Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates includes comprises means for forming a plurality of truss plates and means for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include means for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, aligning means for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, stacking means for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and interconnecting means for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: A bulk straw loading system includes one or more bulk straw staging members having a plurality of compartments which receive, organize and store straws. The straws are detected and counted as they are received. A bulk straw staging member compartment opening temporary closure device insures that at least two compartments full of straws can be stored in a bulk straw staging member prior to being unloaded to a bulk straw transport device. A bulk straw transport device provides the straws to a bulk straw packager such as a boxer or bagger. A bulk straw loading system controller utilizes straw manufacturing speed information from a straw extruder, cutter or wrapper and combined with straw count information, effectuates rotation of each bulk straw staging member as appropriate.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging and wrapping a load, and a method for using the same, having an infeed conveyor for receiving bundles from an assembly or production line, positioning conveyors located downstream of the infeed conveyor for arranging the bundles into load layers, and stripper plates downstream of the positioning conveyor for receiving and discharging the load layers. A pair of lifts are located below the stripper plates for raising and lowering a pallet. The second lift is mounted on the first lift, so that the two lifts combine to raise a pallet to receive successive load layers from the stripper plates. A wrap ring including a film dispenser is mounted below the stripper plates, so that the dispenser may orbit and dispense a plastic film material about the load. The second lift raises the pallet above the first lift to position the load adjacent the dispenser for wrapping. Guide plates are mounted above the wrap ring to stabilize the load prior to wrapping.

Abstract: A goods accommodation method and apparatus in which a container is set such that its opening is directed horizontally, and box-shaped goods are stacked on a slide such that their surfaces facing the opening of the container are aligned with each other. The goods are transferred into the container while they are held in the stacked state by inserting the slide together with the goods stacked thereon into the container and then quickly pulling the slide out of the container at a speed higher than the speed of insertion such that the stacked goods remain in the container. The container is then turned up such that its opening is directed upward.

Abstract: A furniture finish color spot repair kit provides soluble color elements on a palette which is in the form of a card, deck of cards or a tube. The kit is also provided with a solvent and a brush for dissolving, mixing and applying colors to a damaged area. A method of making a kit provides cutting of the cards, printing the color elements and any other desired information and packaging the cards, solvent and brush, and if desired, providing the kit with an adaptation for hanging on a display rack.

Abstract: A sequence of H sheets of notes, for example 100 sheets, is first of all checked for misprints, and the note positions having misprints of each sheet are stored in a computer. The sheets of this sequence then pass a numbering machine (4), which has freely programmable numbering units, which are controlled by the computer. In this case, the numbering takes place in such a way that all the satisfactory note prints within the sequence of sheets, excluding the misprints, receive a consecutive sequence of numbers, the sequence of numbers of H notes in one and the same note position being the continuation of the sequence of numbers of the H notes in a neighboring note position. The next sequence of H sheets receives the subsequent sequence of numbers.

Abstract: A method of producing cartons of cigarettes, whereby groups of packets of cigarettes are formed wherein the packets are arranged in at least two side by side stacks, and wherein each packet in each stack is laid flat with its longer axis horizontal and aligned with the longer axis of a corresponding packet in the other stack; and each group is fed, crosswise to the longer axes of the packets and together with a flat blank from which to form a rigid hinged-lid wrapping, into a folding spindle, the bottom wall of which supports the group with the interposition of a panel of the blank corresponding to a lateral wall of the rigid wrapping.

Abstract: Equipment 10 for packing cylindrical articles includes a receiving station 18 for receiving articles to be packed. A displacing device is arranged in the receiving station 18 in proximity to a conveyor 16 for displacing articles from the conveyor 16. An accumulating station 22 is mountable relative to the conveyor 16 to receive articles displaced from the conveyor 16. The accumulating station 22 is displaceably arranged relative to the receiving station 18 to facilitate formation of a predetermined close packed array in the accumulating station 22.

