Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing container assemblies having a cup-shaped insert disposed within a container. A container conveyor conveys a series of open containers along a lower horizontal path, the container conveyor bringing each container in turn to a stop at an insertion station. A generally vertical inserter chute is disposed above the insertion station for conducting a generally cup-shaped insert through the inserter and out the lower end into a container positioned at the insertion station. An insert conveyor disposed above the inserter conveys a series of inserts along an upper horizontal path, each insert on the insert conveyor having an open end and an opposite closed end and being in an inverted orientation such that the open end of the insert faces downward. A lead one of the inserts being conveyed on the insert conveyor tips over and falls into the inserter in an upright orientation.

Abstract: A stamp applicator includes a sizing feature that measures the size of a carton of cigarettes entering the machine. The sizing feature may include sensors that determine both the height and width of a carton of cigarettes. The applicator includes a stamping head and other features that may be adjusted to accommodate cartons of different sizes. The stamp applicator may include sensors that determine if a carton of cigarettes is properly positioned prior to moving the cartons through the machine for further processing.

Abstract: A method for detecting and discriminating articles that are within a predetermined range of a specification into lots feeds a plurality of articles into an article portioning system having a counting head assembly that includes an article detecting unit located above and cooperatively controlling through generated signals an upper diverting gate and lower outlet gate which control the passage and/or accumulation of articles in adjacent channels to permit filling of article containers with predetermined article portions as containers are placed beneath, and removed from, the assembly outlet. The method for portioning discrete articles by feeding the articles and generating signals controlling the gates is suited for a combined plurality of such assemblies to provide high speed continuous container filling operations for simultaneous filling of groups of containers.

Abstract: A Process for feeding products of variable height and length into a continuous packaging apparatus comprising a conveyor with thrusters that receives publishing products or similar, such as newspapers, magazines, books, envelopes, giveaways or other similar products, from a certain number of feeders, a conveyor belt where the packaging in a plastic or paper film takes place, fed continuously above the conveyor belt that foresees, in a downstream area, longitudinal and transversal sealing devices that make finished packages of various sizes in height and length, said process comprising the steps of: varying the pitch on the conveyor belt of the products or groups of products fed by the conveyor with thrusters through continuous variation of the speed of the conveyor belt, and operatively adapting the speed of the sealing devices to the sizes in height and length of the products or groups of products.

Abstract: A method for creating mailpieces from a single web of printed material. The web of printed material includes a continuous web having a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets is comprised of envelope sheets and content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. The method starts with cutting consecutive attached sheets into separated sheets. The content pages belonging to a same mailpiece are accumulated together. The separated envelope sheet is transported, bypassing the accumulating and turning steps. The accumulated and turned content pages are then merged with the envelope sheet, and the envelope sheet is folded and closed around the accumulated content pages to form a finished enclosing envelope.

Abstract: A transfer system for food products (P) having a product conveyor (11); a first support conveyor (13) suitable for moving supports (12) in equicurrent with the food products (P); a plurality of pickers (R1, R2, R3) situated in series along the run of the products (P) and supports (12) for individually collecting the products (P) from the product conveyor (11) to arrange them on the supports (12) translated from the first support conveyor (13); presence and position surveying devices (C1, C2) of which at least one is situated upstream with respect to the food products (P), of a first picker (R1) of the plurality of pickers (R1, R2, R3) suitable for detecting the presence, number, position and orientation of each product (P); an electronic image with a presence and position surveying device (C3), also connected to an electronic image identification and data processing system (34), wherein the pickers (R1–R4) are equipped with handlers (22) with an individual grip of the sucker type, with an anti-crash system an

Abstract: A packaging inspection and verification system and method are applied to products to be packaged. An identification device reads type barcodes of the products and labels affixed to packing boxes for receiving product accessories. A processing unit obtains from a database barcodes of the accessories according to the type barcodes, and determines consistency between the labels affixed to the packing boxes and the barcodes of the accessories, if not consistent, generating a signal indicating an error occurring in the product accessories. The identification device reads ID codes of the products and labels affixed to cartons for receiving the products. The processing unit obtains from another database barcodes of the products according to the ID codes, and determines consistency between the labels affixed to the cartons and the barcodes of the products, if not consistent, generating a signal indicating an error occurring in the labels affixed to the cartons.

