Abstract: A flexible adjustable wedge of tetrahedronal structure is provided wherein four swivel-jointed arms are attached at their respective ends by pin connections. Flexible adjusting arms provide dimensional stability by interconnecting either opposing corners or opposing arms of the tetrahedronal wedge. The adjusting arms are provided with some degree of flexibility in order to allow the wedge to automatically conform its size to minor variations in the flat width of the film passing thereover. Where changes in overall size of the wedge are desired, the adjusting arms can be easily lengthened or shortened.

Abstract: An automatic meat stuffing apparatus which comprises a meat extruder including a filling nozzle, a casing supply unit including a carrier for carrying a tubular network casing from a reel to a point adjacent to the filling nozzle while running axially with the filling nozzle, and a net expander for expanding an open end of the casing through which meat is stuffed in the casing. The net expander is reciprocably movable along the filling nozzle. Pawls are provided for holding the casing, with the pawls being closable at a point adjacent to the open end of the filling nozzle. The pawls are openable so as to expand the open end of the casing and allow meat to be stuffed therein through the filling nozzle. A cutting and clipping device cuts the casing to a desired length and closes the casing with a clip, with the cutting and clipping device being located adjacent to the open end of the filling nozzle.

Abstract: Banding apparatus, which is capable of high speed operations, opens perforated, heat shrinkable, plastic tubing by use of a floating mandrel. Rollers or fingers, which exert force against the sides of the mandrel, are used to feed the tubing, tear the tubing at the perforations to form bands, and then push the bands off the mandrel and onto or over containers or articles to be banded.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a load by placing, under tension, as panel of elastically stretchable sheet material around the load and including a base (2) having a load positioning recess or notch (3) and a tensioning bar (4) which is movably mounted on the base to grip the surplus of a single wrap of material around the load and to place the wrap under tension, and heat sealing bars (7) located between the load positioning recess or notch (3) and the tensioning bar (4) to secure the material drawn there-through. Other devices to secure the material are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an overall system of packaging commodities such as garments or other like compressible articles in which the articles are initially conditioned to provide relatively low temperatures and relative humidity, following which the garments are enveloped with wrapping material, and subjected to a vacuum packaging operation. The system may include a transport system for transporting packaged commodities between the wrapping and vacuum packaging steps and stations. The vacuum packaging apparatus in which the apparatus functions to initially compress the central portion of the packaged commodity and progressively outwardly therefrom to provide improved packaging techniques to remove any entrapped air. The wrapping device may vertically envelops a commodity to be packaged. There is also provided a conditioning step and apparatus for conditioning the articles before packaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a protective wrap is disclosed as including a frame made of four upright posts, the upper and lower ends of which engage with upper and lower rigid members, at least one of the posts is rotatable in one direction to apply tension to a plastic wrapper encircling the four posts and is prevented from rotation in the opposite direction by a tensioning handle on the top of the rotated post.

Abstract: The manufacture of non-returnable packages for e.g. milk is frequently carried out by the conversion of web-shaped, laminated packing material to a tube, filling of the tube with milk and sealing and forming to filled packing containers of the desired, e.g. parallelepipedic, shape. During the forming, which is done by means of external forming devices, the contents are made use of as an internal mandrel or a holder-up for the forming devices, so that the desired shape can be achieved without creasing or other deformations. The above-mentioned forming principle works less well if the packing containers are not to be completely filled but have a certain air space or headspace. The proportioning of the contents also becomes uncertain and the desired accuracy of volume cannot always be achieved.

Abstract: A packaging method and machine for placing highly stretched relatively thin elastic plastics tubes from a roll of such tubes about a series of generally rectilinear objects. The method and machine involve three basic mechanism, one is a jaw assembly that opens and closes and tilts up and down to receive and stretch a tube and release the tube about one of the objects, the second is a tube shuttle assembly that delivers a tube to the jaw assembly and retracts into the next tube, and the third is a chain and paddle conveyor that intermittently delivers objects to the jaw assembly and moves the objects from the jaw assembly after a tube has been applied.

Abstract: A steering, joining and guiding mechanism is disclosed for joining together opposing rib and groove fastener elements on a traveling continuous bag film. The steering, joining and guiding mechanism includes a pair of opposing press rolls. The longitudinal axis of each of the press rolls is offset from the direction of travel of the bag film. The press rolls are offset from about 2.degree. to about 30.degree. from a line perpendicular to the direction of travel of the bag film, and are preferably offset at about 5.degree. from the direction of travel of the bag film.

