With Movement Of Receptacle To Or From Filling Station Patents (Class 53/249)
  • Patent number: 10946989
    Abstract: A method of packaging snack food chips, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of snack food chips as a shingled assembly of the snack food chips; (b) enclosing the shingled assembly within an elongate packaging container; (c) vibrating the shingled assembly supported so as to cause the snack food chips sequentially to fall from a free output end into the elongate packaging container while progressively translationally separating a closed end and the free output end to form a shingled stack extending away from the closed end; and (d) during at least a part of step (c), rotating the elongate packaging container so that the closed end is lowered while decreasing an angle of inclination such that the shingled stack is being progressively formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH
    Inventors: Bob Abbas, Michael Brandt, Jan Christopher Fuller
  • Patent number: 10800555
    Abstract: Provided is a bag making and packaging machine capable of accurately detecting, with a simple configuration, the timing at which an article that is dropped and supplied from an article supply device disposed above the bag making and packaging machine, will arrive at a lateral sealing mechanism. A bag making and packaging machine receives articles dropped and supplied from a combination weighing machine disposed above the bag making and packaging machine and packages the articles in a bag to be made. The bag making and packaging machine includes a lateral sealing mechanism, a servo motor, and a falling time detector. The lateral sealing mechanism laterally seals a packaging material of a cylindrical shape. The servo motor drives the lateral sealing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Koike, Ryoichi Sato, Ryo Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20150143777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging assembly comprising a device for transporting a packaging means (2), in particular a carton, said device comprising a continuous conveying section (3) and a plurality of conveying elements (4, 5). The continuous conveying section (3) is oriented vertically, forming an upper run region (30) and a lower nm region (31), and the packaging means (2) is transported on the lower run region (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Rapp, Ruediger Grabowski, Josef Weis
  • Publication number: 20150139772
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transporting objects, in particular packaging means, said device comprising a continuous conveying section (3) and a plurality of conveying assemblies (40) that circulate on the conveying section (3). Each conveying assembly (40) comprises a first conveying element (4) and a second conveying element (5) and each of said conveying elements (4, 5) can be driven individually and independently of one another. The conveying elements (4, 5) are designed to jointly transport one individual object (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Reinhard Rapp, Ruediger Grabowski, Josef Weis
  • Patent number: 9021769
    Abstract: The medicament dispensing machine enables to use vials having various sizes and shapes without changing a part in the machine or without performing a special operation. The medicament dispensing machine contains a discharging unit that receives a vial filled with a medicament from a medicament filling means and discharges out of a vial discharging window. The discharging unit contains a vial gripping means having a pair of gripping arms that grip a vial, a body of gripping means having the vial gripping means, a moving means that moves the vial gripping means from the medicament filling means to the vial discharging window, and an orientation changing mechanism that changes the orientation of the body of gripping means. With a coordination of the movement of the body of gripping means toward the vial discharging window, the orientation changing mechanism makes the gripping arms orient to the vial discharging window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike, Takafumi Imai, Yoshinori Kumano, Akira Maeda, Mitsuhiro Mitani
  • Publication number: 20150113917
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding capsules to a transferring wheel of a filling machine includes a store for containing the capsules. First feeding conduits are spaced apart along a first direction for drawing the capsules from the store and conveying the capsules from the store to first seats of the transferring wheel. Second feeding conduits are spaced apart along the first direction and spaced apart from the first feeding conduits along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction for drawing the capsules from the store and conveying the capsules from the store to second seats of the transferring wheel. A first horizontal pushing arrangement and a first vertical pushing arrangement for receive and orient the capsules coming from the first feeding conduits. A second horizontal pushing arrangement and a second vertical pushing arrangement receive and orient the capsules coming from the second feeding conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Roberto Trebbi, Fabrizio Salvatore Consoli, Massimo Ribani
  • Patent number: 8925289
    Abstract: This machine comprises a hopper (2) for storing empty straws, a station (5) for filling the straws, and a transfer device (3), such as a rotary barrel, which is provided with notches for receiving and holding the straws (p) and with which straws removed from the hopper are conveyed to the filling station (5); it is designed to process at least two categories of straws of different diameters, notches being subdivided into at least two distinct series that can be used selectively, the elements (90) of one of the two series being designed to adapt to straws of large diameter, while the elements (91) of the other series are designed to adapt to straws of small diameter. Machine that can be used in more than one way in the packaging of semen for artificial insemination, particularly of cows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Eurl Cryo Vet
