Abstract: Packaging a plurality of cuboid containers, such as cigarette packs, in a package that is larger than the containers is enabled by arranging the containers in an offset array in which adjacent sides of the containers are offset from each other by a predetermined amount. A blank of relatively stiff material is folded around the array to form the package. The amount the containers are offset in the array is the same amount by which the package sides are longer than the adjacent sides of the containers. This enables the array in effect to fill the package even though the containers themselves are smaller than the package. The invention is particularly useful for cigarette packs since it enables the same package blank to be used for different size cigarette packs.

Abstract: A system for forming and packaging a bulk of loose particulate material. The system utilizes a compression tower for initial deposit of the loose particulate material therein with the bottom floor of said tower being presented by a belt of a conveyor system. A ram within the tower compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. Subsequent to compression, the conveyor system is vertically displaced so that the formed material bulk can be conveyed to a horizontally adjacent conveyor for downstream conveyance to a packaging station having upper and lower conveyor assemblies. The material bulk is then recompressed and conveyed to a space formed between upper and lower assemblies. A sheet of packaging material spans portions of upper and lower conveyor assemblies such that the material bulk is directed through the sheet and enveloped thereby for transfer to downstream upper and lower conveyor assemblies to maintain compression thereon.

Abstract: A food product wrapping apparatus and method, in which four sticks of food product are simultaneously molded and wrapped during each cycle of operation, using a four cavity set mold plate and four cavity wrapping machines. A shuttle plate has two sets of four cavities and is alternately moved into a dosing mold for filling of one set of cavities and thence over a respective four cavity wrapping machine. All four sticks are simultaneously pushed out of the mold cavities and thereaft through the wrapping machine cavities.

Abstract: The machine comprises a main carousel including a horizontal axis having seats which are angularly equidistant and open outwardly and including at the front a gripper and at the rear a folding device. Each seat passes first adjustable means with the gripper open to supply the gripper with a packaging sheet arranged on the seat, and cooperating with a first auxiliary carousel which inserts a roll into each seat, oriented with its axis parallel to that of the main carousel, while the roll is partially wrapped with the packaging sheet retained by the closed gripper. In succession, the rear folding device intervenes and the gripper opens and folding means intervene in order to fold the front edge of the sheet onto the rear edge, while the folding device returns to the rest position and the edges are fixed together by a heat-sealing carousel.

Abstract: Apparatus, in particular packaging machine, with movable members which are exposed to wearing stresses on one side.Primarily packaging machines for the manufacture of cigarette packs (10) of the soft-cup type employ folding mandrels (15), on which blanks (14) are temporarily fixed by means of pressure members, in particular by means of pressure rods (19). These are exposed to wearing stresses on one side, specifically in the region in which they bear on the folding mandrel (15). In order to avoid operating faults caused thereby, the pressure member, specifically the pivoting lever (20), is adjusted from time to time, specifically by partial rotation, so that, after a particular operating period, another circumferential region of the pivoting lever (20) is exposed to wearing stress.

Abstract: Cardboard blanks with fold lines between their panels are partially draped around arrays of cigarette packets in an apparatus wherein successive arrays which are being advanced along an elongated path at a first speed strip discrete blanks off a mouthpiece which is advanced along such path at a lesser second speed. Additional panels of a blank which is being transported by the mouthpiece, and a first panel of which is to be engaged and entrained by the front side of an oncoming array, are pivoted relative to the first panel along the respective fold lines by pivotable prefolding members which share the movement of and are caused to pivot relative to the mothpiece while the latter transports a blank at the second speed. The prefolding members cooperate with further folding members to pivot further panels of a blank relative to the additional panels while the blank is being transported by the mouthpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles, such as bundles of newspapers, on one or three sides is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conveyor means, a paper guide and dispensing means for conveying a sheet of paper dispensed from a roll into the path of a bundle moving along the conveyor, a wrapping means for covering the bundle with paper on one or three sides, and a reciprocating, double-edged cutting means for cutting the desired length of paper from the roll. The three-way wrap assembly includes a pair of paper support means, preferably C-shaped flexible belts which contact the paper lightly at three points, allowing the paper to maintain a substantially vertical orientation relative to the path of the bundle during the wrapping operation. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an integrated bundle turner assembly for lifting and turning a bundle 90 degrees relative to its original path of travel.