Abstract: An arrangement for manufacturing non-pelletized packaging units which are completely surrounded with shrinking foil. The packaging units are formed by several layers of objects which are stacked on top of each other in such a way that at least two parallel recesses are formed into which support members of a lifting device can engage. The arrangement includes a single shrinking foil application device and a single shrinking device forming a combined arrangement and having a common conveyor and support track. Shaping tools of a shaping device are permanently assigned to an appropriate conveyor surface of a turning device. The shaping tools can be moved into position for shaping the shrinking foil in the recesses after a first shrinking foil has been applied and shrunk onto the stack. After turning the stack, the shaping tools are moved into a release position.

Abstract: An arrangement for sliding and shrinking a hood of shrinking foil over and onto a stack formed by a number of packaging objects. The arrangement includes a vertically movable frame with shrinking devices provided in the upper region of the frame and gripping elements for grasping and pulling down the lower edge of the shrinking foil. A lifting device arranged centrically underneath the stack serves to raise the stack from a conveying device which transports the stack into and out of the arrangement according to the invention. The lifting device raises the stack so that the lower edge of the hood of shrinking foil can be shrunk onto the stack up to the region of the conveying device. Subsequently, the lifting device is lowered. The vertical distance between the gripping elements and the shrinking devices is adjustable.

Abstract: The machine allows filling of internally sterile plastic bags with any liquid and sealing them. The machine comprises: liquid-proportioning apparatus (1), jaws (17, 18) suitable for pneumatically holding the upper lips of the bag to be able to open, fill, close it by heat-sealing (jaws 7, 8). The most important part of the machine consists of devices (10, 11, 12) able to control the jaws to open the bag with cosinusoidal law acceleration, slowly at first, preventing detachment of the upper lips of the bag during opening, and then rapidly operating so as not to delay the successive operations of: closing, sealing and discharging of the filled bag. These devices consist of a toggle-joint lever system. They make possible a notable daily production of filled and heat-sealed bags with a single proportioning and heat-sealing station, or with a limited number of stations.

Abstract: Several troughs, each having an open end and a closed end, are formed into a body. Each trough is sized to receive and stack a predetermined number of coins of a selected denomination. A movable member, coupled to the body, detachably holds several tube type wrappers. In response to movement in one direction, the movable member closes the open end of each trough. In response to movement of the movable member in the opposite direction each wrapper is aligned with a respective trough. As the body is tilted, the stack is guided into the wrapper.

Abstract: Apparatus and method wherein at a single operating station a flexible liner bag can be formed and inserted into an outer bulk container, and then the bag can be filled and its open end closed and sealed automatically.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing uninterrupted guidance of a reclosable bag through a filling station in a form fill and seal system. The apparatus includes a guide mechanism positioned inside the bag film for providing uninterrupted guidance of the bag film through the filling station. The guide mechanism includes a first guide wheel for engaging the bottom of the bag film and a second guide wheel for engaging interlocked fastener elements on opposing plies of the bag film. A separating device is positioned along the path traveled by the bag film for separating the interlocked fastener elements as the bag film is advanced.

Abstract: A mandrel for opening a tube of flexible banding material wherein the tube is delivered in flat ribbon-like form with creased side edges is disclosed. The mandrel is in the form of a tetrahedron with two sets of surfaces which are in the form of isosceles triangles with each set of faces inclining towards one another to form a common base. A pair of relatively yieldable, sharp-edged wedging elements are disposed on each common base. Biasing means bias the wedging elements outwardly to limit positions at the ends of the common bases. Use of the mandrel to open a tube of flexible, heat-shrinkable banding material and creasing the material at points displaced 90.degree. from the initial creases is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided to load articles, such as nuts, into a tube. The nuts are fed into the tube from a bowl of vibratory feeder. In order to maintain the mass being vibrated constant during the feeding of the nuts into the tube, the tube and the bowl are vibrated together. Since the tube and the bowl are vibrated together, the nuts are vibrated when they are in the tube to move the nuts along the tube and to maintain the number of nuts being vibrated constant as the tube is filled with nuts. The tube is advantageously coiled and supported on the bowl.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a row of round bales into an elongated plastic bag includes a front frame for bearing against the front end of the row of bales, and a rear frame which is placed at the rear end of the row of bales. The rear frame includes a chute for guiding the bales into a bag mounted on a cylinder, which is pivotally mounted on the rear frame, and a pair of skids with pulleys on the front ends thereof. The ends of a cable are connected to the sides of the front frame, and the cable extends rearwardly around the pulleys on the rear frame and then forwardly to a towing vehicle. Forward movement of the vehicle causes movement of the rear frame towards the front frame, whereby the chute moves beneath the bales and the bag is moved forwardly around the bales.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for successively forming, opening, filling and sealing plastic bags formed from a stock supply of plastic tubing and characterized by the elimination of handling of cut bags during formation and filling.

