Abstract: A trash container having an automated trash bag dispensing system which automatically deploys a replacement trash bag upon removal of a filled bag. A supply of trash bags is fed into the main trash container by a motorized roller assembly. A pair of opposing suction pads are pivotally deployed inward and suction activation attracts the opposing sides of the bag to corresponding suction pads. Retraction of the suction pads functions to expand the bag to an open configuration whereby it is suitably configured to receive trash.

Abstract: A trash container having an automated trash bag dispensing system which automatically deploys a replacement trash bag upon removal of a filled bag. A supply of trash bags is fed into the main trash container by a motorized roller assembly. A pair of opposing suction pads are pivotally deployed inward and suction activation attracts the opposing sides of the bag to corresponding suction pads. Retraction of the suction pads functions to expand the bag to an open configuration whereby it is suitably configured to receive trash.

Abstract: A machine for making capsules of the type including a container and a dose of product inside the container, includes a feed system for feeding at least a first container along a feed path in a direction of feed; at least one filling station for supplying a dose of said product into said first container, at least one detecting station positioned along said feed path downstream of said filling station in the direction of feed and comprising a detecting sensor operating at said first seat configured to detect the moisture of the product supplied into the first container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for introducing a modified atmosphere into a package and sealing that package with a film are disclosed. Cooperating upper and lower bell members having internal volumes in fluid communication with one another via a duct configured to cause sequential pressure differentials between the volumes permit the sealing film to be controllably retracted from and applied to outflow holes so as to allow evacuation of ambient air using a single constant vacuum source, rather than requiring precision timing controls and/or multiple vacuum sources. Another dedicate circuit introduces the modified atmosphere into the package, and a sealing unit such as a heat welder subsequently seals the film against the package.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing appliance is provided including a vacuum motor assembly generating suction, a vacuum trough fluidly connected to the vacuum motor assembly configured to receive suction and evacuate a food container through an open end, and at least one heat sealing element adjacent the vacuum trough configured to heat seal the open end of the food container after evacuation. The vacuum sealing appliance further includes a control unit configured to control the vacuum motor assembly and the at least one heat sealing element. The vacuum sealing appliance further includes a sensor electrically connected to the control unit configured to detect moisture in exhaust air of the vacuum motor assembly and send electrical signals to the control unit. Based upon the electrical signals, the control unit controls one or both of the vacuum motor assembly and the at least one heat sealing element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the circumferential labeling containers where the individual containers may have at least one varying dimension, due to manufacturing tolerances. The method and apparatus may provide more consistent labeling of individual containers in the run of containers.

Abstract: Sleeving equipment for egg packages includes a sleeve dispenser that cuts and dispenses a sleeve one by one, a sleeve control jig that controls a sleeve that is dispensed by the sleeve dispenser, a first egg package conveying device that conveys egg packages before the sleeve is positioned around the egg package, an egg package inserter that inserts the egg package into the sleeve, a second egg package conveying device that conveys the egg package and the sleeve placed around the egg package and a heat tunnel that heat shrinks the sleeve whereby the sleeve is fixed to the egg package. The sleeve dispenser cuts and dispenses the sleeve in vertical direction, and the sleeve control jig rotates the sleeve into horizontal direction before the egg package inserter insert the egg package into the sleeve. The egg package inserter inserts the egg package into the sleeve horizontally.

Abstract: Device for sleeve-label labeling machines, with proposal that means are provided that render the label tube taut and/or spread the label tube during the cutting step.

Abstract: The tubular banding applicator converts a flat tubular material into a cut length expanded tubular sleeve and mounts the sleeve circumferentially on a container. A driver moves a selected length of flat tubular material from a supply station, around a spreader, and into a hollow former having a retaining gate at an exit thereof. A cutter severs the selected length of tubular material from the supply station and a flow of air directed at a side of the flat tubular length assists in opening the sleeve. A conveyor carries a series of containers along a path to position each container in turn in alignment with the opened tubular sleeve. The driver moves a second selected length of flat tubular material from the supply into the former, thereby ejecting the first open sleeve from the former onto a container aligned below. The sleeve is subsequently caused to shrink to securely enwrap the container.

