Abstract: A method for obtaining an output stream of mutually different graphic products in a desired order, for instance sorted according to address code, wherein the products are assembled in an assembly line as desired by an addressee and/or a sender, and after the assembly line the product undergoes at least one additional operation, depending upon the desire of the addressee and/or sender, for which purpose the product stream is divided over at least two sublines in which the or each additional operation, such as for instance packaging, is carried out, whereafter the products are merged again in a single downstream line, characterized in that, for the purpose of avoiding buffers, the order of the products (2) that are formed in the assembly line (3) is such that, allowing for the desired additional operations in the sublines (9, 10), the products, after traversing the sublines, have acquired the desired order in the downstream line (14, 15), while the products in the sublines (9, 10) can be temporarily delayed and

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a fibrous insulation batt having a length and a width is disclosed. The batt has first and second sections, where each section is approximately one half the length of the batt. The apparatus comprises a lower conveyor for conveying folded batts in a first direction, and an upper conveyor which is positioned above the lower conveyor and move in the first direction to define a folded batt exit path. The apparatus further comprises a folding member for folding the insulation batt, where the folding member is adapted to contact the batt across its width. The folding member is mounted for movement to initially push the batt in a second direction, and then subsequently push the batt in the first direction, thereby pushing the batt along the folded batt exit path. The movement of the folding member folds the batt so that the first section of the folded batt is generally parallel to and contacting the second section.

Abstract: A method for packaging cans or tubes continuously delivered from a production installation to pick-up elements, which are moved in steps, of an intermediate station. A gripper device brings the cans or tubes in groups according to the desired number of pieces in a packaging layer to a delivery station. Each can or tube is deposited into a support element, after which the cans or tubes are pushed together out of the support elements into a loading station. The cans or tubes are placed at equal distances into the pick-up elements, wherein individual support elements are placed apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The cans or tubes are then deposited into the support elements at distances predetermined by the pick-up elements. The support elements are subsequently moved together until they touch each other, whereupon the cans or tubes are then pushed into the loading station. This method allows the use of the same apparatus for different can diameters with minimal changing effort.

Abstract: Assembly of a loading means with a horizontal loading surface and a strip stacker for depositing an unvulcanized rubber strip on the loading surface. The strip stacker containing a depositing mechanism with a depositing end and with a pair of conveyor belts for transporting a rubber strip vertically between the conveying belts to the depositing end and a feed conveyor for transporting a rubber strip to the depositing mechanism in a transport direction. The feed conveyor has an input end and an output end. The loading means is provided with means for variably adjusting the distance between the depositing end and the loading surface. The depositing mechanism is provided with means for moving recriprocably in one direction the depositing end with regard to the loading surface. The strip stacker is provided with means for moving the output end of the feed conveyor substantially transverse to the transport direction.

Abstract: A continuous, multiline packaging apparatus for continuously conveying, turning, and loading non-round bottles includes infeed conveyors which convey non-round bottles to timing screw conveyors. The timing conveyors are operable to space the bottles a predetermined distance apart and to feed the lines of spaced bottles to turning conveyors. The turning conveyors are each comprised of high and low speed conveyor chains, and guide rails. The turning conveyors first turn the bottles to an intermediate angled position and thereafter further turn the bottles to a loading position. A grouping conveyor comprising a plurality of fights cooperates with the turning conveyors to cause the bottles to form groups which are transferred to a loading device. The loading device continuously shifts the grouped bottles laterally into cartons as the bottles are continuously moved in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A cover forming apparatus for forming a flower pot or flower pot cover from a sheet of material by engaging a sheet of material about the outer surface of a mold, die or pot. The cover forming apparatus includes a plurality of pivotable forming members resting in a surface which supports a sheet of material upon which is positioned a flower pot mold or flower pot. When the forming members are pivotally moved from the storage position to an extended position, the forming members cause the sheet of material to be appressed to or engaged with the mold or pot. The article formed in accordance with the present invention may be separable from the mold or pot and usable as a flower pot or flower pot cover or may be more or less securely attached to the pot by adhesive, cohesive, barbs, friction pinches or other securing means thereby forming a decorative cover connected to a flower pot.

