Abstract: A filling plant for containers and a method for operating the filling plant. At least two separately controllable transport paths for pressureless container transport, each including at least one single-track container buffer, are provided downstream of a filling machine, and the transport paths can, according to requirements, flexibly be charged with containers having a round or non-round cross-section and in the event of a production failure in one of the transport paths at least the other transport path can still be used for production.

Abstract: A method and device for producing bundle packages, in particular bundle packages (10) for cigarettes (cigarette carton 11), wherein a group of packs (12), in particular cigarette packs, is encased in an outer casing (13) to form the bundle package (10), and wherein the packs (12) respectively exhibit a code (19), in particular a barcode, and the group of packs (12) is encased in the outer casing (13) such that the code (19) of the packs (12) is not concealed by the outer casing (13) and that a means (20, 23) for concealing the code of the packs (12), in particular a pre-cut piece (20), such as an (adhesive) label, and a code (21) for the bundle package (10) are subsequently arranged on the bundle package (10).

Abstract: A method of applying a communication member carrying information to a packaging material includes feeding a packaging material in a first direction and applying a communication member to a surface of the packaging material with an adhesive. Both the communication member and the adhesive are simultaneously removable from the packaging material by a user such that substantially no adhesive residue remains on the bag upon communication member removal. A system for applying a communication member on a packaging material that is transported on a packaging material line includes a label applicator and a supply of communication members positioned in communication with the label applicator.

Abstract: A packing method and machine for producing a package, the method including the steps of feeding the content of the package into a first pocket of a first packing conveyor; transferring the content of the package from the first pocket of the first packing conveyor to a second pocket of a second packing conveyor at a first transfer station; feeding a first blank to the second pocket by means of a first feed device; and folding the first blank, in the second pocket, about the content of the package to form a container with a lid.

Abstract: A drug delivery device (1) delivers a stored drug to a conveyance receptacle (T) adapted to be attached with a card (RC) that displays desired information. The drug delivery device (1) includes a transportation unit (P), a card supply unit (70), a card attachment unit (20), and a card preparation unit (50). The transportation unit (P) transports plural conveyance receptacles in a sequential manner. The card supply unit (70) supplies a first card (RC1) to be attached to a first conveyance receptacle (T1) that is first transported among the plural conveyance receptacles (T). The card attachment unit (20) takes out second cards (RC2) from the respective plural conveyance receptacles (T) and attach the taken out second cards to second conveyance receptacles (T2) that are transported after the first conveyance receptacle (T1) respectively. The card preparation unit (50) prepares the first card (RC1) and the second cards (RC2) so as to display patient identification information thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a tag into a bale of agricultural material is disclosed. The tag is inserted into the bale material, during bale production, such that the tag is within the bale material, but within reading distance of an outer surface of the final bale. In square bales, the tag is placed in either the first or last slice of the bale. In round bales, the tag is place in the outer circumferential layer of the bale as it is formed. The tag may be gravity fed or forcibly fed into the stream of crop material as it passes from the baling apparatus pick-up to the baling chamber. A system for identifying and tracking an individual bale is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system to produce rolls of web material includes: a production machine (1) to produce the web material; a winder (3) to form reels (B) of web material coming from the production machine; an unwinder (20) to unwind single reels of web material produced by the winder; a group of tools for longitudinal cutting of the web material to divide the web material into strips, including members to position the tools in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of feed of the web material; a rewinder (22) to rewind the single strips into rolls; a line for packaging (9) the rolls (R); at least one shuttle (11) to transfer groups of rolls formed by the rewinder towards the packaging line; and an information system for integrated management of the system.

Abstract: A container labeling machine gluing apparatus which has a rotatable glue roller and a glue dispenser for dispensing glue onto the glue roller. The apparatus also has a glue thickness adjuster which adjusts the thickness of a glue layer on the glue roller. The glue thickness adjuster comprises a spring element and a glue contact element connected to the spring element, which spring element presses the glue contact element into contact with glue on the glue roller. The glue contact element is disposed upstream of remaining portions of its glue thickness adjuster in the direction of rotation of the glue roller.