Abstract: A device for presenting lids to moving sealing stations. The device includes at least one lid production module mounted stationary relative to a path of the sealing stations and having a lid cutting member fitted with a cutting tool for cutting lids from a strip. Gripping members are secured to the sealing stations. The gripping members are disposed relative to the lid production module so as to take hold of a lid on the fly.

Abstract: A cutting device is incorporated in a packaging machine having at least one expansion cylinder consisting of upper and lower sections with a gap therebetween. The cutting device includes two rails located on opposite sides of the expansion cylinder and substantially parallel to each other. Two slide blocks are respectively and movably mounted on the rails for movement along the rails between first and second positions on opposite sides of the expansion cylinder. A single cutting blade is arranged between and carried by the slide blocks whereby when the slide blocks are moved along the rails between the first and second positions, the blade is driven to reciprocally pass through the gap between the upper and lower sections of the expansion cylinder.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for presenting lids to moving sealing stations, the device comprising at least one lid production module mounted stationary relative to a path of the sealing stations and comprising a lid cutting member fitted with a cutting tool for cutting lids from a strip, together with gripping members secured to the sealing stations, the gripping members being disposed relative to the lid production module so as to take hold of a lid on the fly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for closing of at least one end of a tube to protect the tube (8) against internal dirtying. According to the method, a strip (5) comprising a number of plugs (4) is fed up to a position in front of a tube (8) situated in a punch sleeve (9), at said position a plug (4) in the strip (5) is in a position just in front of the tube end (12), whereupon a punch (7) presses the strip (5) with the plug (4) against the tube (8) and the punch sleeve (9), so that the punch (7) in the end of its working stroke after pressing the plug (4) into the tube end (12) is punching out the plug (4) from said strip (5). The plug (4) formed for closing of a tube end is together with plugs, formed in the same way, integrally formed one after another at a predetermined distance in a longitudinal row in a continuous strip (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a tubular member over an article includes means for feeding a continuous web of a flattened tubular material, means for cutting an individual tubular member from the web, a first belt conveyor unit for conveying the tubular member fed from the cutting means, a second belt conveyor unit for conveying the tubular member in such a manner as to open up at least a leading end of the tubular member as the tubular member is continuously conveyed, a mandrel for receiving the tubular member from the opened up leading end of the tubular member, and a means for sliding the tubular member along a peripheral surface of the mandrel so that the tubular member is entirely opened up. A distance between a point where the cutting means cuts the tubular member from the web of the tubular material and a point where the first belt conveyor unit starts to convey the tubular member is greater than the length of the individual tubular member.

Abstract: A method for filling and closing a package which is initially open on its upper side and has sealable plastic material about the periphery (2) of that side. The package is first conveyed to a location (6), where it is filled. Thereafter, a covering foil sheet (12) is sealed to periphery (2) to cover the open side. The package is brought to a standstill at the filling location (6), and filled through an opening (11) in a strip of the covering foil (7). The strip of covering foil (7) is then moved in a direction (10) lateral to the direction of conveyance (5) of the package, until the open side of package (1) is covered by the foil strip (7). A foil cover piece is then punched from the foil strip (7), leaving a new opening (11), and is sealed to the periphery (2) of the open side of the package (1). The sealed package (1) is then moved from filling location (6) by the conveyor belt (4).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modified atmosphere packaging uses a rotary conveyor to transport a plurality of trays to be packaged between a plurality of stations in a circular arrangement. The trays may be loaded onto a receiving platform by depositing them over movable beds which can reciprocate downwardly in order to permit the trays to be removably held inside slots in a removable platform. Since the platform is removable from the conveyor, it may be centered in any particular station by lifting the platform from the conveyor and guiding it into a precise alignment at a particular station. The package may then be filled, its atmosphere replaced with one lower in oxygen content, and then the desired atmosphere sealed within the package. This can be done in the continuous fashion so that the film is severed from a continuous web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modified atmosphere packaging uses a rotary conveyor to transport a plurality of trays to be packaged between a plurality of stations in a circular arrangement. The trays may be loaded onto a receiving platform by depositing them over movable beds which can reciprocate downwardly in order to permit the trays to be removably held inside slots in a removable platform. Since the platform is removable from the conveyor, it may be centered in any particular station by lifting the platform from the conveyor and guiding it into a precise alignment at a particular station. The package may then be filled, its atmosphere replaced with one lower in oxygen content, and then the desired atmosphere sealed within the package. This can be done in the continuous fashion so that the film is severed from a continuous web.

