Abstract: A shrink film applying apparatus includes an article feed for feeding articles for shrink-wrapping at line pressure; a wrapping conveyor driven at a wrapping speed through a wrapping zone, the wrapping conveyor receiving articles from the article feed. First and second films are supplied to the wrapping zone. A plurality of flight bars are individually driven in a path at a variable speed. A sealing mechanism within the wrapping zone seals the first film to the second film at contact points to form a circumferential film unit substantially surrounding grouped articles within loops of second film and a corresponding portion of the first film, the film unit being shrinkable about the grouped articles to form a package. Related methods and subassemblies of the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a heat-shrinkable holder (100) for securing articles (102), a package securing such articles using heat-shrinkable sheets, and methods and apparatus for making such holders (100) and packaging such articles (102) using heat-shrinkable sheets. Particular holders and packages are disclosed, wherein multiple film sheets are joined. Methods of manufacturing and applying such holders are also disclosed. Films may be printed upon, welded, folded and sliced if desired.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet each have a substantially equal pre-shrinking length, and are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.

Abstract: A shrink film applying apparatus includes an article feed for feeding articles for shrink-wrapping at line pressure; a wrapping conveyor driven at a wrapping speed through a wrapping zone, the wrapping conveyor receiving articles from the article feed. First and second films are supplied to the wrapping zone. A plurality of flight bars are individually driven in a path at a variable speed. A sealing mechanism within the wrapping zone seals the first film to the second film at contact points to form a circumferential film unit substantially surrounding grouped articles within loops of second film and a corresponding portion of the first film, the film unit being shrinkable about the grouped articles to form a package. Related methods and subassemblies of the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet each have a substantially equal pre-shrinking length, and are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder for securing articles, a package securing such articles using heat-shrinkable sheets, a shrinkable sleeve, and a method and device for securing such articles using heat-shrinkable sheets and sleeves are disclosed. The holder is constructed so that it is separable when desired, and may comprise the labeling or the like for an article to be packaged. Releasable fasteners such as adhesives, heat seals, and/or perforations may be employed on the sheets. If desired, articles may be individually sleeved with a heat shrinkable film blank portion, which may function as labeling.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for positioning side rails for an article handling conveyor extending in a conveying direction. The assembly includes a frame, two side rails movably mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the conveyor and extending along the conveying direction, each side rail including an input gear. A gear train extends between an actuator and the at least one input gear, whereby movement of the actuator in one direction or the other moves the side rails simultaneously toward or away from the each other via the gear train and the input gear. Multiple rail assemblies along a conveyor, across different sides of a conveyor, and/or along or across different conveyors can be employed. The multiple assemblies can be controlled by a common controller.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder for securing articles, a package securing such articles using heat-shrinkable sheets, a shrinkable sleeve, and a method and device for securing such articles using heat-shrinkable sheets and sleeves are disclosed. The holder is constructed so that it is separable when desired, and may comprise the labeling or the like for an article to be packaged. Releasable fasteners such as adhesives, heat seals, and/or perforations may be employed on the sheets. If desired, articles may be individually sleeved with a heat shrinkable film blank portion, which may function as labeling.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for positioning side rails for an article handling conveyor extending in a conveying direction. The assembly includes a frame, two side rails movably mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the conveyor and extending along the conveying direction, each side rail including an input gear. A gear train extends between an actuator and the at least one input gear, whereby movement of the actuator in one direction or the other moves the side rails simultaneously toward or away from the each other via the gear train and the input gear. Multiple rail assemblies along a conveyor, across different sides of a conveyor, and/or along or across different conveyors can be employed. The multiple assemblies can be controlled by a common controller.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for conveying articles for processing, the system including a conveyor configured to convey articles to the processing station. The conveyor includes a plurality of links, each link including at least one movable gripper for gripping an article, articles being gripped by adjacent links so as to achieve a predetermined spacing between the articles. A processing station is disposed along the conveyor, the conveyor being driven so as to move the articles through the processing station maintaining the predetermined spacing via the movable grippers, the processing station including mating elements spaced according to the predetermined spacing for processing the articles. The articles may be containers, and the processing station may be a filler or other container processing elements.

