Abstract: An automated bag closure machine includes a mechanical bag closure advancement assembly and a mechanical bag closure breakoff assembly, wherein operation and timing of the mechanical bag closure breakoff assembly is governed by a cam and/or a manual pull-knob. The machine may include optical sensors configured to monitor the passage of bags through the machine and a fiber optic system to monitor the passage of bag closures through the machine. The machine may be mounted to other systems in a manner that allows fully fluid movement or adjustment of its position and orientation. The machine may have remote communications functionality.

Abstract: A product bagging assembly and method of manipulating a web material bag that is operable to create a bag opening that is greater than six inches and which is operable without substantially detracting from product throughput associated with use and operation of the product bagging assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the bag opening/dosing assembly includes a first actuator and a second actuator that are connected to one another such that a position of one of the actuators can be manipulated by operation of the other actuator. The product bagging assembly can be provided as a kit configured for plug and play operation with previously provided bag and product delivery systems.

Abstract: A machine for processing and/or packaging objects, said machine having horizontal conveying section for conveying articles, packages, and/or packaging units, which conveying section includes a first horizontal conveying device with a conveyor for a first operating mode and replaceable by a further horizontal conveying device with a second conveyor different from the first conveyor to establish a further operating mode. A method for modifying a conveying section of a machine for processing and/or packaging objects, wherein articles, packages, and/or packaging units are conveyed essentially horizontally on the conveying section using of a first horizontal conveying device with at least one conveyor in a first operating mode, and wherein at least one further operating mode is established by replacing the first horizontal conveying device with a further horizontal conveying device including at least one second conveyor which is different from the first conveying means conveyor.

Abstract: A pouch closing station is provided for mechanically closing a pouch having a pressure activated closure system located adjacent a central opening in the pouch. The station has a housing that is open in the front and back ends of the housing. The housing has a slot centrally located across the top of the housing for the passage of a filled open flexible pouch that has been filled with a preselected content. The pouch has an upper portion that is unfilled. The pouch closure system is a pressure activated closure system. A closure guide is located within the housing, below the slot to apply pressure to the pressure activated pouch closure system to close opening in the pouch as the pouch passes along the slot from the pouch entry end to the pouch exit end of the slot in the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing and sealing a preformed polypropylene bag after a bale has been inserted therein as the bale and bag traverse along a longitudinal line of travel. Left and right rotatable side flaps fold the left and right bag closure flaps onto the bale. A bottom rotatable fold plate partially folds the bag bottom closure flap and a top fold bar is extended and folds the top bag closure flap onto the bale. The bottom fold plate then folds the bag bottom closure flap onto the bale. The top and bottom bag closure flaps are sandwiched between the rotatable side flaps and the bottom fold plate and over a slack bar therebetween forming a slack portion. A heating assembly directs heat to the slack portion melting the polypropylene and a press plate is extended to the slack melted portion thereby fusing the bag closure flaps together.

Abstract: A child resistant zipper closure for a plastic bag includes a double slider, including a first slider and second slider. The first and second sliders are oriented on the zipper closure such that when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction toward the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is interlocking; and when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction away from the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is unlocking. The first and second sliders can be realeasably connected together.

Abstract: A forming member for controlling the volume of packages of pourable food products formed from a tube of packaging material and sealed at a number of sections of the tube crosswise to an axis of the tube; the forming member having: a main wall which cooperates cyclically with a first portion of the tube extending between two consecutive sections; and at least one flap extending alongside the wall. The flap is movable, with respect to the wall, between a first position, in which it cooperates with a second portion of the tube, extending between the two consecutive sections, to control the volume, between the two consecutive sections, of the package being formed, and a second position, in which it is detached from the second portion.

Abstract: A storage bag has first and second closure profiles that include interlocking members configured to seal an opening of the bag. A textured area is provided on the first closure profile adjacent to the interlocking member and adjacent to an end of the first closure profile. The textured area provides a visual cue to indicate that the process of sealing the interlocking members should begin at the end of the first closure profile and move towards a center of the bag.

