Abstract: A vacuum table (18) includes an introduction section (102) in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber (120) and a compartment (139) dividable by an adjustment partition (156) into primary and secondary vacuum chambers (139a, 139b). Adjustment plates (130) having adjustment apertures (138) are positionable over apertures (128) of the conveying surface (100) of the vacuum table (18) generally perpendicular to the conveying direction. Film (20) extends from between the nip of pinch rollers (12, 13) to the conveying surface (100) and is tensioned therebetween to be cut in excess of 105 cuts per minute by a servo motor controlled rotary cutter (30) which stops after each cut. The shaft (32) of the rotary cutter (30) includes a bore (310) extending from the idle end to provide servo-control loop stability.

Abstract: A vacuum table (18) includes an introduction section (102) in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber (120) and a compartment (139) dividable by an adjustment partition (156) into primary and secondary vacuum chambers (139a, 139b). Adjustment plates (130) having adjustment apertures (138) are positionable over apertures (128) of the conveying surface (100) of the vacuum table (18) generally perpendicular to the conveying direction. Film (20) extends from between the nip of pinch rollers (12, 13) to the conveying surface (100) and is tensioned therebetween to be cut in excess of 105 cuts per minute by a servo motor controlled rotary cutter (30) which stops after each cut. The shaft (32) of the rotary cutter (30) includes a bore (310) extending from the idle end to provide servo-control loop stability.

Abstract: A system for spacing conveyed articles is generally provided. The system advantageously includes an apparatus for conveying articles characterized by a driven loop element and a plurality of article selectors, each article selector adapted for select reversible engagement with the driven loop element. A queuing station, characterized by an ingress and egress portions wherein article selectors are retained for select dispensing, is likewise provided and includes a first actuator to facilitate disengagement of article selectors from the driven loop element, and a second actuator to facilitate engagement of article selectors with the driven loop element. An assembly for selectively dispensing article selectors from the queuing station is further provided.

Abstract: A system for spacing conveyed articles is generally provided. The system advantageously includes an apparatus for conveying articles characterized by a driven loop element and a plurality of article selectors, each article selector adapted for select reversible engagement with the driven loop element. A queuing station, characterized by an ingress and egress portions wherein article selectors are retained for select dispensing, is likewise provided and includes a first actuator to facilitate disengagement of article selectors from the driven loop element, and a second actuator to facilitate engagement of article selectors with the driven loop element. An assembly for selectively dispensing article selectors from the queuing station is further provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for select, reversible attachment to a traveling conveyor of a conveyance apparatus is provided. The apparatus generally comprises a body and an interface assembly. The interface assembly is generally characterized by opposingly paired tensioned elements and an actuatable member interposed between the opposingly paired tensioned elements for pivoting between a first assembly position and a second assembly position upon application of a select external force to one portion of one of two opposing portions of the actuatable member. The actuatable member has a peripheral portion adapted to receive and retain the conveyor of the conveyance apparatus with the traveling conveyor freely passing through the peripheral portion of the actuatable member at the first assembly position for the actuatable member, and the traveling conveyor captured for attaching the apparatus to the traveling conveyor for travel therewith at the second assembly position for the actuatable member.

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) including first and second supports (42A, 42B) each in the form of a thin piece of flexible material. The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106, 206) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the second support (42B) to the sweep conveyor (22) and from the first support (42A) to the second support (42B) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52B) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a metering bar (52A) which prevents unmetered product from tipping downstream. A sweep bar (62a) which collects the product on the sweep conveyor (22).

Abstract: A vacuum table (18) includes an introduction section (102) in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber (120) and a compartment (139) dividable by an adjustment partition (156) into primary and secondary vacuum chambers (139a, 139b). Adjustment plates (130) having adjustment apertures (138) are positionable over apertures (128) of the conveying surface (100) of the vacuum table (18) generally perpendicular to the conveying direction. Film (20) extends from between the nip of pinch rollers (12, 13) to the conveying surface (100) and is tensioned therebetween to be cut in excess of 105 cuts per minute by a servo motor controlled rotary cutter (30) which stops after each cut. The shaft (32) of the rotary cutter (30) includes a bore (310) extending from the idle end to provide servo-control loop stability.

