Abstract: A packaging machine 20 includes a feeding system 22 for delivering and positioning work products, in registry with a chute system 28 as well as in registry with a pushing system 26 for pushing the work products through a stuffing tube 24 of the chute system 28. The chute system 28 also includes a plurality of individual chute assemblies 30, each constructed with an elongate chute 32 positionable in registry with the stuffing tube 24 for receiving the food products from the stuffing tube and guiding the work product into packaging material 34 which has been shined over the elongate chute. The plurality of chute assemblies 30 are mounted on a transverse mounting structure 44 to slide along the mounting structure to sequentially position chute assemblies, loaded with packaging material, in alignment with the stuffing tube 24 to receive the work products. Additional chute assemblies 30 are positionable on either side of the chute assembly in use.

Abstract: A packaging machine 20 includes a feeding system 22 for delivering and positioning work products, in registry with a chute system 28 as well as in registry with a pushing system 26 for pushing the work products through a stuffing tube 24 of the chute system 28. The chute system 28 also includes a plurality of individual chute assemblies 30, each constructed with an elongate chute 32 positionable in registry with the stuffing tube 24 for receiving the food products from the stuffing tube and guiding the work product into packaging material 34 which has been shined over the elongate chute. The plurality of chute assemblies 30 are mounted on a transverse mounting structure 44 to slide along the mounting structure to sequentially position chute assemblies, loaded with packaging material, in alignment with the stuffing tube 24 to receive the work products. Additional chute assemblies 30 are positionable on either side of the chute assembly in use.

Abstract: Packaging systems with a rotatable table top held by a rotatable column, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart clipper assemblies held at respective clipper stations provided by the rotatable table top, plurality of spaced apart pneumatic valves under the table top in fluid communication with the clipper assemblies, and at least one of: (a) a clipper reset cam assembly held under the rotatable table top with first and second reset cams cam that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates; and (b) a clipper trigger cam assembly held under the rotatable table top circumferentially spaced apart from the clipper reset cam assembly with first and second trigger cams that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for producing encased products from flat-roll stock using an external user interface (i.e., a handle that is external to a housing holding the heat seal assembly that is attached to a horizontally oriented shaft that rotates a first gear in the housing to rotate an aligned second gear in the housing or an electronic control) that is attached to and/or in communication with (directly or indirectly) a heat-seal assembly with a heat-seal contact member, such as a heat-seal band, in the housing to allow a user to adjust a vertical height of the heat-seal assembly while the apparatus is operational and/or without requiring physical access to the interior of the housing.

Abstract: Packaging systems with a rotatable table top held by a rotatable column, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart clipper assemblies held at respective clipper stations provided by the rotatable table top, plurality of spaced apart pneumatic valves under the table top in fluid communication with the clipper assemblies, and at least one of: (a) a clipper reset cam assembly held under the rotatable table top with first and second reset cams cam that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates; and (b) a clipper trigger cam assembly held under the rotatable table top circumferentially spaced apart from the clipper reset cam assembly with first and second trigger cams that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates.

Abstract: Clipper assemblies include a clipper body with a die support holding at least one clip die; and a knife cylinder with a downwardly extending rod, the knife cylinder attached to the clipper body above the clip die. The clipper assemblies also include a knife plate having a body with a perimeter with a first portion pivotably attached to the rod and a second portion pivotably attached to the clipper body below the clip die. The knife plate holds a knife which extends outward from a side of the knife plate a distance between about 1-2 inches, at an angle of between 80-110 degrees (measured from a line drawn parallel to the side from which the knife extends outward from). In operation, the knife is configured to either: (a) move upward to cut respective clipped packages or (b) move downward to cut respective clipped packages.

