Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging device (1) and method for fitting an external package (3) with a dividing element (2) and for filling a divided external package (3) with articles (4). The packaging device (1) comprises a first supply station (70) for external packages (3) that are open on one side, a second supply station (60) for expanded and/or unfolded dividing elements (2), a placement device (6) for placing the expanded and/or unfolded dividing element (2) into the external package (3), at least one holding device (9) that holds and/or stabilizes the expanded and/or unfolded dividing element (2) inside the external package (3) prior to the articles (3) being placed therein, and an article feed station (11) for placing the articles (4) into an external package (3) that is divided by the dividing element (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging patties or other similarly shaped items into a flexible pouch. The method comprising the steps of stacking a plurality of patties by a stacker, the patties stacked on top of one another, lowering the plurality of patties into a flexible pouch, vacuuming the air out of the flexible pouch to seal the pouch, the vacuum creating an air tight seal and forming a pair of frangible or solid seals in the pouch, the frangible seals positioned adjacent to the plurality of patties. The apparatus for packaging patties into a flexible pouch, the apparatus comprising a stacker, a patty holder, a vacuum is further positioned adjacent to the patty holder, the vacuum operable to remove the air from the flexible pouch. A frangible seal creator is also provided operable to create a frangible seal on the flexible pouch.

Abstract: System and method for packing loose fill materials in bags to form cushions for use in protecting articles in shipping cartons. The bags are produced from a length of flexible plastic tubing which is gathered or bunched to form a coil which is disposed about the outlet of a loose fill dispenser. A section of the tubing is pulled from the coil, and its lower end is closed to form a bag which is then filled with loose fill material dispensed through the outlet. Another section of tubing is then pulled from the coil, and the tubing is drawn together to close the upper end of the first section and the lower end of the second section. The closed ends are secured with tape, and the tubing is severed to separate the first section from the second. The cushions thus formed are placed in the shipping cartons with the articles, and in some embodiments are compressed and reexpanded in conformance with the contour of the articles.

Abstract: A pouch filling apparatus for filling pouches with product as the pouches travel around a filler wheel includes a hopper wheel carrying a plurality of hoppers over a sector of the filler wheel empty of pouches. The filler wheel carries a plurality of product dispensing units having an upper accumulation chamber. The hopper wheel and the filler wheel counter-rotate in timed relation so that individual product dispensing units and hoppers cross paths at a product transfer station to allow product to be dropped from a hopper into the accumulation chamber of a product dispensing unit. The filler wheel then rotates to a filling station and the product is released from the accumulation chamber into a pouch travelling along the pouch conveyor.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are described for attaching a finger to a birdie block without affecting the attachment of other fingers to the birdie block. A finger may be attached to a birdie block that includes a lower portion in which a plurality of radially spaced apart notches are formed, with a ring and a spring being disposed around the notches of the lower portion to engage the finger and thereby resiliently attach the finger to the birdie block.

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating balloons to enable insertion thereinto of objects includes a loading ring insertable into the orifice or mouth of the balloon for stretching the orifice to allow insertion therethrough of an object into the interior of the balloon when inflated, and a balloon inflating housing for accommodating an inflated balloon. The housing includes upper and lower hemispherical shells which may be sealingly fitted together to form a complete spherical shell and to allow inflation of the balloon therewithin, and then separated to allow removal of the inflated balloon.

Abstract: A grid finger for use in a grid structure for delivering articles from an article supply source to compartments and containers. The finger is a readily removable flexible finger that has a substantially flat main body portion, a right angle flange portion adjacent the top of the main body portion, and a flexible elongated flat article engaging section. A compressible resilient member is carried by the right angle flange portion so that it can be readily secured to and released from an elongated slot provided in the grid.

Abstract: A grid finger assembly for a carton filling machine has a finger holder having a body with a slot in one end thereof adapted to seat a grid element, a retainer cavity in its other end, and a multiplicity of finger receiving recesses extending axially into the body of the holder from the cavity and about its periphery. The body also has at least one retainer recess extending inwardly thereinto from the cavity and disposed inwardly of the finger receiving recesses. A multiplicity of elongated fingers formed from a flexible, form retaining synthetic resin, have a bifurcated end portion with spaced arms seated in the finger receiving recesses of the finger holder, and an elongated body portion depending therefrom and inclined outwardly from the axis of the finger holder. A retainer has its axis parallel to the axis of the holder and has one end dimensioned and configured to seat in the retainer cavity of the finger holder, and an axial projection seating in the retainer recess of the finger holder.

