Abstract: A tube filling machine (1) adapted to fill different types of empty tubes (18) simultaneously, where the filling machine (1) comprises a grouping device (11), a transfer device (9), a conveyor (7) and a filling device (2) comprising a plurality of filling nozzles (3, 4, 5, 6), where the grouping device (11) comprises a first supply tray (13) with a first type of tubes, a second supply tray (14) with a second type of tubes, a receiving tray (17) and a pick-up head (12), where the transfer device (9) is adapted to transfer a grouped row of empty tubes (18) from the receiving tray (17) to the conveyor (7), where the grouping device (11) is adapted to place a plurality of groups (21) of empty tubes adjacent each other in the receiving tray (17), where a group (21) comprises a row of the first type of tubes and a row of the second type of tubes, that the transfer device (9) is adapted to transfer a row of grouped empty tubes from the receiving tray (17) to the conveyor (9), and where the filling nozzles (3, 4, 5,

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding stacks of standing flat-folded cartons to a receiving station, comprising a conveyor track having a flat bearing plane adapted to support the stacks, where the conveyor track comprises at least two rows of teeth where each row of teeth comprises a plurality of spaced apart teeth adapted to support the stacks of flat-folded cartons, where the teeth can be positioned in either an erected position or in a folded position, and where the feeding device comprises a guide track arranged along the bearing plane adapted to hold the teeth in the selected position, and where the guide track ends at an end region of the conveyor track, such that the teeth are unsupported at the end region. The advantage of the invention is that stacks of flat-folded cartons can be merged continuously at an outfeed region.

Abstract: In a carton feeding device for feeding cartons to a conveyor track, comprising a replaceable pick-up head attached to the carton feeding device at an attachment, where a pick-up head comprises a plurality of vacuum cups and an erecting means pivotally suspended at the pick-up head, where the attachment for the pick-up head is arranged on a rotor arm, where the attachment is adapted to receive different pick-up heads, and that the carton feeding device comprises an actuator means comprising a first interface adapted to actuate a leading edge erecting arm and a second interface adapted to actuate a trailing edge erecting arm. The advantage of the invention is that a carton feeding device that can easily be switched between leading edge erection or trailing edge erection of flat-folded cartons blanks is provided.

Abstract: A divider for dividing a pack of flat-folded cartons into a plurality of stacks of flat-folded cartons, the divider comprising a magazine adapted to hold the carton pack, where the magazine includes a stop member, and where the divider includes a pusher member and a holder foot, where the magazine is arranged in an inclined position, where the pusher member is adapted to compress the carton pack between the pusher member and the stop member, where the holder foot is adapted to bear on the upper side of the compressed carton pack, and where the pusher member is adapted to release the pressure on the carton pack when the holder foot bears on the upper side of the carton pack, thereby creating a low density area adjacent a first carton stack.

Abstract: Gripping device adapted for gripping a stack of flat-folded cartons, where the gripping device comprises a first gripping jaw and a second gripping jaw arranged adjacent each other and enclosing a holding space, where the gripping device is provided with a first open state in which the distance between the gripping jaws is greater than the height of a flat-folded carton, and where the gripping device is provided with a second closed state in which the distance between the gripping jaws is less than the height of a flat-folded carton, and that the gripping device is adapted to displace one side of the stack of flat-folded cartons in a longitudinal direction, such that each flat-folded carton of the stack of flat-folded cartons will be held in an angled state by the gripping device. The advantage of the invention is that a stack of flat-folded cartons can be held in a secure way, where the height of the stack is reduced when the stack is held.