Abstract: The method applies to a receptacle-closing carousel that includes a rotary platform fitted with receptacle holding members and associated with a receptacle insertion member and with a receptacle extraction member. The method consists in cantilevering out a length of heat-sealable strip in the receptacle insertion direction over a sector of the platform that extends between the receptacle extraction member and the receptacle insertion member, relative to the direction of rotation of the platform.

Abstract: A container sealing apparatus wherein a strip of closure material can be transported intermittently a desired distance at a time, and this distance is variable in accordance with the size of containers to be sealed to achieve savings in the material without wasting. The closure material is affixed to the opening edge portions of containers at a sealing station, and a closure is blanked out from the material affixed to each container, along the opening edge portion by a cutter before the container is delivered from the sealing station. The closure material is transported by means operable independently of the container transport operation.

Abstract: The closure device includes a roll of heat-fusible strip material, an end-of-strip support member, a receptacle placing member for placing successive receptacles at a receptacle closure location facing the end-of-strip support member, a weld head disposed above a placed receptacle, a grasping member disposed facing the end-of-strip support member, and a drive member disposed relative to the receptacle closure location on a side opposite to the end-of-strip support member.

Abstract: A film cover is heat-sealed to the open end of containers and cut from a film stock by a cam-actuated, orbitally moving knife blade which severs the film stock along a circumferential region closely adjacent the container's open end. A major extent of the orbital movement of the cam-actuated knife blade about the open-ended container is preferably substantially circular (to closely conform to the circular cross-sectional geometry of open-ended containers to be film-covered). However, a minor segment of the knife blade's orbital movement is cam-actuated so as to follow a segment of an arcuate non-circular (e.g., elliptical) path to form a protruding tab on the film cover so as to allow a consumer to more easily grasp and remove the same. The film is preferably continuously supplied to the sealing and cutting zone, while the waste web (i.e., the film remaining after the film cover has been cut from the film stock) is continuously retrieved from the sealig and cutting zone at substantially constant rates.

Abstract: A continuous motion in line sealer assembly includes a sealer star wheel which is coordinated with a plurality of rotatable and receiprocable vacuum heads. Each vacuum head obtains a flexible foil sealing disk from a point of supply and positions the disk atop a container. The vacuum head and container then pass through an induction tunnel to activate a heatable adhesive. A pair of stationary cam plates control both the reciprocal motion of the vacuum head as well as providing it with a dwell time which momentarily interrupts its continuous motion to facilitate sealing disk acquisition.

Abstract: A two part closure for a container is comprised of a flexible foil sealing disk together with a flanged linerless screw threaded closure cap. During the process of applying the closure to a container, the flexible foil sealing disk in formed, heated, and is tack adhered to the rim of the container. A closure cap having downwardly extending spaced sealing flanges is then screwed onto the container. The cap's sealing flanges contact the flexible foil sealing disk on opposite edges of the container's mouth rim and, as the cap is screwed down, these flanges bring the flexible foil sealing disk into continuous, intimate sealing contact with the container rim. Additionally, the inner closure flange draws the portion of the flexible foil sealing disk situated within the container mouth tight to eliminate creases and wrinkles in the foil sealing disk.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for field packing of broccoli and other cut product includes a mobile frame and a rotatable sorting table. Individual broccoli stalk cut by workers walking along with the mobile packer and placed on conveyors on the packer and are discharged onto the rotatable sorting table. A plurality of banding frames are attached to the periphery of the rotatable table and include mechanisms for holding an expanded elastic band. Workers standing around the table may gather the broccoli from the table, form bunches of individual stalks, and place the bunches into the expanded band. Further mechanisms are provided for automatically ejecting the banded broccoli onto a discharge conveyor, and replacing a new elastic band onto the banding frame. The bunched broccoli may then be packed into cartons by other personnel on the mobile packer.

