Abstract: A loading/unloading conveyor system used for transfer of onions into onion crates and the subsequent handling of onion crates. The system comprises a multiple collection scoop for transfer of onions from the field to conveyors, an unloading head which fills the onion crates and cushions the onions as they enter the empty crates, a hoist from which empty crates are continuously supplied, a conveyor for holding empty crates, a hoist for stacking full crates, and a conveyor for holding full crates. Empty crates are constantly supplied to the empty crate conveyor as they enter the system. The empty crate conveyor in turn supplies the empty crate hoist which controls the release of a single crate into the system at a time. The individual empty crates are led by conveyor to the unloading head wherein they are filled with onions without bruising. The full onion crates then progress to the stacking hoist which stacks full onion crates two high.

Abstract: A medication dispenser for use in a hospital or other medical setting comprises a plurality of containers for holding medication units, packaging apparatus for containing one or more medication units in a package and robotics for manipulating a selected container to transfer one or more medication units from the container directly to said package. Since medication is directly transferred from the container to the package, no cross-contamination occurs.

Abstract: The machine is provided to wrap with a film portion a tray containing food products, the trays being inserted through a side device (13) having weighing scales which trays can moreover be labelled. The film insertion and cutting means comprise a carrier (3) joined to a cam (9) which on turning causes the said carrier to move forwards and backwards, whereas the cutting device has a blade (12) mounted upon a support, which is also driven by the cam (9) in such a way that the carrier and blade movements are synchronised. The machine includes a weighing station located under the carrier, and an electric station with all the power and control means of the machine as such, moreover incorporating tray lifting means that allow the lift to be used to handle variously sized trays, automatically and without having to change parts or elements.

Abstract: A device for supplying a film to a packaging machine has a gripper for gripping the film and a transporting mechanism for not only moving the gripper between a film feeder of the packaging machine, which receives the film from the gripper and takes it to a packaging station for using it to wrap up a product, and a retracted position distal from the film feeder, but also keeping the gripper retracted while the film feeder carries the film to the packaging station.

Abstract: A more easily useable means for providing dispersed flowable colorant in a coating composition contained in a liddable container which means may have none of several alternative heights. The means comprises dispenser 18 at which a dose of flowable colorant 1 can be introduced into a container 20 which contains a base paint 2. A shaker 24 is provided and is laterally spaced from the dispenser 18. A surface 14 extends from the dispenser 18 to the shaker 24 along which the container can be moved making transfer to the mixing station particularly easy. The means can also include labelling and lidding stations 22, 23 between the dispenser and shaker 18, 24. FIG. 1 .

Abstract: A tablet packing device is proposed which accommodates a plurality of types of tablets and selectively discharges them from feeders for packing. A tablet is discharged from one of the feeders into a hole formed in a pocket plate. Since a shutter plate covers the hole, the tablet bounces on the shutter plate and settles down after a while. Thereafter, the shutter plate is rotated to open the hole to drop the tablet to a hopper. The tablet is then slid down along the inner wall of the hopper and, when a hopper cover provided at the bottom of the hopper is opened, it is dropped further therethrough. After the tablet has reached inside of the packing sheet which is folded into two, it is sealed in one packing bag as the heater rollers rotate. It is possible to save the time required to pack the tablets according to the tablet types by presetting the time required for each type of tablet to settle down from landing and discharging the tablet after lapse of the preset time.

Abstract: An automatic change-over method and device for strip material in which a new strip is timed in relation to the end portion of a run-out strip fed by traction rollers along an unwinding path, by feeding a portion of the new strip along the unwinding path and arresting it against a stop element; removing the stop element to permit the new strip to be fed along the unwinding path; and, at the same time, connecting the new strip and the run-out strip by friction, in response to a phase signal emitted by a run-out strip.

