Abstract: A method and apparatus for gripping a bag and downstream handling, such as application of a header label to the bag. The bag, which has previously been filled with a product, is presented to the apparatus at an upstream bag presentation and accepting station and is gripped proximate its top. It is then transferred from the upstream bag accepting station to a downstream bag release station. Before being released, the bag travels to an intermediate label application station where a label is readied, the label then being transferred upstream to a second position and applied to the bag. Thereafter, the bag proceeds downstream, with the label, and the label is sealed to the bag. A series of grippers are employed for accepting a stream of discreet bags in a continuous manner. The grippers are recirculated continuously so that the apparatus operates continuously so long as bags are presented for application of a label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of maintaining tension in the film over the forming shoulder in the forward and reverse directions of a package formed in a vertical form, fill and seal machine and stripping and/or settling products out of the sealing and severing area of a partially formed package. The machine includes a source of film, a measuring axis, a forming shoulder, a pull axis, and a finishing system for stripping, sealing and severing successive packages from a formed tube. The measuring axis and the pull axis are operated in the forward direction to form a film tube while tension is maintained on the tube. After a predetermined length of tubing has been pulled, the measuring axis is operated in the reverse direction while the tube is retained in tension downstream of the forming shoulder. Stripping of product entrained in the film seal area can occur in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming one or more longitudinal creases in a web of material. The web is formed into a tube in a vertical form, fill and seal apparatus, and then passed over an internal guide. A pair of pinch rolls are located adjacent the guide, and a portion of the web is directed between the pinch rolls to crease the film as it is advanced. Direction of the film between the pinch rolls is accomplished by a pair of protrusions extending from the internal guide on opposite sides of the pinch rolls. The thus-creased tube is then passed over opposite, spaced forming plates at the bottom of the guide and then tucked and sealed.

Abstract: In a continuous motion hot air sealer the amount of heat applied to the area of film to be sealed is varied in accordance with the velocity of the film by programming the hot air generator in a straight line relationship between sealing temperature and film velocity as determined from data on high speed temperature and low speed temperature which will produce good heat seals.

Abstract: An apparatus for enveloping successive groups of items in a plastic film as the items traverse a linear path. Items are gathered in a group, and the group of items is then inserted in a tubular packaging film as the items and the film are conveyed at the same linear velocity. After the items are completely enveloped in the film, the film is severed and sealed to fully encapsulate them in the film. A vacuum is used to eliminate excess air generated within the tube, and also, in one form of the invention, form side gussets as sealing dies are closed. A tight package made at speeds results, with no need for any holes in the film to relieve internal air pressure.

Abstract: A system and process for sealing collections of rolls in a bundle. The rolls, which can be multiply packaged rolls or individually packaged or unpackaged rolls, are accumulated and conveyed until they are aligned and then collected in a group. Successive groups are then inserted in a tube of film which is severed and sealed about each group to complete a bundle. The sealing system includes at least two sealing axes, with each axis having at least one die set. The axes are synchronized and individually driven at variable velocities during their paths of travel.

Abstract: A vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine controlled by a controller for receiving input data defining the package length, cycle time and sealing time and for controlling the feed of the packaging material as a function of the input data, the machine having a measuring roll for feeding the material forward in package length increments which is also operable to maintain the material tracking properly, further having a control maintaining the material under substantially constant tension, rapid controllable sealing jaw operation, a readily retractable longitudinal seam sealer, and a stripper operable independently of the sealing jaws.

Abstract: A system for enveloping items, such as collections of rolls, in plastic film for later downstream package completion. The film, which is in the form of an elongated sheet, is continuously shaped into a tube about a forming apparatus having an orifice extending across the path of travel of the items being packaged. A pair of segmented conveyors located on opposite sides of the path of travel of the items convey the items into the tube. The conveyors conform to the shape of the orifice of the forming apparatus. Another downstream pair of conveyors conveys the tube and items to downstream sealing apparatus. The second pair of conveyors each have segments which can be retracted so that forming apparatus of different sizes can be employed to form packages of different dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for upending an item from a prone-orientation to an upright orientation. Two interconnected conveyors are employed, a first lower conveyor and a second upending conveyor. The lower conveyor includes a series of slats which may be raised to engage one end of an item to be upended. The second conveyor includes a series of spaced rods located to engage the opposite end of the item to be upended. When an item is engaged between a raised slat and a rod, the distance between the slat and rod is retained essentially constant and the rod is raised relative to the slat to upend the item from the prone orientation to an upright orientation.