Abstract: A strip-pack manufacturing apparatus is adapted to attach an end part of an article to a strip. The strip-pack manufacturing apparatus includes a holding part, first and second rollers, a stopper member and an adjusting part. The holding part is configured and arranged to hold and transport the article to a predetermined attaching position. The first and second rollers are arranged in a receiving position at which the holding part receives the article. The first and second rollers are configured and arranged to rotate while sandwiching the end part of the article therebetween. The stopper member is configured and arranged to control the position of the end part of the article that has been drawn by rotation of the first and second rollers to stop at a predetermined position. The adjusting part is configured and arranged to adjust a distance between rotation axes of the first and second rollers.

Abstract: Beverage bottling or container filling plant having a beverage bottle or container labeling machine, and a beverage bottle or container labeling machine having a vacuum drum. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A packaging machine and a method for the production of packages by the packing of material in packages, with a machine having at least one processing station, such as a sealing station, a cutting station or similar station and a weighing station (8) for determination of the weight of the filled and sealed packages (7), is provided which has less space requirements than conventional packaging machines and improved manipulation. According to the invention, the above is achieved, whereby the weighing station (8) and/or the at least one processing station has a controller, in which the working speed of the weighing station (8) is synchronized with the working speed of the previous processing station.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant, a labeling machine for use in a beverage bottling plant, and a glue application device for use with a labeling machine in a beverage bottling plant.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having bottle plate support tables therein. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A drug delivery device (1) delivers a stored drug to a conveyance receptacle (T) adapted to be attached with a card (RC) that displays desired information. The drug delivery device (1) includes a transportation unit (P), a card supply unit (70), a card attachment unit (20), and a card preparation unit (50). The transportation unit (P) transports plural conveyance receptacles in a sequential manner. The card supply unit (70) supplies a first card (RC1) to be attached to a first conveyance receptacle (T1) that is first transported among the plural conveyance receptacles (T). The card attachment unit (20) takes out second cards (RC2) from the respective plural conveyance receptacles (T) and attach the taken out second cards to second conveyance receptacles (T2) that are transported after the first conveyance receptacle (T1) respectively. The card preparation unit (50) prepares the first card (RC1) and the second cards (RC2) so as to display patient identification information thereon.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material. A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the physical dimensions of the product, calculates the weight of the flexible packaging material needed, and calculates a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material. A printer prints information specific to the product that is being packaged onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material prior to the product being packaged. The information can be a function of the package weight, and the calculated total package weight can be communicated from the microprocessor to the printer. Finally, the product is packaged in the flexible packaging material having the label already affixed thereto.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for processing a plastic container by applying a label to a cap, threading the cap on a bottle, and closing dispensing doors on the cap before a heat shrink label sleeve is applied. The label is applied to the cap in a predetermined orientation with respect to the cap and the cap is threaded onto the bottle by a threader wheel adjacent a starwheel that carries caps and bottles in alignment. The dispenser door is closed by a peg that is urged downwardly into contact with the dispenser door.

Abstract: A cutting device and method for operating a cutting device. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: An air conveyor is positioned on a tabbing machine and includes a housing having an air chamber and a web entry and web exit and air port communicating with the air chamber. An air nozzle assembly is positioned within the air chamber and includes upper and lower nozzle plates that extend across the air chamber and spaced from each other to form a web delivery channel that is aligned with the web entry and web exit. Each of the nozzle plates includes a plurality of air nozzles extending through the nozzle plate and configured to pass pressurized air from the air chamber into the web delivery channel such that a web of material entering the web entry is drawn, for example, by venturi pressure, from the web entry through the web delivery channel and out the web exit.

Abstract: A beverage bottling or container filling plant having a beverage bottle or container labeling machine, and a beverage bottle or container labeling machine. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having bottle plate support tables therein. The bottle plate support tables each have removable and replaceable top plate portions to permit replacement of worn friction linings, or to permit the bottle plate support table to handle bottles or containers of different dimensions or shapes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine for packing food products in a plastic packaging, said machine comprising a device for applying a transponder to the plastic packaging, and a system for data exchange between the transponder and a computer unit and/or a regulating unit, by which means data can be transmitted to the transponder or called therefrom.