Abstract: Method for the operation of packaging machines and packaging machine. In packaging machines for the manufacture of cigarette packs (10) in particular, interruptions in operation are often unavoidable, in order to change the type of pack, but also, for example, on account of the end of a workshift. In the case of interruptions in operation of this kind, the packaging machine is emptied. For this purpose, members and assemblies are coordinated with one another and controlled in such a way that, after the operating phase "emptying" has been initiated, a last pack content, in particular a cigarette group (11) is identified and is transferred completely through the packaging machine. After this cigarette group (11) has passed through individual members, the latter are switched off, in particular a tin foil assembly (20), a paper assembly (23) and a revenue-seal appliance (29) in the region of a drying turret (26).

Abstract: A web of wrapping material for use in a cigarette packing machine is drawn off a roll and is advanced lengthwise, first by a single pneumatic belt conveyor which attracts an intermediate portion of the web, and thereupon by two additional pneumatic conveyors each of which attracts one of the two marginal portions of the web. The web is severed by a cross cutter between the first conveyor and the additional conveyors to yield a series of successive blanks, and such blanks are draped around successive arrays of unwrapped cigarettes or around successive cigarette packets which are advanced across the path for successive wrappers between the two additional conveyors.

Abstract: A device for strapping a plurality of packets with a band includes a frame and a lying conveyor belt supported by the frame for moving the packets forward. A pair of band clamping and guiding jaws move toward and away from each other transversely of the belt. A band supply reel is associated with the jaws. A welding device coacts with the jaws for welding band portions together. Each jaw has a clamping surface that runs transversely relative to the forward direction and coacts with a counter-surface of an intermediate body carried by one of the jaws. A portion of the clamping surface and the counter-surface extend obliquely relative to the forward direction. One of the surfaces has tooth-like protrusions.

Abstract: The catches (10) of the brackets (5) which can be made inactive by the elevator when the elevator is in the low position are designed to interact with corresponding cams (20, 21, 22) of different angular extents, keyed to a shaft (17) which is driven by a motor (22) whose speed and phase are electronically controlled and which is supported rotatably by the base of the machine. When a product is fed onto the elevator and its dimensions are measured by known means which then determine the travel of the film unwinding gripper in the packaging station, if necessary the cam shaft is made to rotate through a distance capable of causing the oscillation of the catches of the brackets which are to be disengaged, so that when the elevator rises the unnecessary brackets are already disengaged and oscillate slowly downwards.

Abstract: The apparatus uses a single, simple movement of a shoe to wrap the rear bottom tuck panel underneath the ice cream sandwich and to push the ice cream sandwich onto a conveyor surface. In addition, the apparatus utilizes at least one friction member to actively engage the ice cream sandwich while the shoe withdraws after pushing the ice cream sandwich onto the conveyor surface.

Abstract: In the manufacture of certain types of packets, rotary folding units (10) are used which have along their perimeter a plurality of hollow folding mandrels (14) projecting at one side. On these mandrels, blanks, namely inner blank (10) and pouch blank (11) are folded in succession. Holding bands (34, 59) serve to position the blanks exactly on the folding mandrels (14), said bands extending outside the movement region of the folding mandrels (14) and lying with a holding bight (35) against the side of the folding mandrels (14), or the blanks, lying radially on the outside, fixing same as they do so.