Abstract: This present invention relates to an automatic recycling machine and automatic waste disposal system for plural types of household and commercial waste materials which automatically sorts, processes, shreds, crushes, compacts, rinses by cleaning liquid for removal of contamination and dirt from certain washable waste types, packages the waste material, and identifying the package with waste type and waste source by barcode marking.The automatic recycling machine is constructed as an appliance and includes separate fluid power actuation means for each type of recyclable material and non-recyclable waste, and control system to control the recycling process for each waste material type separately. The automatic recycling machine also comprises an operator control panel which includes warning indicators to inform on filled waste package of certain waste material type.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring bag packs (10) containing sensitive loose material to a collective packer for the introduction of the packs into a carton or the like. To compensate for the difference in performance rates of a production machine (bag packer) for the packs (10) and the collective packer, there is provided a conveying device (17) with at least two conveyor belts (18, 19) which act as compensating conveyors. The packs (10) are fed to a special collecting station (16) by the conveying device (17). This collecting station comprises an intermediate band (35) and a group band (43). In the region of the intermediate band (35), the packs (10) are spaced out at a distance so they can be detected. In the region of the group band (43), a pack group (11) is formed from packs (10) lying tightly next to one another.

Abstract: During the packaging of articles in cartons, preparatory to shipment to consumers, the cartons are removed from filling/closing apparatus and stacked on pallets. The removal apparatus includes transporting the cartons singly to a stacking plane, orienting the cartons and then employing a robotic gripping device to move the oriented cartons to the proper stacking positions.

Abstract: Documents printed by high speed laser printers are automatically handled to verify, track, handle, and deposit them in appropriate shipping containers. The system is modular so that it can be configured to suit the needs of a wide variety of users, and includes document transport conveyors, transfer conveyors, and container transport conveyors. A paper sheet having bar coding is associated with each group of documents and the bar coding is sensed to determine where to route the document (what shipping container it should be placed in), and also optionally other document handling procedures, such as plastic shrink wrapping and/or banding. Documents are conveyed to a number of different filling stations with containers passing underneath the filling stations. When the destination bar coding on a group of documents at a filling station matches the bar coding on the container underneath that filling station, dump paddles are activated to drop the group of documents into the container.

Abstract: A machine for the production of weldable plastic film bags from a strip reel, and for the filling of the said bags, comprises means of supporting and unwinding a first strip reel (B.sub.1); means of supporting a second reserve strip reel (B.sub.2); and means (41, 49) of cutting and welding the strip (N), to automatically make the join between the trailing end of the strip being unwound from the first reel (B.sub.1) and the leading end of the strip on the second reel (B.sub.2) when the first reel is about to be used up. In order to bring the strip on reel (B.sub.1) into phase with the strip on reel (B.sub.2), there are provided means (5, 7, 9) of delimiting a predetermined length of the path of the strip between the means of forming, filling and sealing the bags and the means (41, 49) of cutting and welding the strip; a first reference (151) down-line from the means of welding and cutting the strip; and a second reference (153) for the strip from the second reel.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding and packaging of hygiene products such as tissues r sanitary napkins has two operational lines arranged in parallel between an input feeder and a packaging station. One of the lines includes stations for folding, enveloping, embossing, and cutting operations. The other line includes one or more transport mechanisms that by-pass the first mentioned line to transport articles directly from the inlet to a packaging station. Thus, if desired, articles may be supplied to the packaging station without any folding or other intermediate treatment by using the by-pass line. An output feeder is arranged to cooperate with either the main production line or the by-pass line for feeding articles to a packing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically switching of connection of conduit pipes to clean the pipe lines in a liquid treating plant, to control centrally the automatically switching from a remote place, portions to be washed by a cleaning liquid and the other portions desired to be kept free from a cleaning liquid being separated, the apparatus comprizing a plurality of pipes (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) of pipe lines which have openings on a circle on a fixed plate (10), switching pipes (17a, 17b) connecting the pipes (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) to each other at the openings, nozzles (34) to spray a cleaning liquid toward the switching portions of pipes being located in an axis of the circle, the switching pipes and nozzles being substantially arranged in a body and covered with a cover (45), and on the opposite side of the fixed plate (10) where a spraying cleaning liquid is shut by the fixed plate, a drive mechanism (2) which switches the connection of pipes by linearly reciprocating and rotating the switching pipes and nozzles i

Abstract: A method for setting a folding station included in an apparatus for preparing items to be mailed. This apparatus further comprises a document-supply station, an envelope-inserter station, transport means interconnecting these stations and setting means for setting at least the folding machine. For setting the fold height of a fold to be formed in a document or stack of documents, data are inputted to the setting means, these data representing the height of an envelope intended as a package for the document or the stack of documents. The fold height is determined and set by the setting means, at least partly depending on the inputted data representing the height of the envelope. The invention enables rapid and reliable setting of a folding station of an apparatus for preparing items to be mailed. The invention further relates to an apparatus for preparing items to be mailed, adapted for carrying out the present method and a folding station adapted for use as a part thereof.