    Inventor: Pascal Lecointe
  • Patent number: 8783000
    Abstract: Improved product handling and transfer apparatus includes rotatable product buckets for receiving product and re-orienting product for packaging in diverse configurations or containers. Buckets preferably include channels spanned by deposited product or receiving product therein, with bucket turning as appropriate to a packaging configuration. Flat bottom buckets and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: R. A. Jones & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Wintring, R. Todd Gatman
  • Patent number: 8763348
    Abstract: Packing unit (1) with a packing machine (2) for filling bulk materials (3) in open sacks with a sack suspension device (7), for suspending the open sacks at a filling nozzle (8-10) of a product supply device (11, 13) and filling the same with at least one bulk material. The sack suspension device is provided with at least two selectable product supply devices. The at least two product supply devices and the sack suspension device are movable relative to each other in order to select a product supply device and to suspend a sack by means of the sack suspension device at the filling nozzle of the selected product supply device and to fill bulk material in the open sack by means of the corresponding filling nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Haver & Boecker OHG
    Inventor: Alois Combrink
  • Publication number: 20140096481
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a cover includes an inlet transport, a turning unit for redirecting and turning the cover and an outlet transport, wherein the turning unit, the inlet transport and the outlet transport are arranged such that at least the inlet transport or the outlet transport transports the cover moving through the turning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Helmut FOERG, Thomas HUBER, Reinhard SEILER, Josef BATZER
  • Patent number: 8689530
    Abstract: In order to insert packages, particularly bags (10) having fragile packaging goods into containers or cartons (14), the carton (14) is held ready in a packing station (16) such that the bags (10) can be inserted into the carton (14) by means of a delivery device, particularly a pusher (56). In order to create different, ordered formations of the bags (10) within the carton (14), said carton can be moved during the filling or packing process such that the packing formation is created due to a corresponding relative positioning of the carton (14) at a predetermined feed plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Andreas Prahm, Mimke Bohlen, Frank Sachs
  • Patent number: 8662088
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling under gravity from a hopper (9), a storage device (2) for articles that has the form of a columnar cavity between opposed side walls with a mass flow of mutually parallel rod-shaped articles descending from the hopper, a cavity-filling device (12) that alternates in use between a closed configuration that blocks a downward flow of the said articles through the device and an open configuration that allows flow of the articles through the device, the device being movable in translation, in alternate upward and downward strokes within the cavity, being in the closed configuration on the downward stroke and in the open configuration on the upward stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland SP . Z O.O.
    Inventors: Radoslaw Owczarek, Adam Gielniewski
  • Patent number: 8549818
    Abstract: In a process for introducing individual products into containers by means of a picker line comprising at least two pickers individual products are individually picked and transposed to containers. The individual products and the containers are delivered in counterflow on at least one transportation device for the individual products and on at least one transportation device for the containers. The delivery of a next container to be filled into the transposition area of the picker line is controlled by any picker. The picker which is controlling the delivery of the next container to be filled is determined by the number of currently introduced products at the infeed of the picker line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Veltru AG
    Inventors: Matthias Ehrat, Jürgen Renner
  • Publication number: 20130247523
    Abstract: A container has a rotary device for rotating an article in the container, in particular a stack of flat items of mail. The container contains a base, a supporting side wall and a further side wall. The rotary device has a first sheet-like retaining element and a second sheet-like retaining element. These two retaining elements are connected mechanically to one another. In a filling position of the rotary device, the first retaining element rests on the supporting side wall, and the second retaining element is located on the base. In a raising position, the first retaining element is located on the base. An article located in the container then rests on the first retaining element. An article can be moved into the container when the rotary device is located in the filling position. The rotary device is then transferred into the raising position, this action rotating the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolf-Stephan Wilke, Armin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8523641