Abstract: A collator and stacking apparatus, system and method for the collation and stacking of asymmetric plastic blister packages having a blister at or toward one end on a flat card, which comprises package-receiving inverter and sliding trays each with a tray surface, upwardly extending sides and a one and other end, for receiving each a package thereon, the received package being in the same orientation on each tray surface. The inverter trays have stops to position the received package on the tray surface as it moves between a package receiving position and an inverted package discharge position, wherein the package is inverted and placed within a collation track perpendicular to the trays, the track having a first and second end for receiving periodically an inverted package from the inverter tray and a slidable package from the sliding tray in a spaced-apart alternating arrangement within the track rails.

Abstract: A package, packaged food product and method are provided for packaging thinly sliced proteinaceous products such as sliced luncheon meats, cheeses and the like in a manner such that the thinly sliced products are supported by the packaging in a manner that resists shifting of the thinly sliced products within the package. The package has a generally wedge-shaped cavity into which a doubled-over shingled stack of the slices are sealed. Preferably, the package includes a semi-rigid panel and a flexible panel, at least one of which is generally transparent for displaying a substantial portion of the surface of at least one of the thin slices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking preforms for blow molded containers wherein the preforms are generally tubular in shape having a closed end and a threaded end. The preforms are arranged so that they are in an array of predetermined size and shape. The preforms in the array are arranged in a plurality of side-by-side horizontally extending rows in which the preforms are upright and in a "threads up" orientation. Alternate rows of the preforms are picked up and inverted so that they are in a "threads down" orientation. The remaining rows are then picked up and positioned in an alternating relationship with the "threads down" rows of preforms, so that multiple layers of preforms can be stacked in a container so as to fully use all of the space in the container for storage and transfer of the preforms.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping, folding and transferring a stack of flexible plastic bag products such as a stack of zippered plastic bags. The apparatus can be retrofitted in existing bag sealers used for producing and packaging a stack of plastic bags in order to produce novel shallower plastic bag products.

Abstract: A goods accommodation method and apparatus in which a container is set such that its opening is directed horizontally, and box-shaped goods are stacked on a slide such that their surfaces facing the opening of the container are aligned with each other. The goods are transferred into the container while they are held in the stacked state by inserting the slide together with the goods stacked thereon into the container and then quickly pulling the slide out of the container at a speed higher than the speed of insertion such that the stacked goods reimain in the container. The container is then turned up such that its opening is directed upward.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connected forming and controlled stacking of material having a form (12). The form (12) includes at least two molds (14) connected to each other by a web (16). The introduction of material into the form (12) results in the material generally assuming the shape of the molds (14) and the web (16). As a result, when the material is pressed out of the molds (14), the material is held together in the preselected position by the resultant web (16). This enables the stacking of material on top of each other in a controlled and certain manner since the forms pressed from the molds (14) will retain their chosen spaced apart distance and fall consistently and uniformally on top of each other until such time as the desired height of stacked material is achieved.

Abstract: A goods collection method is disclosed, in which box-shaped goods form goods delivery units and are successively received in necessary quantities on goods receptacles and accommodated in containers or the like. Each goods receptacle used has a goods reception surface inclined downward from a goods reception side toward the other side and includes a stopper wall provided on the other side for stopping received goods. The goods received on the goods receptacle are caused to gather on the goods reception surface such as to be on the side thereof adjacent the stopper wall.

Abstract: A stack of logs (40) is inhibited from staining as it is stored in open air by being sheltered with an air pervious plastic material (16). The plastic material has a material to air density of greater than 70% to restrict sunlight, wind and rain and less than 90% to allow adequate ventilation.

Abstract: A catalog stacker and loader having a conveyor, a cage assembly associated with the conveyor, and a loader for unloading catalogs from the cage assembly and loading them into shipping containers. The cage assembly has a first cage and a second cage, each of which is movable between a loading position adjacent the conveyor and an unloading position adjacent the loader. Each cage is dimensioned to receive two stacks of catalogs and comprises means for holding the two stacks in a first relative orientation when the cage is in a first position and for holding the two stacks in a second relative orientation when the cage is in a second position.

