Abstract: A system to form, fill and seal (FFS) flexible bags including the steps of a total printing of the film as lit winds off the supply reel; a dry cleaning; a gimballed aligning for the folding of the printed and washed film; a hot-bar welding of the folded film; a valve welding controlled by an algorithm;humidification treatment of the valve cavity; a shaping of the bags by hot tools also controlled by an algorithm; and a high precision dosage of the filling liquid.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a plastic film guiding device of a packaging machine, which comprises a frame, a screw rod, a walking block, a positioning rod, a pair of slanting rods, and a pair of slide bodies. The plastic film guiding device of the present invention is arranged in suspended way to reduce its contact with the surface of a machine table so that the present invention suffers less heat to facilitate the adjustment. Most importantly, the present invention has instant width-adjusting function, and can simultaneously perform identical adjustments to the widths of both sides. The adjustment is fast, and the positions of movement are exact. Moreover, fine adjustment of width can be performed at any time during the operation of the machine.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing includes feeding a continuous web of flexible panel material into a package forming operation. The continuous web is configured to define first and second juxtaposed panel sections; positioning a continuous strip of resealable closure mechanism having a series of spaced slider devices thereon between the first and second panel sections of the continuous web to form a continuous combination having the first and second panel sections and the resealable closure mechanism; and forming a plurality of flexible packages from the continuous combination. Each flexible package includes only one slider device thereon and a seal between the first and second panel sections oriented to enclose the one slider device between the first and second panel sections and the seal. A system for manufacturing a flexible package is disclosed. In addition, a flexible package is disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a fixed structure. A number of forming assemblies are arranged successively along a vertical portion of a path of a strip of packaging material, for gradually superimposing opposite lateral portions of the strip to form a tube having a longitudinal axis. A sealing device seals the lateral portions to each other and forms a longitudinal seam of the tube. An actuating device is operatively connected to an angularly adjustable folding member of one of the forming assemblies, and activated selectively to rotate the folding member about the longitudinal axis. A sensor is disposed along the vertical portion of the path, downstream from the sealing device, and generates a position signal correlated to the angular position of the seam. A control unit receives the position signal and generates a control signal, which is supplied to the actuating device to restore the seam to the desired angular position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for wrapping an elongated article with using a tranfer printing film are provided. A transfer printing film comprising a substrate film and a pattern-decorated transfer layer on the substrate film is drawn out from a roll thereof, and fed to a surface of the article which is conveyed horizontally by the convey rollers. The printing film is subject to an adhesive application during the travel to the article on the rollers. A hot melt type adhesive is employed as the adhesive, which type of adhesive can be easily regulated in thickness by an applicator. The printing film adheres to the article by the thick hot melt type adhesive to the article surface, and pressed with heat to transfer the decorated transfer layer with adhesive together integrally.

Abstract: Selectively reconfigurable shrink-wrap machine (30) for use with a loading device (34) for individually wrapping products (58) sequentially with shrink-wrap material (92) as delivered in sequence to the machine. It includes a sensor (62) sensing product position on the loading device. Shrink-wrap material is delivered from a roll at a wrapping station (40). A first conveyor (42) carries wrapped products between the wrapping station and a film sealing and cutting apparatus (44). First conveyor delivers products sequentially in synchronized velocity with the loading device in response to sensor signals. Film sealing and cutting apparatus has upper and lower heads (156, 164), at least one of which is driven into and out of engagement with the other between adjacent wrapped products received by the first conveyor for effecting a sealed cut between them. Heads are each maintained at a fixed angle of orientation. A second conveyor (43) receives wrapped products sequentially from the sealing and cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A machine and a method for wrapping an elongated object, such as a drinking straw, with a plastic film are disclosed. The machine has a drive for continuously advancing a thin narrow film strip from a supply roll to a wrapper loading and forming station. The wrapper loading and forming station has a trough former for folding the advancing film strip into a film trough. An inserting device positions spaced-apart elongated objects, such as the drinking straws, into the film trough of the advancing film strip for engagement by the film trough. The objects are supplied by a dispenser and disposed in a pre-oriented manner to be grasped by the inserting device. The film trough is advanced through sealing and severing stations wherein individually wrapped elongated objects or straws are produced.

