Abstract: A system for packaging a flat panel product includes a dispensing device for dispensing a length of inner protective packaging material, a folding table for wrapping the inner protective packaging material around the product and folding an outer protective packaging material around the product, and a binding device for binding the outer packaging material, inner packaging material, and product together, suspending the product relative to at least one of the walls of the sidewall and supporting the product laterally. A data entry device provides data related to the length of inner protective packaging material required, and this data is fed to a controller, which controls the dispensing device to provide an appropriate length of material. The data entry device can also provide shipping information, fed to a printer for printing a shipping label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic manufacture of flat bottom bags from a substantially continuous supply of a sealable material whereby the material is formed as a bag having a reinforced sealed flat bottom formed by an interior bag forming assembly that is cooperable with a relatively movable bottom platform with sealers and a movable folder assembly that folds the bottom of the bag and removes it from the bag former assembly after a length of the bag is severed from the remainder of the material.

Abstract: A device for screwing caps onto receptacles, the device comprising a rotary spindle having a first end provided with a cap gripper head and a second end connected to a two-portion clutch member, one of which portions is constrained to rotate with the second end of the rotary spindle, and the other of which portions is constrained to rotate with a drive shaft on the same axis as the spindle and associated with a drive member, wherein the portions of the clutch member comprise a magnetic bell and a magnetic core having dimensions suitable for enabling it to be engaged in the bell, the device further comprising a displacement member for displacing the bell and the core relative to each other between a position in which the core is engaged in the bell and a position in which the core is disengaged from the bell.

Abstract: A product packaging apparatus that includes a notch former and a tab setter for creating an integrated tab on a product package. The notch former and tab setter are capable of forming a tab or an exposed area at any location of the product package, including creating a tab or an exposed area adjacent a longitudinal edge of the package. The notch former and the tab setter allow a tab to be created that has a length that extends beyond the longitudinal edge of the package. As a result, the present invention is capable of generating simple, easy to open packages that may also be re-used for re-mailing purposes.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for printing variable data on packaging material at a package printer and machine reading the variable data on a packaging facility packaging line and associating the variable data with other information in a computer database. The process and system render unnecessary the use of a printing stage at the packaging facility, thereby improving packaging efficiency.

Abstract: In a device for conveying capsules containing at least one pharmaceutical product, each capsule is fed along a feed line defined by two pocket conveyors connected to each other at a transfer station having a detecting device for determining at least the weight of the pharmaceutical product in the capsule, and is transferred from one pocket conveyor to the other of the feed line with no change in its orientation.

Abstract: A method comprises pulling a continuous web to advance the web along a path of conveyance and to create tension in a lengthwise portion of the web; manipulating the web to cause the portion of the web at a point along the path to have a non-uniform tension across the width of the web, with a maximum tension being at a location spaced from the first longitudinal edge of the web, and with the tension decreasing from such location toward the first longitudinal edge of the web such that a zone in the web at the first longitudinal edge has reduced tension; and controlling transverse positioning of the first longitudinal edge in the zone of reduced tension. The reduced-tension zone is produced by a tension-reducing member about which the web is pulled.

Abstract: The feed apparatus for feeding container blanks into a container forming machine comprises a hopper at or near its first end for holding a plurality of blanks, a selecting mechanism for selecting one of the blanks, a moving mechanism to move the blanks toward the elevated second end and then the machine and a transferring mechanism for rotating the blank from its angled direction to a substantially vertical direction for placement at the machine's receiving station. Preferably, the moving mechanism comprises a pair of parallel chains interconnected by a shaft having a gripping mechanism configured to securely grip the blank. A pivot mechanism pivots the shaft and the gripping mechanism, which is selectively opened to grip the blank below the hopper and release the blank at the machine. Laminating, folding and compressing components are provided to add adhesive, fold and then compress sections of the blank before reaching the machine.

Abstract: A rotary unit, of an FFS (Form, Fill and Seal) machine, for ultrasound sealing a continuous tubular strip housing an orderly succession of products and fed along a feed path extending through a sealing station; the rotary unit having two substantially identical rotors located on opposite sides of the feed path, and which rotate in opposite directions about respective axes, and have respective pitch surfaces tangent to each other and to the feed path; and an ultrasound sealing head, forming part of one of the two rotors, cooperates at the sealing station with a corresponding anvil forming part of the other rotor, to close the tubular strip along a transverse seal line located at a respective portion of the tubular strip extending between two respective adjacent products.

Abstract: A system comprising a clip machine having at least one interchangeable first closure tool movable relative to a second closure tool for closing clips around a packaging case of tubular or bag shape, and a clip supply; the first closure tool and the clip supply each having a respective identification; the clip machine having a first sensor device adapted to identify the identification of the clip supply and output a corresponding clip information signal, a second sensor device adapted to identify the identification of the first closure tool and output a corresponding closure tool information signal, and a control having a signal input coupled to the first and the second sensor devices and an evaluation unit adapted to evaluate the clip information signal and the closure tool information signal and to output a compatibility signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. One or more modular infeed systems are provided, each adapted to feed product to a wrapping machine, and each preferably adapted to communicate with a wrapping machine to identify its configuration to the wrapping machine. In a preferred embodiment, each modular infeed includes a film roll unwind assembly, an integrated film folding head, a product conveyance mechanism and a closed-loop communications network.

