Abstract: A diverter assembly (25) is provided for guiding articles from a single lane (54) to one of a plurality of lanes (13, 14). The assembly (25) has a pair of spaced apart guides (30) defining a guide channel (49) therebetween. The guides (30) are connected to a rotatably mounted support (24). A first actuator (22, 23) is provided operable to rotate the support (24) to pivot the guides (30), and thereby cause articles to be guided to a selected one of the plurality of lanes.

Abstract: A loader system (20) lifts/removes articles 22 from a supply conveyor (24) for placement into containers (26) disposed on a takeaway conveyor (28). The containers (26) may have a flap (30) that extends across the open top of the containers. The loader system (20) includes a 2D actuator (32) for loading the articles (22) received on the supply conveyor (24) into to containers (26). When the actuator (32) approaches the containers (26), the auxiliary linkage arrangement 100, operating independently of the actuator, tilts the articles (22) downwardly so as to pass beneath the flap (30), and then rotates the articles into horizontal orientation to set within the containers. A control system (40) controls the operation of the conveyors (24) and (28), as well as the loader system (20), to transfer the articles (22) from the conveyor (24) and into the containers (26).

Abstract: A packaging machine with a platform (6) on which a container (27) can be supported and sensor (23) for detecting the presence or absence of a container (27) at a position on the platform (6). A control apparatus with a memory is configured to cause the packaging machine to perform a setup operation in which relative motion between the platform (6) and sensor (23) is caused and monitored. A parameter relating to the amount of relative motion from a starting position to a position at which the sensor output changes to reflect the presence or absence of a container (27) is stored in the memory. The control apparatus is also configured to use the stored parameter to control the machine in a packaging operation.

Abstract: A plurality of camming surfaces (116) are actuated to move against the top portion of the side walls (38) of a container (36) to turn such top portion in an outward direction relative to the interior of the container sufficiently to enable the seal profile (90) of the top tool assembly (30) of a sealing apparatus (22) to press the outwardly disposed side wall top portions downwardly against an abutment formed by a bottom tool assembly (32) so as to create a horizontal, outwardly disposed sealing flange (40) to which a top film (34) is applied for closure of the container.

Abstract: A rotary to linear actuator, comprises a drive crankarm that rotates in a first axis of rotation; a first and second gearset connected to the drive crankarm through a second crankarm; and a piston captured between the first gearset and the second gear set, wherein the first and second gearsets rotate a crankarm connected to one end of the piston, wherein the piston is caused to move linearly upon rotation of the crankarm.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus, such as a tray sealer, with a gas supply arrangement enabling a flushing gas to be conducted between a flushing gas outlet (26) and a flushing gas inlet (14) which are relatively moveable. The flushing gas inlet is positioned above the flushing gas outlet. The gas supply arrangement includes a barrel 15 connected to the inlet (14) and sliding in a sleeve connected to the outlet (26). In a first predetermined relative position of the flushing gas outlet and flushing gas inlet a fluid flow connection is established between the flushing gas outlet and flushing gas inlet. In a second predetermined relative position the flushing gas inlet and flushing gas outlet are disconnected and liquid may drain from the barrel 15.

Abstract: A container packaging system 20 is composed of a registration system 22 for arranging articles 24 at a staging location 26 into a loading registration configuration. A loader 28 lifts the articles 24 from the staging location 26 for placement into predetermined locations in containers 30. Although not necessarily always the case, the containers 30 can be sized and configured to receive a plurality of articles 24. A control system 32 controls the operation of the packaging system, including controlling the registration system 22, so that the articles 24 are placed in the correct registration configuration at the staging location 26, and controlling the operation of the loader 28 to transfer the articles 24 into predetermined locations in the containers 30.

Abstract: A rotary to linear actuator, comprises a drive crankarm that rotates in a first axis of rotation; a first and second gearset connected to the drive crankarm through a second crankarm; and a piston captured between the first gearset and the second gear set, wherein the first and second gearsets rotate a crankarm connected to one end of the piston, wherein the piston is caused to move linearly upon rotation of the crankarm.

Abstract: A diverter assembly (25) is provided for guiding articles from a single lane (54) to one of a plurality of lanes (13, 14). The assembly (25) has a pair of spaced apart guides (30) defining a guide channel (49) therebetween. The guides (30) are connected to a rotatably mounted support (24). A first actuator (22, 23) is provided operable to rotate the support (24) to pivot the guides (30), and thereby cause articles to be guided to a selected one of the plurality of lanes.

Abstract: A packaging machine with a platform (6) on which a container (27) can be supported and sensor (23) for detecting the presence or absence of a container (27) at a position on the platform (6). A control apparatus with a memory is configured to cause the packaging machine to perform a setup operation in which relative motion between the platform (6) and sensor (23) is caused and monitored. A parameter relating to the amount of relative motion from a starting position to a position at which the sensor output changes to reflect the presence or absence of a container (27) is stored in the memory. The control apparatus is also configured to use the stored parameter to control the machine in a packaging operation.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus, such as a tray sealer, with a gas supply arrangement enabling a flushing gas to be conducted between a flushing gas outlet (26) and a flushing gas inlet (14) which are relatively moveable. The flushing gas inlet is positioned above the flushing gas outlet. The gas supply arrangement includes a barrel (20) connected to the inlet (14) and sliding in a sleeve connected to the outlet (26). In a first predetermined relative position of the flushing gas outlet and flushing gas inlet a fluid flow connection is established between the flushing gas outlet and flushing gas inlet. In a second predetermined relative position the flushing gas inlet and flushing gas outlet are disconnected and liquid may drain from the barrel (20).

Abstract: A plurality of camming surfaces (116) are actuated to move against the top portion of the side walls (38) of a container (36) to turn such top portion in an outward direction relative to the interior of the container sufficiently to enable the seal profile (90) of the top tool assembly (30) of a sealing apparatus (22) to press the outwardly disposed side wall top portions downwardly against an abutment formed by a bottom tool assembly (32) so as to create a horizontal, outwardly disposed sealing flange (40) to which a top film (34) is applied for closure of the container.