Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for automatic release of a refuse bag from a refuse receptacle. The device and method provided herein substantially eliminates all contact by a user with a filled refuse bag and the unsanitary contents therein.

Abstract: A folding score having a pair of laterally spaced, parallel scoring grooves which are individually asymmetrical. This invention also relates to a method and apparatus for forming the folding score.

Abstract: Meat products are provided to an automated bagging system in a controlled and managed manner. Packaging systems in accordance with the present invention preferably include one or more buffering systems capable controlling the flow of meat products to a bagging system. Buffering systems are positioned along a meat product packaging line to provide such flow control. Plural buffering systems may be used as arranged in one or both of in series and in parallel.

Abstract: A sealing device and a medicine packaging apparatus that includes the sealing device, wherein an engaging mechanism for coupling frames has good operability and the frames can firmly engage each other. The sealing device (10) can couple roller frames (20a, 20b) by an engaging mechanism (40) to integrate the roller frames. The engaging mechanism (40) has an engager (45) and a receptor (46) formed of a recess or the like. The engager includes a manipulation lever (50) and an engaging lever (51). The engager (45) is provided in the roller frame (20a), while the receptor (46) is provided in the roller frame (20b). When the manipulation lever (50) is pushed and pivoted toward the roller frame (20b), the engaging mechanism (40) can integrate the roller frames (20a, 20b). When the manipulation lever (50) is pulled and pivoted toward a front portion, the engaging mechanism can release the engagement caused by the engaging mechanism (40) to allow the roller frames (20a, 20b) to be separable from each other.

Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.

Abstract: A closure having a device for lifting a liner from a container opening. The lifting device being a finger projecting from a hinge connection within the closure. The hinge connection is positioned from a depending skirt of the closure. The hinged finger disengages the liner from a sealing engagement with the container while engaging along substantially the same annulus spaced from the liner edge. A plurality of the hinged fingers may be used for the lifting device. The closure may be used in various retort and aseptic applications, as well as provide for tamper indication.

Abstract: The invention concerns an element including: 1 sheet (1) including an intermediate zone (29) located between two zones designed to form side walls (9, 11), the intermediate zone (29) being designed to form a flap folded along the tip against one first (9) of the side walls, and elements (51a, 51b) for guiding tears in the sheet (1) the elements forming a single pull tab (58) to cause tears, the pull tab (58) being, in the intermediate zone, spaced apart from the media axis (A) of the zone designed to form the base (3). The invention is, for example, applicable to packaging of melted cheese.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing compositions in blister packages using complex aluminum substrate materials, wherein said complex aluminum substrate materials comprise an intermediate aluminum layer, and first and second outer layers, wherein the material of the first outer layer differs from that of the second outer layer, and the flexural rigidity of the first outer layer differs from that of the second outer layer by 0-30%.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for formulating and aseptically filling liquid products. A first liquid source includes at least one first liquid component; a second liquid source includes at least one second liquid component; and a container includes a body defining an empty, sterile storage chamber therein that is sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The container is introduced into a sterile filling chamber. A first filling member coupled in fluid communication with the first liquid source is placed in fluid communication with the storage chamber of the container located in the sterile filling chamber, and the first liquid component is aseptically introduced through the first filling member and into the storage chamber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sealing system for sealing together at least a pair of flexible pouch material layers. The sealing station can have a first sealing bar, a second sealing bar and a drive system that is in contact with the first sealing bar. The drive system is operable to move the first sealing bar between an open position and a closed position such that the first sealing bar can apply a predefined pressure on the flexible pouch material layers when positioned or located between the sealing bars. A pressure sensor is also included and in communication with the drive system, the pressure sensor operable to detect if the drive system applies less or too much pressure than the predefined pressure on the flexible pouch material layers located between the first and second sealing bars.

Abstract: A method in a computer system of distributing pills into containers for use by a patient includes obtaining from a memory a fill pattern including a mapping of each of a first plurality of pills to one of a first plurality of containers such that at least two of the first plurality of pills are mapped to the same one of the first plurality of containers, obtaining from the memory an attribute of each of the first plurality of pills such that at least two of the first plurality of pills differ in at least the obtained attribute, and automatically sorting the first plurality of pills according to the attribute of each of the plurality of pills according to a predefined order to generate an ordered list corresponding to an order of depositing the first plurality of pills into the first plurality of containers.

