Abstract: A system and method for order packing forms a mixed pallet or a mixed multi-pack. In this system, a first embodiment utilizes a high volume module, a low volume module, a sorting and packing module, a prepackage module and a mixed palletizer module for picking, sorting, packaging and palletizing articles. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a bulk load can be fed via a carrousel to a bank of elevators. A transfer device will load different levels of the elevators which can then be moved adjacent a discharge conveyor. A lane is provided in this discharge conveyor for each of the elevators in the bank of elevators. The different levels of the elevators are positioned adjacent the lanes and can discharge articles onto the conveyor in order to form groups of the same or different types of articles. Many different types of articles including beverage containers such as cans, bottles or beverage boxes can use this system.

Abstract: A straw attaching apparatus for attaching straws to beverage-filled sheet bags, the apparatus comprising a transportation means for transporting the beverage-filled sheet bags, a supply means for supplying a straw stripe to the beverage-filled sheet bags, and a pressing means for respectively pressing a straw to a beverage-filled sheet bag, and a corresponding method. A second supply means is provided for supplying a second straw stripe, with a control unit matching the speeds and operational sequences of the transportation means of the first and second supply means such that the first supply means attaches straws to the first, third, fifth . . . sheet bag supplied, and the second supply means attaches straws to the second, fourth, sixth . . . sheet bag supplied.

Abstract: A drug filling machine has a plurality of feeders containing a plurality of different kinds of drugs. A plurality of drugs are discharged from one or some or the feeders into a vial. A sealing unit is provided for sealing the mouth of the vial with a transparent sheet. The sealing unit includes a sheet presser for pushing the transparent sheet into the mouth of the vial to form a sealing sheet having a tray-shaped section, a cutter for cutting the transparent sheet into a predetermined shape, and a heater for fusing the transparent sheet to the top end of the vial to seal the mouth of the vial.

Abstract: In a commissioning system (1) comprising at least one central belt (3) for receiving products to be taken from a stock (16) by commissioners and to be assembled according to an order, and a conveying installation (8) to move away in collecting containers (9) the products transferred at a transfer site (3a) at the end of the central belt (3), containers (14) are adjacently arranged below the central belt (3) to receive the products, and a pre-determined number of the adjacently arranged containers (14) each define a respective commissioning region (B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3, . . . B.sub.n) for a commissioner (A to F), a pre-determined number of product types on stock (16) is associated to each commissioning region (B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3, . . . B.sub.n), and at least one of the commissioning regions neighboring a respective commissioning region forms a supplementary commissioning region to that commissioning region.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons has a carton conveyor including an endless series of carton conveying elements in which adjacent carton conveying elements are carried in similar but independent first and second endless series, the first endless series being adjustable relative to the second endless series so that the spacing between adjacent conveying elements can be varied in accordance with the size of a carton to be processed through the machine, the first and second endless series being adapted to operate in synchronism during processing of cartons through the machine.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a caser for quickly organizing variously sized containers into a plurality of predetermined patterns and then simultaneously filling an equal plurality of individual cases with that predetermined number of products. The caser of the present invention includes two parallel in-feed conveyors each delivering a single file continuous stream of containers to a loading area. Clamp and sensor means provide for regulating a predetermined number of containers into a pattern forming area from each conveyor. After a pattern is formed by an alternating pusher means that provides for pushing the group of containers either right or left to a position over one of two loading areas. Each loading area includes trap door means and a gripper head assembly. Each gripper head assembly includes a plurality of gripper heads each for gripping one of the plurality of patterns of containers. The gripper heads provide for gripping the containers and lowering them into cases after the trap door means open.

Abstract: A cap-folding and sealing machine for common or retrieved cartons includes a table, a folding device, a first cap frame, a second cap frame, and a double sealing device. The folding device includes upper swing rod units, a side pressing unit, and a folding guiding arm for swinging and folding a front cap, a rear cap, and two side caps with help of the first cap frame after a carton is moved into the table. Then the carton is moved into the second cap frame and the double sealing device, which seals the upper and the lower side with adhesive tapes by means of two pairs of upper main and lower main sealing members of the double sealing device. The two pairs of the sealing members alternately perform sealing operation so that sealing may be kept on continuously without stopping the machine for replacing adhesive tapes even when used up or ripped off.

Abstract: The system involves the use of shallow boxes having an integral base and lid, with the lid being foldable down to close the box as part of the automated packaging of stacks of sheets of labels or other sheet material. The system involves one or more accumulators having buffering capability between sheet stackers and the cartoning equipment. The lids may be scored and subject to a pre-breaking step so that their three layer construction may be readily formed into boxes in the course of the packaging process.

