Abstract: A device for processing workpiece sheets for packaging, includes a processing station through which the workpiece sheets are transported in succession, at least one changeable tool (2, 10, 18) that is specific to the processing and is moved against the sheet introduced in the processing station to process the sheet, at least one holder (11) on the device side for the changeable tool (2, 10, 18), the holder being adjustable for aligning the changeable tool (2, 10, 18), a central electronic control unit (37) for controlling the device, the control unit (37) having a memory for storing specific setting position data for each individual specific changeable tool (2, 10, 18), electronic digital sensors (36) for determining the current position of the holder (11), which sensors are coupled to the control unit (37), and digital display devices (38) that are coupled to the control unit (37) and display the target position and the actual position of the holder (11) or of parts coupled thereto, or display the relation o

Abstract: A method for generating a folding instruction for folding a stack of sheets into a document includes the steps of, for each sheet of the stack of sheets, receiving a folding action on the sheet defined by a fold type and an orientation relative to an observer, the fold type selected out of a mountain fold right, a mountain fold left, a mountain fold bottom, a mountain fold top, a valley fold right, a valley fold left, a valley fold bottom and a valley fold top; generating a function which has the folding action and the sheet as input and an ordered list of new sheets with an orientation relative to the observer of each new sheet of the list of new sheets as output; repeatedly applying the previous steps to each sheet of the at least one list of new sheets until the sheets in the last applied previous steps form the document; and generating a folding instruction including a concatenation of the at least one generated function on the stack of sheets, the folding instruction intended to be transmitted to a foldi

Abstract: A system and method of automatically assembling a package may include maintaining a data structure comprising a dynamic rule set for package production. A desired package may be selected for assembly. An assembly sequence may automatically be developed to create a three dimensional package from the dynamic rule set based on the desired package. The desired package may be assembled using the assembly sequence.

Abstract: A method and system for defining a package uses a graph representation of the package to create and implement a package generation rule set.

Abstract: A gift box for gift cards provides a presentation appearing like gift boxes for other high value products, such as jewelry. With strength, durability, three full dimensions, colors, quality, and design options, it can receive decorations, ribbons, and bows, a to/from card, and the like. Requiring no assembly of components, a single, integrated box includes all parts and configures simply. An interior panel presents a gift card, a debit card pre-loaded with a purchased value. A front flap of the interior panel may tuck down into the box. Alternatively, the panel may be pushed down at the front, leaving the front flap extending straight up, holding the front of the panel downward in place while also serving as an interior, front, wall liner for the box.

Abstract: A one-piece, steel, aerosol can formed by a draw and iron process with varying wall thicknesses, including a main body of a first wall thickness, a cone area above of a greater second wall thickness and a curl area above of a third thickness smaller than the second thickness and adapted to fit a standard aerosol valve. A process for shaping the can with the respective wall thickness sections. The process includes necking the can near the top end. The bottom of the can may be supported to maintain a shape during necking. The can interior may be pressurized during necking to resist permanent deformation of the can during necking.

Abstract: Disclosed is a card game wherein payouts are based on a maximum number of matching suits in a player's hand. Players have the option to choose the size of their hand at the outset of the game. In one live version, once players select their hand size and place their wagers, dealers deal each player two cards. Additional cards are dealt as common cards. Alternatively, players may be dealt all cards directly. Players are paid based on one of multiple pay tables depending on the maximum number of cards which have identical suits in their hand. The greater the number of identical suits in the hand, the greater the payout. Jackpots, including progressive jackpots, based on poker rankings may also be implemented. In a second live version, players may place six wagers on hands having from two to five cards. In this version, players receive four cards which may be used in combination with a single common card. Electronic gaming devices may also facilitate video versions of the game.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine and method for converting multiple layers of sheet-like stock material into a cushioning product are characterized by a forming assembly which shapes plural layers of the stock material into a continuous three dimensional strip of dunnage having central portions and overlapped edge portions, a connecting assembly downstream of the forming assembly for connecting the overlapped lateral edge portions of the layers separately from central portions of the layers, and a guide which directs the central portions of the layers away from connecting assembly to prevent the central portions from passing through the connecting assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding and depositing drawings having legends, the apparatus having two folding stations for folding drawings in two directions perpendicular to one another, and a collecting station for collecting the folded drawings with their legend on the same edge. The folding stations fold drawings of a first group, formats (A1 and A2) fed in the transverse direction, first lengthwise and then transversely, and fold drawings of a second group, formats (A0 and A3) fed in the longitudinal direction, first transversely and then lengthwise. Depending upon the group to which they belong, drawings to be folded are folded differently in the two folding stations, namely placing the folding stations selectively in operating states in which the folding stations apply each of the folds to be formed consecutively in directions which are the inverse of one another.

