Abstract: A packaging device (10) includes two separate container portions. A first container portion (11) contains general documentation, while a second container portion (15) contains system setup material (30) having setup indicia (31) such as a COA which is required for setting up or installing the subject equipment. The second container portion (15) includes a window (22) through which the setup indicia (31) is visible when the material (30) is properly received in a display position. A locking arrangement (38) may be included with the second container portion (15) for locking the setup material (30) in the proper display position. Also, the packaging device (10) may include identifying indicia (35) printed on an exterior surface adjacent to the window (22) for drawing the customer's attention to the important setup indicia (31) visible through the window.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the cyclical extraction of an empty and closed box (C) from a feeding magazine (1) by means of an extractor (8) and of an opposite contrast means (18) transferring said box into an opening station, where said contrast means rotates of 90° on its horizontal support stem (19), opening the box and entering it. While the contrast means (18) goes back and in due time the extractor returns to the magazine to repeat another work cycle, said extractor places the box open on underlying double-slope inclined planes (36, 36′), on which said box is finally placed by arc-shaped and oscillating levers (39, 39′), which are then deactivated and on which it is kept by springy teeth (38, 38′).

Abstract: A conveyer system for receiving, orienting and conveying pouches is disclosed. The conveyor system includes a plurality of pucks, each puck having a lower extent with a recess extending upwardly from the lower surface thereof and having an upstanding cylindrical wall. An indexing conveyer includes a belt in a closed loop configuration supported by an idler roller at one end and with a drive roller at the other end with a motor to drive the rollers and belt in a step and repeat operation. The exterior surface of the belt is formed with a plurality of plates with a cleat on each plate to receive the recesses of a plurality of pucks thereacross. An infeed conveyer has a spine alignable with the cleat at the input end of the indexing conveyor adapted to receive and orient pucks from the infeed conveyer to the indexing conveyer. The infeed conveyer has an input end and an output end, the output end being located adjacent to the input end of the indexing conveyer.

Abstract: A unitary panel sorting and packing machine receives vinyl siding panels from an extruded production line. The machine includes a panel receiving section which includes lifting and flipper arms for selectively inverting panels for packing efficiency. From the panel receiving section, the panels are transferred to a panel accumulation section. The machine also includes a box folding section for folding corrugated paper box blanks along predetermined score lines. The box folding section is preferably parallel and adjacent to the panel receiving section and the panel accumulation section and includes retractable arms which selectively position the box in a ready position for packing panels therein. After the box is full, conveyor mechanisms carry the box from the box folding section through a box lid glue applying station and then into a box end folding and gluing station. This machine can substantially reduce repetitive stress caused injury to the operator.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading carton blanks into a packing machine comprises a magazine containing a stack of flattened, tubular blanks, a dog chain driving the blanks out of the magazine into the nip of rollers and then into the nip of overdriven rollers which accelerate the blanks into respective pockets defined in transport holders carried on a wheel conveyor. The blanks are driven at a speed sufficient to carry them into their respective pockets which are moving away from the magazine on the wheel conveyor. A slipping clutch in the drive to roller allows the blanks to decelerate without damage when fully home in their pockets. Arms bearing suction heads travelling with the wheel conveyor open the carton blanks in the pockets and the opened blanks are transferred in their transport holders for bottom closing, filling and top closing operations on respective wheel conveyors.

Abstract: A forming machine including a load and feed chute for a set of die-cut cardboard pieces folded in a flat shape and laid on the chute perpendicular to the chute plane and parallel one after another, from which die-cut cardboard pieces are picked one by one and partially opened by a set of depression suckers that moves in a horizontal direction between a first position near the exit of the chute and suitable for the engagement of the suckers with one of the two coplanar adjacent sides of the nearest die-cut cardboard and a second position suitable for moving the engaged side of the sucker away from the opposite side of the die-cut cardboard with simultaneous rotation of the other two sides of the die-cut cardboard. The machine provides for squaring elements to complete and to square the partially open die-cut cardboard.

Abstract: The system involves the use of shallow boxes having an integral base and lid, with the lid being foldable down to close the box as part of the automated packaging of stacks of sheets of labels or other sheet material. The system involves one or more accumulators having buffering capability between sheet stackers and the cartoning equipment. The lids may be scored and subject to a pre-breaking step so that their three layer construction may be readily formed into boxes in the course of the packaging process.

