Abstract: Methods and tools for unbundling polywrapped packages. An automatic unbundling system includes an input unit configured to receive a polywrapped bundle that includes a plurality of items and a conveyor system configured to transport the bundle. The automatic unbundling system includes an automatic unwrapping machine configured to receive the bundle from the conveyor system and unwrap the bundle. The automatic unbundling system can include a loose stack accumulator configured to straighten the unwrapped plurality of items.

Abstract: Methods and tools for opening polyfilm-wrapped packages. A tool includes a rubbing surface and a motor configured to move the rubbing surface. The tool includes a power source connected to supply power to the rubbing surface. The rubbing surface is applied to the polyfilm wrapping while being moved to create an opening in the polyfilm wrapping caused at least in part by friction heat. The opening is created without damaging contents of the package.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting boxes. The box cutter has a rectangular work area defined by the upper run of an oblique-roller conveyor belt selectively driven forward or reverse in coordination with the actuation and deactuation of the obliquely rotatable belt rollers. Cutting tools along the sides of the work area cut into the side panels of the boxes as they are translated without rotation in a rectangular path against guide surfaces on the periphery of the work area by the sequential reversing of the conveyor belt direction and the actuation and deactuation of the box-supporting rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing a sterile product from a sterile package which contains the sterile product and to an apparatus (1) for actuating the method. The method comprises clamping a part of a sterile package (5) located between the sterile product (6) and a first flap (7), and cutting the sterile package (5) at a region (9) interposed between the clamped surfaces (3, 4) and the flap (7). Once the facing surfaces (3, 4) are disengaged, an opening (10) is identified in the sterile package (5), through which the sterile product (6) can be expelled. The surfaces (3, 4) are then disengaged from the clamping action, and the sterile product (6) expelled from the sterile package (5) through the opening (10) by exerting a pushing action on an external surface of the sterile package (5).

Abstract: An improved orbital carton feeder comprises at least one carton gripping suction cup rotatably mounted to a rotatable wheel and moving in a hypocycloidal path having cusps, one of which defines a curved path portion coordinated with a blank placement station. Multiple cusps, cups and operational stations are disclosed, as well as a preferred cusp angular relationship responding to an angle of a carton blank at a discharge or pickoff station and an angle of disposition of a blank received conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for erecting a polygonal container from a knocked-down flat (KDF) container formed from a blank of sheet material is provided. The container includes four main side panels, at least one corner panel extending between two of the main side panels, and at least one bottom flap extending from one of the main side panels. The machine includes a body, a first erecting mechanism coupled to the body, and a second erecting mechanism coupled to the body. The first erecting mechanism receives the KDF container and erects the KDF container into a partially erected container having a substantially rectangular configuration, and the second erecting mechanism receives the partially erected container and erects the partially erected container from the substantially rectangular configuration into the polygonal container by applying a force to an exterior surface of the partially erected container to erect the polygonal container that has more than four sides.

Abstract: As monitor 1 held by casing 3 is upwardly pushed, clamp 2 is rectilinearly moved toward push latch 4 in cooperation with rotation of the monitor 1, the monitor 1 is rotatable by claw section 2a disengaged from locking hole 1b, and a striker holding section 4a engages with striker 2b to be forced into the main body of the latch 4 to be in engagement locked position. As the opened monitor 1 is upwardly pushed, the clamp 2 is rectilinearly moved toward the latch 4 in cooperation with the rotation of the monitor 1, the holding section 4a placed in the locked position with the striker 2b is forced into the main body of the latch 4 to be in engagement-lock releasing position, and the released section 2a is urged and moved by spring 5 to lock the hole 1b to hold the monitor 1 in closed position.

Abstract: A method of destructive opening cigarette packs in which the packs are successively mechanically deformed by deflection of at least one wall of each pack toward the outside of the pack, then the deflected wall of the pack is incised from the outside and a pack opening element is slid between the deflected wall of the pack and the cigarettes contained therein, and the pack is opened from the inside by means of the pack opening element. An apparatus for destructive opening cigarette packs using the method according to the invention.