Abstract: A heat tunnel for applying heated air to articles enclosed in shrink-wrap film includes at least one air supply unit; a conveyor; and a heat shroud spaced from the conveyor. The air supply unit includes a source of heated air, a fan, a heated air plenum, air ducts, and a return air plenum. Multiple air supply units can be provided along the conveyor to create a heat tunnel of desired length.

Abstract: A product metering apparatus (10) includes a first product conveyance mechanism (12) conveying product in a continuous stream. A platform (42) supports product and is movable along a closed path between a loading position adjacent to the first product conveyance mechanism (12) and a transfer position adjacent to an output in the form of a second product conveyance mechanism (22) spaced from the first product conveyance mechanism (12) in the conveying direction. The platform (42) in the loading position receives the product in the continuous stream from the first product conveyance mechanism (12) and is then accelerated to a speed greater than the first product conveyance mechanism (12) creating a gap between the product supported on the platform (42) and the product remaining in the continuous stream on the first product conveyance mechanism (12).

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) including first and second supports (42A, 42B) each in the form of a thin piece of flexible material. The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106, 206) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the second support (42B) to the sweep conveyor (22) and from the first support (42A) to the second support (42B) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52B) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a metering bar (52A) which prevents unmetered product from tipping downstream. A sweep bar (62a) which collects the product on the sweep conveyor (22).

Abstract: A cutting apparatus cuts shrink wrap film residing in a roll. The apparatus includes a first roller pair receiving the film from the roll and carrying the film away from the roll; and without the need for a second roller pair to receive the cut sheet of film. Film snap-back is prevented by cutting the film between a shear deck with teeth and a rotating blade with teeth intermeshing with the teeth of the shear deck. A method for cutting a sheet of shrink wrap film, includes: feeding the film into a first roller pair; and cutting the film between the first roller pair and the second roller pair using a rotating knife with a number of teeth intermeshing with a shear bar with teeth.

Abstract: A product metering apparatus (10) includes a first product conveyance mechanism (12) conveying product in a continuous stream. A platform (42) supports product and is movable along a closed path between a loading position adjacent to the first product conveyance mechanism (12) and a transfer position adjacent to an output in the form of a second product conveyance mechanism (22) spaced from the first product conveyance mechanism (12) in the conveying direction. The platform (42) in the loading position receives the product in the continuous stream from the first product conveyance mechanism (12) and is then accelerated to a speed greater than the first product conveyance mechanism (12) creating a gap between the product supported on the platform (42) and the product remaining in the continuous stream on the first product conveyance mechanism (12).

Abstract: A heat tunnel for applying heated air to articles enclosed in shrink-wrap film includes at least one air supply unit; a conveyor; and a heat shroud spaced from the conveyor. The air supply unit includes a source of heated air, a fan, a heated air plenum, air ducts, and a return air plenum. Multiple air supply units can be provided along the conveyor to create a heat tunnel of desired length.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (10) for erecting cartons include a device (32) removing the upper carton (12) from a first stack of horizontally arranged cartons and pivots it to a vertical condition. The first stack is elevated by a lifting device (28) as the cartons are removed. A second stack is moved beneath the first stack when it reaches a hand-off elevation. A first connecting device (200) moves the removed carton from the vertical condition to in front of a planar plate (202) and a second connecting device (220). Suction cups (76) in a linear arrangement connect to the carton and are pivotally mounted to a pivotal transform arm (63) and move parallel to the planar plate (202). Tuckers (226, 228, 230) close the closure flaps of the carton, and a piece of tape is applied by a tape dispenser (236) thereover.

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba, 52ca) which controls the product on the sweep conveyor (22) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42). With nested product, the leading edge of the transfer device (42) is scalloped to represent the product bottom leading edge.

Abstract: A heat tunnel for applying heated air to articles enclosed in shrink-wrap film includes at least one air supply unit; a conveyor; and a heat shroud spaced from the conveyor. The air supply unit includes a source of heated air, a fan, a heated air plenum, air ducts, and a return air plenum. Multiple air supply units can be provided along the conveyor to create a heat tunnel of desired length.

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

Abstract: A heat tunnel for applying heated air to articles enclosed in shrink-wrap film includes at least one air supply unit; a conveyor; and a heat shroud spaced from the conveyor. Tha air supply unit includes a source of heated air, a fan, a heated air plenum, air ducts, and a return air plenum. Multiple air supply units can be provided along the conveyor to create a heat tunnel of desired length.

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).