Abstract: Paper folding apparatus includes means for controlling machine operation and a buckle chute having opposed end regions of which one is generally open to a folding chute. The chute is arranged in use to receive a part of the item to effect a fold therein and the other end includes deflector means arranged in use to deflect an oncoming stationery item to continue along the paper path. Location means reversibly locate the buckle chute adjacent the paper path with either said open end or said deflector means presented to the path. Moreover orientation detection means are associated with the location means for determining which of the open end and the deflector means are presented to the path. In this way the machine control is informed via a signal from the orientation detection means of which end of the buckle chute is in operative position.

Abstract: A machine for loading one or more layers of product into a case from the bottom. The machine loads a first layer of received product into a product arrangement area onto an elevator platen. The platen is lowered and a slip sheet is inserted to be the floor of the arrangement area. A subsequent layer of product is arranged on the slip sheet. The slip sheet is withdrawn and the product layer thereon drops onto the layer on the lowered platen. Subsequent layers can be added accordingly. When all of the layers are stacked on the platen, then the elevator platen is raised to insert the stacked product thereon into an open case above the arrangement area. The case may be closed and sealed.

Abstract: Apparatus for the attachment of a U-shaped metal clip about the gathered open end of a package continuously transported on a horizontal moving conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a clipper mechanism which receives the tail of a package supported by the continuously moving belt. The clipper mechanism attaches a clip and then ejects the attached clip and the tail of the clipped bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of encapsulated products containing a solid dosage form prepared with up to 35% of an edible matrix material. The composition may be introduced into the capsule by injection molding or extrusion, and the resulting capsule products exhibit the favorable texture of a capsule in conjunction with the hardness, shelf stability and security of the solid formulation. The composition of the present invention may be prepared and used as a direct tableting granulation as well as the filler or core for the capsule product. A method and corresponding apparatus are likewise disclosed and contemplated herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packing vials into a case wherein vials are supplied through an infeed system and are organized into longitudinally extending rows defined between guide members. The guide rows or guide channels are adapted to grasp the vial below the neck for suspending it therebelow. The guide shoulders extending below the necks of the vials are not movable with respect to the guide members themselves. The guide assembly includes an inlet end through which vials enter for ordering into rows and the vial output end through which vials are removed upon placement into a case therebelow. The guide assembly is movable between an upper position and a lower position. In the lower position the vials extend to an intermediate position within the case such that removal of the case by the case pusher device will remove the vials from the guide channels and allow them to gently drop into the case as it is removed.

Abstract: A bander for wrapping a regular or irregular shaped article has gripping jaws that engage the article on a stationary platform. Cohesive/adhesive tape is fed across the platform and into guides at either side of the platform. The guides move upwardly and presser blocks push the tape across the top of the article so that the cohesive/adhesive faces of the tape join.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved sealing head for sealing a cover made of a foil material onto a packaging container, in particular a plastic cup. The sealing operation is carried out by means of a heatable sealing head. This sealing head includes an insulating body which provides for the compensation of form and position deviation between the sealing head and the plastic cups which are to be sealed. This insulating body simultaneously provides for the thermal insulation between the sealing head, on the one hand, and the drive arrangement, on the other hand. Thereby a flaw-free sealing is achieved and any down-times due to malfunctioning of the arrangement are substantially reduced.

Abstract: A machine for packing tablets into tubes, the machine comprising a filling station (6), a conveyor (2) with pushers to feed tubes intermittently to the filling station and, after filling, to carry the filled tubes away from the station. The filling station (6) includes at least three parallel, rotating rollers (7) arranged to be brought into contact with and rotate at least two tubes closed at one end, the rotating rollers having a specified inclination to the horizontal plane so that the open end of the tube is at a higher level than the closed end, at least two inclined chutes to transfer tablets from a tablet-making machine to the empty tubes, and one supply magazine connected to each supply chute, to raise the tablets to an upright position and transfer them from chute to tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering a foil web (5) extending vertically downwards through the path of movement (1) of objects (2) to be wrapped thereby the free cutting tool being arranged above said path (1) allowing to cut off the metered web (5"). Between the supply roll (4) and the cutting tool (10), a metering roller pair (7) is arranged, is coupled with a drive means (8) adapted to be adjusted to a desired web length (5"), and beyond said cutting tool (10), a gripping assembly (11 . . . 16) for the free end of the foil web (5') supplied by the metering roller pair (7) is arranged which is movable vertically downwards from a starting position with the supply speed of said web, and is adapted to grip the free end of said web (5") with some friction, said friction being so that, when interrupting the supply by the metering roller pair (7), this end is released, the length of the path of movement of said gripping assembly (11 . . .

Abstract: A universal packaging system for objects such as electrical components, connectors, semiconductors, chips, etc. includes an elongated, hollow, tubular package formed of resiliently deformable material for containing a plurality of said objects, each object having an identical or substantially similar silhouette or profile and orientated with a predetermined axis of its profile, aligned along a common longitudinal axis or line within the tube. A package is formed providing protection for the connectors during storage, handling, and shipment, and the tube also serves as a feed magazine for dispensing the objects at an assembly station or other work station as needed. The present invention also features an apparatus and method for loading packages of connectors and for unloading or feeding connectors from the packages at a point of end usage.