Abstract: An integrated and automated case packing device and method is disclosed. The device and method uses multiple stations to: separate a flattened case from a supply of such cases, detect whether the case in an A or B-type case, open the case according to the type of case, place a predetermined number of imbricated articles into a group standing on edge, move that group under the erected case, place the case over the stationary group, close the flaps to the case, and move the case downstream to a case invertor.

Abstract: A collapsible container for facilitating the transportation and handling of heat meltable materials, such as, e.g., caprolactam, hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), dodecanedioic acid (DDDA), or any monomer and salt combinations used in the production and polymerization of polyamides. An expandable/collapsible container or bag is employed for holding and dispensing the bulk material. The bulk material is transported in a solid form, and converted to liquid form for removal from the container. The container includes heat tubing circulating a heat carrying medium or a heating element for heating and converting the bulk material to liquid form. The liquified material is then pumped from the container into a suitable storage facility.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for partially setting up a blank (12) is disclosed including first suction cups (122) for removing the first blank (12) from a magazine (96). The first suction cups (122) are pivotally mounted to the ends of pivot arms (110) to move the first blank (12) up and over actuators (102) of the magazine (96) as the first blank (12) is moved forward out of the magazine (96). After the lower edge of the first blank (12) passes over the actuators (102), the lower portion of the blank (12) is supported in an intermediate position upon an abutment bar (106). While still secured to the first suction cups (122), second suction cups (78) are secured to the blank (12). The second suction cups (78) tilt the blank (12) to be parallel to and move with upstanding lugs (36) of a conveyor assembly (34). A forming die (38) pushes the blank (12) into the lugs (36) as the forming die (38), blank (12) and the lugs (36) move at a constant speed.

Abstract: The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging compact disc into respective cases along feed line having one station for opening the cases, a first work station in which an informational leaflet and informational booklet are respectively inserted in a housing portion and a lid portion of the case, a second work station in which a compact disc is engaged with a tray, if present, and a cover are respectively inserted in the housing portion and lid portion, and a final station for closing the case. The lid portion of the case is rotated by means of air blowing nozzles positioned at the opening and closing stations, respectively, to direct an air flow against the lid portion.

Abstract: A packaging system has a conveyor, a coil of a web of box material, and a box-making unit adjacent the coil for pulling the box-material web from its coil, printing on the box-material web, cutting the printed box-material web into individual carton blanks, forming the blanks into individual upwardly open boxes, and depositing the boxes on the conveyor. A coil of label material is provided adjacent a label-making unit that pulls the label-material web from the coil, prints on the label-material web, cuts the printed label-material coil into individual labels, applies the labels to objects secured from a source of the objects, and loads respective pluralities of the labeled objects into respective ones of the open boxes on the conveyor.

Abstract: The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances.

Abstract: The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances.

Abstract: A carton feeder assembly is positioned substantially at the infeed conveyor level and includes a carton supply assembly, a carton selector, a carton opener, and a carton erector. The carton supply assembly has a carton supply position, a carton holding position, and a carton selecting position. The carton selector includes a pair of feeder wheels with corresponding suction devices and respective motion defining assemblies. The motion defining assemblies cause the suction devices to move along a linear pick line as the feeder wheels rotate, so that the suction devices can apply a suction on a carton to be selected. The selected carton is brought into contact with the feeder wheels by retraction of the suction devices caused by respective motion defining assemblies, so that the carton moves with the feeder wheels to the carton opener.

Abstract: A hold-down element for a rotary feeder has a curved elongated member for continuously contacting an article during rotation of a rotary head. The curvature of the hold-down element is selected so that the distance from the elongated member to the rotary head increases from the point of initial contact to the final contact point on the elongated member. The hold-down element preferably maintains contact for at least 20.degree. of rotation of the rotary head, and thus maintains contact with the article for an extended period of time. The hold-down element is attached to a vacuum shaft on the rotary head, and is prevented from rotating relative to the vacuum shaft by a keyway on the hold-down element and a key on the vacuum shaft. The hold-down element, however, is permitted to travel transversely along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum shaft in order to accommodate different shaped articles.

Abstract: Successive flat skillets (S) are picked from a stack (12) and fed to a conveyor (2) by a mechanism which has devices gripping adjacent side faces to a fold line of a skillet to open the skillets to their tubular form during the transfer movement. The gripping devices (22,24) pivot on an axis coincident with the skillet fold line to allow the skillet to be opened to its full tubular form without distortion. The mechanism is so arranged that the skillet reservoir stack (12) can be oriented in a plane substantially parallel to the conveyor path for the opened skillets, in order to minimize space requirements.