Abstract: A rotary filling machine is disclosed for filling containers, the machine including a rotating platform rotatable relative to a vertical rotating axis through a filling zone, and a conveyor configured to convey empty containers to be filled to the rotating platform for filling and to convey filled containers from the rotating platform. Various aspects and designs of the above elements are disclosed, as well as a related method.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The conveyor includes a plurality of links, each link having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link has a conveying surface for conveying one or more of the objects. Connection elements connect the links so as to form a conveyor. The connection elements include a flexible cable attached to the links at given intervals. The links are configured so as to be removably attachable to the cable. Various modifications and options are possible. Also, related article handling systems, including container handling and/or filling systems are also disclosed, suitable for use with various conveyor designs.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable holder is disclosed for securing a plurality of articles. The holder may include a first sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material, and a second sheet formed of heat-shrinkable material and joined to the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet each have a substantially equal pre-shrinking length, and are joined so as to create at least two openings therebetween. Each of the openings is sized larger than one of the articles. The first and second sheets are heat-shrinkable to an extent to shrink the openings sufficiently to secure two of the articles together into a unit. Various modifications and additions are possible, including use of more than three sheets, providing for the reading of printed indicia on the articles or holder, providing a handle. Numerous orientations and collections of articles are possible. Related packages including a holder and articles are also disclosed, as well as related methods of manufacture of the holder and package.

Abstract: A link is disclosed for a conveyor, as is a conveyor itself, suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction, a plurality of the links being attachable to form the conveyor, the link includes a body having a length extending along the direction of transport and a width extending across the direction of transport, and two opposed gripping members extending from the body. At least one of the gripping members is a movable gripping member movable from a first opened position to a second gripping position, the movable gripping member includes a gripping end, the gripping members being located so as to contact one of the objects via the gripping end when the movable gripping member is in the second position to hold the object relative to the body during transport.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed suitable for conveying objects such as containers to a processing station. The conveyor includes a plurality of connected links, and at least one gripping member extending from each of the links. Each gripping member is movable relative to its respective link for gripping a container by the neck of the container. A guide structure is disposed on the link for mating a component of the processing station to the neck of the container for processing the container. The processing station may be a filler such as a rotary filler, a capper, or a rinser. Related individual links, conveying systems, and filler components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A link is disclosed for a conveyor suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The link includes a body having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. The body has a conveying surface and two opposed gripping members extending from the conveying surface. Each gripping member is movable from a first opened position to a second gripping position. The gripping members each include a gripping arm configured to be pivotable relative to the conveying surface when the gripping members move from the first position to the second position. The gripping arms are located so as to be able to contact one of the objects when the gripping members are in the second position to hold the object relative to the link during transport. The link includes at least one spring member urging the gripping members toward the second position. Various other related options are disclosed, along with related conveyors.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The conveyor includes a plurality of connected links, each link having a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link has a conveying surface and at least one movable gripping member extending from the conveying surface of the link. Each gripping member is movable from a first opened position to a second gripping position. The gripping members each include a gripping arm having a pivot point, a gripping end spaced from the pivot point, and a cam follower extending outward from the gripping arm between the pivot point and the gripping end. The gripping arm is located so as to be able to contact one of the objects via the gripping end when the gripping member is in the second position to hold the object relative to the link during transport. Each link includes at least one spring member urging the gripping members toward the second position.

Abstract: A spiral accumulator apparatus is disclosed for controlling the flow of articles. The apparatus includes an infeed conveyor driven in a first direction to convey articles therealong in the first direction along a first path that is at least partially curved, and an outfeed conveyor driven in an opposite direction to convey articles therealong in the opposite direction along a second path that is at least partially curved. The infeed and outfeed conveyors are spaced apart and generally parallel along at least a portion of the first and second paths so as to define a space therebetween. A movable transport member is disposed generally across and movable along the space, and an article transfer member is carried by the transport member and operably disposed between the infeed and outfeed conveyors to transfer articles between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: Various shuttle conveyor designs are disclosed. The conveyors are suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The shuttle conveyors may include a track extending along a conveying path, the track defining a length, and a plurality of shuttle elements independently movable along the track. Each shuttle element may define mating structure for following the track along the conveying path. Each shuttle element may include at least one movable gripping member for selectively gripping conveyed objects. The shuttle elements may define a collective length less than the length of the track. A drive mechanism moves the shuttle elements along the track. The shuttle elements may include a plurality of links. The shuttle elements may be driven faster on at least a portion of a return portion of the track than on the conveying portion of the track, and the shuttle element flow along the track may be modulated in various ways.