Abstract: The method consists in: a) screwing a spherical impact part (16) onto the body of the cork so as to extend it axially; b) orienting and holding the bottle (14) in a predetermined position such that the bottle extends below a reference level (18), the impact part (16) emerging above said level; and c) striking the impact part with a striker surface (22) situated at the end of the arm of a striker accessory (24), e.g. a golf club. This produces a sudden force on the cork of amplitude that is sufficient to forcibly expel the cork solely by the fact of striking against the impact part. The device further comprises a podium (10) defining the reference level (18) and means (30) for orienting and holding the bottle (14) in a predetermined position which may be vertical or inclined.

Abstract: A lockable pill container includes a holder defining at least one compartment having an access opening providing access to a pill holder interior volume. At least one lid is moveable between a covering position and an open position. The lid includes a first locking member that is sized to project into the holder when the respective lid is in the covering position. A second locking member is moveable between a locking position and a release position. The locking position includes a position in which the second locking member engages a first locking member of the at least one lid in the covering position. The release position includes a position in which the second locking member is disengaged from all of the first locking members. The second locking member includes opposite first and second ends. The second locking member is moveable from the locking position to the release position by application of a force against the second end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of delivering a predetermined volume of beverage into a thermoplastic container formed from a heated preform positioned in a mould, characterized in that the product includes a step of injecting at least some beverage into a recess in the preform so as to promote expansion of the preform inside the mould, the mould defining the shape of the container, a volume of beverage introduced during the injection step being at least equal to said predetermined volume, and, in addition, the method includes a step of sucking out a fraction of said volume of the beverage introduced until the volume of beverage remaining in the container is approximately equal to said predetermined volume.

Abstract: An improved automated process and apparatus for making a gastro-retentive device (10). The method includes the steps of providing a pouch assembly (18) having an ingredient section within a membrane; rotating the membrane to form a folded pouch assembly; inserting the folded pouch assembly into a first capsule section (20a) to form a pouch/first capsule assembly, and inserting the pouch/first capsule assembly into a second capsule section (20b). The process can further include the steps of providing a continuous strip (32) of multiple pouch assemblies (18) and cutting a single pouch assembly (18) from the strip (32).

Abstract: The transfer machine extends between the die-cut blank erecting station and the discharge conveyor on which the resulting boxes are carried away. It has a carriage that moves lengthwise underneath the sole plate of the various stations over which the box blank progresses. The carriage carries a system of clamps having movable upstream and downstream arms for gripping the blanks and a pusher. Together, the clamps and the pusher are used to move the blanks along the sole plate and push the box onto the discharge conveyor. The arms and the pusher are situated on a plate which is vertically movable relative to the carriage and the height of the projecting part of the upstream arms is greater than the height of the downstream arms and than that of the pushers. The upstream arm couple is hinged to the plate and pivots to allow it to retract upstream relative to the machine and beneath the sole plate. This pivoting of the arm couple is combined with the up-down movement of the plate.

Abstract: A standalone packaging manipulation apparatus performing predetermined packaging manipulation operations on bags being transported along an arcuate transportation path of a rotary-type bag transportation apparatus, the standalone packaging manipulation apparatus including a main arm that pivots and also extends and retracts in a horizontal plane, a sub-arm provided at a distal end portion of the main arm so as to ascend and descend and to rotate in the horizontal plane, and filling nozzle provided on the sub-arm with a predetermined spacing therebetween and simultaneously filling a plurality of bags with liquid. The operation of these elements is performed by mutually independent servomotors.