Abstract: Beverage bottling or container filling plant having a beverage bottle or container labeling machine, and a beverage bottle or container labeling machine having a vacuum drum. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A method for making a hinge-lid pack of cigarettes, which finds particular application in the manufacture of a pack with rounded or beveled vertical edges having retention means to facilitate consistent lid closure, comprises: positioning an inner frame on a bundle of cigarettes; folding a first end of a blank for a hinge-lid cigarette pack over one end of the bundle of cigarettes to at least partially form the lid of the pack; and moving the inner frame relative to the blank in the direction of the at least partially formed lid. Apparatus for making a hinge-lid pack of cigarettes by folding a blank for a hinge-lid cigarette pack about a bundle of cigarettes having an inner frame thereon, includes means for forming a portion of the blank into the lid of the pack, the apparatus further comprises means for moving the inner frame relative to the blank towards the at least partially formed lid.

Abstract: The packaging method glues or otherwise secures a sheet of shrink wrap film to the bottom of a shipping package or carton. The sheet extends upward on both sides so as to be temporarily attached to the flaps of the shipping carton, typically by dots of glue. After the contents are placed in the shipping carton, the film is folded over the contents. Then a label, typically with a bar code, holds the film in place. The package is scanned to assure that the label is in place, and the package is exposed to a heat tunnel to shrink the shrink wrap film. The flaps of the carton are then sealed in a conventional way.

Abstract: A stamp applicator includes a sizing feature that measures the size of a carton of cigarettes entering the machine. The sizing feature may include sensors that determine both the height and width of a carton of cigarettes. The applicator includes a stamping head and other features that may be adjusted to accommodate cartons of different sizes. The stamp applicator may include sensors that determine if a carton of cigarettes is properly positioned prior to moving the cartons through the machine for further processing.

Abstract: A clipper has a punch movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, a clip rail for feeding a clip into the reciprocating path of the punch, a tag loading window oriented to hold a tag in the reciprocating path of the punch, a die adjacent to the extended position of the punch, a knife movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, the knife having a top side and a bottom side, the reciprocating path of the knife being adjacent to the die, and a tag lifter plate mounted between the die and the reciprocating path of the knife, the tag lifter plate having a top side, the top side being between the top side of the knife and the bottom of the knife when the knife is in the extended position.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles having non-cylindrical inclined surfaces with a liquid beverage filling material. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention is, in one embodiment, an apparatus for placing an insert within a nested group of taco shells. The insert placement apparatus comprises a vertical shaft, a horizontal shaft, a first pillow block, a second pillow block, a vacuum cup, a horizontal timing belt, an air cylinder, and a servomotor. The vacuum cup is adapted to transport the insert. The first pillow block has a bore therethrough for receiving the horizontal shaft. The second pillow block is supported off of the first pillow block and has a bore therethrough for receiving the vertical shaft. The vacuum cup is suspended off of the vertical shaft. The horizontal belt is routed around a drive pulley and a second pulley and is interconnected to the first pillow block. The servomotor is interconnected to the drive pulley. The servomotor causes the timing belt to displace the first pillow block along the horizontal shaft, thereby causing the vacuum cup to displace horizontally.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of bundling bulk items, such as for example papers and magazines, that includes applying a double-sided label to the top and bottom of the material stack, compressing the material stack, applying two binding materials around the material stack, and then relieving the compression on the material stack to allow the binding material to maintain the compression on the bundled material. The binding material, including the double-sided label, can be automatically removed from the bundled material by removing the binding material from the stack of materials and vacuuming the binding material away from the stacked material.

Abstract: A clipper has a punch movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, a clip rail for feeding a clip into the reciprocating path of the punch, a tag loading window oriented to hold a tag in the reciprocating path of the punch, a die adjacent to the extended position of the punch, a knife movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, the knife having a top side and a bottom side, the reciprocating path of the knife being adjacent to the die, and a tag lifter plate mounted between the die and the reciprocating path of the knife, the tag lifter plate having a top side, the top side being between the top side of the knife and the bottom of the knife when the knife is in the extended position.

