Abstract: An improved packaging machine that has improved features for feeding a web in the form of a continuous chain of bags through the machine while helping maintain the web in proper alignment and proper tension, and having additional features for improved loading of the bags. The improved web feed includes a dancer assembly equipped with a pair of nips that are driven at speeds responsive to the rate of web travel through the machine so that tension between a web supply and the dancer nips is isolated from the downstream portions of the web. A web feed mechanism which automatically threads the web through baggers is also provided. The web feed mechanism includes elastic belts which frictionally grip the web to isolate the tension in the section between the dancer nips and the belts from the tension of the web feed mechanism.

Abstract: A heating system for joining plastic films which is capable of matching the potential of the laser. The system comprises a burner assembly and a workholder. The burner assembly includes a torch tip with an inner diameter of 0.016 inch which is capable of delivering a hot, concentrated flame onto a narrowly exposed film workpiece at a 15.degree.. The workholder includes a heat-conductive base roll and a plurality of hold-down rolls which expose an edge portion of approximately 0.0625 inch so as to prevent the plastic film from shriveling away from the joint. These features in combination permit the advantages both of high speed manufacture and of a high-quality bead seal.

Abstract: An improved packaging machine that has improved features for feeding a web in the form of a continuous chain of bags through the machine while helping maintain the web in proper alignment and proper tension, and having additional features for improved loading of the bags. The improved web feed includes a dancer assembly equipped with a pair of nips that are driven at speeds responsive to the rate of web travel through the machine so that tension between a web supply and the dancer nips is isolated from the downstream portions of the web. A web feed mechanism which automatically threads the web through baggers is also provided. The web feed mechanism includes elastic belts which frictionally grip the web to isolate the tension in the section between the dancer nips and the belts from the tension of the web feed mechanism.

Abstract: A jam prevention device comprises a light beam source that emits a light beam and is located on a main frame structure of a packaging machine in the machine's sealing section. During operation, the light beam is reflected off two reflective surfaces located on a moveable support operably connected to a prime mover. The reflected beam is received by a receiver located opposite the source. A clamping sub-assembly includes a seal bar and a reciprocatable seal pad housing. The housing is spring-mounted on the clamping sub-assembly and substantially surrounds the seal bar. The reflective devices are mounted on the housing. The prime mover moves the clamping sub-assembly towards a heater bar sub-assembly. The housing defines two cavities for receiving the reflective devices. The movement of the clamping sub-assembly brings a loaded bag into contact with the heater bar sub-assembly for the purpose of effectuating a seal of the bag.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling a completed package from the machine.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag-supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling a completed package from the machine.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag-supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling a completed package from the machine.

Abstract: A web structure with electromagnetic radiation shifting indicia is disclosed. The indicia provide signals used in controlling various processes to be performed on the web as well as for controlling movement of the web. The preferred indicia are normally essentially invisible so that the physical appearance of the web is not affected. The indicia emit wave-shifted electromagnetic radiation in response to incident radiation of a given range to provide a means for determining the positioning of the web during movement as the processes are performed. Process and apparatus for making and using such webs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A web structure with electromagnetic radiation shifting indicia is disclosed. The indicia provide signals used in controlling various processes to be performed on the web as well as for controlling movement of the web. The preferred indicia are normally essentially invisible so that the physical appearance of the web is not effected. The indicia emit wave-shifted electromagnetic radiation in response to incident radiation of a given range to provide a means for determining the positioning of the web during movement as the process are performed. Process and apparatus for making and using such webs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method for simultaneously loading, sealing and severing bags forming part of at least two independent chains of bags. Two juxtaposed nip roll assemblies including axially aligned feed roll portions can be independently actuated in order to selectively feed one or two webs. A drive motor, having a dual output, is selectively coupled to the nip roll assemblies by clutch/brake units which can be selectively actuated. After a bag or bags are loaded, a sealing mechanism is actuated to seal the loaded bag or bags. A sensor monitors movement in a seal unit member and terminates the sealing cycle if movement in the seal member occurs prior to the pressure bar reaching a predetermined position. While a bag or bags are being sealed, a tear off mechanism including a rod-like member is advanced into and through the web path in order to sever the loaded bag from the remainder of the web.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting slaughtered poultry into individual pieces including a keel cutting station for severing a front breast section from the carcass. The station includes a first cutter for cutting a rear portion of the keel and a second, reciprocating cutter for effecting a second cut that intersects a cut made by the first cutter such that the keel is completely severed from the carcass. The movement of the second cutter is coordinated with the movement of a carcass supporting module so that the reciprocating knife remains substantially vertically aligned with the carcass supporting module during the cutting sequence. A size sensor is provided for adjusting the relative position of the reciprocating knife with the module to compensate for changes in bird size. A pair of interconnected actuators provide a three step adjustment for the reciprocating knife. An intermediate conveyor is provided for receiving the severed keel and transferring it to a primary conveyor.