Abstract: In a drug packaging device which can shorten the drug packaging time. The opening of a bag is sealed with a transverse sealing unit and a longitudinal sealing unit. The time when the sealing is started and the sealing speed are varied according to the type of drug to be packaged in the bag. For drugs that take a longer time to be fed into the bag and settle in the bag, the seal starting time is delayed and the sealing speed is slowed. As a whole, it is possible to shorten the packaging time, while eliminating the possibility of incomplete packaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging cans or tubes which arrive from a conveying station and which are placed into a packaging fixture. The cans are moved in the packaging fixture to a packaging station and are together removed from the packaging fixture in the form of a dense package and are provided with common packaging. The cans are then passed on to the next following processing station. Using interchangeable packaging modules, the cans or tubes are selectively filled into a box or are provided with a hoop. In the process, the packaging material is brought to the packaging station in a delivery plane which extends vertically with respect to a direction of delivery of the cans or tubes from out of the packaging fixture. The box to be filled is delivered by a box carrier which is movable in the delivery plane, to the packaging station, and is there taken over by a suction gripper.

Abstract: A packaging machine has belts for clamping both side edges of a film pulled out selectably from either of two film rolls and transporting it accordingly in either direction to a packaging station. Its film supplying apparatus includes a plurality of sensors capable of detecting both presence and absence of a film. They are disposed at both ends of the belts and each sensor is adapted to output a warning signal when either the presence or absence of a film is detected thereby, depending whether it is at the downstream or upstream end of the belt with respect to the direction of film being transported thereby.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles such as beverage containers (c) or the like into cartons (ct) has a carton conveyor (14) including a pair of like conveying assemblies (16, 18), one or both of the assemblies being useable to convey cartons through the machine dependent upon the size of the cartons. The conveying assemblies are adjustable with respect to each other transversely of the machine direction, and carton supporting structure (70, 72) is mounted so as to be retractable from an operative position between the assemblies to partially support a carton when the assemblies are disposed relatively far apart, to a retracted non-operative position when the assemblies are disposed relatively close together.

Abstract: A tablet dispenser having a control unit which can eliminate the possibility of erroneously putting tablets in a wrong tablet storage space. The tablet dispenser has a tablet storage unit and a packing unit. Tablets designated by drug information are dropped from the tablet storage unit. When tablets in any of a plurality of tablet storage cells in the tablet storage unit run short, tablets are manually supplied into this cell by opening its cover. Before supplying tablets, the control unit reads a code on the tablet container with a bar code reader, compares this code with a code that represents tablets to be supplied into the above particular cell, and indicates on a display if these codes coincide. An operator checks the display to see if the codes coincide, and if they do, the operator then supplies tablets in the tablet container into the particular cell.

Abstract: A drug packaging machine which can provide patients with information of any drug which cannot be packaged in a drug bag if prescribed drugs include such a drug. If prescribed drugs include a drug which cannot be packaged in a drug bag, an empty bag is formed at a position corresponding to the order in which this particular drug is to be taken, and the data for taking this particular drug is printed on the empty bag. A patient can thus take all of his or her necessary drugs simply by following the order in which the drug bags are series-connected.

Abstract: A capsule handling system is formed of a loader component and an opener/encapsulater component. The system can handle different sized capsules, and has interchangeable parts so that a compounding pharmacist can conveniently produce a variety of distinct filled capsules, on the order of a prescribing medical professional to meet the unique needs of patients.

Abstract: A system for collecting prescribed injection ampules. In this system, it is possible to collect any ampules that cannot be collected from an automatic ampule dispenser with high efficiency. An ampule collecting apparatus has a tray supply unit for supplying trays. The trays supplied from the tray supply unit are sent into an ampule dispenser by an elevator unit and a conveyor unit, and moved downward in the dispenser by the downward conveyor unit. While the trays are being fed in the dispenser, ampules are put in the respective trays. The trays then exit the dispenser and stacked by the tray stacker. A drug name list is put in each tray. Of the ampules that are specified in a prescription, those which have not been collected from the ampule dispenser are highlighted on the list. Thus, a pharmacist can instantly see which ampules are not in the tray and can collect the missing ampules from a separate shelf.

