Abstract: A combination, or distributor package including upper and lower groups of sub- packages of containers each created by a unitary multi-packaging device, a thin, flexible sheet separating the upper group from the lower group and a tightly, tensioned, envelop around the top, bottom and sides of the groups created by a spirally applied stretch film.

Abstract: A system for seriatim filling and separating zipper-equipped bags supplied in a chain has a filling station in which each bag mouth is spread open to permit top filling, a closing station in which the zipper profiles of each filled bag are interlocked, and a separation station in which the filled bag is separated from the chain. A pincer action grasps each filled bag, draws the filled bag through the closing and separation stations, and releases the separated and filled bag for collection. The operation of the pincer serves to bring about indexing of the bags in the chain through the bag filling system. The result is an economical and reliable zipper equipped bag filling method and apparatus.

Abstract: A combination, or distributor package including upper and lower groups or sub- packages of containers each created by a unitary multi-packaging device, a thin, flexible sheet separating the upper group from the lower group and a tightly, tensioned, envelop around the top, bottom and sides of the groups created by a spirally applied stretch film.

Abstract: A unitized package of a plurality of generally cylindrical containers, such as cans or bottles, is disclosed. The package is sufficiently rigid to maintain a stable configuration upon handling even when the package is constituted by a relatively large number of containers. The unitized package comprises several independent, integral container cells of equal size that are held contiguous to one another by a resilient film ribbon under tension. The resilient film ribbon is in contact with the packaged containers about the periphery of the package along a major portion of the container cylindrical body portion length dimension. A particularly well suited film ribbon material for the foregoing purposes is oriented polypropylene film about 3 to 5 mils thick.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for gripping a strap segment with two gripping members, for moving the gripping members together in a closed path to form a primary loop in the strap around at least one of the gripping members, and for feeding the strap to expand the primary loop to an expanded loop having a larger size for accommodating an article to be bound by the strap.

Abstract: Integrally serially connected top fillable bags have closed bottoms and sides and reclosable zippers from which pull flanges extend upwardly. The bags are separated along their sides including the pull flanges and continuous connecting strips connect the tops of the pull flanges and have guide ribs extending continuously therealong for engagement by supporting jaws which serve to open the serially connected bags one at a time at a filling station for filling. After the filling station, the filled bag is separated from the connected bags by removing the connecting strip from the tops of the pull flanges of the filled bags in line with or below the top ends of the separations between bags. The zipper of the filled bag is closed by a closing device such as pinch rolls through which the bag is pulled and the connecting strips removed.

Abstract: A serially interconnected chain of reclosable, zipper-lock plastic bags is arranged for facilitated handling in an automatic bag filling machine. The bag chain may be formed with single or plural connecting spot links between side edges of adjacent bags to maintain alignment of the bags in the chain as the chain is unwound from storage and threaded along a lateral transport path running through the filling machine. The connecting links are adapted to be broken during the loading operation so that separate, loaded bags may be discharged from the machine for packaging. Each bag is formed with raised ridge surface means running laterally thereacross adapted to be slidably received in a suitable guide track means of the filling machine to provide vertical support for the bags as the chain is being drawn between various work stations in the filling machine.

Abstract: A feed conveyor arrangement is disclosed for horizontally unwinding zipper-equipped sheet packaging material from a supply roll and turning back a flap portion of the sheet material for reception of product prior to delivery into a form, fill, and seal machine. The feed conveyor utilizes a special guide wheel device for maintaining the zipper, and hence the sheet material, in an aligned flow path and holding down the flap portion only adjacent the zipper. A subsequent flap turning wheel device turns the flap portion away from the remaining panel area of the sheet below the zipper line, pivoting the flap about the hold down area of the guide wheel device. The guide wheel device is in the form of skewed wheels acting on the upper surface of the flap at opposed sides of the zipper. The flap turning wheel device includes an offset wheel which applies both upward and horizontal forces to the upturned inner surface of the flap to open up the sheet material.