Abstract: In a packaging machine, particularly for producing hingedlid packets for cigarettes conveyed on an endless pocket conveyor (16) become partially wrapped in a wrapper section (20) during transfer to a further endless pocketed conveyor (24). In passing to the further conveyor the groups and wrapper sections pass through a forming member carried on an intermediate endless conveyor (22). Transfer of the groups is effected by cam-operated plunger units (26A) carried by a fourth endless conveyor (26). The machine further includes a packet transfer unit at which spaced packets are deposited on a suction belt (50) prior to delivery in abutment to a packet reservoir (54); and a blank feed unit (30) comprising a continuously moving endless feed conveyor (62) provided with reciprocating pulleys, the movement of which causes the conveyor to remain stationary to allow transfer of blanks from a stationary reservoir (60).

Abstract: A machine and method for packaging smoking articles provides an essentially hermetic enclosure of a barrier material around a charge of such articles in an open (incomplete) frame, by driving on the articles themselves to push them through a temporary wall of the barrier material with the previous imposition on them of the open frame at a framing station. Preferably the driving is by means of an indexing conveyor which is stationary immediately before the collection of the charge from a hopper, during the imposition of the frame and immediately before pushing the frame and charge through the temporary wall.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding sheet material, whereby the sheet material is fed in a given traveling direction along one face of a plate by a fluid bed movable along the face in the traveling direction; the fluid bed being formed by at least one jet of fluid, which is directed in a direction substantially tangent to the face and concordant with the traveling direction, and is fed inside a window formed through the plate.

Abstract: Soft-case packet plus method and device for manufacturing same and other packets. On soft-case packets for cigarettes, blanks for an inner wrapping (17) and an outer soft pouch (18) made of paper or the like are folded in usual fashion on a hollow folding mandrel (10) of a rotary folding unit (12). Folding flaps of the soft pouch (18) are connected to one another by glue in the region of a side wall (23) and in the region of a base. The glue is applied by glue nozzles during the manufacture of the packet as a row of glue spots (26, 41) to the respective folding flaps, i.e. to an inner flap (24) lying radially on the outside in relation to the rotary folding unit (12) and to the inner side of an outer base flap (39) extending in the direction of the perimeter.

Abstract: A system for forming and packaging a bulk of loose particulate material. The system utilizes a compression tower for initial deposit of the loose particular material therein with the bottom floor of said tower being presented by a belt of a conveyor system. A ram within the tower compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. Subsequent to compression, the conveyor system is vertically displaced so that the formed material bulk can be conveyed to an horizontally adjacent conveyor for downstream conveyance to a space formed between downstream upper and lower conveyor assemblies. A sheet of packaging material spans the upper and lower conveyor assemblies such that the material bulk is directed through the sheet and enveloped thereby. The system diminishes the dislodgement of the particulate material from the bulk subsequent to its formation and transports and avoids the expenses of utilizing separately formed packaging bags.

Abstract: A unit for wrapping packets, wherein a first seat, carried on a first conveyor, closed by a sheet of wrapping material and housing a packet, is brought into engagement with a second seat on a second conveyor to insert the packet inside the second seat and fold the sheet into a U about the packet; the first seat engaging a respective packet by the end surfaces of the packet; and the second seat engaging the packet by a pair of lateral walls crosswise to the end surfaces.

Abstract: In the manufacture of (cigarette) packets, especially of the soft-case type, the handling of critical, namely thin, packaging material on powerful packaging machines is problematic. A holding disc (26), to the peripheral surface (40) of which the blank (12) is adjacent, and a transverse supporting and conveying member (34) which is attached to the holding disc (26) and grasps a front end of the blank (12) by means of suction air, serve to lead blanks (12) to a rotary folding unit (10) and to take the blanks (12) by means of mandrels (11).

Abstract: Bottom wrap/three-quarter wrap apparatus having an automatic web feeder for safely advancing a web fed from a supply roll to a main web feeder. The web free end is inserted between a pair of rollers, one being driven by a motor and the other being free-wheelingly mounted. The free-wheeling roller swings about a pivot shaft. A cylinder normally maintains the free-wheeling roller displaced from the drive roller. The insertion of the web past the nip formed by the initial feed rollers is detected by a proximity sensor to pull the free-wheeling roller toward the motor-driven roller pinching the web therebetween. A small motor drives the driven roller, moving the web upwardly and into a nip formed by a main feed roller pair. The small motor is then turned off and the main feed rollers advance one length of the web and a cutter cuts the advanced length, completing one cycle of operation, after which the bottom wrap/three-quarter wrap apparatus is placed under control of a bundle feeder.