    Abstract: An automated coin tray refilling system includes a plurality of coin reservoirs and a plurality of coin dispensers for regulating the dispensing of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs. A collector point distribution member is adapted to receive coins from each of the plurality of coin dispensers at one portion thereof and to output the coins at another portion thereof. An interface module having an input end is disposed substantially adjacent the collector point distribution member output and includes an output end for dispensing coins. A coin interface tray is adapted to receive at least one coin tray and at least one processor is provided. The interface module and/or coin interface tray includes a drive system configured to move interface module and/or coin interface tray relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Julie L. Kuykendall, Jeffrey G. Knoll, Arthur J. Long, John R. Blake
  • Patent number: 8490774
    Abstract: A loading station for transport bags transported in an overhead conveyor system comprises an upper supply rail for the transport bags, a vertical conveyor which adjoins the supply rail for moving the transport bags into a lower loading position, a device for opening the transport bags in the loading position and a lower discharge rail which adjoins the vertical conveyor for discharging the transport bags from the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Janzen
  • Publication number: 20130174514
    Abstract: The present invention provides a packing system for collecting together multiple articles and delivering them to a receptacle (50) such as a box and relates particularly to such a mechanism which can do so in a gentle manner, thereby reducing damage to said produce. The present invention may be used in the food packing industry where such damage is extremely undesirable but also lends itself to use in the packing of other products. In particular, the present invention provides a packing system (10) comprising a product accumulation station (12) and a filling point (14) having a lowering system (16), wherein said lowering system comprises a hinged lowering plate (16a) pivotally connected at a hinge (18) to said filling point (14) and being connected to an actuator (20) for actuation of said plate (16) between a first product receiving position (A) and a second product delivering position (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: PACEPACKER SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Wilkinson, Dennis Allison, Ian Merchant
  • Patent number: 8393132
    Abstract: A packaging station of a packaging machine for filling containers with products, the station comprising a transport device for feeding the products along a feed path and via first and second charging paths which run parallel to said feed path and transport the containers. The containers are filled by a filling device designed to seize one or more of the products from the feed path and to place said seized products into one or more containers on one or other of the charging paths. The charging paths consist of the following sequence of items, listed in order in the displacement direction of the containers to be filled: a set-up assembly, a transport device and a sealing unit. The device and method permit a more rapid filling of packaging materials with products in a relatively small space, in particular on a platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Juerg Waeckerlin
  • Publication number: 20120110948
    Abstract: A product dispenser includes an outer housing and a shell disposed within the outer housing. The shell defines a product dispensing chamber, wherein the product dispensing chamber is climate controlled, for receiving a product, portioning the product, storing the portioned product, and dispensing the portioned product upon a dispense command. The product receptacles are stored in a dispense buffer disposed within the product dispensing chamber, and then are dispensed into an airlock for retrieval by a customer. The product dispenser further recognizes demands to keep the dispense buffer slots filled, and demands to dispense a filled product receptacle. The product dispenser may seal the product receptacles to ensure a sanitary product. The product dispenser may further include a vend interface unit to interact with a controller and consumers, whereby the consumer are able to place a demand on the vend interface unit, and await a dispensed filled product receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Michael T. Romanyszyn, Thomas J. Chadwell, John Vira
  • Publication number: 20120083920
    Abstract: A processing system according to embodiments has an article supplier which supplies an article; a first conveyor which conveys an object to be processed; a workbench which is provided on the downstream side of the first conveyor and places thereon the object to be processed, conveyed by the first conveyor; a robot which takes out the article from the article supplier and subjects the object to be processed, placed on the workbench, to an operation using the article according to a previously instructed operation movement; and a second conveyor which is provided on the downstream side of the workbench and conveys the object to be processed, which has been subjected to the operation by the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Takashi Suyama, Junichi Imatome, Toru Kajiwara, Yoshiaki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120042609