Abstract: With a random incoming axial stream of pallets of articles, there is a stack of blanks, an axial stream synchronized with pallets is formed, all of the pallets are transferred from the axial stream synchronized with pallets to constitute an axial stream that is synchronized with lots, lots are separated by empty spaces having length of one or more article lengths, whereby the spacing is thus variable and adapted to lot length, blanks are unstacked upon demand based on the pallets to constitute a synchronized stream of blanks corresponding to the stream synchronized with lots. Blanks are separated by empty spaces with length of one or more article lengths, starting from the stream synchronized with lots and the stream synchronized with blanks; each lot of articles is made to work with each blank before the blank is folded around the lot of articles and made into a single unit.

Abstract: A package unbundling station receives bundles of articles to be unwrapped. The station includes a clamp for holding a bundle in a fixed position and a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of wrapping and banding on at least two sides of the bundle, resulting in an “open envelope” which is transferred to a work station for easy removal of the articles which are then conveyed for subsequent sorting. In one embodiment, an unbundling station is coupled with a package sorting system and receives banded and/or wrapped bundles of articles and includes at least a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of the banding and/or wrapping materials of the bundle and subsequently outputs the opened bundle to an output station for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A composite laminar tape (1) for mass-sealing bottles (15) or similar containers consists, according to the invention, of at least one extensible laminar tape (16), made of an extensible plastomeric film, which is possibly provided with closed lines for a predetermined separation of areas being meant to act as sealing membranes. The invention also relates to an apparatus for mass-sealing containers with said tape, and to an apparatus for mass-unsealing the containers sealed with said tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a docking device for transferring the contents of, filling, and/or emptying containers, comprising first and second coupling closures flushly applicable or positioned flush to one another via the respective closing sides thereof. The docking device is equipped with at least one locking unit suitable for locking the pipe socket of the first and second coupling closure, said locking unit comprising at least one movable first locking means present in a passage having an opening to the exterior of the second coupling closure, particularly in the form of a ball, and being suitable to cooperate with a corresponding second locking means present on the exterior of the pipe socket of the second coupling closure. The docking device further comprises a pin movable in a cylinder, said pin comprising a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter that is less than the diameter of the first section.

Abstract: A machine for raising planar articles (2), preferably made of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or plastics, in order to manufacture box-shaped or crate-shaped packaging. The machine comprises at least one main conveyor (16) for advancing the planar articles (2) one at a time and side forming means (8) for turning the side panels (5b) of the articles predominantly 90° upwards with respect to the bottom panel (4) of the article (2). Moreover, the machine is provided with transversely arranged end forming means (15) for turning the end panels (6a, 6b) of the articles substantially 90° upwards and optionally also turning the end portions (5b?, 5b?) of the side panels (5b) substantially 90° with respect to the remaining portion of the side panels. Finally, there are joining means (12, 20) for joining the side panels (5a, 5b) and the end panels (6a, 6b) of the articles. This provides a machine requiring less space than the known one but remaining very reliable.

Abstract: The method consists in: a) screwing a spherical impact part (16) onto the body of the cork so as to extend it axially; b) orienting and holding the bottle (14) in a predetermined position such that the bottle extends below a reference level (18), the impact part (16) emerging above said level; and c) striking the impact part with a striker surface (22) situated at the end of the arm of a striker accessory (24), e.g. a golf club. This produces a sudden force on the cork of amplitude that is sufficient to forcibly expel the cork solely by the fact of striking against the impact part. The device further comprises a podium (10) defining the reference level (18) and means (30) for orienting and holding the bottle (14) in a predetermined position which may be vertical or inclined.

Abstract: A method for applying a heat-shrink patch to a carton for forming a shape of the carton. The carton includes a top panel, a bottom panel, at least one side panel extending between the top panel and the bottom panel and a movable section that is movable between a first position and a second position. The method includes providing a heat-shrink patch in a pre-shrunk configuration. The heat-shrink patch is coupled in the pre-shrunk configuration to at least a portion of an interior surface of a blank of sheet material including at least a portion of the movable section. The carton is formed from the blank of sheet material. The movable section is moved from the first position to the second position to form the shape of the carton by heating the heat-shrink patch to shrink the heat-shrink patch to a shrunk configuration.

