Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the throughput of a rotary turret heat-sealing machine, without changing the rotational speed of the rotary turret. An indexing clutch is controlled to feed cans into the rotary turret such that only a predetermined number of sealing heads are used to seal cans fed therein. The predetermined number of cans is calculated based on a desired throughput rate. Dwell times, temperatures, and pressures can remain constant while varying radically the can throughput.

Abstract: Movement of rollers used for reforming an inner wall of a metal container bottom such as an aluminum beverage container is controlled at least partially using a rigid link coupled to other components of a reformer apparatus by a pin having a stepped profile. The stepped-profile pin preferably defines first and second shoulder regions. Undesired spaces or gaps in the pin-axial or thrust direction are reduced or eliminated by closely-positioning bushing flanges or thrust washers adjacent the shoulders.

Abstract: A cigarette packing machine has a first drive normally transmitting motion to packing units which are employed to advance a series of arrays of cigarettes or other rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry and to confine each array in a discrete packet by providing each of successive arrays of the series with one or more envelopes, labels and the like. The first drive is decelerated and brought to a halt in the event of malfunctioning of one or more packing units of the machine and/or for other reasons, and this initiates or prevents an interruption of operation of at least one second drive which transmits motion to one or more packing units during deceleration and/or during a period following stoppage of the first drive. The second drive(s) causes or cause the respective packing unit(s) to complete operations which, if not carried out prior to restarting of the first drive, would entail the making of numerous defective packets.

Abstract: A calender having a supporting frame and a set of rolls attached to vertical portions of the supporting frame so as to form a stack of rolls in which adjacent rolls placed one above another form calendering nips therebetween. The stack including a top roll, a bottom roll and a plurality of intermediate rolls between the top roll and the bottom roll. The intermediate rolls are attached revolvingly to arms pivoted on auxiliary frames attached to vertical portions of the supporting frame. A method of rebuilding a calender in which auxiliary frames are attached to the vertical portions of the existing calender frame and thereafter pivotal arms for the intermediate rolls are mounted on the auxiliary frames.

Abstract: A protective cover that is pre-folded by a protective cover pre-folding apparatus is supplied to a pack producing apparatus. After sheets are stacked on the protective cover, the protective cover is fully folded onto the sheets to produce a pack, which is then inserted into a bag to produce a package. The package is then delivered from a package stacking apparatus.

Abstract: A method for long term storage of a bulk commodity utilizes a flexible, low gas-permeability sheet material enclosure in which the bulk commodity is hermetically sealed. The atmosphere in the sealed flexible sheet material enclosure is substantially evacuated to establish a vacuum therein. The vacuum is maintained during at least a portion of the long term storage of the bulk commodity. At least a portion of the bulk commodity is removed from the flexible, low gas-permeability sheet material enclosure by opening a hermetic seal therein.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retaining cotton in a bottle using a cottoner machine which inserts cotton via a pair of rotatable cylinders alignable with a mouth of the bottle, the apparatus including a disk secured to the cylinders via a pair of collars and having a pair of apertures aligned with the cylinders, and the method including a process of positioning a planar surface of the disk closely superjacent the mouth of the bottle after insertion of the cotton.

Abstract: A device and a method for producing a batch of products having a multiplicity of interfolded, generally rectangular sheets including wet wipes, from a limited amount of a web material, at a high production speed and in efficiently used floor space.

Abstract: In connection with the packaging of items or loose material in sheet packings it is known to use a web of cohering flat bag members, which is successively conveyed to a filling station, in which the bag members are opened, one by one, for filling and subsequent closing and separation from the web. The free mouth edges of the bag members or the web are profiled for supported conveyance on opposed carrier rods, tubes or gripping chains which, just before the filling station, diverge from each other for effecting opening of the bag members. The invention provides for a flat bag web, the upright edge strip portions of which are caused to be folded down over respective opposed carrier chains.

Abstract: The invention comprises an insert delivery system for use with an automated packaging machine. Preferably, the system is used to include coupons and the like with products being automatically packaged, such as sliced loaf bread. The system may comprise an insert delivery tray, card conveyor, or carousel and magazine combination, a feeder mechanism, and an insert placer configured to select an insert from the tray, conveyor, or magazine. Preferably, the insert placer includes a vacuum system and moves linearly. Additionally, the feeder mechanism may be positioned either perpendicularly, or parallel, to the scoop assembly, so as to feed an insert onto the scoop assembly at various points along the path of the scoop. The invention also comprises methods of using the system.

