Abstract: An apparatus and a method for attaching at least one carrying handle to a bag, such as a shopping bag, grocery bag, or the like. Individual handles are severed from a continuous web of handle material. Bags are conveyed at a predetermined velocity, with a longitudinal axis of each bag substantially perpendicular to the bag's direction of travel. Each carrying handle is transported proximate a front or back surface of an associated bag, and in a direction of travel wherein a longitudinal axis of the carrying handle is substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the bag, and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bag. The handle is transported at a velocity substantially equal to the predetermined velocity of the bag. The handle is applied to the bag when a handle accepting region of the bag contacts an attachment panel portion of the carrying handle.

Abstract: A container assembly apparatus and method for assembling a roe shipping container. The lid of the container is manually positioned in contact with one edge of the container. A first button is pressed which allows swing arm to open and allow access by the container and lid to the assembly apparatus. As the container and lid move into the assembly apparatus, rails move the lid downwardly and into a closer relationship with the top edges of the container. A second swing arm terminates movement of the container and lid and maintains them in the assembly location under the apparatus. A second button is pressed and a platen moves downwardly to install the lid on the body of the container while simultaneously inserting a plug into an opening in the bottom of the container. The second button is released which allows the second swing arm to open the container to be moved from its assembly location.

Abstract: A bag includes a first panel with at least one access hole in it, and a second panel without a hole corresponding to the at least one hole of the first panel. Preferably, two holes are present, preferably near the bag mouth. The panels are substantially equal in length. The bag can be easily opened by described bag opening means, without the need for vacuum or air to open the bag. The bag can be used in conjunction with otherwise conventional taped bag systems. A method of making the bag, a bag opening system, a method of opening the bag, and a packaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a bag making machine including feeding means for feeding two or more superposed layers of plastic film longitudinally thereof and intermittently for a length, the layers of plastic film having void area means such as notch hole means, and a cutter for cutting the layers of plastic film crossly thereof along a line predetermined with respect to the void area means whenever feeding the layers of plastic film are temporarily stopped, to thereby successively make plastic bags. A detector is disposed near the cutter for recognizing the contour of the void area means as an image data immediately before or when the layers of plastic film are temporarily stopped. A computer is connected to the detector for calculating the difference between the position of the predetermined line of the layers and the position of the cutting edge means of the cutter in accordance with the image data of the detector.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine, converting method and dunnage product characterized by a novel connecting assembly which provides a unique interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material forming a dunnage product to prevent "unzippering" of the product. The connecting assembly includes a pair of loosely meshed stitching wheels, a first one of the stitching wheels having a plurality of radial projections protruding from a radially outer circumferential surface thereof, and a second one of the stitching wheels including a plurality of recesses for receiving the radial projections in meshed relationship upon rotation of the stitching wheels.

Abstract: A fish hook setting apparatus having a rod holder pivotally mounted on a base. The rod holder moves between a cocked, spring loaded position and an upright resting position. A trigger member is movably coupled to the base and releasibly engages the rod holder while the rod holder is in the cocked position. A plurality of slots for receiving a fishing line are included on the trigger member to allow adjustment and control of trigger sensitivity. A locking mechanism allows the rod holder to be locked in the cocked position while changes in trigger sensitivity or adjustments to a fishing line are made.

Abstract: A method for making a packet mailer includes the steps of applying wet glue patterns to a sheet, then folding that sheet and perforating the sheet to form a packet mailer that includes an outer enclosure with at least two open ends and at least one inner closure.

Abstract: An apparatus (31) and a method are disclosed for performing an operation upon multiple webs (51,53), including the feeding of multiple webs (51,53), the provision of a carrier (65) for assisting in moving the webs (51,53) along a predetermined path (83), the performance of an operation (69) upon the webs, the insertion of a carrier (65) between the webs (51,53), and the provision of a sealing device (71) for sealing the webs together to form a sealed portion (75) to cooperate with the carrier (65) for assisting in moving the webs (51,53). The carriers (65) are mounted on a conveyor (83) and each carrier (65) pushes against the sealed portion (75) to pull the webs (51,53), and the packages (41) formed therefrom in the direction of conveyor travel. The preferred carrier (65) has a shaped head on the end of a flat plastic blade.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding sheet blanks (1), e.g. for boxes and trays from carton or corrugated cardboard. It includes press means (6, 7) attached to at least one endless conveying means (10). The press means are intended to coact with selected parts (2, 3) of the blanks for folding them up or down from the plane of the blank during their passage through the apparatus. The blanks are arranged to be conveyed through the apparatus at the same speed as that at which the conveying means is driven. The latter is guided in a helical path by an elongate, rigid structure (8, 9) forming continuous support for the conveying means. During the entire folding operation the operative ones of the press means attached to the conveying means press against the same area on the part of the blank with which they coact.

