Abstract: A plastic packaging material which, when formed as a package having seams, will provide a predictable line of failure along a seam when the package is opened to prevent the package from tearing down the side. The predictable failure path is provided through a lamination process involving specific resins or blends of resins laminated in three (or more) layers in which an extruded inner layer forms a weak inner bond wholly within that inner layer to create the predictable line of failure and in which the process of forming the material does not inhibit processing speed, efficiency, and economics of materials used to provide this reliable openability.

Abstract: A method for producing ultrasonic vibrations at a preselected amplitude in a workpiece.

Abstract: A bottle cap removing system which is easily adapted to a conveyor system of either 5-gallon or 3-gallon bottle movement within a bottling or recycling facility. Such system automatically determines which, if any, bottles have attached bottle caps and automatically removes such bottle caps in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Multiple lengths of steel comprise a main support structure which supports an overhead decapping assembly. As bottles from a conveyor line pass underneath this decapping assembly, a sensor determines whether or not the first bottle in the line has an attached bottle cap. If such bottle has an attached bottle cap, pneumatic actuators located at both the lower and upper front end of the support structure are energized to extend a set of bottle pads into the path of the bottle. This bottle's movement is thus stopped and its bottle cap situated immediately underneath the decapping assembly.

Abstract: A rotary flap tucker comprising a tube sector having a smaller arc length end, a larger arc length end, a longitudinal edge, and an edge which helically advances generally from the small arc length end to the large arc length end. The tube sector has end plates each with an edge contoured to avoid contact with a carton flap as the flap tucker rotates about its center axis which is aligned with the carton travel direction. The leading edge of a flap entering the flap tucker follows the helical edge of the flap tucker as it rotates without contacting the flap for a majority of the rotation. Rotation brings the flap tucker's longitudinal edge in contact with the flap along a majority of the flap's length. Continued rotation plows the majority of the length of the flap simultaneously, thereby preventing the flap from misaligning on the carton when the flap is closed. The outside surface of the rotating flap tucker runs against the closed flap of the advancing carton, preferably along the carton's center line.

Abstract: A film packaging system has a tubular casing arraying and conveying device for arraying and conveying tubular casings each housing a roll of unexposed photographic film, a packing device for inserting the tubular casings into respective first packaging cartons each having a packaging carton housing and a tongue-like hanger integral with the packaging carton housing, a packaging carton conveying device for successively conveying the first packaging cartons, and a charging device for picking up a desired number of first packaging cartons conveyed by the packaging carton conveying device, arraying the desired number of picked-up first packaging cartons and a desired number of second packaging cartons, each having a packaging carton housing and a tongue-like hanger integral with the packaging carton housing, such that the hangers are oriented in opposite directions, and placing the array of first and second packaging cartons into a box.

Abstract: An apparatus for shouldering and deaerating filled bags provides rapid expulsion of excess gas from flexible top-closure bags containing particulate material. The automated apparatus permits completely controlled handling of the filled bags from the filling station through their movement to a bag closing station. The filled bag is transported to the shouldering and deaerating station where a portion of its top edge is clamped and held by upwardly-biased bag grippers while the contents are settled, compacted and degasified by vibration. Pressure rollers mounted on the front and rear of the bag below the bag grippers compressively roll downward to collapse the bag top and expel gas upwardly therefrom. Downward movement of the rollers ceases when indirect contact with the bag contents activates a limit switch or servo mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention may be utilized as a single station integrated with a standard form, fill and seal machine. The present invention is able to retrieve fitments from a source, apply the fitments to a container and seal the fitments to the container at a single station. The design of the present invention requires only minimal space on a form, fill and seal machine. In practicing the present invention, an anvil retrieves a fitment from a source and then translationally retreats to a position for longitudinal descent into a container. The anvil, with the fitment attached, longitudinally descends into the container to a position parallel to an incision previously incised into the container wall. The anvil proceeds forward to the incision, substantially recovering the translational retreat discussed above, only at a lower level. Once the fitment is positioned therethrough the incision, a sealer permanently attaches the fitment to the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot air heat-sealing machine for heat-sealing at least two pieces of heat-sealable material, and comprising:a heat source designed to deliver hot air along a projection axis at a predetermined point relative to pieces to be heat-sealed;presser means for pressing the two pieces to be heat-sealed against each other,the heat source being placed upstream from the presser means; anddrive means and guide means for driving and guiding the pieces along a guide axis in a guide direction going towards the heat source, the pieces being guided so that they face each other and are spaced apart from each other, such that when they pass the heat source it lies between the two facing pieces to be heat-sealed.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing a fiber bale tie surrounding a fiber bale includes a bale advancing device for moving the fiber bale in an advancing direction along a travel path; a tie cutter for severing the tie; a bale position determining device for emitting a signal when the bale has reached a predetermined location along the travel path; and a device for moving the tie cutter transversely to the conveying direction from a remote position spaced from the bale into engagement with a bale surface when the bale has reached the predetermined location to effect severance of the tie as relative movement between the bale and said tie cutter takes place.