Abstract: A package material with a tamper evident feature and methods of manufacture thereof, are disclosed herein. The package comprises a colored primer or lacquer coating applied along a portion of a seal and further comprising a peelable sealant. When opened the peelable sealant is separated from the portion of the seal containing colored primer or lacquer and removes a section of the coating, thus providing a visual indication that the package has been opened.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for enclosing bales of materials with at least four substantially rectilinear sides in flexible sheet material tubes having one open end into which the bales are inserted leaving the tube open end projecting loosely beyond the end of the bale utilizing structure temporarily placed inside the tube open end tending to resist inward movement of said tube such that the tube end may be formed into pleats at the four corners of the end of the bale and structure external of the tube cooperating to form and fold the pleats against the bale end surface where they are affixed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a bag made of a polymeric material by applying heat activated layers on different portions of the bag, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer have respective heat activation temperatures below the softening point temperature of the polymeric material; creasing the bag along a fold line, applying heat at a temperature below the softening point temperature of the polymeric material to activate the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer to adhesive states after the bag has been filled with contents; and folding the bag to form an adhesive-to adhesive seal by contact between the heat activated first adhesive layer and the heat activated second adhesive layer.

Abstract: A device for deflecting a loose fill product from the seal zone of a bag and sealing the bag is provided. The device includes a product stopper. The product stopper is adjacent to the sealing element of a bagging machine. The product stopper includes a mount that mounts the product stopper to a bagging machine and a pinching element that pinches a bag proximal to a sealing zone before the bag is sealed by the sealing element at the sealing zone. In one embodiment, the pincher includes a spring loaded mechanism for pinching the bag proximal to the sealing zone. In another embodiment, the pincher includes an air assist mechanism for pinching the bag proximal to the sealing zone.

Abstract: Adhesive articles, particularly useful as reusable closures in the presence of moisture from refrigerated or frozen food packaging environments, comprising a moisture resistant substrate and a removable adhesive covering at least a portion of the substrate surface, the adhesive having a Moist Loop Test result of at least about 0.8 N/25 mm at a test plate temperature of 5° C. The closure may also include a permanent adhesive covering another portion of the substrate surface. The adhesive articles provide easy application to packages and exhibit good adhesion performance in the presence of moisture, such as from refrigerated or frozen food packaging.

Abstract: An packaging apparatus and method to uncuff a package assembly is disclosed. The package assembly includes a container with at least one upstanding sidewall defining an open top. A bag is disposed within the container and a top portion of the bag is folded over the at least one sidewall at the open top to define a cuff. The packaging apparatus includes a first fluid jet directed substantially upward that is configured to uncuff the top portion of the bag from the container. An automatic bag closer gathers the top portion of the bag and applies a clip to close the bag. A second fluid jet is directed substantially downward and is configured to push the top portion of the bag substantially within the container.

Abstract: There is provided an improved method for filling a tube with a paste, ointment, gel or cream along with a device therefore which comprises simultaneously reducing the internal volume of the filled tube with the flattening and closure of the filling orifice.

Abstract: A flange alignment and grasping assembly is adapted to straighten the flanges of a bag in a filling and sealing apparatus so that the flanges may be clamped by the assembly. The assembly includes opposed guides that engage the side of the bag in the general location of the flange. The guides position the flange in an extended position between the jaws of a clamp where the clamp will pinch the flange when the clamp closes. The invention also provides an apparatus for grasping a bag and pulling a portion of the bag tight. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes arms that swing upwardly and inwardly to position jaws with respect to the bag.

Abstract: A resealable envelope comprising a flexible plastic back sheet, a backing adhesive applied on a back surface of the flexible plastic back sheet to attach the envelope to a package, a flexible plastic front sheet attached to the back sheet at their respective side edges and bottom edges, a flexible closure flap being adhered directly to the front surface of the back sheet at their respective top edges via a permanent adhesive and overlapping said front sheet, and a resealable adhesive located proximal to the top edge of the front sheet such that the resealable adhesive is capable of fastening said closure flap to the front sheet forming a resealable closure.