Abstract: A food material transferring apparatus basically includes a heating device, a pushing member, and a tray. Food materials are placed on a tray, and inserted into the heating device. The heating device heats the food material, and the pushing member is driven to push the food material from the heating device while folding the food material. An arm is provided with a hand having absorption pads to be able to absorb the food material. The arm is attached to a bi-directional straight proceeding mechanism, which moves the hand in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that the food material is taken out from the tray and inserted into the heating device.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is sorted according to a grade, placed in a decorative cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

Abstract: A selector assembly for dividing a continuous line of products moving along a processing path is positioned between a product infeed line and packaging machine line. As the line of products enters the selector assembly, the products are engaged by a rotating starwheel which meters the further flow of the products into a product grouping area of the selector assembly. Thereafter, the lugs of upper and lower selector belts selectively engage the line of products to divide the line of products into groups of products for packaging. The selector lugs engage the groups of products at the product infeed speed and thereafter are progressively accelerated to accelerate the groups of products up to the speed of the packaging machine line for transfer of the groups of products to the packaging machine line.

Abstract: Electrostatic phototechnology is used to package microgram quantities of fine powders such as drugs. An electrostatic "image" having a given size and charge density is exposed to ionized drug powder to attract a known amount of drug to the image. The resultant drug "image", is then transferred to a package.

Abstract: A method for container packaging includes the steps of providing a plurality of square profile individual packages, each package having an empty 47 mm by 47 mm square profile, and a full profile between about 50 mm by 50 mm and 51 mm by 51 mm, a relatively rigid bottom, and a peaked gable top having a rigid, linearly disposed, upwardly extending sealing portion defined by a pair of sloped top portion walls. The method includes providing a packing storage unit for storing the individual packages. The storage unit has an inside storage dimension of between about 6.6 to 6.8 times the length of a container wall when the container is empty and 6.0 to 6.4 times the length of the container wall when the container is filled. The containers are disposed in a lower layer within the packing storage unit, and are positioned in a 6 by 6 matrix having a first set of six parallel linear arrays and a second set of six parallel linear arrays.

Abstract: A method for halting the function of a high speed packaging machine of the type having a conveyor based article infeed line conveying articles to a flight bar based selection line. The method is useful for performing a clean out procedure used during maintenance, and product or packaging change over. The method comprises the steps of terminating the operation of the infeed line conveyor at a predetermined position; placing an article follower behind a terminal article in each input lane; activating the operation of the infeed line conveyor whereby the articles in each input lane are conveyed to the selection line; and halting the conveyance of the article follower in the input lane prior to the selection line. An article follower and follower system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and article for protecting a container that contains a fluid.The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a container that holds a fluid and that has first and second ends, a side, and a length; (b) providing a conformable nonwoven web that contains at least 5 weight percent microfibers based on the weight of fibrous material in the nonwoven web, the conformable nonwoven web having a length in at least one dimension that is substantially greater than the length of the container; and (c) wrapping the conformable nonwoven web at least one full turn about the container such that (i) the container forms an axis about which the web is wrapped and (ii) first and second portions of the nonwoven web project axially from the first and second ends of the container.The article includes a conformable sleeve having a tubular body that has an opening sized to permit a container to enter the interior of the conformable sleeve.

Abstract: A process is described for filling an envelope of a cushion, a quilt, or the like, which envelope is essentially closed envelope with a closable filling opening, and having a filling material of individual aggregates, e.g. fiber aggregates, down, feathers, pieces of foam material. The reversibly compressible aggregates, which are in a separate filling material cartridge that has a far smaller volume than the maximum volume of the envelope and which are thus under high pressure, are introduced into the envelope through the opening along with at least a part of the filling material cartridge, whereupon the filling material cartridge is opened inside the envelope and the envelope is filled as the aggregates expand out from the filling material cartridge. This novel filling operation can be carried out by the specialty retailer or even by the end customer without additional special filling equipment.