Abstract: A system for applying a stamp to packs within a carton includes a conveyor system including a plurality of spring arms and a ceiling plate positioned above the spring arms. The system also includes a carton opening system positioned at a first station along the conveyer system, a pack stamping system positioned at a second station along the conveyer system, and a carton closing system positioned at a third station along the conveyor system; wherein the spring arms bias the cartons against the ceiling plate to position the packs at a predetermined distance form the carton opening system, pack stamping system and carton closing system. A method for applying a stamp to packs within a carton includes biasing the carton along a conveyor system, and positioning the packs within the carton at a predetermined location from operation stations based on the biasing.

Abstract: A system for applying a stamp to packs within a carton includes a conveyor drum system including a plurality of clamps and a floor plate positioned adjacent the clamps. The system further includes a carton opening system positioned at a first station along the conveyor drum system, a pack stamping system positioned at a second station along the conveyor drum system, and a carton closing system positioned at a third station along the conveyor drum system. The clamps are opened to receive at least one carton and the floor plate moves upward to position the packs at a predetermined operating distance and wherein the clamps are closed to hold the carton at the predetermined operating distance while the carton is rotated through the carton opening system, pack opening system and carton closing system.

Abstract: The present invention is, in one embodiment, an apparatus for placing an insert within a nested group of taco shells. The insert placement apparatus comprises a vertical shaft, a horizontal shaft, a first pillow block, a second pillow block, a vacuum cup, a horizontal timing belt, an air cylinder, and a servomotor. The vacuum cup is adapted to transport the insert. The first pillow block has a bore therethrough for receiving the horizontal shaft. The second pillow block is supported off of the first pillow block and has a bore therethrough for receiving the vertical shaft. The vacuum cup is suspended off of the vertical shaft. The horizontal belt is routed around a drive pulley and a second pulley and is interconnected to the first pillow block. The servomotor is interconnected to the drive pulley. The servomotor causes the timing belt to displace the first pillow block along the horizontal shaft, thereby causing the vacuum cup to displace horizontally.

Abstract: A method and machine for producing a package with a coupon, whereby a product is fed to a packing station via a feed station, where the coupon is applied on to a top wall of the product; at the packing station, a sheet of packing material is wrapped about the product to enclose both the product and the coupon, and, between the feed station and the packing station, the coupon is subjected to an electric field and charged electrostatically, so as to adhere electrostatically to the product; the electric field is generated by at least one fixed guide, which is parallel to the path so as to face the top wall of the product, and comprises a number of conducting bodies having a high direct voltage with respect to an electric earth.

Abstract: An aim is to provide a bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus which is able to conduct a bag manufacturing at high speed, further to be small in height. A bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus 1 comprises a bag manufacturing unit that includes a transverse sealing mechanism 17 and a strip mounting unit that includes a transfer mechanism 32. The bag manufacturing unit manufactures bags filled with articles. The transfer mechanism 32 transfers bags manufactured by the bag manufacturing unit diagonally downward. The strip mounting unit mounts bags B to a strip S after they are transferred by means of the transfer mechanism 32.

Abstract: In order to produce (cigarette) packs with an insert blank (25) applied within the pack or to the outside of the latter, this insert blank is fixed temporarily by virtue of the pack or pack contents being electrostatically charged in the region of the insert blank (25). The pack is completed while the static charge is active, with the result that, by way of pack blanks, the insert coupon (25) is fixed in the envisaged position by the pack itself.

Abstract: A device for wrapping bales of agricultural produce such as bales of hay, straw or green crop with a film. The bales are completely wrapped with the film and are marked to set forth the quality of the bale as silage and with further information. The information may include the amount of film used to wrap the bale and thus the number of wrapping layers, and the name of the person responsible for wrapping the bale. Electronic devices may be applied to the wrapping film for ascertaining the location of the bale after it has been wrapped by GPS or DGPS. The information can be imprinted directly on the film used for wrapping the bale or on labels applied to the film.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A system and method places a printed label on a bag. A first plurality of rollers can feed one or more bags, and a second plurality of rollers can feed one or more labels. A tamp pad can place the label on the bag.

