Abstract: Poultry dropped from a moving conveyor impacts on a slide surface and is aligned by positioners with a path of entry into bags established by a nozzle assembly that expands each bag in advance of bird entry. A ram packs each bird fully into the bag after alignment thereof followed by detachment of the bag and drop onto a receiving surface.

Abstract: A roller chute apparatus for packaging a flexible plastic bag filled with liquid in a box has four stacks of rotatably supported vertically spaced rollers. The four stacks extend a substantial depth into the box around the inside of the box sidewalls forming two pair of mutually opposing stacks. A first pair extends above the open top of the box and cooperates with the second pair in guiding the bag into the box. The second pair extends above the top of the box with opposing stacks being mutually spaced a greater distance than opposing sidewalls of the box, thereby forming a funnel-like opening with the first pair. A driver roller is substantially located above and adjacent to the top of the box forming an angular transition between each of the portions of the second pair extending above and below the top of the box.

Abstract: Stretch bagging, particularly a method for stuffing a chicken carcass into a stretch plastic bag. The method is characterized by its alternate application of a central pushing force and a chicken leg pushing force, so as to hock or compress the chicken within the stretch bag. The hocking of the chicken within the bag eliminates the time-consuming and expensive necessity for clipping the chicken legs together prior to packaging and, also, presents a more uniform and pleasing appearance of the packaged carcass.

Abstract: A photographic film insertion apparatus inserts photographic film segments into an insertion opening of a multi-layer package strip. A film conveyor conveys cut photographic film segments along a path and discharges the photographic film segments from a discharge end of the conveyor to the film insertion opening. After the film segments have been conveyed into the insertion opening, a film pushing element drives the film segments a further distance into the insertion opening. This ensures that all film segments are securely within the insertion opening and will not hang up or tip as the multi-layer package strip is advanced away from the film insertion station.

Abstract: A bag-making apparatus delivers to a stacking station a succession of like flat and flexible folded shopping bags. A packaging apparatus stacks these bags at the stacking station up into a stack with the objects generally planar in the stack. The stack is then transferred to a loading cassette provided in a packaging station adjacent the stacking station and having a floor formed with an elongated throughgoing slot. An upwardly open carton is then positioned under and around the cassette and the stack is pushed out of the slot in the bottom of the floor of the cassette, temporarily deforming each of the bags from planar to U-shape as they pass through the slot. In this manner the entire stack is pushed through the slot into the carton.

Abstract: A packaging device comprises three conveyor assemblies, each having a belt mounted on wheels in turn rotatably attached to a carrier disposed within a loop formed by the respective belt. The carriers have apertures for being removably secured by screws to a vertical plate of a supporting frame, while the wheels include respective shafts with couplings for forming a locked driving engagement between drafts upon assemblage of the packaging device, the rotation of one wheel by a power source thus serving to drive all of the belts. A first pair of assemblies transport goods and containers along parallel paths from respective feeders and a third assembly carries reciprocating pushers along a third parallel path for loading the goods into the containers. A carrier is formed from a pair of members slidably interconnected for increasing the distance between peripherally mounted belt-bearing wheels and thereby increasing belt tension.

Abstract: A photographic film packing apparatus cuts film segments from a web of photographic film, partially overlaps the segments in a shingled manner, and conveys the segments in partially overlapping relationship into an insertion opening of a package, such as a customer order envelope. The apparatus advances the web a selected distance past a knife location, at which a knife assembly is located. The knife assembly severs a film segment from the web. The movement of the film segment is then reversed to cause a trailing edge of the film segment to be deflected downward out of the path of the leading edge of the web. The web is then advanced while the segment is maintained stationary until the web has overlapped the segment by a predetermined amount. The web and the film segment are then conveyed together toward the insertion opening until a desired cut location on the web is aligned with the knife location. The knife assembly then cuts another film segment from the web.

