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: A sealing bar for heat sealing a length of heat-sealable material, such as tubing, to form packages and the like. The sealing bar has a metal surface adapted for pressure engagement with the heat-sealable material for flattening it and heating it. A slot extends substantially through the bar, the slot being arranged to define the portion of the bar between the slot and the surface as a relatively thin resiliently flexible metal bridge. The bridge is engageable with a portion of the flattened heat-sealable material, such as a portion of tubing having a longitudinal seam or a gusset, thicker than other portions of the heat-sealable material and the bridge is adapted resiliently to yield on engagement with the thicker portion of the material.

Abstract: A package comprising a wrapper formed from a single web of flexible sheet material formed into a tube having overlapping edge margins sealed together to form a single longitudinal seam for the tube lying substantially in the plane of one wall of the package, and a pair of end seals at opposite ends of the package, at least one end seal comprising end portions of two opposite walls of the tube sealed together in face-to-face relation in a plane extending longitudinally of the tube and generally at right angles to the plane of the overlapping edge margins forming the longitudinal seam.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for packaging product in a bag of flexible packaging material wherein a bag is sleeved on an open-ended carrier from one end thereof at a first station, product is loaded in the carrier from its other end, the bag and product lengths being such that the bag has a lip all around it at its mouth projecting beyond the product, the carrier is moved to a second station, a closure panel is inserted in the carrier through its said other end at the second station, the product and panel are pushed out of the carrier through its said one end, the bag coming off the carrier surrounding the product, and the bag with the product and panel therein are moved to a number of lip folding and sealing stations for folding over and sealing of the lip to said panel.

Abstract: A sealing bar for heat sealing a length of heat-sealable material, such as tubing, to form packages and the like. The sealing bar has a surface adapted for pressure engagement with the heat-sealable material for flattening it and heating it. A slot extends substantially through the bar substantially parallel to and adjacent the surface of the bar, thereby defining the portion of the bar between the slot and the surface as a relatively thin resiliently flexible bridge. The bridge is engageable with a portion of the flattened heat-sealable material, such as a portion of tubing having a longitudinal seam or a gusset, thicker than other portions of the heat-sealable material and the bridge is adapted resiliently to yield on engagement with the thicker portion of the material.

Abstract: A pack or bundle comprising a bag of thermoplastic film such as polyethylene, individual packages of rolls of paper, such as packages of four rolls of toilet tissue, packed in the bag, a closure panel inserted in the bag engaging the contents, the panel being heat-sealable on its outside face, the bag having a marginal lip at its mouth projecting beyond the closure panel folded over on the outside face of the closure panel and heat-sealed thereto to close the bag, and the method of making such bundles involving inserting the contents and the closure into the bag through its mouth, and folding over the lip and heat-sealing it to the panel.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for controlling a bag forming, filling and sealing machine by monitoring the machine cycle and controlling the jaw closure mechanism based on a previously determined jaw closed point. If the jaw closed indication is received prior to the previous value plus offset, the sealing cycle continues normally and all functions interlocked to jaw closed position such as knife, impulse, etc. are allowed to function normally. If the jaw closed signal is not received prior to the previous value plus offset the jaw close function is inhibited signifying a jam condition and the interlocked functions such as knife, impulse, etc. are inhibited. This function is independent of any external adjustment and serves as a safety device in all modes.

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, a quantity of the 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 the level of the next seal to be made, the pinch is maintained as the sealing members are opened, following the formation of each seal, to keep product for the next fill from dropping down on the seal, and air is blown on the seal to cool it while the pinch is maintained.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for wrapping units to be wrapped, such as two rolls of paper, in which transverse lines of weakness are formed in a web of flexible sheet wrapping material at measured intervals along the length of the web corresponding to wrapper length as the web is continuously fed forward, the web is formed into a tube around the units with the lines of weakness extending girthwise of the tube and spaced lengthwise of the tube at the wrapper length intervals, the units are fed into the tube one after another spaced lengthwise in the tube at wrapper length intervals and located between the lines of weakness, the tube with the units therein is continuously fed forward at a predetermined speed, and the leading wrapper of the tube with a unit therein is pulled forward at higher speed to sever it from the tube at the line of weakness between it and the preceding wrapper.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a machine which is operable in cycles, the machine carrying out a plurality of functions during each cycle. Values representing the stages of the machine in its cycle are generated as the machine progresses through a cycle, the values being determined by the actual stage of the machine independently of time. Starting and stopping points in the cycle for at least one of the functions of the machine is preset in terms of the generated values. The generated values are compared with the preset starting and stopping point values. The machine function is initiated and maintained when the generated values are greater than the preset starting point value but are less than the preset stopping point value and the function is stopped when the generated values equal or are greater than the preset stopping point value. Apparatus and method for computing starting and stopping points for an eyespot window using only a single set of delay switches is also disclosed.

