Abstract: A control system and control method for use in a machine for wrapping an article in plastic film are disclosed, the machine including a sealing head and a corresponding anvil movable by a pneumatic cylinder from an initial separated position to a contact position. The cylinder has an air exhaust outlet for exhausting air from the cylinder during operation of the cylinder from its initial state to an actuated state. A selectively actuatable valve disposed in the outlet selectively directs exhausting air through a first path of relatively low airflow resistance and a second path of relatively high airflow resistance. The valve directs exhaust air flow from the first path into the second path during operation of the cylinder and just prior to the cylinder being placed in the actuated state to cushion contact between the head and anvil.

Abstract: Packaging, particularly for a carton of cigarette packs, includes opening structure permitting easy access to one or more of the objects or packs of cigarettes which it contains. The opening structure includes a line of pre-weakened resistance, comprising pre-cuts, either passing completely through the material constituting the packaging or incompletely through the thickness of that material. Individual pre-cuts may be separated by interconnected attachment portions. The line of weakened resistance may partially or completely surround a surface disposed on one, two, or three faces of the packaging. Structure for starting the opening may be provided. A process and a device permitting such packaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: Valving employed to control side closing elements of bag clamping apparatus of a bag filling machine is altered to cause the elements to move slowly to close the sides of a bag being filled whereby air is permitted to escape externally through slowly closing openings at the sides of the bag. At a predetermined time determined by the size and contents of the bag the openings are closed rapidly thereby sealing the bag once fitted.

Abstract: A coin wrapping machine including a coin stacking section for stacking deposited coins, a coin wrapping section for wrapping coins stacked by the coin stacking section and a coin supporting post for supporting the stacked coins and moving them from the coin stacking section to the coin wrapping section, the coin wrapping machine further including a light projector disposed between the coin stacking section and the coin wrapping section for projecting light onto the stacked coins being moved from the coin stacking section to the coin wrapping section, a line sensor disposed between the coin stacking section and the coin wrapping section for photoelectrically detecting light impinging onto the stacked coins from the light projector and reflected by edges of the stacked coins and a CPU for detecting portions between adjacent coins based on detection data produced by the line sensor, thereby determining the number of the stacked coins supported by the coin supporting post.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for filling a two chamber tube made from plastic having a substantially circular cross section and a separation wall made from plastic and extending between two substantially diametrically opposed connecting points of the separation wall and having a length in excess of the diameter of the tube to form, together with the wall of the tube, the two chambers. A filling nozzle is inserted into each chamber for introducing the filling product into the tube and the tube is sealed after removal of the filling nozzles. In order to guarantee reliable filling of the two chamber tube, the separation wall is attached, prior to introduction of the filling nozzles, to the inside tube wall at its end regions bordering the connecting points in such a fashion that the length of the middle region remaining between the two end regions corresponds substantially to the diameter of the tube.

Abstract: Upon filling cans with fiber band, the movable bottom of the cans, as the filling process proceeds, moves downwardly from an initial upper to a lower final position. As this happens, between two elements, one inside, one outside the circumferential shell of the can, a force field is built up in such a way that the element inside the can supports the can bottom and because of the force field, this bottom is held at the same elevation as the element outside of the can. Further, the desired operating height of the can bottom can be correspondingly held. For the lowering of the can bottom, one of the two elements between which the force field exists, is moved relative to the other in the direction of the lower final positioning of the can bottom and the remaining element follows after, because of said force field, until both elements again stand across from one another at the same height.

Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: Drums or vessels with bungs or orifices having generally cylindrical walls with edges capable of being sealed-against are sealed with closures that deform into contact with those edges and provide seals that are tamper-proof.