Abstract: A bale bagging apparatus for placing a bag having an open end and a closed end over an elongated bale transported transversely along a conveyor, the apparatus having a stop reciprocable toward and from the bale to retain the bale at a bagging station along the conveyor; an open ended sleeve adapted to receive the bag externally and to telescope over the bale, the sleeve reciprocating in a path which is normal to the conveyor and extends across the station from a bag receiving position to a stripped position; and elements for stopping movement of the bale along the conveyor when the bale is aligned with the sleeve, so that a stroke of the sleeve from the receiving position into the stripped position strips the bag from the sleeve over the bale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for loading articles, particularly meat articles, into containers. The apparatus comprises two groups of movably mounted beams cantilevered in a direction of article progression. One group of beams is movable in a vertical direction while the other group of beams is movable in a horizontal direction. The movement of the beams is synchronized to provide for article movement in the desired direction. The terminal portions of both sets of beams are unconnected and spaced apart so as to provide a spaced relationship between the group of beams to permit the insertion of a container over the terminal portions of the beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting bags from a first station to a second station and for inserting the bags into boxes at the second station comprises a reciprocating frame, a first conveyor belt movable towards the second station, a gripper for picking up a bag at the first station and releasing it to lie on the first conveyor belt, and a second conveyor belt underlying the first conveyor belt and receiving the bag released by the first conveyor belt to carry it to the second station. A pusher assists and completes the action of the second conveyor belt in inserting the bag deposited thereon into one of the boxes positioned at the second station.

Abstract: An arrangement for the feeding of objects to and grouping them on a base.In order to simplify handling and transport of milk packages it is frequent to use transport packages in the form of trays or the like, onto which a number of milk packages are placed in close stacking. For this purpose automatic machinery is used, which machinery automatically loads the milk packages on a transport package placed in position for loading. In order to avoid interruptions when an empty transport package has to be substituted for a filled one this invention suggests an arrangement according to which the milk packages are first collected in close stacking on a pre-loading surface. Thereafter, when the new transport package has been brought in correct position adjacent to the pre-loading surface, the collected milk packages are transferred onto the transport package.

Abstract: End closures for cans fed horizontally at given intervals at a high speed are shifted in direction, one after another, to be substantially perpendicular to a support passage extending substantially horizontally, received separately by the passage rapidly and positively, and lotted out when a predetermined number has been reached by the pieces received. Each lot thus compacted to a solid cylindrical form is put into an elongate paper bag, and the open end of the bag is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a carton into a thermoplastic bag includes a table for supporting the bag, a pusher assembly for transferring a carton into the bag, and a guide assembly for first opening the bag mouth and for thereafter guiding the carton into the mouth of the bag while supporting the carton above the table until after it has been fully inserted into the bag. A vacuum is applied through apertures formed in the table to initially hold the bottom panel of the bag against the table, and a reciprocatable suction cup assembly is mounted above the suction apertures for engaging the top panel of the bag and for partially opening the mouth of the bag so that the guide assembly may be inserted therein.

Abstract: Poutlry dropped from a moving conveyor is loaded into bags through a nozzle assembly that expands each bag in advance of bird entry by means of a two-stage motion. A ram packs each bird fully into the bag during the second stage of nozzle operation followed by detachment of the bag and drop onto a receiving surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic filling of plastic bags with, for example, elastic, soft and deformable contents. In order to provide for the automatic handling of empty bags without intermediate, especially manual, steps, the invention provides that the empty bags are attached by extending flaps to a plastic carrier web across a tear line. The apparatus of the invention places a quantity of goods into the bag by means of an axially moving filling piston which passes between spreadable jaws that hold the bag open. The continued motion of the filling piston eventually exerts a force sufficient to cause fracture along the tear line and separation of the filled bag from the flap which stays attached to the carrier web. The piston then moves the filled bag into position for sealing. A number of embodiments is presented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging flexible duct material comprises positioning the duct material in a guide means, slidably moving a contact means into contact with the duct material to compress it into a carton, partially closing the end of the carton, and removing the contact means from the carton.

Abstract: A machine for filling a cloth bag with cloth filling material having a series of elongated fingers and a hollow spout mounted on a rectangular frame in registry with one another for movement relative to one another along the frame such that the fingers advance into and retract out of the passageway. A cloth filler material is spread upon the fingers and the bag to be filled is draped over the spout so that the inside bottom of the bag is facing the fingers. An air operated double acting cylinder is actuated to drive an endless cable which cable may either be operatively connected to a roller assembly connected to a rear end portion of the fingers or to the spout depending upon whether it is desired to move the fingers into and out of the spout or move the spout along and over the fingers. Movement of the fingers into the spout or vice versa forces the bottom of the bag through the spout and extends the bag over the fingers and the filler material spread thereon.