Abstract: A device for opening pre-glued, pre-folded sleeves into cartons. The device includes a cam wheel (20) to which are connected one or more suction arms (22). The cam wheel can be controlled to rotated at different angular velocities. A first angular velocity allows sleeves comprising a certain number of panels to be opened, and a second angular velocity allows sleeves of a different number of panels to be opened.

Abstract: A carton flap gripping system including an adjustable pin holder is provided.

Abstract: A package for enclosing volatile corrosion inhibiting materials includes a first enclosure barrier being fabricated from one or more gas-impermeable materials and defining a first enclosed space. The package further includes a substrate having one or more volatile corrosion inhibitor materials disposed thereon, with the substrate being disposed within the first enclosed space. In some embodiments, a second enclosure barrier being fabricated from a gas-permeable, solid particle-impermeable material is disposed in the first enclosed space, and defines a second enclosed space inside of the first enclosed space. In such embodiments, the substrate is preferably disposed within the second enclosed space.

Abstract: A method for applying a heat shrinkable film to a carton for forming a shape of the carton is provided. The carton includes a top panel, a bottom panel, at least one side panel extending between the top panel and the bottom panel, and a movable section that is movable between a first position and a second position. The method includes providing a heat-shrinkable but unshrunken film, wrapping the film in an unheated condition around at least a portion of the carton including at least a portion of the movable section of the carton, and moving the movable section from the first position to the second position to form a shape of the carton by heating the heat-shrinkable film to shrink the heat-shrinkable film into contact with at least a portion of the movable section.

Abstract: Cartoner machine and a method of operating same. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus or system for automatically assembling or erecting tote containers, and a corresponding method or process for practicing or implementing the assembly or erection of the tote containers, is disclosed wherein tote container workpieces are disposed in a serial array within a magazine or hopper.

Abstract: An installation for filling weekly blister packs, i.e. packaging units, with doses of different medicaments corresponding to the weekly requirements of several patients and to be taken by the respective patient in a certain order according to the day of the week and the time of the day, according to a doctor's prescription. The installation is provided with output stations associated with the medicaments, for automatically filling all or selected compartments line-by-line. In order to control the output stations in such a way as to fill the weekly blister pack with the prescribed medicament, an electronic control unit processes information about patients, the information being continuously supplied to the unit in such a way that it is synchronized with the blister pack advancing movements.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of opening a substrate carrier is provided. The method includes moving the substrate carrier such that a door of the substrate carrier contacts a supporting member; employing the supporting member to support the door; moving a housing of the substrate carrier away from the supporting member; and pivoting the supporting member and door below a bottom surface of the substrate carrier. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A machine for raising planar articles (2), preferably made of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or plastics, in order to manufacture box-shaped or crate-shaped packaging. The machine comprises at least one main conveyor (16) for advancing the planar articles (2) one at a time and side forming means (8) for turning the side panels (5b) of the articles predominantly 90° upwards with respect to the bottom panel (4) of the article (2). Moreover, the machine is provided with transversely arranged end forming means (15) for turning the end panels (6a, 6b) of the articles substantially 90° upwards and optionally also turning the end portions (5b?, 5b?) of the side panels (5b) substantially 90° with respect to the remaining portion of the side panels. Finally, there are joining means (12, 20) for joining the side panels (5a, 5b) and the end panels (6a, 6b) of the articles. This provides a machine requiring less space than the known one but remaining very reliable.

