Abstract: In an insulation blanket-packaging machine and method for continuously packaging insulation blanket in the form of batts there is a continuous: infeed of batts into a loading station; movement of batts from the loading station into a transfer station that also functions as a batt-stacking station; formation of a batt stack in the transfer station; compression of a batt stack in a compression station; envelopment of a compressed batt stack within sheet material in a packaging station to form a package; and removal of a package from the machine. The machine can also be used to package insulation blanket in roll form.

Abstract: A bag placer magazine such as for feeding flat pleated paper or plastic bags to a bag filling apparatus. The bag magazine accommodates flat pleated bags stacked horizontally on a moveable conveyor platform which circulates around the stacked bags. Bags are removed one at a time from the bottom of the stack. Vacuum operated grippers are sequenced to extend upwardly through sequentially moved openings in the circulating conveyor and pull down an end of the bottom bag and then strip the bottom bag from the stack. The bag falls below the circulating conveyor to a deposit platform where it is indexed to a precise position and then routed to a bag filler station. The bag stack is replenished from the top while bags are being stripped from the bottom so that there is no interruption of the production line process.

Abstract: A bag placer magazine such as for feeding flat pleated paper or plastic bags to a bag filling apparatus. The bag magazine accommodates flat pleated bags stacked horizontally on a moveable conveyor platform which circulates around the stacked bags. Bags are removed one at a time from the bottom of the stack. Vacuum operated grippers are sequenced to extend upwardly through sequentially moved openings in the circulating conveyor and pull down an end of the bottom bag and then strip the bottom bag from the stack. The bag falls below the circulating conveyor to a deposit platform where it is indexed to a precise position and then routed to a bag filler station. The bag stack is replenished from the top while bags are being stripped from the bottom so that there is no interruption of the production line process.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor transfer system includes a number of drive trolleys operating within a free track and being selectively propelled by endless drive chains within a vertically aligned power track. Each drive trolley includes a trolley housing body to which are rigidly attached a pair of downwardly extending lateral arms, each with a rearward facing drive surface. A pivotable drive member is attached to the front end of the trolley housing and extends backward and downward between the lateral arms with a drive dog forming a portion thereof. The drive trolley design facilitates transfer of each drive trolley between non-synchronous delivering and receiving power tracks in a conveyor transfer zone. Within the transfer zone, the delivering and receiving power tracks are at different elevations and approach each other from a relatively large angle to minimize the potential for mechanical interference or jamming.

Abstract: In an insulation blanket-packaging machine and method for continuously packaging insulation blanket in the form of batts there is a continuous: infeed of batts into a loading station; movement of batts from the loading station into a transfer station that also functions as a batt-stacking station; formation of a batt stack in the transfer station; compression of a batt stack in a compression station; envelopment of a compressed batt stack within sheet material in a packaging station to form a package; and removal of a package from the machine. The machine can also be used to package insulation blanket in roll form.