Abstract: Double leg suspended poultry dropped from a moving conveyor and guided into bags by a nozzle assembly that effects limited expansion of each bag in advance of entry of each bird into the bag. A ram packs each bird fully into the bag after partial entry resulting in tight fit packaging upon withdrawal of the ram and nozzle assembly from the bag as it is detached and dropped onto a receiving surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for batchwise transfer of articles to a receptacle comprises an elongate, upwardly open tray which is longitudinally reciprocable between a loading position and an unloading position. An article receiving compartment within the tray is defined rearwardly by a pusher and forwardly by a hinged flap. When a portion of articles has been loaded into the compartment, the tray is subjected to a longitudinal shaking action. The tray is then moved to its unloading position wherein the compartment therein is located within a receptacle. During this movement the flap hits against a stationary abutment whereby it is pivoted clear of the front end of the compartment. Subsequently, the tray is withdrawn to its loading position and simultaneously the pusher is moved forward relative to the tray whereby the articles are transferred gently from the compartment to the receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading products into horizontally disposed containers is disclosed. The containers are presented sequentially at a loading station, opened, loaded with the product, and removed from the loading station. The containers are included as part of a web which is fed automatically from a supply magazine to the loading station where the containers are severed from the remainder of the web either by the impact of the loading assembly or the products being inserted. A novel method for bag separation is disclosed in which bag separation is effected initially and concurrently near the marginal edge portions of a web and thereafter sequentially inwardly toward a central point. A drive mechanism provides harmonic motion for the loading assembly so that maximum loading speed is attained without damaging the containers.

Abstract: A case packing apparatus for assembling packages or trays of fragile objects, such as eggs or fruit, into case filling stacks, and depositing the stacks into cases. Packages or trays are transported by a conveyor to a transfer plate and transferred thereby onto superposed pairs of opposed retractable support ledges on the opposite inner sides of an adjacent vertically movable stacking cabinet. When a set number of layer arrays has been assembled in the cabinet, the support ledges are retracted sequentially, uppermost first, to cumulatively lower the layer arrays into a solid stack form and lastly to lower the solid stack onto a pair of opposed flexible aprons extending horizontally from the sides of the cabinet under the stack and held taut by bowed flat springs each attached at one end to the corresponding cabinet wall below the upper reach of the extended apron and enveloped by the extended outer reaches of the apron.

Abstract: The bag sealing machine includes a horizontal working table having all of its working parts at the same level. Adjacent to the table are (1) a product in-feed conveyor driven by a novel support and drive arrangement, (2) a product pusher having a novel, pivotable pusher means, (3) a supply of folded film and an adjustable plow for forming the film into bags, of different selectable sizes, having two open sides, (4) a scissors-type L-sealer operated by a novel drive arrangement, and (5) a package out-feed conveyor driven by a novel support and drive arrangement like that of the in-feed conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for implanting a sizing disc into an open unshirred end of a shirred tubular casing wherein the sizing disc has a larger periphery than the unstretched inner periphery of the unshirred end of the casing.

Abstract: An improved machine for continuous commercial packing of slaughtered fowl into bags of the type having a packing funnel, a piston which pushes the fowl through the packing funnel and a bag supply which is provided at the discharge opening of the packing funnel, is provided which includes a centering tool disposed in front of the entrance opening of the packing funnel. The centering tool includes means for enclosing the legs of the slaughtered fowl and pushing the legs into the path of the piston, which means is moveable in timed relationship with respect to the piston.

Abstract: Mechanism for wrapping a resilient envelope, as a netting, around a quantity of meat, including a guide shell, a supply table or platform at one end of the shell and an envelope carrying cylinder comprising a cartridge arranged for placement in encircling relationship to said shell. This also effects placement of the envelope in encircling relationship to said shell. One end of the envelope, which is pulled off said cartridge and the supporting shell, will contract in a conventional manner for engaging meat pushed by hand or by a plunger from the feeding platform into and through the shell. As said meat is pushed out of said shell, it will pull the envelope with it and complete the enveloping thereof. The cartridges provide means for rapid loading of envelopes onto the packing machine and without the necessity of intermediate equipment.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for enveloping an article in a sleeve-type package includes a rigid elongate tube of U-shape and, in use, substantially horizontally oriented with one end secured to a table-top mountable support, the member being otherwise free-standing and having at its other end a cylinder of greater diameter than the tube and within which articles to be packed are locatable. The tube serves as a magazine for a sleeve of netting fed thereonto. The outer end of the sleeve is tied and the sleeve is removed from over said cylinder by an article such as a roll or piece of meat, located in said cylinder, being discharged therefrom, the sleeve being cut at the outer end of said cylinder when the sleeve-enveloped article is remote therefrom, and then tied. The article is discharged from the cylinder by a free-moving piston located therein and operated by air fed through the tube from a supply of compressed air.

