discharge openings into an accumulator bucket. A weighing unit monitors the weight of articles in the bucket and signals a door to close one of the discharge openings as the weight of articles in the bucket begins to approach a predetermined weight. The weighing unit subsequently signals the feeder hopper drive to slow its feeding action as the weight of articles in the bucket more closely approaches the predetermined weight. The feeder hopper discharge openings are arranged near each other at locations where the door-controlled opening will provide a rapid, bulk feed of articles, while the other opening will provide a single-file trickle feed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading products into horizontally disposed containers is disclosed. The containers are presented sequentially at a loading station, opened, loaded with the product, and removed from the loading station. The containers are included as part of a web which is fed automatically from a supply magazine to the loading station where the containers are severed from the remainder of the web either by the impact of the loading assembly or the products being inserted. A novel method for bag separation is disclosed in which bag separation is effected initially and concurrently near the marginal edge portions of a web and thereafter sequentially inwardly toward a central point. A drive mechanism provides harmonic motion for the loading assembly so that maximum loading speed is attained without damaging the containers.

Abstract: A carton filled with a chain of interconnected open bags arranged in a plicated array is disclosed. A process for filling the carton is disclosed in which the chain of bags is fed into an inverted container, closed end first, with the bags being laid in horizontal layers. Each layer is folded back on the preceding layer to produce a plicated array.At the completion of carton loading, the trailing edge of the web preferably is fed along one end wall of the container and out an opening near or at what will become the top of the container. The container is then closed and inverted. The first bag in is the first bag out and it is positioned adjacent to a dispensing opening. The last bag in, which will be the last bag out, also projects exteriorly of the carton and is fixed in place as by taping it to the side of the carton.The plicated array has alternate folds spaced inwardly from the ends of the container.

Abstract: In a batch weighing and dispensing system, articles are fed from a supply hopper by a vibratory conveyor to maintain a controlled level of articles in a bowl-shaped feeder hopper. Articles are initially discharged from the feeder hopper through two discharge openings into an accumulator bucket. A weighing unit monitors the weight of articles in the bucket and signals a door to close one of the discharge openings as the weight of articles in the bucket begins to approach a predetermined weight. The weighing unit subsequently signals the feeder hopper drive to slow its feeding action as the weight of articles in the bucket more closely approaches the predetermined weight. Once the predetermined weight is reached, the feeder hopper drive is stopped, and the weighed batch of articles is discharged from the bucket.

Abstract: Detachable container strips and method of making and using the strips are disclosed. The container strips are connected in side-by-side relationship by narrow thin bridges with adjoining container portions of the strips in registry with each other lengthwise of the strips. The strips can be fed through packaging machinery for loading side-by-side container portions simultaneously.