Abstract: A machine for manufacturing pouches containing a cohesionless material, including feed means for feeding the cohesionless material to a pick-up station, a transfer drum by which the material is picked up at the pick-up station and transferred to a release station, delivery means operating at the release station and by which portions of the material are delivered from the transfer drum through a duct toward a wrapping station at which the portions are sealed in pouches, and a mixer located at the pick-up station for performing a mixing action on the material at the pick-up station before the material is picked up by the transfer drum.

Abstract: A fault determining method, includes: a first terminal device monitors a parameter of a sidelink between the first terminal device and a second terminal device, to determine whether a unicast connection on the sidelink satisfies a first condition; and when the unicast connection satisfies the first condition, the first terminal device determines that the unicast connection is faulty.

Abstract: A method of fulfilling an order comprising at least one product is provided. The method includes receiving an order comprising at least one product, determining a suitable case from a plurality of available cases for holding the at least one product, said determining being a function of one or more characteristics of each product of the at least one product and one or more characteristics of the plurality of available cases; forwarding information identifying the suitable case to a case former; providing a case blank corresponding to said suitable case to said case former; erecting a suitable case from said case blank corresponding to said suitable case with said case former; and prior to the loading said suitable case with said at least one product, labelling said suitable case with at least one label.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packs of containers including a horizontal conveying means for the containers grouped as packs, a means for supplying flat paperboard sheets at the bottom side of the containers, wherein the containers are transported in a standing manner on the paperboard sheet, a means for folding upward front and back, in the transport direction, edge portions of the paperboard sheet, each of which extends beyond the footprint of the pack, at least two opposing lateral guide elements for folding upward lateral edges of the paperboard sheet extending laterally beyond the footprint of the grouped containers, wherein at least portions of the guide elements exert a defined pressing force on the upward-folded edges of the paperboard sheet and the side faces of the pack, and an adhesive is provided with edge portions of the lateral edges overlapping with front and/or back edges of the paperboard sheet.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: A method of filling a cartridge having one or more pouches and a filling system therefore. The method may include the steps of placing the pouch on a support, placing a first cartridge half over the pouch and the support, placing the pouch and the first cartridge half on a second cartridge half to form the cartridge, maneuvering the cartridge to a filling unit, and filling the pouch within the cartridge. The filling system may include a pouch transport system, a pouch and cartridge pallet, a pouch transfer assembly to position a pouch from the pouch transport system on the pouch and cartridge pallet, a cartridge takeoff device to position a first cartridge half on the pouch and a second cartridge half on the pouch and cartridge pallet, a cartridge assembly device to place the first cartridge, half with the pouch on the second cartridge half, and a cartridge filling unit to fill the pouch of the cartridge with a liquid.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a continuous film in a first direction with an article placed on a first portion of the film, and folds back in a second direction opposite to the first direction a second portion of the film ahead of the first portion with respect to the first direction, sealing parts that seal the first portion and the second portion to form a bag body containing the article, and a cutter that cuts the film.

Abstract: In a method for packaging articles, a tubular blank is conveyed in flat folded configuration to an erecting station to be engaged and rotated by suction cups. The raised blank assumes a parallelepiped shape with a vertical axis, while a striker hits a lateral wall of the blank, so that the blank is erected in a box. While the box is being moved, first and second lower flaps are then folded before the blank is placed on a support plane and moved, by driving and guiding conveyors, to a filling station for insertion of articles, supplied along a vertical direction, into the box. Lastly, the box with the articles therein is moved by the driving and guiding conveyors to subsequent stations for folding lower lateral flaps and upper flaps to close the bottom and the cover of the box. A machine is provided for carrying out the method, with an erecting station and a filling station joined by a horizontal support plane.

Abstract: In a method for packaging articles, a tubular blank is conveyed in flat folded configuration to an erecting station to be engaged and rotated by suction cups. The raised blank assumes a parallelepiped shape with a vertical axis, while a striker hit a lateral wall of the blank, so that the blank is erected in a box. While the box is being moved, first and second lower flaps are then folded before the blank is set resting on a support plane and moved, by driving and guiding conveyors, to a filling station for insertion of articles, supplied along a vertical direction, into the box. Lastly, the box with the articles therein is moved by the driving and guiding conveyors to subsequent stations for folding lower lateral flaps and upper flaps to close bottom and cover of the so obtained box. A machine is provided for carrying out the method, with an erecting station and a filling station joined by a horizontal support plane.