Abstract: The apparatus for placing decorative or protective sleeves of heat-shrinkable plastic over objects which do not easily stand upright. The machine comprises a device to place sleeves vertically over intermediate pins, of suitable diameter, fastened to an endless chain. The pins are brought into horizontal position during the returning of the chain around a wheel inclined at 45.degree., to circulate in alignment with objects received individually in housings provided on a second endless chain driven at the same linear speed as the first. A cam mechanism is then started to transfer the sleeves of the pins to the objects with which they are aligned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying and sealing recessed membranes to containers in a single operation. The membranes are partially cut from a continuous flexible web of film material and remain on the web due to thin necks of film material that are left after the cutting operation. An applicator head is carried on a power cylinder and acts to detach the membranes from the web, to apply the membranes to the containers at recessed locations, and to heat seal the marginal portions of the membranes to the container rims. The applicator head includes a vacuum head which attracts the membranes by suction and a sealing head which heat seals the membranes to the containers. The vacuum head has a tapered vacuum surface which properly centers the membranes and assists in expelling air from the containers before the heat seal is effected. The vacuum head is spaced from the heated sealing head to minimize the heat transfer and may be additionally cooled by a fluid cooling system.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for packaging contaminated or poisonous waste materials. The waste materials are deposited in a plastic bag disposed on a cylindrical opening in a container provided with a lid and having vacuum and filter means for sucking air off the area of the open upper end of the plastic bag when the lid is opened for disposal of waste. Below the lid there is provided a plastic foil and means for moving the plastic foil over the bag opening for sealing the plastic bag by means of a heating structure which is adapted to engage and heat the plastic bag and foil. Before sealing of the bag, however, the vacuum means is energized with the lid closed so that the plastic bag is evacuated and, after sealing and opening of the container cover, may be removed in a compressed, easily manageable state with relatively small volume.

Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus for cutting out discs or another shape of material in fibre form, for example cotton, and for cutting out and closing small bags filled with said discs, by a cover of the same shape, the apparatus being provided with a punch member co-operating with a die receiving a first sheet of cotton to be cut out, which is entrained with a translatory stepping movement.

Abstract: The container closure and sealing apparatus includes opposed and oppositely rotating screw feeders for moving the containers from the feed conveyor to tacking apparatus which exerts sufficient force on a tape of pre-punched covers to dislodge a cover from the tape and temporarily secure the cover to the container. An infeed indexing apparatus works in timed coordination with the tacking apparatus and with the heat sealer to remove the containers from the screws and deposit the containers onto the heat sealer where localized heat is applied to the container and cover to perform the permanent sealing and securing of the cover to the container. The heat sealer transports the containers to an indexing ejector which works in timed relationship therewith to move the containers from the heat sealing assembly to a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A compact portable apparatus for filling open ended preformed containers with a substance, such as liquid, and then heat bonding a thin flexible closure material to the periphery of the open end of the container, for sealing the latter, comprising a frame and a rotatable support thereon adapted to receive a plurality of the containers; a plurality of work stations are provided on the frame, adapted for coaction with a respective container mounted on the support, including a feed station for automatically feeding the containers one at a time onto the support, a filling station for inserting the substance into each of the containers, a sealing station for heat bonding the thin flexible closure to the peripheral lip of the filled container; but in readily peelable relationship therewith, and a discharge station for removal of the filled and sealed containers from the support.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically applying and heat-sealing a lid of thermoplastic film to the top of a cup. The film is supplied in a roll and the leading end is fed into a position between the top of the cup and a heat-sealing head. When the apparatus is run through an operating cycle, the cup and the head are brought together to seal a section of film to the rim of the cup and sever the section from the roll. The head is characterized by an annular heated cushion and a slitting device to from a slit in the center of the lid which enhances the seal, particularly if the cup contains a hot liquid. In an alternative arrangement, the slitting mechanism is located along the path of the film and the center of the head is constructed to prevent exposing the center of the lid to high temperature.

Abstract: A packaging machine for applying and securing a continuous web of material, especially of the heat sealable type, to containers, especially open-topped containers. The machine includes an intermittently rotatable cutter for severing the web between adjacent container supports. The cutter includes camming means adjacent each end for rotating the cutter with respect to each container support to one position in readiness for further rotation between the container supports to sever the web. Support pins for carrying the container supports may be included on at least one of the supports and conveyor chains. When on the conveyor chains, support pins need be included at only some of the chain joints. The container supports may be molded from a settable material and include a convex, upward curvature to allow proper container sealing under pressure from a web applying device.

