Abstract: A product packaging system for organizing and packing a number of different items into a set. The system may include a number of staging conveyors. Each of the staging conveyors may carry a stack of items from the number of different items. The system further may include a positioning conveyor positioned adjacent to the staging conveyors and a number of removal devices positioned adjacent to the positioning conveyor. The removal devices may remove one item from the stack of items on each of the staging conveyors and place the item on the positioning conveyor. The system also may include one or more rotation devices positioned about the positioning conveyor so as to rotate the one items on the positioning conveyor.

Abstract: The method stores and/or transports at least partially deformable items, such as caps for containers. One embodiment of the method has the following steps: identifying for at least one item an edge-on plane that is associated with a more deformable direction of the at least one item and an axial plane that is associate with a less deformable direction of the at least one item; and orienting the at least one item such that the edge-on plane of the at least one item is substantially vertical, the at least one item being stored and/or transported in an unsecured manner relative to other deformable items. This method therefore provides cost savings to both manufacturers and users by reducing the number of damaged and deformed items or caps during storage and/or transport.

Abstract: An automatic packaging apparatus has an arraying and supplying station, a sorting station and a packaging station. The arraying and supplying station forcibly arrays and supplies encased products to orient their caps in one direction. The sorting station selectively sorts the arrayed encased products to a first feed path for feeding the encased products to package the encased products in a abreast-arrayed attitude and a second feed path for feeding the encased products to package the encased products in a tandem-arrayed attitude. The packaging station automatically packages the encased products by a shrink sheet in the abreast-arrayed attitude or the tandem-arrayed attitude.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: Methods of selectively packaging clips of tissues in flat or boutique cartons include depositing clips on carriers and turning and dropping clips into transverse channels in the carrier floors from where fat clips can be pushed into flat cartons, or selectively depressing the mid-portion of clips spanning the channels into the channels to form U-shaped clips which can be pushed into boutique cartons.

Abstract: A method and device for turning over stacks of products on a cartoning machine, whereby a group of products, arranged in at least one stack, is fed into a container, from which the group is expelled by a push device after the container is rotated 90° about an axis from a loading position to a turned-over unloading position; the container has a first and a second passage enabling the push device to move through the container when the container is in the turned-over unloading position and the loading position respectively. (FIG.

Abstract: Handling stand up bags (2) for beverages, wherein as bags (2) are filled, closed, provided with a drinking straw (3) and, being inserted in a plurality of bags into an outer packaging (4), are discharged, so as to make such a method faster and thus more economic, the stand up bags (2) are transported in a lying position between closing and insertion into the outer packaging (4).

Abstract: A machine for packaging multiple containers wherein a flexible carrier stock is fed across a jaw drum. A plurality of containers are also moved through the machine whereby the carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers so that flexible carrier stock engages with one of the containers to form a package. The machine is adjustable to accommodate a range of container heights and sizes, carrier configurations and/or package sizes. In addition, movement of the various components of the machine is coordinated using a drive system and a controller.

Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orienter device for orienting a container in a desired rotational position prior to placement in a container carrier. The orienter device includes a reader for determining an initial orientation of the container; a control system for determining a shortest rotational distance from the initial orientation to the desired rotational position between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; and a chuck engaged with the container and in communication with the control system for rotating the container the shortest rotational distance to the desired rotational position.

Abstract: An instant photographic film unit includes a mask sheet having an image frame and two sheets, one of which has a photosensitive layer, laminated and bonded together, and a developing liquid container disposed in a predetermined position for supplying a developing liquid between the two sheets to produce an image. The mask sheer and the two sheets are bonded together in a predetermined laminated state, with at least one of the mask sheet and the two sheets being in the form of a continuous web. The continuous web is cut off into self-developed instant photographic film units of a predetermined length. A predetermined number of instant photographic film units are automatically atacked and placed in a film pack.