Abstract: A method of mechanically packing a slaughtered bird, including poultry, comprising opening an inlet of an envelope resting on a support, pushing a bird resting with stretched legs on a support into the envelope by exercising a force on the body of the bird, then pressing the legs upwardly to locate the legs in a folded position on both sides of the body and thereafter sealing the envelope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for packing a plurality of separate articles in a single package surrounded by a cover of shrunk-on foil. In a preferred embodiment, the articles to be packed are stacked, in a first guide forming a shaft open at its upper end, upon a supporting base loosely fitted in the shaft, whereupon the first guide is enclosed in a cover of shrinkable foil closed at its upper end and the first guide is enclosed externally by a second guide, the first guide being then separated from the assembly comprising the articles, the supporting base, the foil cover and the second guide in such a way that relative to the first guide, the articles and the supporting base pass through the open end of the shaft while the second guide, the cover, the stack and the supporting base maintain their relative positions. This assembly is then passed to an oven to shrink the foil cover, before the second guide is removed from the finished package.

Abstract: A carton set-up and loading machine including a magazine for a stack of flattened cartons, suction cups to pull lowermost carton onto one end of a conveyor having spaced perpendicular blades forming compartments to receive a flattened carton and, as traveling around a sprocket, the blades move from diverging to parallel relation to set-up the carton, cam and rotatable members fold side and one end flap at one end closed to receive products from a lateral guideway while conveyor is momentarily stopped. Additional cams and rotatable means fold the side and one end flap at other end of carton closed followed by adhesive being applied to outer end flaps at both ends of carton and pivoted power-operated plates close the same against the previously folded flaps to complete the package. Overall sensing and safety controls insure no jams or unfilled cartons from occurring. Weighing means to prevent short weight also are included.

Abstract: An apparatus for stuffing closed-end sleeve-like cloth forms with stuffing material in the form of cord or welting, by utilizing a feed tube having one end adapted for sliding the open end of the form thereon. A push rod with a barbed end is provided for inserting the stuffing material into the feed tube and filling the form while removing it from the tube. The push rod has a handle end with a surrounding trough portion with a cylindrical configuration for telescopic engagement with the feed tube during the form stuffing operation, the trough retaining the stuffing cord for successive operations.

Abstract: A packaging machine for inserting a batch of semi-compressible articles into preformed bags open at one end, having a longitudinal ram movable toward and away from the open bag and batch receiving means located at the leading end of the ram to carry the batch into the open bag, the batch receiving means having a pair of generally elongated flat parallel walls extending forwardly of the leading end of the ram and spaced from each other to receive the batch therebetween. At least one of said walls is flexible along its length and engages means located at the entrance of the bag by which it is deflected transversely of the direction of movement to impart a compressive force upon the articles as they are inserted into the bag.

Abstract: Mattress constructions and apparatus for producing the constructions wherein a resilient filler is located in a hopper and a flexible mattress cover is positioned for communication with the open end of the hopper. Means are provided for driving the filler into the cover, and the apparatus provides adhesive dispensers which apply adhesive to the filler surfaces so that this adhesive forms a bond between these surfaces and the associated cover. The apparatus employs engaging members for driving the filler out of the hopper, the engaging members automatically accommodate to differences in filler widths and thicknesses so that proper pushing engagement with the filler is reliably achieved. The resulting mattress is provided with a secure adhesive bond between the cover and filler, avoiding movement between the cover and filler during handling and use.

Abstract: A packaging machine for inserting semi-compressible articles into preformed bags comprises an upper gripping member, a lower gripping member which can be raised towards the upper gripping member to clamp therebetween extension portions of a stack of bags, the lower gripping member mounting means for temporarily retaining the bags of the stack of bags relative to the lower gripping member and means for inserting articles through the open end of the upper bag. The arrangement is such that the gripping members grip the extensions of the bags so that articles can be inserted into the upper bag, the articles undergoing limited compression against the end wall of the bag after which the clamping pressure is released. The filled bag then moves relative to the lower gripping member, the force applied to the bag being sufficient to overcome the restraint imposed by the temporary retaining means.