Abstract: A machine for activating cutting members included in sealing dies carried by a rotating wheel to cause the cutting members to sever a tube of material held within the sealing dies. The machine includes a striker assembly and an actuator. The striker assembly includes a base and a striker element movable relative to the base between first and second location. The actuator is connected to the base to move the striker assembly between first and second positions. When the striker assembly is moved from the first position to the second position, the striker element is moved into operative engagement with a moving sealing die being carried by the rotating wheel to cause the cutting member of the engaged sealing die to shift from a retracted position to a cutting position to sever the tube. While in operative engagement with the moving sealing die, the striker element moves with the sealing die and relative to the base from the first location to the second location in a direction generally tangential to the wheel.

Abstract: A machine and a method for wrapping an elongated object, such as a drinking straw, with a plastic film are disclosed. The machine has a drive for continuously advancing a thin narrow film strip from a supply roll to a wrapper loading and forming station. The wrapper loading and forming station has a trough former for folding the advancing film strip into a film trough. An inserting device positions spaced-apart elongated objects, such as the drinking straws, into the film trough of the advancing film strip for engagement by the film trough. The objects are supplied by a dispenser and disposed in a pre-oriented manner to be grasped by the inserting device. The film trough is advanced through sealing and severing stations wherein individually wrapped elongated objects or straws are produced.

Abstract: A control system and control method for use in a machine for wrapping an article in plastic film are disclosed, the machine including a sealing head and a corresponding anvil movable by a pneumatic cylinder from an initial separated position to a contact position. The cylinder has an air exhaust outlet for exhausting air from the cylinder during operation of the cylinder from its initial state to an actuated state. A selectively actuatable valve disposed in the outlet selectively directs exhausting air through a first path of relatively low airflow resistance and a second path of relatively high airflow resistance. The valve directs exhaust air flow from the first path into the second path during operation of the cylinder and just prior to the cylinder being placed in the actuated state to cushion contact between the head and anvil.

Abstract: A machine and a method for wrapping an elongated object, such as a drinking straw, with a plastic film are disclosed. The machine has a drive for continuously advancing a thin narrow film strip from a supply roll to a wrapper loading and forming station. The wrapper loading and forming station has a trough former for folding the advancing film strip into a film trough. An inserting device positions spaced-apart elongated objects, such as the drinking straws, into the film trough of the advancing film strip for engagement by the film trough. The objects are supplied by a dispenser and disposed in a pre-oriented manner to be grasped by the inserting device. The film trough is advanced through sealing and severing stations wherein individually wrapped elongated objects or straws are produced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling a packaging casing to produce a sausage-like product, wherein the tautness of the casing during both filling and closing is detected by a sensor and filling or closing is interrupted when the upper or lower limit for tautness is exceeded.

Abstract: Sipping straws are confined in discrete envelopes while advancing in a single file of spaced-apart straws through a wrapping station. The envelopes are obtained from a continuous strip of wrapping paper which is conveyed to the wrapping station in the direction of advancement of the file of spaced-apart straws and is draped around the straws in such a way that one of its longitudinally extending marginal portions overlies and adheres to the other marginal portion with simultaneous formation of a seam rather than an outwardly extending fin. The thus obtained tubular wrapper is thereupon severed in the gaps between successive spaced-apart straws, and the end portions of the thus obtained discrete envelopes are sealed by knurling, e.g., simultaneously with severing of the tubular wrapper.