Abstract: A system and an apparatus and method for detecting and discriminating articles that are within a predetermined range of a specification into lots. A counting head assembly includes at least an article detecting unit located above diverting gates which control the passage and/or accumulation of articles in adjacent channels to permit filling of article containers with predetermined article portions as containers are placed beneath, and removed from, the assembly outlet. A plurality of such assemblies may be combined to provide high speed continuous container filling operations, for example by location of a plurality of counting head assemblies about the periphery of a rotating carousel or on a linear platform which moves containers beneath the assemblies for simultaneous filling of groups of containers.

Abstract: A device and method for stacking product into a container in a vertical orientation. The device includes at least one pivoting mechanism pivotable between a loading position and an initial/final position. The at least one pivoting mechanism retains a container thereon. The device may further include at least one corresponding diverting mechanism for injecting product into the container. The diverting mechanism includes a feeding area and a diverting arm swingable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the diverting arm allows product to enter the feeding area. An ejection station is positioned proximate to the feeding area and injects the product into the container after the product enters the feeding area via movement of the diverting arm. In one aspect the ejection station is provided by a pinch belt arrangement and is controlled by a control.

Abstract: According to a method for selecting and feeding articles to blisters or containers, a first hopper filled with unselected articles feeds a second main hopper with selected size-matching articles, by means of a tapered inlet section. Size non-matching articles get jammed and stopped within the tapered inlet sections and are removed by means of a shutter hinged to each inlet section. A sensor detects when the flow of size-matching articles is interrupted. According to a second embodiment the inlet sections are replaced by swinging tubular portions. The shutters and tubular portions can be operated cyclically, thus avoiding the need for the sensor. An apparatus is also described for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A feeder for feeding products to be dispatched, such as, for instance, documents, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and the like, to a conveyor of a packaging line, provided with transport pushers, the feeder being provided with a magazine for storing a stack of products, the dimensions of the magazine being settable through the setting of guides, wherein at least a number of the guides are in communication with a sensor, such that the position of the respective guide is known, while the control is arranged, on the basis of the signals coming from the sensors, to set at least one setting of a packaging line of which the feeder forms a part.

Abstract: A convertible computer controlled form, fill and seal bagging machine comprising a film drive drawing a film sheet about a pouch former with the film sheet being folded and overlapped along longitudinal edge portions; a first sealer heat fusing the overlapped edge portions together to form a hollow film tube; a temperature and a pressure controller controlling the temperature and pressure of the first sealer; a transverse sealer forming a transverse seal across the hollow film tube; a feeder supplying a predetermined content in the hollow tube at a pouch forming station; a computer controller controlling the temperature and pressure of the first sealer to progressively form a seal along the longitudinal edge portions based on a selected predetermined programmed pouch size and the length of the seal bar of the first sealer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging food products in a synthetic foil. The method generally comprising transporting the synthetic foil through a punching device in which perforations are made in the synthetic foil with high energy beams to yield a perforated foil. The perforations are made in the synthetic foil to achieve a perforation surface per surface unit of the synthetic foil set according to the food product to be packaged, and the perforation surface per surface unit of the synthetic foil is achieved by controlling at least one of the number and intensity of the high energy beams projected onto the synthetic foil. The perforated foil are then formed into packages, filled with the food product, and closed to enclose the food product.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in packing meat cuts including a machine vision system arranged to scan or view individual meat cuts and acquire dimensional, volume, shape, cut type, or meat quality or grading information or other information relating to the individual meat cuts, two or more meat cut packing stations arranged to receive the acquired information relating to individual meat cuts and to dispense to an operator or automatedly apply to the meat cuts a pack matched to each individual meat cut as meat cuts arrive at the packing stations, and a diversion stage arranged to direct individual meat cuts to one or other of the packing stations based on the acquired information relating to the individual meat cuts from the machine vision system.

Abstract: A device for packing flat articles in transport containers includes a feeder for feeding the flat articles in imbricated form. A conveyor disposed downstream of the feeder, in transport direction of the articles, has an at least approximately vertically extending end for discharging the articles into the transport containers at a filling location. Electrically operated controllable servomotors serve as drives for the conveyor. Equipment is provided for further conveying the transport containers at the filling location.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wrapping machine for printed products that includes determining the size of an incoming gap in a printed product stream and controlling a speed of the wrapping machine as a function of the size of the incoming gap. The controlling step includes intentionally leaving, in the printed product stream in the wrapper machine, at least a single product gap corresponding to the incoming gap so as to create at least one empty bag. A newspaper finishing machine and controller are also provided.