Abstract: Divisible packs consisting in two wrappers breasted frontally one with another are conveyed broadside, singly and in succession, to the point of being taken up between paired belt loops carrying teeth which are timed to impinge on the two wrappers and bring them into vertical alignment. Thereafter, the pack draws level with an applicator station where labels are affixed to the now perfectly matched end faces of the wrappers, then passes on to a further station at which correct application of the labels is verified by two pneumatic control elements: these consist in suction cups or nozzles connected to respective transducers which, by sensing changes in the pressure levels registering at the end faces of the wrappers, will detect any pack from which either or both of the labels may be missing.

Abstract: A stacking and carrying device for spherical objects such as golf balls wherein a tray member supports the spherical objects in the form of a pyramid and has strap members for carrying the tray. A filling device is also provided which stacks the balls on the tray member in a pyramidal fashion automatically and without any orientation. The filling device and method disclosed afford use in an automated dispensing machine such as for use on a golf practice range.

Abstract: A package system 10 containing a plurality of articles of manufacture comprises, a pallet 12, and a photographic product handling device releasably attached to the pallet 12. The photographic product handling device 13 comprises first and second platform assemblies 14, 22 having on one side positioning means formed thereon for facilitating stacking and resisting motion of the product contained therein. The opposite side of platform assembly 22 comprises at least one pair of spaced runners for conveniently stacking one package system 10 atop the other in an interlocking relationship. The sensitive photographic product 20 are encased in a foldable enclosure 18 defining an interior space, each end having releasably mounted thereon a platform assembly 14, 22 thereby forming a closed ended enclosure. Straps 24 are wrapped circumferentially around the closed ended enclosure 18 and the enclosure and pallet 12 are then wrapped with a stretchable material layer 30 to resist ambient contamination.

Abstract: A cartoning apparatus for loading stacked article groups into carton sleeves. The cartoning apparatus comprises at least two article infeed mechanisms, each supplying at least one stream of articles at a predetermined height or level, an article selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanisms to form and move a stream of stacked article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selection and transport mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: In a method of transferring goods into a container 83, the container 83 is tilted toward a goods loader 18, and a goods transferring member 90 with goods accommodated therein is inserted into an upper empty space in the tilted container 83. Thereafter, the goods transferring member 90 is tilted downward, and in this tilted state, it is withdrawn to the outside of the container 83, thus effecting the transfer of the goods in it into the container 83.

Abstract: A method to form and package stacked article groups utilizing flexible packaging materials. The method provides first and second streams of article groups which are directed to a supply of flexible packaging material, such as shrink or stretch film, to form stacked article groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are capable of producing sealed mailers from sheets of paper at speeds in excess of 200 documents per minute (e.g. 400 documents per minute or more) in an inexpensive manner, including by variably non-impact duplex printing the faces of each sheet with up to thirty six lines of variable data with each line up to ten inches long. The sheets are fed one at a time from a stack and then immediately aligned. Immediately after alignment the first face of each sheet is ink jet printed with variable data, the sheets are inverted and then immediately the second face of each sheet is ink jet printed with variable data. The printed sheets are immediately folded, and if they have adhesive (such as pressure activated adhesive) they are immediately sealed. They may then be sorted, stacked, and tied into bundles. Control of all of the operations is provided by a central computer control which ensures that the processing speed is consistent throughout.

Abstract: In a method of forming a package of cylindrical beverage cans, a predetermined number of cans is arranged to define a first tier. An insert panel is placed onto the first tier, having formed therein a plurality of substantially circular debossments, each debossment having a diameter not greater than the can top diameter and not less than the can bottom diameter. The debossments are arranged so that one debossment is positioned concentrically on top of each can of the lower tier. Onto the insert panel is placed a second tier of cans by sliding movement of each can along the insert panel until the can is positioned with its bottom seated within one debossment. The first tier, insert panel and second tier are slid together as a unit into a carton through its open end.

Abstract: A method for leveling a pallet load includes providing at least two pallets and a predetermined combination of containers and void fillers. The combination of containers and void fillers are placed upon a first pallet that has generally flat, horizontal top and bottom surfaces. The combination of containers and void fillers defines a horizontal plane upon which a second pallet, which has generally flat top and bottom surfaces, is stacked.