Abstract: In order to be able to easily exchange the fill pipe in a vertical tubular bagging machine, where a flat foil web is reshaped on a forming shoulder into a foil tube running over a fill pipe, a forming shoulder is suggested which can be opened. A shoulder sleeve out of two separate sleeve parts is formed by this forming shoulder, a shoulder connection consists of two separate connection parts, each one sleeve part and adjoining connection part form one component, the two components describe the forming shoulder, and one component can be removed from the other component in order to be able to remove the fill pipe transversely with respect to the transport direction from the forming shoulder.

Abstract: A cigarette packing method and machine, whereby an output wheel feeds along a folding path a number of gripping heads, each of which receives and retains, by the ends, a relative packet having minor lateral walls, each defined by an inner longitudinal tab and an outer longitudinal tab superimposed one on top of the other; each packet is fed onto the folding path with its outer longitudinal tabs open, detached from the respective inner longitudinal tabs, and supported by respective folding wings carried by the gripping head; and the folding path extends through a folding station where the folding wings of each gripping head are moved to fold the respective outer longitudinal tabs into a closed position contacting the relative inner longitudinal tabs, and, at the same time, an outward-facing major lateral wall of each packet is kept flat by contact with an external contrast device.

Abstract: A method and machine for producing a rigid packet of cigarettes from a flat, substantially rectangular blank; the blank has two main longitudinal crease lines, and a number of transverse crease lines defining, between the two main longitudinal crease lines, central panels having respective lateral wings; the flat blank is fed to a prefolding station where the lateral wings of at least one of the central panels are folded about the respective main longitudinal crease lines; and the blank is subsequently restored to the flat configuration before being fed to a follow-up folding station.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal packaging machine is adapted to receive a carton blank, erect the carton blank into an open-top carton, fill and seal the open-top carton. The cartons have a predetermined cross-sectional shape and size. The packaging machine includes a frame, a plurality of stations carried by the frame including a carton erection station, a bottom flap sealing station, a filling station and a top flap sealing station, and a drive assembly. A conveying assembly is operably connected to the drive assembly for moving the cartons through the stations. A plurality of cavity bars are carried by the conveying assembly. Each of the cavity bars defines cavities formed therein that correspond generally to the cross-sectional size and shape of the cartons. Each of the cavities is defined by internal peripheral surfaces configured for receiving and securing the carton therein as the carton is conveyed between the stations of the machine.

Abstract: A carton manipulating device for rotating a carton in a packaging machine, which apparatus comprises carton pick up means adapted to engage at least one carton from the infeed stream and to convey the carton through a working reach of the apparatus and wherein the pick up means is rotatable intermittently along the working reach to cause the carton to be rotated during continuous forward movement.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming and filling a latching flip-top box uses a two part mandrel which are joined by a hinge. One of the two hinged parts has a roller thereon for following a cam track having a quarter turn spiral therein. As the roller follows the spiral causing one hinged part to move through a quarter turn causing the flip-top to fold over and be formed. A somewhat loose tab on the top edge of the bottom of the box is a latch tab which is caught when the flip-top folds over.

Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping a product in a sheet of wrapping material, whereby a wrapping head is fed along a wrapping path, along a first portion of which, the wrapping head is positioned perpendicular with respect to the wrapping path to receive the sheet of wrapping material and the product, about which the sheet of wrapping material is folded to form a tubular wrapping having two opposite open ends; along a second portion of the wrapping path, the wrapping head is positioned parallel to the wrapping path so as to cooperate, as the wrapping head travels along the wrapping path, with a fixed folding device for folding the aforementioned open ends.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for forming and filling a latching flip-top box uses a two part mandrel which are joined by a hinge. One of the two hinged parts has a roller thereon for following a cam track having a quarter turn spiral therein. As the roller follows the spiral causing one hinged part to move through a quarter turn causing the flip-top to fold over and be formed. A somewhat loose tab on the top edge of the bottom of the box is a latch tab which is caught when the flip-top folds over.

Abstract: A method and machine for continuously wrapping a product, whereby a sheet of wrapping material is transferred, from an output of a line for supply wrapping material, into a seat of a wrapping conveyor onto which the sheet of wrapping material, folded into a U, is released by a folding spindle about which the sheet is folded at least partly into a U before being transferred into the seat; the seat and the sheet are then fed through a loading station to receive the product.

Abstract: A working station of a packaging machine comprises a first tool member and a second tool member which can be lowered to a lowered position relative to the first tool member and lifted to a raised position relative to the first tool member. Both tool members are disposed on opposite sides of a material web conveyed through the packaging machine. A lifting device comprises a first lifting member for moving the second tool member relative to the first tool member and a second lifting member coupled to the second tool member for moving the first tool member away from the material web when lowering the second tool member into the lowered position.