Abstract: An automatic high speed packaging machine for wrapping packages in polymer film is disclosed wherein the film seal at the sides and ends of the packages is made at a high rate of speed as the packages travel through the machine. The packages travel continuously in a straight line through the machine. The packages are delivered at the input end of the machine by an in-feed conveyor into a film inverting head where the packages are surrounded by longitudinally half-folded polymer film. Thereafter, the packages are transported to a side sealing mechanism which forms a longitudinal seal in the film on the side opposite the fold. Finally, the packages are transported to a traveling end seal mechanism where a lateral seal is formed at each end of the package and the film web connecting succeeding packages is severed. The machine produces packages which have a sealed film wrap around the entire package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging system for causing articles M to fall downward along a predetermined falling route A and filling the articles M into a tubular film F. The packaging system is provided with an auxiliary device 205 operating on the falling route A at predetermined timing and facilitating or improving the flow of the articles M, determination unit 21a determining whether a state of the flow of the articles M on the falling route A is normal or abnormal, and a change unit 21b changing the operating timing of the auxiliary device 205 according to the state of the flow of the articles M determined by the determination unit 21a. With this configuration, the state of the flow of the articles M is improved and the high productivity (yield) and/or operativity of the packaging system can be maintained.

Abstract: A semi-automatic gift or package wrapping method and apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a machine frame that provides a work surface with measuring and wrapping sections. A sheet feed and cutting mechanism feeds paper from a role in two steps with a time pause in between for enabling a user or operator to partially wrap the package with part of the first section of dispensed paper web. Thereafter, the second section of paper web is dispensed and the web cut transversely at a trailing edge. Multiple selectable supply rolls are optionally provided, or a single roll machine can be used. Longitudinal cutters trim the sides of the paper to obtain a custom desired width for the full cut sheet. A user interface display controls machine functions such as start, continue and sheeter. In the sheeter mode, a selected number of sheets of a selected size can be dispensed and cut for use at another workstation to warp other boxes of known uniform size (i.e. shirt boxes at a department store).

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a transfer device for inserting a product into a package and a circulating leaflet supply device comprising a plurality of tong-like holders which are sequentially disposed, each for receiving one leaflet and for bringing that leaflet into a region of the transfer device between the product and the package such that it can be inserted together with the product into the package. An opening unit with several stops, which can be actuated independently of each other, is disposed in the transport path of the holders for opening the holders to release the leaflet. The stops can be brought into an inoperative position in which the holders pass by the stops without releasing the leaflet. In this connection, the leaflet supply device comprises first holders to be opened by a first stop, and second holders to be opened by a second stop, and successive, sequential holders cooperate with and can be opened by different stops.

Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.

Abstract: A device and system for automatically continuously packaging products through a heat-sealed plastic film. The device and system insert and supply the product downstream in a timed way and along a horizontal direction. A plastic film is applied to the products. The first end of each one of the products is heat-sealed, and each one of the products is simultaneously advanced horizontally. A second end of each one of the products is heat-sealed, and each one of the products is then simultaneously advanced horizontally. The heat-sealed products are then collected and unloaded. The device may be equipped with pairs of pliers for sealing and handling with a mutually opposite reciprocating movement.

Abstract: A packaging system includes, in addition to a packaging machine of a known form-fill-seal type and a printer for printing on a bag-making film, a packaging condition memory which stores packaging conditions for operating the packaging machine, a print data memory which stores print data for operating the printer, and a correlation data memory which stores the correlation data between the packaging conditions and the print data. If a packaging condition is selected through an input device, not only is the packaging machine operated under the specified condition but also the printer is operated by the data which correspond to the selected packaging condition according to the correlation data stored in the correlation data memory.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wrapping machine for printed products that includes determining the size of an incoming gap in a printed product stream and controlling a speed of the wrapping machine as a function of the size of the incoming gap. The controlling step includes intentionally leaving, in the printed product stream in the wrapper machine, at least a single product gap corresponding to the incoming gap so as to create at least one empty bag. A newspaper finishing machine and controller are also provided.

Abstract: The invention specifies a production and/or packaging installation containing a performance-limiting means, and also specifies the method of operating the same, with the result that this installation can be sold to a purchaser with a certain performance capability guaranteed and only the guaranteed performance level can be retrieved, measures for reducing the performance level of the installation being taken or initiated in the event of manipulation for increasing the performance level or for bypassing the performance-limiting means.