Abstract: A sealing device for a medication packing machine comprises memory means for storing a bag length setting file and a maximum containable medication quantity setting file. The bag length setting file contains, for each of said different bag lengths of said packing bags, a maximum medicament quantity ratio which means a ratio of the maximum quantity of standard medication containable in each packing bag with respective bag length to the maximum quantity of standard medication containable in a standard packing bag. The maximum containable medication quantity setting file contains a maximum quantity of each of other medication containable in said standard bag. A maximum containable medication quantity is read from said maximum containable medication quantity setting file on the basis of the type and quantity of medication for each medication-taking time in prescription data. A sum of containing rate of the medicament in the standard bag is calculated.

Abstract: A method of continuously forming, filling and sealing of packages with a continuous web of film material is disclosed and comprises the steps of providing a continuous web of film material and folding the web to provide confronting sides joined along a bottom edge and forming a vertical seal at spaced intervals along the web. This process forms a series of horizontally disposed pouches having opposed sidewalls separated by the vertical seals with each pouch being unsealed along a top edge. The pouches are then opened by separating the opposed sidewalls and are then filled with a product.

Abstract: A packaging machine is shown for individually wrapping objects, such as candies. The machine has a rotary hopper for selecting the objects to be wrapped, folding them and ejecting them precisely onto a delivery conveyor. A continuous wrapping film is laid over the objects on the delivery conveyor and the sides of the film are folded downwardly to partially wrap the objects. The objects are then gripped through the wrapping film by gripping fingers mounted on a second gripping conveyor. The gripping conveyor moves the objects along while the bottom edges of the wrapper are crimped, and the wrapper between the objects is then crimped and cut off. The gripping fingers then release the wrapped object.

Abstract: In a cross joining and/or cross cutting station in a flow packing machine, opposed tool parts are moved in complementary round paths such that they can press against opposite sides of a tubular packaging web for cross closing/cutting the web between successively advanced products therein, during continuous movement of the web. Normally the tool parts are moved by simple rotation, but according to the invention they are moved in a paracyclic manner, i.e. with substantially unchanged orientation in the space. This makes it possible to maintain the tool carrying parts in operative connection with an external power source through flexible wires or hoses, such that in a packaging machine with more packaging lines it is possible to operate all of the tool sets by common moving means, yet also with the possibility of deactuating the tools individually in case of operational disturbances in one or more of the lines.

Abstract: A process and device for packaging elongate products where a packaging material is drawn from a supply in a transportation direction includes sealing around the elongate products longitudinally and transversely. The packaging material is delivered in the form of a partial tube having one open longitudinal side and one closed longitudinal side, and a width between the open longitudinal side and the closed longitudinal side. A plurality of first transverse seals are made across the partial tube, extending less than the width of the partial tube, to form a plurality of transverse pockets in the tube and the elongate products are inserted into the pockets. A plurality of second transverse seals are made to form a transverse sealing seam across the full width of the tube. A seal is made on the open longitudinal side of the partial tube to form a longitudinal sealing seam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the packaging of a hot melt adhesive in a plastic film to prevent the adhesive from blocking during shipping and storage. The hot melt adhesives of the present invention may be thermoplastic or thermosetting in nature. The films used to wrap the adhesive are flexible in nature and are made of polymer composition, which become part of the adhesive once the adhesive is melted.

Abstract: In a horizontal form-fill-and-seal (FFS) machine, a continuous length of packaging film is folded lengthwise over the consumer products to be packaged. The lateral edges of the packaging film are separately and independently aligned with one another by edge sensing and control devices. A zipper is in place or fed between the aligned lateral edges of the packaging film. The lateral edges are sealed to one another, and the zipper, if unattached, is sealed to the folded packaging film. Side seals are produced by conventional apparatus, which also separate completed packages from one another. Apparatus for driving the packaging film though the machine in a balanced and symmetrical manner are also provided.