Abstract: A medication dispensing apparatus of the present invention contains a plurality of different kinds of medication separately, dispenses the medicament to pack them into package belt, and discharges the package belt. The medication dispensing apparatus comprises a cutting device for cutting the package belt into short package belt including at least one medication package for specified period in accordance with prescription data, a stacking device for stacking the short package belts and a bundling device for bundling the stacked short package belts. According to the medication dispensing apparatus, it is possible to cut off medication packages and empty packages from the package belt automatically and rapidly, reducing medication distributing job in a hospital. The medication dispensing apparatus is applicable to a medicament collecting system comprising a tray feed station, a medication dispensing station and a tray recovering station.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading trays includes a servo motor that is mechanically coupled to a plurality of elongated engagement members. The engagement members are coupled to the servo motor at a first end and include engagement elements at the second end of the engagement member. The engagement elements may be designed to uniquely operate with the type of tray to be lifted by the apparatus. In one embodiment where the apparatus is loading a disposable tray, the engagement member may be an auger-type bit that screws into the trays. The apparatus also includes a lifting mechanism by which the engagement assembly is vertically positioned. The apparatus mechanically engages and retains the tray and moves the tray into position over a carton or other shipping container. The apparatus is vertically displaced to lower the tray into the carton and the servo motor operated in a reverse direction to mechanically disengage the tray.

Abstract: Banknotes are processed using a machine equipped with a number of modules by which predetermined numbers of notes are ordered in bundles secured with at least one band and then transferred to a unit to be strapped in groups; an intermittently driven conveyor equipped with pockets operates in conjunction with the modules to direct the bundles in a predetermined succession, according to a previously established sequence, toward a stacker located at an outfeed end of the conveyor. The bundles are stacked in set numbers to form groups in which the predetermined succession is maintained as the single bundles pass along a stacking axis, preserving an initial sequence of code and serial number with which the banknotes are fed initially into the bundling modules.

Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orientation wheel including one or more chucks. Each chuck engages one end of the container and rotates the container into an oriented position. A transfer belt having a plurality of tactile fingers is operatively connected to the orientation wheel and transfers an oriented container nested within the tactile fingers in a fixed rotational position from the orientation wheel to a packaging machine. In a method of packaging containers according to this invention, multiple containers are positioned within the carrier in one or more rotational positions based upon the desired appearance of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging flexible-pouch packaged goods into cartons, trays, or the like is disclosed. An infeed section receives the packages from a source, orients the packages, and presents them to a picking device. The picking device has at least one picker head which contains a plurality of grabbers. The grabbers clutch the pouches, translate them to the tray or box loading station, then deposit the pouches in a composite motion which enables the pouches to be laid down in a space efficient and visually pleasing shingled manner. The process is controlled by a control unit programmable for a variety of product packaging configurations. The apparatus and process are especially suited for use with stand-up type or gussetted pouches.

Abstract: A method for packaging flat articles in a stack in a package such as a box. In particular, the method is used to stack articles having different thicknesses at different ends in the direction of their plane. A stack portion is gripped by a gripping device and rotated 180° from the direction of an adjacent stack portion.

Abstract: A bucket on a bucket conveyor has a movable member or wall movable to a laid down position for receiving a horizontally disposed item. The member or wall is moved to reorient the item into an upright position for loading into a carton with another item later introduced into the bucket on another side of the movable member from the first item. Multiple items, inserts and/or multiple products can be handled. Methods and apparatus are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the handling of individual flat articles coming out of a production machine (3). The articles may be particularly letter envelopes, which are assembled and, if needed further processed and packaged. The core of the invention resides in that initially a plurality of flat articles or letter envelopes (2, 2a) are lifted as partial stacks (8, 8a) and then are deposited at another location, and in that the partial stacks, during lifting and/or depositing (rearranging), are moved in such a way that the flat articles or letter envelopes (2, 2a) are standing, following the deposition, on the same side or edge (b) as originally or on another side or edge (a).

Abstract: A product diverting mechanism used in a packaging system, which is effective to increase the speed at which the products are successively diverted, includes a force applicator 20 for applying a force, containing a force component acting in a horizontal direction, to the products M transported from a preceding station, in a direction transverse to a direction of transport of the products, a suppressor 10 disposed above a transport means 30 for suppressing an upward shift of the products M which occurs when the force applicator 29 applies the force to the products M, and an elevator 15 for moving the suppressor 10 up and down. The suppressor 10 is lowered during an operation to divert the products M so as to contact an upper surface of the products M.

Abstract: A system and method of arranging products, such as batteries, in a display package according to a desired orientation with efficient space utilization. The method includes providing products to be packaged, and applying an invisible orientation marking on each of the products. The orientation marking is visible when illuminated with ultraviolet light and is generally invisible to consumers under normal ambient light conditions. The method also includes illuminating the products with ultraviolet light, scanning each of the products, detecting the orientation marking on each of the products, orienting each of the products based on the detecting steps, and disposing each of the oriented products in a package so that the products have a desired orientation.