Abstract: A system for automatically packaging prescription orders composed of one or more prescription containers. The system includes a printer for generating literature associated with each order and a packer for packing the prescription containers and the associated literature into a package. The packer has a scale or other means for determining the weight of the prescription containers. A packer controller calculates package weight information based on the container weight information. The package weight information is transmitted to a mail manifest system, which generates shipping information comprising postage. A labeler applies the shipping information to the package. The packer also includes a loading mechanism for inserting the prescription containers and the literature into the package.

Abstract: The present invention provides a material handling system and method for a product to be manually processed by an operator (O) at a work-station (10). The material handling system (100) includes: batch delivery means (20) for automatically delivering batches of the product to the work-station (10) on an “as required” or “on demand” basis for manual processing by the operator; and packing container delivery means (60) for automatically delivering individual packing containers (61) to the work-station on an “as required” or “on demand” basis for filling with the product after manual processing by the operator.

Abstract: A method for defining the operation of a plant for producing, conveying and packaging articles. The articles include rolls, such as rolls of paper material and the like. The plant includes the following operative sections: at least an apparatus for forming articles positioned upstream, at least a machine for packaging the articles in respective packs positioned downstream, and an apparatus for conveying the articles which is able to transfer the articles between the forming apparatus and the packaging apparatus. The method and the plant provide that, through a central control unit of the plant, starting from predefined setting data, operating parameters of the sections of the plant are determined.

Abstract: A method for stopping and restarting an automatic machine (1) for wrapping products (2), in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper, in a collective pack (3) using a packaging film (4a) unwound from a first reel (31a). The method comprises the following automatic sequence of steps: reducing the speed of the machine (1); and stopping the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the processing of the products (2). The method subsequently comprising the steps of: substituting the first reel (31a) of the film (4a) with a second reel (31b); loading the film (4b) on the second reel into feed means (33, 10 34). Restarting the machine (1) at reduced speed and thereby automatically activating the following sequence of steps: unwinding and positionally centering the film (4b); and restarting the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the products.

Abstract: An automatic machine for packaging products, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, inside containers (11), comprising a series of stations (15-21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 23-28), in each of which the operations required to insert the products and their leaflets into containers or cartons (11), and to close the cartons (11) definitively are performed; with the machine the format of the container (11) can be changed in extremely short times and automatically, by using a keyboard to key in the parameters relevant to the dimensions of the sides (A, B, C) of the carton (11) utilised.

Abstract: The invention comprises an insert delivery system for use with an automated packaging machine. Preferably, the system is used to include coupons and the like with products being automatically packaged, such as sliced loaf bread. The system may comprise an insert delivery tray, card conveyor, or carousel and magazine combination, a feeder mechanism, and an insert placer configured to select an insert from the tray, conveyor, or magazine. Preferably, the insert placer includes a vacuum system and moves linearly. Additionally, the feeder mechanism may be positioned either perpendicularly, or parallel, to the scoop assembly, so as to feed an insert onto the scoop assembly at various points along the path of the scoop. The invention also comprises methods of using the system.

Abstract: A packaging machine (1) for continuously producing sealed packages (2) of a pourable food product from a tube (4) of heat-seal sheet packaging material fed along a vertical path (A) and filled continuously with the food product by means of a fill conduit (8) extending inside the tube (4). The packaging machine (1) has a capacitive level sensor (14) located outside the tube (4) and in turn having a plate element (20) made of conducting material, positioned facing the fill conduit (8), and defining, together with the fill conduit (8), a capacitive element (22) whose capacitance depends, among other things, on the amount of food product between its plates. The level sensor (14) also has a detecting circuit (24) connected to and for detecting the capacitance of the capacitive element (22), and generating a level signal (SL) indicating the level of the food product inside the tube (4).

Abstract: A device for packing flat articles in transport containers includes a feeder for feeding the flat articles in imbricated form. A conveyor disposed downstream of the feeder, in transport direction of the articles, has an at least approximately vertically extending end for discharging the articles into the transport containers at a filling location. Electrically operated controllable servomotors serve as drives for the conveyor. Equipment is provided for further conveying the transport containers at the filling location.