Abstract: An improved can end bagging system comprises four subassemblies: (1) the end gathering and stick assembly apparatus, (2) the bag feeding, opening, and loading apparatus which places a predetermined number of stacked can ends into an open end bag, (3) the vertical positioner apparatus for moving the bagged sticks into a folding device, and (4) the bag folding, closing and transfer apparatus. The loading mechanism includes a servo controlled pusher which is driven with controlled acceleration and deceleration to avoid tipping of the ends making up a stick, to avoid bursting of the bags during filling, and to assure complete and uniform filling of each bag. Sponginess which results primarily from variations in compression of the rims of the ends pressing against each other in the gathering and counting process is avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the end closure of packaging tubes is provided. In one embodiment, the tube which is to be sealed presents an intermediate wall having a surplus length across the tube cross-section, and the intermediate wall is fixed at the filling end of the tube to the tube wall and along two joining locations extending along the length of the tube. A hot air nozzle with two sub-members forming a gap therebetween is inserted into the opening in the filling end, and parts of the intermediate wall and the inside of the tube intended for sealing are heat activated in a non-contacting manner. Apparatus for producing a clamping action is pressed against the heat activated tube end and the intermediate wall. This apparatus includes a pair of clamping jaws arranged for translatory motion perpendicular to the tube axis and initially in a direction at an angle to a line through the joining locations.

Abstract: There is provided an improved method for filling a tube with a paste, ointment, gel or cream along with a device therefore which comprises simultaneously reducing the internal volume of the filled tube with the flattening and closure of the filling orifice.

Abstract: A transportable container for bulk goods and a method for forming the container are disclosed. The transportable container is formed from a bag having a closed base and an open top. The open top is in a folded over position and a bottom support is located adjacent to the closed base. A particulate material is filled into the bag and an outer wrap is spirally wrapped around the bottom support and the bag such that the outer wrap secures the bag to the bottom support and secures the open top in the folded over position. The method for forming the transportable container includes the steps of securing the open top of the bag in an opened position and supporting a base of the bag. The bag is filled to a predetermined level with a particulate material and while being filled the fill level of the particulate material in the bag is monitored. Simultaneously with filling of the bag, an outer wrap is spirally wrapped around the bag in an upward direction to a predetermined fill level.

Abstract: A multi-wall sack (3) containing a product is disclosed together with a method of forming and sealing such a sack. The sack (3) includes an inner pouch that is filled with product and sealed. The sack (3) also includes an outer bag that encloses the sealed inner pouch and which has a block bottom end (5a) and a block top end (5b).

Abstract: A method for disposing of a soiled disposable diaper comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for packaging a product, said apparatus having a bag magazine containing a number of preformed bags from which bags are separated by a lifting member which lifts each bag at or adjacent to its sealed end; a support device for separating a bag from the magazine and presenting it for opening by a movable gripping and opening device; means for opening the inlet region of the bag by said gripping and opening device, said gripping and opening device transporting the bag onto an outlet, said outlet being configured to grip the inlet region of the bag such that a product can then be ejected into the bag.

Abstract: A collapsible bag which is adapted to have another bag stacked thereon when the collapsible bag is filled with material. The collapsible bag includes a main body, a bottom portion, and a top portion. The main body defines a plurality of vertical sections to provide columnar support for holding the bag upright when the vertical sections are substantially filled with material. The bottom portion depends from the main body and includes at least one bottom seal for closing the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion defines a substantially planar base. The top portion extends from the main body at an end opposite the bottom portion. The top portion includes a top seal for closing the top portion. The top portion defines an interior space within the bag between the top seal and an imaginary fill line.