Abstract: A machine for folding and gluing peripherally the edges of a piece of work has a top on which the piece of work moves, a motor for transporting the moving piece of work, and a folding shoe which cooperates with a guide. A glue is fed. A plurality of actuators (Al-An) controls the various parts of the machine, and a control unit (UC) controls the machine operating parameters. The control (UC) has a programming device (PR) connected to the actuators (Al-An), a memory (M) accessible through the programming device (PR) and is designed to contain the parameters used in a more recent processing of the work executed manually by the operator. The operating parameters for processing a given piece of work are furnished to the machine through a learning phase controlled manually by the operator.

Abstract: A method for making bags of synthetic material in which a tubular foil web of synthetic material is advanced in steps corresponding to the length of one bag. A continuously heated pair (11) of welding jaws grips the tubular foil web (3) of synthetic material prior to cutting and fixes the web in position. The tubular foil web (3) is then cut by means of the transverse cutting knife (10) before the heat of the pair (11) of welding jaws is completely transferred to the tubular foil web (3) of synthetic material. Then the heat is completely transferred to weld the bottom seam of the bag.

Abstract: A machine for forming stacks of bags from a web of synthetic thermoplastic material has feeding rollers for feeding the web to welding jaws which form transverse welds in the web. There is a first motor for operating the feeding rollers and a second motor for operating the welding jaws. A central processing unit controls operation of the respective motors and includes a controller for the first motor for operating the first motor for an increased time and at a reduced speed during feeding of a leading bag in a stack as compared with the time and speed of operation of the first motor during feeding of remaining bags in the stack. This facilitates the removal of a previously formed stack of bags from a machine.

Abstract: Computer controlled method and apparatus for paper sheet bending in a bag making machine for making hand bags, pocketbooks, vanity cases, etc. Two computers are used to store the information needed to allow the machine to make bags of various types and sizes from paper of various qualities and thicknesses. Data concerning the bag itself is stored in the memory of a first computer while data concerning the properties of the paper to be used is stored in the second computer. Both types of data are needed to precisely and automatically position the guide plates for properly locating the desired bends in the paper. The bag type and paper type can be changed quickly with little loss in production time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for closing the bottom end flaps of a reusable rectangular carton whereby the carton is disposed in an expanded position with the bottom end flaps biased outward with respect to the carton sidewalls. A sequence controller is programmed to release the bias and fold each bottom end flap in a predetermined sequence. A closure is effected by disposing at least two end flaps in locking relationship to each other.

Abstract: A CAMERA-FLASH unit of a feeder table of an infeed station belonging to a machine converting sheets into package is disclosed. The CAMERA-FLASH unit shoots an image of the color register marks printed previously on every sheet. The CAMERA-FLASH unit operates jointly with an IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM having previously memorized a reference image from a model sheet. Owing to an image process comparison of the images shot from the successive sheets to the memorized image of the model, it is possible to check whether the quality criteria of the run are fulfilled.