Abstract: A work station table wherein inventory articles to be integrated into a product are placed on the table, with each type of article being located next to one of a plurality of detector cards set in the table (one type of article per card). Each detector card is capable of detecting movement, and when an operator reaches across a detector card to retrieve the inventory article located next to that sensor, the movement of his or her hand or selected article is detected by the sensor. The movement causes a light emitting diode (LED) in the detector card to light, thereby indicating that the inventory article corresponding to that detector card has been selected. The table further includes an accumulator card having an LED display and numbers corresponding to each of the detector cards. In addition to registering at each of the sensors, retrieval of an article from a particular inventory point will cause a corresponding number to light on the accumulator card.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device for avoiding interruptions of operation caused by the strapping, on machines for the strapping of packing elements. The process is characterized by a second strapping coil with further strapping, and in that the leader of one of the two strappings is constantly kept at a standby position in the machine from which, upon removal of the other strapping from the strapping guideway, it is automatically fed to the strapping guideway. The device is characterized in that the feed system is preceded by a switch with two strapping guideways for a leader section for each one of the two strappings, with a strapping feed for the alternative introduction of one of the two strapping leaders into the feed system.

Abstract: A finisher operable with an image forming apparatus for discharging paper sheets coming out of the apparatus and each carrying an image thereon to a plurality of bins while sorting the paper sheets and, if desired, packaging the paper sheets in an envelope. When a pack mode is selected, the size of paper sheets and the sizes of envelopes which are to be fed from a paper cassette or a tray each are sensed by size sensors. Envelopes sizes capable of accommodating the paper sheets of the sensed size are determined and compared with the sensed envelope sizes. Among the determined envelope sizes, the envelope size capable of accommodating the paper sheets of the size sensed by the size sensor in a desired number inputted. When the desired number is too great to be packaged in the envelope, such an occurrence is displayed and/or the pack mode is cancelled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective high-speed insertion of sheets from a plurality of webs into envelopes provides a mechanism for folding and inserting sheets into preformed envelopes. Preformed envelopes are provided for folding and inserting from a source that may be a roll. A plurality of sheets are fed for folding and inserting into an envelopes. A leading sheet from each of the webs is selectively driven and cut at a collection point for folding and inserting. The selecting of sheets for feeding and cutting may be accomplished by means of a CPU that may include a bar code detection system disposed along each of the webs. A system for widening the openings of envelopes to facilitate insertion of contents may also be included. This system may comprise a strip along each of the envelopes is a stream that includes a folded section within each opening or may comprise tabs disposed along an opening side of each envelope.

Abstract: Photographic prints which issue from the outlet of the dryer in a developing machine are gathered into stacks, and successive stacks are admitted into successive empty compartments between the outwardly extending partitions of a belt or chain conveyor. The conveyor is advanced in stepwise fashion, to move successive empty compartments to a station for reception of stacks, by a panel which receives motion from a crank drive in such a way that it constitutes an extension of a partition at the station and during a certain stage of movement of such partition behind the stack in the freshly filled compartment. This renders it possible to maintain in proper orientation stacks which are assembled of relatively small, medium-sized or large prints.