Abstract: A method of packaging a rectangular electrolytic battery, comprising the steps of forming a sleeve from a flat, rectangular sheet of a laminate material by overlapping and joining opposite edges of the sheet; inserting a rectangular battery into one end of the sleeve, the battery having two electronic contacting leads extending from one side thereof and the battery being positioned within the sleeve wherein a portion of the leads is within the sleeve and a portion of the leads is outside said sleeve; joining the ends of the sleeve to form a seal along each end thereof, hermetically sealing the interior of the sleeve, one end of the sleeve forming a seal about the leads and the other end of the sleeve sealed adjacent the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially applying panels or row of plastic caps to groups of cans or jars, which comprises: a feeding path for panels of caps, which is arranged above a belt conveyor arranged to feed a sequence of cans, already filled with product and sealed and belonging to a can packaging line; means for blocking each panel of caps at the end of the feeding path; and pressure means for applying each panel or row of caps to a group of cans being fed on the belt conveyor.

Abstract: A laminated paperboard package is produced by initially printing graphics by high speed printing on a sheet of clay-coated publication paper. The printed paper is then continuously applied to a surface of cellulosic substrate and bonded to the substrate, preferably through use of starch as an adhesive, to provide a laminated product. The laminated product is then die cut to the desired shape, folded and glued into the configuration of a box or container. A layer of water absorbent, cellulosic fiber material can be bonded to the inner surface of the substrate to prevent moisture from the contained product from seeping outwardly through the substrate to the printed paper.

Abstract: A system for automatic inspection and ejection of cartons in a packaging machine includes detection elements (20, 22) for determining whether a carton (C) has assumed a predetermined configuration at a predetermined point in its path of travel. Carton ejection elements include rollers (30, 32) which are actuated to eject a carton (C) when the detection elements (20) determine that the carton has not assumed the predetermined configuration at the predetermined point in its path of travel. A synchronous relationship between a flow of cartons (C) and a flow of groups of articles (G) to be packaged is preserved at and as cartons leave the carton inspection and ejection station of a packaging machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of packaging together series of bottles (6) by holder blanks (4) in which each one is to hold a number of bottles. The holder blanks (4) are provided in stacks (8) and are fed via a separation unit (9) to an application unit (3), into which bottles are fed on a conveyor (5) in a required formation (27). When a holder blank is applied, its laterally disposed flaps (39) are bent downwards and, at the same time, fingers (44), integrated with the flaps and possibly additional fingers are pressed upwards by the bottle caps (26) and the bottle flanges (26), respectively, and are moved downwards below their level. At the same time, the holder blank is cut through to obtain individual holders to rows of holders. The invention also relates to a device (1) designed to carry out this method and a holder (4), to be used when carrying out the method and with the device (1), respectively.

Abstract: A packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belt as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. A closure section in the form of a novel and improved heat sealer is releasably connectable to the bagger section. The sections are adjustable together between horizontal and vertical orientations. Processes of opening, closing and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a guide slidably mounted on a machine wherein the guide is driven by a lead screw turned by a DC motor through a worm drive gearhead. The DC motor is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) with input from an operator interface and feedback from a hollow shaft encoder attached directly to a shaft extending from the lead screw. Ladder logic programming in the PLC directs the motor to run or stop based on comparing a target position for the guide with the current position based on electrical signals from said encoder. A home position for each guide corresponds to the guide's position when it has moved fully outward encountering an outward stop. The programming also allows manual jogging of the guide through the operator interface. The programming takes up mechanical backlash in the apparatus on each move by overshooting the target position a predetermined amount when a move is made in an outward direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the automatic closing of transport bags, especially bags made of paper for meal, fodders and the like, with a mass of more than 5 kg. The filled bags are first spread and are aligned in their height, subsequently clamped and provided with a double fold. An adhesive is applied between the folding steps and the double fold formed is pressed together with the adhesive joint in press rollers.