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating balloons to enable insertion thereinto of objects includes a loading ring insertable into the orifice or mouth of the balloon for stretching the orifice to allow insertion therethrough of an object into the interior of the balloon when inflated, and a balloon inflating housing for accommodating an inflated balloon. The housing includes upper and lower hemispherical shells which may be sealingly fitted together to form a complete spherical shell and to allow inflation of the balloon therewithin, and then separated to allow removal of the inflated balloon.

Abstract: Groups of articles are received from a conventional drop packer grid, into one side of a rotatable carrier that defines pockets for receiving the articles. Each pocket is defined by upright fingers that form funnels for each article. These fingers are resiliently deformed by a star shaped cam located alongside each pocket so as to close around each article and hold it securely while the carrier is inverted. A second set of pockets accepts a second charge of articles while the first charge is dropped into a case lifted into place below the carrier. This case can be so positioned while the fingers are closed to reduce the verticle height through which the articles are dropped.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing closely-arranged articles into a receptacle includes a rigid funnel having inwardly sloping walls and a downwardly projecting flexible skirt means attached to the funnel. The flexible skirt comprises a plurality of flexible planar segments that project downwardly into the receptacle. The funnel and skirt are lowered into an empty receptacle, the articles are packed, and the funnel and skirt are lifted out. The skirt means avoids contact between the articles and the walls of the receptacle as the receptacle is being packed, thereby decreasing the potential for damage to the articles. The apparatus includes a switch that stops the downward movement of the funnel and skirt when the bottom edge of the skirt is adjacent the bottom of the receptacle.

Abstract: A balloon filler than includes a two piece evacuation housing arranged to receive a balloon attachment unit that holds a balloon in where the balloon end projects into the evacuation housing and receives a spreader tube whose insertion into the balloon unit attachment opens the balloon mouth and provides a seal between the exterior neck of the balloon and a shoulder of the balloon attachment unit base, a motor and blower are provided to create a sub-atmospheric pressure in the evacuation housing and an object holding tube receiving a balloon on one end and is telescoped onto a pressure tube connected at its opposite end to a pressure chamber receiving pressurized air from the blower.

Abstract: A lettuce packing machine for the packing of heads of lettuce in corrugated, carboard cartons is disclosed. A lettuce head holding tray is loaded with lettuce. Thereafter, the tray is utilized to pack cartons. The lettuce head holding trays has discrete lettuce receiving cells upwardly exposed. Each tray contains four columns of cells, each column of cells being three wide for a capacity of 12 heads of lettuce. Each discrete lettuce receiving cell in the tray is defined by four semirigid, flexible sides, which sides extend downwardly and inwardly, are elastically biased and form an inverted pyramid-like profile truncated at an open bottom. The lettuce head holding tray is loaded at a picking station and conveyed to a packing station. When the lettuce head holding tray arrives at the packing station, a packing apparatus having discrete plungers--one for each cell--unloads the tray overlying a box to be packed.

Abstract: A balloon stuffing system (25, 25', 25", 25'") including a tubular member (26) open at one end (28) thereof and defining a chamber (31) capable of receiving the object (49) to be stuffed into a balloon (50); an ejector rod (29) passing through the opposite end (30) of the tubular member (26); a flexible, bellows-like, fluid impervious element (34) surrounding the ejector rod (29) and sealed at one end to the end (30) of the tubular member (26) and at its opposite end to the ejector rod (29); a fluid inlet aperture (56, 81, 85) formed in the tubular member (26) for permitting coupling of the interior of the tubular member (26) to any suitable source of pressurizing fluid; and, a balloon (50) having its inlet aperture (55) and constricted neck portion (58) mounted in surrounding sealed relation to the open end (28) of the tubular member (26) so that upon pressurization of the interior of the tubular member (26), the balloon (50) is inflated, and upon axial movement of the ejector rod (29) towards the open end (