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 method and unit for forming and wrapping groups of cigarettes, whereby cigarettes are fed, crosswise to their respective axes, onto a supporting surface to form, on the supporting surface, a multilayer group located between two opposite retaining heads of a pocket for conveying the group; the two retaining heads leave a lateral surface of the group substantially free, and feed the group along the supporting surface, and crosswise to the respective axes of the cigarettes, through a supply line for supplying sheets of wrapping material.

Abstract: A method of overwrapping products in sheets of wrapping material, whereby a product, traveling continuously along a path with a respective lateral surface perpendicular at all times to a traveling direction, is wrapped in a respective sheet, which forms about the product a tubular wrapping; and the product is engaged at the ends by a gripping device, which is moved continuously along the path and is maintained constantly in a gripping position contacting surfaces of the product parallel to the traveling direction throughout the formation of the tubular wrapping.

Abstract: A food product wrapping machine includes a frame having through cavities each receiving a food product stick pushed into the cavity atop a wrapper sheet. An inwardly projecting blade at each end with a clearance space causes formation of a folded flap and a pair of wings on the wrapper as a stick enters a cavity end. Folding fingers at each end of the cavity engage the wrapper wings and fold them against the stick. Inward movement of a pair of folding blades creates additional top flaps on the sheet, which are then folded down by pivotal plates to complete the wrapping process.

Abstract: A method of overwrapping packets of cigarettes is implemented utilizing a machine by which packets and respective sheets of wrapping material are fed singly and in timed succession to a folding station where each packet is directed against a central portion of the corresponding sheet and advanced together with the sheet through a tubular duct of proportions such that the sheet is constrained to fold into a U formation around the packet. To optimize the folding action, the duct is fashioned with two longer side walls of convex profile by which the two lateral portions of the sheet flattened over the main lateral faces of the respective packet are engaged and compressed only along a limited central band of their full advancing width, and caused as a result to spread gradually into uniform contact with the overwrapped surfaces, without creasing.

Abstract: A method of continuously wrapping products, whereby at least one seat for a respective product is fed continuously along a given path together with a respective retaining element for retaining a respective sheet of wrapping material, which is supplied in such a manner that a first portion is positioned over the seat, and a second portion is engaged by the retaining element; a product is inserted continuously inside the seat so as to fold at least the first portion of the sheet substantially in a U; and the retaining element is so moved as to fold at least part of the second portion of the sheet about the product.

Abstract: A process and a device for packaging products, particularly cylindrical products such as cigarettes, or the like, in a wrapping sheet, and involves wrapping an ordered group of cigarettes (S) in a wrapping sheet (2) and forming a first tubular wrapping open at its opposing ends and provided with portions (402, 502, 602, 702) projecting beyond the corresponding sides of the group of cigarettes. The ends of the tubular wrapping are closed by the successive folding of the various flaps or various wings (402, 502, 602, 702) forming the projecting portions against the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes (S). The formation of the tubular wrapping open at its ends is carried out in the feed station (A), while the closing of the open ends is carried out completely in only one of the successive stations (P), the whole being done by means of particular shaping, arrangement and operation of movable folding devices (6, 15, 25, 26) and stationary folding devices (5, 105, 205, 605) and of the forming wheel (1).

Abstract: A processing machine, particularly a packing machine for cigarettes or similar, includes a plurality of operating units which execute various steps of processing which are synchronized with each other and follow a predetermined system of operation. The machine has a modular unit construction, consisting of a table or bed (1) which forms a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, plane (101) acting as an upper support for the various operating units (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) and lower housings (201, 301) for further operating units (20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28), all the operating units being made in prefabricated form.