    Abstract: The medicine packing machine is equipped with a loading means that is capable of receiving and delivering vials retrieved from a stocker, and a supplying means that is capable of delivering the vials from the loading means in an upright position. A control means is also disposed between the loading means and the supplying means. As a result of the presence of the control means, the transfer of vials received by the loading means is controlled by the control means in such a manner that the vials are not ejected towards the supplying means. The vials are also controlled so as to be in an upright position once loaded into the loading means. As a result of these actions, the vials received by the loading means are reliably delivered to the supplying means without being ejected or jamming at unanticipated locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: YUYAMA MANUFACTURING Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Inoue, Kazunori Tsukamoto, Yoshinori Maeji
  • Patent number: 8099929
    Abstract: Automatic feeding machines are commonly used for filling blister packs with items of product such as pharmaceutical dosage forms. These machines are usually designed for the handling of a specific shape and sized product item. Handling of different shaped items requires expensive re-tooling of all the product item contact components. The invention allows a single feeding machine to be quickly configured for use to handling a wide variety of item sizes/shapes. A machine (21) has a tray (36) defining a series of tapered channels (40) and a container (22) slideably mounted above the tray. A wall of the container and the channels together define apertures into each channel through which items of product pass out of the container. Sliding movement of the container across the planar tray surface (38), along and over the channels, allows the size of the apertures to be adjusted depending upon the size of the item of product to be handled, using the same components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Surgichem Limited
    Inventors: Raymond George Kirby, Kim Warrick
  • Publication number: 20110283667
    Abstract: A tray is provided for receiving a plurality of pre-filled syringes each having a tubular body defining an outer surface and a chamber having an open first end sealed with a plug and an open opposite second end configured to establish fluid communication with a hypodermic needle. wherein a flange extends from the tubular body at the first end. The tray includes a plate defining a plurality of through-going ridges and a plurality of through-going grooves parallel to the ridges, wherein the ridges are interconnected with the grooves. A multitude of open apertures is defined at the ridges, wherein the apertures are configured for (a) receiving the flange of a syringe received between two adjacent ridges, and (b) permitting the passage of a gas through the plate to contact the outer surface of the syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Flemming Hesseldahl
  • Publication number: 20110185685
    Abstract: An ice bagging system and method according to which ice is automatically disposed in respective bags provided from a first source of bags, and ice is automatically disposed in respective bags provided from a second source of bags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 7895814
    Abstract: A case loader for forming arrays of articles such as milk jugs carried by a relatively upper supply conveyor to the loading gate of a loading station and dropping the articles into cases delivered by conveyor to the loading station and raised by an elevator up under the loading gate. A conveyor article sensor is employed to ensure the presence of articles on the supply conveyor a sufficient distance upstream to develop sufficient line pressure force for reliable operation. A plurality of cases are loaded at the same time, and an array of case sensors are employed for reliable case position sensing and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Milkco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack A. Levins, Sr., Kevin S. Willett
  • Patent number: 7856794
    Abstract: A device for the individual packaging of pharmaceutical tablets comprising a charging template (1) with recesses (5) for receiving tablets (11) of dosage at given times, the recesses (5) have recess bases (6) for openable by a displaceable arranged control template (2) to pass on the tablet (11), a tablet container (3), physically arranged below the charging template (1) such as to be displaced relative to the charging template (1) and having compartments for transfer of the tablets (11), and a weighing scale positioned beneath the charging template (1) and above the tablet container (3) for checking the weight of the tablets (11) assigned to the charging template (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Wolfgang Zieher
  • Patent number: 7845144
    Abstract: There is provided a medicine storing and dispensing apparatus, which is capable of filling medicines dispensed from a medicine feeder into a container generally evenly regardless of location to thereby effectively utilize an internal space of the container. The medicine storing and dispensing apparatus has arms 72, 73 and is capable of filling tablets into a vial B held by the arms. A drive roller 101, which is rotated by a motor, is provided at the arm 72. The medicine storing and dispensing apparatus can rotate the vial B by rotating the drive roller 101 when filling the tablets into the vial B held by the arms 72, 73.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Yuyama
  • Patent number: 7818950
    Abstract: A method of transferring a plurality of tablets of a product from a first blister card including a first plurality of blisters to a second blister card including a second plurality of blisters includes discharging the plurality of tablets from the first plurality of blisters of the first blister card. Then, each of the plurality of tablets are guided along one of a plurality of passageways defined by a transfer fixture positioned between the first blister card and the second blister card. Finally, the plurality of tablets are received in the second plurality of blisters of the second blister card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Walgreen Co.