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: The core of a packaging machine for cigarette packets or similar packets is a rotary folding unit (11). On the perimeter of the folding unit, there are arranged holding members for packets or packet contents, for example folding mandrels (18) on the one hand and holding pockets (21) on the other hand. For reasons to do with their construction and/or function, the latter are positioned at an axial spacing from one another. In order to transfer packets or packet parts from the folding mandrels (18) to the holding pockets (21), the latter may moved relative to one another, in such a way that, in a transfer region, the folding mandrels (18) and the associated coaxial holding pockets (21) lie directly against one another.

Abstract: A carton feeding and erecting mechanism is disclosed for a packaging machine for packaging articles such as beverage containers or the like into cartons, the packaging machine including a carton conveyor for conveying an open-ended carton through the machine. The feeding and erecting mechanism includes a vacuum conveyor for engaging a lower surface of a collapsed carton and moving the carton onto the carton conveyor, and a feeder disposed generally beneath the vacuum conveyor for selecting a collapsed carton from a carton supply and placing the carton on the vacuum conveyor. An erector is disposed above the vacuum conveyor and has vacuum engagement cups for engaging an upper surface of the collapsed carton and moving the panel upwardly with respect to the lower surface thereby erecting the carton.

Abstract: An apparatus for periodically feeding a packaging machine with semi-finished packages formed from flat blanks (2), provided with a magazine (6) for storing such blanks (2), a feed path (11) extending in a feed plane (13) with a pair of feed dogs (16), spaced from each other at a distance corresponding to the size of the blank (B), periodically entering the feed path. In cooperation with a transfer apparatus (24-34) reciprocally moving in the feed direction (A) the pair of feed dogs (16) shapes a blank (2) withdrawn from the magazine (6) to a semi-finished package suitable for being filled, and then feeds the semi-finished package to stations in the packaging machine where it is filled and completed. To prevent faulty transfers or deposits, the blanks (2) are stored within their magazine (6) in an upright orientation such that those blank sections (B,F) first entering into the feed path (11) extend above the feed plane (13).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an Easter grass bag from a sheet of material. The apparatus includes a mold having side walls and a bottom defining a mold opening. The side walls and bottom of the mold have vacuum holes connected to a vacuum source. A sheet of material is placed over the mold opening and the vacuum draws the sheet of material into the mold opening and against the side walls and bottom of the mold to form the sheet of material into an Easter grass bag. The mold may be a split mold to facilitate removal of the bag from the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and bagging decorative grass, such as Easter grass. The apparatus includes an extruder, a godet, a slitter, a cutter, a bagging assembly and a programmable logic controller. The extruder produces a continuous sheet of material, which is fed by the godet into the slitter and cutter. A thickness gauge is provided between the extruder and slitter to measure the thickness of the sheet of material. The slitter has a row of blades which slit the sheet into a continuous length of slitted material. The cutter includes a rotatable blade which transversely cuts the slitted material into a number of individual filaments. The sheet of material is urged through the slitter and cutter by the godet and an air flow produced by a blower. The blower then forces the filaments to the bagging assembly, which has a rotatable turret, an inserter and a bag handler. The turret has a number of magazines for receiving from the cutter and for discharging the filaments into bags.

Abstract: The device has a rotating member including pulleys that and joined to a belt conveyor along which flat folded cases advance. Suction cups are mounted on shafts situated along the periphery of the rotary member and a coaxial drum, rotating in synchrony with the pulleys, carries the shafts which are made to oscillate by crank means. The drum also supports rocking levers which are in engagement with a cam and cause cranks to rotate. Further suction cups, situated at the outlet of the feeding line, are moved in phase relation with the previous suction cups between a gripping position, in which the suction cups grip a flat folded case on opposite sides, and a position in which adjacent wall panels of the case are opened. Belt conveyors receive the opened case and trail it along a packaging line.