Abstract: An improved cam mechanism bends carton blanks fed from the magazine of a packaging machine. The carton blanks each have a gripped portion attached to the packaging machine and a bendable portion extending from the gripped portion. The cam mechanism includes a rotatable shaft mounted on the packaging machine and at least one cam member mounted on the shaft. The cam member has a plurality of longitudinally extending side walls and apex portions interconnecting the side walls. Rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis positions the side walls adjacent the gripped portions of the carton blank, and the apex portions radially displace the bendable portions of the carton blanks as the carton blanks are fed from the magazine.

Abstract: A gripping device for cases is mounted in an automatic packaging machine and includes a pair of stationary prongs and an associated pair of counterfacing prongs which cooperate to clamp a case between them. At least the movable prongs have notchings facing the stationary prongs which are adapted to grip a side wall panel of the case.

Abstract: The suction cups (23) for collecting the boxes (B) from the feed magazine (M) are mounted on a carousel (G) together with the check fingers (34) which ensure the correct introduction of the box into the box filler compartment and its retention when the box is released by the suction cups. The suction cups are mounted on the carousel with the interposition of an oscillating support (6-17-117) which, when the suction cups begin to interact with the box magazine, is orientated in advance and, by suitable means (7-8-108-9-10-11), is made to oscillate in a direction opposite that of the rotation of the said carousel, at a speed such that the motion obtained from the carousel is neutralized and the box can be extracted from the magazine, substantially with the same means as used in present static devices, from which the equipment described herein differs in the possibility of operation with continuous motion and consequently with higher output.

Abstract: A system for storing and transporting can end members comprising multiple tray units having multiple parallel rows of elongated compartments for receiving and supporting stacks of end members. The tray units are nestable and stackable one upon another to provide palletized loads of both empty and filled tray units. End loading and unloading apparatus is provided to enable simultaneous loading and unloading full tray compartments by simultaneous lateral movement of all of the stacks of end members between the tray compartments and a shuttle tray unit whereat all the stacks of end members are stored prior to loading and unloading of the tray unit. The shuttle tray unit is loaded and unloaded by stacking units of a lesser number than the number of tray compartments.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding items (10) such as flattened carton blanks from a magazine (12) for subsequent handling and treatment, comprises a transfer turret (16) mounted for continuous rotation adjacent the mouth (14) of the magazine, transfer stations (50) on the turret positioned to pass the mouth of the magazine and comprising means (6, 54, 56) for removing a said item (10) from the mouth of the magazine (12), erecting the item if it is a blank, and for carrying the said item as the turret rotates, an endless pocket conveyor (30), for receiving said items from said turrent, positioned adjacent said turret so as to be passed by the or each said transfer station as the turret rotates so as to produce a sequence of transfer station/conveyor interactions, and a globoidal cam indexing box (37) for driving said conveyor around an endless path in an intermittent motion in which said conveyor is halted for a period and is restarted in motion during intervals between at least selected sequential ones of said transfer s

Abstract: A die cut and scored carton blank is formed into a carton. The carton blank is placed in a trough having a side wall and at least one retractable stop for turning upwardly elongate edge flaps of the carton blank, with the trough having two end walls for turning up end flaps of the carton blank. The partially-formed carton is then moved to a second position where it is lowered and horizontal glue strips are applied to an outer surface of an elongate edge flap. As the carton is moved toward the second position, glue strips are applied to end flaps of the carton blank. The partially-formed carton is then moved to an upper position, above the level of the trough, and into a compression chamber where side walls and end walls hold the flaps together until the glue hardens.

Abstract: An ice cream carton filling machine includes a hopper for storing empty cartons; a filling spout for filling the empty cartons with ice cream; a conveyor means for moving the empty cartons from the hopper to the filling spout, and for moving the filled cartons away from the filling spout to a discharge end; an interchangeable carton closing mechanism mountable on the machine includes a removable bottom flap tucker disposable between the hopper means and the filling spout for closing one end of a lock end carton; a removable top flap tucker disposable between the filling spout and the discharge end for closing the top of a lock end carton; a top adhesive sealing and closing mechanism interchangeably disposable with said top flap tucker between the filling spout and the discharge end for closing the top end of a tamper evident glued end carton; a bottom adhesive sealing and closing mechanism interchangeably disposable with the bottom flap tucker between the hopper and the filling spout for closing the bottom en

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating balloons to enable inserting objects thereinto include a housing having a lower compartment and an upper compartment, a first elongate tubular element disposed in the upper compartment to extend upwardly from the lower compartment where the upper end of the tubular element includes one or more openings, and a second elongate tubular element telescopically disposed in the upper compartment about the first tubular element to slide longitudinally relative thereto between an upper position, in which an object may be inserted into the second tubular element to rest against the upper end of the first tubular element, and a lower position, in which the upper ends of the first and second tubular elements are generally at the same elevation. The upper end of the second tubular element is open and is adapted to receive and releasably hold a balloon orifice thereover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unclosing and enclosing the flaps of a package carton, so that cartons can be transported along the transportation path without shifting backward or shifting away from the transportation path.

