Abstract: In a device for loading film (3) on machines for wrapping products, a carriage (4) which supports and moves a reel (5) has a guard (9) covering the end of a pair of rollers (6, 7) for pre-stretching and feeding the film (3), opposite the end attached to a platform (8) which supports the rollers; the guard (9) covers each roller (6, 7) in such a way that it defines a continuous through-channel (C) at least at the surfaces (6s, 7s) of the rollers (6, 7) which make contact with the film (3), so that the film (3) can be inserted between said surfaces from the outside.

Abstract: A method for stopping and restarting an automatic machine (1) for wrapping products (2), in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper, in a collective pack (3) using a packaging film (4a) unwound from a first reel (31a). The method comprises the following automatic sequence of steps: reducing the speed of the machine (1); and stopping the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the processing of the products (2). The method subsequently comprising the steps of: substituting the first reel (31a) of the film (4a) with a second reel (31b); loading the film (4b) on the second reel into feed means (33, 10 34). Restarting the machine (1) at reduced speed and thereby automatically activating the following sequence of steps: unwinding and positionally centering the film (4b); and restarting the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the products.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for individually bagging bundles into stretchable open bags. The apparatus comprises a bag stretching structure about which a bag can be turned inside out for wrapping an underlying bundle in response to continuous downward movement of the bag stretching structure once the closed end of the bag opposite the open end thereof has engaged the top surface of the bundle.

Abstract: A protective cover that is pre-folded by a protective cover pre-folding apparatus is supplied to a pack producing apparatus. After sheets are stacked on the protective cover, the protective cover is fully folded onto the sheets to produce a pack, which is then inserted into a bag to produce a package. The package is then delivered from a package stacking apparatus.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a roller (6, 7) wherein the roller (6, 7) is mounted in a frame and rotationally driven (for example, a roller (6, 7) carrying a roll of stretch wrapping film (4) in a stretch wrapping head (1)). The quick release mechanism includes a pair of stub axles (22, 43) which support either end of the roller (6, 7) in the frame. One of the stub axles (22) are fixed within the frame and driven by a motor (8). The connection between this driven stub axle (22) and the roller (6, 7) ensures that no relative rotational movement occurs. The other stub axle (43) is “lockable” in a hole in the frame but is removable therefrom. The connection between the removable stub axle (43) and the roller (6, 7) allows free relative rotational movement. Withdrawal of the removable stub axle (43) from the frame allows the roller (6, 7) to be disconnected from its connection with the driven stub axle (22) and removed from the frame.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a net wrapping mechanism for wrapping a bale with net material that is wider that the width of the baling chamber so that the net material extends over the opposite ends of the bale. The baler has a baling chamber defined in part by a plurality of bale-forming belts mounted in side-by-side relationship on a plurality of belt support rolls extending between opposite sidewalls of the baling chamber. The net material is fed beneath the discharge gate of the baler to a crop inlet located between a lower front belt support roll carried by the discharge gate, the net being carried into the baling chamber by a fore-and-aft runs of the belts that extend between a lower rear and the lower front belt support roll, and carry the net along a guide surface defined by a plurality of channel members respectively located beneath the fore-and-aft runs of the belts.

Abstract: A device for changing reels of film on machines for wrapping products comprises a unit for substituting a finished reel with a new reel, the unit being mobile between a non-operating position in which it is distanced from an operating zone of a ring-shaped structure, and an operating position, in which it is close to the operating zone and to a wrapping unit; the unit comprises first means for detaching and picking up the finished reel from a support shaft, a magazine zone for at least one new or replacement reel which can be stably attached to the support shaft, second means for picking up the free end of film from the replacement reel and mobile along a path covering a preset film path, to allow film positioning close to a product to be wrapped.

Abstract: A supply device which, in a retainer type continuous-filling packaging system, converts the movement of empty bags supplied intermittently in a plurality of rows into a continuous motion in a single row and supplies these empty bags continuously to retainers that are conveyed at a constant speed. The supply device includes an empty-bag holding member conveying device and an intermittent bag supply device. In the empty-bag holding member conveying device, a plurality of empty-bag holding members (that contain therein empty bags) disposed at equal intervals are moved in one direction along a ring-form track that has a pair of parallel sections, and during this movement, the empty-bag holding members are moved intermittently by a specified distance (a distance equal to an integral multiple of an attachment spacing of the empty-bag holding members) on a bag entry side of the parallel sections and are moved continuously at a constant speed on a bag exit side of the parallel section.

Abstract: A carton feeder for a continuous motion packaging machine utilizes a speed compensation mechanism implemented through a rotating valve assembly and actuation system. The rotating valve assembly provides a vacuum and compression to vacuum cups, for facilitating the transfer and release, respectively, of cartons within the carton feeder. The valve assembly includes a base plate and a rotating port plate. A circumferential position adjustment of the base plate advances or retards timing of the vacuum/compression to the vacuum cups within the carton feeder. A pneumatic cylinder assembly adjusts the circumferential position of the base plate. A speed sensor senses machine speed and sends a machine speed signal to a controller. The controller signals a solenoid responsive to machine speed to extend or retract the pneumatic cylinder assembly, thereby circumferentially adjusting the valve base to advance or retard vacuum timing.

Abstract: For supplying production and packaging machines, in particular for supplying lines (10, 11) for producing and packaging cigarettes, an intermediate store (12) is provided for storing packaging material, to be precise for pallets (20) with reels (18) of web-like material. Pallets (20) with the packaging material are fed to the intermediate store (12) by a pallet conveyor (28). A separate reel conveyor (48) transports reels (18), as required, to the individual machines and subassemblies of the lines (10, 11).