Abstract: Reusable plastic trays of the type adapted to transport large plastic soda bottles generally have cylindrical pockets for receiving the base of the bottle, and these pockets are uniformly spaced with respect to one another in each tray, and also with respect to adjacent bottles in adjacent trays at least when the trays are oriented in end-to-end relationship with respect to one another. This feature is one the present invention takes peculiar advantage of providing for orienting the bottles in two columns, and synchronizing bottle and tray movements so that the bottles can be lowered by their neck rings into the upwardly open pockets of the tray without necessity for periodically interrupting forward movement of the containers and of the trays in an improved continuous motion bottle packer especially suited for use with such reusable plastic trays.

Abstract: Described is a method, and resulting product, for producing a sterile preservative-free areosol contact lens solution comprising; aseptically filling a pre-sterilized aerosol container with a contact lens solution preserved with sufficient hydrogen peroxide; aseptically introducing into the container means, such as a catalyst, for converting the hydrogen peroxide into inert or inactive substances one of which is a suitable propellant; and sealing and storing the container for a time sufficient to complete the inactivation of the hydrogen peroxide and creation of the suitable propellant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a cover on a box is provided wherein the box cover is first lowered inclined and placed on the opening of a moving box such that its edge leading in the direction of motion grips across the edge of the opening of the box leading in the direction of motion, and its edge trailing in the direction of motion, which edge is inclined upwardly, remains supported. The box is moved or advanced in the direction of motion so that the box pulls the cover from the support supporting the trailing edge of the cover and the latter places itself on the opening of the box. Pressure is then applied to the cover from above in order to completely force the cover over the edges of the opening of the box.

Abstract: Successive bags of material which are interconnected in a continuous web along the tops thereof by an integral tubular portion of the web, and which are individually open to the tubular portion but sealed from each other by seams extending along the adjacent sides thereof, are filled by an elongated filling pipe along which a tubular portion of the web is drawn. The underside of the pipe is provided with two spaced ports through which material is delivered into the successive bags, and in order to prevent material from accumulating above the adjacent seam portions of contiguous bags, these ports are alternately opened and closed in such timed relation with the feeding movement of the bags that each port is open when only one bag is passing thereunder and is closed when one of the seams is thereunder.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting documents into an envelope. The apparatus includes: a housing frame; a constantly turning roller rotatably mounted to the frame; a lower, rotatable belt mounted to the frame and trained over the roller, the lower belt having an upper reach; and an upper, rotatable belt mounted to the frame, the upper belt having a lower reach engagable with the upper reach of the lower belt for transporting the documents. The apparatus further includes: a device for separating the front wall from the back wall of the envelope, the device located on the downstream side of the upper and lower belts; an envelope throat opening blade mounted to the frame on the downstream side of the upper and lower belts; and a pivotable trigger cam connected to the blade and engageable with the constantly turning roller and the documents, whereby when the documents engage the cam, the roller is engaged by the cam to thereby drive the opening blade into the throat of the envelope.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging containers such as bottles in a carton. Adjacent rows of bottles are conveyed downstream parallel to the downstream movement of spaced open-ended carton blanks. A separate conveying means in conjunction with stationary guides moves bottles diagonally downstream to the carton blanks. Wedge-shaped bottle separators are carried by the separate conveying means adjacent the carton blank moving means and engage adjacent bottles to separate the bottles into groups, which are then guided onto the blanks through the open ends thereof. The separators travel at the same speed as the carton blanks.

Abstract: A shrink wrap packaging machine that shrink wraps twice as many packages per unit of time as conventional machines. The machine includes a pair of longitudinally spaced sealing and cutting elements. Both elements are preceded by a sensor. The first sealing and cutting element is activated when the trailing edge of even numbered packages are detected whereas the second sealing and cutting element is activated when the second sensor detects the trailing edge of odd numbered packages. Packages are therefore wrapped in groups of two after leaving the first sealing and cutting station and are individually wrapped after leaving the second sealing and cutting station. The conveyor belt that carries packages through the machine operates at nearly twice the speed of prior art machines but the sealing and cutting elements of the present machines operate at the same rate as prior art machines.

Abstract: Collapsed sleeve type article containers are withdrawn in sequence from a hopper by suction cup means which then holds each carton at a loading station for an interval of time during which a plurality of articles are inserted through an open end of each container sleeve. Minor end closing flaps of the loaded container are moved into closed positions while the container is held stationary at the loading station. Thereafter the loaded container is moved out of the loading station and its major end flaps are closed and secured in closed position.

Abstract: A pouch made of a heat-fusible material is sealed at its mouth while being transferred on a conveyor. A vibrator provided at one side of the track of the conveyor is pressed against the mouth of the pouch for vibrative heating in response to a signal from a sensor and is moved away from the mouth in response to a sensor signal. The sensor detects the coming and passing of the pouch at and through the sealing station. The pouch preferably has an open mouth with a presealed leading edge which ensures that the entire mouth is completely sealed. The provision of the presealed leading edge along with the vibrator for vibrative heat-sealing ensures that a good seal is produced even if powder or fat has adhered to the sealing surface.

Abstract: This air operated plastic pail capper machine is designed to quickly and effectively push a cover onto a pail, while also pushing out any air that may be above the contents of the pail. Primarily, it consists of a base with rollers on top for easy alignment of a pail with a plate attached to a piston rod of an air cylinder, and the air cylinder is mounted to a sleeve attached to a post secured to the base of the machine. Palm operated valves are also employed to operate the machine.