Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the production of packages each comprising a unit of product having opposite ends and a wrapper wrapped around the unit, the wrapper being wider than the length of the unit from end-to-end and initially extending outwardly beyond the ends of the unit, each end of the wrapper being folded over on said end of the product to form four closure flaps overlying said end, a first flap constituting a first side flap, a second flap constituting a first end flap, a third flap constituting a second end flap, and a fourth flap constituting a second side flap, the method of folding over the second end flap, wherein packages are fed forward one after another with the ends of the wrapper extending laterally outwardly at opposite sides of their path of travel, and the second end flaps are folded over at both ends of the package by flexible folding members which are brought into engagement with the trailing side of the trailing portion of each extending end of the wrapper and moved forward at hig

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: A method of opening a folded web of flexible heat-sealable packaging material prior to formation of the material into sealed reclosable packages. The web has a pair of interlockable reclosable closure strips extending longitudinally of the web on an inside face of the web, and one section of the web is folded over on another section of the web so that the closure strips are interlocked. The method comprises advancing the folded web in a first plane to a web-opening station, and opening the folded web while maintaining the closure strips interlocked as the web advances through the web-opening station. The web is opened by diverting both sections of the web relative to one another so that they assume a co-planar position in a second plane different from the first plane.

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.

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.