Abstract: A medication packaging apparatus for packaging solid medications specified by prescriptions at a hospital, pharmacy, etc. The medication packaging apparatus is equipped with: a plurality of tablet cases which hold solid medications separately by type; a turntable which is located under the tablet cases and which turns to receive and gather the medications at the outer periphery thereof by the centrifugal force thereof; a guide which is formed around the turntable and which has a dispensing port; and a heat sealing mechanism for forming a roll of thermally weldable packaging paper into small bags in succession. The mechanism for collecting the medications which have been released from the tablet cases can be made thinner and therefore, the entire medication packaging apparatus can be made smaller.

Abstract: A compact disc packaging machine is disclosed for packaging trays, compact discs, booklets and inlay cards in a variety of different sized containers. The compact disc machine is compact in size and its primary functions are mechanically driven. Pneumatics are only used on approximately 10 percent of the machine functions. Because the components are within the easy reach of an operator, the compact disc packaging machine is operated without requiring the operator to circle the machine. Feeders and magazines provide supplies of trays, booklets, inlay cards and compact discs to the machine. The compact disc magazine uses multiple spindles to allow one spindle to be active while the other spindle is replaced. A pick-and-place mechanism lifts the inlay cards, booklets, trays and compact discs and positions them in an intermediate centering positions and then into compact disc boxes. Sensors are used to verify the existence and placement of those items in the boxes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easily adjusted device for packing cartons or uniformly sized packages into a larger container for shipment. The device includes a telescoping stacking chamber with a telescoping base plate member having sensors for detecting a full layer, a raising means for lifting the telescoping base plate member, telescoping retaining clips for retaining a lifted layer, a sensor for determining when the stacking chamber is filled, a telescoping pushing plate assembly for ejecting the stack of cartons to a waiting case, and a telescoping outflow port. The apparatus may be mechanically individually adjusted in each of the foregoing aspects to accommodate cartons and cases of various sizes, or may be centrally controlled for adjustment by servomotors to preset measurements at the push of a button. A control device oversees operation of the entire unit.

Abstract: A system for configuring a stack of layers of boxes to fill an enclosed compartment or cargo space in sequential stack positions according to measurements of the compartment as stored by a computer and the box layer height as determined by the computer. The computer calculates the maximum height of the stack and each predetermined stack location within the cargo space necessary to fill the enclosed cargo space and, through a programmable logic controller, directs a delayering clamp to index itself relative to a stack of boxes, and then removes as many boxes as necessary from the stack. The remaining layers of boxes in the stack are then fed to a stretch-wrap station where the remaining layers of the stack are rotated while the stretch wrap is being applied. The stretch-wrapped stack is then transferred to a station for holding for a forklift or other device to take it into the enclosed cargo area and stack it.

Abstract: A drug packaging device having a shutter provided in a guide path which can prevent drugs from rebounding from the shutter once they land on the shutter so that they can settle on the shutter as quickly as possible. The shutter is made up of a plate-shaped body made from a soft, flexible silicone resin, and a Teflon resin coating layer formed on the body. Such a shutter can absorb shocks when drugs land on the shutter and prevent them from rebounding when they land on the shutter. Thus, drugs stabilize quickly after they land on the shutter.

Abstract: The invention relates a loading and unloading device for x-ray film cassettes, said device being further developed in such a way that a number of exposed x-ray films having different formats can be haphazardly delivered to a storage place, and in such a way that the filling height (H) as well as the number of x-ray films in storage can be reliably measured. For this purpose, a light-tight storage magazine is positioned in the film conveyor track of the loading and unloading device, said magazine being provided with a single sensor which measures the number of films introduced into, and the height (H) of the stack of films present in the magazine.

Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.

Abstract: A medication filling apparatus improves workability in filling a predetermined container with medications and also shortens the time required for medication filling. The medication filling apparatus is equipped with tablet cases for containing medications separately by type, a dispensing and counting device for dispensing the medications from the tablet cases and counting the dispensed medications, a turntable and guide for collecting the medications dispensed from the tablet cases, and a holder for filling a vial with the medications.

Abstract: An automated system for individual dosage medication distribution 10 is provided. The system 10 includes a medium rate dispenser 20, a fast rate dispenser 30, a low rate dispenser 40, a conveyor 50, a diverter 60, a bagger 70, and collection bins 80 and 85. The dispensers 20, 30, and 40 are arranged to be able to deliver individual dosage packages of drugs to the conveyor 50. The conveyor 50, in turn, is configured to transport individual dosage packages to the bagger 70 or the collection bin 85. A programmable controller 12 receives patient prescription order information from health care providers and directs the dispensers 20, 30, and 40, conveyor 50, diverter 60, and bagger 70 to automatically pick the prescribed medication dosage unit, place it in a transportable package, and label the package for the health care personnel.