Abstract: A packaging machine for making flow packs, which is provided with closure elements for making transverse seams in a packaging material which has been formed into a tube, and with cutting devices for then making cuts in the transverse seams. The cutting devices are arranged on the circumference of a pair of cutting rolls which, in their circumferential direction, are moreover provided with gripper elements for manipulating the flow packs.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a wrapper for a product comprises: a feed device; an area for unwinding a web of heat-sealable paper; a station for feeding products which continuously receives and feeds out a first web of paper while placing the products on the web in succession and spaced equally apart; a station for feeding a second web of heat-sealable paper, where the second web of paper, fed by the feed device, is laid over the products and moves along continuously together with the first web of paper below it; a sealing station where the two webs of paper are joined crossways and lengthways to form a chain of closed wrappers, each containing a product. The apparatus comprises a single pair of feed rollers equipped with sealing elements and means for automatically detecting and correcting the misalignment of the sealing elements relative to the webs of paper by causing the rollers and the webs of paper to slip relative to each other.

Abstract: Sealing and severing equipment for packaging articles like candy pieces and the like in flexible packaging sheet material. The equipment including a table extending between longitudinal and transverse sealing means where the bottom ends of sheet material draped over articles sequentially delivered to the table inlet are subsequently longitudinally sealed and then transversely sealed and severed at the opposite ends of the wrapped articles. A pair of horizontally spaced confronting conveyors are provided on opposite longitudinal sides of said table and carrying corresponding spaced pairs of confronting fingers to be moved along opposite sides of and along the length of said table.

Abstract: Packing apparatus for packing mail items, magazines, books, CDs and like products composed of one or more layers, comprising a product-assembling path, a folding station, and a separating station, the folding station comprising a first conveyor belt on which at least a part of the packing material web is located which extends below the products to be packed, a pulling element which is arranged above the first conveyor belt and engages parts of the packing material web located at the top side of the products to be packed, and connecting means by means of which the longitudinal edges of the packing material web are interconnected, a pressure plate which is arranged above the first conveyor belt, the top side of which pressure plate is engaged by the pulling element, in operation, with the interposition of at least the longitudinal edges of the packing material web, the distance between the first conveyor belt and the bottom side of the pressure plate being such that products of different thicknesses can pass th

Abstract: In a driving system for the cross closing jaw (16) of a continually operating flow packing machine it is customary that the drive motor (30) for the vertical movements of the jaw is mounted on the sledge (8) reciprocating the jaws along the conveying path. According to the invention, the motor (30) should not participate in these movements as it is mounted in a stationary manner for driving a longitudinally extending shaft (20) which cooperates with a driving bushing mounted on the sledge so as to be slidable along the shaft (20) and operating to control the said vertical movements.

Abstract: The plant for packaging cans or other disposable drink containers by use of a heat-shrinkable film which includes a support frame; at least two feed lines for cans, with respective buffer zones, and including sensors for sensing passage of an individual can; a device feeding the cans recumbent and aligned into the at least two lines; a device feeding at least one heat-shrinkable film web associated with a device for wrapping the film web over the cans of each line; a welding and cutting unit with a longitudinal welder on each line and at least one welder oriented transverse to both of the lines; a heat-shrinking tunnel common to the various lines; and a package expulsion zone.

Abstract: Two spaced guiding plates for a wrapping device each have a first inclined face formed thereon and each of which faces the other, therefore, a V-shaped space is defined therebetween. An adjusting plate is securely mounted on a side of the wrapping device and has a second inclined face formed thereon. The first inclined face and the second inclined face are in line with each other, such that edges of a sheet of material for wrapping a article are able to be guided by the first inclined face and the second inclined face. With the help of the guiding plates and the adjusting plate, the present invention is able to precisely guide edges of the sheet of material and to efficiently wrap the article.

Abstract: A film for a multiple bag which film is a multiple film comprising at least two sheets of film put one on another and having scattered along its both-side edge portions spot-fused portions by which the at least two sheets of film is partially united.

Abstract: There is provided a press capable of solving a new problem of breakage of springs and surely applying the pressure for a long period of time in the lateral sealing process in a high-speed filling and packaging apparatus for manufacturing package containers each having a rectangular shape in cross section and filled with a fluid content such as juice. In the press comprising seal bars and a pair of engaging members which are respectively provided at both ends of the seal bars for producing a sealing pressure when they engage with each other for permitting said seal bars to nip a packaging material web which is filled with a fluid content and formed in a tubular shape, the press employs fluid such as air as a means for advancing a piston rod to which the movable engaging member is secured and a pressure sensor is provided for detecting the change of pressure of fluid in an air supply passage.

