Abstract: A bag pack of a plurality of stacked bags made from thermoplastic film, each bag comprising front and rear walls; a bottom; an open-mouth portion, said open-mouth portion being characterized by having handles which are integral extensions of said walls and located at opposite ends of said bag mouth portion. A single film tab member extends above each rear bag wall and above the open-mouth portion. The tab is coplanar with the rear wall and connected thereto through a localized line of film weakening. The tabs of all bags are in registration and are a collection of only tabs coplanar with said rear walls. The tabs are bonded together and include a suspension means to accommodate physical suspension of the pack.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collating sheets into sets from stacks of sheets wherein the number of sheets in each collated set may be greater than the number of stacks which can be supported within the apparatus for collating the sheets. Also disclosed is a system for carrying out the above-described method including a collating machine, an envelope handling assembly, and a set handling assembly. Also disclosed is the set handling assembly for feeding and storing sets of collated sheets for use with the collating machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking of corrugated cardboard sheets on at least two stacks disposed adjacent each other in a stacker included in a corrugator, wherein a slitter scorer, first conveying means, cut-off means, second conveying means and a stacker are located each behind the other in conveying direction, characterized in that at least one applying means is located above the first conveying means, said applying means being supported for movement transverse to the conveying direction and said applying means being adapted to apply adhesive strips, self-adhering paper strips or the like to adjacent webs.

Abstract: Cookies 20 having irregularly shaped upper surfaces are received in an as-baked, horizontal attitude from the cookie oven first on a slick top belt conveyor 10, then on an edge abutment belt conveyor 11, where the cookies are delivered in edge abutment relationship to a timing belt 12. The timing belt delivers the cookies to cookie loading wheel 14 which reorients each cookie in series from the as-baked, horizontal attitude to an edge standing attitude and aligns each cookie with the preceeding cookie in the cell 56 or 57 of a turret 15. Once the cookies have been properly aligned in an edge standing attitude, the cookies are urged by the loading wheel into the cell, and after a predetermined number of cookies have been properly loaded, the turret is inverted so as to drop the cookies into an awaiting cookie tray 65.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for packaging sanitary medical sponges which are deformable articles of a shape generally disposed in a flat plane with a stacked array thereof contained between two webs of packaging material, wherein the sponges are formed on a machine, they are delivered in a fixed number of at least two sponges from the machine in a stacked array with the planes of the sponges vertically disposed in a side-by-side relationship. Two webs of the packaging material are converged into a substantially V-shaped vertically disposed reception slot adapted to receive the stacked array of sponges. They are dropped into a reception slot so that the stacked array is substantially wedged therebetween.

Abstract: Pancakes of recording tape are packaged using stiff, expanded-plastic spacers, each having a web against which pancakes can rest in a stack of alternating pancakes and spacers. Each web terminates in an annular recess from which at least one deformable protuberance projects, and the core of each pancake is pinched between facing proturberances. A protective or reinforcing rim at the outer periphery of each web is sufficiently thin not to touch the rims so that each pancake can be held tightly against the adjacent webs while the stack is under axial compression, e.g., by a plastic shrinkwrap. By thus restraining both each pancake and its core, there is no core drop, upset or core rotation, problems besetting prior packages of pancakes of magnetic recording tape.

