Abstract: A package that comprises a bottom, a plurality of sidewalls extending away from the bottom defining an open top, each sidewall coupled to the bottom with a bottom-to-sidewall transition. The package may include a plurality of curved corner sidewalls disposed between the sidewalls and coupled to the bottom with a bottom-to-corner transition. The bottom-to-sidewall transition may comprise three sections, wherein a second section is substantially planar or slightly arced and the first and third sections being curved as necessary. The package may also include the bottom-to-corner transition comprising at least three sections, the second section being substantially planar wherein the first and third sections are curved as necessary. The second sections of both transitions may be angularly orientated to the bottom and sidewalls. The package may further include a plurality of transition elements between to couple the bottom-to-corner and bottom-to-side transitions.

Abstract: A stream of products is packaged and biologically treated by the system. The system has an index conveyor with a filling station and a packaging station. Discrete packages are filled with the stream of products, sealed and moved on an index conveyor. The system moves the discrete packages an irradiation chamber at a steady rate on a continuous speed conveyor. A controller matches the cyclical rate of the index conveyor with the steady rate of the continuous speed conveyor and uses a buffer to transition from the cyclical rate to the steady rate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying adhesive labels, that are initially coupled together end-to-end in a label strip that has a non-adhesive backing material, onto a product. The apparatus has a frame with a supply container mounted thereto for containing a supply of the labels. A plurality of guide rollers is provided for guiding the strip of labels through the apparatus. A label sensor is mounted to the frame for detecting when an individual label has been moved past the label sensor. The frame further has mounted thereto an applicator head equipped with a stripper plate for removing the backing material from the label strip, which is thereafter wound onto a take-up container. The label strip and the removed backing material are moved with a supply motor that is mounted to the frame. The applicator head further has an applicator motor for rotating a break-away roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for continuously supplying product to a machine for intermittently performing work on at least one product. The apparatus comprises a loading conveyor, a continuous drive motor operably coupled to the loading conveyor for moving the loading conveyor at a substantially constant loading speed, a transfer conveyor positioned adjacent the loading conveyor and adapted to receive product therefrom, a low speed drive for moving the transfer conveyor at a predetermined low speed to receive product from the loading conveyor, a high speed drive for moving the transfer conveyor at a high second speed relatively greater than the low speed to the machine, and a controller for operating the low speed and high speed drives in sequence so that the low speed drive is activated to receive product from the loading conveyor at low speed, and the high speed drive is activated to transfer the product to the machine at high speed.

Abstract: A sheet placer for use in conjunction with a packaging machine to minimize space along the machine for moving sheets from a supply in a magazine to receptacles moved by the machine. The placer has vertically oriented magazines and suction cup assemblies which move on a vertical path of travel between sheet pick up positions and sheet releasing positions. The assemblies are carried by a block mounted on a vertical track and operated by an air motor. A cam and follower mechanism moves a slide horizontally to cause a rack and pinion arrangement to reverse by the orientation of the vacuum cup assemblies during each up or down movement of the assemblies by the air motor.