Abstract: An envelope packing apparatus for packing a plurality of envelopes with a packing material comprising a buffer stack for holding an accumulated stack of the envelopes and a packing assembly for accepting the envelopes from the buffer stack and inserting the packing material into the envelopes.

Abstract: A peelable, heat-sealable foil for closing containers, for example cups, of synthetic plastics material, in particular polystyrene, consists of one single, biaxially oriented layer of impact-resistant polystyrene, and in particular of impact-resistant polystyrene in admixture with a styrene-butadiene-di-blockcopolymer.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining a bottom foil to a cover foil comprising a heating roller and a sealing roller that cooperates with the heating roller. In the inlet region of the heating roller, there is a preheater for the cover foil. To enable especially good handling of the cover foil, an additional preheater, embodied as a heating wedge, for the cover foil is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the heating roller. Instead of the preheater, the sealing roller may also be embodied as heatable.

Abstract: A packing machine presenting a wrapping conveyor for continuously feeding a succession of wrapping spindles along a given path; a feed device for continuously feeding a succession of sheets of wrapping material in a direction tangent to the path, along the path and in time with the spindles; and a pickup device associated with each spindle, and for gripping a front portion of a relative sheet and inserting the front portion between two successive spindles so as to fold an intermediate portion of the sheet about the rear spindle; a retaining member, associated with each spindle, cooperating with the intermediate portion of the relative sheet to retain it on the relative rear spindle and on the wrapping conveyor.

Abstract: A dispenser for wrapped packages each containing an article and having an edge. The dispenser includes a housing defining a package receiving chamber, the housing including (i) a wall with an outer surface and an inner surface, (ii) a first end longitudinally spaced from a second end and (iii) a first opening defined at the second end for removal of the packages. A biasing member is secured to the housing and positioned within the package receiving chamber. The biasing member is adapted to urge the packages in a first longitudinal direction toward the second end. An aligning member is secured to the housing and positioned adjacent the first opening, and a cutting member having a cutting edge is secured to the housing.

Abstract: A method and device for folding end portions of tubular wrappings, whereby a product enclosed inside a wrapping is fed along a path extending through a folding station, the wrapping having at least one end portion projecting in relation to an end surface of the product, and the end portion having a front portion which is folded onto the end surface by a movable folding plate located at the station; a drive device being provided to insert the plate between two sides of the end portion by so orienting the plate as to keep a lateral folding surface of the plate equidistant from, and substantially contacting, both sides.

Abstract: A bag pan is provided for an agricultural feed bagging machine wherein the bag pan is supported by a pair of bag pan support arms which are vertically movably mounted in guide track support housings having guide tracks therein. The upper ends of the bag pan support arms have rollers thereon which engage track members in the guide track housings. The upper ends of the support arms are individually connected to a hydraulic cylinder by means of a flexible cable. The individual connection of the bag pan support arms with the hydraulic cylinder enables the bag pan on the support arms to conform to uneven ground conditions beneath the bag pan.

Abstract: A method for transferring filled tea bags from a single track tea packaging machine to a two-track processing machine includes the steps of feeding tea bags in single file to a transfer station and positioning each tea bag individually therein. The tea bags are deposited alternatingly to the left and to the right onto a left and a right track of the two-track transporting table by pivoting the tea bags in sequential movements about a first axis and about a second axis, wherein the first and second axes extend transverse to one another. The tea bags are then transported on the left and right tracks in double file to the processing machine.

Abstract: At a station (1) in a packaging line for folding a flap (2) of a bag (3) along a shaping line (10) of the flap (2) and for compressing the folded flap (2) by a folding element (5) against a resistance member (4), the folding element (5) is driven by a drive mechanism (16) into two directions (8, 9). The two directions are perpendicular to one another. A holding element (11) is provided which can be moved against the shaping line (10) and has a rectilinear shaping edge (12). The rectilinear shaping edge (12) guarantees a straight, position-exact shaping line (10). The folding element (5) causes the folding and compressing, and can be returned into a start position for the next flap (2).

Abstract: A spring compression tool and method for using the spring compression tool in assembling a brake shoe adjustment mechanism on a WAGNER front brake. The tool includes a C-shaped body member and an adjustable portion. The body member includes a first end having a first clamping member, and a second end to which the adjustable portion is movably mounted. The adjustable portion includes a threaded shaft and a beam member. The beam member includes a plate and second and third clamping members. Rotation of the shaft moves the second and third clamping members relatively toward or away from the first clamping member. The tool is used to compress a brake shoe adjustment spring, and to maintain the spring in a compressed condition to permit assembly of other components of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A method of folding a portion of dielectric sheet material, the method including the steps of mating with a support a sheet including the portion for folding; folding the portion onto an outer surface of the support; and generating an electrostatic force of attraction between the portion and the outer surface of the support.