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 sealed at package length intervals by a pair of sealing members, a quantity of the product with which the packages are to be filled is delivered into the tubing during an interval of time between successive sealing operations, a contraction is formed in the tubing, after each delivery of product, above the level of the next seal to be made, the contraction is transmitted down on the tubing between the sealing members from above to below said level, thereby to compact the product, and the next seal is then made.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal packaging method and apparatus in which a web of flexible packaging material is pulled from a supply and fed over a device for forming it into tubing, product to be packaged is provided in the tubing, and the tubing is sealed to form packages, and in which the web is pulled forward from the supply as one operation and the tubing is drawn forward and thereby taken up as an accompanying but separate operation with the take-up such that the web is pulled over the forming device under tension.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for wrapping reams of paper or the like in which the ream being wrapped is placed on an elevator mechanism at a lower level and raised by the elevator mechanism to an upper level. The elevator mechanism comprises a central support and two outboard supports extending endwise of the ream. The outboard supports are movable inwardly from an outer position wherein they are spaced outwardly from the central support. The outboard supports occupy their outer position as the ream is placed on the supports and while the ream is being raised. As the ream is raised, it engages a wrapper sheet and portions of the wrapper sheet fold down on the sides of the ream. When the ream is raised, underfolders move in under the ream from opposite sides of the ream to fold portions of the sheet in under the bottom of the ream.

Abstract: A wheel-type form-fill-seal vacuum packaging machine in which a wheel carrying a circular series of dies or molds is adapted to be driven at different speeds for accommodation to different product infeed conditions, and in which a vacuum chamber/seal plate assembly is closed with respect to one of the molds with a timed dwell interval for the seal plate which is the same for different wheel speeds.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for squaring reams of paper as they are fed toward a wrapper, the squaring up being accomplished as the reams are moving forward toward the wrapper.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding stacks of sheets, in particular reams of paper, comprising a table along which the stacks are pushed forward by the flights of a flight conveyor, each flight having a foot adapted to support the stack, and the apparatus having means for lifting each stack, after it has been placed on the table in position for being pushed forward by a flight, to enable the foot of the flight to come under the stack.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for feeding items (or groupings of items) one after the other to apparatus, such as a flight conveyor, which cycles continuously at a steady cycling rate are disclosed with an item being fed to the apparatus during a portion of each cycle thereof and with the items being randomly delivered to the means feeding the items at an average rate. The method and apparatus of this invention involve feeding a selected number of items one at a time from each of the backlogs of accumulated items and conveying them forward for placement on the apparatus in timed relation to the cycling rate of the apparatus.

Abstract: Method of an apparatus for applying a telescoping lid to an open top, filled box or case in which the lid is formed from a flat blank around the case, in which the lid is pressed down on the contents of the case, in which the major flaps of the lid are pressed in against the sides of the case between a ram and a previously lidded case, and in which the minor flaps are pressed in against the ends of the case so as to square up the lid on the case prior to the flaps being secured together. The apparatus includes tucking units for folding the outer end portions of the major flaps of the lid in on the case along vertical fold lines with the tucking units being driven by upward movement of the case being lidded.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for feeding randomly received items and for placing these items on apparatus, such as a flight conveyor or a packaging machine, which cycles continuously at a steady rate, with the flight conveyor being operated at a cycling rate slightly faster than the average rate at which the items are randomly received, with the placement of an item on the flight conveyor being in timed relation to a portion or window of each cycle of the flight conveyor, and with placement of an item on the flight conveyor being intermittently deferred so as to bring the rate at which the items are randomly received and the operating rate of the flight conveyor into phase with one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming flaps at the top of an open-top carton after it has been packed, with the flap formation correlated to the level of the top of the contents of the carton, having means for internally scoring the walls of the carton generally at said level, means for slitting the corners of the carton generally down to said level, and means for trimming off the tops of the side walls of the carton so that they may be folded on top of the carton without overlap. In forming the flaps, the apparatus is adapted to compress the contents of the carton. The scoring means includes a set of scoring blades which fit in a carton on top of the contents and a set of external presser members for pressing the carton walls against the blade edges. The scoring blades are replaceable with blades of different sizes and provision is made for adjustment of the presser members and trimming means to operate on cartons of different sizes.