Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for separating products, such as napkins or rolls of paper, encased in a tube of continuously moving thermoplastic wrapping material into product units is disclosed. At predetermined intervals spaced products are fed into the tube at wrapper length intervals, and the tube is thermally cut at wrapper intervals to form individually girth wrapped articles.

Abstract: An infeed assembly for spacing a continuous line of product into units to be wrapped in a continuous wrapping system is disclosed. At least one set of registration belts is orientated downstream of a set of spaced infeed belts in communication with a continuous line of product. The registration belts are programmed to move at the same velocity as the infeed belts to receive a product and then at a velocity greater than the infeed belt in order to separate and register one or more products into units to be wrapped and before returning to the velocity of the infeed belts.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for separating products, such as napkins or rolls of paper, encased in a tube of continuously moving thermoplastic wrapping material into product units is disclosed. At predetermined intervals spaced products are fed into the tube at wrapper length intervals, and the tube is thermally cut at wrapper intervals to form individually girth wrapped articles.

Abstract: An infeed assembly for spacing a continuous line of product into units to be wrapped in a continuous wrapping system is disclosed. At least one set of registration belts is orientated downstream of a set of spaced infeed belts in communication with a continuous line of product. The registration belts are programmed to move at the same velocity as the infeed belts to receive a product and then at a velocity greater than the infeed belt in order to separate and register one or more products into units to be wrapped and before returning to the velocity of the infeed belts.

Abstract: A stripping/sealing assembly and method for a vertical form, fill and seal machine. The stripping assembly comprises a rotatable master axis including a pair of oppositely rotating primary axes. A stripper may be associated with each of the primary axes, each stripper being located in a mount. A slave axis, comprising a pair of rotatable cranks mounted on central axes, is provided for displacement of the mounts in unison toward and away from the primary axes during rotation. By judicious retarding and then accelerating of the rotation of the cranks in relation to the primary axes, the stripper/sealer dies traverse linear paths along the tubular film to strip and seal the tubular film. The method provides adjustable seal dwell time, stripping and seal cooling time all programmable in software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for application of a header label to the bag. The bag, which has previously been filled with a product, is presented to the apparatus at an upstream bag presentation and accepting station and is gripped proximate its top. It is then transferred from the upstream bag accepting station to a downstream bag release station. Before being released, the bag travels to an intermediate label application station where a label is readied and applied to the bag. Thereafter, the bag proceeds downstream, with the label, and the label is sealed to the bag. A series of grippers are employed for accepting a stream of discreet bags in a continuous manner. The grippers are recirculated continuously so that the apparatus operates continuously so long as bags are presented for application of a label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gripping a bag and downstream handling, such as application of a header label to the bag. The bag, which has previously been filled with a product, is presented to the apparatus at an upstream bag presentation and accepting station and is gripped proximate its top. It is then transferred from the upstream bag accepting station to a downstream bag release station. Before being released, the bag travels to an intermediate label application station where a label is readied, the label then being transferred upstream to a second position and applied to the bag. Thereafter, the bag proceeds downstream, with the label, and the label is sealed to the bag. A series of grippers are employed for accepting a stream of discreet bags in a continuous manner. The grippers are recirculated continuously so that the apparatus operates continuously so long as bags are presented for application of a label.

Abstract: An apparatus for enveloping successive groups of items in a plastic film as the items traverse a linear path. Items are gathered in a group, and the group of items is then inserted in a tubular packaging film as the items and the film are conveyed at the same linear velocity. After the items are completely enveloped in the film, the film is severed and sealed to fully encapsulate them in the film. A vacuum is used to eliminate excess air generated within the tube, and also, in one form of the invention, form side gussets as sealing dies are closed. A tight package made at speeds results, with no need for any holes in the film to relieve internal air pressure.

Abstract: A system and process for sealing collections of rolls in a bundle. The rolls, which can be multiply packaged rolls or individually packaged or unpackaged rolls, are accumulated and conveyed until they are aligned and then collected in a group. Successive groups are then inserted in a tube of film which is severed and sealed about each group to complete a bundle. The sealing system includes at least two sealing axes, with each axis having at least one die set. The axes are synchronized and individually driven at variable velocities during their paths of travel.

Abstract: A system for enveloping items, such as collections of rolls, in plastic film for later downstream package completion. The film, which is in the form of an elongated sheet, is continuously shaped into a tube about a forming apparatus having an orifice extending across the path of travel of the items being packaged. A pair of segmented conveyors located on opposite sides of the path of travel of the items convey the items into the tube. The conveyors conform to the shape of the orifice of the forming apparatus. Another downstream pair of conveyors conveys the tube and items to downstream sealing apparatus. The second pair of conveyors each have segments which can be retracted so that forming apparatus of different sizes can be employed to form packages of different dimensions.