Abstract: To fold large sheets of different sizes with different folding patterns, in zig-zag folds, the sheets are introduced into a folding system having first, second and third belts (5, 6, 10) which, between the first, second and third belt define a folding gap. The belts are driven, respectively, in selected directions of rotation to fold a sheet in a zig-zag pattern. A control system (35) having a memory (50) with folding patterns stored therein, is responsive to a sheet-length signal derived, for example, from a printer (75). A stepping motor moves a sheet, in accordance with a selected program stored in the memory, to form the fold based on the length of the sheet. Prior to folding sheet a maybe end-for-end a sheet is flung upwardly in a reversing gap (46) whereupon the sheet is transported by paper removal rollers (44, 48) and transport belts (55, 63) to sheet supply rollers (3) of the folding apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of protecting the finished surfaces of a sanitary fixture against damage during installation and construction at an installation site. In general, the method involves installing a removable protective covering over substantially all the finished surfaces of a sanitary fixture, prior to delivering the sanitary fixture to the installation site. Thereafter, the sanitary fixture and the installed protective covering, as a single unit, are delivered to the installation site. After, completion of installation and construction, and removal of the protective covering from the finished surfaces of the sanitary fixture, the finished surfaces thereof are free from damage.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling machines for making bags or sacks severed by welding from continuous tubular or semitubular films of synthetic thermoplastics has at least one pair of pinch rollers for feeding the continuous film. The pinch rollers are driven via a transmission by a first motor. A pair of welding jaws provides the continuous film with seam welds, transverse seam welds or severed transverse seam welds. A second motor actuates the welding jaws via a drive mechanism. A central processing unit controls the motors in such a manner that the motor for the pair of welding jaws is energized at a time when the motor for driving the pair of pinch rollers is still driving the pinch rollers, and after a standstill phase of the motor for driving the pair of pinch rollers the latter motor is energized even before the motor for driving the pair of welding jaws has stopped.

Abstract: A container blank forming machine is disclosed which allows an operator to quickly form container blanks in accordance with operator selected container type and dimensions. The preferred machine includes a framework having a flat stock support bed, selectively activatable and shiftable cutting heads, a computer, and a touch screen monitor. In operation, the computer causes the monitor to display a selection of container types to which the operator responds with a selection and specific finished container dimension data. The operator then enters flat stock into the machine which automatically cuts and scores the flat stock to form a completed container blank in accordance with the container type selection and dimensions provided by the operator.

Abstract: An automatic fold-pan assembly for attachment to a sheet folding machine is provided which includes at least one fold-controlling paper stop disposed in the fold-pan assembly in a space between upper and lower plates. The positioning of the paper stop a predetermined distance from the sheet-entrance mouth of the assembly is controlled by a computer in conjunction with stepper motors which are arranged to direct the forward and rearward movement of the paper stop.

Abstract: Apparatus for imprinting or impressing a sheet of material such as cardboard intended to be made into a die for making a folding box or case, comprises a stamping plate for carrying the sheet and co-operable with a tool. The stamping plate lies on a table plate of a frame structure which has holders for releasably carrying a form which extends parallel to the table plate, and at least one bridge assembly which extends movably above the table plate. A carriage is carried on the bridge assembly and moves transversely with respect to the direction of travel thereof. The carriage carries at least one vertically movable pressure member directed towards the table plate.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus passes a hemmed web through a rotating edge notcher and related units to form a taped hem in the web which is passed through an intermittently operated bag making machine. A web supply unit includes a web take-up unit to maintain a constant tension in the continuously moving web to the bag making machine. The web notches are phased with the bag making machine to locate the notches centrally of each bag. During starting and stopping, the web take-up unit changes the web length moving through the notching unit at normal full web speed operation and the web length variations are minimal. A programmable notch controller actuates a stepper motor to rotate the notcher. The controller responds to a control signal to form a notch. A programmable switch is coupled to the bag making machine to generate a first control signal for each bag cycle and is phased with the full web speed to locate the notch centrally of the bag.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a sheet of material such as cardboard intended for making a folding box or case, comprises a stamping plate for carrying the sheet and co-operable with a tool. The stamping plate lies on a table plate of a frame structure which has holders for releasably carrying a form which extends parallel to the table plate, and at least one bridge assembly which extends movably above the table plate. A carriage is carried on the bridge assembly and moves transversely with respect to the direction of travel thereof. The carriage carries at least one vertically movable pressure member directed towards the table plate.