Abstract: An adjustable pocket mechanism for a vertical cartoner includes a plurality of adjustable pockets to accommodate different sizes of cartons. The pocket mechanism includes a pair of endless parallel chains which pass around a pair of upper and lower sprockets. The mechanism also includes a pair of transport lugs or pocket forming members which define the outer parameters of a carton. A first of lugs or leading lug is fixed to a first of the chains but moves freely with respect to a second of the chains while a second of the lugs is fixed to the second of the chains and free to move with respect to the first chain. A clutch assembly may be used to adjust the position of the chains relative to one another in order to vary the size of the pocket. The adjustable pocket mechanism also includes a guide rod disposed in a sleeve.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for sealing spaced groups of absorbent articles intermediate layers of a continuous wrapper is provided. The apparatus comprises a wrapper sealing apparatus for thermally bonding the layers; a wrapper seal cutting apparatus positioned downstream from the wrapper sealing apparatus for cutting the continuous wrapper to form individual packages of grouped absorbent articles; and a web support apparatus for preventing separation of the wrapper seals intermediate the wrapper sealing apparatus and the wrapper seal cutting apparatus. The web support apparatus comprises a plurality of wrapper support members supporting the wrapper layers intermediate the sealing apparatus and the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum-packaging machine is provided with a drive mechanism for each of the tools at the forming and sealing stations that not only vertically reciprocate the tools, but which also horizontally reciprocate the tools. Before the next section of the film being processed reaches the forming or sealing station, the respective tool at each station is moved in the same direction as the film, while being simultaneously lifted up toward the film. As that section comes to a halt at the station, the tool is already raised into close juxtaposition to the film for performing its work. The tool is then raised the final quantum amount in order to start either the forming or the sealing process. As soon as the forming or sealing process has been completed, both the conveyer chain and the tools are actuated for forward, downstream movement. The tools, in addition to their forward, horizontal movement, also drop down, in order to clear the packages to allow unobstructed passage of the film.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine comprises a spaced parallel pair of conveyor chains for transporting a plurality of pallets around an endless path. A pair of guide rails are connected between the conveyor chains for slidingly carrying each pallet. A plurality of control bars are slidably mounted on the guide rails. Two or more cam slots are provided at selected locations along the path followed by the conveyor chains in order to independently control the position of each of the control bars as a function of their instantaneous locations in the packaging machine. A stabilization support system built into the control bars provides enough play to dissipate centrifugal force and thereby enable the machine to operate at a higher speed. An X-Y mounting system may be provided in order to enable the pallets to undertake two dimensional motion. The control bars enable specific points in the surface area of the pallet to undertake specific motions which are independent of the motion of the pallet.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine comprises a spaced parallel pair of conveyor chains for transporting a plurality of mandrels. A pair of guide rails connected between the conveyor chains for slidably carrying each mandrel, so that a mandrel may be moved in a product transport position to a loading station. At the loading station, the mandrel is thrust forward to confront a box so that the product may be pushed into a box. The mandrel may be made wider to accept product without a precise alignment between mandrel and product or more narrow to fit the product into a box at the loading station. Two cam slots are provided to independently control the thrust position and the width of the mandrel. A stabilization support provides enough play to dissipate centrifugal force and thereby enable the machine to operate at a higher speed.

Abstract: Packages consisting of two part packs are in increasing demand as so-called cigarette sticks, because consumers want "half sticks", that is to say part packs having a smaller number of cigarette packs. The part packs are produced from a common one-piece blank which is severed before the package is put on sale, so that part packs formed from two part blanks are obtained. These are connected to one another by means of severable connecting members, especially adhesive strips. The mechanical high-performance production of such packages composed of two part packs is carried out in a folding turret. A one-piece blank is introduced into pockets of the folding turret and almost ready-folded. The groups of cigarette packs are then pushed via open sides into the part packs within the pockets.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine comprises a spaced parallel pair of conveyor chains for transporting a plurality of mandrels. A pair of guide rails connected between the conveyor chains for slidably carrying each mandrel, so that a mandrel may be moved in a product transport position to a loading station. At the loading station, the mandrel is thrust forward to confront a box so that the product may be pushed into a box. The mandrel may be made wider to accept product without a precise alignment between mandrel and product or more narrow to fit the product into a box at the loading station. Two cam slots are provided to independently control the thrust position and the width of the mandrel. A stabilization support provides enough play to dissipate centrifugal force and thereby enable the machine to operate at a higher speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying web material to an indexing advancement mechanism, such as may be associated with a packaging machine which forms the web into a component of a package. The web is supplied from a supply roll to an unwind mechanism, which continuously unwinds the web during indexing advancement of the web by the advancement mechanism of the packaging machine. The unwind mechanism includes an unwind motor which is operable to vary the rate at which the web is unwound from the supply roll. Tension is maintained in the web upstream of the advancement mechanism by a take-up mechanism interposed between the unwind mechanism and the advancement mechanism. The unwind motor speed is controlled by the position of a movable arm associated with the take-up mechanism.