Abstract: A method to form stacked article groups utilizing packaged carton structures. The method utilizes first and second streams of packaged article groups, each packaged article group having predetermined graphic arrangements. The first and second streams are directed onto each other whereby the united packages form stacked article carriers having a unitary packaging graphic display.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automated and large scale preparation of layered stacks of one or more food items such as sandwich meats, hors d'oeuvre servings and the like ("set-ups"). The apparatus conveys a continuous web of paper through a plurality of slicer stations, each slicer station providing one or more slices of one or more food items to sequentially form set-ups of two or more stacked layers of horizontally spaced food slices. The apparatus is synchronized so that each sliced layer is conveyed to a subsequent slicer station before the next layer of food slices is deposited directly on top of that previous layer. The set-up is formed with two or more stacked layers of food slices before being conveyed to a cutter/wrapping station where the paper web is cut to separate the finished set-ups which are then wrapped by folding a portion of the cut paper over the finished set-up.

Abstract: Tubular packs, which contain a wound scale formation of flat products, particularly printed products, are conveyed over predeterminable conveying paths from at least one pack-producing apparatus (W.multidot.1, W.multidot.2) to at least one forwarding or intermediate storage station (A). For this purpose the packs are conveyed away from the pack-producing apparatus (W.multidot.1, W.multidot.2) with axes oriented in the conveying direction in a longitudinal conveying direction (FP.sub.1). Then in a distributing station (VU) or a deflecting station (U) for distributing the packs to different despatch units and/or for combining the packs into identical despatch units the conveying direction of at least part of the packs, for a constant axial position, is modified by substantially 90.degree. into a transverse conveying direction (FP.sub.q). Combined packs can be compressed in a combining station (ZU) and bound together to form double or multiple packs (PP) using a wrapping means.

Abstract: A system (10) and method of packaging components features stackable internesting trays (54) to carry components (52) in a sequence based upon order of use forming a stack (39) with protective internesting, stackable wrappers (90) and an internal box (36) covered by an external box (16) protecting the components for handling during inventory, shipment, and end use. The trays (54), wrappers (90), and boxes (16, 36) are formed of sheet material and feature access to components as initially loaded with a plurality of boxes oriented upon a shipping pallet (12) to allow access to all components as stacked.

Abstract: A load of compressible, fibrous insulating mats can be unified in the form of a roll or substantially parallelepiped set of panels by disposing a pallet vertically on a vertically oriented support, laying a layer of horizontally oriented products on a horizontal portion of the support such that they abut the vertical pallet, and stacking at least another layer of the products on the first layer to form a load. The resulting load is rotated by 90.degree. so as to bring the pallet into a horizontal position, after which the load is assembled with a wrapping film and covered with a cover.

Abstract: A method to form and package stacked article groups utilizing cardboard trays. The method provides first and second streams of article groups which are initially formed in first and second cardboard tray structures and subsequently stacked and united into packaged stacked units.

Abstract: A package, packaged food product and method are provided for packaging thinly sliced proteinaceous products such as sliced luncheon meats, cheeses and the like in a manner such that the thinly sliced products are supported by the packaging in a manner that resists shifting of the thinly sliced products within the package. The package has a generally wedge-shaped cavity into which a doubled-over shingled stack of the slices are sealed. Preferably, the package includes a semi-rigid panel and a flexible panel, at least one of which is generally transparent for displaying a substantial portion of the surface of at least one of the thin slices.

Abstract: The invention is a package including a bundle of shirred casing sticks disposed and held together by a container which completely encloses the bundle. The container is formed insitu about the bundle from a heat shrink film which stiffens on heat shrinking to provide a self-supporting container conforming in shape generally to the bundle shape. During heat shrinking, portions of the film are insulated to prevent welding of these portions so they provide flaps which open to permit removal or replacement of sticks.

Abstract: A packaging system for packaging individual objects, for example confectioneries such as chocolates includes an outer container for shipping various combinations of inner containers, themselves containing the objects in a number proportional to their external volumes. The dimensions and external volumes of the., inner containers are so related that the outer canon can be filled with almost any combination of the inner containers housing the total number of objects to be shipped in the outer container. This eliminates inventory problems with slow moving package sizes.