Abstract: A machine for erecting, filling and closing rectangular cartons, comprises a magazine for storing a plurality of flat folded cartons in a stack which has a bottom discharge opening for individual removal of each carton. A support bar located below the discharge opening defines a first station to which each carton in succession is moved past deflection means which effect a preliminary erection of the carton by deflecting side walls upwardly from the bottom. The shifting member is movable backwardly and forwardly over the support bar and has means for maintaining the carton in an upright erected condition while moving it and while it is being filled.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for implanting a sizing disc into an open unshirred end of a shirred tubular casing wherein the sizing disc is larger in diameter than the inflated unshirred end of the casing. The invention provides means for the uniform contacting and local stretching of unshirred casing that surrounds the disc as the disc advances through the unshirred end of the casing.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for sanitary paper products such as rolls of toilet tissue, packs of paper napkins, towels, etc. The machine comprises an article feeding section, a bag-supporting magazine section, and a package sealing section. The feeding section includes a reciprocal device having a support surface for underlying a plurality of articles and pushing means for moving the articles or packs. The feeding device is shifted in one direction from beneath a selected quantity of articles or packs to displace the articles downwardly, and in a reverse direction to push the displaced articles or packs into a wrapper to form a package. Continued movement of the feeding device causes the package to be transferred to the sealing mechanism.A magazine section is provided for supporting an irregularly shaped stack of bags. The magazine includes hinged table sections which are automatically pivoted as the stack is raised.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for loading heavy, block-like articles such as blocks of cheese weighing 40 pounds or more into flexible receptacles such as thermoplastic bags. The apparatus comprises a reciprocally movable loading carriage and means for bringing an article to the carriage and positioning the article thereon. After the article is positioned on the carriage the carriage moves forward towards a wicketed or taped bag whose mouth is held open by a stream of air. Spreader means are provided on the movable carriage to stretch the bag mouth sufficiently wide so that a block of cheese may be inserted deep into the bag without contacting the mouth of the bag thereby preventing the deposit of grease from the cheese around the bag mouth which would interfere with a heat seal closure of the bag.

Abstract: A machine for filling a sack and closing the mouth opening of the sack. The machine comprises a sorting apparatus for stacking goods in a desired shape and a closing apparatus for folding and seaming of the mouth end of the sack. The sorting apparatus and closing apparatus are arranged after each other on the same operation line. A revolving apparatus provided with filling racks for supporting the sack is provided to be displaced in a plane perpendicular to said operation line between a first position in which said filling rack is positioned outside said line in order to receive an empty sack and a second position in which the filling rack is positioned on said line in order to be filled with goods and pushed to said closing apparatus for closing the mouth opening of the filled sack.

Abstract: Method and apparatus wherein formed tubes moving alongside articles being carried along a path are opened and the tubes and articles relatively moved laterally of the path to wrap each article within a tube.

Abstract: A machine for inserting objects, for example chickens or other comestibles, into bags, comprises a holder for a stack of bags, an object support which is movable to and fro between a forward position in which, in use, is inserted together with an object supported on it, into a bag, and a retracted position, a device having pushing means operable to engage the object on the support and push it forwards from the support and at the same time cause the bag to move forwards from the holder. The device is arranged subsequently to withdraw the pushing means, and the machine also includes means for pressing the bag inwards into contact with a part of the pushing means behind the object, a suction connection associated with the pushing means for sucking air from the bag after the bag has been pressed into contact with the part of the pushing means, and means for closing the bag after it has had air sucked from it.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging apparatus comprising an elongate tubular loading horn with front and rear ends, an elongate drive member shiftable axially forwardly to an actuated position within the horn, an item engaginf pusher at the forward end of the member and shiftable rearwardly from a normal forward position forward of the member to an actuated position, the front of the pusher normally projecting forwardly from the horn when the member is in its actuated position and occurring within the horn when the member and pusher are in their actuated positions, an elongate vacuum nozzle within and extending longitudinally of the pusher when the pusher is in its normal position and projecting forwardly therefrom when the pusher is in its actuated position, an elongate supply of tubular packaging film shirred axially on and about the exterior of the horn with a lead portion extending forwardly from the horn and closed by a sealing means, an item conveyor extending forwardly from the horn to support items enveloped in the le

Abstract: A nuclear fuel pellet loading machine including an inclined rack mounted on a base and having parallel spaced grooves on its upper surface arranged to support fuel rods. A fuel pellet tray is adapted to be placed on a table spaced from the rack, the tray having columns of fuel pellets which are in alignment with the open ends of fuel rods located in the rack grooves. A transition plate is mounted between the fuel rod rack and the fuel pellet tray to receive and guide the pellets into the open ends of the fuel rods. The pellets are pushed into the fuel rods by a number of mechanical fingers mounted on a motor operated block which is moved along the pellet tray length by a drive screw driven by the motor. To facilitate movement of the pellets in the fuel rods the rack is mounted on a number of spaced vibrators which vibrate the fuel rods during fuel pellet insertion.