Abstract: An arrangement for effective handling of sheet material, such as banknotes, or transferred messages printed on sheet material, wherein the arrangement comprises sheet bundling means (33), a store (25, 27) of so-called enveloping material (26, 28), means (30, 32,-34) for enveloping bundles of sheet material with material (26, 28) taken from the store (25, 29) of enveloping material, wherein said store includes two mutually co-acting rolls (25′, 27′) of enveloping material; and processors for co-ordinating and controlling the co-action between the various units in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The store of enveloping material (25, 27) has pulse generating elements (2521, 2531, 2522, 2532). Pulse reading elements (29) for reading the pulses generated in response to roll movement and sending these pulses to the processor are provided on a fixed body (20) of the arrangement and in close connection with the pulse generating elements.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine, especially a machine for packing or producing (cigarettes), which has an interface (38, 30, 40) for exchanging data between the machine (35, 36, 37) and a connected network (34, 52, 53). The invention also relates to a machine for packing or producing (cigarettes) which has a visual monitoring device for observing areas of the complex machine which are difficult to access or see, said monitoring device being located in the relevant area of the packing machine. This monitoring device records images of the area of the machine which is difficult to access using a line (24) and reproduces said images on a display screen for example, using a camera. The invention also relates to a network (34, 52, 53) of machines of this type, comprising a computer (42) for monitoring the functions of the connected machines (35, 36, 37) and/or a computer (57) for carrying out maintenance and/or defect repair measures on the connected machines (35, 36, 37).

Abstract: A packaging machine for wrapping and enclosing products of various dimensions and consistency in packaging material, such as paper, bags, cans and the like, includes individual processing units, to each of which a drive with a control unit is assigned. Predetermined movement rules, e.g., time-path functions, are processed by the control units. Sensors are included for detecting the operational state, wherein the movement rules of the corresponding drive are scaled when the synchronization between the packaging material and the product to be packaged deviates. The resulting path-time rule is constant and constantly differentiable, so that either the acceleration change in the non-diffentiable points of the speed-time rule is less than a predetermined limiting value, or the resulting speed-time rule is constantly differentiable.

Abstract: A web position matching system for matching marks provided on a web of packaging material with a pitch corresponding to the length of one container, to a reference position comprises sensor device for detecting the displacement of the mark from the reference position, setting device for setting a usual amount of feed obtained by adding a predetermined amount of advance to a predetermined reference amount of feed corresponding to the length of one container when the displacement detected by the sensor device is smaller than a predetermined allowable displacement or setting a corrected amount of feed obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount of delay from the reference amount of feed when the detected displacement are not smaller than the allowable displacement, and device for correcting the usual amount of feed and the corrected amount of feed based on a pattern of frequencies with which the usual amount of feed and the corrected amount of feed are set by the setting device.

Abstract: A component holder is reeled out from a storage reel and conveyed to a component-storage working position by a conveyor device. A control unit stops the conveyance of the component holder if it receives a non-storage or incomplete-storage signal. The component holder includes a multiplicity of component storages for storing the components therein are provided longitudinally and each has an opening on one surface. Each of the component storages has a shutter which becomes stable both at a projectional position and at a retreat position. The shutter is moved between the two positions by more than a certain sufficient level of urging force. The components are stored in the component storages with the shutters in the retreat positions, while the openings of the component storages are directed upward.

Abstract: An automatic machine for packaging products, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, inside containers (11), comprising a series of stations (15-21A, 21B, 21C, 23-28), in each of which the operations required to insert the products and their leaflets into containers or cartons (11), and to close the cartons (11) definitively are performed; with the machine the format of the container (11) can be changed in extremely short times and automatically, by using a keyboard to key in the parameters relevant to the dimensions of the sides (A, B, C) of the carton (11) utilised.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a prescribed medication, in pill form, and verifying that the medication dispensed is the prescribed medication. A medication identified from a prescription (P) is dispensed into a container (C). An image of the dispensed pills is taken and processed to obtain a set of characteristic features of the pill. These features include the coloration, shape, size, and any surface features of the pills. These features are then automatically compared with those of all the pills which can be dispensed by a dispensing apparatus (10). If a pill can be uniquely identified as the correct pill, the container of pills is accepted. Otherwise, the container is rejected. If, as a result of the processing, a determination cannot be made, the container is provisionally rejected and is subsequently inspected by a pharmacist to determine if the prescription is correctly filled.