Abstract: A method of packaging a particulate material is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a flexible plastic bag having an opening at one end, placing the bag in a mold which generally takes the form of an open-topped box, introducing the material into the bag through the opening, creating a vacuum in the bag and sealing the bag to close the opening while maintaining the vacuum in the bag.

Abstract: A packaging machine and process for loading bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through a bagger section by a pair of grooved main transport belts and a pair of lip transport belts each disposed in the groove of the associated main belt to trap bag lips in the grooves. Adjustable belt spreaders space reaches of the transport belts as they move through a load station whereby to sequentially open the bags into rectangular configurations. A closure section in the form of a novel and improved heat sealer is releasably connectable to the bagger section. The sections are adjustable together between horizontal and vertical orientations. Processes of opening, closing and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fully automated apparatus and operating system for supplying, transferring, filling, and sealing bags, utilizing a clam shell type of filling spout is provided in combination with apparatus for sealing each filled bag in close proximity to the spout. The bag sealing apparatus incorporates heat sealing bars mounted on a carriage movable between a first position adjacent to the filling spout for receiving filled bags and sealing them, and a second position wherein filled and sealed bags are released. The same carriage supports clamping bars movable between open and closed positions to clamp a filled bag while it is still being held on the filling spout, and to support the bag, after removal from the spout, while the bag mouth is being sealed by the heat sealing bars.

Abstract: An article packaging machine comprises a frame, a carton conveyor mounted to the frame for conveying cartons along a carton path, and an infeed conveyor assembly for grouping articles such as beverage cans into groups of predetermined size and moving them toward and into open cartons moving along the carton path. When the cartons are packed with articles, adhesive is applied to the flaps of their open ends and the flaps are folded over onto themselves. A spring biased free floating compression section has a pair of opposed compression belt assemblies that are yieldably spring biased toward each other to apply pressure to the ends of the containers to set the adhesive, thus sealing the ends of the packaged cartons shut. When the cartons are sealed, they are ejected from the packaging machine by a pair of opposed ejector belt assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the input of articles at the start-up phase of a packaging machine of the type having at least one article conveyance lane and an article grouping mechanism constructed and arranged to meter articles moving in the conveyance lane into predetermined groups, comprising:(a) at least one stop post aligned for extension into the conveyance lane, the stop post further being disposed at an infeed end of the article grouping mechanism;(b) means to actuate the stop post, whereby the stop post is extendible and retractable in the article conveyance lane, the stop post impeding travel of articles in the lane when extended and permitting travel of articles in the lane when retracted; and(c) means to coordinate actuation of the means to actuate with operation of the article grouping mechanism.

Abstract: An article packaging machine for packaging articles such as beverage cans into open-ended containers and sealing the containers comprises a carton conveyor that defines a carton path. Open cartons are moved along the path and articles are directed in groups toward and into the cartons as they move along the path. An overhead flight assembly is provided and includes pusher lugs that engage and push the top portions of cartons along the carton path so that the cartons do not become skewed. The spacing between adjacent pusher lugs on the overhead flight assembly is adjusted automatically to accommodate relatively wider cartons or relatively narrower cartons so that human intervention is not required when setting up the machine to package different size cartons.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading containers into basket-style bottom-loading carriers has a container infeed conveyor; a divider for segregating the containers into columns; a container meterer for metering each of the columns of containers into groupings of a predetermined number of containers; a container conveyor for engaging the last container in each grouping of containers; container gripper conveyors having container grippers for maintaining the container groupings; a carrier infeed supplier; a carrier feeder for removing carriers from the carrier infeed supplier; a carrier timer-transport assembly for receiving carriers from the carrier feeder and initiating transport of the carriers in synchronous parallel motion above the containers; a gripper assembly for opening the carriers by grasping and pulling outwardly with respect to a centerline of the carriers the bottom panels; a declination belt assembly having a downwardly-declining pair of opposing elongated endless belt pairs in face contacting relationship f