Abstract: A tubular film is flattened to form a continuous two-ply film in which the two side edges are continuously connected in the longitudinal direction. This two-ply film is curved into a tubular form, the two side edges are overlapped, and a vertical seal portion is formed in the overlapping portion to form a tube body, and the tube body is filled with a product. The tube body that has been filled with product is horizontally sealed, and the horizontal seal portion that has been thus formed is cut to produce a two-ply bag package.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for unwrapping a package of frangible articles bearing a wrapping material, the wrapping material having a rear portion and a forward tab, the forward tab adapted to open the wrapping material when pulled, the apparatus comprising: (a) a support member for supporting the package; (b) a grasping mechanism adapted to grasp the forward tab and to pull the forward tab so as to open the wrapping material; (c) an engaging mechanism adapted to grasp the rear portion and pull the wrapping material so as to remove the wrapping material from the frangible articles. The invention may be used in conjunction with standard confection filling, transport and packaging machinery and mechanisms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wrapping a napkin around one or more utensils. The apparatus includes a wrapping area defining a trough dimensioned to receive one or more utensils. A utensil dispenser and napkin delivery mechanism may be provided to deliver the utensils and a napkin, respectively, to the trough. The apparatus may also include a wrapping mechanism that wraps the napkin around the utensils. In some cases, a tension mechanism may be included to selectively limit movement of the napkin during wrapping.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for mechanically fastening a partially assembled absorbent undergarment during manufacture, a longitudinal folding device is carried by a transport device and moveable between an open configuration in which it receives a partially assembled undergarment, and a closed configuration in which the undergarment is folded longitudinally by the folding device. A first transverse folding device folds a first fastening portion of the undergarment relative to the folding device and generally toward a second fastening portion, and a second transverse folding device carried by the transport device folds the second fastening portion relative to the folding device and generally toward the first fastening portion to facilitate engagement therebetween. A separate retention member is carried by the transport device and draws at least one of the first and second fastening portions against the retention member while the garment is moved by the transport device.

Abstract: For processing flat objects (10), in particular for packing printed products or small groups thereof, using a continuous packing material, the objects are conveyed in a conveying stream in which they are arranged in succession and essentially parallel to the conveying direction, and possibly between two layers of packing material, along a part of the periphery of a processing drum (1). The processing drum (1) has axially extending support elements (2) and tool elements (3) regularly alternating around its periphery. A radial position of the supporting and tool elements is adjustable, to accommodate varying formats of the objects to be processed. The processing drum also includes a pressing belt (4) extending from an entry point (A) to an exit point (B) on the drum periphery and holding and pressing the objects being conveyed on the drum periphery against the tool elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting air from within flexible packages having granular or otherwise flowable contents includes a package conveyor and a downwardly-open, vacuum extraction hood through which the packages are conveyed so that an upper portion of each package is moved through the extraction hood. The interior of the hood is joined in fluid communication with a vacuum source, so that air is extracted from within each package as it is conveyed through the hood. The present apparatus further includes a closing mechanism positioned immediately downstream of and in operative association with the extraction hood, whereby the upper portion of each package is maintained in a closed configuration prior to sealing, so that the interior of each package is not exposed to ambient conditions after it is conveyed out of the extraction hood, and prior to sealing of the upper portion.

Abstract: A gripping system uses a pin mounting block having at least one passage for accommodating holding pins of a holding pin member that cooperate with a dome to hold a laminate ply there between, the improvement being a releasable latch positioned to engage the pin member and hold the pin member in an operative positions and being releasable to release the pin member. Various forms of pin members may be used. In a preferred form, a gripper is provided positioned adjacent to holding pins and moveable between a retracted position and an operative position wherein the gripper member grips the laminate ply.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for manufacturing, through a vacuum skin packaging (VSP) method, an easy-to-open package provided with a device for initiating the opening thereof. The apparatus includes a sealing station (115) wherein a top web (113) is sealed to a bottom web (104) in a first area (A) all around a product (P) arranged on the bottom web by providing heat and vacuum in a fundamentally closed chamber. The apparatus further includes a local sealing inhibition unit (130) including at least one removable local sealing inhibition tool (150) for inhibiting the sealing between the top and bottom webs in at least a second area (B). A method is also disclosed including the step of inhibiting the sealing between the top and bottom webs by arranging at least one removable local sealing inhibition tool between the top and bottom webs in at least a second area.

Abstract: In a station of a boxing machine, for withdrawing and erecting flat folded tubular blanks into boxes, a blank withdrawing rocker arm strips out a flat folded blank from a magazine and places it onto a operating member situated below and associated to an auxiliary conveying line. The auxiliary conveying line extends along a close loop path. Gripping suction cups associated to the operating member engage the lower side of the blank. An erecting arm with a shaped flap makes edge-resting sides of the blank rotate synchronously, about respective articulation lines adjoining to a lower side, until a corresponding box is erected. A shaped guide engages with the carriage and moves the box laterally with respect to the auxiliary conveying line, to insert the box into a corresponding seat on a box conveying line situated beside the auxiliary conveying line.