Abstract: A food material transferring apparatus basically includes a heating device, a pushing member, and a tray. Food materials are placed on a tray, and inserted into the heating device. The heating device heats the food material, and the pushing member is driven to push the food material from the heating device while folding the food material. An arm is provided with a hand having absorption pads to be able to absorb the food material. The arm is attached to a bi-directional straight proceeding mechanism, which moves the hand in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that the food material is taken out from the tray and inserted into the heating device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a body flap folding apparatus in a packaging machine. Comb-shaped folding pieces are moved pivotally along arcuate tracks from edge portions of a folding surface of box-like contents. As a result, front ends of the folding pieces strike against body flaps at the edge portions, whereby the base portions of the body flaps are bent along the edge portions. Thereafter, resilient members are deformed in the direction opposite to their biasing direction by virtue of a reaction force from the folding surface, so that the folding pieces fold the body flaps inside along the folding surface in a strained state of the flaps.

Abstract: Twin packets of cigarettes, each consisting of two half packets with respective foil wrappings and arranged side by side inside an outer wrapping, are formed on a wrapping line by feeding a single succession of half packets along the input portion of the wrapping line, and successively transferring the half packets to the output portion of the wrapping line by grouping the half packets into twos to form, at the output portion, a single succession of groups, each consisting of two side by side half packets.

Abstract: In the production of packs with an outer wrapping of plastic film, a continuous forced guiding of a web of material (13) and the blanks (12) produced therefrom is important. The web of material (13) is fed to a knife roller (20). In the region thereof, the blanks (12) are produced by severing. The web of material (13) or each blank (12) is fed to upright suction belts (25, 26) via a transfer roller (39) with suction bores (42). The suction belts (25, 26) are movable up and down relative to the knife roller (20) and transfer roller (39) for carrying out a change of format.

Abstract: A method and machine whereby two rigid packets, traveling in a first direction parallel to the longer longitudinal axes of the packets, are transferred to the inputs of respective conveyors, one of the two packets being rotated 180.degree. about its longitudinal axis, and the other packet being rotated 180.degree. about an axis crosswise to its longitudinal axis; and the two packets are fed along the respective conveyors in a second direction crosswise to the respective longer longitudinal axes and to the crosswise axis into a position wherein the two packets present a common longitudinal axis, are oppositely oriented along the common longitudinal axis, are rotated 180.degree. in relation to each other about the common longitudinal axis, and are connectable to form a twin packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping covering elements around flat objects. The method and apparatus involve the formation of a compound object comprising a flat object to be wrapped and a covering element. A first main surface of the flat object is covered at least partially with a covering element for creating a projecting portion of the covering element. A plurality of compound objects are conveyed in series in a predetermined conveying-in trajectory. Then, a flow of compound objects are deflected about a wrapping roller having a longitudinal axis oriented transversely to the conveying-in trajectory. During deflection, each compound object is moved through a position where main surfaces of an associated flat object are oriented parallel to the radius of the wrapping roller, and in a moving trajectory substantially transverse to those main surfaces.

Abstract: A method of fashioning tubular overwrappings with a heat-sealable material, and a device in which single commodities are directed in succession together with respective sheets of heat-sealable material into a set of pockets spaced apart at a constant pitch around the periphery of an indexing wheel rotated through steps of length equal to a submultiple of the pitch of the peripheral pockets. The pockets currently occupied pause after each step in alignment with a relative set of heat-seal stations and are accompanied through the first step, approaching the first heat-seal station, by a moving folder positioned so as to flatten a first longitudinal flap of the relative sheet against the flank of the commodity; a second flap is flattened similarly over the first flap by a fixed folder whereupon the two flaps are held fast in overlap contact, ready for heat-sealing.