Abstract: A system for loading product into a container comprises a conveyor with side by side staggered delivery portions, a pair of side by side bottom opening receptacles fed at different times by the deliver portions of the conveyor, a hopper moveable in an alternating manner to a product receiving position beneath each of the receptacles and a container holder below and fed by the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously filling tubular casings with a fibrous material such as wood fibers. The tubular casings are closed at one end have plurality of holes in the cylindrical side to allow air to flow therethrough. The apparatus further includes supports for the tubular casings so that a mixture of air and the fibrous material may be suctioned into the tubular casing to form a fiber cake. The apparatus further includes the ability to control the mixture of air and fibrous material to ensure the fiber cake formed has a homogeneous density and the ability to change the mixture of air and fibrous material so that fiber cakes with varying densities may be formed. Further, a binder is applied to the fiber cake and the fiber cake is cut into units.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automatic on-demand conveying of stacks of nested lids to a lid placer employing two powered sections for first elevating the stacks of nested lids placed on a platform assembly then, shuttling the elevated nested stack interior of a guide assembly from a first position to a second position, the guide assembly then acts as an extension of the magazine of the lid placer until a predetermined quantity of lids have been separated and placed.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying stacks of paper sheets or the like to two or more packing machines has a platform for collection of successive rows of stacks, e.g., by arresting sheets forming part of discrete scalloped streams of sheets. Two or more discrete carriages for tongs are utilized to remove stacks in any desired grouping from the platform and to deliver them to two or more discrete removing units serving to transport the stacks to discrete packing machines. Each removing unit can employ a set of two or more aligned conveyors. Each carriage is or can be driven by a separate prime mover, each carriage can support two or more tongs, or each carriage can support a single tongs. All such undertakings contribute to versatility of the apparatus, namely the apparatus can be operated to ensure equal distribution of stacks among the removing units or one or more selected removing units can receive larger or smaller numbers of stacks than the other unit or units.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for making up consignments from articles supplied in packs. It consists essentially of a consignment-assembly unit (9) that supplies individually supplied articles via a sorter (10) having inward conveyors (30,31) to an array of rack sections (14) through which the articles pass to be assembled into consignments via an outward conveyor (32). The individual articles are unpacked from the packs and the packs are temporally buffered by means of an intermediate store (6). Control is effected by a computer (2) which issues control data (d) to the intermediate store (6) and the various positions of the consignment-assembly unit (9) on the basis of goods received data (a) and customer order data (b) so as to determine, starting from the intermediate store (6), which article is to pass at which time to any particular rack section (14) and is to be available at a further particular time at the outlet in a consignment.

Abstract: A selective outer envelope inserting system includes a multiple station inserter and a multiple outer envelope collator mechanically coupled to the multiple station inserter. The multiple station inserter includes a plurality of hoppers containing inserts. One of the hoppers contains a control piece insert. The control piece insert includes a machine readable code such as a bar code that is scanned by a scanner. The scanner is interfaced with a control such as a microprocessor that controls the various hoppers to select a variety of combinations of inserts thereby determining the contents within each envelope. The multiple outer envelope collator includes a plurality of envelope hoppers, and the envelopes in each hopper differ from the envelopes in the other hoppers. The control is interfaced with the collator to control the operation of each individual envelope hopper. Through the code on the control piece, a specific envelope may be selected for each combination of inserts.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles, such as can ends, in a sleeve drawn from a roll of continuous sleeve material is described. Means are disclosed for feeding the can ends to a packaging location, for segregating the can ends into package-size groups and for inserting the groups into the sleeves. The machine further includes means for feeding the sleeve material to the packaging location, means for retaining the sleeve material at the packaging location and means for clamping and severing the sleeve material to form an individual sleeve. Means for forming and sealing end-flaps on the contents containing sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, which is utilized to secure loads to a number of pallets emanating from a plurality of sources, provides a relatively short, straight pathway from the point of construction of a loaded pallet to the wrapping station. The device further provides a plurality of stations to permit maximum utilization of a single wrapping apparatus. An improved swing arm is utilized to mount the stretch wrap on the stacked pallet and permits increased efficiency in pre-stretching and wrapping of the stacked loads. The wrapping apparatus is mounted at the end of a series of pallet conveyors. Each pallet transportation conveyor terminates in a wrapping station which is collinear with the other wrapping stations. A support beam extends longitudinally along the line of wrapping stations at a pre-selected height thereabove. A rolling transport is mounted upon wheels and rolls along the length of the beam. The transport contains the operating controls of the device as well as the swing arm which wraps the stacked pallets.

