Abstract: A packing carton for packing pouch-type beverage containers stands on two sides, referred to as bottom surfaces, while in the open state and comprises halves which are open at their respective tops. Each bottom surface is delimited on four sides by carton sides, and the halves have a common longitudinal side, which is bent in the middle when in the open state, and comprises stiffening flaps on the transverse sides. The stiffening flaps are extensions on the transverse sides. A machine for closing such a packing carton is also disclosed, as well as a related method for closing the packing carton.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal treatment of packed product(s), e.g, food items, using electric current, which includes providing interconnected electrodes to facilitate the flow of electric current through the products in series, parallel, or any other combination, thus efficiently heating the products in a controlled manner.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for heating a product stream, in particular a basic material for the beverage industry, and especially a milk drink or a mixed milk drink. Due to the fact that, in a heating module, a treatment channel is formed between alternating current electrodes in such a way that the product flows from the first electrode to the second electrode substantially in a main flow direction, the electrode spacing and the cross-section of the treatment channel can be dimensioned largely independently from one another and the energy input in the product as well as the flow behavior of the product can be optimized. This promotes uniform heating of the product and helps to avoid undesirable depositions in the treatment channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for filling liquids into foil bags (2) with a spout (3), the method comprising the steps of: mounting the spout (3) on a filling orifice (4); evacuating the foil bag (2) through the spout (3); filling the foil bag (2) with the liquid through the spout (3); sucking liquid out of the filling orifice (4); discharging a sterile gas through the spout (3) into the foil bag (2).

Abstract: A packing carton for packing pouch-type beverage containers stands on two sides, referred to as bottom surfaces, while in the open state and comprises halves which are open at their respective tops. Each bottom surface is delimited on four sides by carton sides, and the halves have a common longitudinal side, which is bent in the middle when in the open state, and comprises stiffening flaps on the transverse sides. The stiffening flaps are extensions on the transverse sides. A machine for closing such a packing carton is also disclosed, as well as a related method for closing the packing carton.

Abstract: A system for transporting an object between stations, for example, from a magazine to a conveyor is provided having a rotary apparatus having two arms, wherein a first arm rocks back and forth between two positions and a second arm rotates about an axis on the first arm. The second arm can be fixedly connected to a holder having one or more suction heads for grasping the object. Preferably, the holder is arranged parallel to the object and moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the object as the object is removed from the magazine. Additionally, the holder is preferably displaced above the conveyor and positioned to be parallel to the conveyor, after which the holder is moved toward the conveyor in a path that is perpendicular to the plane of the conveyor. Therefore, the lateral force, shearing force, and friction exerted on the object during removal from the magazine and deposition onto the conveyor can be minimized.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for applying a drinking straw on a receiving surface of a stand up bag which can be supplied on a conveying surface to a transfer device for drinking straws. To increase the conveying speed of said apparatus, the transfer means should be arranged such the drinking straw while being handed over encloses an acute angle with the conveying surface.

Abstract: A flexible bag transport system for transporting flexible filling and sealing station which includes a pair of holding clamp assemblies opposed to each other for holding the top end of a bag. The first clamp assembly is supported by a first elongated carrier and a second clamp assembly is supported by a second elongated carrier that is parallel to the first carrier. Clamping assemblies remain apart from each other and the bags are transported and are displaced toward each other to permit the bag to be opened during filling of the bag. One of the elongated carriers supporting the clamping assemblies has an adjustable mechanism so that the clamp assemblies can be adjusted with respect to each other without requiring adjustment of the remaining components of the transport system.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly for receiving and holding in place flexible containers in the upright position while the flexible containers are being transported on a conveyor. The receptacle assembly includes a guide supporting two supports, an adjustment mechanism, and a plurality of transport receptacles. Each transport receptacle includes two side supports, each of which are mounted on one of the supports. The supports are capable of being selectively displaced with respect to each other by operation of the adjustment mechanism, which allows the transport receptacle to be adjusted to receive and hold flexible containers of various sizes and configurations.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a drinking straw on a receiving surface of a stand up bag which can be supplied on a conveying surface to a transfer device for drinking straws. To increase the conveying speed of said apparatus, the transfer means is arranged such that the drinking straw while being handed over encloses an acute angle with the conveying surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting objects may include a plurality of grippers having a first spacing at a first position and second spacing at a second position. A drive mechanism may be provided is for selectively displacing the grippers from the first position to the second position to adjust the spacing between the grippers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for feeding pouches and spouts to an apparatus for processing same. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can feed pouches and spouts to a rotary machine simultaneously. More specifically, the system can provide a transferring assembly for grasping a single spout and pouch simultaneously from a spout supply and a pouch supply, respectively, then relinquishing the spout and pouch simultaneously to the rotary machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for cooling a sealed portion of a container, the apparatus having a transferring arrangement for transferring one or more containers; and a plurality of cooling arrangements with one or more gripping mechanisms for gripping the containers and one or more cooling mechanisms for cooling one or more sealed portions of the containers. Preferably, the cooling arrangements are constructed and arranged to cool the sealed portions of the containers while the containers are being transferred.

Abstract: A system for dividing an object flow can provide slides which are constructed and arranged to displace one or more objects at a time from the object flow toward a different location, preferably another object flow. The slides can be pivotal away from the objects being displaced, thus releasing the objects at the desired location, the slides being reusable as the slides revolve about one or more rollers to and from displacing the objects. Preferably some of the objects are displaced from the object flow at an acute angle with respect to the direction of conveyance, which can provide displacement at a lesser force.

Abstract: A device for opening flexible containers, comprising a first gripping assembly (3, 4) active on a first portion of a container and second gripping assembly (5) active on a second portion of the container which faces the first portion and co-operating with the first gripping assembly (3, 4) to move the first and second portion away from each other. In operative conditions, the container is interposed between the first and second gripping assemblies (3, 4; 5). The second gripping assembly (5) is movable between at least one operative configuration in which the container is interposed between the first and second gripping assemblies (3, 4; 5) and at least one resting configuration in which the container is not interposed between the first and second gripping assemblies (3, 4; 5), as a consequence of a movement of the second gripping assemblies (5). In particular, the first and second gripping assemblies comprise suction cups (3, 4; 5).

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a plurality of bags, in particular stand up bags filled with a beverage, into an outer container, including a bag conveyor and a feed conveyor for the container, the bags being insertable into the container under the action of gravity at an insertion point positioned above the feed conveyor. For further improving such an apparatus and for increasing the conveying speed, the bag conveyor can comprise a star conveyor which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and which is provided with receiving compartments that can be loaded and unloaded on the circumference and which receive only a single bag in the conveying direction, and which has the same conveying direction as the feed conveyor above the feed conveyor at the insertion point.