Abstract: A fully automatic bundling machine forms a bundle of stacked compressed rows of rolled tissue product and wraps the bundle with thermoweldable material which is taken from a single roll. For larger rolled products such as household paper towels, the individual product rolls are not upended at any point during bundling, but always remain horizontal. The single roll of thermoweldable material is bundled around a selected number of stacked rows of product after compression thereof, so as to form a tunnel which is open at one end. The compressed product rolls are inserted into the tunnel and the wrapped bundle is advanced to a welding and cutting station which simultaneously closes the open end of the bundle and cuts the thermoweldable material along the weld line such that the wrapped bundle is completely sealed and one end of the thermoweldable wrapping for the next bundle is closed.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for elongated articles comprises a first conveying device for transporting the articles from a ready-supply station to an aligning and gathering apparatus and then to a layer-forming apparatus, from where they are transported layerwise by means of a second conveying device into a container in which they are stacked in layers on a support which is lowerable stepwise. The first conveying device comprises a plurality of beams which are movable in and oppositely to the conveying direction and are liftable and lowerable. The aligning and gathering apparatus comprises a plurality of abutments past which the beams are movable, the articles lying on them being held fast so that they are aligned parallel to each other and pushed into lateral contact with each other. The layer-forming apparatus comprises a stationary support whose supporting surface is just as wide as one layer in the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for transporting flexible foil packages, particularly flat bags (6, 8, 13) filled with unstabilized material to a package container (1). The flat bags (6, 8, 13) deposited flat and with uniformly distributed contents by a filling and closing machine upon a transport belt are first of all imbricated and maintained clamped on both sides during further transport into the package container, so that the uniform distribution of the contents is maintained into the container. A close filling of the container (1) without excessive pressure is ensured by this means. Because the flat bags are conveyed from the conveying path directly into the container without an intermediate magazine, containers of different size can be filled consecutively virtually without interrupting the conveyance.

Abstract: Cookies (18) and the like are moved in a horizontal, as-baked attitude from an oven and are automatically loaded in edge standing attitude in the semicylindrical cavities of a tray (146). The cookies are received in series from the cooling belt (19) that leads away from the oven onto a slick top belt, then moved in sequence to a backlog belt conveyor (22), to a timing belt conveyor (24), to a pin conveyor (12), to a loading wheel (13) and into a loading cell (106) of a turret. The slick top belt operates at approximately the same speed as the cooling belt leading away from the oven, and the backlog belt operates at a slower speed as necessary than the slick top belt so as to accumulate the cookies in edge-to-edge relationship. When the supply of cookies on the backlog belt has accumulated to the point where they are backing up on the slick top belt, the operational speed of the system is increased so that the speed of operation matches the operation of the oven.

Abstract: Apparatus for accumulating stacks of superimposed layers or piles of paper sheets has a horizontal platform which receives successive layers from a feeding unit and can open up to permit the properly oriented layer thereon to descend by gravity onto an elevator which is disposed at a level below the platform and at a distance only slightly exceeding the height of a layer. The elevator is then lowered by a step, and the platform receives and discharges the next layer in the same way so that the elevator supports two layers. The accumulation of layers on the elevator is repeated as often as desired in order to accumulate a stack of desired height. The elevator is then opened and permits the fully grown stack to descend through a chute and into a container (such as a carton which is disposed therebelow and is properly centered by a suitable receptacle). The descent of the stack is braked by the column of air which is pushed by the stack in front of it through the chute and into the interior of the carton.

Abstract: A test pack for determining the efficiency of a vacuum in an autoclave comprises a porous bundle having a plurality of nonporous layers placed on its surface to leave a portion thereof exposed. A sheet with a steam sensitive indicator ink printed thereon is embedded in the bundle for placement in an autoclave where a vacuum is drawn to evacuate air therefrom through the exposed surface portions of the bundle. Steam is then introduced to replace the evacuated air and react with the indicator ink wherever there is contact. The amount of indicator ink contacted by the steam is a measure of the efficiency of the vacuum.

Abstract: An improved test pack for determining the efficiency of a vacuum in an autoclave comprises a porous bundle partially including open cell foam and having a plurality of non-porous gas impermeable layers placed on its surface to leave a portion thereof exposed. A sheet with a steam sensitive indicator ink printed thereon is embedded in the bundle for placement in an autoclave where a vacuum is drawn to evacuate air therefrom through the exposed surface portions of the bundle. Steam is then introduced to replace the evacuated air and react with the indicator ink wherever there is contact. The amount of indicator ink contacted by the steam is a measure of the efficiency of the vacuum.