Abstract: A device (100) for feeding blanks (99) to a packaging machine (M), includes at least one rotating group (G) for picking up flat folded carton blanks from the bottom of a stack (94) of blanks (99), in a picking up position (P), by the use of a picking up vacuum device (7) supported by the group (G). Then, the picked up folded blanks are erected into box-like configurations (A) in an erecting position (K). Then, the group (G) feeds the blanks (99) to an inlet station (98) of the machine (M), to place them one by one in the station (98) in a placing position (ID). The group (G) includes one first kinematic series (C1) for determining the movement of the picking up vacuum cups (7) along a closed path (T), extending between the picking up position (P) and the placing position (ID). A second kinematic series (C2) controls and maintains constant the orientation of the picking up vacuum cups (7, V).

Abstract: In a device with a plurality of holding units, each holding unit has a leading prong and a rear prong resiliently kept closed for holding a box in vertical orientation. The holding units are arranged spaced out on an operating group for intermittent motion through work stations for inserting products into the boxes. The rear prong can be moved away from the leading prong by a catching pawl for introducing a box into the opened holding unit, at an inlet station, and for removing the box in a discharge station, situated downstream. This avoids rubbing between the prongs and the box walls that could damage the precious ornamental patterns applied to the box.

Abstract: A packaging structure for a liquid container including a liquid containing portion accommodating liquid, a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid to an outside and an air vent for fluid communication with an ambience, the packing structure includes a covering member for covering and sealing the liquid supply portion and the air vent; the covering member including; an air vent sealing portion for sealing the air vent and a liquid supply portion sealing portion for sealing the liquid supply portion, and a connecting region for covering a connecting side of the liquid container which connects the air vent sealing portion and the liquid supply portion sealing portion, wherein the liquid supply portion sealing portion effects non-adhering sealing for the liquid supply portion, and the connecting region provides a resistance against unsealing of the liquid supply portion.

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.

Abstract: Cartoner machine and a method of operating same. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A photosensitive printing plate supplying apparatus for supplying a photosensitive printing plate to an automatic plate making machine for a photosensitive printing plate includes a printing plate packaging device which accommodates a bundle of photosensitive printing plates; a printing plate accommodating portion to which the printing plate packaging device is removably attached and which can completely shield light from the exterior; and a taking-out/conveying device which takes out the photosensitive printing plates from an interior of the printing plate packaging device in the light-shielded accommodation portion and conveys the photosensitive printing plates to a predetermined position. When the printing plate packaging means has an opening/closing lid, the photosensitive printing plate supplying apparatus may further include a lid opening/closing device.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenser a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: In a station for erecting tubular blanks in boxes, a gripping and raising unit engages a second lateral wall of the blank and subsequently raises the blank into a 90° rotation, so that the blank assumes, due to raising and rotating and because of the weight, a parallelepiped shape with a vertical axis. A first folder is operated by a first actuator in step relation with rotation of the blank and folds at least a first lateral wall of the blank adjacent to the second lateral wall, engaged by the gripping unit, to erect, the blank in a box with a vertical axis.

Abstract: A device for picking and opening boxes suitable for packaging products, comprising at least one magazine for substantially parallelepipedal boxes in a flattened configuration, at least one rotating drum provided peripherally with elements for picking the boxes one by one from the magazine and with elements for opening the boxes, and at least one conveyor for conveying the boxes in the open configuration from the rotating drum toward successive production stations of the product packaging process, the box picking elements and the box opening elements being actuated by cams, the conveyor comprising at least one rotating carousel with a plurality of box seats.

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.

Abstract: A method for applying a heat shrinkable film to a carton for forming a shape of the carton is provided. The carton includes a top panel, a bottom panel, at least one side panel extending between the top panel and the bottom panel, and a movable section that is movable between a first position and a second position. The method includes providing a heat-shrinkable but unshrunken film, wrapping the film in an unheated condition around at least a portion of the carton including at least a portion of the movable section of the carton, and moving the movable section from the first position to the second position to form a shape of the carton by heating the heat-shrinkable film to shrink the heat-shrinkable film into contact with at least a portion of the movable section.