Abstract: A method and appaaratus for selective high-speed insertion of sheets from a plurality of webs into envelopes provides a mechanism for folding and inserting sheets into preformed envelopes. Preformed envelopes are provided for folding and inserting from a source that may be a roll. A plurality of sheets are fed for folding and inserting into envelopes. A leading sheet from each of the webs is selectively driven and cut at a collection point for folding and inserting. The selecting of sheets for feeding and cutting may be accomplished by means of a CPU that may include a bar code detection system disposed along each of the webs. A system for widening the openings of envelopes to facilitate insertion of contents may also be included. This system may comprise a strip along each of the envelopes is a stream that includes a folded section within each opening or may comprise tabs disposed along an opening side of each envelope.

Abstract: The invention provides a cheese transporting processing apparatus for classifying cheeses wound up by winders or the like for different types and packing and carrying out the thus classified cheeses. When a cheese is transported by an overhead conveyor with a type identifying unit, information of a type of the cheese is written into the type identifying unit. In accordance with such type information, cheeses are stocked for different types into a cheese stocker. In response to a demanding instruction from a packing line, cheeses of a specified type are discharged from the cheese stocker and boxed and packed. Such sequence of operations is performed automatically on the cheese transporting processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping selected articles of a plurality of articles. A stream of the articles is moved along a first path by a first conveyor. Selected articles are sequentially moved from the stream of articles moving along the first path to a second conveyor by a deflector. Moving the selected articles from the stream of articles results in the forming of gaps in the stream of articles at locations where the selected articles are sequentially moved from the stream of articles. The gaps in the stream of articles are maintained as the stream of articles moves along the first path. Disposed along the second path is a wrapping station where selected articles are sequentially wrapped. As one of the selected articles is moved through the wrapping station, a pair of webs engage opposite sides of the one article and are sealed to wrap the one article. The seal is severed along its center portion and adjacent to a trailing end of the one article.

Abstract: A method of distributing articles (10), especially such pieces of candy as slabs and bars of chocolate, pralines, etc., that are constantly arriving in transverse rows on a continuous conveyor to several packaging machines (1), whereby the articles are transferred one row at a time by means of a shunt (5) to either an upstream or a downstream packaging machine, arrayed in a row on an outtake belt (7) upstream of each packaging machine, and packaged in each packaging machine. The articles are when necessary supplied to and temporarily stored one row at a time in a buffer (2) in the vicinity of one or more operational or non-operational packaging machines by way of another shunt (6) that is independent of the first shunt and in that, when the capacity of the buffers is exceeded, they are unloaded in sequence by supplying their contents to operational packaging machines.

Abstract: A flexible apparatus and method are disclosed for erecting cases and packaging a series of objects (26) which may be delivered in random order on an infeed conveyor (28), including a source (40,42) of a plurality of types of cases for such objects; a controller (48) for storing and providing information on the order of such objects; a station (32) for locating such cases for insertion of such objects; a programmable robot (34), responsive to such information, the robot having an end effector with a multiple purpose tool for selecting the type of case appropriate for a particular object in the series, for erecting the case and for placing the objects into the case; and a station (46) for closing and sealing the packed case.

Abstract: The drug packing apparatus, provided with: a drug storing section in the upper portion of its casing; a packing machine in its lower portion, for making drug packs; a multiplicity of elongate tablet cases which extend upwardly and are in planar arrangement to one another; a transfer mechanism for collectively transferring into a pack a predetermined number of drugs extracted from a selected drug cases and sealing the pack; and a transport means for delivering the packs out of the drug packing apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging apparatus for packaging a product between a plastic film and a backing card comprises a base having a stationary heating hood. A reciprocal table is mounted on the base beneath the hood. Two packaging wells are mounted side by side on the table, each well being dimensioned for holding a backing board on which the product is placed for packaging. The reciprocal table moves laterally on the base so that when one packaging well is in a packaging position under the hood, the other packaging well is not and extends out from beneath the hood. A sealing frame is mounted on the base beneath the hood for holding a sheet of wrapping material and moves vertically between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the sealing frame is adjacent the heating hood to heat the sheet. In the lowered position the sealing frame is adjacent the packaging well which is in packaging position to place the heated sheet over the board.