Abstract: A cardboard carton is constructed that is particularly useful for holding a stack of paper so that individual cut sheets from the stack may be readily removed. The carton bottom has an open top and substantially open ends and closed sides, while the carton top has a Z-fold top panel, and one or more tear strips between adhesive connecting the carton top to the carton bottom and the main part of the carton top. The carton bottom, with its open top facing downwardly, is either moved over a stack of paper, or formed over the stack of paper. Then it is rotated 180.degree. about a horizontal axis (as by pivoting a U-shaped continuous conveyor about a horizontal axis), and conveyed to a station where it is moved with respect to a carton top so that the open bottom of the carton top goes over the carton bottom, and then is glued in place. Two opposite flaps on the carton lid may be glued to the bottom surface of the carton bottom panel to provide a lifting space beneath the carton.

Abstract: A plurality of ice cream cones can have a removable protective covering applied thereto. An conveyor belt moves each cone of a plurality of conveying cones to a predetermined point. Prior to reaching the predetermined point, an edible adhesive is applied to the base of each cone. At the predetermined point, paper is applied to the base of the cone and adhered thereto. The cones are then stacked and packed for transport.

Abstract: An insulation shipping package for compressible insulation products comprises at least two insulation package units, the insulation shipping package having a ratio of major face edge dimensions less than about 1:1.5, the insulation products being compressed to a greater extent in the insulation shipping package than in the units so that when the insulation shipping package is opened into individual units, each individual unit has two generally rectangular major faces and a ratio of major face edge dimensions less than about 1:1.5.

Abstract: A method of unitizing a cargo of multiple substantially identical high density hay bales into multiple non-palletized units capable of being handled by a forklift truck or the like and fitted into shipping containers and utility vehicle cargo spaces comprises the steps of selecting a plurality of substantially identical high density bales of hay, arranging the plurality of bales of hay into selected size stacks of at least one layer of multiple horizontal rows, and wrapping multiple layers of an elongated continuous sheet of pre-stretched polymeric film having a memory horizontally around the plurality of bales of hay.

Abstract: The invention comprises a nested tray-like product separator apparatus and a packaging system employing the nested product separator for the separation of a plurality of generally vertically upright nested plastic tray products into packaging units composed of a defined plurality of the nested tray products. The product separator includes a base plate having a cavity therein and a pair of spaced-apart picker elements, with a tension-biased holdback finger element between the pair of spaced-apart picker elements. The product separator includes a pneumatic cylinder, to move the picker elements sequentially and cyclically between a non-use position and a separating position, wherein the one end of the picker elements extend between selected nested tray products to separate the products.

