Abstract: An in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine labels containers, such as beverage containers, in an in-line fashion maintaining the elevation of the containers during their linear transport. The in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine of the present invention receives bottles in flood feeder or linear fashion. A timing screw or the like properly separates, and both spatially and temporally disposes, the containers for sleeving. The timing screw propels the containers onto a pedestal system. The pedestals of the pedestal system maintain their horizontal nature due to offset pivotable attachments to the track system upon which they travel. A sheet of film is unspooled from an unwind roll and passed through a tube forming apparatus that overlaps the edges of the film. The overlapping edges completing the tube enclosure are connected using ultrasonic welding or the like. The sleeve is then passed to an iris carrier.

Abstract: An automatic film insertion device automatically unwinds a predetermined amount of plastic tubing from a roll, measures the required length, cuts and automatically inserts the cut piece into the mouth of filled pharmaceutical bottles. In one embodiment, a set of rollers receives a sheet of tubing, which is passed to a mandrel that opens the tubing. A guillotine cuts the tubing, and the tubing is pushed by a plow into a receiving member. The tubing is held inside the receiving member via friction until a plunger pushes the tubing out of the receiving member and into the bottle. The plunger then forces the tubing to buckle and remain in the bottle. In a second embodiment, the receiving member comprises a reciprocating tube attached to a shuttle cylinder. During the film advance portion of the cycle, the tube is positioned under a film feed station adjacent a cutting assembly. The film is fed vertically downward by rollers into the receiving member and cut.

Abstract: An automatic film insertion device automatically unwinds a predetermined amount of plastic tubing from a roll, measures the required length, cuts and automatically inserts the cut piece into the mouth of filled pharmaceutical bottles. In one embodiment, a set of rollers receives a sheet of tubing, which is passed to a mandrel that opens the tubing. A guillotine cuts the tubing, and the tubing is pushed by a plow into a receiving member. The tubing is held inside the receiving member via friction until a plunger pushes the tubing out of the receiving member and into the bottle. The plunger then forces the tubing to buckle and remain in the bottle. In a second embodiment, the receiving member comprises a reciprocating tube attached to a shuttle cylinder. During the film advance portion of the cycle, the tube is positioned under a film feed station adjacent a cutting assembly. The film is fed vertically downward by rollers into the receiving member and cut.

Abstract: An in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine labels containers, such as beverage containers, in an in-line fashion maintaining the elevation of the containers during their linear transport. The in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine of the present invention receives bottles in flood feeder or linear fashion. A timing screw or the like properly separates, and both spatially and temporally disposes, the containers for sleeving. The timing screw propels the containers onto a pedestal system. The pedestals of the pedestal system maintain their horizontal nature due to offset pivotable attachments to the track system upon which they travel. In coordinated fashion with the travel of the pedestal system, iris carriers carrying sleeves upon articulating radial arms descend upon the bottles. Once the label sleeve has reached the appropriate point (generally adjacent to the central portion of the bottle), the iris carrier allows the label sleeve to engage the central portion of the bottle.

Abstract: An in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine labels containers, such as beverage containers, in an in-line fashion maintaining the elevation of the containers during their linear transport. The in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine of the present invention receives bottles in flood feeder or linear fashion. A timing screw or the like properly separates, and both spatially and temporally disposes, the containers for sleeving. The timing screw propels the containers onto a pedestal system. The pedestals of the pedestal system maintain their horizontal nature due to offset pivotable attachments to the track system upon which they travel. A sheet of film is unspooled from an unwind roll and passed through a tube forming apparatus that overlaps the edges of the film. The overlapping edges completing the tube enclosure are connected using ultrasonic welding or the like. The sleeve is then passed to an iris carrier.

Abstract: A band application machine for transferring to containers heat-shrinkable bands. The band application machine includes a band feed system for feeding band supply material to a cutting system which cuts a band from the band supply. A transfer system transfers cut bands to containers conveyed past a banding point, and includes a band gripping mechanism and a plunger. Band gripping mechanism includes opposed suction cups that are movably mounted for gripping and positioning a cut band. The suction cups are laterally moveable from a position where a closed band is gripped on opposing sides by the suction cups to a position where the band is open and aligned with the stroke of the plunger. The plunger is positioned over the opened band at an angle with respect to the band. The plunger presses and drives the band onto a container as the gripper apparatus releases the open band.

Abstract: A band application machine for transferring to containers heat-shrinkable bands. The band application machine includes a band feed system for feeding band supply material to a cutting system which cuts a band from the band supply. A transfer system transfers cut bands to containers conveyed past a banding point, and includes a band gripping mechanism and a plunger. Band gripping mechanism includes opposed suction cups that are movably mounted for gripping and positioning a cut band. The suction cups are laterally movable from a position where a closed band is gripped on opposing sides by the suction cups to a position where the band is open and aligned with the stroke of the plunger. The plunger is positioned over the opened band at an angle with respect to the band. The plunger presses and drives the band onto a container as the gripper apparatus releases the open band.

Abstract: The present invention entails a band application machine for applying tamper-evident bands and other bands about the circumference of a container. The band application machine directs a supply strip of banding material to a curing mechanism which cuts the supply strip into a series of cut bands. A band transfer system transfers the cut band to a container being conveyed adjacent to the band application machine on a conveyor assembly. The band transfer system includes a gripping mechanism having a pair of opposing gripper arms with attached suction cups. The gripper arms and attached suction cups engage opposite sides of a closed band and then move apart to open the band. An actuator laterally positions the gripper mechanism to a position where the grippers extend over the conveyor assembly. A tilting actuator rotates the gripper mechanism from a generally horizontal position to a tilted position where a lower section of the gripped band extends into the pathway of the passing containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously disposing tubular labels on a plurality of bottles or other containers includes an assembly for advancing the bottles or other containers along an endless travel path. The apparatus also includes a plurality of tubular label applying stations each operable to individually apply a tubular label onto a bottle or other container as the bottle or other container is advanced along the travel path. The advancing assembly is preferably in the form of a rotating plate supporting the bottles or other containers thereon at uniform angular spacings from one another and the tubular label applying stations are preferably also supported on the rotating plate. A cam and cam follower arrangement is utilized for controlling each tubular label applying station to perform its label applying operation in coordination with the advancing movement of its associate bottle or other container.

Abstract: A band application machine for transferring to containers heat-shrinkable bands. The band application machine includes a band feed system for feeding band supply material to a cutting system which cuts a band from the band supply. A transfer system transfers cut bands to containers conveyed past a banding point, and includes a band gripping mechanism and a plunger. Band gripping mechanism includes opposed suction cups that are movably mounted for gripping and positioning a cut band. The suction cups are laterally movable from a position where a closed band is gripped on opposing sides by the suction cups to a position where the band is open and aligned with the stroke of the plunger. The plunger is positioned over the opened band at an angle with respect to the band. The plunger presses and drives the band onto a container as the gripper apparatus releases the open band.

Abstract: The present invention entails a conveyor system for use in conjunction with a band application machine that applies tamper-evident bands to containers being conveyed by the conveyor system. The conveyor includes a conveyor with an upper run and a lower run. Connected to the conveyor and moving with the conveyor is a series of band support plates that each define an individual container opening. A container support plate extends beneath the conveyor's upper run and below the band support plates being conveyed along the conveyor's upper run. Each container is inserted into an individual container opening such that the container is vertically supported by the container support plate and such that the band support plate extends around the container. The band support plates are positionable at a selected vertical position about the containers by varying the relative height of the container support plate beneath the band support plates.

Abstract: The present invention entails a method and apparatus for applying tamper evident bands to a container. In particular, the apparatus of the present invention directs a supply strip of banding material to a cutter which cuts the supply strip into a series of cut bands. From the cutter, the respective cut bands are, one at a time, transferred to a suction source and held. A form is passed adjacent the suction source and strips the cut band from the suction source. While the cut band is held within the form, a container is passed thereunder, and because of the spacing of the form and the position of the container, the container top or lid engages a portion of the cut band held within the form and strips the cut band from the form. Thereafter, the container and cut form are passed underneath a vibrating plate, causing the plate to engage the cut band and to properly position the same about the container for subsequent heat treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides an agitator system primarily for use in the production of liquids and semi-liquids which may be agitated during a sterilization process. A sealed chamber may be filled with live steam or a mixture of steam and air or water. Inside the chamber is a relatively simple table mount which enables a reciprocal motion of a product continuously during the entire or a part of the process. A suitable driving power source is positioned outside of the chamber and connected through the chamber wall to give a reciprocal motion to the table. The driving power source is adapted to accommodate any of a plurality of production variables such as changes in: length of stroke or amplitude of vibration, rate of stroke or frequency of vibration, rate of acceleration or deceleration, or the like.