Abstract: A carton-packaging machine (10) which causes progressive erection of carton sleeves from a supply of blanks (11) in a magazine (19), the partly erected blanks being loaded with product (24, 25) and then being closed in the form of a sleeve around the product. An endless conveyor (12) moves the blank through a blank supply station (14), an erection station (15), a product loading stations (16), a folding station (17) and a discharge stations (18), and a suction device (20) cooperates with the magazine (19) in order to draw individual blanks in flat form into the path of travel of the conveyor (12) for engagement thereby. A shaping device (21) at the erection station (15) forms each blank into U-shaped form and which is then advanced by the conveyor to the loading station (16) for loading with product (24, 25).

Abstract: A machine for loading articles such as milk cartons in a crate and stacking the crates for transport is described. The crate has folding sides. A supply of crates stacked in folded condition is introduced into the machine. The crates are removed individually from the stack by the machine, the sides are raised, and the crates are arranged vertically on a conveyor in preparation to receive the filled cartons. Cartons are inserted into a crate, which is then banded by a plastic strip, and the crate is placed in a stack with other crates that have been filled with cartons. The stack of filled crates is then unloaded from the machine.

Abstract: The apparatus has, at a first level (N1), a turntable (4) mounted to rotate about a substantially vertical axis (5) and including receptacles (9) distributed over its periphery to receive boxes (2) during passage past a first work station, and for moving them incrementally, in the course of the rotation of the turntable, to various successive work stations, and, at a level (N3) different from the first, a conveyor (A) for moving the article to a station, vertically below a box (2) in the open state, a displacement device (169) being further provided to introduce the article (1) into the box (2) by a substantially vertical motion, and, at an intermediate level (N2) located between the level (N1) of the boxes and the level (N3) at which the articles are supplied, a stack of precut sheets (17) of corrugated cardboard (3) is provided and a suction device for grasping the sheets (17) one at a time for introducing them into a shaper device (18) provided at the intermediate level (N2), in correspondence with each re

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cutting photographic film into individual negatives and placing the cut negatives into envelopes. The invention utilizes a permeable conveyor and vacuum fan arrangement to transport the negatives after they are severed by the cutting mechanism. A pair of opposed fan assemblies located on either side of continuous feed envelopes serve to open an individual envelope. The opened envelope is located in close proximity to the conveyor. In this configuration, an individual negative, retained by suction against the permeable conveyor, can be delivered to the opened envelope extending off the edge of the conveyor track and entering the open envelope. A burst of air may be used to ensure the individual negative's placement into the envelope. A computer coordinates and controls various functions of operations, including transportation movement of the negative and envelopes and printing.

Abstract: A self-aligning sleever for inserting photograph slides into pockets of an elongated web of sleeving material having a plurality of rows with a predetermined number of pockets per row and spaced from one another by a predetermined row spacing distance. The web of sleeving material is supported for movement in a direction perpendicular to the rows of pockets by a chassis base. A slide shuttle removes photograph slides from a hopper and moves the slides to a first position on a slide support. Photograph slides at the first position are moved to second and subsequent positions in a row corresponding to positions of the pockets in the row of slide sleeving material. A slide counting mechanism mechanically counts the photograph slides moved to the positions on the slide support. Pocket opening means such as coil springs arc the slide sleeving material to open the pockets of the row into which the photograph slides are to be inserted.

Abstract: A device and method of constructing articles of fresh cut parts of plants and artificial decorative embodiments. The packaging is characterized by enveloping such articles with an inflated balloon. The article being placed in an open container, a balloon is then inflated and receives the article and container and is then securely attached to the container, thereby enclosing the article. A device for constructing the packaged article employs a rigid conduit which is received in the balloon to facilitate reception of the article and container. The gas used to inflate the balloons can be air or nitrogen. If cut flowers are used, the container is provided with some water and plant food.