Abstract: An automated packaging line has capability of filling large and small orders, of one or more bottles, each bottle filled with a respective one of a plurality of different pharmaceutical tablets, in a single run. Structure is provided for filling orders for an individual consumer, for a pharmacist, and for a wholesaler, simultaneously, using differently sized bottles, and providing customized labels for each bottle. A flexible filler station simultaneously fills plural bottles with respective tablets. An intelligent data carrying puck carries each bottle, including therein information describing, among others, the bottle, the customer, the order, the pharmaceutical, the bottle size and label information. Puck handling stations (PHS) are dispersed throughout the line, to verify a number of operations implemented on the line and to reject a puck at the earliest opportunity, while permitting subsequent rejection by a subsequent PHS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging apparatus for wrapping flat articles, such as books, in a cardboard-made flat package blank, including first flaps remaining on the inside and second flaps remaining on the outside. The packaging apparatus comprises a supply station for package blanks, including alignment and centering elements for a bundle of package blanks and feed means for delivering the blanks from the bundle one by one onto a packaging line, an opening mechanism for the inner flaps of package blanks, a supply station for feeding one or more articles, or a consignment, onto each package blank, means for folding and bending the inner flaps around the consignment means for turning the package blank through 90° relative to its advancing direction, and means for folding and bending the outer flaps around the consignment on top of the inner flaps. The packaging apparatus is provided with first measuring elements capable of measuring the package blank for its width lateral to the travel direction.

Abstract: A drug inspection device which makes drug inspection work extremely easy and simple. It has a conveyor for feeding drugs packaged in bags according to prescription data, a camera for taking pictures of drugs in the bags being fed by the conveyor, a camera monitor for displaying one after another the pictures taken by the camera, and a graphic monitor for calling image data to be prescribed from a data base and displaying the thus called data. The picture of the drugs in each bag and the image data on drugs corresponding to the drugs in said each bag are displayed simultaneously on the respective monitors for a predetermined time. By visually checking the monitors, a pharmacist can easily inspect drugs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting an oxygen scavenger into a modified atmosphere package for extending the shelf life of food, especially raw meats. A scavenger feeder feeds a chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. A separator separates the oxygen scavenger located at an exposed end of the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. An adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the oxygen scavenger which has been separated from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. A conveyor conveys the separated oxygen scavenger to a position which is adjacent to a film layer which is used to form an outer package of the modified atmosphere package so that the oxygen scavenger is attached to a surface of the film layer by the adhesive. The film layer is subsequently formed into the outer package so that the oxygen scavenger that is attached to the film layer is contained within the outer package.

Abstract: A packaging system for causing articles M to fall downward along a predetermined falling route A and filling the articles M into a tubular film F. The packaging system is provided with an auxiliary device 205 operating on the falling route A at predetermined timing and facilitating or improving the flow of the articles M, determination unit 21a determining whether a state of the flow of the articles M on the falling route A is normal or abnormal, and a change unit 21b changing the operating timing of the auxiliary device 205 according to the state of the flow of the articles M determined by the determination unit 21a. With this configuration, the state of the flow of the articles M is improved and the high productivity (yield) and/or operativity of the packaging system can be maintained.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically dispensing prescriptions according to a patient's order. The system includes at least one line of machines that can automatically fill a patient's prescription order with countable oral solid medication under the control of an appropriate control system. The system includes containers provided to store the oral solid medication. One or more medication-containing containers are detachably coupled to a vibratory dispenser according to a patient's order. The vibratory dispenser automatically vibrates the container to dispense a predetermined amount of medication from the container into the vial according to the patient's order. Labeling and capping apparatus may be provided to apply a patient-specific label to the vial and to apply a cap or closure to the vial. Vials containing medication according to the patient's order may be collected in accumulation receptacles prior to delivery to a patient.

Abstract: A method of bringing together and joining plastic cards, which are provided with an identification mark, and printed card carriers associated with the respective plastic cards, has the following steps: providing the plastic card, detecting the identification mark of said plastic card, deriving a test mark from said identification mark of the plastic card in such a way that unequivocal calculating back to the identification mark is not possible on the basis of the test mark, reading a data base by means of said identification mark, printing on the card carrier data read from the data base as well as the test mark, detecting the test mark of the card carrier prior to joining said card carrier to the plastic card, determining whether the test mark derived from the identification mark of the plastic card, which is about to be joined to the card carrier, corresponds to the detected test mark, and, provided that the test marks of the plastic card and of the card carrier correspond, bringing together and joining the

Abstract: In the production and packaging of cigarettes, the procedure for carrying out a product changeover is such that the entire production and packaging installation is largely emptied. In the region of a film packer (16) and of a following multipacker (17), subassemblies for producing web connections (splice) are controlled such that a last cigarette pack of the old configuration is assigned to a last cigarette multipack (24) and this is then separated out.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing fluid into pre-formed, flexible containers and enclosing the fluid within the containers includes a web of film comprising a series of pre-formed flexible containers, each of the pre-formed containers being capable of holding therein a quantity of fluid and having an opening for receiving such fluid. After fluid is placed in each pre-formed container, the opening is sealed closed to thereby enclose the fluid within the container.