    Inventors: Sean McGonagle, Greg Pankow, J. Randolph Lewis, Victor Lee
  • Patent number: 7770357
    Abstract: A tablet filling device for supplying a vial container of desired size certainly with no mistake comprising a plurality of containing means containing vial containers by size, a means for taking out a vial container from the containing means based on prescription data, means for carrying a vial container taken out by the container take out means, a means for providing a table to a vial container carried by the carrying means, a means for collecting a vial container in the middle of carriage by the carrying means, a means provided on the carrying passage of the carrying means and detecting the size of a carried vial container, and a control means for judging whether the size of a vial container selected based on the prescription data matches the size of a vial container detected by the container size detection means and collecting the carried vial container by the container collection means if they do not match each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Naoki Koike, Takafumi Imai, Hirokazu Chihara, Katsunori Yoshina, Masayuki Okamoto, Yoshihiko Ide
  • Patent number: 7721508
    Abstract: A tablet filling device to convey a vial to a tablet cassette for receiving tablets easily and reliably. The tablet filling device includes: a detachable tablet feeding unit including a plurality of tablet feeders capable of discharging tablets one by one and arranged horizontally and vertically; and an arm unit that carries an empty vial, fills the vial with tablets discharged from a tablet feeder of the tablet feeding unit, and carries the vial filled with the tablets. The arm unit includes: a perpendicularly moving base movable horizontally and vertically along a horizontal rail and a vertical rail, respectively, the rails provided in directions in which the tablet feeders of the tablet feeding unit are arranged; an arm base on the perpendicularly moving base to be slidable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal rail and horizontally rotatable; and an arm, on the arm base, capable of holding the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike
  • Patent number: 7698879
    Abstract: An insert with an upwardly projecting protuberance proximate one end is inserted into an open container. The open container is conveyed continuously in a downstream direction with a container conveyor with the container opening upwardly. The insert is held above the conveyor at an insertion station by supporting a downstream portion of the insert: the protuberance bearing end of the insert being the upstream end of the insert. A pusher finger is driven downwardly against an upstream portion of the insert at a downstream side of the protuberance in order to push the upstream portion of the insert downwardly into the container. The upstream portion of the insert is pushed against an inside surface of the container with the pusher finger while the container is conveyed underneath the insert. Simultaneously, the support is removed from the downstream portion of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Patheon Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Mrasek, Carlo Giammarco, Jitender Singh, Stavros Steven Michalopulo
  • Publication number: 20090288973
    Abstract: A method of handling a plurality of pre-filled syringes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Flemming Hesseldahl
  • Publication number: 20090151814
    Abstract: A dosing apparatus in a form-fill-seal packaging machine comprises a delivery nozzle (12), a valve closure member (34) co-axial with the nozzle (12) and reciprocable co-axially relative thereto and bounding with the nozzle (12) an annular volume (35) therebetween for flow of liquid therethrough, fins (54) in the volume (35) and extending helically co-axially with the nozzle (12) for imparting a spiral motion to the liquid flowing through said volume, an annular valve closure seat (42) in and co-axial with the nozzle (12), respective annular portions of the seat (42) and the member (34) coming into sealing contact with each other, the annular portion of the member (34) comprising glass-fibre-reinforced plastics, a tubular bellows (44) extending between the nozzle (12) and the member (34) and sealingly separating in a liquid-tight manner the volume (35) from an interior chamber (46), and ducting (49, 50) which serves to supply a microbiocidal medium to the chamber (46).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: John Joseph Kelly, Hendrik Fredrik Stoltz, Gert Lourens Jacobus Venter
  • Publication number: 20090084070
    Abstract: To quickly fill a bag with medicine containers without damaging the containers, a machine for filling a bag with medicine containers includes: a bag positioning member (4) for positioning and opening a bag (13); a first moving member (37) that reciprocates between a supply position inside the bag (13) and a waiting position outside the bag (13), the first moving member including a bottom surface portion for supporting medicine containers; a second moving member that reciprocates relative to the bag (13) and includes a guide surface (47) guiding medicine containers (11) to the bottom surface portion; and a drive-control means (59) that moves the first moving member (37) from the supply position to the waiting position while maintaining the second moving member (38) in a fixed position relative to the bag (13), thereby causing medicine containers (11) guided by the guide surface (47) to the bottom surface portion to remain in the bag (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Takayuki Fujikawa, Hidenori Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7475520