Abstract: An improved article packaging machine, and method of using same to prevent the formation of empty or defective packages is disclosed. The rotational position of the drive axis (45) of a film feed drive (44), and the drive axis (53) of a cutting head drive (52) are mapped with respect to one another in a base rotational position relationship, whereupon both of these drive axes are mapped to the rotational position of the drive axis (41) of an infeed conveyor drive (40) in a slave/master relationship, respectively. A machine controller (34) then calculates at least a first position control trajectory profile, and establishes a first rotational position relationship of the drive axes with respect to one another.

Abstract: In a packaging machine 2 with a movable part 27, which can be moved toward a packaging 26 or a product to be packaged, and a carrier movable with the part 27 and connected to the part 27, the part 27 and/or the carrier consists of a magnesium alloy 28, for example Mg Ag3 Se2 Zr1 or Mg A19 Zn1. A magnesium alloy 28 has low mass, low moment of inertia, high capability to conduct heat, high heat capacity and good stiffness. It can also be used for heated, package-building elements, for example, a longitudinal sealing jaw 33 movable toward a foil tube 6, a cross-sealing jaw 16, 17 or a cutting knife 25. Relatively small forces are needed for moving a part 27 and/or a carrier 23 consisting of a magnesium alloy 28, which makes the packaging machine 2 less expensive to operate.

Abstract: A system for packaging one or more articles surrounded by a tubular web moving downstream along a path includes a first station having a tacking jaw at a first downstream location along the path. The tacking jaw is movable between a first open position and a second closed position for sealing a central portion of the tubular web between the one or more articles. The first station also includes two tucking blades at the first downstream location on opposite sides of the tacking jaw and the tubular web. The tucking blades are movable toward one another for forcing the sides of the tubular web toward the central portion of the tubular web while the tacking jaw is in the closed position. The system also includes a second sealing station downstream from the first sealing station including a sealing jaw substantially perpendicular to the path of the tubular web.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying plastic wrapping film from a supply roll in which the film is folded to have a closed side edge and plies of the film open along an opposite side. The wrapping film is conveyed simultaneously with a stream of predetermined size product through a hot wheel to seal the open plies and form a tube enclosing the product, after which the tube and enclosed product is fed into a film sealing apparatus which cross seals and cuts the plastic tube transversely of its line of movement in a moving cycle in which the plastic tube is cut and sealed with the products individually wrapped and discharged. The film sealing apparatus is adjustable to be able to accommodate changes in the dimensions of products to be wrapped.

Abstract: A method of packaging includes unwinding a center-folded film from a roller, the center-folded film having a first web and a second web; forming a recess between the first and second film webs; feeding a plurality of products into the thus formed recess, as the film advances, the products spaced apart from each other, and the products having a first and second transverse side; sealing and severing the advancing film between each product to be packaged along each of the two transverse sides of each product so as to form a plurality of bags with one open mouth on a front side of each bag, wherein each bag encloses a respective product; and sealing or clipping each open bag mouth. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for making flexible packages having an openable and resealable interlocking closure from a continuous web of flexible film, the closure being formed transversely to the direction of film flow at the consumer preferred position across one end of the package during package formation at line speed. The system utilizes a converter device mounted atop or adjacent to standard packaging apparatus to form a small amount of the running packaging film into the resealable closure structure as an integral part of the film extending transversely to the long dimension of the package. The converter functions with both horizontal and vertical form/fill/seal wrapping machines and with overwrap packagers, and uses diverse packaging films such as polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, high and medium density polyethylene and various film laminations.