Abstract: A liquid filling machine comprising a plurality of discrete stations that cooperatively provide for automatic filling and capping containers including a cup dispensing station, a liquid filling station, a foil supply station, a heat sealing station and discharge station operatively disposed about a rotatably mounted container support to sequentially feed containers from the cup dispensing station to the container support and incrementally advance the container support through each discrete station to fill, seal and discharge the filled container.

Abstract: For sealing the open end of a flanged container, a heated reciprocable sealing block having a heat emitting surface is arranged with its path of reciprocatory movement in general alignment with a container to be sealed and a sealing head is mounted on the sealing block by mounting means which is arranged to maintain a part of the sealing head in close heat transferring contact with the heat emitting surface of the sealing block and is also adapted to accommodate moderate misalignment of the sealing block and the container to be sealed. Containers to be sealed are mounted on individual carrier plates which are movable intermittently through an enclosure which may serve to isolate the sealing operation from atmosphere, the containers being sealed by a strip of lid stock which is secured by the sealing block to the flanges of the open ended containers. Following a sealing operation, the lid stock is gripped and severed so that each container is provided with an individual cover.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically applying a lid comprised of a film of thermoplastic sheet material to the top of a cup. The film is supplied in a roll and the leading end is fed into a position between the top of the cup and a heat sealing head. In an operating cycle of the apparatus, the cup is brought up against the film and the heat sealing head is brought down on top of the film to seal the film to the cup and sever the forward section of the film from the roll. A film stabilizer is provided on the film feed mechanism for maintaining control of the film and a pneumatic circuit provides an automatic control of the functional components in predetermined timed sequence.

Abstract: The apparatus for sealing the heads of containers with a biaxially oriented plastic film comprises a horizontal conveyor for conveying the containers to be sealed, and a horizontal endless belt disposed above the conveyor in parallel thereto and including a lower traveling portion adapted to be driven in the same direction as the conveyor at a speed equal to the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for the placement of a heat-shrinkable film over the open portion of a container such as a glass, paper or plastic cup. The apparatus is particularly suitable for rapid placement of a heat-shrinkable film on food and beverage containers such as are commonly used in the fast-food service business. The apparatus comprises a film transport subsystem for withdrawing heat shrinkable film from a supply roll, cutting the film to size and positioning it for shrinkage onto a container and a heating subsystem which shrinks the film onto the top of a container. Operation of the apparatus is initiated by manual placement of the top of a container to be covered, against the film, pushing the container and film upwardly into the apparatus. The upward movement of the container engages the film and container top with a bonnet which initiates blowing of hot air of heat shrinkable temperatures to heat the exposed edges of the film and shrink the film onto the container.

Abstract: An improvement in a device for advancing an end portion of a strip of heat sealable film along a path from a cartridge to an applying station, sealing the end portion across the lip of a cup and severing the end portion from the strip of film. The device includes a perforating member which cooperates with a support surface in the cartridge before the end portion of the film is advanced to the applying station to perforate around a small portion of the film. The applied film can then be separated along part of the perforations and the small portion can be bent aside to provide an opening through which a drinking straw can be inserted into the cup.

Abstract: The apparatus for sealing the heads of containers comprises means for cutting out from a continuous plastic film a sealing sheet, means for folding the peripheral portion of the sealing sheet toward the outer peripheral surface of the container and means for applying hot air against the folded peripheral portion of the sheet to heat-shrink the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a machine for capping containers with closures made of heat shrinkable film and includes a film feeding mechanism, a film cutting mechanism, and a film shrinking head which is adapted to accommodate containers of different sizes. The film shrinking head comprises two elongate and opposed flexible heated members which are bowed away from one another so as to provide a space for introduction of a container and a sheet of heat shrinkable film that overlies the container, and means for drawing the two heated members and thereby the margins of the sheet of film tight against the rim of the container so as to cause the film to shrink and form a tight closure on the container.