Abstract: An apparatus (5) for packaging generally granular materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a structural framework (7) on which a feed hopper (8) is mounted, the feed hopper being supplied with the material to be packaged, and storing the material therein. A fill hopper assembly (11) is supported on the framework with respect to the feed hopper, and has a spaced pair of fill hoppers (31, 32) received thereon. As spaced pair of discharge chutes (15, 16) are also supported on the framework, and are offset with respect to the feed hopper. Each one of the fill hoppers is alternately moved into alignment with the feed hopper and into alignment with one of the discharge chutes, respectively, in reciprocable fashion on the framework.

Abstract: A handling apparatus has a bundling apparatus, which stacks and bundles each predetermined number of securities from which information is detected by a discriminating section. The bundling apparatus includes a stacking plate for stacking the securities thereon and a rotatable sweeper for moving the stacked securities together with the stacking plate in a manner such that the securities are held between the sweeper and the plate. In a bundling position, a bunch of securities held on the stacking position is curved by a curving device, and is then wound and bundled with a band by of a bundling mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling foundry cores comprises a conveyor (4) operating between a removal station (1) of a core shooting machine (2) and a transfer station (3), a packing assembly (5) having at least one first manipulator (6) and adhesive applicators (8), and an adjoining dip bath (9), if need be, as well as a subsequent drying oven (10). To automatically and rapidly assemble even complex core packs (20) with the least possible equipment, the apparatus is designed and constructed such that the packing assembly (5) is supplied, the via transfer station (3), with cores (11) from at least two core shooting machines (2), and the first manipulator (6) serves to grip and deposit or stack the cores (11), and that the cores (11) may be placed, one on top of the other, on a carriage (15) or a running gear.

Abstract: A process for storing sheet-like products occurring continuously, in particular in an imbricated formation, in particular printed products such as newspapers, periodicals and the like, in the case of which process the sheet-like products are wound up on, and/or unwound from, a main roll, a first number of the products being wound up on, and/or unwound from, a first main roll (4) and a second number of the products being wound up on, and/or unwound from, a second main roll which is assigned to the first main roll.

Abstract: An order selection system is disclosed together with a method of operating the system for retrieving multiple types of items stored in preselected storage locations and delivering retrieved items in an orderly sequence to a plurality of packing stations in accordance with the specific requirements of different orders. The order selection system comprises: a dispenser; a conveyor; a dispensing control system; a sorter; a plurality of stacking devices; and identifying means to identify the end of each order.

Abstract: An integrated and automated case packing device and method is disclosed. The device and method uses multiple stations to: separate a flattened case from a supply of such cases, detect whether the case in an A or B-type case, open the case according to the type of case, place a predetermined number of imbricated articles into a group standing on edge, move that group under the erected case, place the case over the stationary group, close the flaps to the case, and move the case downstream to a case invertor.

Abstract: In an automated prescription pill dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers are provided each operable to count out and dispense pills from supply hoppers. The dispensers are controlled by a computer which selects up to five of the dispensers to operate and control the selected pill dispensers to count out pills simultaneously. The pill dispensers dispense the pills into the first set of output hoppers, from which the pills can be released into a second output hopper under the control of the computer. The computer will release the pills from the second output hopper corresponding to a selected pill dispenser through a snout into a pill vial in response to sensing the presence of a pill vial at the snout. The computer controls a prescription label printer to print prescription labels for the pill vials. The computer also controls indicator lights to indicate which dispensing cell is selected and ready to have pills released from the second output hopper corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A device and a method for continuously packing tablets in which the refilling of tablets can be done without stopping the device. The tablet packing machine has a case housing a plurality of tablet feeders. The case is also provided with backup tablet feeders and backup discharge channels through which tablets discharged from the backup tablet feeders are dropped into a hopper in the tablet packing machine. The backup tablet feeders are filled with tablets beforehand. When the stock of tablets in one or some of the tablet feeders decreases to a predetermined level, the backup tablet feeders containing the same kind or kinds of tablets are activated to discharge tablets from these backup feeders. Thus, it is possible to continuously discharge tablets and thus to pack tablets continuously without interruption.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an output stream of mutually different graphic products in a desired order, for instance sorted according to address code, wherein the products are assembled in an assembly line as desired by an addressee and/or a sender, and after the assembly line the product undergoes at least one additional operation, depending upon the desire of the addressee and/or sender, for which purpose the product stream is divided over at least two sublines in which the or each additional operation, such as for instance packaging, is carried out, whereafter the products are merged again in a single downstream line, characterized in that, for the purpose of avoiding buffers, the order of the products (2) that are formed in the assembly line (3) is such that, allowing for the desired additional operations in the sublines (9, 10), the products, after traversing the sublines, have acquired the desired order in the downstream line (14, 15), while the products in the sublines (9, 10) can be temporarily delayed and