Abstract: A container for fluids or liquids is formed of flexible material such as plastic and includes a body having an internal reservoir and a tubular spout extending upwardly from the body. The spout has an internal passage in fluid communication with the body. A constriction in the container creates a low pressure zone in the passage downstream of the constriction as liquid flows along the internal passage. Means are also provided to inflate the spout as fluid flows along the internal passage. A method of forming fluid-filled containers from a tube of flexible material and a method of forming a self-supporting fluid-filled container are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sheet having a defined pattern of reduced strength, allowing separation along said defined pattern, said pattern defining an insert for a CD-ROM jewel case, preferably being a letter size paper sheet, comprising a pair of said defined patterns each being an identical and symmetrically arranged rectangular perforation pattern having dimensions of about 150 mm by 117.5 mm, having a pair of scored folding lines to provide three regions of each defined pattern, two lateral regions each being about 6 mm wide by 117.5 mm long and bounded interiorly by one of said folding lines and a central region being about 138 mm by 117.5 mm and being bounded by both of said folding lines. Also provided is a sheet having a defined pattern of reduced strength, allowing separation along said defined pattern, said pattern defining a booklet for a CD-ROM jewel case, which preferably includes a centered rectangular perforation pattern having dimensions of about 119.

Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping hamburgers or other food items is provided, the wrapping material having a bonding material disposed on either an upper surface or a lower surface.

Abstract: A plant package assembly, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having curved, circumferentially oriented detaching elements. The sleeve is positioned about the pot so that a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, and an upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping contained within the pot. The upper portion of the sleeve is removable via the detaching elements, leaving a curved upper end of the lower portion which extends upwardly focusing attention on the upper portion of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A method and machine for continuously wrapping a product, whereby a sheet of wrapping material is transferred, from an output of a line for supply wrapping material, into a seat of a wrapping conveyor onto which the sheet of wrapping material, folded into a U, is released by a folding spindle about which the sheet is folded at least partly into a U before being transferred into the seat; the seat and the sheet are then fed through a loading station to receive the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically placing lengths of poly sheet from a roll of poly sheet onto the second-from-the-top tier of a lumber package includes a poly roll holder, and a plurality of grip clamps. The grip clamps may have rubber pads for improved friction when gripping the POLY sheet. The gripping clamps are mounted on a carriage which is in turn mounted on a trolley. The trolley is selectively translated back and forth over an exposed tier in a stack of lumber. The gripping clamps grasp the free end of the poly sheet so that the ploy sheet is drawn over the exposed tier as the trolley is translated.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing articles including isolation structure isolating the first end of an article producing machine from the second end of the machine to permit a higher level of cleanliness to be established at the first machine end where the articles are actually manufactured than at the second machine end.

Abstract: A new end wall or can bottom configuration for beverage cans and a method for its manufacture have been designed which provide an increased resistance to pressure and which allow an additional light-weighting of the can bottom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming and closing bags, said method comprising steps consisting in delivering closure means comprising at least two complementary strips disposed on respective backing sheets, in delivering a film that is to constitute the walls of the bag, in heat-sealing a first backing sheet of the closure means to the film along at least one of the longitudinal edges of said sheet, with the closure means being angularly positioned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the film, in shaping the resulting film as equipped with the closure means into a tube, and in heat-sealing the second backing sheet of the closure means to an opposite face of the film along only one edge of said second sheet.

Abstract: A protective foam cushion-making apparatus dispenses reactive foam components into an interior space between two panels of plastic film to form protective foam cushions. The apparatus includes a supply of plastic film and a film a driving assembly, such as two pliable rollers. A foam component dispensing assembly is interposed between the film panels and injects reactive foam components into the interior space where they are mixed together to form a mass of expandable foam. The plastic film forms a flexible mixing chamber in the area between the two pliable rollers in which the reactive foam components are mixed together after they are dispensed from the foam dispensing assembly.

Abstract: A cushioned shipping assembly includes a carton and foam inserts to support a product shipped by a supplier, which elements are successively returned by an end user to be reused in the same or other shipping assembly, while various components are recycled as they become spent. In some embodiments, the carton collapses to a diminished size for return. A resource center reroutes or refurbishes the components, recycling aged or spend pieces. On-premises pelletizing of reclaimed polymer provides a more efficient, environmentally clean system. Spent inserts of identified polymer may be diverted to users of specific resins.

Abstract: A laminated page having a carrier sheet; two barrier plies, at least one of which is laminated to the carrier sheet; and sample material enclosed between the two barrier plies. The present invention also relates to a method of making the laminated page, including a mass manufacturing method in a single pass on a printing press.