Abstract: As a substrate (10) is carried on a conveyor (20), an image analysis system (40) detects its presence and derives the various data, at least indicative of the footprint. The footprint data are used in selecting appropriate packaging components. Data may also indicate the transverse location and/or orientation and/or alignment of a substrate, and be used to control position adjustors for adjusting one or more of these. Data may also serve for categorizing the substrate, e.g., in terms of size or color. Such data may be used to control rejection of products, or categorization, e.g., by selection of distinguishable packaging.

Abstract: A device for insertion of products into a packaging container in a packaging machine comprises an insertion plunger which is guided along a certain path parallel to the product and a cover element which can be pre-positioned above the product by a first displacement control and which can be lowered onto the products via a second displacement control. The insertion plunger and the cover element can exercise an insertion motion to insert the products into the container. In order to guarantee a precise seating of the cover element and to facilitate a simple reconfiguration to differing product formats, the second displacement control comprises a substantially vertical control surface as well as an element engaging the control surface for horizontal displacement thereby, wherein the horizontal adjustment displacement of the element can be transformed by a transformation device into the vertical lowering motion of the cover element.

Abstract: A foodstuff collating apparatus having a plurality of discrete channels within which foodstuffs are collated. The apparatus is elevated at one end to provide a slide for the foodstuff with the channels converging from one end of the apparatus to the other. As the foodstuff slides down a channel, the former is oriented from a random position to an ordered vertical disposition.

Abstract: Tissue clips are placed on the upper level of bi-level product buckets, with the length of the tissue clips in the machine direction. The lower level of the product bucket is comprised of a full-width transverse channel whose width is greater than the width of the tissue clips but less the length of the tissue clips. To package flat packages of tissues, extensible pushers turn the tissue clips 90 degrees so they drop into the transverse channels. Subsequently flat overhead tamps descend and the tissue clips are pushed through guide buckets into the end of the flat-pack cartons. To package boutique packages of tissues, the extensible pushers are disengaged so the length of the tissue clips remain in the machine direction spanning the transverse channels. Subsequently, narrow tamps descend, pushing the center of the tissue clips into the transverse channels, forming the tissue clips into the beginning of a U-shape ready for pushing through guide buckets into the side of boutique cartons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to bunch together a predetermined number of inverted PTPs and uninverted PTPs into a bundle, and then transfer each PTP bundle to a bucket conveyor which moves intermittently in parallel with a conveying passage. A multitude of PTPs, a portion of which are inverted with respect to the conveying direction and the rest of which are not inverted, are conveyed along a first conveying passage while maintaining the blistered surfaces of the inverted and uninverted PTPs in parallel with each other. A selected portion of the PTPs being conveyed in the first conveying passage is pinched and separated from the same passage. The separated PTPs are bunched together while the spacing between the separated PTPs is narrowed in the conveying direction. The bunched PTPs are transferred onto a second conveying passage across the first conveying passage. The bunched PTPs are loaded into a bucket provided on a bucket conveyor which intermittently travels along the second conveying passage.

Abstract: A device to manipulate hosiery comprises a swift-tack apparatus joined to a j-hook magazine which selectively attaches a swift tack to a hosiery stack with or without a j-hook. The hosiery stack is then selectively inverted by a pair of rotatable clamps. The hosiery stack is then selectively rotated to a desired orientation by a turntable. The hosiery stack is then stacked with other hosiery stacks by means of a drop arrangement onto a lift plate. The combined stacks are then selectively attached one to the other by a second swift-tack apparatus. The above manipulations are effectuated preferably by pneumatic power and a plurality of pusher plates and lift plates.

Abstract: A medication dispensing apparatus of the present invention contains a plurality of different kinds of medication separately, dispenses the medicament to pack them into package belt, and discharges the package belt. The medication dispensing apparatus comprises a cutting device for cutting the package belt into short package belt including at least one medication package for specified period in accordance with prescription data, a stacking device for stacking the short package belts and a bundling device for bundling the stacked short package belts. According to the medication dispensing apparatus, it is possible to cut off medication packages and empty packages from the package belt automatically and rapidly, reducing medication distributing job in a hospital. The medication dispensing apparatus is applicable to a medicament collecting system comprising a tray feed station, a medication dispensing station and a tray recovering station.

