Abstract: A product packaging system includes a tipping system that tips a product stack after the product stack is formed. The tipping system may have a turn plate that is selectively pivotable about a horizontal axis to tip a product stack onto a discharge platform located upstream from the product stack.

Abstract: An infeed system for feeding a product downstream to a packaging machine for packaging a product with a packaging material includes a first conveyor section, a second conveyor section, and a third conveyor section. Each one of the conveyor sections includes a top belt and a bottom belt that engage respective surfaces of the product. The speeds of each belt may be adjusted to control the processing rate of the product and prevent any gaps between successive products. The top belt of the first conveyor system may also be inclined relative to the bottom belt to compress the product.

Abstract: A system for stacking and packaging a plurality of discrete products of different sizes is provided. The system includes a stacking system having a movable lift plate, a slide plate assembly, an adjustable stop plate, and adjustable sidewalls. Layers of articles are introduced into a stack area, and movement of the lift plate and the slide plate assembly are coordinated to stack products in layers on the lift plate. The stacking system includes an adjustment assembly that allows adjustment of the position of the stop plate and/or the sidewalls relative to a frame such that the stacking system can be quickly and efficiently configured for use with layers of articles that have different depths and/or widths. In another aspect, the stacking system cooperates with a tipping system that rolls or tips stacked product to facilitate further processing or use of the product package.

Abstract: A system for stacking and packaging a plurality of discrete products of different sizes is provided. The system includes a stacking system having a movable lift plate, a slide plate assembly, an adjustable stop plate, and adjustable sidewalls. Layers of articles are introduced into a stack area, and movement of the lift plate and the slide plate assembly are coordinated to stack products in layers on the lift plate. The stacking system includes an adjustment assembly that allows adjustment of the position of the stop plate and/or the sidewalls relative to a frame such that the stacking system can be quickly and efficiently configured for use with layers of articles that have different depths and/or widths. In another aspect, the stacking system cooperates with a tipping system that rolls or tips stacked product to facilitate further processing or use of the product package.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for separating products, such as napkins or rolls of paper, encased in a tube of continuously moving thermoplastic wrapping material into product units is disclosed. At predetermined intervals spaced products are fed into the tube at wrapper length intervals, and the tube is thermally cut at wrapper intervals to form individually girth wrapped articles.

Abstract: A folder for use in a variety of applications, being especially well suited for folding a sheet of overwrap around a stack of paper pulp sheets, includes three stationary folder sections and an extensible folding plate which performs the back tucking function. The plate is arranged to fold the back edge inwardly as the bale is moved along a conveyor line. After the rear edge has been folded inwardly, the bale slides past three stationary folder devices which in turn fold the front, bottom and top flaps of the overwrap. The folded package is then secured by conventional strapping techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping rolls of paper includes a wrapping material feed system for deliverying sheets of wrapping material and includes spaced apart vacuum belts and a conveyor for delivering the rolls to be wrapped in a path which intersects that of the vacuum belts. The rolls are successively moved downwardly between the belts for displacement of the roll and the wrapping material into one of a series of transport buckets carried on an endless conveyor. The ends of the wrapping material are folded over the roll after which the buckets transport the rolls through successive stations where pins are partially inserted into the core of each roll as the wrapper is folded over the ends of the rolls and about the pins which are then fully inserted to move the wrapped ends a slight distance into the core. The pins are then removed and rotating members are moved into engagement with sides of the roll for fully inserting the folded ends of the wrapping material into the core.