Abstract: A baling machine may be adapted for use in stacking packages to support binding operations such as strapping, banding or wrapping. A stack of filled packages is accumulated in a chute that is disposed above and in registration with a conveyor, with a baseplate disposed above the conveyor in registration with the chute. The stack of filled packages is released from the chute into a magazine disposed between and in registration with the chute and the baseplate, so that the stack of filled packages rests on the baseplate inside the magazine. The magazine then moves in a conveyor-forward direction to move the stack of filled packages off the baseplate onto a conveyor surface of the conveyor, and the stack of filled packages is released from the magazine to move forward along the conveyor toward a binding machine, such as a strapping machine, banding machine or wrapping machine.

Abstract: A bag turning machine comprises a frame, a shaft rotatably carried by the frame, a plurality of bag turning members carried by the shaft for receiving and turning a filled and sealed bag, and a brake. The brake resists rotation of the shaft upon receipt by the bag turning members of a filled and sealed bag and, following release by the bag turning members of the bag, arrests rotation of the shaft in a predetermined position for the bag turning members to receive another filled and sealed bag. Each bag is received in an upright position and moving substantially parallel to its width, which is less than its height and greater than its depth, and tipped over onto the bag turning members so that the bag lands on a side edge thereof. Rotating the bag turning members turns the bag to rest on its face while lowering the bag.

Abstract: A first layer of items is assembled on a movable conveyor belt on a support platform, and the conveyor belt advances to position the first layer of items above and in registration with a pallet while a second layer of items is assembled behind the first layer. The conveyor belt then stops, and part of the support platform and an associated portion of the conveyor belt retract from beneath the first layer of items, depositing the first layer of items on the pallet, after which the pallet is indexed downward. The retractable portion of the support platform and the associated portion of the conveyor belt then extend to the position above and in registration with the pallet, and the conveyor belt advances during this extension to position the second layer of items above and in registration with the pallet. Apparatus for placing slip sheets onto pallets is also described.

Abstract: A bag turning machine comprises a frame, a shaft rotatably carried by the frame, a plurality of bag turning members carried by the shaft for receiving and turning a filled and sealed bag, and a brake. The brake resists rotation of the shaft upon receipt by the bag turning members of a filled and sealed bag and, following release by the bag turning members of the bag, arrests rotation of the shaft in a predetermined position for the bag turning members to receive another filled and sealed bag. Each bag is received in an upright position and moving substantially parallel to its width, which is less than its height and greater than its depth, and tipped over onto the bag turning members so that the bag lands on a side edge thereof. Rotating the bag turning members turns the bag to rest on its face while lowering the bag.

Abstract: A first layer of items is assembled on a movable conveyor belt on a support platform, and the conveyor belt advances to position the first layer of items above and in registration with a pallet while a second layer of items is assembled behind the first layer. The conveyor belt then stops, and part of the support platform and an associated portion of the conveyor belt retract from beneath the first layer of items, depositing the first layer of items on the pallet, after which the pallet is indexed downward. The retractable portion of the support platform and the associated portion of the conveyor belt then extend to the position above and in registration with the pallet, and the conveyor belt advances during this extension to position the second layer of items above and in registration with the pallet. Apparatus for placing slip sheets onto pallets is also described.

Abstract: A method of opening and closing a bag having a front and a rear and an opening at the top includes feeding the bag to a machine which holds an upper end of the front of the bag, moves the upper end of the rear of the bag rearwardly to partially open the bag clamps each opposite side of the bag while the bag is in the partially open configuration, and moves the clamped opposite sides of the bag and the rear of the bag rearwardly to a fully open position.

Abstract: A method of opening and closing a bag having a front and a rear and an opening at the top includes feeding the bag to a machine which holds an upper end of the front of the bag, moves the upper end of the rear of the bag rearwardly to partially open the bag clamps each opposite side of the bag while the bag is in the partially open configuration, and moves the clamped opposite sides of the bag and the rear of the bag rearwardly to a fully open position.

Abstract: A bag closing machine has a pair of endless belts mounted in a housing and having adjacent runs extending along a passage in the housing. The belts are driven to cause bags to be conveyed successively between the runs along the passage. A heating station adjacent the passage is operable to heat sealing areas of the bags to activate heat sealable material in a bag closing manner. The heating station has at least one pair of nozzles, one nozzle of each pair being on one side of the passage and the other nozzle of each pair being on the opposite side of the passage, the nozzles being directed towards the sealing area of a bag passing the heating station. Hot air is supplied to the nozzles to cause hot air to be emitted from the nozzles and impinge on the sealing area of a bag to activate the heat sealable material in a bag closing manner. When no bag is passing the heating station, hot air from the nozzles is removed to a location remote from the drive belts.

Abstract: The invention provides a high speed baling machine having a multi part chute which can be adjusted horizontally in both width and depth to accommodate packages of various lengths and widths with the packages falling sidways in the chute.