Abstract: A packaging machine and a method for continuous forming of filled packages from relatively unstretchable roll stock of crinkled heat sealable filter paper. A series of pouch forming drum sockets are provided in an outer surface of a revolving drum and the paper is trained on the drum over the sockets. Another mechanism is provided for slitting the sheet of the filter paper along its length creating a pair of side-by-side heat sealable filter paper strips before the paper reaches the drum. A driven endless flexible before the paper reaches the drum. A driven endless flexible belt is operatively engaged with the outer drum surface. A suction device is provided for drawing overlapped belt areas of the belt into the drum sockets along with the relatively unstretchable crinkled filter paper strips sandwiched between the overlapped belt area and the pouch forming drum sockets thereby forming side-by-side continuous strips of crinkled filter paper pockets.

Abstract: In a carton loading machine, there is provided a mechanism which will initially displace one row of cylindrical-shaped objects with respect to its adjacent row such that load items in one row are located in a staggered relationship with respect to the load items in the adjacent row. The load items are then displaced into the open end of a container. When the assembled load is substantially fully located within the container, the movement of one row is arrested while the movement of the other row continues until the items of the adjacent rows are arranged in a side-by-side relationship. This serves to permit the width of the accumulated load to be reduced until the load is substantially fully located in a carton and thereafter the load is rearranged to its maximum width to fit in a close fitting relationship within the carton.

Abstract: A machine for packaging products by producing boxes of the hinged-lid type which can be closed over a collar with a guarantee seal starting from individual flat blanks with multiple component parts formed by three operationally independent machine sections of modular structure interconnected in the overall machine in an operationally interdependent manner. A first machine section includes an apparatus utilizing a static separation for the supply of the individual blanks in individual sequence to the second machine section comprising a closed-loop conveyor provided with gripper members for supplying the individual blanks to successive stations so that they can be made up in a tubular shape and for transferring them to the third machine section for the operations to fill them with the product to be packaged and their closure with the guarantee seal.

Abstract: An automatic molten substance bagging method and system which facilitates introduction and extrusion of molten substance into and from a fixed volume member and performs extrusion of molten substance rapidly by reduced driving force. A carrying can in which a bag is received is first transported to a position below an injector, and vacuum attracting pads are moved toward and then away from each other on the opposite sides of the bag to attract by vacuum and open a mouth portion of the bag. Then, the bag in the attracted condition is lifted by the vacuum attracting pads until a nozzle of the injector is inserted into the open mouth portion of the bag, and then the mouth portion of the bag is clamped by clamp members, whereafter the carrying can is lifted a little. Then, molten substance is injected into the bag from the injector, and during such injection, the carrying can is lifted further.

Abstract: For baling shrubs or bushes, in particular rose bushes, the roots (12) of the plants (10) substantially freed from soil are embedded in a moisture-containing substrate (14) such as peat and provided with a sheath or envelope. For this purpose a hollow of wire grating (16) is formed which is then partially filled with substrate (14). Thereafter the roots (12) of the lying plant (10) are placed on the substrate (14). Further substrate (14) is then applied to the roots (12). Finally the wire grating (16) is deformed by bending two edges (24, 26) of the hollow together to form a tube and the edges (24, 26) of the wire grating (16) are fixedly connected together. A machine for carrying out this method comprises at least one trough (48) onto which the wire grating (16) can be placed. A ram (74) is shaped complementary to the trough (48) and adapted to be pressed into the latter to deform the wire grating (16 ) to a hollow.

Abstract: A high speed apparatus for cutting and wrapping soft chewing gum comprises a plurality of substantially parallel cutters having cutting heads to cut the gum into relatively thin rectangular-shaped pieces. The cutters are moved to a position where each individually shaped piece of gum is placed into a nest on a wrapping tray with a wrapper located therebetween. The cutters are moved in an eccentric ovoid path by a ring wheel and grooved cam wheel arrangement which causes the cutting heads to separate and move back together as they move through a cycle. During placement of the stick of gum in the nest, a flat side of the shaped piece of gum is urged against the flat bottom of the nest. The apparatus further comprises an apparatus to complete wrapping the wrapper around the piece of gum.

Abstract: To increase the output of a packaging machine especially for hinge-lid packs produced from individual blanks, the latter are fed to folding members (folding turret 31) along two parallel tracks (blank tracks 39, 40). To guarantee faultless and efficient conveyance of two blanks at a time, the blank tracks (39, 40) are arranged at a distance from one another which is greater than the distance between pockets (32, 33) of the folding turret (31), into which the blanks are to be introduced simultaneously. As a result of a transversely directed movement, the blanks are moved toward one another into the position for pushing into the pockets (32, 33).