Abstract: A bag filling and closing apparatus includes a filling station (10) in which the material to be filled in (22) is pushed into a prefabricated bag (24). A device (50, 52, 54, 56) is provided for pulling the bags onto the filling machine as is a device for spreading open and holding the bags. Next to the filling station (10), there is disposed at least one supply and/or intake station (12, 14) for bags, each station being equipped with a device (50, 52, 54, 56) for pulling the bags onto the apparatus. A carriage (30) is movable back and forth between the filling station (10) and the supply and intake station (12, 14) carries the spreading and holding device (28, 30, 44, 46) for the bags. The bags can therefore be picked up and spread open in the supply and intake station (12, 14) and can be transferred to the filling station (10) in that position. Preferably, two supply and intake stations are provided on opposite sides of the filling station (10 ).

Abstract: The invention greatly increases the versatility and the speed at which an automatic packaging machine may fill boxes or other containers. Two fill stations are provided for alternately filling empty boxes as they move in single file past two separate fill stations. If no empty box is available to receive the product, a transfer cup is diverted and travels over one of two alternate paths at the fill station would otherwise fill the missing box. The product dumped from any non-diverted transfer cup goes into a corresponding box. The product dumped from any diverted transfer cup is returned to the start of the fill cycle. This way, the machine may simultaneously (i) fill one box with two separate products, (ii) fill alternate boxes with two different products or product volumes, or (iii) fill different kinds of boxes with product. A swing arm enables a part to be moved at each of the fill stations so that it may be repaired, maintained or cleaned without having to disassemble the machine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system and related apparatus and articles for use in dispensing medication. Control of the medication is accomplished by assigning unique numerical or alpha-numerical code identifications to each of the many medications prescribed for patient use. The apparatus includes a set of individual envelopes which are produced in continuous web form, similar to multi-part business forms, and which can be processed through computer controlled printers.

Abstract: A material processing system for collating and feeding documents as collations for insertion into an envelope, comprising first and second feeding modules, and an insertion module, each of the feeding modules including document position sensing means and a controller, each of the feeding module controllers responsive to a first signal for creating a collation of documents and generating a second signal indicative of the collation, the second signal indicating an error condition in the collation when the sensors indicate non compliance with the first signal, means for passing the second signal from each feeding module controller to the insertion module, a rejection station positioned in the insertion module, the insertion module including a base controller, the base controller connected to the feeding module controllers and responsive to a collation error condition in the second signal for activating the reject station and rejecting the collation.

Abstract: A recycling bag assembly is formed from a series of plastic bags similar to trash or garbage bags temporarily secured together by heat tacking or otherwise. The individual bags are usually color coded to facilitate identification of the solid waste material that is to be collected in them for collection and transport to a disposal facility. A method of widespread regular controlled distribution of the bag assemblies is also provided by inserting or otherwise combining the bag assemblies with newspapers prior to delivery of such papers and subsequent delivery of the bag assemblies with such papers.

Abstract: A process for transferring and packaging contents into containers is disclosed wherein container blanks of various formats are arranged in vertical stacks in various magazines such that a selected container blank is withdrawn from the bottom of its associated magazine and moved continuously by a conveyor means and is formed into a container and subsequently filled with contents. Continuous packaging of the contents in containers of different dimensions is effected without standstill times attributable to changing the format of the blanks.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping cylindrical articles in a thermally weldable web has an automatic changeover system for webs of different widths in response to the detection of articles of different lengths. The system automatically guides the free end of a new web downwardly by a deflector connected to the upper jaw member of a double-welding system in which pairs of electrodes are energized to form two seams when successive articles are to be wrapped with the same web but where a new web is to be used, only a single seam is formed and the clamped end of the previously used web is cut away while the balance of the previously used web is rolled up again.