Abstract: A stretchable film is used whose width is substantially equal to that of the bottom of an article of the largest format which can be processed by the packaging machine. The film is characterized by considerable stretchability and a low elastic memory when stretched. The portion of film cyclically introduced into the wrapping station is normally subjected to longitudinal pre-stretching which has the function of decreasing the width of the film, and the extent of this pre-stretching is variable according to the dimensions of the article to be wrapped, so that the portion of film has a width proportionate to the corresponding dimension of the article to be wrapped.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping an article with a belt-like wrapping material of film, synthetic resin laminate or the like, includes a folding and opening unit having a length about a half of the wrapping material. The unit comprises an inverting guide, a raising guide, and a folding guide. The inverting guide has a straight inverting and guiding section transversely crossing the wrapping material at a right angle and a virtually straight slant guiding section connected with one end of the inverting and guiding section and inclined by about 45.degree.. The raising guide is included in a fixed horizontal plane defined by the inverting guide and crosses a meeting point of both guiding sections at a right angle for raising the wrapping material at about a right angle.

Abstract: A machine for packaging fragile cylindrical products, particularly cigarettes or similar, has means for feeding ordered groups of cigarettes, means of transferring the ordered groups of cigarettes to a station for joining to a wrapping slip, means of picking up and positioning the slip and means of introducing the groups of cigarettes together with the associated slip into a cell in a folding drum. According to the invention, the means of collecting and positioning the slips consist of pairs of gripping suction fingers which are made to rotate in a circular movement about an axis parallel to the axis of the folding drum. The gripping fingers grip each slip along the lateral surfaces at its corner areas. The means of transferring the groups of cigarettes to the joining station are made in such a way that the transfer movement is at least partially rectilinear.

Abstract: A portion of film, with a length proportionate to the dimensions and to the characteristics of the product to be wrapped, is subjected to a transverse pre-stretching, the extent of which is also proportionate to the said parameters. The film is held at one end by a fixed dispenser (30) and at the other end by a movable rear clamp (61), which conveniently reduce the longitudinal tension of the film, both in pre-stretching and during the subsequent lifting of the product. In this phase, the side clamps (78-178) approach each other to reduce the pre-stretching, and are then inserted under the product and are opened, to extend the side flaps of the film under the product.

Abstract: A process and a machine for supplying paper to a machine for wrapping plastic wrap around workpieces. A glue is applied to the paper at a distance from the wrapping machine sufficient for the glue to dry before it is fed into the wrapping machine. Next, the wrapping machine wraps the paper around a workpiece such that the glue is located between at least two layers of the paper. Then heat sufficient to activate the glue is applied to one of the two layers of the paper. Then heat sufficient to activate the glue is applied to one of the two layers of the paper. The layers of the paper being held in place for a sufficient time to allow the glue to adhere to the layers of paper. The machine having a wrapping machine for wrapping a portion of the web around the workpieces to form a package and a glue application station for applying heat activated glue to an area of the web.

Abstract: A machine and process for wrapping workpieces, typically napkins. The machine having an infeed conveyor from which workpieces are feed to a poly film supply apparatus, via a conveyor assembly, that distributes a predetermined portion of the poly film supply apparatus around the workpieces to form a horizontally disposed U having a first tail and a second tail of poly film wrap. The conveyor assembly has two conveyor belts that are arranged so that the end of the first conveyor belt meets an end of the second conveyor belt. The second conveyor belt is mounted on a pulley system that allows the end of the second conveyor belt to move away from the end of the first conveyor belt after the workpieces have transferred to the second conveyor belt so that a gap between the two belts is presented. A folder folds down the first tail of poly film wrap. A second folder and a sealer bar come up through the gap and fold up the second tail against the first and seal it in place.

Abstract: An apparatus (blank unit) for feeding blanks to an article to be wrapped is disclosed. In the feeding of blanks (13) or of a web of material (14) made from critical packaging materials (thin foils), suction conveyors (32 . . . 37) are used which transport, guide and retain the web of material (14). An optimum guidance of the web of material (14) is ensured when lateral elongated suction conveyors (32, 33) reach below a pack track (15). Additionally, shorter suction conveyors (34 . . . 37) are disposed above the pack track (15) in the region of the web of material (14). To adjust the blank unit to different widths of the web of material (14), the lateral elongated suction conveyors (32, 33) can be displaced transversely relative to one another. Moreover, individual shorter suction conveyors (34 . . . 37) can be removed.