Abstract: Apparatus for packing bulk material including high moisture agricultural products such as grain in plastic bags has a transferring mechanism with a rotating device disposed in a generally upwardly directed plane relative to a support frame for positioning and locating the rotating device to create a rotating wedging action against bulk material within a plastic bag to provide an acceptable level of density both for ensiling of agricultural products and for storage of bulk materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a stack of goods by shrinking a shrinkable foil covering on it comprises a delivery mechanism for drawing a foil tubing from a roll of tubing which cuts away a piece from the foil tubing and closes the top of that piece by an end weld seam, and a framelike vertically movable shrinking mechanism which heats all sides of the piece covering the stack of goods. To avoid a premature shrinking of the shrinkable foil covering or the foil tubing a nozzle device for making an air curtain extending substantially horizontally is provided under the delivery mechanism but above the range of travel of the shrinking mechanism and a blower for providing the air flow for the air curtain is connected with the nozzle device.

Abstract: A bale-sheathing device is provided for placing a tubular plastics sheath around bales of straw, grass, hay or silage, in order to facilitate chemical treatment of the latter. The bale-sheathing device includes a mobile sheath-carrying structure for supporting and holding open an axially closed-up portion of the sheath in a manner enabling this closed-up portion to be progressively pulled out rearwardly off the sheath-carrying structure. The sheath-carrying structure is forwardly provided with means, such as a pair of inclined guides, for lifting up a bale to be sheathed and guiding it through the closed-up portion of the sheath as the device is advanced. The bale-sheathng device enables a sheath to be passed around each successive bale of a row of juxtaposed bales without having to drag the bale over the sheath or the sheath under the bales.

Abstract: An apparatus for fitting and centering a sheath such as a thermoplastic sleeve about an object comprises a vertically floating mandrel about which the sheath is fed downwardly toward the object which is to be sheathed. The mandrel is provided with a hollow passage in its lower portion to receive a normally vertically movable member, the vertically movable member carrying at its normally lower end a mold member adapted to engage the head of the object which is to be sheathed, so as to guide and center the transfer of the sheath to the object. The mandrel is provided with a recess opening inwardly from its exterior periphery and into communication with the hollow passage providing a first element lying in the recess and connected to the vertically movable member, so that movement imparted to the first element and causes movement of the vertically movable member, a second element, a drive means located exteriorly of the mandrel for driving the second element.

Abstract: A transportable bagging apparatus for continual, sequential loading of individual bales of agricultural products such as grass, alfalfa, corn stalks, hay, etc., into plastic tubing. The apparatus can be towed by an ordinary farm tractor or other vehicle, and can be loaded with any fork-type bale carrier or loader. A removably mounted bracket delivers plastic tubing from a roll over one of opposite open ends of a vertically positioned, pivotally mounted drum on the apparatus. When the entire roll of plastic tubing is gathered over the drum outer surface and tied over one of the drum's opposite open ends, the drum is then pivoted to a horizontal operating position with the opposite open end facing a bale engaged by a carriage. The engaged bale activates a hydraulic cylinder to force a telescoping ram against the opposite face of the carriage. This causes the engaged bale to enter the drum and load into the plastic tubing.

