Abstract: A method and apparatus that makes provision for two identical folding machines to be arranged one beside the other, and for these to be operated synchronously, so that the large operating width which is necessary for ironing large laundry items, in particular transversely, is also available for folding such laundry items. If large laundry items are to be ironed, and folded, in particular transversely, this requires ironers and folding machines with an appropriately large operating width. Such large operating widths currently cannot be realized technologically in folding machines.

Abstract: A blank for hinged-lid packets for smoking articles comprises four panels extending side by side in pairs along a direction perpendicular to a direction of longitudinal extension of the packets obtainable from the blank; the blank is foldable along folding lines made between the pairs of panels and parallel to said direction of longitudinal extension, and an upper portion of one of the four panels is integral, on the outside of the selfsame four panels, with a portion forming the hinged lid of the respective packet. Also described is a method for making hinged-lid packets for smoking articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately performing multiple tasks on a web of material are described herein. The method and apparatus include at least a first detector for detecting a detectable feature on the web of material for performing a first operation at a first location on the web of material, and a second detector for detecting a detectable feature on the web of material for performing a second operation at a second location on the web of material. The method and apparatus further include an automated compensating device that cooperates at least indirectly with the detectors. The compensating device reduces any variations in position along the length of the web of material between at least one of said first locations and/or said second locations.

Abstract: A multiple laser-beam scanner system for applying pre-treatment to a cardboard item. While maintaining a substantially uniform velocity of conveying the cardboard item through the system, the cardboard item is logically divided into areas and one or more laser-beam scanners are assigned to the areas. As such, the complex areas of the cardboard can be made smaller and/or multiple laser-beam scanners can be assigned to the complex areas to help ensure that dwell time on the cardboard is not increased.

Abstract: A personalized packaging production system includes an in-feed tray, an out-feed tray, a cutting table disposed intermediate the in-feed tray and the out-feed tray and an interchangeable cutting/creasing assembly. A sheet feeder is positioned between the in-feed tray and the cutting table to feed media sheets from the in-feed tray to the cutting table, and an exit nip is positioned between the out-feed tray and the cutting table to remove media sheets from the cutting table to the out-feed tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lower sealing and cutting device for tubular material packaging, and more particularly relates to a packaging device of pillow-type packaging. Compared with other pillow-type packaging methods for tubular material, the existing pillow-type packaging method for flaky materials has the disadvantages of wasting material which affects appearance, increased the price, adding additional working procedures, increased energy consumption, and high labor costs. The present invention is to provide a lower sealing and cutting device for tubular material packaging in which a new open-end is automatically formed and always kept in an opened state, while one by one a plurality of tubular materials form a packaging bag. According to the present invention, the open-end of the tubular material penetrates from the underside to the upside of the inner support pit, wherein the inner support with an upward top-end is within the tubular material.

Abstract: An inclined position of a product, leaving a nip between two folding rollers of a longitudinal folding machine, is corrected. The product is pressed into the nip between the rollers by a folding blade that can be moved up and down relative to a folding table. The product thus leaves the nip between the rollers and is transported in a direction of transport. The time of passage of a leading or a trailing edge of a product is detected at two measurement points which are spaced apart from each other and which are arranged transversely to the direction of transport of the product to be folded. Based on the times of passage that are detected by the two measurement points, and on commutation and/or data processing techniques, a deviation between a time offset detected during the passage of the corresponding product edge at the two measurement points, and a nominal time offset, is determined and analyzed.

Abstract: A folder gluer or folding-box gluer includes a Braille embossing monitoring device that evaluates Braille embossments at least with regard to position, height and volume. Data are passed on to a control device that controls a distance between a male die and a female die and/or a position of the male die and the female die relative to a folding box on a basis of signals being supplied. A method for controlling individual processing stations inside a folder gluer or folding-box gluer during the manufacture of folding boxes, is also provided.

Abstract: An inspection module for flat, sheet-shaped material made of paper, board or the like, includes an inspection system disposed below a sheet transport plane. The sheets are transported by contacting upper and lower conveying elements of at least one upper and one lower conveying device, at least one of which is connected to a drive. The lower conveying device is divided and is formed of at least two conveying devices with a gap formed therebetween. The inspection system is disposed in the gap. A folder gluer or folding-box gluer having an inspection module is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making bags is disclosed. It includes receiving a film and imparting a plurality of successive seals to the film to form bags. The location of the imparted seals is determined by monitoring at least two sensors. A plurality of perforations are imparted to the film at locations relative to a corresponding seal in response to the determination. The position of a perforator such as rotary position, of a knife may be controlled in response to determining the location. The seals may be formed by a rotary drum, and the perforation by a rotary knife. The sensors may be at the same or different cross machine direction and/or machine direction locations. Startup may include adjusting and recording the position of a prior perforation relative to a prior corresponding seal, and using that recording as a base relative location in another embodiment.

Abstract: In the production of packs with outer wrappers which have a tear-open strip (12), the latter of continuous material strips (18), for the purpose of severing the tear-open strips (12), are provided with printing, markings (24), etc. Moreover, the film webs (13) from which the outer wrappers are made also are preferably provided with markings, printing or printed marks (25). Sensing elements help to detect the relative positions of the tear-open strip (12) and the film webs (13) on account of the printing and the drive of the film web (13) and/or of the material strip (18) is controlled accordingly.