    Abstract: A system and method designed to position a tray for either horizontal stacking or vertical stacking of product. The system includes a stationary conveyor and a tray carriage in a tray transportation path with the conveyor. The tray carriage is moveable between an elevated, horizontal position and an inclined position. Guides are located near the tray carriage to guide the tray carriage into the inclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John Swider, Michael E. Caporali, Thomas Arnold, Eric Reisenauer
  • Patent number: 7448182
    Abstract: A device one version of which comprises a planar member having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface defines an array of recesses configured for substantial alignment with an array of blister-like chambers in a sheet to receive a plurality of objects. All of the recesses defined by the planar member are substantially uniform in size and each recess is sized and configured so that substantially all of at least one of the objects may fit in a respective recess. The planar member also defines a plurality of fluid passageways, each passageway opening respectively into one of the recesses defined by the top surface of the planar member, at least a portion of each fluid passageway being more narrow in cross-section than its respective recess to retain the object in its respective recess. Related vacuum apparatus employing the device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Walter G. Pearson
  • Patent number: 7426814
    Abstract: A plurality of cassettes, each filed with a supply of pills and positioned over a target location. A platen is provided beneath the target location with receptacles configured to hold both vials and blister packs. The platen or the cassette is movable so that any blister of the blister pack or the vial can be positioned under the target location to receive a quantity of pills from the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Publication number: 20080196360
    Abstract: In a machine for packaging articles into boxes, a magazine of flat folded tubular blanks is shifted with respect to a conveying line of boxes obtained in an inlet station, by a roto-translating arm for withdrawing blanks and introducing the withdrawn blanks into holding modules, associated to the conveying line. The initial part of the conveying line is situated at an inlet station, while the terminal part of the conveying line corresponds to a discharge station of the boxes already filled with articles. Along the conveying line, a pick-and-place system picks up articles from a feeding line and introduces the articles into the boxes, which are closed before reaching a discharge station. The feeding line and the articles outlet line are arranged, during the machine construction, according to a position of the same machine with respect to the production line, that is in order to allow coupling of the machine with working units, arranged aligned or perpendicular with respect to the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARCHESINI GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe MONTI
  • Patent number: 7412809
    Abstract: A medicine envelope feeder capable of feeding a sufficient quantity of medicine envelopes while preventing injection medicine containers from leaking out of the medicine envelopes even if the shape of a bucket is of a general type. One face of the medicine envelope (3) is supported by a support member (5), excluding a tolerance for bending starting from an upper end opening part. The other face of the medicine envelope (3) is guided by a guide part (26) of a vertically movable holding member (6), and the medicine envelope (3) is folded along the support member (5) and pressed by lowering a vertically movable pressing part (27) along the guide part (26). Since the coefficient of friction of the pressing part (27) is larger than that of the support member 5, only the medicine envelope (3) can be raised while being held between the guide part (26) and the pressing part (27) when the holding member (6) is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hirokazu Chihara, Takayuki Fujikawa
  • Publication number: 20080134637
    Abstract: A semi-automated packaging apparatus allows for an operator to fill a presented container without contaminating the container rim. The presentation of an empty container and subsequent removal of a filled container are performed automatically under control of the operator. The apparatus comprises a plurality of separate, removable modules including: a de-nester module for separating the containers from a stack; a container-presenting module for moving the currently de-nested container into position to be filled by an operator and subsequently removing a filled container; a removable tray with a central opening to allow an operator to place foodstuffs in the presented container; and a user interface module, coupled to each of the other modules for allowing the selection of the proper container opening dimensions (associated with the proper tray selection) and depth dimension (associated with the proper movement of the container-presenting module), as well as to control the “pace” of the packaging operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald S. Boyer
  • Patent number: 7243475
    Abstract: An improved bagger or bag dispenser for supplying bags attached to strips in a bag assembly to a workstation includes a reversible drive that pulls the bag assembly from a supply to the work station and returns unused bags to the supply when changing bag assemblies. The bagger includes a winding spool having tapered ribs and valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Greydon, Inc.