Abstract: A meat packing apparatus for connecting a shirred casing to a nozzle and stuffing the casing with meat extruded from the nozzle includes shirred casing delivery means for connecting the shirred casing to the nozzle and for deshirring a portion of the casing located aft of the portion thereof connected to the nozzle, fastening means for closing and fastening an end of the deshirred portion on the nozzle side of a meat mass stuffed into this portion from the nozzle, and for closing and fastening the end of the deshirred portion on the side of the meat mass opposite the nozzle, casing tensioning means having a constricting mechanism for constricting the diameter of the deshirred portion on the side of the meat mass opposite the nozzle, and a withdrawal mechanism which cooperates with the constricting mechanism for pulling the deshirred portion backwardly away from the nozzle, and cutting means for cutting the shirred casing at a position rearward of the meat mass on the side thereof opposite the nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuously forming and filling plastic film by successively providing a continuous length of the film, slitting only the topside of the film at pre-determined intervals lengthwise of the film while tack sealing together both the top and bottom sides of the film at corresponding intervals, moving the slitted and tack sealed film into a bag forming and filling station, forming the plastic film successively into a plurality of open top bags, filling each bag with the desired material, thereafter simultaneously sealing the top of each filled bag and sealing the bottom of the next bag to be filled, removing each filled bag from the filling station and simultaneously advancing the next bag to be filled into the filling station.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging method and apparatus for packaging solid objects such as food products of various shapes automatically. A web of tubular plastic film is supplied from a roll and drawn over an opening core which opens the plastic film into a rectangular shape. The film is then drawn over the object to be packaged and cut to a predetermined length. In one embodiment, the front end of the film is then sealed and the object urged towards the sealed end. In another embodiment, both ends of the film are left open at this point. The object with the film positioned therearound is transferred to a vacuum chamber. Prior to the chamber being evacuated, tension is applied to the film so as to prevent the formation of creases.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing sausages or the like comprises a stuffer tube for stuffing sausage dough into a casing, a pump for supplying the sausage dough into the stuffer tube, a casing pusher for propelling the casing, a chuck for receiving the stuffed casing discharged out of an end of the stuffer tube, the chuck being rotatable and frictionally engageable with the stuffed casing, and a linking device coacting with the chuck for twisting the stuffed casing as pushed out of the chuck into a chain of links. There are provided speed changing devices such as conical pulleys and endless belts trained therearound for changing the speeds of operation of the pump and the linking device, respectively. The casing pusher may be actuated either manually or automatically by a fluid cylinder. Manual actuation of the casing pusher permits less rigid collagen casings or irregular animal casings to be propelled without the risk of getting ruptured while being stuffed with sausage batter.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and arrangement is disclosed which is adopted for the automatic encasement of chunk, sectioned and formed meat products. More particularly, the improved apparatus and arrangement of the instant invention provides for automatically stuffing chunk, sectioned and formed meat products into continuous stock tubular casing.

Abstract: A machine for filling and closing bags of a synthetic plastic material has a lowerable filling device, a transporting band spaced from the filling device and intermittently moveable in a longitudinal direction, opening, filling and welding stations, two carriages arranged in a space between the transporting band and the filling device at a distance corresponding to a band width and moveable synchronously with the transporting band parallel to the longitudinal direction, a feeding means on the carriages and having two feeding arms which are provided with gripping plates and move in the opening station from an upper position to a medium expanding position to be inserted into a bag mouth, and after expanding the bag the filling arms with the gripping plates move further in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction to a lower transporting position, and two pairs of grippers arranged on the carriages at both sides of the feeding device to grip bags below their mouth edges, wherein one of the pairs of gr

Abstract: A bagging device for transferring material from a first chamber through an opening in a wall to a second chamber includes an outer housing communicating with the opening and having proximal and distal ends relative to the wall. An inner housing having proximal and distal ends corresponding to those of the outer housing is mounted in a concentrically spaced, sealed manner with respect to the distal end of the outer housing. The inner and outer housings and mounting means therebetween define an annular chamber, closed at its distal end and open at its proximal end, in which a pliable tube is slidably positioned in sealed engagement with the housings. The pliable tube includes a sealed end positioned adjacent the proximal end of the inner housing so as to maintain isolation between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A bagging device for transferring material from a first chamber through an pening in a wall to a second chamber includes an outer housing communicating with the opening and having proximal and distal ends relative to the wall. An inner housing having proximal and distal ends corresponding to those of the outer housing is mounted in a concentrically spaced, sealed manner with respect to the distal end of the outer housing. The inner and outer housings and mounting means therebetween define an annular chamber, closed at its distal end and open at its proximal end, in which a pliable tube is slidably positioned in sealed engagement with the housings. The pliable tube includes a sealed end positioned adjacent the proximal end of the inner housing so as to maintain isolation between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus for pulling hoods made of shrinkable foil over stacks of wares comprising a supply spool, a continuous, flattened foil sleeve having a free openable end wound upon the supply spool, mobile gripping means for seizing the free end of the sleeve and for drawing the sleeve from the supply spool, support means for contacting and guiding the external surface of the drawn sleeve, spreading means supported by the support means and receivable within the free end of the sleeve for engaging and spreading apart the opposed walls of the drawn sleeve, a welding and cutting device for subsequently welding a cross-seam in the spread apart sleeve at a location on the sleeve remote from the free end and for subsequently severing the sleeve at a location adjacent to the cross-seam, thereby forming a newly formed separated hood having a spread apart open end and a sealed end while also providing the undetached portion of the sleeve with a newly formed, spread apart free end, the open end of the hood being seized by the