Abstract: A gripping head, adapted to be mounted on a handling device equipped with a carriage, of the type comprising a shaft linking the gripping head to the carriage and a first gripping tool such as an axial gripping device, a suction device for example, adapted to grip an object in prolongation of the shaft, and which is also equipped with at least one other packaging tool, preferably a lateral gripping device such as another suction device or reusing the same suction device after pivoting perpendicularly to the shaft.Application notably in packing carboard boxes and packaging loose materials, or objects such as bottles or canned foods or cans.

Abstract: Device (15) to frame photographic films (18) which is suitable to divide the photographic films (18) into single photographs (19) and to insert and position the photographs (19) between two half-frames (12) forming frames (12) to hold photographs (19) and is fitted to framing machines (10), which comprise storage containers (11) to feed empty frames (12), conveyors (13-14) to convey empty frames (12) and storage bins (21) to receive the finished slide consisting of a frame (12) holding a photograph (18), the empty frames (12) arriving at the device (15) in a direction at a right angle to the direction of feed of the photographic films (18) in the device (15), which comprises in reciprocal cooperation:at least two drawing units (22) to draw the photographic film (18), each unit consisting of a powered roller (23) equipped with drawing needles (24) and an opposed roller (25) provided with a groove (26), the opposed roller (25) being movable vertically in relation to the powered roller (23),a first knife (30) wi

Abstract: A process for transferring and packaging contents into containers is disclosed wherein container blanks of various formats are arranged in vertical stacks in various magazines such that a selected container blank is withdrawn from the bottom of its associated magazine and moved continuously by a conveyor means and is formed into a container and subsequently filled with contents. Continuous packaging of the contents in containers of different dimensions is effected without standstill times attributable to changing the format of the blanks.

Abstract: A machine for forming cardboard blanks into crates (open top containers) for transporting and storing goods, particularly plastic containers of milk. The machine has folding apparatus for folding opposed extended end flaps of the blank back on themselves to form a reinforcing structure including a ledge which, in a formed crate extends inwardly across each of two opposed ends of the crate towards the upper edges of the opposed ends. A first carriage member with suction means lifts a blank from a stack and places it at said folding apparatus. A second carriage member progresses the blank through the folding apparatus to forming apparatus where the goods are loaded onto the blank to form a mandrel and the carton is formed into a crate around the goods.

Abstract: The performance of an automated pouch filler to fill institutional quantity sized bags of foodstuff can be improved by maintaining the sealing edge of the filled bag taut under tension sufficient to form flat, unwrinkled opposing surfaces along the sealing edges of the bag during the sealing of the bag. Unwanted air can also be removed from the bag by utilization of a pair of squeeze bars to momentarily push excess air from the bag or by evacuating air from the bag through a vacuum tube in combination with soft sealing bars to temporarily close the bag during this evacuation. The top sealing edge is pulled taut and maintained under tension during sealing by use of a spring loaded clamp which attaches to one corner of the bag. The rejection rate of seal is dramatically decreased by providing a neck on the bag to form a partially presealed bag which is then sealed along a segment of the top edge of the bag after filling.

Abstract: A carton loading machine comprising an endless conveyor carrying a series of holders each adapted to hold an erected carton in upright position and movable to move each holder from a carton receiving station for entry of an erected carton in the holder from the outside of the conveyor to a loading station for loading the carton and thence to a discharage station for discharge of the loaded carton, each holder having a fixed side and a movable side and latch members associated with said sides, the latch member associated with the fixed side and the movable side and latch member associated therewith being movable between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A field crop harvesting, carton packaging and packed carton handling machine, which includes transport means having a front section, central section and a trailing section; the front and trailing sections include ground engaging means and each include a platform mounted on the ground engaging means; the front platform also includes area means for stacking and supplying non-erected cartons and for erecting the non-erected cartons; the central section includes conveyor support means including a central conveyor means and a left and right conveyor means; the left and right conveyor means each include erected carton receiving and supplying means; the left and right conveyor means also include a series of carton packing stations as well as a conveyor for moving the packed cartons to the central conveyor; the central conveyor includes a rearwardly moving conveyor for transporting the packed cartons rearwardly to the trailing platform; and the trailing platform includes area means for receiving, handling and sealing

Abstract: A mechanism (10) and method for applying a top gripping type carrier carton onto the tops of a group of bottles (B) disposed within a crate comprises a carton transfer unit (34) for withdrawing a carton (c) from a supply (H) and transferring a carton from the supply to a position of application, a carton manipulating device (36) for at least partially erecting the carton during transfer, a pivotal arm (12) being provided for pivoting the transfer unit and the manipulating device together with the carton so that the carton is inverted during transfer into an attitude correct for applying it to the bottle group.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing bags and depositing the filled bags in cartons, wherein the bags are formed, filled and sealed by a vertical form-fill-seal machine and each bag is compressed to shape it to fit in a carton.