Abstract: A method for flavoring tea with a granular flavoring agent includes the step of removing from a reservoir a predetermined amount of granular flavoring agent. The predetermined amount of granular flavoring agent is placed as a small heap onto a moving endless filter paper strip. Subsequently, a predetermined amount of tea is placed adjacent to or onto the small heap of flavoring agent. The tea and flavoring agent heaped onto the filter paper strip are subsequently enclosed in a tea bag made from the filter paper strip accordingly. The inventive device for performing the method includes a device for moving the endless filter paper strip in an advancing direction. A tea metering device and a metering device for a flavoring agent are positioned directly above the endless filter paper strip whereby the metering device for the flavoring agent is positioned upstream of the tea metering device in the advancing direction.

Abstract: As a cylindrically formed web of thermoplastic bag-making material is transported longitudinally along a path at a specified speed, a longitudinal sealer with a heater is compressed against and over portions of the material parallel to the path to effect longitudinal sealing. The longitudinal sealer is moved in the meantime along the path at a greater speed in the range of 1.05 to 1.30 times the specified speed of motion of the material such that generation of V-shaped wrinkles known as the chevrons on both sides of the sealed area can be prevented.

Abstract: A pillow type packaging apparatus has a suction belt for conveying flexible continuous sheet material. A guide unit guides the continuous sheet material being conveyed, and forms the continuous sheet material into a quadrangular tube in which a pair of its longitudinal edges are confronted with each other. A center sealer thermally seals up the longitudinal edges. An inserter inserts an article into the tube through the guide unit. The tube is formed into a packaging bag by cutting and sealing. In the guide unit, an inner guide frame is inside an outer guide frame. The outer guide frame includes first to fourth corner portions, which are disposed in a quadrangular shape, having inside edges in contact with the continuous sheet material, and shape the continuous sheet material into the tube. The first to fourth corner portions are movable in directions of width and height of the continuous sheet material. The tube is changeable in size.

Abstract: An end seal wrapping machine (10), and method of forming an end seal in a spaced series of articles (A) moved therethrough, is disclosed. The wrapping machine has a first rotating shaft (40) on which at least a first upper sealing and crimping head (41a, 41b) is positioned, with a spaced second counter-rotating shaft (81) on which a second opposed sealing and crimping head (82a, 82b) is positioned. The wrapping machine is supplied with a regularly spaced series of articles which are substantially enclosed in a continuous tube (27) of packaging film (20) upstream of the sealing and crimping heads. The articles in the tube of packaging film are passed between the sealing and crimping heads for being wrapped within the film. The first sealing and crimping head includes an elongate knife (43) formed as a part thereof, with an elongate platen (92) formed as a part of the second sealing and crimping head, and opposed to the knife.

Abstract: In a drug packaging device which can shorten the drug packaging time. The opening of a bag is sealed with a transverse sealing unit and a longitudinal sealing unit. The time when the sealing is started and the sealing speed are varied according to the type of drug to be packaged in the bag. For drugs that take a longer time to be fed into the bag and settle in the bag, the seal starting time is delayed and the sealing speed is slowed. As a whole, it is possible to shorten the packaging time, while eliminating the possibility of incomplete packaging.

Abstract: A cutting device is provided for securing the cutting of the lateral sealed parts of a tubular packaging material web in the filling and packing machine of a filling and packaging apparatus that manufactures package containers each have a rectangular cross section and are filled with a fluid such as juice, etc. The cutting device includes the tubular packaging material web which is filled with a fluid, a pair of seal bars for laterally sealing the packaging material web, a cutter for cutting the packing material web at sealed parts thereof by a length corresponding to one container, fluid (such as air) pressure serving as a means for giving a biasing force to the cutter in a direction to retreat the cutter, and a pressure sensor capable of detecting a change of the fluid pressure in the supply passage.