Abstract: Packaging a plurality of cuboid containers, such as cigarette packs, in a package that is larger than the containers is enabled by arranging the containers in an offset array in which adjacent sides of the containers are offset from each other by a predetermined amount. A blank of relatively stiff material is folded around the array to form the package. The amount the containers are offset in the array is the same amount by which the package sides are longer than the adjacent sides of the containers. This enables the array in effect to fill the package even though the containers themselves are smaller than the package. The invention is particularly useful for cigarette packs since it enables the same package blank to be used for different size cigarette packs.

Abstract: An article packaging system has a magazine case charging mechanism for picking up and charging magazine cases one by one to a subsequent stage, a magazine case aligning mechanism for aligning the charged magazine cases in one direction, a small outer shipping package producing mechanism for storing a magazine case into a small package thereby to produce a small outer shipping package, a pack production mechanism for combining packs in a predetermined combining pattern, a large outer shipping package producing mechanism for assembling a plurality of packs in a predetermined assembling pattern into an assembly, and storing the assembly into a corrugated box to produce a large outer shipping package, and a production information management computer for controlling the above mechanisms in a centralized fashion.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for handling (individual) packs (10), namely for packaging the latter in a folding box or the like. The packs (10), which, for production or other reasons, are fed in a specific relative position, to be introduced into the folding box as a pack group (22) in another predetermined relative position. For this purpose, turning stations (27, 49) are installed in the region of the pack conveyor and rotate the packs (10)--depending on requirements--about a horizontal axis and/or about a vertical axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus (1) for packaging series of articles (3) in different formations (71). According to the invention, articles for each formation (71) are fed in mutually opposite directions (69, 70) by longitudinal conveyors (2) towards a common receiving zone (6) for collecting and stacking of articles (3), where first articles are stopped and transferred laterally by lateral conveyors (15) to a first collecting means (25) for collecting part of a stack (72) of two formations (71) of articles, whereupon a so collected part is released to a second collecting means (34) for collecting the remainder of a complete stack (72) by way of stopping and transferring second articles. The complete stack (72) is then moved onwards for further handling and packaging, and the latter movement is provided to be carried out during the first collecting step.

Abstract: In a method for packaging flat articles, articles are brought in a continuous stack (P) along a support level to a grouping station so that their planes are upright from the support level, wherein product batches to be placed in a package, such as a box, are separated from the stack by an automatic grouping device. For grouping articles having different thicknesses at different ends in the direction of their plane, a stack portion (OP) is separated from the stack, the stack portion is gripped by a gripping device, and it is rotated around one axis so that its direction deviates from the original. The first stack portions (OP) so rotated are placed next to such second stack portions, whose directions in relation to said one axis deviate 180.degree. from the direction of the first stack portions, and the first and second stack portion so placed next to each other are formed to the product batch to be placed in the package.

Abstract: A forage compactor for compressing forage or crop into bales of increased crop density for transportation. A crop feed area feeds crop to a conveyor where it is moved to a scale area for proper bale weight. An indexer severs the crop while moving it from the scale area to the compression chamber. The crop is compressed and moved to a strapping chamber where straps are applied to the compressed crop. The bound bale is manipulated as desired at the product handling area downstream from the strapping chamber. The crop is provided with substantially constant stress during compression and moisture sensors in the strapping chamber sense the moisture content of the severed crop within the bale to be bound. The weight of the crop within the compression area may be reduced to reduce machine overloading. Keyway plungers provide reduced side loading on the main ram used for crop compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping articles, such as bundles of newspapers, on one or three sides is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a conveyor means, a paper guide and dispensing means for conveying a sheet of paper dispensed from a roll into the path of a bundle moving along the conveyor, a wrapping means for covering the bundle with paper on one or three sides, and a reciprocating, double-edged cutting means for cutting the desired length of paper from the roll. The three-way wrap assembly includes a pair of paper support means, preferably C-shaped flexible belts which contact the paper lightly at three points, allowing the paper to maintain a substantially vertical orientation relative to the path of the bundle during the wrapping operation. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an integrated bundle turner assembly for lifting and turning a bundle 90 degrees relative to its original path of travel.

Abstract: An automated packaging system that can simultaneously process a single case or a plurality of cases and can be adjusted to accommodate packages and cases of various sizes. Individual packages are fed to the packaging system on the package conveyor. The packages are recognized by the system when they energize an electric eye which causes the package to be elevated above the conveying surface of the package conveyor and stopped below a pick and place mechanism. The individual packages are elevated by plates having upper surfaces that extend through slots in the conveying surface and are stopped by vacuum cups carried by the upper surfaces of the plates. The upper surfaces of the plates are inclined which causes the packages to climb the incline which functions to decelerate the movement of the package.

