Abstract: A device is provided for assisting in the removal of articles from a first conveying system into a container and for reorienting the container for loading onto a second conveying system. The device comprises a base; a platform pivotally connected to the base, and an actuating mechanism configured to operatively pivot the platform. The platform has a panel and a lip operatively configured to cooperatively support and retain the container in a substantially inclined position substantially adjacent to the first conveying system for facilitating loading of articles into the container. The actuating mechanism pivots the platform and thus the container such that the panel assumes a substantially horizontal position for loading the container onto the second conveying system.

Abstract: An inserter is disclosed having an insertion station and a feeding mechanism for feeding an envelope to the insertion station with the bottom edge of the envelope leading and the envelope flap in an open position and trailing, envelope opening mechanism at the insertion station and sheet feeding mechanism. A sensor detects the leading edge of the envelope as it is fed to the insertion station and, in response, causes the envelope opening mechanism to open the envelope after its arrival at the insertion station. The sensor also detects whether the envelope flap, when the envelope is waiting at the insertion station, is not in its open position and, when this is the case, it terminates operation of the envelope feeding mechanism and sheet feeding mechanism for the next envelope and sheet.

Abstract: A system for automatic inspection and ejection of cartons in a packaging machine includes detection elements (20, 22) for determining whether a carton (C) has assumed a predetermined configuration at a predetermined point in its path of travel. Carton ejection elements include rollers (30, 32) which are actuated to eject a carton (C) when the detection elements (20) determine that the carton has not assumed the predetermined configuration at the predetermined point in its path of travel. A synchronous relationship between a flow of cartons (C) and a flow of groups of articles (G) to be packaged is preserved at and as cartons leave the carton inspection and ejection station of a packaging machine.

Abstract: A zipper strip for a reclosable package having a transverse zipper is provided. The zipper strip comprises a male interlocking profile and a female interlocking profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and an integral web which defines a trailing flange. One or both of the profiles are provided with high compression members which allow one or both of the interlocking members to be sealed to thermoplastic film without being crushed or distorted.

Abstract: A working station of a packaging machine comprises a first tool member and a second tool member which can be lowered to a lowered position relative to the first tool member and lifted to a raised position relative to the first tool member. Both tool members are disposed on opposite sides of a material web conveyed through the packaging machine. A lifting device comprises a first lifting member for moving the second tool member relative to the first tool member and a second lifting member coupled to the second tool member for moving the first tool member away from the material web when lowering the second tool member into the lowered position.

Abstract: An applicator attaches spouts and other fitments to paperboard cartons and the like in automated packaging equipment. The applicator features a rotatable and translatable anvil housing having a plurality of radially extending lobes, each lobe having an anvil thereon, said anvil having an energy ring thereon to facilitate ultrasonic attachment of the spout to the carton. A mandrel or other engagement mechanism on each lobe engages and holds spouts for attachment to a container. The anvil inserts a spout into a container hole, and an ultrasonic sealer ultrasonically vibrates the carton wall against the energy ring of the anvil to weld the spout to the carton.

Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck member and hat member which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck member of the end, and is capable of containing product under pressure if desired. This end can be added, as by a conventional seam, to a metal container body to obtain resealing containment of partial contents retained in the container, and to provide an improved mouth construction (or pour opening) for better pouring and for comfortable direct drinking from the container. Also disclosed are improved methods of and apparatus for making such a resealable hat and-neck type-of container end.

Abstract: A pair of clutches selectively transmit power to a coining mechanism and to a cut-off mechanism in a paper converting machine. As sheet-like material is advanced through the machine, it is formed into a three dimensional strip of padding by a forming mechanism. Next the strip is coined or otherwise secured to keep its three dimensional shape by a coining mechanism. Thereafter the strip is cut into sections of the desired length by a cut-off mechanism. Advantageously, both the coining mechanism and the cut-off mechanism are powered by a single motor, then are selectively connected to the motor by a pair of clutches. The clutches may be wrap spring clutches, and the clutch controlling power to the cut-off mechanism may be a single revolution clutch.

Abstract: A carton folding apparatus operable to close the top of a carton having a front inner flap, a rear inner flap, a right outer flap, and a left outer flap. The carton folding apparatus comprises a frame which has an input end and an output end. Extending between the input end and the output end of the frame is a conveyor which is adapted to transport cartons from a position upstream of the input end of the frame to a position downstream of the output end thereof. A flap folding assembly is mounted for vertical movement along the frame in order to accommodate cartons of various sizes. The flap folding assembly is positioned above the conveyor and includes a stationary front flap folding bar, a rotatable rear flap folding arm, a right outer flap folding member, and a left outer flap folding member. Each of outer flap folding members includes an end. The ends of the outer flap folding members are adapted to be moved closer to or further from one another upon rotation of the outer flap folding members.

Abstract: A unit for combing wrapped chocolates, wherein a combing drum, rotating continuously about a respective axis, has a number of combing devices, each of which has a gripping device rotating, crosswise to the aforementioned axis, between a radial gripping position to grip a chocolate, and an axial release position located along an axial path parallel to the aforementioned axis and along which travel a pusher and a counter-pusher; the path extending through an annular combing element.