Abstract: For the production of cigarette packs (10) with shrink-treated outer film, the packs (10) are subjected in a continuously rotating shrinking revolver (19) to a heat treatment effecting the shrinkage. To each pack (10) there are assigned, in the region of the shrinking revolver (19), heating plates (22, 23), which bear against the front side and rear side of the pack (10) or of the film.

Abstract: A method of and a device for folding a bottom of a package, which includes a sleeve of packaging material with a transversal seal in the end of the bottom forming portion of the package, the portion having the shape of a fin. The method includes folding the fin and forming primary flaps, breaking corners on the folded fin between the primary flaps and the edge between the part of the sleeve forming the bottom and the rest of the sleeve, such that secondary flaps are folded in between the primary flaps and the fin, the secondary flaps thereby being folded essentially towards each other, folding the primary flaps towards each other, and pressing the primary flaps towards the remaining part of the bottom forming part of the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying capsules (1) to a plastic container (54) which is aseptically filled with a liquid and which is weld-sealed with a membrane (80). The capsule (1) to be applied, which preferably is constituted of two aluminum foils (2, 6) having a collar (58), is placed on the membrane (80) with a planar surface thereof and the collar is mechanically bent so that it is reliably secured to the container neck (50). The cap (100) is then pressed onto it so that the collar (58) is retained between the container neck (50) and the cap (100) in a form-and in a force-locking connection. The method according to the invention avoids the risk of the capsule being destroyed, which can happen during welding, and the risk of soiling, which can happen during gluing.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically dispensing tablets are disclosed. The systems and methods of the invention provide a highly secure, highly accurate and rapid means of dispensing tablets. The system includes an automatic dispensing tablet dispensing system as shown in the Figures and provides a means of lowering errors while preventing unauthorized tampering by non-authorized personnel. Moreover, the invention relates to systems and methods for packaging vials, packaging items from totes, and packaging items from totes with vials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wrap dispensing station and a method for wrapping food products for storage. A selected size roll of material used to wrap food products is mounted in a housing. The leading edge of the roll of material is fed through a slot in the housing. At least one roll of labels is staged in a storage area in the housing. The leading edge of the labels is fed through a label feeding system. At least one writing implement is preferably staged in the storage area in the housing. The leading edge of the roll of material is pulled to a selected length to be used to wrap a food product. A cutting apparatus is used to cut the selected length of material. The food product is wrapped with the selected length of material. A label is removed from the roll of labels, marked with the staged writing implement and placed on the wrapped food product.

Abstract: A filter making apparatus includes a positioning device having a passageway therethrough, with the passageway guiding a continuous flavor element such as a continuous strand of textile material from an inlet of the passageway to an outlet of the passageway. A liquid flavorant is introduced into the passageway at a desired flow rate and the strand of material carries the supplied liquid flavorant out of the positioning device at a rate substantially equal to the desired flow rate. A portion of the passageway can form a bath of the liquid flavorant supplied to the passageway through a separate inlet at approximately atmospheric pressure. A portion of the positioning device guides the continuous strand of material through the bath, or guides the strand to pass along the bottom of the passageway, and the saturated or partially saturated strand of material then exits from an outlet of the passageway to a point in the path of filter tow material that is being converged to form a filter rod.

Abstract: The flexible packaging (10) comprises a body (22) which has, at the outer side, at least one main face (26) which is formed at least partially by a flexible sheet (12). It comprises a reclosing strip (43) which is separate from the flexible sheet (12) and an adhesive (44) which can be reactivated by means of pressure and which is interposed between the outer surface of the flexible sheet (12) and the reclosing strip (43), the adhesive strength of the adhesive (44) to the surface of the reclosing strip (43) being greater than the adhesive strength of the adhesive (44) to the outer surface of the packaging sheet (12), the reclosing strip (43) and the packaging sheet (12) having identical structural features.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.

Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.