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: The present invention relates to a packing method and an apparatus, wherein a substance to be packed is carried from a carrying-in section in which the substance is carried to a position under a packing section where a film stands by in a horizontally stretched state. The substance to be packed is lifted to the film and is covered on the upper surface with the film, and the end portions of the film are folded under the bottom portion of the substance to be packed. The packing method and packing apparatus are for a no-tray system for directly packing a substance to be packed without a tray.

Abstract: Device for feeding sheets of, for example, foil, especially for use in cigarette packing machines, with a drum (7) having cells (2') in which the sheets (8) are folded around individual groups (3) of cigarettes (S) as each group (3) of cigarettes (S) is transferred from a transfer drum (1) having cells (2) to the folding drum (7) at a transfer point (T) where the cigarette-carrying cells (2, 2') of the two drums (1, 7) coincide face to face and to where the sheet (8) is fed in a predetermined position with respect to the group (3) of cigarettes (S) and between the cells (2, 2') of the two drums (1, 7) by a pick-up/positioning device (14, 114) associated with the transfer drum (1). The sheet (8) pick-up/positioning device consists of a separate pick-up/positioning drum (14, 114) supported coaxially with the transfer drum (1) and rotated (21) independently of it.

Abstract: A cartoning machine for wrapping cartons about objects at high speed, consisting of a series of stations arranged one after the other on a frame and comprising a conveying table which feeds objects to a station for separating said objects into groups and to a pusher conveyor for the groups, below the pusher conveyor there being located a further conveyor for feeding cartons in an open and flat state towards an aperture provided in an advancement table for the group of objects, deflector elements being positioned in correspondence with the aperture to deviate the carton upwards within the pusher conveyor, wherein the further conveyor is arranged inclined from the bottom upwards and can rotate about a pivot under the action of control elements so that the upper end of the further conveyor is always directed towards the aperture, which can be moved forwards and rearwards along the advancement table in phase with the end of the further conveyor.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for rejecting defective packages in the region of a packaging machine are disclosed. In the production of bundles formed from several individual packages, especially from a group (11) of cigarette packages (10), it is required to inspect the cigarette packages (10) as regards completeness of the group. Packages (13) which are thus found to be defective are marked in an exteriorly visible manner and are rejected at a later stage, especially in the region of a discharge track (26). The defective package (13) is marked by way of folding over a folding tab of an outer wrapping (12), especially a lower tab (33) in the region of a rearward side wall with respect to the conveying direction. The lower tab (33) forms a gusset (36) which is folded over to the outside.

Abstract: A packing machine for spherical vegetables includes a machine body, a film-cutting part, a film-gripping part, a clamp device and a heat sealing mechanism. The film-cutting part is installed on the rear part of the machine body and can be moved upwardly and downwardly. The clamp device is situated behind the film-cutting part for clamping the packing film. Furthermore, the film-gripping part is installed opposite to the clamping device and can slide forwardly and backwardly upon two guide rails by means of a motor driven transmission chain. When starting the packing machine, the film-gripping part moves forwardly to the clamping device to grip the packing film and then returns to its original position. Meanwhile, the film-cutting part is lowered to cut off the packing film. Then a spherical vegetable is placed on the packing film from a loading holder which is automatically lowered to an appropriate position while the heat sealing mechanism clamps and seals an upper part of the packing film.

Abstract: A package wrapping apparatus and method compresses a package of napkins or a similarly soft bulked product during the wrapping operation to provide a tight wrapped package which does not become loose with settling. An air activated expandable elevator plate allows the bottom of the napkin package to be completely supported during the wrapping operation, and contracts to allow the plate to be lowered between front and rear underfolders. This allows the napkin stack to undergo a greater degree of compression without defects, since folding or curling of the napkin edges over the elevator plate is avoided. An air activated movable top compression plate applies variable downloading against the top of the package. As the elevator plate is raised, the package presses against the top compression plate and is thereby compressed.