Abstract: A grid finger attachment assembly attachable to a grid structure for guiding articles delivered to the grid structure from an article supply source into containers. The grid finger attachment assembly comprises an elongated grid finger, a compressible resilient member projecting from the upper end of the grid finger receiving member defines a receiving recess for receiving the upper end of the grid finger and the compressible resilient member. The grid finger receiving member has portions defining an aperture for receiving the compressible resilient member, such that upon receipt by the receiving recess of the upper end of the grid finger and the compressible resilient member, the compressible resilient member is projectable through the aperture and engageable with portions of the grid finger receiving member adjacent the aperture, for fixedly retaining the grid finger to the grid finger receiving member.

Abstract: A bottle divider grid assembly including a plurality of lower dividers for channeling downwardly moving bottles into specified arrays with plastic and/or metal guiding fingers secured onto guide support assemblies, secured into slots defined in the upper and/or lower portions of the lower dividers. The guide support assemblies are removable for maintenance in a manner specifically facilitated by easily removable locking devices. These locking devices are made easily removable by usage of a spring plunger device or a simple single screw which allows complete removal of the guide support assemblies. Also, there can be divider panels positioned immediately above the lower dividers to guide the bottles neatly on the bottle supply conveyor into paths which are then guided downwardly by the guide support assemblies into the pre-chosen arrays.

Abstract: A finger assembly supports up to four molded fingers in circumaxially spaced relationship so that each finger can guide a bottle dropped downwardly through a pocket defined by four such finger assemblies in a packing case loader. Each finger has a spoon shaped lower end designed to preclude destructive reverse bending of the molded finger as a result of interference with a case or other impediment. The fingers are preferably biased by individual return springs and may move laterally at least slightly to accommodate misalignment between them and the case. These springs may comprise individual coil compression springs or be defined in the form of petals or leaves integrally formed in a plastic part with a central opening such that this part can be mounted to the lower face of the retaining member and be held in place by the same retaining member fastener as used to assemble the holder and retainer.

Abstract: A guide finger mounting apparatus including positioning member having two flat surfaces extending longitudinally of the member, a pair of spring drop finger means one engaging each flat surface on the positioned member and a clip means engaging the fingers and the positioning member to retain the finger means in operative engagement. Complementary interengaging means may be formed on the finger means and the positioning member to aid in preventing relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A yeast cake loader loads yeast cakes into shallow open-top boxes in a reciprocating motion. The yeast cakes are smoothly lowered by a resiliently bendable surface which resiliently bends under the weight of the yeast cakes during loading. A ram pushes a block of yeast cakes across the resiliently bendable surface, which operates to move the box as well. When the box is full and has been moved a distance of one box width, the ram retracts and a new box is supplied under the resiliently bendable surface. The resiliently bendable surface then returns to its initial position. Additional yeast cakes are supplied in front of the ram, and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A cartoner has a side seam gluer for forming flat folded cartons which are vertically oriented in a magazine for feeding into the cartoner. A conveyor having a horizontally-movable discharge chute feeds the flat folded cartons in a vertical orientation onto the feeder. The discharge chute moves horizontally to follow the increasing or decreasing supply of cartons and permits the accumulation of a supply of cartons sufficient to run the cartoner for about two minutes in the event of a jam in the side seam gluer.

Abstract: A universal type packing or grid head for use in article packing apparatus wherein a plurality of articles are fed to the head for assembly into a group of articles for filling a case. The grouped articles are ultimately deposited into a packing case for transport. The packing head is readily adjustable as to size and quantity of articles formed into a group.

Abstract: A guide finger mounting apparatus including positioning member having two flat surfaces extending longitudinally of the member, a pair of spring drop finger means one engaging each flat surface on the positioned member and a clip means engaging the fingers and the positioning member to retain the finger means in operative engagement. Complementary interengaging means may be formed on the finger means and the positioning member to aid in preventing relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: This invention essentially relates to a grid for guiding bottles advancing towards compartments of a packing case. The grid has vertically fastened thereto supports each including a sleeve containing axial-push means together with a rod cooperating therewith to resiliently maintain a group of short fingers while imparting to their free ends a spaced apart position under the action of the axial push.