Abstract: A method of packing articles including positioning an article retainer around a temporary article support and placing articles on such temporary support within the retainer, measuring the height of the articles in the retainer and automatically forming a container of enclosure of a size to enclose the articles. Thereafter the formed container is suitably positioned around the articles and container top is put on the container end to close the container and complete the packaging operation.

Abstract: A method of forming and holding a stack of bags where the bags are of a type and filled with a material to be vulnerable to dislodgement if the stack is too high the method including the steps of confining the stack during the building of the stack by leaves projecting vertically up each side of the stack, tightening the sleeve around the stack thus built including the leaves, and then withdrawing the leaves.There are further features of one of the leaves being dismountable in sections to assist in building the stack and the further step in the method for holding the leaves together by disposable cords to resist upper spreading of the leaves during the building of the stack.

Abstract: A coin wrapper having a paper substrate and a clean releasing pressure-sensitive adhesive is disclosed.

Abstract: A machine and method for loading irregularly shaped articles into cartons. The packages are collected from an input conveyor into partial carton loads which are combined into a complete carton load which is moved into an inverted opened carton which is then turned over and moved to further machinery for flap closing and sealing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for packing tubular bags into boxes by machinery. The tubular bags to be packed are conveyed over various conveyor belts to a positioning belt and from the positioning belt to a positioning table. Layers of tubular bags are then moved onto a rake-like main base that is lowered in a stepwise fashion to receive consecutive layers of tubular bags. When the desired number of tubular bag layers is positioned on the main base, the main base is lowered to deposit the tubular bags onto an intermediate base which together with side walls makes up an intermediate container. Once the intermediate container is in a lower position, a box is pushed over the intermediate container and the intermediate container is swung through a 90.degree. arc onto a conveyor belt. The intermediate container is then removed from the box and by this process the tubular bags which were previously in the intermediate container are transferred into the box.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for the automatic handling and bagging of articles, such as can ends, and thereafter depositing filled bags of said article on a pallet member in such a manner as to provide a plurality of layers of filled, palletized bags. The apparatus includes a receiving station which can handle a continuous flow of articles and provide individual stacks of articles disposed in facewise relationship for delivery to a bagging station. At the bagging station the stack of articles is automatically disposed with a bag to provide a filled bag. A collating station is provided which receives the filled bags from the bagging station and temporarily stores a layer of a number of filled bags in generally side-by-side horizontal disposition prior to palletizing. The collating station includes a discharger for depositing a layer of filled bags onto a palletizing station.

Abstract: Method is disclosed for packaging rolls of compressible insulation, including partially compressing a multi roll assembly of rolls superimposed upon each other between upper and lower contoured panels, while restraining lateral spreading of the assembly of rolls, and thereby establish predetermined package dimensions in both directions transversely of the rolls. There is also disclosed a method for stacking and interconnecting a plurality of the partially compressed multi roll packages.

Abstract: The stacker of the device for aligning and banding paper sheets is movable between a lower position for receiving and holding paper sheets from a supply belt and an upper position for forwarding the paper sheets to a subsequent step. A coil spring is connected at one end to a fixed part and at the other to a movable operating unit, and is associated with a holding plate through the operating unit. When the stacker has been moved to the upper position, the holding plate is moved upwards relative to the stacker to clear the stack of paper sheets in the stacker.

Abstract: A case loading apparatus comprises a first conveyor for moving a plurality of articles therealong and a second conveyor for moving open-ended cases therealong. The first conveyor deposits a stacked plurality of the articles on a platen, mounted on an elevator, for movement to a lowered position whereat the articles are transferred to a receptacle. The receptacle is moved adjacent to one of the cases and is inserted therein.

Abstract: A method for the stacking of bags received from a bag making machine which includes providing for the orientated transportation of hands of bag to a stack elevator which in conjunction with pusher means positions the hands of bags to form two or more adjacently positioned stacks of bags in an end to end but spaced relationship. The adjacent stacks are wrapped in a wrapping material to form a bale having provided therein a tear zone which allows for the ready separation of the stacks in pouches by the application of a force thereon with said wrapping material maintaining the integrity of the separate stacks.