Abstract: A bale of cut silage 2 is fed into a sheath 8 of flexible packaging. Apparatus 1 comprises thermal sealing/cutting heads 14,15 and intermediate blades 20. Heads 14,15 seal a rear end 21 of package 22; blades 20 separate package 22 from the remainder of sheath 8; heads 14,15 provide a further sealed end 9 for sheath 8 ready to receive the next bale 2 to be packaged.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine in which an heated longitudinal seam sealer continuously forms a longitudinal seam along lapped edges of the tube being formed. This longitudinal seam sealer can be used in machines having conventional cross sealing jaws as well as in machines in which the cross sealing jaws move in the direction of the moving film during the cross sealing operation. The heated longitudinal seam sealer includes a pair of sealer bars that include shaped confronting portions. The shaped confronting portions are heated and seal the lapped edges to form a seam. After exiting the shaped confronting portions the seam is engaged by a pair of pressure rollers that force the heated edges together to insure complete closure of the seam. The lapped edges of the film pass between the shaped confronting portions of the sealer bars which confine the lapped edges to a labyrinth cross section shape.

Abstract: A multiple packaging machine for conducting simultaneous operations on two or more pouches at each of several work stations by employing a pair of clamps for holding each pouch at each station during opening by moving the clamps toward each other, during filling and during closing by moving the clamps away from each other.

Abstract: The technical sector of the invention is that of the domain of bag-forming by packaging such as bags and especially sachets, made from flat webs folded and sealed to form bags which are then filled with liquid, pasty or pulverulent product, and closed.

Abstract: A drug packaging machine which can provide patients with information of any drug which cannot be packaged in a drug bag if prescribed drugs include such a drug. If prescribed drugs include a drug which cannot be packaged in a drug bag, an empty bag is formed at a position corresponding to the order in which this particular drug is to be taken, and the data for taking this particular drug is printed on the empty bag. A patient can thus take all of his or her necessary drugs simply by following the order in which the drug bags are series-connected.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling and packaging mail items, comprising a transport track which includes an endless conveyor with mail item forwarding projections and a conveyor drive, as well as at least one feeding device with a feeding device drive, which feeding device is arranged above and in-line with the transport track for the purpose of feeding documents, such as for instance supplements, the feeding device comprising a feeding device delivery gap located some distance above a transport surface formed by the transport track, characterized by a document guiding device arranged downstream of the feeding device delivery gap, which document guiding device comprises a first endless conveyor and a second endless conveyor each having a portion of a transport part in mutual abutment and thus forming a document guiding path bounded by a document guiding path infeed gap and a document guiding path delivery gap, with a drive of the first and the second endless conveyor being independent of the feeding device drive, an

Abstract: A temperature measurement and control apparatus (7) and a packaging film loading apparatus (9) for use in a horizontal packaging machine (5). The packaging machine includes a pair of counter-rotating sealing and crimping head assemblies (22, 23), each of which includes a plurality of sealing and crimping heads (32, 36), respectively, which are rotated past a first infrared sensor assembly (57) or a second infrared sensor assembly (61), respectively, for measuring the temperature thereof Each sealing and crimping head includes a generally arcuate sensing arc (80) mounted at the first end (77) thereof, the sensing arcs being rotated past either an upper infrared sensor (59) or a lower infrared sensor (63).

Abstract: A medication packaging apparatus for packaging solid medications specified by prescriptions at a hospital, pharmacy, etc. The medication packaging apparatus is equipped with: a plurality of tablet cases which hold solid medications separately by type; a turntable which is located under the tablet cases and which turns to receive and gather the medications at the outer periphery thereof by the centrifugal force thereof; a guide which is formed around the turntable and which has a dispensing port; and a heat sealing mechanism for forming a roll of thermally weldable packaging paper into small bags in succession. The mechanism for collecting the medications which have been released from the tablet cases can be made thinner and therefore, the entire medication packaging apparatus can be made smaller.

Abstract: A breathable girth former for a packaging machine for bathroom tissue and kitchen toweling rolls wherein the entrance funnel (preformer) has two halves resiliently mounted to conform to the product dimension most likely to jam in the downstream girth former. The funnel halves movement is transmitted to the girth tube former halves by a mechanical linkage to provide the same spacing as in the funnel.