Abstract: A web structure with electromagnetic radiation shifting indicia is disclosed. The indicia provide signals used in controlling various processes to be performed on the web as well as for controlling movement of the web. The preferred indicia are normally essentially invisible so that the physical appearance of the web is not affected. The indicia emit wave-shifted electromagnetic radiation in response to incident radiation of a given range to provide a means for determining the positioning of the web during movement as the processes are performed. Process and apparatus for making and using such webs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging machine for loading a chain or web of interconnected bag-like containers, including a conveyor system for advancing a lead bag to a loading station, a gripper assembly for clamping the bag to be loaded to a funnel mechanism including a pair of pivotally mounted horns; and, an incremental reversing mechanism for retracting the web after the bag is loaded to effect severance of the bag from the web along a line of weakness. The web is advanced by a transmission that includes a drive motor and clutch for selectively coupling the drive source to a web feed roll. The drive system includes a chain for driving the feed roll a segment of which is reeved around a pair of sprockets carried by a slidable shuttle. The shuttle is reciprocated by a fluid pressure operated actuator to produce incremental reverse translation in the chain when web retraction is desired. An accumulating mechanism is provided for storing product to be packaged while a bag is being positioned at the loading station.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a chain of interconnected containers from a continuous web of flexible material such as plastic. The apparatus includes upper and lower assembly portions 10a, 10b, the upper portion reciprocally mounting a heat sealing head 12 having a pair of depending jaws 44 that define heat sealing edges 50. The head is driven downwardly until the edges 50 contact associated contact bars 90, 92, clamping the web material therebetween and forming a pair of spaced, parallel transverse heat seals 98, defining leading and trailing edges of adjacent containers 99a, 99b. A perforating device 100 reciprocally mounted in the assembly portion 10b includes a perforating wheel 102 reciprocally movable between the contact bars 90, 92 is cycled to cut a transverse perforation in the web material between the adjacent heat seals 98. The web remains stationary during both the heat sealing and perforating cycle so that the heat seals and perforation are precisely registered.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying tubular labels to containers comprised of structure defining a labeling station, a container directing unit for directing a succession of containers to the labeling station, a label feeding unit for positioning individual labels at a predetermined position with respect to the labeling station, label applying mechanism including a label engaging device cyclically movable along a path of travel for removing a label from the feeding unit and assembling the label about a container at the labeling station, and a drive unit for imparting harmonic motion to the label engaging device.

Abstract: A container strip of flexible film or sheet material is disclosed having inserted elements or materials which have an effect on contents which may be disposed in a container and/or enhance the package. In one embodiment the insert has anti-corrosion properties. After corrosion-susceptible products have been sealed within the container, chemicals in the insert create a protective environment for the products. By providing inserts with other appropriate chemical constituents, other desirable effects can be created.In an alternative embodiment, an insert can be used in a header portion of the container to provide support for display purposes.

Abstract: Detachable container strips and method of making and using the strips are disclosed. The container strips are connected in side-by-side relationship by narrow thin bridges with adjoining container portions of the strips in registry with each other lengthwise of the strips. The strips can be fed through packaging machinery for loading side-by-side container portions simultaneously.

Abstract: In a system for dispensing weighed or counted articles, articles are fed from a supply hopper by a vibratory conveyor to maintain a controlled level of articles in a bowl-shaped feeder hopper. In a weigher embodiment, articles are initially discharged from the feeder hopper through two discharge openings into an accumulator bucket. A weighing unit monitors the weight of articles in the bucket and signals a door to close one of the discharge openings as the weight of articles in the bucket begins to approach a predetermined weight. The weighing unit subsequently signals the feeder hopper drive to slow its feeding action as the weight of articles in the bucket more closely approaches the predetermined weight. The feeder hopper discharge openings are arranged near each other at locations where the door-controlled opening will provide a rapid, bulk feed of articles, while the other opening will provide a single-file trickle feed.

Abstract: Detachable container strips and method of making and using the strips are disclosed. The container strips are connected in side-by-side relationship by narrow thin bridges with adjoining container portions of the strips in registry with each other lengthwise of the strips. The strips can be fed through packaging machinery for loading side-by-side container portions simultaneously.

Abstract: A packaging machine for loading a chain or web of interconnected bag-like containers, including a conveyor system for advancing a lead bag to a loading station, a gripper assembly for clamping the bag to be loaded to a funnel mechanism including a pair of pivotally mounted horns; and, an incremental reversing mechanism for retracting the web after the bag is loaded to effect severance of the bag from the web along a line of weakness. The web is advanced by a transmission that includes a drive motor and clutch for selectively coupling the drive source to a web feed roll. The drive system includes a chain for driving the feed roll a segment of which is reeved around a pair of sprockets carried by a slidable shuttle. The shuttle is reciprocated by a fluid pressure operated actuator to produce incremental reverse translation in the chain when web retraction is desired. An accumulating mechanism is provided for storing product to be packaged while a bag is being positioned at the loading station.