Abstract: A bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus includes a bag manufacturing unit that tubularly forms a strip film and manufactures a bag filled with articles; a feed roller unit that feeds a strip, to which the bag manufactured by the bag manufacturing unit is mounted; and a mounting unit that mounts the bag to the strip fed by the feed roller unit. The strip is rectilinearly maintained between the feed roller unit and the mounting unit by imparting a bend on the strip in the transverse cross section that intersects a transport pathway of the strip. The object of the present invention is to provide a bag manufacturing and packaging apparatus that, even if the strip to which bags are mounted lacks rigidity, can smoothly feed the strip, automatically thread the strip to the mounting unit, and form appropriate slits in the strip.

Abstract: A device for producing individual metal contact parts for electrical connectors includes a processing machine for processing a semi-finished product to assemble the electrical contact parts as one unit on a strip. The device includes a packaging device connected downstream of the processing machine in the direction of travel of the strip. The packaging device includes an exchangeable storage and transport module such as a spool for receiving a given length of the strip formed by the individual, assembled contact parts. A marking device is mounted between the processing machine and the packaging device. The marking device places an identification on each of the individual contact parts on a length of a strip assigned to the spool. The identification characterizes the strip segment and is different from the identification of other strip segments on other spools. The marking device marks the individual contact parts in the form on an impression.

Abstract: A writing device for display members is provided which can erasably writing patient information on a display member carried on the side of a drug carrier and automatically attach and detach it to and from the carrier. The writing device has an attach/detach/transfer unit for detaching, attaching and transferring a rewrite card to a carrier carrying the rewrite card, and a writing means connected to the attach/detach/transfer means for writing and displaying patient information on the rewrite card. The respective means are controlled based on prescription information to attach and detach the rewrite card to and from the side of the carrier.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for loading a strip of a soft material into a container includes a sleeve member rotatable among first, second and third angular positions. First cylinder unit for pushing the strip of the soft material into the sleeve member at the first angular position. Second cylinder unit for compressing the strip of the soft material in the sleeve member at the second angular position. And a third cylinder unit for pushing the compressed form of the soft material into the container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for covering a flower pot with a sheet of material. The apparatus includes a supporting platform, a pot receiving opening formed through the supporting platform, a forming member concentric with the pot receiving opening, a bonding material applicator, and a printing and/or label applicator. The forming member is designed and disposed such that upon insertion of the flower pot and the sheet of material into the pot receiving opening the forming member presses the sheet of material against an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot. The bonding material applicator is designed or disposed so as to apply a bonding material to the sheet of material for bonding the sheet of material to the flower pot. The printing and/or label applicator is designed and disposed so as to apply printing and/or a label to the sheet of material.

Abstract: The invention comprises an insert delivery system for use with an automated packaging machine. Preferably, the system is used to include coupons and the like with products being automatically packaged, such as sliced loaf bread. The system may comprise an insert delivery tray, card conveyor, or carousel and magazine combination, a feeder mechanism, and an insert placer configured to select an insert from the tray, conveyor, or magazine. Preferably, the insert placer includes a vacuum system and moves linearly. Additionally, the feeder mechanism may be positioned either perpendicularly, or parallel, to the scoop assembly, so as to feed an insert onto the scoop assembly at various points along the path of the scoop. The invention also comprises methods of using the system.

Abstract: In order to feed tablet vessels in with simple and low-cost construction, there is provided a vessel holder member (76) having fork-like support portions (78). The vessel holder member (76) is capable of linearly reciprocating between a vessel supporting position and a tablet receiving position. At the vessel supporting position, the vessel holder member (76) receives a tablet vessel (11) fed from a vessel feed section 3 and a flange of the tablet vessel (11) is supported by the support portions (78). At a tablet receiving position, the tablets fed from the tablet feed section (2) are contained in the tablet vessel (11).

Abstract: A writing device for display members is provided which can erasably writing patient information on a display member carried on the side of a drug carrier and automatically attach and detach it to and from the carrier. The writing device has an attach/detach/transfer unit for detaching, attaching and transferring a rewrite card to a carrier carrying the rewrite card, and a writing means connected to the attach/detach/transfer means for writing and displaying patient information on the rewrite card. The respective means are controlled based on prescription information to attach and detach the rewrite card to and from the side of the carrier.