Abstract: The invention relates to a device for opening sheet-like material, such as packaging paper, around a cylindrical object, which device comprises a support for the object as well as a carrier which is movable relative to the support over a predetermined path length and provided with at least a pair of wheels. The rotation shafts of the wheels enclose an angle, such that during the movement of the carrier the wheel peripheries exert a force on the sheet-like material directed towards each other in order to pull the sheet-like material more tightly around the object and to form a buckle or standing fold. The carrier is also provided with a cutting member which is situated behind the pair of wheels in the direction of movement.

Abstract: A method of controlling the flow of articles between upstream and downstream work stations which respectively produce and modify such articles so that both work stations can operate at the same rates or at different rates.A continuous flow of articles is received on various inbound tracks, and the continuous flow of articles is subdivided into individual arrays or groups of articles. In those instances wherein the down stream use rate is approximately or exactly equal to the upstream output rate, the groups of articles are transferred from inbound lanes or tracks directly to outbound lanes or tracks. In the cases wherein the supply rate or the demand rate, i.e., the upstream or downstream machine rates are different, then groups of articles are periodically taken from inbound lanes and placed in transient storage or are taken from transient storage and placed in outbound lanes.

Abstract: An improved automated workload balancing apparatus is described including an expanded coplanar transfer station having an inbound accumulating area, an outbound accumulating area and at least one outer storage placement and retrieval area linearly aligned along a longitudinally extending transfer axis. A pickup transfer head is reciprocatably translatable along the transfer axis to regulate overall flow of groups of articles through the balancer device. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, preformed groups are moved uphill or downhill into and out of the inbound and outbound accumulating areas, respectively for improved article management. Front and rear holding devices are included to further provide enhanced article management. In an especially preferred embodiment, angled infeed and angled outfeed track segments are rotatable into and out of position in the transfer station to position the groups for pickup and transfer before sending them on for further processing steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles, such as can ends, in a sleeve drawn from a roll of continuous sleeve material is described. Means are disclosed for feeding the can ends to a packaging location, for segregating the can ends into package-size groups and for inserting the groups into the sleeves. The machine further includes means for feeding the sleeve material to the packaging location, means for retaining the sleeve material at the packaging location and means for clamping and severing the sleeve material to form an individual sleeve. Means for forming and sealing end-flaps on the contents containing sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to improved apparatus for mass production manufacturing, and in a presently preferred form, to an apparatus for dynamically regulating input and output workloads to achieve efficient operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for packaging articles, such as can ends, in a sleeve drawn from a roll of continuous sleeve material. Means are disclosed for feeding the can ends to a packaging location, for segregating the can ends into package-size groups and for inserting the groups into the sleeves. The machine further includes means for feeding the sleeve material to the packaging location, means for retaining the sleeve material at the packaging location and means for heating and severing the sleeve material to form an individual sleeve. Means for forming and sealing end-flaps on the contents containing sleeve is also disclosed.