Abstract: The process for manufacturing an integrally-formed handle for a bag includes the steps of turning an edge of a sheet of bag stock on itself a predetermined number of times to form a multiple-thickness handle on the sheet stock, while leaving an adjacent portion of the sheet stock unfolded. The opposed side edge portions of the handle are then folded onto and overlying the unfolded portion of the sheet stock. The folded side edge portions are then glued onto the unfolded portion of the sheet stock. The central portion of the handle is then severed from the unfolded portion of the sheet stock. The unfolded portion of the sheet stock is then folded and glued into a bag enclosure with the handle residing adjacent a side of the bag defining a top opening.

Abstract: A multi-use cutter is especially useful for cutting standard size paper and card stock into business card sizes. The preferred model of the multi-use cutter will measure six inches deep by fifteen inches tall by fifteen and a half inches wide and will be powered by standard 115 volt alternating current power source. The paper stock is sequentially fed into the cutter and can be collected in catch trays. The starting feed stock size can be varied by simply changing the size of the paper guide. Where the cutters are set to produce an American standard sized two by three and a half inch business card, the starting feedstock can be of any size.

Abstract: A decorative bag making apparatus 10 and method of use wherein the apparatus 10 comprises a sizing unit 11, a centerpiece unit 12, and a face unit 13 which cooperate with one another and a sheet of decorative material 100 to fabricate a finished decorative bag 110.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the registration of printed matter during the manufacture of bags on fixed-size bag formation equipment, from a continuous web of a substantially non-stretchable material. Printed matter, printed upon the continuous web at regularly-spaced intervals, includes a plurality of periodically spaced reference markers. While a finishing drum propels the continuous web in a direction of flow emanating from a supply of web material, at a substantially constant speed, feed rollers, positioned upstream from the finishing drum, propel the continuous web at a variable speed, relative to the substantially constant speed.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting stock material into a continuous strip of a cushioning product. The machine includes a stock-preparing assembly which prepares the stock material; a stock-shaping assembly which shapes the prepared stock material into a continuous strip having a pillow-like portion and at least one tab portion projecting therefrom; and a tab-connecting assembly which connects the tab portion of the continuous strip whereby the pillow-like portion will maintain its pillow-like geometry.

Abstract: A vehicle safety airbag is folded to an annular compact accordion-like configuration for placement around a conventional bag inflator. The bag folding operation involves axially stretching the bag, restraining localized areas of the stretched bag against radial expansion, and axially compressing the bag while moving the restraining devices together, such that annular accordion-like folds are formed in the bag.

Abstract: A former for folding a stock web including a nose plate (1) having a base plate (4) covered by a cover plate (5). Openings (8) are provided extending to the surface of the cover plate on which the stock web runs. The openings (8) are preferably formed by recesses in the side edges of the cover plate (5) positioned where the cover plate (5) contacts the base plate (4).

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for the automatic folding of toy balloons. A series of folding plates are provided along a path of travel and a vacuum conveyor provides traction force for the balloon as it slides across the folding plates. The folding plates interfere with the path of travel of the balloon causing the balloon to fold side-to-side. Tucking blades fold the balloon lengthwise to complete the folding operation.

Abstract: A carton flap folding and sealing machine includes a separator, a conveyor, a first folding device, a second folding device, a third folding device and a sealing device. Cartons are orderly position by the separator and sent on the conveyor and moved forward to pass through the first folding device and the second folding device for a front flap and a rear flap folded down, and then through the third folding device for two side flaps folded down. Then cartons are moving into the sealing device to receive sealing operation without interruption, by means of two pairs of glue tapes disposed on a tape support frame and two pairs of upper bases and lower bases working alternately.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus the continuous production of package blanks. The package blank is intended for delivering books by mail and it is fabricated by drawing from a roll, a web of cardboard (1w), having a surface which is coated with adhesive zones (19) at distances corresponding to the length of a blank. A stud-chain conveyor (14) driven in synchronization with a cardboard-web (1w) chopping device supplies the adhesive zones (19) with paper strips (2p) forming an inner wrapper for the package.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming one or more folds in a sheet having a trailing edge and a leading edge. The apparatus including: a device for forming a buckle in the sheet, a mechanism for folding the sheet along the buckle, and an auxiliary feed path for directing the leading edge of the sheet out of contact with the folding mechanism and returning the sheet back to the buckle forming device. In the preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism includes a first folder roller and a second fold roller and the auxiliary feed path is race track shaped. Additionally, the auxiliary feed path may include: a first pathway, a second pathway which is longer in length than the first pathway and a gate for controlling whether the sheet enters the first pathway or the second pathway depending upon the length of the sheet.