Abstract: A vertical form-fill-seal packaging machine controlled by a controller for receiving input data defining the package length, cycle time and sealing time and for controlling the feed of the packaging material as a function of the input data, the machine having a measuring roll for feeding the material forward in package length increments which is also operable to maintain the material tracking properly, further having a control maintaining the material under substantially constant tension, rapid controllable sealing jaw operation, a readily retractable longitudinal seam sealer, and a stripper operable independently of the sealing jaws.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for upending an item from a prone-orientation to an upright orientation. Two interconnected conveyors are employed, a first lower conveyor and a second upending conveyor. The lower conveyor includes a series of slats which may be raised to engage one end of an item to be upended. The second conveyor includes a series of spaced rods located to engage the opposite end of the item to be upended. When an item is engaged between a raised slat and a rod, the distance between the slat and rod is retained essentially constant and the rod is raised relative to the slat to upend the item from the prone orientation to an upright orientation.

Abstract: An adjustable girth control for the tube former in a packaging machine for encapsulating individual rolls or groups of rolls in a film. The tube former includes a forming body which is shaped to envelope the product passing therethrough and which has opposite adjustable forming elements with a variable gap between them. The forming elements are shifted horizontally and vertically to vary internal dimensions of the forming body to accommodate rolls of different diameters. Shifting can occur manually or automatically responsive to detection of the sizes of incoming rolls.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the production of packages each comprising a unit of product having opposite ends and a wrapper wrapped around the unit, the wrapper being wider than the length of the unit from end-to-end and initially extending outwardly beyond the ends of the unit, each end of the wrapper being folded over on said end of the product to form four closure flaps overlying said end, a first flap constituting a first side flap, a second flap constituting a first end flap, a third flap constituting a second end flap, and a fourth flap constituting a second side flap, the method of folding over the second end flap, wherein packages are fed forward one after another with the ends of the wrapper extending laterally outwardly at opposite sides of their path of travel, and the second end flaps are folded over at both ends of the package by flexible folding members which are brought into engagement with the trailing side of the trailing portion of each extending end of the wrapper and moved forward at hig

Abstract: A recirculating apparatus for transfer of objects from a first position to a second position. A pair of spaced, endless conveying chains have at least one flight located between them, the flight being connected to and travelling with the chains. A third chain is located at one side of the first and second chains, offset relative to the first two chains. The flight is linked to the third chain such that when the three chains are driven in unison, the flight does not rotate about its axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging a plurality of cylindrical paper rolls in a compressed state. Rolls are conveyed in a side-by-side relationship and are first progressively compressed in the vertical direction to a partially compressed state. The compressed rolls are then rotated 90.degree. to orient their flattened dimension vertically, and are further compressed as they are further conveyed. The compressed rolls are then joined, wrapped in a plastic flim, and the film is sealed to package the rolls and retain the rolls in their compressed state.

Abstract: A method of opening a folded web of flexible heat-sealable packaging material prior to formation of the material into sealed reclosable packages. The web has a pair of interlockable reclosable closure strips extending longitudinally of the web on an inside face of the web, and one section of the web is folded over on another section of the web so that the closure strips are interlocked. The method comprises advancing the folded web in a first plane to a web-opening station, and opening the folded web while maintaining the closure strips interlocked as the web advances through the web-opening station. The web is opened by diverting both sections of the web relative to one another so that they assume a co-planar position in a second plane different from the first plane.

Abstract: An escapement system in which units are movable by and with an endless conveyor in an endless path, and an escapement system is provided for retarding the units as they move through a part of their path, then releasing them; the system being incorporated in packaging apparatus in which the endless conveyor is a wheel and the units are sealing dies on the wheel.

Abstract: A reclosable package for containing and protecting product disposed therein including an initial seal and a releasable snap-closure mechanism adapted to maintain a tight closure between the product and the environment after the initial seal is broken, the snap-closure mechanism adapted to be snapped open and remain in the open position without the application of pressure so that the product may be easily dispensed therefrom and, when pressure is applied, to snap back to the closed position.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for wrapping a strip of stretchable plastic cling film around work to be enwrapped (banded) wherein the leading end of the film is gripped at opposite sides by grippers, the grippers are disengaged from the strip and moved outwardly clear of the strip after one wrap has been completed and the strip has lapped itself for gripping itself to the work, and wherein the last wrap is held spaced away from the underlying portion of the strip for regripping of the strip, which is then cut to provide a finishing end and a new leading end of strip, the finishing end being secured to the underlying portion of the strip by being pressed against it for clinging thereto.