Abstract: A form-fill-seal system includes a tube feeding system, an end seal carriage (420), and a computing device. The tube feeding system feeds a tube (410) of flexible material at a first velocity (v1). The computing device controls the end seal carriage (420) to cause an increase in a velocity of the end seal carriage to substantially the first velocity (v1), a start of a dwell time of the end seal mechanism (424, 422) on the tube (410) of flexible material while the velocity of the end seal carriage is at substantially the first velocity (v1), and an increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to a second velocity (v2) during the dwell time. The end seal mechanism cuts a package (440) from the tube during the dwell time. The increase in the velocity of the end seal carriage to the second velocity (v2) results in an increased distance of the package from the tube.

Abstract: A cushion package can be formed around an object. The object can be removed from and reinserted into the cushion package. The cushion package includes a cushion material (104) having a longitudinal length and two longitudinal edges (110). The two longitudinal edges (110) of the cushion material are folded into an overlapping position to form a tube of the cushion material. The cushion package includes first and second transverse seals (148,150) in the tube of the cushion material. The first and second transverse seals (148,150) respectively form first and second ends of the cushion package. Each of the first transverse seal and the second transverse seal (148,150) seals the cushion material with the two longitudinal edges (110) in the overlapping position. The two longitudinal edges (110) of the cushion material are uncoupled between the first transverse seal and the second transverse seal (148,150).

Abstract: A cushion package can be formed around an object. The object can be removed from and reinserted into the cushion package. The cushion package includes a cushion material (104) having a longitudinal length and two longitudinal edges (110). The two longitudinal edges (110) of the cushion material are folded into an overlapping position to form a tube of the cushion material. The cushion package includes first and second transverse seals (148,150) in the tube of the cushion material. The first and second transverse seals (148,150) respectively form first and second ends of the cushion package. Each of the first transverse seal and the second transverse seal (148,150) seals the cushion material with the two longitudinal edges (110) in the overlapping position. The two longitudinal edges (110) of the cushion material are uncoupled between the first transverse seal and the second transverse seal (148,150).

Abstract: A packaging system includes a conveyance system, a package forming system, and a tracking system. The conveyance system is configured to receive objects and to convey the objects through the packaging system. Spacing between the objects is non-uniform as the objects are received by the conveyance system. The package forming system is configured to feed a packaging material to form a tube of the packaging material and to seal the tube of the packaging material around the objects to form packages of the packaging material around the objects. The tracking system configured to track locations of the objects as the objects are conveyed through the packaging system on the conveyance system. In some cases, the tracking system is configured to track locations of the objects independently of any marks on the packaging material and/or independently of the location of inducting documents placed on the objects.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to an apparatus that controls a film to allow various sized products to enter the film. The disclosed apparatus comprises a first arm, a second arm, and an upper member positioned between the first arm and the second arm. A system comprising the apparatus and components to wrap a product in film, such as, an end sealer, a conveyor, and a side sealer is also disclosed. Additionally disclosed is a method for controlling a film during a sealing process.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. One or more modular infeed systems are provided, each adapted to feed product to a wrapping machine, and each preferably adapted to communicate with a wrapping machine to identify its configuration to the wrapping machine. In a preferred embodiment, each modular infeed includes a film roll unwind assembly, an integrated film folding head, a product conveyance mechanism and a closed-loop communications network.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. An adjustable web guide structure that guides the webs of film into a configuration that mimics the geometry of a package to be wrapped is provided. The webs are conveyed over the guide structure, which structure provides an appropriate predetermined shape defining a web envelope for proper package entry and flow through the wrapping system. The position and geometry of the guides causes the web envelope to form around the corners of the product to be package to minimize film requirement, and allows for fluid transition from web supply rolls to package shape. External tension rods can be used to assist in preventing or minimizing web wrinkling. Guide rolls can be used in conjunction with the guide structure to assist in guiding and tracking the web material, as well as to provide axial transverse tension for proper web forming.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. An adjustable web guide structure that guides the webs of film into a configuration that mimics the geometry of a package to be wrapped is provided. The webs are conveyed over the guide structure, which structure provides an appropriate predetermined shape defining a web envelope for proper package entry and flow through the wrapping system. The position and geometry of the guides causes the web envelope to form around the corners of the product to be package to minimize film requirement, and allows for fluid transition from web supply rolls to package shape. External tension rods can be used to assist in preventing or minimizing web wrinkling. Guide rolls can be used in conjunction with the guide structure to assist in guiding and tracking the web material, as well as to provide axial transverse tension for proper web forming.

Abstract: A machine for coiling wire to form any one of a number of different size, type and configuration of coil spring and comprising a machine frame in which is mounted a driveshaft, intermediate shaft, camshaft, and feed roller shafts. At a work station of the machine appropriate coiling dies are supported along with one or more cutters mounted adjacent thereto. The wire is fed to the work station via a pair of feed rollers driven at variable speed, preferably by an elliptical gear drive, wherein the feed speed is at a maximum during coiling and decreases to a minimum feed speed for cutting. Wire feed is synchronously interrupted at cutting by means of a cam arrangement that briefly disengaged the feed rollers. This variable speed drive enables a high duty cycle of operation and also enables start up (feed rollers engaging) at reduced speed so as to minimize wire distortion.

Abstract: A machine for coiling wire to form any one of a number of different size, type and configuration of coil spring and comprising a machine frame in which is mounted a driveshaft, intermediate shaft, camshaft, and feed roller shafts. At a work station of the machine appropriate coiling dyes are supported along with one or more cutters mounted adjacent thereto. The wire is fed to the work station via a pair of feed rollers driven at variable speed, preferably by means of an elliptical gear drive, wherein the feed speed is at a maximum during coiling and decreases to a minimum feed speed for cutting. Wire feed is synchronously interrupted at cutting by means of a cam arrangement that briefly disengaged the feed rollers. This variable speed drive enables a high duty cycle of operation and also enables start up (feed rollers engaging) at reduced speed so as to minimize wire distortion.

Abstract: A machine for coiling wire to form any one of a number of different size, type and configuration of coil spring and comprising a machine frame in which is mounted a driveshaft, intermediate shaft, camshaft, and feed roller shafts. At a work station of the machine appropriate coiling dyes are supported along with one or more cutters mounted adjacent thereto. The wire is fed to the work station via a pair of feed rollers driven at variable speed, preferably by means of an elliptical gear drive, wherein the feed speed is at a maximum during coiling and decreases to a minimum feed speed for cutting. Wire feed is synchronously interrupted at cutting by means of a cam arrangement that briefly disengaged the feed rollers. This variable speed drive enables a high duty cycle of operation and also enables start up (feed rollers engaging) at reduced speed so as to minimize wire distortion.

Abstract: A machine for coiling wire to form any one of a number of different size, type and configuration of coil spring and comprising a machine frame in which is mounted a driveshaft, intermediate shaft, camshaft, and feed roller shafts. At the work station of the machine appropriate coiling dyes are supported along with one or more cutters mounted adjacent thereto. The wire is fed to the work station via a pair of feed rollers driven at variable speed, preferably by means of an elliptical gear drive, wherein the feed speed is at a maximum during coiling and decrease to a minimum feed speed for cutting. Wire feed is synchronously interrupted at cutting by means of a cam arrangement that briefly disengaged the feed rollers. This variable speed drive enables a high duty cycle of operation and also enables start up (feed rollers engaging) at reduced speed so as to minimize wire distortion.