Abstract: Packaging systems with a rotatable table top held by a rotatable column, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart clipper assemblies held at respective clipper stations provided by the rotatable table top, plurality of spaced apart pneumatic valves under the table top in fluid communication with the clipper assemblies, and at least one of: (a) a clipper reset cam assembly held under the rotatable table top with first and second reset cams cam that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates; and (b) a clipper trigger cam assembly held under the rotatable table top circumferentially spaced apart from the clipper reset cam assembly with first and second trigger cams that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, devices, methods with thin walled sizing mandrels that are capable of packaging low temperature explosives emulsions at high volumes and lower pressures. The packaging systems can include a rotating table having a vertical column comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart clippers; a pump; and a tubular sizing mandrel in fluid communication with the pump. The tubular sizing mandrel has a downstream end segment that merges into a segment with a plurality of radially spaced apart, longitudinally extending flat outer surfaces, the flat surfaces can be bounded laterally (circumferentially) by chamfered edges.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for producing encased products from flat-roll stock using an external user interface (i.e., a handle that is external to a housing holding the heat seal assembly that is attached to a horizontally oriented shaft that rotates a first gear in the housing to rotate an aligned second gear in the housing or an electronic control) that is attached to and/or in communication with (directly or indirectly) a heat-seal assembly with a heat-seal contact member, such as a heat-seal band, in the housing to allow a user to adjust a vertical height of the heat-seal assembly while the apparatus is operational and/or without requiring physical access to the interior of the housing.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and associated devices for one or more of rucking, derucking, braking or rerucking sleeves of covering material off of and/or onto a chute body include a gripper with a stacked set of discrete gripper layers with forward facing protrusions. The grippers can have an automated stroke cycle whereby cooperating pairs of gripper assemblies can be configured to travel inwardly a distance sufficient to snugly abut an outer surface of a chute body and remain in contact with the chute body while traveling in a longitudinal and/or axial direction to contact covering and pull the covering along the chute body.

Abstract: Packaging systems with a rotatable table top held by a rotatable column, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart clipper assemblies held at respective clipper stations provided by the rotatable table top, plurality of spaced apart pneumatic valves under the table top in fluid communication with the clipper assemblies, and at least one of: (a) a clipper reset cam assembly held under the rotatable table top with first and second reset cams cam that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates; and (b) a clipper trigger cam assembly held under the rotatable table top circumferentially spaced apart from the clipper reset cam assembly with first and second trigger cams that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates.

Abstract: A casing extender apparatus (30) includes a first actuator assembly (50) to raise and lower a pair of spaced-apart spanners (52a and 52b) from a position above the bunched casing rope (24) to a position adjacent the rope. A second actuator assembly (54) lowers a drawing member (56) to a position beneath the slack casing rope and then draws the slack casing rope upwardly between the spanners to form a loop (60) of slack casing rope upwardly between the spanners (52a and 52b).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products are configured to package products using automated movement of components that fill, then clip bags in a manner that is particularly suitable for packaging blasting powder and/or explosives in shot bags.

Abstract: Packaging systems include a rotating table and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart spool mount assemblies mounted to the rotating table at respective clipper stations. The spool mount assemblies can include a laterally extending centrifugal force retention shaft that faces an outer perimeter of the table.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide clip blow-off pulses of pressurized gas to clip dies using pressurized gas diverted from an onboard knife, gate and/or punch cylinder/valve during a reset or idle period of a clipping cycle and may be particularly suitable for rotating platform systems with circumferentially spaced apart respective clipper stations. Packaging systems include at least one clipper assembly with at least one pulse valve in communication with a pressurized gas (e.g., air) supply configured to generate a respective clip blow-off pulse of pressurized gas across a clip die.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a loading chute having a ceiling or door having at least a portion configured to open and close and a floor underlying and in cooperating alignment with the ceiling. The ceiling and floor are configured to cooperate to encase a product chamber with an axially extending open channel therebetween. At least one of the floor and ceiling reciprocates in a substantially vertical direction between a first loading position corresponding to when the ceiling is open and a second operative position corresponding to when the ceiling is closed.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products and apparatus for producing encased products use a rotary encoder with a measuring wheel, the measuring wheel residing against a depression of a wheel saddle that has a shape that curves inward with a radius of curvature that corresponds to an outer perimeter radius of a cooperating measuring wheel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, sheared casing and/or netting. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo-motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a pusher assembly, an electric motor, preferably a servo motor with a gear box, that drives a linear drive assembly. The devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the pusher assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.