Abstract: A can lid having a top plate, a tab, a rivet, a score, a tongue, a first deboss, an emboss, a second deboss, and an embossed ridge. The first deboss is formed entirely within the score. The second deboss and emboss are formed entirely within the first deboss. The second deboss is formed by matching arcuate sidewalls, and has a sloped bottom surface. The rivet is offset from a center of the lid. The tongue is disposed between the rivet and top plate perimeter where the rivet is closest to the perimeter. The emboss is uniformly spaced from the score. An embossed ridge is uniformly spaced from the score outside of the score. In another embodiment, the second deboss is replaced with a contact emboss. A die insert for forming the first deboss, emboss, and second deboss (and, alternatively, contact emboss) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a device for rejecting a defective filter bag for infusion products in a manufacturing machine are disclosed. When a defect or fault in the filter bag is detected by sensors while the filter bag is being completed, the end portion of the defective filter bag is deformed out of the reach of the intermediate pick-up station by the deformer so as to prevent the defective filter bag from being picked up and transferred to the subsequent stacking station and the defective filter bag is then expelled by the expeller.

Abstract: Apparatus for making packages having interlocking closures from a web of film, the closure having male and female portions and being formed in line with or transversely to the direction of film flow. A converter fanfolds the film into spaced apart stacks of heat sealed together layers. Abrading means abrade one surface of each strip to remove the thermoplastic coating. A package former forms packages having longitudinal seals, and places strip portions in apposed position. The package ends are sealed and the locking closure is formed in the strip. The locking closure female portion is formed in the face including the longitudinal seal. In another embodiment the strip inner and outer parts of the resealable closure are separately formed before package formation. Alternatively, layering is done by heat sealing a strip of heat sealable material to the packaging film. Optionally formed in the resealable closure are hinges and reinforcing V-notches.

Abstract: A method for producing a batch of products having a multiplicity of interfolded, generally rectangular sheets including wet wipes, from a limited amount of a web material, at a high production speed and in efficiently used floor space.

Abstract: A food packaging system wherein one or more food component preparation lines deliver heated, e.g., cooked, components to a packaging station that operates at overpressure to maintain aseptic conditions as a container is filled and sealed. The preparation line may be a high pressure heated conduit, a covered batch conveyer, sealed pocket feeder or similar line, and prepares each component at a temperature and time suitable for the particular ingredient. Plural separate preparation lines may deliver different food components to the pressure chamber in which filling occurs, and each component attains a narrowly-defined degree of cooking or uniform stage of undercooking. A loading lock interfaces the packaging and preparation sections so as to prevent evaporative fluid loss or cooling and preserve aseptic conditions during filling and sealing.

Abstract: A baler is described which has a collection chamber or duct and a baling chamber. Crop material enters the duct until a pre-determined level has been reached at which time a stuffer transfers the pre-compressed crop to the baling chamber. A control system is provided for calculating the ratio between the amount of crop material which should be formed into bales under optimal conditions and the rate of flow of crop material entering the duct. This ratio can be displayed and used to control the speed of the towing vehicle. The present invention uses the duct as a kind of measuring cylinder to determine the rate at which crop material is entering the baler.

Abstract: A device for and method of robotically crating objects, such as consumer goods, being capable of securing an upstanding enclosure to a recyclable pallet having structural uprights. The device conveys a pallet and enclosure assembly into a work station, installs a number of threaded fasteners into predetermined locations in the top and two adjacent sides of the assembly, rotates the assembly one-hundred eighty degrees, installs fasteners into the two remaining sides, rotates the assembly back to the initial position, and conveys the secured crate assembly out of the work station. The device includes the ability to detect the number of times a recyclable pallet has been used, and to adjust the exact locations of fasteners accordingly, thereby assuring that new fasteners are always installed into an unused fastener location.

Abstract: A baler is described which has a collection chamber or duct and a baling chamber. Crop material enters the duct until a pre-determined level has been reached at which time a stuffer transfers the pre-compressed crop to the baling chamber. A control system is provided for calculating the ratio between the amount of crop material which should be formed into bales under optimal conditions and the rate of flow of crop material entering the duct. This ratio can be displayed and used to control the speed of the towing vehicle. The present invention uses the duct as a kind of measuring cylinder to determine the rate at which crop material is entering the baler.

Abstract: A machine for forming individual packages from a web of preopened and interconnected bags one at a time is disclosed. A web is fed along a path of travel from a supply to a load station. A pair of nip rolls are positioned along the path near the load station. A printer is positioned along the path between the supply and the nip rolls. A nip roll drive is provided for rotating the nip rolls selectively and one at a time at a printing rate for the feed of the web when the printer is operating and at a faster feed rate for positioning a bag at the load station when the printer is not operating. A supply station tensioner is provided for tensioning a web along the path such that the printer when operating prints a section of a tensioned web.

Abstract: A device for and method of robotically crating objects, such as consumer goods, being capable of securing an upstanding enclosure to a recyclable pallet having structural uprights. The device conveys a pallet and enclosure assembly into a work station, installs a number of threaded fasteners into predetermined locations in the top and two adjacent sides of the assembly, rotates the assembly one-hundred eighty degrees, installs fasteners into the two remaining sides, rotates the assembly back to the initial position, and conveys the secured crate assembly out of the work station. The device includes the ability to detect the number of times a recyclable pallet has been used, and to adjust the exact locations of fasteners accordingly, thereby assuring that new fasteners are always installed into an unused fastener location.