Abstract: There is disclosed a solid preparation packaging apparatus in which a slip can be prevented from being generated between a packaging paper roll and a rotation shaft with the roll attached thereto by a simple constitution without inhibiting a replacing operation. The solid preparation packaging apparatus comprises: a plurality of tablet cases in which respective types of solid preparations are contained; and a thermally fusible packaging paper wound around in a roll shape, so that the solid preparation discharged from the tablet case is packaged in the packaging paper, wherein the packaging paper is wound around a periphery of a shaft member detachably attached to the rotation shaft to form the roll shape, an engaging portion is formed in the rotation shaft, and an engaged portion attachably/detachably joined to the engaging portion is formed in the shaft member.

Abstract: A bag supplying device including a conveying arm that has a fixed clamping element and a movable clamping element, a reciprocating-rotating assembly that causes the conveying arm to make a back-and-forth rotational movement between a downwardly-facing clamping position and a substantially horizontal intermediate position, a slide frame on which the rotational shaft is rotatably supported, a reciprocating movement assembly that reciprocates the slide frame horizontally so that the conveying arm advances toward and retracts from a transfer position (where bags are transferred) to a gripper, and an opening-and-closing assembly that opens and closes the movable clamping element. With the bag mouth of an empty bag clamped by the clamping element, the conveying arm rotates upward and then advances to the transfer position, then the movable clamping element opens so as to transfer the empty bag, which is in a vertical attitude, to the gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing two different types of carton, and for selecting and transferring cartons to be packaged, which apparatus includes a first hopper for storing a first carton type, a second hopper for storing a second carton type, and a carton engaging device that provides a first position for engaging cartons from the first hopper and a different second position for engaging cartons from the second hopper. A transfer device transfers the cartons from its respective first or second hopper to the infeed end of a packaging machine.

Abstract: A title sheet inserting machine includes a rotatable turret having a plurality of equally spaced copes, which each have a corrugated contact face adapted to hold a title sheet. A drag is provided movably toward and away from the cope at the first station of the turret. A space forming device provided adjacent to the second station of the turret is adapted to form a title sheet insertion space in the case. A case transferring pusher transfers the case formed with the title sheet insertion space therein toward the cope placed at the second station of the turret. A case retreating pusher retreats the case having the title sheet therein from the cope placed at the third station of the turret.

Abstract: A carton feeder for a continuous motion packaging machine includes a speed compensation controller and a solenoid dual valve assembly, which enable the feeder to operate at higher speeds. The dual valve assembly includes a vacuum valve coupled to an air pressure valve which is controlled by an electronic controller. The speed compensation assembly is electronically connected to the valve controller, and includes an encoder driven by the feeder and a programmable limit switch for receiving data from the encoder and transmitting control signals to the valve controller. The method of operation includes detecting the position of the selector and transmitting position data to the limit switch. The limit switch calculates optimum valve actuation timing based upon both programmed information and data from the encoder, and transmits the control signals to the valve controller.

Abstract: It is desired to prevent disalignment of the edges of a folded sheet by smoothly feeding the sheet while keeping tension fluctuations to a minimum when the sheet is unwound from a paper roll set in a paper feed unit to a packaging unit even though the paper roll diameter decreases gradually as the sheet is unwound. A sheet length measuring sensor or rotary encoder is provided in the paper feed path through which the packaging sheet unwound from the paper roll is fed toward the packaging unit. An angle sensor is provided which comprises Hall element sensors provide on a support shaft and magnets provided on a core pipe of the paper roll. Any change in the signals from one of these sensors relative to the signal from the other sensor is used to calculate the paper roll winding length, and the sheet tension is adjusted to an optimum, constant level by controlling the sheet braking force stepwise according to the roll diameter measured by the sensors.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding blanks on a packing machine, whereby a store, having a horizontal axis, feeds a succession of blanks to a pickup station from which the blanks are withdrawn one by one; and the blanks are fed to an input station of the store in groups, wherein the blanks are positioned on edge and gripped together by a band, which is only removed once the groups are packed together along the store.

Abstract: A bacon board dispenser (10) deposits predetermined quantities of sliced bacon in a shingled condition on bacon boards. The dispenser (10) includes a frame having a support side (12) and an operating side (11). The output conveyor (172), bacon board dispenser mechanism (193), and feeding mechanism (146) are cantilevered from the support side of the frame to provide for an open operating side for ease of bacon board loading, cleaning and maintenance. The dispenser (10) includes a multi-positioned bacon board magazine (43). The dispenser mechanism utilizes two sets of vacuum cups (210, 211) to provide for an easy changeover between different size boards.

Abstract: A hag-loading machine and a bag-filling machine and combination thereof, the bag-loading machine including bag carrying frame, motors coupled to the bag-carrying frame for moving it toward and away from the bag-filling machine and between a lower position and an upper bag-filling position, a first blower mounted on the bag carrying frame for maintaining a supported bag in an open condition, a second blower mounted on the bag-filling machine for blowing the supported bag to a fully opened position preceding the clamping of the bag to a conveyor trough, Structure on the conveyor trough for filling the clamped bag, structure on the bag-filling machine for releasing the filled bag from the conveyor trough, and a control system for effecting the foregoing sequence of operations.

Abstract: Container filling systems include a container filling station which fills empty containers with a product, most preferably a frozen dessert. The container filling station will necessarily include a fill valve assembly which has a housing defining a inlet and discharge openings, and a cylindrical spool having a spool port defined therethrough. Preferably, the spool is mounted asymmetrically within said housing for rotation between an open and closed conditions. A container lid supply and transfer system is most preferably employed in the system of this invention and includes a lid supply assembly to provide an available stand-by supply of container lid stacks, a lid feeding assembly for sequentially feeding individual container lids onto an awaiting product-filled container, and a lid transfer assembly for transferring a lid stack from the lid supply assembly to the lid feeding assembly.