Abstract: An adjustable girth control for the tube former in a packaging machine for encapsulating individual rolls or groups of rolls in a film. The tube former includes a forming body which is shaped to envelope the product passing therethrough and which has opposite adjustable forming elements with a variable gap between them. The forming elements are shifted horizontally and vertically to vary internal dimensions of the forming body to accommodate rolls of different diameters. Shifting can occur manually or automatically responsive to detection of the sizes of incoming rolls.

Abstract: A recirculating apparatus for transfer of objects from a first position to a second position. A pair of spaced, endless conveying chains have at least one flight located between them, the flight being connected to and travelling with the chains. A third chain is located at one side of the first and second chains, offset relative to the first two chains. The flight is linked to the third chain such that when the three chains are driven in unison, the flight does not rotate about its axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging a plurality of cylindrical paper rolls in a compressed state. Rolls are conveyed in a side-by-side relationship and are first progressively compressed in the vertical direction to a partially compressed state. The compressed rolls are then rotated 90.degree. to orient their flattened dimension vertically, and are further compressed as they are further conveyed. The compressed rolls are then joined, wrapped in a plastic flim, and the film is sealed to package the rolls and retain the rolls in their compressed state.

Abstract: An escapement system in which units are movable by and with an endless conveyor in an endless path, and an escapement system is provided for retarding the units as they move through a part of their path, then releasing them; the system being incorporated in packaging apparatus in which the endless conveyor is a wheel and the units are sealing dies on the wheel.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for wrapping a strip of stretchable plastic cling film around work to be enwrapped (banded) wherein the leading end of the film is gripped at opposite sides by grippers, the grippers are disengaged from the strip and moved outwardly clear of the strip after one wrap has been completed and the strip has lapped itself for gripping itself to the work, and wherein the last wrap is held spaced away from the underlying portion of the strip for regripping of the strip, which is then cut to provide a finishing end and a new leading end of strip, the finishing end being secured to the underlying portion of the strip by being pressed against it for clinging thereto.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for forming filling and sealing packages in which flexible packaging material is formed into tubing, the tubing is fed downwardly and transversely heat sealed at package length intervals by closing a pair of sealing members, the seal area is cut to form a top seal of the package being completed and a bottom seal for the next package to be formed, a quantity of product with which the packages are to be filled is delivered into the lower end of the tubing to provide a fill for each package, the tubing is pinched closed, after the delivery of each fill, above and below the level of the next seal to be made, the pinches are maintained as the sealing members are opened, following the formation of the aforementioned top and bottom seals, to keep product for the next fill from dropping down on the bottom seal, and to hold the package being completed from dropping away, and air is blown on the top and bottom seals to cool them while the pinches are maintained.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing bags and depositing the filled bags in cartons, wherein the bags are formed, filled and sealed by a vertical form-fill-seal machine and each bag is compressed to shape it to fit in a carton.

Abstract: Collator apparatus and methods for preventing incorrect operations of first and second machines such as a combination scale and a packaging machine which are to be used together to process the same type of product. The first machine has a first memory for storing operation condition data, each with a different data number (address), and has an associated first memory control. The second machine has a second memory for storing other operation condition data, each with a different data number, and an associated second memory control. The first memory control of the first machine is caused to generate a specified one of the data numbers of the first memory. The collator apparatus sends a request signal to the second memory control of the second machine to cause the second memory control to generate a data number of the second memory, which data number corresponds to the specified one by a predetermined relationship in the absence or malfunction.

Abstract: A carton loading machine comprising an endless conveyor carrying a series of holders each adapted to hold an erected carton in upright position and movable to move each holder from a carton receiving station for entry of an erected carton in the holder from the outside of the conveyor to a loading station for loading the carton and thence to a discharage station for discharge of the loaded carton, each holder having a fixed side and a movable side and latch members associated with said sides, the latch member associated with the fixed side and the movable side and latch member associated therewith being movable between open and closed positions.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing packages wherein a web of flexible packaging interval is formed into tubing around a mandrel and intermittently fed downwardly in package length increments by intermittently moving portions of continuously driven belts into engagement with the tubing for a predetermined interval.

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