Abstract: To simplify the operation of an input unit of a filling apparatus and achieve accurate filling of packaging containers with a liquid food. The filling apparatus includes a read-out unit which reads out packaging material information from a magnetic recording medium layer mounted on the packaging material, a sealing unit for sealing the packaging material, and a filling unit for charging the liquid food supplied thereto. Also included is a filling unit controller, which outputs control signals to the sealing unit and the filling unit in accordance with a predetermined program based on the packaging material information and liquid information sent from the read-out unit. The filling apparatus reads out necessary packaging material information from the magnetic recording medium layer at the time of filling, and charges the liquid food in accordance with the packaging material information and liquid information, and seals the packaging material.

Abstract: A drug packing apparatus capable of packing drug efficiently irrespective of the distances between a drug packing position and drug storage positions. Drugs dropped from one of a plurality of feeders in one of a plurality of feeder units are stopped by a first intermediate impeller. The drugs are then dropped onto a second intermediate impeller, and then into a discharge hole in a hopper and stopped by a hopper cover. By opening the hopper cover, the drugs on the hopper cover drop into the folded packing sheet. By rotating heater rollers by 180.degree., a pouch is formed with the drugs packed therein.

Abstract: A medicine packing apparatus includes medicine storage shelves for storing a large number of medicine containers having medicines contained therein, and a comparatively small number of medicine feeders on each of which one of the large number of medicine containers is set for feeding medicine in a quantity conforming to a prescription. Store location memory means and set location memory means are provided which respectively memorize data on the store location of each individual medicine in the storage shelves and data on set location of the medicine in the feeders. If a medicine container corresponding to a prescription is not present in the set location, a search is made in the storage shelves, and then the searched location of the medicine is indicated accordingly. When a medicine container taken out from the storage shelves is set on one of the feeders, an identification device provided on the medicine container is read by a reader, and data on the set location is stored into a set location memory.

Abstract: An automatic package wrapping machine wraps a box of arbitrary size. The box is placed in the machine following which all operations are automatic. As the box is automatically advanced to a ready-to-wrap position, its length, width and height are automatically measured. Paper is withdrawn from a roll supply and automatically cut to a size calculated to wrap the box. The paper is automatically applied to wrap four sides of the box without causing the box to tilt or tumble. The ends are then automatically processed by folding and sealing of flaps, whereupon a neatly wrapped box is ejected from the machine.

Abstract: In an automatic prescription dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers dispensing the pills of different prescriptions are arranged in columns and rows. A conveyer organizes open and labeled pill bottles in columns corresponding to the columns of the pill dispensers and carries the columns of pill bottles severally past and beneath the pill dispensers in the array. The pill bottles are carried in bottle carriers which in turn are carried by pallets on a conveyer. When a pill bottle gets to a pill dispenser containing the pills to be dispensed for the prescription of a pill bottle, the pills are released from the dispenser into the pill bottle, whereby a plurality of pill bottles passing under the array of dispensers are filled simultaneously. The pill dispensers count the pills out one at a time and accumulate the pills of a prescription before the pill bottle to receive such prescription reaches the dispenser and then releases the pills en masse into the pill bottle.

Abstract: An automatic package wrapping machine wraps a box of arbitrary size. The box is placed in the machine following which all operations are automatic. As the box is automatically advanced to a ready-to-wrap position, its length, width and height are automatically measured. Paper is withdrawn from a roll supply and automatically cut to a size calculated to wrap the box. The paper is automatically applied to wrap four sides of the box without causing the box to tilt or tumble. The ends are then automatically processed by folding and sealing of flaps, whereupon a neatly wrapped box is ejected from the machine.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine designed to use reels of web material, in particular a packaging machine for packaging cigarettes, or the like, in which the processing units are located at least in part on one side of the machine, termed the front side. On the opposite side from the front side, i.e. from that provided at least in part with the processing units which use the web material, is a device for supplying new web reels to and removing the empty cores of the reels from a device for transferring the reels and cores. The transfer means are supported in such a way that they can be moved automatically from the rear side to the front side and vice versa, through at least one corresponding passage approximately perpendicular to the sides of the manufacturing machine.