Abstract: A feeder for the gripper head of wrapping machines for small- and medium-size products, comprising: a disk, which substantially lies horizontally and rotates about a vertical axis; recesses for receiving a respective product, which are distributed all around the disk, are spoon-shaped and have a slot which is open towards the outside of the disk and can be crossed substantially along a plane that passes through the vertical axis; an extractor which cooperates, in a transfer station which corresponds to one of said recesses and to a gripper, with a corresponding complementary element and with a device for dispensing a piece of material in sheet form and is suitable to intersect and pass beyond the recess with an active stroke in the vertical plane, passing through the slot in an upward and outward direction so that the product and the material in sheet form are secured against the complementary element and so that by means of the complementary element the product and the material are inserted in the gripper, w

Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of cushioning members for cushioning an article in a container is provided. The cushioning members being formed by crumpling a flexible sheet of material into a globular configuration having a plurality of random folds, a plurality of random engaged portions, and a plurality of voids. The sheet of material has an upper surface and a lower surface with at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface having a bonding material disposed thereon such that at least a portion of the engaged portions are bondably connected thereby increasing the resiliency of the folds.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for packaging products into packs comprises: a wrapper forming line along which there is a succession of at least three operating stations positioned above a sliding surface along which the products are fed with a stepping motion by mobile pusher elements. The forming line co-operates with a lift located below the product sliding surface and vertically and alternately mobile between a lowered level, at which it receives products on its loading table, and a raised level, at which it places the products on the sliding surface of the forming line, feeding them between the pusher elements with a sheet of wrapping material laid on top of the products. The machine comprises adjustment means for a product feed line, the wrapper forming line, the operating stations and the pusher elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for wrapping contaminant or non-contaminant waste resulting from the medical treatment of humans or animals, as well as household waste. The device shown in FIG. 1 consists of a housing (1) used as a frame supporting a dispenser (2) for a heat-sealable plastic sleeve (3) forming a receptacle in which the waste may be deposited, a driving mechanism (4) for moving the sleeve, a heat-sealing mechanism (5), and a removable storage receptacle (6). The device is characterized in that the size of the wrapping may be selectively adapted to that of the waste objects. The device is useful for confining waste in wrappings that are impervious to volatile fumes, odours and liquids regardless of the position of the wrappings during storage and transport.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a compost bagging machine with perforated conduit. A perforating mechanism is mounted at an inlet to a guide tube that directs conduit into the bag of the bagging machine. Three or more wheels, each of which have at least one piercing blade are freely rotatably mounted on a base plate at the entry of the guide tube. As the conduit is fed through the perforating mechanism, the conduit will rotatably drive the wheels and the piercing blades will produce openings in the conduit.

Abstract: A paperboard blank processing apparatus including a rotatably mounted processing head for operating upon successive paperboard blanks is disclosed. A paperboard blank registration sensor is provided upstream from the processing head for detecting a preprinted registration mark on a surface of an approaching paperboard blank. A controller is responsive to the registration sensor for determining whether the approaching paperboard blank is in proper registration with the rotary processing head. A registration correction window is defined by the controller and includes upper and lower limits defining upper and lower maximum correction values for bringing the angular position of the processing head into proper register with the linear position of the approaching paperboard blank. The controller further defines an averaging window containing the registration correction window wherein the registration correction window may be shifted within the averaging window in response to consistent registration errors.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting a sheet-like stock material into a dunnage product includes a frame having an upstream end and a downstream end, conversion assemblies, mounted on the frame, which convert the sheet-like stock material into a continuous strip of a dunnage product, a feeding assembly, mounted on the frame, for feeding the stock material through the conversion assemblies, a cutting assembly, mounted on the frame downstream of the conversion assemblies, which cuts the continuous strip of dunnage into a section of a desired length, a probe for determining the packaging requirements of a particular container, and a controller which controls the feeding and cutting assemblies to produce the required sections of dunnage product for the container as determined by the probe.

Abstract: Pouch filling apparatus for carrying pouches through a pouch filler. The apparatus has leading and trailing clamps which are mounted on independent endless carriers. The endless carriers are driven at the same speed, but are controlled to maintain a set lag distance between the leading and trailing clamps. The lag distance may be adjusted to thereby adapt the apparatus for pouches of various sizes. The apparatus further incorporates a single retard arm and a single advance arm for moving the leading clamp between opened and closed pouch positions, respectively. The advance arm is located upstream of the pouch filler to move the leading clamp into the open pouch position for filling. The retard arm is located downstream of the pouch filler and moves the trailing clamp to the closed pouch position for sealing. The retard and advance arms are independently servo controlled to adapt the apparatus for pouches of various sizes and for continuous and intermittent operation.

Abstract: A packaging system having a multiple magazine for providing different carton blanks to a single form, fill and seal packaging machine is disclosed in the present invention. The packaging system has the multiple magazine apparatus, the packaging machine, a carton opener and optionally an automatic carton loader. The present invention also discloses the multiple magazine apparatus having a plurality of magazines, and means for retrieving blanks therefrom.

Abstract: A container bag having a base, side walls and lifting loops, the base having a reclosable bottom opening, characterised in that a liner is provided attached to the bag, the liner having a cone shaped lower portion. Preferably the liner is made from a lighter, and less expensive, material than the outer bag. Conveniently the liner is attached to the outer bag by means such as clips, adhesive or sewing, and may advantageously be sewn to the outer bag along the top thereof. Preferably the cone-shaped lower portion of the liner terminates in an opening which may be tied off, as is known in the FIBC art. The bottom closure of the outer bag may be a "petal" or "pyjama" closure, but advantageously is larger than may have been common hitherto. The cone-shaped lower portion of the liner will depend through the opening in the outer bag when the latter is untied.