Abstract: A rapid and economical method for forming a stabilized rectangular bundle of round containers is disclosed. Round containers, arranged in a spatially compact contiguous configuration, are first surrounded by a stretchable, endless band. The containers are then rearranged into a rectangular, commercially desirable but less spatially efficient configuration, causing the band to tension. Next a unitary loop matrix is positioned over one end of each of the containers, constituting the squared configuration, to stabilize or immobilize the substantially rectangular shape of the squared configuration. Positioning the unitary loop matrix on the containers causes the containers to spread apart, which causes the band to tension further. The configuration remains substantially rectangular until containers are removed from the bundle.

Abstract: An automated bag filling method and mechanism particularly adapted to handle reclosable zipper lock-type plastic bags fed into the machine in a bag chain has a bag opening station, a filling station, a bag reclosing station, and a bag separation station, all successively serially arranged in the machine along a transport path in which the bag chain is conducted through the machine. Mechanical means are provided at each station to perform the functions of that station. The mechanical means are sequentially actuated and controlled by the movement of individual cam members keyed for rotation to a continuously driven rotary driveshaft.

Abstract: A strapping tool for tensioning a loop of strap having first and second strap portions about an article is provided with a tension sensing mechanism which includes a gripper member for gripping the second strap portion and restraining it from movement during tensioning of the loop. A first arm is pivotally mounted to the tool frame for pivoting movement in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction. A first spring biases the first arm in the first direction. A second arm is pivotally mounted on the first arm for pivoting movement in the first and second directions away from and towards the strap portions, respectively. A second biasing spring is provided for biasing the second arm in the second direction.

Abstract: A metal strap segment is provided for forming a loop about compressible material and has a first joint-forming portion on one end and a second joint-forming portion on the other end, each of the joint-forming portions containing an array of longitudinally spaced joint elements which are adapted to interlock to form a sealless strap connection when the joint-forming portions are overlapped. An abutment is provided at the distal end of the second joint-forming portion and a disengageable anti-reverse engaging means, such as a tab or receiving aperture, is provided on the first joint-forming portion. The engaging tab or aperture is located, with respect to the distal end of the first joint-forming portion, inwardly of and adjacent the array of longitudinally spaced joint elements.

Abstract: A method is provided for binding a first low density bale with a plurality of straps and then reusing sections of the straps to bind a second, smaller bale which is compressed from the first bale. A plurality of primary straps are provided with a multiple of discrete arrays of longitudinally spaced joint elements, the joint elements of each array being adapted to interlock with the joint elements of another array to form a sealless connection therebetween. Each primary strap is looped around the first low density bale and the ends of the strap are connected through two of the arrays of interlocking joint elements. Each primary strap further has, at spaced locations along its length, severance indicia and readily disengageable anti-reverse engaging tabs. When desired, the first bale may be subsequently further compressed to allow removal of the primary straps.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming, tensioning and sealing a strap loop about a package and then severing the sealed loop from the trailing length of strap. A length of strap is fed in one direction and the strap free end is guided or moved to form a small primary strap loop with the strap free end overlapping a portion of the loop. The strap free end is then restrained while the standing part of the loop is continued to be fed to expand the loop to a larger predetermined diameter. The expanded loop and/or package is then moved so that the package is encircled by the loop, after which the loop is tensioned tight about the package. A joint connection or seal is next made in the loop and the trailing length of strap is severed from the loop.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for tensioning of a formed strap loop about a package and joining of the overlapping portions of the loop in a manner that improves the residual tension of the loop. The strap loop, in the region of the overlap, is twisted so that the sides of the strap in that region are displaced from the package surface and so that one of the edges of that region remains adjacent the package surface whereby the tensioned loop can be joined by friction fusion, formation of interlocking slits, or application of an independent seal without having to insert an anvil or bearing member between the package and the loop and thus increasing the residual tension. After the strap is restrained in the region where the strap free end overlaps a portion of the formed strap loop to prevent relative movement between the free end and overlapped portion, the package is encircled by the loop so that the strap is twisted in the balance of the loop relative to the restrained region.