Abstract: The device implementing the method for packaging fragile, delicate food products according to the invention comprises a transfer and placement module (13) for transferring products (14) directly from a supply belt (15) onto the supply belt of the following packaging unit or onto a transverse belt (11) perpendicular to the supply belt. To accomplish this the module comprises an endless conveyor belt extending into an orientable, extendible tip (19) which receives and places products (14) on the transverse belt (11). The supply belt (15) has one movable extremity (17) which serves as a switching means between the transverse belt (11) and the following supply belt (15).

Abstract: In a plant for making and packaging cigarettes, comprising a plurality of cigarette-making machines and a plurality of machines for packaging cigarettes in packs, the makers and packers are combined in a number of modules. The output sides of the modules comprising makers and the input sides of the modules comprising packers are arranged in side-by-side relationship and face a central transport track on which driverless, remotely controlled transport vehicles circulate in one direction. Furthermore, there is provided at least one store which is situated at the transport system with at least an input and an output side and which serves as a buffer between the makers and the packers. The transport system is completely isolated from other transport systems with which packaging materials are supplied to the various modules.

Abstract: A system for producing and packing tobacco items, particularly cigarettes, wherein two packing machines are supplied with items by at least as many production machines, and wherein the outputs of the production machines are connected to one another by a conveyor channel for conveying the items and from which extend input channels connecting the conveyor channel to the individual packing machines; the items being fed along the conveyor channel by means of reversible conveyors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the mix of articles in a plurality of containers. A first set of containers is conveyed to a mixing station, each container of the first set of containers containing a plurality of articles having physical characteristics differing from the physical characteristics of the plurality of articles in the other containers of the first set of containers. A second set of containers is transported to the mixing station, each of the containers of the second set of containers defining a space for accommodating a layer of articles. At the mixing station, articles are removed from each of the containers of the first set of containers, consolidated, and inserted into the containers of the second set of containers at the mixing station to at least partially form a layer of articles therein comprised of a mix of articles from all the containers of the first set of containers.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a production line for rows or layers of products, especially food products and more specifically, confectionery products such as chocolate wafers, bars, or the like, comprising a recycling device for the timed reintroduction of the temporarily stored products into the empty spaces between the products on said conveyor belts.The recycling device (13) comprises a first endless conveyor belt, called the recycling belt (18), mounted on a pivoting support, and a second endless conveyor belt, called the switching belt (19), also mounted on a pivoting support, said switching belt (19) being positioned either in the extension of the recycling belt (18) or inserted between two conveyor belts (10) on the line, and the recycling belt (18) being positioned either in the extension of the switching belt (19) or in the extension of the conveyor belt of the storage device (14).

Abstract: A method for loading and closing containers, such as bags, with flexible open ends employs a chute with an inflatable bladder at the open end, and an elastic closure device. A flexible open end of the container is placed around the end of the chute and the inflatable bladder. The elastic closure device is placed around the open end of the container. The bladder is inflated to secure the container to the chute. Material is delivered into the container through the chute. When a specified quantity of material is loaded into the container, the bladder is deflated causing the container to slide off the chute. When the container slides off the chute, the elastic closure device contracts and closes the flexible open end of container by constricting the size of the flexible open end of the container such that material will not fall out during shipment. Multiple chutes may be supported on a moveable support structure and operated to provide a semi-automatic container loading and closing apparatus and method.

Abstract: A packaging machine responds, when a kind of merchandise to be produced, the film or the former which is installed thereon is inputted through a touch panel, by causing its microcomputer to compare the inputted data with the data stored in a read-only memory circuit on merchandises, films and/or formers, to display the merchandise, the identification numbers and pictorial patterns of films and/or the sizes and storage location of formers which correspond to the inputted data, and to select an appropriate merchandise, film and/or former.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which can assign drugs to respective buckets running on a conveyor with accuracy and high efficiency and transport them. A case accommodates a plurality of storage/delivery conveyors. Near the drug inlets for the respective conveyors, displays are provided which indicate the prescription number. Buckets running on a conveyor each carry an IC card. A detector reads the data on the IC card of each bucket so that the drug indicated by the data will be discharged into a right bucket from the storage/delivery conveyor.

Abstract: A carriage is provided for supporting a supply roll of wrap paper for use with a wrap apparatus. A spindle is cantilever mounted from one side of a frame to receive the supply roll thereon. A handle extends outwardly from the other side of the frame and may be selectively removed to allow operator access to a control panel of the wrap apparatus.