    Inventor: Derril R. Cady
  • Patent number: 7225597
    Abstract: A device having a plurality of cassettes, each filed with a supply of pills and positionable over a target location. The device has a platen beneath the target location with receptacles configured to hold both vials and blister packs. The platen or the cassette is movable so that any blister of the blister pack or the vial can be positioned under the target location to receive a quantity of pills from a cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Patent number: 7140168
    Abstract: The device for packaging continuous webs of materia1, such as selvedges generated on thermoforming units, includes an input regulator of webs, driving guide for the webs, a cutting unit and, downstream thereof, a collector for bits of webs. The cutting unit has at least a blade actuated imparted with a reciprocating movement co-operating with a cutting block, and the driving guide is associated with a conveyor by air stream for the webs, preceding immediately the blade and the cutting block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: SARL ADDITIF, Societe a Responsabilite Limitee
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Pourchet, Bernard Pourchet
  • Patent number: 7137234
    Abstract: A device and method for stacking product into a container in a vertical orientation. The device includes at least one pivoting mechanism pivotable between a loading position and an initial/final position. The at least one pivoting mechanism retains a container thereon. The device may further include at least one corresponding diverting mechanism for injecting product into the container. The diverting mechanism includes a feeding area and a diverting arm swingable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the diverting arm allows product to enter the feeding area. An ejection station is positioned proximate to the feeding area and injects the product into the container after the product enters the feeding area via movement of the diverting arm. In one aspect the ejection station is provided by a pinch belt arrangement and is controlled by a control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Caporali, Bruce H. Hanson, Shane F. Mills, J. Edward Roth, Michael A. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6998094
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling biological sample containers comprises a conveyor assembly for conveying containers and a lid handling assembly operable to remove lids from and replace lids onto containers while the containers are in motion on the conveyor assembly. The lid handling assembly comprises a pair of ramps onto which a lid is lifted by a lifting mechanism configured to handle overhanging lids or non-overhanging lids as required. The lid handling assembly may be configured to handle lids of containers of various sizes by altering the ramp spacing. A conveyor assembly comprises a pair of converging rails which carry a pair of jaws operable to carry a container. The convergence of the rails makes the jaws clamp the container so that it is held tightly in position for micro-arraying to be carried out. The conveyor assembly may be adapted to handle different sizes of container by the provision of holders to hold various container types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Genetix Limited
    Inventors: James Keith Haslam, Paul Noble, Keith Melvin Ebel
  • Patent number: 6993889
    Abstract: A product packaging system for receiving a series of products from one or more product transport lines. The products are loaded into a series of carriers and transported through a downstream inserter unit. Inserter assemblies moving in timed relation with the movement of the carriers through the inserter unit engage and urge the products out carriers and into a carton for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas Rice, Steven Brown
  • Patent number: 6959525
    Abstract: Method and assembly for filling a box with relatively flexible bags, such as snack food bags of relatively small size. Two rows of bags are horizontally placed adjacent to each other. A number of groups or rows can be vertically placed above each other in a box. To that end first of all a cassette is filled by transferring bags having a fixed spacing and lowering them in a cassette. After the cassette is filled, it is closed at its upper side and in lateral direction emptied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: BluePrint Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Nicolaas Martin Prakken
  • Patent number: 6931815
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a transfer device for inserting a product into a package and a circulating leaflet supply device comprising a plurality of tong-like holders which are sequentially disposed, each for receiving one leaflet and for bringing that leaflet into a region of the transfer device between the product and the package such that it can be inserted together with the product into the package. An opening unit with several stops, which can be actuated independently of each other, is disposed in the transport path of the holders for opening the holders to release the leaflet. The stops can be brought into an inoperative position in which the holders pass by the stops without releasing the leaflet. In this connection, the leaflet supply device comprises first holders to be opened by a first stop, and second holders to be opened by a second stop, and successive, sequential holders cooperate with and can be opened by different stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Plüschow
  • Patent number: 6925775
    Abstract: An elongated, mobile apparatus for filling and depositing marine mattresses for use in erosion control. The apparatus comprises a frame system for supporting the apparatus on the ground and positioning for depositing an aggregate filled marine mattress at a desired location. The frame includes plural transverse support members fixedly mounting a like plurality of planarly aligned vertical support posts, where the vertical support posts includes a first forward facing wire mesh wall, and the support posts terminate in aligned free ends. Further included is a plurality of planarly aligned, second vertical support posts, where the second vertical posts are mounted for sliding engagement with the plural transverse support members. The second wall in a vertical orientation cooperates with the first wall to define an elongated space to receive a marine mattress container to be filled with aggregate, while in a horizontal orientation allows the filled container to be deposited on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Joe L. Smallwood, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6892512
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert Gregory Howell, Michael Joseph Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg