Abstract: Automated bagging of cannulate objects comprises arranging a plurality of cannulate objects to be substantially longitudinally parallel with one another, opening a mouth of a bag so that the sidewalls of the bag are spaced from one another at the mouth of the bag, and forming a longitudinally-extending externally supported constriction between the mouth of the bag and the bottom of the bag. The externally supported constriction is narrower than the open mouth of the bag and the cannulate objects remain confined above the constriction. The cannulate objects are fed into the mouth of the bag, longitudinally parallel with the constriction, and, while feeding the plurality of cannulate objects into the mouth of the bag, the constriction is lowered toward the bottom of the bag, whereby the cannulate objects remain substantially longitudinally parallel with one another in the bag.

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.