Abstract: Bag top registration apparatus includes infeed mechanism that feeds bags, which may be of different lengths, from a magazine to positioner assemblies which have back lights and bag clamps that are operable for moving the bags, if necessary, to have their bag top edges over the back lights at registration positions and pick-up mechanism for transferring the bags at registration positions to a conveyor assembly with their top edges at the same elevation. Cameras take images of the bags on the positioner assemblies extending in part over the back lights. The programmable logic controller in comparing the images with the parameters imparted by a human machine interface controls the operation of the clamps to move the bags to the registration positions and the mechanism for removing the bags from the magazine, the clamps, the pick-up mechanism and the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A machine and associated method for tipping a cuboidal unit onto its leading face. The machine includes a conveyor, a stop for contacting a leading face of conveyed units so as to arrest continued machine direction conveyance of the conveyed units, and a tipping means, such as a driven friction wheel spaced a vertical distance above the stop, for contacting an arrested unit and driving an upper portion of the unit forward so as to tip the unit over the stop.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for forming a Bliss-type container having main portion with side and bottom flaps and a side support portion. Systems can include a mandrel movably mounted on a path, a hopper providing the side support portion, a feeder providing the main portion, and a folding assembly configured to fold the side flaps over the support portion. The systems may further include a plurality of plows and compression plates for bending side panels of the main portion, the side support portion, and the bottom flaps over the mandrel. Methods can include moving a mandrel forward along a path inside a machine, engaging the side support portion on a first side of the mandrel, and engaging a bottom panel of the main portion on a front of the mandrel such that an edge of the support portion is aligned against said bottom panel. Side panels of the main portion may be bent over opposing sides of the mandrel which are generally perpendicular to the first side of the mandrel.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for forming a Bliss-type container having main portion with side and bottom flaps and a side support portion. Systems can include a mandrel movably mounted on a path, a hopper providing the side support portion, a feeder providing the main portion, and a folding assembly configured to fold the side flaps over the support portion. The systems may further include a plurality of plows and compression plates for bending side panels of the main portion, the side support portion, and the bottom flaps over the mandrel. Methods can include moving a mandrel forward along a path inside a machine, engaging the side support portion on a first side of the mandrel, and engaging a bottom panel of the main portion on a front of the mandrel such that an edge of the support portion is aligned against said bottom panel. Side panels of the main portion may be bent over opposing sides of the mandrel which are generally perpendicular to the first side of the mandrel.

Abstract: A repositionable side guide assembly with vertically repositionable side guides for use with a friction sheet feeding machine.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for use on a friction sheet feeding machine to permit selective lateral repositioning of one feed belt on the machine relative to at least one other feed belt on the machine.

Abstract: A laterally repositionable side guide assembly for use with a friction sheet feeding machine. The side guide assembly includes (i) a support member, (ii) a carriage, (iii) a side guide, and (iv) a worm screw. The support member is configured and arranged for attachment to a friction sheet feeding machine. The carriage is repositionably mounted on the support member for selective lateral repositioning relative to the support member. The side guide is configured and arranged for laterally guiding sheets through a friction sheet feeding machine. The side guide is attached to the carriage for lateral repositioning with the carriage. The worm screw is in threaded communication with the carriage for effecting linear movement of the carriage along the length of the worm screw upon rotation of the worm screw.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming a latching flip-top box from a blank. A plurality of mandrels are coupled to a conveyor system. Each of the mandrels includes a mounting block for coupling the mandrel to the automatic packaging machine, a package-holding assembly operatively connected to the mounting block and being rotatable about a first axis from a first position to a second position, and a flap holder assembly operatively connected to the mounting block. The flap holder assembly is rotatable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A plurality of plows and tucker assemblies sequentially manipulate portions of the blank in order to form portions of the box.

Abstract: The bag top folder and labeler includes bottom and side conveyor assemblies for conveying a filled bag to extend between a pair of folder subassemblies wherein, with the bag top extending above the subassemblies, a second subassembly is operable to in cooperation with a first subassembly reversely fold the bag top relative to the second subassembly center folder and flap tuckers to form a generally Z-shaped bag top closure including ears extending outwardly in opposite directions and elevator mechanism for elevating the bag relative to the first subassembly to compensate for different densities of product in filled bags. Thereafter labeler mechanism applies labels to the folded bag top including to the ears, folds the ears downwardly along the end walls and wipes the labels to adhere to the ears and the bag front and rear end walls below the ears.

Abstract: Rotary transfer mechanism is mounted on a frame for removing a flat folded carton from a storage hopper to move the carton to a flight conveyor assembly and in cooperation therewith erect the carton to be in an open rectangular condition. The transfer mechanism includes end plates rotated in one angular direction and vacuum cup assemblies rotated therewith and relative thereto in the opposite angular direction. The cup assemblies include transversely opposite cups having adjacent sides less flexible than their remote sides and intermediate cups having buttons therein to form dimples in a carton panel when grippingly engaged. The flight assembly includes guideways to have lugs of flight devices extend into their channels as devices move along the upper run of an endless conveyor. The flight devices include flight bars extending vertically above the lugs as the lugs move in said channels.