Abstract: A method of providing a book/sleeve/computer disc product, where the disc is inserted into an open end of a pre-made sleeve to form a sleeve/disc package, which is then directed through a conventional binding operation to form the book/sleeve/computer disc product. More specifically, a sleeve blank is provided, and is then folded and glued to form a pre-loaded sleeve into which the computer disc is inserted. The sleeve/disc package is placed into a gathering line along with signatures or page groups which are assembled into a book block, with the sleeve/disc package being part of the book block. This is bound (either glued or stitched), and trimmed to form the finished product.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a new and improved method and apparatus for packing an inflatable air bag cushion into a housing of an air bag module assembly of an occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle. After securing an inlet chute of the air bag cushion in the open end of the housing and placing the air bag on a flat support with a larger portion of the back wall thereof overlaying a small portion of the back wall with the front wall in between in a folded condition, a central portion of the air bag is clamped by a large blade and subsequently a first edge portion is folded over the central portion and a second opposite edge portion is folded over the first edge portion so that opposite edge fold lines extend outwardly just inside opposite ends of the housing. A rolling clamp is attached transversely across the folded air bag and the air bag is rolled-up on an axis moved toward the housing.

Abstract: A large round baler has a wrapping material supply arrangement mounted to its discharge gate adjacent an upright run of belts used for forming a bale within the baling chamber of the baler. A pair of wrapping material feed rolls are arranged with one roll being located forwardly of and above the other. The wrapping material feed rolls are located below a chamber for holding a roll of wrapping material and disposed for having wrapping material engaged with the rolls in an S-shaped or serpentine path beginning at the rear periphery of the rear roll, then extending about a lower half of the rear roll and through a nip or gripping zone between the rolls and then about an upper half of the front roll, thus leaving the rolls at the forward side of the front roll.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, automated system and method for packaging food products. The system has a novel arrangement for transferring the product from a receiving station to a bagging station which arrangement includes mechanical devices for pulling a bag over the product. The system further includes a unique platen system for transporting the bagged product to various stations where it is vacuumized, sealed, trimmed, and finished. Optionally, the system includes a plurality of needles for injecting a fluid such as a basting fluid into the product.

Abstract: A machine for inserting baled material into an elongate elastic sheath. The machine has a moveable upper frame for enlarging the opening through which the bales will travel as they are inserted into the sheath. An elastic sheath is mounted on and surrounds radially moveable paddles and an end of a cradle. The paddles are moved radially outward to enlarge the opening of the sheath and thereby stretch the sheath. The cradle receives the bales to be inserted into a sheath and has a bale pusher for pushing the bales into the sheath. The bale pusher has ram extensions that are pivoted into a position to extend the reach of the pusher to facilitate inserting the last bale into the elastic sheath and through the machine. The machine is portable and has wheels that are mounted in one position for the bagging operation and are mounted in another position for transporting the machine.

Abstract: A container and jig assembly for dispensing a sheet of material and for wrapping the sheet of material about a flower pot or floral grouping. The container accommodates a roll of sheet material suitable for wrapping flower pots or floral groupings. In addition, the container may have a cutter for separating a sheet of material from the roll of sheet material. The jig assembly is attached to the container and has a jig opening surrounded by a sheet-supporting surface. The jig opening is sized and shaped to receive a lower portion of a flower pot or a stem end portion of a floral grouping. In operation, a sheet of material is separated from the roll of sheet material and disposed on the sheet-supporting surface over the jig opening. The lower portion of the flower pot or the stem end portion of the floral grouping is inserted through the jig opening and carries a portion of the sheet of material with it. In the process, the sheet of material is formed into a covering about the flower pot or floral grouping.