Abstract: Automatic wraparound packaging machinery comprising a carton blank feeding station, can accumulator, lowerator platform and gluing and sealing station is provided with a loading head adapted for receiving the supply of articles (e.g., cans) to be packed and for forming the articles into discrete groups. The apparatus further comprises a retractable loading curtain associated with the loading head and means associated with the loading head for retracting the loading curtain to release the group of articles formed in the loading head and for returning the loading curtain to its normal position for supporting the next group of articles formed in the loading head. In one embodiment, the articles are packed in the carton in one tier. In another embodiment, releasable lifting means are provided for lifting every other group or articles to form an upper and a lower tier of articles, thus producing a two-tiered arrangement of articles to be packed.

Abstract: A method for storing sheets of a photothermographic sheet material composed of a high molecular weight compound support and a sensitive emulsion comprising, as the indispendable constituents, an organic silver salt oxidizing agent, a reducing agent for silver ion, a photosensitive silver salt compound or its precursor, and a binder, characterized by inserting paper having smooth surfaces between every two sheets of said photothermographic sheet material. By this method, the photothermographic sheet material can be stored for a long period of time without deterioration of quality.

Abstract: Rectangular panels, such as standing seam roof panels, which have upstanding flanges or seam sections extending along two opposed longitudinal side edges are stacked in a nested relationship. Each panel in the stack is transversely bowed about its longitudinal axis to spread the upper edges of the upstanding flanges or seam sections apart by a distance sufficient to permit the next uppermost panel to be nested between the flanges or seam sections of the lower panel. A longitudinal support member is located under the longitudinal centerline of the lowermost panel of the stack to support that panel in its bowed position. The support member and panel stack are in turn supported on a rigid, flat support base, and straps passing transversely around the support base and panel stack bind these elements into a unitary package for shipping or storage.

Abstract: A novel package of available chlorine compound comprised of a stack of a plurality of tablets enclosed in a liquid impervious synthetic material. The package is prepared by placing the stack of tablets in a tube of heat shrinkable synthetic material and then heating to effect shrinkage and to form a tightly adhering tube of synthetic material around the cylindrical exterior of the tablets. The resulting package can be adjusted to size by cutting where desired between tablets. The packages are useful in sanitizing water, particularly swimming pool water by placing them in a strainer basket of a skimmer unit.

Abstract: A knock down container package and method of making it which comprises several banks of sheet material which are each die cut and scored in a predetermined manner so that each blank can be readily folded to define a component part of the container in the assembled position wherein one of the blanks has formed on the inner surface thereof suitable indicia. The respective blanks in their knock down position are folded and/or stacked one on the other with the inner surface of the blank having the indicia thereon disposes inner surface up on the top of the stack, and the stack then encapsulated in a see-through wrapping.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for containerizing asphalt in a plurality of manually handleable packages.

Abstract: A bag-making apparatus delivers to a stacking station a succession of like flat and flexible folded shopping bags. A packaging apparatus stacks these bags at the stacking station up into a stack with the objects generally planar in the stack. The stack is then transferred to a loading cassette provided in a packaging station adjacent the stacking station and having a floor formed with an elongated throughgoing slot. An upwardly open carton is then positioned under and around the cassette and the stack is pushed out of the slot in the bottom of the floor of the cassette, temporarily deforming each of the bags from planar to U-shape as they pass through the slot. In this manner the entire stack is pushed through the slot into the carton.

Abstract: The instant invention concerns a cartoning assembly which operates in conjunction with a sheet stacker to pile sheets directly in their carton. The assembly loads a three-sided carton having an open top into the stacker and supports the carton there such that sheets accumulate in the carton. After a predetermined number of sheets have been piled in the carton, succeeding sheets piling into the stacker are segregated and separately supported away from the predetermined pile. The carton is then transferred to a discharge conveyor for processing and lidding. Meanwhile, a further carton is loaded into the stacker and supported beneath the succeeding pile. The succeeding pile is then deposited into the further carton. The further carton is supported in the stacker until the predetermined number of sheets accumulate and the process repeats.