Abstract: Embodiments include a carton feeding system for feeding a plurality of cartons to a conveyor track, comprising a plurality of feeding devices, where each feeding device comprises a pick-up head with a plurality of vacuum cups, and an erecting finger pivotally suspended at the pick-up head, where the pick-up head has a pick-up position (P1) in which the holding plane of the pick-up head is positioned parallel to the folded carton blank that is to be picked up, and an insertion position (P2) in which the erecting finger is pivoted with respect to the holding plane of the pick-up head in such a way that the carton is opened, and where at least two cartons are inserted simultaneously into the conveyor track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for detecting a leak in a sealed package containing a product in the form of a foodstuff or a pharmaceutical. The leak detecting arrangement comprises a testing station, in which a package is placed by the transporting means and a pressure applying means arranged to apply a predetermined amount of pressure on the package located in the testing station. The arrangement further comprises a continuously operated suction means arranged to draw ambient air past a seal on the packet to be tested and a gas sensor located in the flow of ambient air drawn off by the suction means and arranged to transmit a signal dependent on the test gas concentration detected in the ambient air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article orienting machine for elongate articles, said machine comprising an endless first conveyor by which articles are conveyed with a first predetermined spacing, said elongate articles having their main axes arranged transverse to the direction of movement of said conveyor; at least a first and a second wheel on which the conveyor is supported; a first drive means arranged to rotate one of the wheels on which the conveyor is supported; and opposed pairs of holders attached to said endless conveyor at said first predetermined spacing, each pair of holders being arranged to contact and support an elongate article at opposite ends thereof while the article is received and released by the article orienting machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article orienting machine for elongate articles, said machine comprising an endless first conveyor by which articles are conveyed with a first predetermined spacing, said elongate articles having their main axes arranged transverse to the direction of movement of said conveyor; at least a first and a second wheel on which the conveyor is supported; a first drive means arranged to rotate one of the wheels on which the conveyor is supported; and opposed pairs of holders attached to said endless conveyor at said first predetermined spacing, each pair of holders being arranged to contact and support an elongate article at opposite ends thereof while the article is received and released by the article orienting machine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and a checkweigher for weighing individual products moved along a production line. In various embodiments, the method compromises transferring at least one product from the production line to a checkweigher comprising at least one weighing cell; placing at least one product in a first position on a first support above a corresponding weighing cell; displacing the at least one product by means of said first support and placing said at least one product in a second position on a second support on the weighing cell; weighing the at least one product; displacing the at least one product back to the first position by means of said first support; and transferring the at least one product from the checkweigher back to the production line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for detecting a leak in a sealed package containing a product in the form of a foodstuff or a pharmaceutical. The leak detecting arrangement comprises a testing station, in which a package is placed by the transporting means and a pressure applying means arranged to apply a predetermined amount of pressure on the package located in the testing station. The arrangement further comprises a continuously operated suction means arranged to draw ambient air past a seal on the packet to be tested and a gas sensor located in the flow of ambient air drawn off by the suction means and arranged to transmit a signal dependent on the test gas concentration detected in the ambient air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot gas nozzle adapted for heating an end section of a double tube, where the double tube comprises a first tube and a second tube, comprising a first and a second inner nozzle insert having outlet openings adapted to heat an internally located section in a double tube with hot air, where the hot gas nozzle further comprises a first and a second outer nozzle insert having outlet openings adapted to heat an externally and between the tubes located section of the double tube with hot air, which section after a sealing of the double tube will join the tubes. The invention further relates to a tube filling machine comprising a hot gas nozzle and a method for sealing and joining a double tube. The object of the invention is to obtain an improved sealing of double tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synchronizing, and a transfer device for synchronizing, a movement pattern between two units in a packaging line, wherein one unit is intermittently operated and the second unit is continuously operated. The invention is particularly intended for a transfer device between an intermittently operated filler unit and a continuously operated cartoning machine. The transfer device is provided with a frame (13) arranged to support tube pickers-/placers (28) and is arranged to perform a simultaneous pivoting movement about a first and a second shaft (16, 31), and for rotation about a third shaft (48) at right angles to the second shaft (31). The frame is further provided with means for adjusting the spacing between the tubes and means for compensating for differences in vertical position during the rotating movement in the case where the containers picked from the part circular conveyor of the filling unit.

Abstract: Embodiments include a carton feeding system for feeding a plurality of cartons to a conveyor track, comprising a plurality of feeding devices, where each feeding device comprises a pick-up head with a plurality of vacuum cups, and an erecting finger pivotally suspended at the pick-up head, where the pick-up head has a pick-up position (P1) in which the holding plane of the pick-up head is positioned parallel to the folded carton blank that is to be picked up, and an insertion position (P2) in which the erecting finger is pivoted with respect to the holding plane of the pick-up head in such a way that the carton is opened, and where at least two cartons are inserted simultaneously into the conveyor track.

Abstract: A metering pump for feeding out viscous materials, which pump comprises a housing having an inlet connectable to a viscous material source, an outlet; and a valve body of cylindrical basic shape, which is rotatable into at least two positions by means of a drive unit including a first position allowing a flow of the material from the inlet to the housing and a second position allowing a flow of the material from the housing to the outlet. The pump also comprises a cylinder device connected to the housing, having a controllable piston intended to achieve the flow of material, and at least one device for cleaning the metering pump. The cleaning device comprises at least one nozzle for cleaning agent, disposed in a valve-body-facing part of the piston. Also, a method for cleaning such a metering pump.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and a checkweigher for weighing individual products moved along a production line. In various embodiments, the method compromises transferring at least one product from the production line to a checkweigher comprising at least one weighing cell; placing at least one product in a first position on a first support above a corresponding weighing cell; displacing the at least one product by means of said first support and placing said at least one product in a second position on a second support on the weighing cell; weighing the at least one product; displacing the at least one product back to the first position by means of said first support; and transferring the at least one product from the checkweigher back to the production line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot gas nozzle adapted for heating an end section of a double tube, where the double tube comprises a first tube and a second tube, comprising a first and a second inner nozzle insert having outlet openings adapted to heat an internally located section in a double tube with hot air, where the hot gas nozzle further comprises a first and a second outer nozzle insert having outlet openings adapted to heat an externally and between the tubes located section of the double tube with hot air, which section after a sealing of the double tube will join the tubes. The invention further relates to a tube filling machine comprising a hot gas nozzle and a method for sealing and joining a double tube. The object of the invention is to obtain an improved sealing of double tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synchronizing, and a transfer device for synchronizing, a movement pattern between two units in a packaging line, wherein one unit is intermittently operated and the second unit is continuously operated. The invention is particularly intended for a transfer device between an intermittently operated filler unit and a continuously operated cartoning machine. The transfer device is provided with a frame (13) arranged to support tube pickers-/placers (28) and is arranged to perform a simultaneous pivoting movement about a first and a second shaft (16, 31), and for rotation about a third shaft (48) at right angles to the second shaft (31). The frame is further provided with means for adjusting the spacing between the tubes and means for compensating for differences in vertical position during the rotating movement in the case where the containers picked from the part circular conveyor of the filling unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metering pump for feeding out viscous materials, which pump comprises a housing having an inlet, connectable to a viscous material source, and an outlet; a valve body of cylindrical basic shape, which is rotatable into at least two positions by means of a drive unit, a first position allowing a flow of the said material from the inlet to the housing and a second position allowing a flow of the said material from the housing to the outlet. The pump also comprises a cylinder device connected to the housing, having a controllable piston intended to achieve the said flow of material, and at least one device for cleaning the metering pump. The said cleaning device comprises at least one nozzle for cleaning agent, disposed in a valve-body-facing part of the piston. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning such a metering pump.