Abstract: An article retarding device for use with a grid set of a case loading machine for breaking the fall of articles as they are dropped through the grid set into a case. The grid set includes a trip-bar assembly which is shifted to drop the articles. Positioned below the trip-bar assembly are a plurality of pivotally supported downwardly extending fingers carried in the form of a matrix which guide the articles into the case as they are being loaded. A camming mechanism selectively forces the fingers of respective passages to the center of the passages for breaking the fall of articles into the case. Means is provided for retracting the camming mechanism to a second position so that the articles can be gently loaded into the case.

Abstract: A finger assembly includes a finger holder supported in depending position on a horizontal rail for adjustable positioning therealong. Flexible fingers received in associated slots in the holder extend downwardly and laterally outwardly from the holder and are clamped thereto by a retaining member, positioned below the holder, and a single clamping screw, extending upwardly through the retaining member and engaged with and secured to the holder. Different size retaining members may be used to vary the lateral pitch of the fingers. A single finger may be removed from the holder for repair or replacement by loosening the clamping screw which is accessible from the position below the holder.

Abstract: A finger assembly includes a finger holder supported in depending position on a horizontal rail for adjustable positioning therealong. Flexible fingers extend downwardly and outwardly from the holder and are clamped thereto by a retaining member, received within a downwardly opening cavity in the holder, and a single clamping screw, secured to and extending upwardly through the retaining member and engaging the holder. The fingers are releasably retained in depending position on the retaining member so that the fingers, the retaining member, and the clamping screw may be inserted into and removed from the holder as a unit. The clamping screw is accessible from and a position below the assembly.

Abstract: A bag forming and filling apparatus in which a continuous tube of heat sealable plastic is fed from a roll along a pathway where it is cut to the desired length and sealed on one end. The opposite end of the sealed tubing engages over an expandable hollow mandrel which expands the open end of the tube to permit material to be inserted therein. The filled section of tubing is then fed in reverse along the same path to a point of storage or use.

Abstract: A finger assembly for use in a packer grid wherein the finger assembly comprises a body having an upper frustoconical section having at least one flat thereon. At least one flexible finger extends downwardly and outwardly from the body. The finger includes an upper portion which is positioned against the flat. The upper portion also includes at least one ear. A cap is attached to the upper portion of the body and holds the upper portion of the finger against the flat. The cap also includes a circumferential groove in its interior surface into which the ear extends to prevent withdrawal of the finger when the cap is tightened.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding and cushioning a plurality of articles deposited into a container positioned beneath it. It is comprised of a rigid framework of spaced, elongated members having guides positioned at intervals along the members. The guides are tapered upward and extend outward on either side of the elongated members to define passages through which the articles pass, which passages are bounded by members on two sides and by the extended guide portions on the other sides. Flexible fingers extending downwardly and toward the center of each passage have mounting portions fastened to the elongated members by the tapered guides; preferably two fingers extend into different passages from a common mounting portion. The tapered guides align each article with a passage where the flexible fingers cushion and precisely position the article as it moves into the container. Each mounting portion can be resiliently fastened in place to provide adjustability of the cushioning effect by adjusting the resiliency.

Abstract: A neck-down bottle packing grid which eliminates glass to metal contact between the packing apparatus and the glass bottles which includes a plurality of partitions extending approximately parallel with respect to one another having guiding blocks, deflectors or doghouses of nylon or some other soft material equally spaced along the upper edges thereof, these deflectors being fixedly mounted upon deflector or doghouse mounts firmly secured to the upper edge of the partitions, also including a plurality of finger blocks extending downwardly on both sides of the partitions below each doghouse location, the finger blocks including two outwardly facing guide surfaces which taper downwardly and obliquely outwardly away from the partitions to define in combination with adjacent partition and guide surfaces a plurality of bottle receiving cells for sorting the downwardly moving bottles into an array for direct placement into a case or the like, in order to prevent glass to metal contact a plurality of covers of soft