Abstract: A transferring device for transferring filled tea bags from a single track tea packaging machine to a two-track processing machine has a pivoting device with a pivot arm and a tea bag receptacle for receiving a vertically positioned tea bag. The pivoting device has a pivot drive for alternatingly pivoting the receptacle to the left and to the right about 90.degree. into a first and a second end position. A first swiveling device is provided for swiveling a tea bag, contained in the receptacle in the first end position, into a horizontal position. A second swiveling device is provided for swiveling a tea bag, contained in the receptacle in the second end position, into a horizontal position. A first tea bag pusher for moving the tea bag from the first swiveling device onto a first track of a two-track transport device for transporting the tea bag to a processing machine is provided.

Abstract: An orientation device for vertically orienting products in a vertical form, fill and seal machine. It includes a product receipt station for receiving a plurality of unoriented products and a product discharge station for discharging a plurality of oriented products. The products are indexed in discrete groups from the product receipt station to the product discharge station, during which the products of each group are oriented with their longitudinal axes being essentially vertical.

Abstract: Systems and methods reorient head-to-head aligned leading and following articles to from an array of alternating head-to-tail oriented articles. The leading and following articles are initially captured at their respective head portions, and thereafter laterally shifted relative to one another. The laterally shifted leading and following articles may then be pivoted so that their respective tail portions swing towards one another to thereby form an array of alternating head-to-tail oriented articles. A moveable transfer tray may be brought into a position below the captured array of head-to-tail oriented articles so that upon their release, the array of a head-to-tail oriented articles falls by gravity and into the awaiting tray therebelow. The tray may then be retracted so as to carry the array of head-to-tail articles to a remote site, preferably above a transfer conveyor.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine includes a first conveyor which carries a batch of small items along a path extending in a first direction. A second conveyor carries boxes in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A depositing structure in the form of a twisted funnel rotates the products from the first direction to the second direction before inserting them into a box. An oscillating plate carrying the funnel moves back and forth to fill the box while traveling in a first half of back and forth motion. Then, in the second half of that motion, returns to fill the next box. The oscillating plate may carry a plurality of funnels on each of its opposite sides. A memory of the type of small item carried by each funnel enables a single box to be loaded with different products.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine inserts small items, such as candy coated chewing gum, into a box with the small items arranged in a desired orientation. First, the small items are swept into a grid of individual pockets in plates on a conveyor. Then, the grid is inverted over an insertion tray having grooves which receive the small items without disturbing the desired orientation. The entire tray is inserted into a box and then withdrawn from the box. A ridge is formed adjacent said grooves for lifting a side of the box confronting the small items while the tray is inserted into the box so that there is almost no friction between the small item and the box, which might otherwise disturb the desired orientation. The small items are blocked during a withdrawal of the tray so that they are laid down in the desired orientation on the bottom of the box.

Abstract: A load portion is engaged in an infeed area and transported from the infeed area to a wrapping area with rotational, horizontal, and vertical carriers. Those carriers move the portion of the load horizontally along two horizontal degrees of freedom and one vertical degree of freedom by rotating a portion of the load about a vertical axis and translating the portion of the load along a generally linear horizontal direction and a generally linear vertical direction. The load is disengaged in the wrapping area and a stretch wrap packaging material dispenser is engaged and is transported to the wrapping area by the same rotational, horizontal, and vertical carriers to wrap the portion of the load with stretch wrap packaging material by using, once again, the same rotational, horizontal, and vertical carriers to rotate the dispenser around the load.

Abstract: A system for automatically opening cartons and removing packages therefrom includes a centrifugal orientation bowl for orientating closed or unopened cartons in a position to be fed to a slitting apparatus. The slitting apparatus includes a pair of cutters therein to cut opposed portions of the cartons thereby opening the cartons. A carton breaker is utilized downstream from the slitting apparatus to break the cartons open thereby loosening the packages therefrom. The opened cartons are fed to a rotating drum separator wherein the packages within the cartons are separated from the cartons and the emptied cartons are removed from the rotating drum separator in one location and the packages separated from the cartons are removed at another location.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for introducing compressible packs, especially bundles (10) or bundle groups (16, 17) comprised of small packs (11) of paper tissues into a carton (15). Articles or packs or pack groups of cellulose products are difficult to handle from the point of view of packaging technology. For the introduction into a carton (15) open at the top, bundle groups (16, 17) consisting of a multitude of small packs (11) of paper tissues are mechanically compressed, especially into a V-shaped form, then grasped on the top side by a lifting head (23) with suction holders (24 to 27) and held by suction. The lifting head (23) conveys a complete layer of bundle groups (16, 17) into the carton (15) from above, the compressed, reduced formation of the bundles (10) being maintained until they are deposited in the carton (15).