Abstract: A bagging device for transferring material from one chamber through an opening in a wall to a second chamber includes a cylindrical housing communicating with the opening and defining a passage between the chambers. A cylindrical cartridge is slidably received within the housing. The cartridge has a substantially rigid cylindrical sleeve to which is affixed a pliable tube. The pliable tube is positioned concentrically about the sleeve and has a pleated portion capable of unfolding from the sleeve and a closed end extending over a terminal end of the sleeve. Sealing means are interposed in sealed relationship between the cartridge and the housing. Material from one chamber is inserted into the cartridge secured in the housing and received in the closed end of the tube which unfolds into the other chamber enclosing the material therein. The tube may then be sealed behind the material and then severed to form a bag-like enclosure defined by the tube's closed terminal end and the new seal.

Abstract: A machine for packing a load in a section of sheath made of supple material, and particularly of plastic material, comprises mechanisms for supplying flat sections of sheath in the direction of the load and for opening the downstream end of each section of sheath opposite the load, and a pleating device for progressively pleating part of each section of sheath. The pleating device has rotatable pleating members applied against the sheath and against support ramps located inside the sheath. A movable covering frame whose section is larger than the cross section of the load to be packed is provided for bearing the section of pleated sheath. The rotatable pleating members are mounted on a support independent of the covering frame and the pleating device comprises mobile pleating arms.

Abstract: A semi-automatic, poly-sleeve labeler has a banding station to which containers are conveyed, there being a roll supply of flat, tubular, poly-sleeve labels above the station. A fixed, upstanding, flat, holder and an inclined, spring-biased, pivoted, flat, holder are mounted at a predetermined distance above the level of the conveyor path to support an open band. The operator tears off a band, places it over the holders, presses a pedal which causes a piston head to lift the container at the station, up through the holders for frictional engagement within the band. The banded container is removed and the parts return for the next cycle. A gear rack and pinion mechanism advances the bands individually and successively over a spreader to a tear-off location at about eye level. The spreader includes oppositely disposed concave recesses in each of which one of the oppositely disposed feed rolls is seated.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging method and apparatus for packaging solid objects such as food products of various shapes automatically. A web of tubular plastic film is supplied from a roll and drawn over an opening core which opens the plastic film into a rectangular shape. The film is then drawn over the object to be packaged and cut to a predetermined length. In one embodiment, the front end of the film is then sealed and the object urged towards the sealed end. In another embodiment, both ends of the film are left open at this point. The object with the film positioned therearound is transferred to a vacuum chamber. Prior to the chamber being evacuated, tension is applied to the film so as to prevent the formation of creases.

Abstract: Equipment for covering a stack of goods with a shrink-wrap having a vertically displaceable lift carriage; guide means for said carriage; means for displacing said carriage; a substantially horizontal support connected to said carriage, said support rotateable substantially 180.degree. around a vertically displaceable horizontal axis; means for rotating said horizontal support; and, shrink-wrap gripping and releasing means connected to said horizontal support and moveable therewith for placing said shrink-wrap around said goods is disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic or fully automated machine for fabricating flexible containers sometimes known as squeeze containers. The containers are fabricated from flexible plastic tube stock. The machine embodies stages or stations arranged in line at which operations are performed on the stock material, the final operation being the filling and sealing of the container. The stations include an initial heating station for producing the desired flexibility in the material. As the stock is advanced, an initial slit is made part way through the tubing. Initial sealing is performed at a further station which fabricates the discharge end of the container. The stock is advanced in steps. At a final station, the fabricated container is filled and sealed. All of the operations are automated and are sequenced by way of automatic, pneumatic, and electrical controls.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method of packaging commodities in a flexible wrapper. The apparatus includes first and second stations with a wrapper engaging assembly moving between the first and second stations, wrapper cutting and sealing means which severs a bag length from a continuous roll of flexible material, a component for opening the open leading end of the wrapper at the second station, a funnel which is preferably expandable and which engages the open mouth of the wrapper so as to permit loading of the commodity into the wrapper, and a further assembly which seals the open mouth of the bag length, preferably under vacuum, by having a component preferably in the form of a pair of fingers which engages the mouth of the bag to place it under tension whereafter a sealing assembly seals the mouth of the bag to form an improved weld across the mouth of the bag.