Abstract: An adjustable, web-folding system for folding a web substrate. The adjustable web folding system has an adjustable folding detour and at least one sensor for measuring a characteristic of a web substrate. A surface of the adjustable folding detour, or the folding detour, is adjustable in response to the value of the characteristic of the web substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be used for the automatic handling of sheets from which leaflets are formed and which includes a transfer unit for conveying sheets, an accumulator station disposed adjacent the transfer unit and being adapted to receive sheets from the transfer unit and to accumulate the sheets in a stack, a sensor associated with the accumulator station and being adapted to generate a signal indicative of whether the height of the stack of sheets in the accumulator station is at least equal to a minimum height, a sheet feeder adapted to periodically remove sheets from the stack of sheets at a substantially constant rate and a control mechanism operatively coupled to the sensor and the sheet feeder.

Abstract: A plastic bag making machine which includes a web sensor, a push station, a sealing and cutting station, and a wicketer and stacking station has its punch apparatus is carried on a punch carriage movable in a direction transverse to the web feed direction and its conveyor carrier on a conveyor carriage movable in such transverse direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion network includes a supervisory controller linked to a plurality of cushioning conversion machines which convert sheet-like stock material into a dunnage product, each machine including a controller for controlling the operation of the machine in accordance with instructions received from the supervisory controller.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for sensing the position of the top of a stack of material in a stacking apparatus. The mechanism includes, a hub assembly, an arm, a stop, a torsion device that biases the arm toward the stop, a first trigger and a second trigger. The hub assembly has a hollow center portion configured to accept a shaft that is rotatably and driveably mounted to a stacking apparatus. The hub assembly includes a hub having a first form and a second form each mounted to a respective hub end. The arm has a first end pivotally mounted to the first form, and a second end configured to removably contact the stack of paper. The first trigger is configured to trigger a height sensor. The height sensor is mounted to the stacking apparatus, and the height sensor is configured to provide a first signal to a central processing unit to lower a collection table when the arm triggers the height sensor. The stop is mounted to the first form below the arm, the stop configured to stop the pivoting movement of the arm.

Abstract: A bag-making apparatus is configured for automatic positioning of a plurality of attachments of the apparatus which are in operative association with a web of bag-making material. The adjustment apparatus is configured to effect conjoint translational movement of the plurality of attachments along an attachment bed of the apparatus thus providing highly accurate and automated positioning of the attachments attendant to changes in print repeat length of the web. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a pivotably mounted lever arm which extends generally along the length of the attachment bed, with a system of gear racks operatively interconnected with the lever arm for effecting conjoint translational movement of the attachments. Automatic controls of the arrangement effect automated adjustment during dwell or stop periods of bag making, and also facilitate reconfiguration of the apparatus for making bags of differing print repeat lengths.

Abstract: A folding device includes one folding station in which a sheet can be folded zig-zag consecutively along a first dimension and in a second direction at right angles to said first dimensions. A control device automatically sets the folding device to a first folding program intended for folding an unfolded sheet, or a second folding program intended for folding a sheet already folded in one direction.

Abstract: The blanks (1) are withdrawn one after another from a storage part (20) by transfer means (21) and are disposed on the cylindrical support surface of a drum (3) driven rotatingly by portions of a revolution. Various processing operations are performed on the blanks either while the drum is rotating or while it is stopped, e.g., folding a flap (16), gluing this flap to a surface portion (15) of the blank, or printing a code (17) on part of the blank. The presence, correct positioning, and proper alignment of the blank on the drum are checked before the aforementioned operations are carried out. After they have been effected, the blank is withdrawn from the drum to be sent on to a packaging machine. The processing apparatus and method can be utilized on a line for processing boxes or the like, particularly cigarette boxes, just before they are assembled to receive their contents.

Abstract: A tray forming machine, including a programmable controller that controls: (a) the movement of tray blanks from a hopper (41) to a conveyor (73) that moves trays from a hopper station (31) through a glue station (33) to a mandrel station (35); (b) the application of glue to tray blanks (43) moved by the conveyor (73) through the glue station (33); and, (c) the formation of the tray blanks (43) into trays at the mandrel station (35), is disclosed. The programmable controller controls the operation of the tray forming machine in accordance with operator instructions, which include tray length, glue pattern length, margin distance and mandrel dwell time, plus on/off instructions regarding glue application and glue format (stitch or continuous). The readily changeable operator inserted instructions are entered via a control/display unit (135), which displays information about the function and changes being made when the instructions are being entered.

Abstract: Box blanks produced from a moving web by a paperboard corrugator are shingled on a stacker conveyor. The corrugator includes a shear which severs the web in response to a production run change signal into leading and trailing portions. A cut-off machine cuts the severed web portions into the box blanks. Box blanks cut from the leading portion of the severed web are part of the old production run. Box blanks cut from the trailing portion of the severed web are part of the new production run. The leading edge of the trailing portion of the severed web is tracked to the cut-off machine. The trailing edge of the first full size box blank of the new production run is detected at a first position relative to the stacker conveyor. The trailing edge of the first full size box blank is then tracked to a second position on the stacker conveyor. When the trailing edge of the first full size box blank reaches the second position, a command signal is generated.