Abstract: A cross stacker comprising an integrated looping arrangement serves for alternate deposit of in particular folded printed products on a stack and for the subsequent looping of the stack with the help of a looping strip. Suitably, such a cross stacker is provided with a machine table, a working table, a rotary table integrated in the working table and having a catcher for the printed products to be stacked, and a looping arrangement, which is integrated in the cross stacker and which comprises an insertion, tensioning and welding device as well as a strip guide for the guidance of the inserted looping strip as a loose loop around the finished stack.

Abstract: A film packaging system has a tubular casing arraying and conveying device for arraying and conveying tubular casings each housing a roll of unexposed photographic film, a packing device for inserting the tubular casings into respective first packaging cartons each having a packaging carton housing and a tongue-like hanger integral with the packaging carton housing, a packaging carton conveying device for successively conveying the first packaging cartons, and a charging device for picking up a desired number of first packaging cartons conveyed by the packaging carton conveying device, arraying the desired number of picked-up first packaging cartons and a desired number of second packaging cartons, each having a packaging carton housing and a tongue-like hanger integral with the packaging carton housing, such that the hangers are oriented in opposite directions, and placing the array of first and second packaging cartons into a box.

Abstract: Levelling method realized by the simultaneous action of an abutment device and a retaining device for the product, rotating at variable speed in a periodic manner. The abutment device eliminates the end projections of the elements of the long shaped pasta, while the retaining device holds the single long shaped pasta elements firmly in their position, acting from above. The rotational speed varies during levelling, from a value equal to that of the transport collector for the product, so that the devices may be introduced in the collector, to a slowed down value, lasting for a longer time, where the soft contact between the levelling devices and the levelling product occurs.

Abstract: A method for transferring filled tea bags from a single track tea packaging machine to a two-track processing machine includes the steps of feeding tea bags in single file to a transfer station and positioning each tea bag individually therein. The tea bags are deposited alternatingly to the left and to the right onto a left and a right track of the two-track transporting table by pivoting the tea bags in sequential movements about a first axis and about a second axis, wherein the first and second axes extend transverse to one another. The tea bags are then transported on the left and right tracks in double file to the processing machine.

Abstract: The packaging of agricultural or horticultural produce requires much manual work, particularly when the stalks of fruits such as apples are all made to point in the same direction and/or when the most attractively colored side is properly presented. The invention relates to and provides a method which can be performed automatically wherein at least one camera recorded images of products are made and the products are packed subject to the recorded images.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing multilayer steel wool filter pads includes a gantry which orbits heads about a central axis. The heads transfer portions of steel wool cut from a web onto a rotatable turntable to form a multilayer steel wool filter pad. Detection devices and a tool controller cooperate to synchronize the rotation of the turntable with the transfer of the steel wool portions to the turntable, so that each of the layers of the steel wool filter pad has its steel wool filaments oriented differently from those of the adjacent layer by an angle of approximately 90 degrees. A method for making rectangular steel wool filter pads involves advancing multiple steel wool webs through rollers, with each of the webs moving at the same rate, to form a combined web. The combined web is then cut into square portions with sides at least twice as long as the width of the rectangular steel wool filter pads. The portions are stacked so that the filaments of overlying layers are shifted 90 degrees from each other.

Abstract: An uncrumpling and cutting apparatus cuts a predetermined length of an end portion of a heat transfer recording sheet of a sheet roll obtained by winding the heat transfer recording sheet around an outer periphery of a shaft roll, and a lead sheet sticking apparatus sticks an end of a lead sheet to the end portion of the heat transfer recording sheet. A subshaft sticking apparatus sticks a subshaft to the lead sheet, and a lead sheet winding apparatus winds up the lead sheet to wrap the sheet roll and the subshaft. A tying portion ties a combination of a sheet roll with a subshaft with a strip, thereby bundling the combination. Then the combination thus tied is packed in a package bag by a packaging portion. A transferring and mounting portion lays an even number of combinations as alternately reversing orientations thereof, and an encasing portion encases the combinations thus laid in a container.