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: A packaging machine places cartons on an carton conveyor in an inverted-T configuration with the panels of the carton being generally horizontal and the walls of the carton collapsed together in a generally vertical orientation. An overhead assembly has carrier assemblies for picking up the cartons, opening the cartons, and lowering the cartons onto article groups. Each carrier assembly has a pair of opening members with protruding fingers for insertion within cut-outs formed in the cartons. After a carrier assembly has engaged a carton in an inverted-T configuration, one of the opening members in the carrier assembly is moved away from the other opening member, thereby opening the carton. Each carrier assembly has cam followers which travel within three cam plates, one for controlling an orientation of the carrier assembly, one for supporting the carrier assembly, and one for opening and closing the opening members.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: An article clip packaging machine for applying carton members to the article rims of preselected article groups. The machine has a conveyor with an infeed end for receiving preselected article groups. At least two carton member feeding structures are synchronized with the conveyor for placing carton base and carton top members, respectively, on the preselected article groups. A securing assembly attaches the carton base and top members to the rims of the article groups to provide article group carriers.

Abstract: A bottle conveying and packaging system has guide tracks for guiding groups of bottles positioned adjacent one another in a transverse direction, from a grouping station to a packaging station. The guide tracks correspond in number to the transversely lying bottles in the groups, and the tracks engage beneath collars of the bottles located beneath the bottle closures thereof. The tracks have horizontal, upwardly inclined and downwardly inclined sections, and push rods on an endless belt are provided for pushing the groupings along the tracks from an incoming conveyor to the packaging station at which the bottles rest on a conveyor at that station where packaging material is fed, whereafter the packaged groupings are conveyed to a foil wrapping station.

Abstract: In a packaging machine the articles to be packaged are handled by escapement means that generate gaps between successive articles in each column. The escapement means includes at least two pin conveyors, each of which is driven at a speed which is controlled whereby to permit varying the pitch distance between the pins of each of these two conveyors in order to accommodate a different number of and differently sized articles. The articles are separated by a take away conveyor driven at a slightly greater speed than the pin conveyors to create gaps between the adjacent rows of articles. Partitions may be fed into these gaps, and other gaps are used to permit entry of a flight bar grouper conveyor that ultimately groups the articles so as to create a desired pack pattern for loading.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting carrying strips on a plurality of bottles, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a cardboard blank magazine having a number of interconnected vertical rods (1) adapted to be thrust down into perforated holes stamped out in the carrying strip, an extraction means (2) that draws the carrying strips out of the cardboard blank magazine and transfers them to a folding device, which folding device comprises a side folder (3) designed such that the side flaps of the carrying strip are folded up when the cardboard blank is pressed against a complementarily shaped mold (5), there being provided in the bottom of the side folder (3) a plurality of pointed members (4) that pre-bend/pierce the holes for the bottles, and top folders (6a, 6b) that fold the top flaps around the mold (5), a contraction device (8) that conducts the ready-folded carrying strips sideways into a top flap holder (7), a push-out device (9) that presses the ready-folded carrying strips out of the mold (5) and into a

Abstract: A machine for attaching handles to pairs of containers. The machine has a handle reservoir fixture for retaining a stack of handles adjacent to a container flow path. A vertically moveable handle insertion fixture is located above the container flow path for receiving a handle from the stack, delivering the handle to a pair of containers and securing the handle about neck of the containers. A pusher delivers the handle from the stack to the handle insertion fixture.

Abstract: Tandem magazines store tray blanks of different size for loading product in different pack patterns. Each magazine has a depending cam device that engages unique lugs on the tray conveyor to allow the lowermost blank to be received on the tray conveyor, and then to be gripped by the unique lug for transport downstream toward the load station. Since only one magazine is used at one time these cam devices can be deactivated as desired. One of the two blank withdrawing means associated with each magazine is located under the tray blank conveyor and operates in timed relationship with it. The blank withdrawing means are also selectively deactivated for the same reason.