Abstract: A machine for making packages with labels is provided. The packaging machine utilizes a supply of packaging material in the form of a length of plain plastic tubing and a supply of labels in the form of a continuous strip thereof. In a previous cycle of the machine, the tubing was heat sealed along a transverse strip near the leading edge thereof. The strip is subsequently advanced a predetermined distance between a first set of jaws which close, with a first sealing wire carried by one of the jaws then energized to seal a leading edge of the tubing which will form the next package. A knife severs the tubing below that seal and the upper edges of the severed section which has been advanced are engaged by clamps. These move apart with the jaws to open the upper edges, thereby enabling an article to be dropped into the resulting pocket in the severed package section. The jaws then close once again and a second sealing wire below the clamps seals the upper edges of the severed section.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to stretch wrap an object in plastic film, the method comprising the steps of locating a length of elastically stretchable plastic film tube on a holder and expanding the holder to stretch the tube to a size enabling the tube and the holder to be passed over the object to be wrapped and at the same time stripping the tube off the holder so the tube can contract and elastically embrace the object.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles is provided. The packaging machine employs a source of packaging material in the form of a length of plain plastic tubing. The machine is relatively simple and maintenance free, employing but one station. In a previous cycle, the tubing is heat sealed along a strip extending transversely thereof at a leading edge. The strip is then advanced a predetermined distance between a movable jaw and a stationary jaw at the station and the movable jaw closes against the stationary one. At this time, an upper sealing wire is energized to seal a leading edge of the tubing which will form the next package. A knife severs the tubing below that seal and the upper edges of the severed section are engaged by clamps. The movable jaw then opens to enable an article to be dropped in the resulting pocket in the severed section. The movable jaw closes once again and a lower sealing wire seals the upper edges of the severed section, below the severed edges thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for assemblying bottles or other containers into a package. The bottles for a package are arranged in a group of predetermined number, a telescoping tubular sleeve is placed around the group, and the sleeve is heat-shrunken around the grouped bottles into an integral tightly-bound package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the rapid and continuous formation of reinforced flat bottom bags from a substantially endless roll of gussetted tubing.

Abstract: A machine for fitting a sleeve seal to a container or other object without twisting of the sleeve seal and tearing or crumpling of a label on the container by the sleeve seal, which is attained by providing flexible guide members arranged on a streamline-form mandrel, a recess on the bottom of the mandrel, into which the container over which the sleeve seal is to be fitted can be received, and a feed member which is pivoted away from at operating position to disengage position.

Abstract: A method for packaging an object, in particular a root ball of a tree, shrub or plant. The object to be packaged is placed in a socket which is surrounded by an elastic reticulate hose, whereupon the object is removed from the socket, during which operation the hose is carried along, this hose subsequently being severed beyond the object.An apparatus used for packaging an object, in particular a root ball of a tree, shrub or plant. This apparatus comprises a socket into which the object to be packaged is introduced, as well as a stock of elastic reticulate hose material from which hoses are formed to surround the socket.

Abstract: A packaging machine is described in which articles or groups of articles are wrapped in a sleeve of stretch-wrap material. The machine includes a sleeve feeding and cutting assembly for drawing the leading end portion from a roll of stretch-wrap tubing, for opening the leading end, and for severing the leading end portion from the remainder of the roll to form a sleeve. A gripping assembly grips the open leading end and draws the sleeve onto a pair of relatively movable stretching plates. The plates are movable apart to stretch the sleeve to a size greater than the article or group of articles that it is required to wrap. A pusher is arranged to push the article or group of articles into the stretched sleeve. A discharge assembly is arranged to draw the sleeve and article or articles in unison away from the stretching plates.