Abstract: A system of packaging a predetermined number of relatively flat packages or envelopes containing delicate articles such as hosiery, pantyhose, etc., into boxes. The packages or envelopes are printed and garments placed therein at a selected location and then placed on a substantially horizontal conveyor, conveyed to a vertical elevator having provision at the top thereof to accumulate a predetermined number of such packages or envelopes, and then automatically moved from the accumulator to an awaiting open tray or box bottom and placed therein. Prior to arriving at the opened tray, such tray has been automatically removed from a magazine, the sides and ends unfolded and placed on a platform in opened condition awaiting the arrival of the predetermined number of packages or envelopes. Once the envelopes or packages are placed in the tray the same is automatically transferred to a lid opening and applying station where the lid and filled tray are united.

Abstract: A packing machine for American boxes comprising apparatus for supplying empty boxes, apparatus for supplying the contents of the box in batches, apparatus for transferring the batches and placing them in open boxes, and apparatus for discharging the boxes. The apparatus for supplying the empty boxes bears a magazine of folded box blanks and apparatus for opening and erecting the box and forming the bottom thereof.

Abstract: The machine consists of a first flow line which conveys box blanks from feed station to a box-filling station, a second flow line for products, leading to a third station where the products are collated to form groups which are then transferred to the box-filling station where they are inserted into the boxes, and finally a third line which carries the boxes made at this latter station, each boxes containing a group of products, to a fourth station where the boxes are completed.

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least one support unit and at least one tag supplying unit. The tag supplying unit includes a tag hopper and a tag conveyor and is mounted for multidirectional adjustive movement upon the support unit and relative to the needle of a fastener dispenser mounted at a fixed location upon the support unit. The apparatus may include a second tag supplying unit that is similarly mounted upon the support unit and is usable in association with the first tag supplying unit when a plurality of tags are to be secured to an article. When both tag supplying units are not needed, one may be removed from the support unit and mounted upon a second support unit to provide two separate tagging stations.

Abstract: Automatic packaging machine, in particular for bags with at least one flattened edge, comprising a frame which downwardly supports a lateral magazine of flattened boxes, an assembly for folding individual boxes to a parallelpipedal shape and an assembly for closing the bottom and transferring boxes into a filling area. The frame upwardly supports a bag feed line ending at the inlets of two co-planar, parallel and lateral transport lines for arranging side to side the bags. The transfer lines end at the machine filling area, where an assembly is provided for transferring groups of bags in the underlying box with the bottoms thereof substantially resting against the counterposed side walls of the box.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine has a table with a conveyor mounted thereon to carry a plurality of mandrels. A magazine for cardboard blanks is on a swinging arm which is pivotally mounted on the table, for feeding the blanks toward the mandrels on the conveyor. A pick up includes vacuum cups on a revolving platform which moves the individual blanks from the magazine to individual ones of the mandrels. A circular scale centered on the pivot point enables a swinging of the arm to an azimuth at which the pick up may engage and carry individual blanks. The arm carries a linearly movable fence for holding the blanks in alignment. A linearly moving block is slidably mounted on a pair of guide bars extending perpendicularly away from the swinging arm. A feed screw extends through the block to the arm, whereby the block slides toward or away from the arm responsive to a turning of the feed screw.

Abstract: A carton over product packaging apparatus including infeed means for conveying a plurality of containers to be packaged to a collating zone in which the containers are collated into a plurality of rows, container indexing means for moving the containers in the collating zone from that zone to a packaging zone.

Abstract: The performance of an automated pouch filler to fill institutional quantity sized bags of foodstuff can be improved by maintaining the sealing edge of the filled bag under tension during the sealing of the bag. Unwanted air can also be removed from the bag by utilization of a pair of squeeze bars to momentarily push excess air from the bag or by evacuating air from the bag through a vacuum tube in combination with soft sealing bars to temporarily close the bag during this evacuation. The top sealing edge is maintained under tension by use of a spring loaded clamp which attaches to one corner of the bag. The rejection rate of seal is dramatically decreased by providing a neck on the bag to form a partially presealed bag which is then sealed along a segment of the top edge of the bag after filling. The rejection rate is also dramatically decreased by sealing the top edge under tension.