Abstract: A method which comprises sequentially depositing individual shirred food casing strands into a holder, which, when filled, holds the strands in a desired configuration; stretching a tubular resilient plastic film having a stretched diameter large enough to accommodate the configuration and having a relaxed diameter small enough to tightly engage the external surfaces of strands located proximate the external surface of the configuration; inserting the configuration of strands into the tubular resilient plastic film when at least a portion of the film is so stretched and allowing the film to relax to tightly secure the strands in said configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a plurality of tires having a threaded portion, a rim portion and two sidewall portions, said method comprising the following steps; peripherally slicing each of said tires in two half tires along said threaded portion about midway between said sidewall portions; performing radial incisions in each of said two half tires, said incisions extending through said threaded portion and part of said sidewall portion; stacking up said half tires one on top of the other in order to form a pile of half tires; compressing said pile longitudinally in order to flatten said half tires one over the other; whereby, said radial incisions allow the threaded portion of each half tire to lie in the same plane as the sidewalls of the same half tire without warping when said half tire is compressed into a flattened condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automated and large scale preparation of layered stacks of one or more food items such as sandwich meats, hors d'oeuvre servings and the like ("set-ups"). The apparatus conveys a continuous web of paper through a plurality of slicer stations, each slicer station providing one or more slices of one or more food items to sequentially form set-ups of two or more stacked layers of horizontally spaced food slices. The apparatus is synchronized so that each sliced layer is conveyed to a subsequent slicer station before the next layer of food slices is deposited directly on top of that previous layer. The set-up is formed with two or more stacked layers of food slices before being conveyed to a cutter/wrapping station where the paper web is cut to separate the finished set-ups which are then wrapped by folding a portion of the cut paper over the finished set-up.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic packing system including a station at which a serial stream of articles are placed into stacks (one on top of another) or groups and discharged into a transversely moving tray-type package, or the like. The system includes a conveyor belt for transporting the articles, one by one, while they lie in a horizontal plane. The articles are transferred by another conveyor to a station at the end of the conveyor where the articles are stopped by protruding pins, picked up by a vacuum holding device, transferred by lever mechanisms and carried to a loading station where the articles are dropped one upon another in a stacked manner until an appropriate group has accumulated.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling crates with packages is disclosed. The crates have hinged sides. The apparatus unfolds the sides of a crate and places the packages in the crate between the upright sides. The filled crates are transported on a conveyor to a bander. In the bander, a flexible band is applied around the outside of the upright sides. The banded crates are stacked by the apparatus with the bottom of the upper crate resting on the top edge of the upright sides of the lower crate. The banded and stacked crates may be transported horizontally while stacked.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for conveying a pile of photosensitive printing plates in which a support is covered thereon with photosensitive resin. The apparatus comprises a base plate and a pair of end plates for holding the pile of photosensitive printing plates therebetween. The pair of end plates is vertically mounted on the base plate so that the pile of photosensitive printing plates is vertically held between the pair of end plates on the base plate.

Abstract: A fan comprises a pair of guard halves which surround an impeller. One of the guard halves is smaller than the other guard half, such that the smaller of the two may be stacked within the larger to reduce the required space for packaging. Due to the inventive construction, the required space for packaging the guard is substantially reduced over prior art structures which have guard halves of approximately equal dimensions. Further, an inventive packing structure is disclosed wherein the individual components of a guard/impeller subassembly are securely packaged relative to each other. In particular, an impeller is positioned within the stacked guard halves, and secured at a relatively fixed positioned by resilient packing materials. The guard halves are preferably formed by a number of radially and circularly extending wires. A plurality of foam blocks are spaced in the stacked guard halves, at positions spaced from the impeller.

Abstract: A device for bundling a plurality of flat flexible structures received serially from a feed conveyor, applying top and bottom protective sheets, and strapping the structure together. The device includes a support conveyor adjacent to the feed conveyor and movable in a downstream direction along a path, a first conveyor movable in the downstream direction adjacent and substantially parallel to said support conveyor, at least one first blade on the first conveyor movable in a perpendicular direction toward the support conveyor to a support position. The first blade acts as a rest for the structures, and is movable away from the support conveyor to an inoperative position out of the path. When in the support position, this first blade advances in the downstream direction as the structures are deposited on edge onto the support conveyor, whereby a bundle of structures is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing dual cigarette packs having a spacer therebetween. The apparatus of one preferred embodiment includes: an assembly station to receive sequentially in stacked relationship a first pack of cigarettes, a spacer, and a second pack of cigarettes, the assembly station including means to transport said cigarette packs through the assembly station; means to feed cigarette packs at first and third positions along the assembly station; means to place a spacer on the cigarette packs at a second position of the assembly station, the second position being located between the first and third positions of the assembly station; and, means to place cigarette packs onto the spacer at the third position of the assembly station, thereby creating a dual cigarette pack having a spacer therebetween.

Abstract: A method for preparing a quantity of ice for transportation to a remote location consisting of bagging a plurality of bags of ice, then stacking the frozen bags of ice vertically on a pallet to a predetermined height. The pallet is wrapped with a material to form a first assembled unit. The unit is then placed in a freezer having a temperature at or below 20.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to set the product. Once "set", the unit is boxed in a rigid container having sidewalls and a lid. The sidewalls are banded to form a rigid second assembly and the second assembly which is returned to the freezer for storage until it is transported to a remote location.