Abstract: A machine for sealing the top and/or bottom flaps of random size cases is disclosed. The location of the front and rear of cases moved through the machine by a conveyor is continuously monitored by a programmable controller that uses the location information to control the operation of various case alignment, flap folding, and glue-applying mechanisms. Case entry is initially prohibited by a raised gate. When the conveyor reaches a predetermined position the gate is lowered and a case enters the machine. As a case enters the machine, the case is aligned along the center of the case path of travel through the machine; and a T-deck drops to allow the bottom major flaps to separate from the bottom minor flaps. Such separation is necessary for the bottom flaps to be sealed simultaneously with the top flaps. If the bottom flaps are sealed when the case enters the machine, no separation occurs.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a sheet of material such as cardboard intended for making a folding box or case, comprises a stamping plate for carrying the sheet and co-operable with a tool. The stamping plate lies on a table plate of a frame structure which has holders for releasably carrying a form which extends parallel to the table plate, and at least one bridge assembly which extends movably above the table plate. A carriage is carried on the bridge assembly and moves transversely with respect to the direction of travel thereof. The carriage carries at least one vertically movable pressure member directed towards the table plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a necked container are disclosed wherein a sheet material is formed into a generally cylindrical tubular member and the adjacent longitudinally extending edges of the sheet are butt welded. The welded tubular member is progressively necked-in over a dome-shaped surface of a single mandrel provided within the welded tubular member. The free end of the necked end portion of the tubular member is trimmed and curled to form a necked container body.

Abstract: A case sealing machine, wherein the position of cases moving through the machine is continuously monitored by a programmable controller that uses information about case position to control the operation of various flap folding and glue applying mechanisms, is disclosed. Cases are moved through the machine by a chain-driven flight bar conveyor mechanism. Case entry is prevented by a raised gate until the flight bar conveyor mechanism is synchronized. Thereafter, the gate is lowered and a power roller feeds the case into the machine. After entering the machine, a case is pushed through the machine by the flight bar conveyor mechanism. The programmable case sealing machine can be programmed to seal the top and/or bottom of the case. If the bottom is to be sealed, the bottom major flaps of the case are separated from the bottom minor flaps by a T-deck mechanism as the case enters the machine. If the bottom of the case was previously sealed, the T-deck is rendered inoperative by the program.

Abstract: A case set-up and bottom sealing machine, including a programmable controller that controls: (a) the movement of cases from a hopper to a case set-up station and, then, to a mandrel station; (b) the erecting of cases at the case set-up station; (c) the tucking or folding of the bottom minor and major flaps of erected cases at the case set-up station; (d) the application of glue to the bottom flaps during movement from the case set-up station to the mandrel station; and (e) the application of pressure to the bottom flaps to adhere the flaps together at the mandrel station, is disclosed. If the case includes Tab-Lok top flaps, the case set-up and bottom sealing machine can be programmed to fold the Tab-Lok flaps into a position such that the Tab-Lok flaps overlap the sides of the case when the case is erected.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a sheet of material such as cardboard intended for making a folding box or case, comprises a stamping plate for carrying the sheet and co-operable with a tool. The stamping plate lies on a table plate of a frame structure which has holders for releasably carrying a form which extends parallel to the table plate, and at least one bridge assembly which extends movably above the table plate. A carriage is carried on the bridge assembly and moves transversely with respect to the direction of travel thereof. The carriage carries at least one vertically movable pressure member directed towards the table plate.