Abstract: A wrapping machine used to wrap with a prescribed wrapper a commodity having the shape of a hexahedron having a length, a width, and a height, as well as a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a right side surface, and a left side surface; in this wrapping machine, the commodity being wrapped in a wrapping region, this wrapping region having a central position along the length of the commodity, and a reference wrapping position along the width of the commodity; the wrapping machine further comprising: a wrapping supply device that holds at least two wrappers of different sizes, and selectively supplies either of the wrappers to the wrapping region; a sensing device, provided in the wrapper supply device, that detects the sizes of the wrappers; a control device electrically connected to the sensing device, as well as operationally connected to the wrapper supply device; this control device has a display device, and it determines whether the sizes of the wrappers are within the usable

Abstract: An installation for making up batches of articles, the installation being characterized in that it comprises at least one work station for one operator, said station including a storage member (4) for storing said articles species-by-species, said articles each being provided with automatically readable identification means, said station also including a reader (19) for automatically reading the said identification means and a hatch (17) communicating with a chute (18) whose opening is controllable, said installation further including an endless chain of buckets (21) disposed in such a manner that the buckets pass beneath the chutes, and a moving belt (25) disposed beneath the buckets and receiving the boxes (26) for receiving the batches of articles via an inlet station, each bucket being provided with a controllable pivoting device in order to cause the article contained therein to fall into a box, the installation including a station (20) from which loaded boxes are removed and being controlled by a comput

Abstract: Apparatus for selecting and feeding web material (F1, F2, F3) from a plurality of supply bobbins (B1, B2, B3) of web material having different characteristics, comprising a selecting and dispensing device arranged on a slide (7) horizontally movable to and fro with respect to a feeder conveyor (T) which finally feeds the film to the packaging station (P) of the packaging machine. On the slide is mounted an indexing arrangement (13, 18) adapted to selectively bring into operative alignment with the feeding conveyor (T) one draw-and-guide unit (A1, A2, A3) which draws the selected film and delivers it to the feeding conveyor (T). The operative engagement between the draw-and-guide units (A1, A2, A3) is obtained by opening the feeding conveyor (T) which consist of a superposed belts conveyor (101, 201) and pinch rollers (R1, R2) and inserting therebetween the forward portion (118, 218, 318) of the draw-and-guide unit.

Abstract: In an inserting machine for collating inserts and placing a collation of said inserts into an envelope, a method is disclosed of determining the amount of postage to be applied to said envelope into which said collation of inserts have been inserted. The inserting machine includes a feed deck and a plurality of feed station adapted to selectively feed said inserts onto said feed deck.

Abstract: A form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine wherein receptacle forming, filling and sealing is accomplished by a plurality of stations disposed along the path of travel of a web which continuously moves through the packaging machine. Both the base web material and the lid web material are supplied to the packaging machine from supply rolls of appropriate material. Not only are the work stations of the machine constructed and disposed so that the packaging operation is performed on a continuously moving web, but also both the base and lid web supplies include primary and secondary rolls so that the source of web material may be replenished without interrupting the continuous movement of the web material through the machine. Once the receptacles have been formed, filled and sealed, the packaging machine further includes an intermittent drive station for perforating and cutting the sealed receptacles from the main web body.

Abstract: The apparatus is composed of an oscillating framework, rotatingly supporting the new and old reels, and of a closed loop flexible element provided with pegs having the same spacing as the pins of the conveyor. The flexible element is movable between a resting position at which the end of the new reel is manually hooked to the pegs and an operating position in which the flexible element follows the conveyor for a certain portion, while deflecting means transfer the end of the new reel from the pegs of the flexible element onto the pins of the conveyor.

Abstract: The packing machine comprising a passageway for continuous strip movement is intended for continuous and cyclical molding, filling, sealing and at least group-wise severing of containers, and comprises deep-drawing stations located along the path of continuous movement of the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for aseptically filling and sealing preformed bags includes a carousel table supporting a number of bags along its periphery, each bag having a nozzle initially sealed by a diaphragm. As the carousel table brings an individual bag under a sterile docking unit, that unit lowers over the bag and showers the nozzle and diaphragm with HEPA filtered air to remove particulate matter and bioburden. A flash heat sterilizer sterilizes the diaphragm and the top of the nozzle and at least partially melts the diaphragm. A heat sterilized fill pipe descends, piercing the diaphragm and filling the bag. When filling is completed, the fill pipe partially withdraws, the lower portion of the pipe remaining inserted in the nozzle. A heat sealer then seals the nozzle below the tip of the pipe. The pipe completely withdraws, the sterile docking unit moves clear of the bag, and the carousel table rotates, thus moving an empty bag into position for filling.