Abstract: A device (100) for feeding blanks (99) to a packaging machine (M), includes at least one rotating group (G) for picking up flat folded carton blanks from the bottom of a stack (94) of blanks (99), in a picking up position (P), by means of picking up vacuum means (7) supported by the group (G). Then, the picked up folded blanks are erected into box-like configurations (A) in an erecting position (K). Then, the group (G) feeds the blanks (99) to an inlet station (98) of the machine (M), to place them one by one in the station (98) in a placing position (ID). The group (G) includes one first cinematic series (C1) for determining the movement of the picking up vacuum cups (7) along a closed path (T), extending between the picking up position (P) and the placing position (ID). A second cinematic series (C2) controls and maintains constant the orientation of the picking up vacuum cups (7, V).

Abstract: A crate-erecting machine 50 for erecting a collapsible crate comprising a bottom wall panel, a pair of side wall panels hinged to the bottom wall panel, and a pair of end wall panels hinged to the bottom wall panel, comprises a magazine 51 for holding a stack of collapsed crates, an erecting mechanism 90 for erecting a crate held in the magazine 51, a transfer mechanism 91 for transferring the crate to the erecting mechanism 90, and a dispensing mechanism 60 for dispensing the crate from the magazine 51 to the transfer mechanism 91.

Abstract: A system and method for opening a vacuum package is disclosed. The method includes providing a chamber at a normal pressure and loading the chamber with a vacuum package wherein the vacuum package is at a first pressure. The method also includes applying a vacuum to the chamber such that the pressure inside the chamber is substantially equal to the first pressure. The method further includes opening the vacuum package and equalizing the pressure inside the chamber to the normal pressure.

Abstract: A packaging system and device for paperboard cartons having closure flaps which extend across and seal the carton opening when filled with articles. The flaps, which are prone to distortion, are treated with a minor amount of water which reverses the distortion and allows the articles to be successfully inserted through the opening and into the carton.

Abstract: In a device with a plurality of holding units, each holding unit has a leading prong and a rear prong resiliently kept closed for holding a box in vertical orientation. The holding units are arranged spaced out on an operating group for intermittent motion through work stations for inserting products into the boxes. The rear prong can be moved away from the leading prong by a catching pawl for introducing a box into the opened holding unit, at an inlet station, and for removing the box in a discharge station, situated downstream. This avoids rubbing between the prongs and the box walls that could damage the precious ornamental patterns applied to the box.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: An apparatus for unwrapping stretch film from a palletized load. The unwrapping apparatus can also include a spooler unit for collecting the film after the film has been cut by the cutting unit. The spooler unit can include a roller guide having two roller members which can be selectively positioned in one of an open position or a closed position. The spooler unit can include a stripper plate, one or more spooler forks, and a shuttle pin. The shuttle pin can be movable within a channel of the stripper plate to rotate within close proximity of one spooler fork during rotation of the spooler unit.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for unwrapping a package of frangible articles bearing a wrapping material, the wrapping material having a rear portion and a forward tab, the forward tab adapted to open the wrapping material when pulled, the apparatus comprising: (a) a support member for supporting the package; (b) a grasping mechanism adapted to grasp the forward tab and to pull the forward tab so as to open the wrapping material; (c) an engaging mechanism adapted to grasp the rear portion and pull the wrapping material so as to remove the wrapping material from the frangible articles. The invention may be used in conjunction with standard confection filling, transport and packaging machinery and mechanisms.

Abstract: There are disclosed by a process and apparatus for positioning and sealing photostimuable phosphor imaging plates within barriers envelope blanks therefore and formed on a roll thereof wherein a barrier envelope blank including a U-shaped heat sealed portion thereof of such roll is indexed to a positioning station whereat the barrier envelope blank is caused to be opened at a free end thereof thereby permitting insertion of a restored imaging plate into such barrier envelope whereupon the barrier envelope including restored imaging plate is indexed to a station whereat heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein and thereafter the thus heat sealed barrier envelope is indexed to a product station for removal from the roll of barrier envelope blanks.