Abstract: A box packing machine and process for packing a shipping box such as a carton with a group of containers such as bottles and cans smoothly without interference between separators and containers. Separators are placed at predetermined positions inside an intermediate box, and a group of containers transported in a matrix form with certain raws and columns and lying on a conveyor are loaded into the intermediate box. Then the containers and separators thus loaded in the intermediate box are transferred into a shipping box such as a carton as a unit and without changing their relative positional relationship. Containers are originally transported upright and in a single line, and they are laid down onto another conveyor every predetermined number whereby containers being laid down are supported on both sides.

Abstract: In a process for forming stacks of pieces of sheet material such as banknotes from an unbroken train of such sheets, the stacking of the sheets and the placing of label tapes round them takes place at one at the same position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging sterile surgical masks so that individual masks can be dispensed one at a time without disturbing the masks remaining in the dispenser. The method employs stacking surgical masks one upon another and aligning the tie strings so that they have essentially the same direction. The stack of sterile surgical masks with tie strings thus aligned is then inserted into a bag and the bag is tied at one end so as to enclose the masks therein. The bag and its contents are then sterilized and placed in a container. Both the bag and the container are long enough to permit the tie strings to trail loosely behind the stack of masks, and the bag and container are wide enough to permit the tie strings at the sides of the stack of masks to lie loosely and in a generally horizontally aligned fashion, thus permitting the masks to be serially removed without tangling the tie strings.

Abstract: In a method of automatically packing articles produced in at least two machine units and filled by means of a cartoning machine into cartons or boxes the following steps are provided: the articles are piled up in the machine units to form stacks of articles, the stacks of articles are transferred to a conveyor means operating in cycles, conveyed to the cartoning machine and finally pushed into a carton or box transversely of the direction of transport.In a preferred installation for carrying out the method a stacking device forming stacks of articles and a transverse pusher are associated with each machine unit. The machine units are interconnected by a common compartmental conveyor moved in cycles and having compartments of the length of a stack of articles. At the end of the compartmental conveyor a cartoning machine is arranged with which another transverse pusher is coordinated so as to be aligned with the compartments of the compartmental conveyor at standstill.

Abstract: Packaging of tubes or rods is disclosed. The tubes or rods consist of a brittle material such as glass or ceramics. In a method for packaging, the tubes or rods are arranged in one package in the tightest possible packaging form. This package is encased by a hood preferably consisting of a film of synthetic material which is fitted over the package under stress and which thereby locks the tubes or rods in position. A plurality of such packages can be stacked on a conventional pallet and can be encased by an additional hood locking this stack in position.

Abstract: Self-adhesive labels mounted on a backing strip are formed into fan-folded sets or stacks and are loaded directly from the fan-folding machine into an open four-sided cassette. The cassettes are made of cardboard, and after they are loaded with fan-folded labels, they are enclosed either by the addition of a fifth side or by wrapping. The cassette packages are then transported to the location where labels are to be applied to products moving along a conveyor. The fan-folded labels are supported in an open L-shaped rack which is tilted and which is of sufficient length to hold at least two sets or cassettes of fan-folded labels side by side. The labels are fed directly into a standard type of label dispenser which applies the labels to products as they are moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: A multipack for disposable bowl-shaped vessel inserts of the type having thin-walled side and bottom portions and a relatively stiff upper peripheral collar is made by vertically stacking a plurality of inserts together and folding the thin-walled bottom and side portions inside the upper collars by pushing the insert bottoms into the space enclosed by the collars. Single or multiple folds may be made and the stacked and folded inserts may be enclosed in a protective envelope. Apparatus and methods for making such multiple packs are also disclosed.