Abstract: A packaging machine and more particularly a machine for setting up a container from a blank (16) of corrugated board is disclosed as including a uniquely arranged magazine (10) for a plurality of container blanks (16) of corrugated board and including a structure to directly set up the shape of the container in a controlled manner for enabling a product to be easily loaded and for subsequent processing by the packaging machine. The unique direct setup arrangement utilizes arcuately moving arms (24) with vacuum cups (26) thereon which attach themselves to a blank (16) in the magazine (10) and move through an arc of less than 90.degree. from a vertically inclined position to a generally horizontal position. The arms (24) and blank (16) are then moved horizontally so that the side edge portions of the major panel (18) of the blank (16), such as the bottom panel, are positioned under horizontal flap guides (74).

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping soft chewing gum comprises a turret having means to cut the gum into relatively thin rectangular shaped pieces. Operatively associated with the turret are means to hold the shaped pieces of gum thereon for transport to a position where each individually shaped piece is placed into a nest on a wrapping tray with a wrapper located therebetween. During placement, a flat side of the shaped piece of gum is urged against the flat bottom of the nest. The apparatus further comprises means to complete wrapping the wrapper around the piece of gum.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming, filling and closing packages made of cardboard, cassettes for receiving the package are provided, which may be rearranged in differing processing positions. These cassettes are designed in such a way that they may be either exchanged for one another altogether, or reset for various format sizes. With such a device, format resetting, which has heretofore required considerable retooling times for such devices, may be achieved in a very short time and without great difficulty.

Abstract: A vertical cartoner assembly and method is for placing and assembling cartons over preselected product groups moved on a conveyor. The assembly has a frame structure having an elongated circular portion and vertically disposed drive shafts each having upper and lower chain sprockets. Continuous chains engage the upper and lower sprockets, and a power drive is provided to rotate one of the drive shafts. A continuous cam rail structure is mounted to the frame spacially intermediate the continuous chains. The continuous cam rail has downwardly and upwardly sloping sections. A plurality of vertical shafts are connected to the top and bottom chains. A carton holder body structure having a vertically disposed sleeve slidingly engages at least one of the vertical shafts. The carton holder body has a rearwardly extending cam follower for movement in the cam rail structure. The carton holder body structure has a pair of adjustable outwardly extending arms for receiving an opened and partially erected carton.

Abstract: A machine for erecting, loading and closing an end loading carton. The machine has a dispenser station in which a knocked-down carton is removed from a storage magazine and deposited in the form of an open sleeve. A top closure station is provided in which the top closure flaps are folded along their hinge lines from their open position to their closed position. A collar flap tucking station is provided in which the collar flaps of the carton are folded inwardly. A loading station is provided in which load items are inserted through a loading opening in the top of the otherwise closed container. A load tamping station is provided in which the load items are tamped to permit the top closure flaps of the carton to assume a locking position with respect to the load item. A discharge station is provided in which loaded cartons are discharged from the carton support assemblies.

Abstract: When filling flexible bags with a specified quantity of material, the uppermost one of the bags is opened at the mouth thereof and a spatular element is inserted into the bag while streams of gas are discharged from the surface of the element. Then, a vacuum suction force is applied to the surface of the spatular element to cause the bag to be sucked to that surface so that the bag, together with the element, is moved into a recessed wall of a stand frame. The bag is inflated in the recessed wall by discharging jets of gas from the surface of the spatular element into the bag, and simultaneously the bag is sucked to the inner surface of the recessed wall under a vacuum suction force while being held in opened condition. Subsequently, the specified quantity of material is filled into the bag. In this way, each flexible bag is moved to the stand frame while being accurately sucked to and kept in the spatular element.

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 high-speed packing machine includes a magazine holding a plurality of flat case-forming sheets having a plurality of folding lines. These sheets are formed into U-shaped cases one after another and the cases are transported by a case conveyor. The articles to be packed are supplied by an article conveyor extending along the case conveyor. A dead plate extends from the article conveyor for receiving the articles from the article conveyor. A plurality of flight bars are provided above the dead plate for receiving the articles from the dead plate. The flight bars are movable synchronously with the article conveyor. A plurality of pushers are movable along guide rails extending below the dead plate for supplying the articles from the flight bars to the U-shaped cases on the case conveyor traveling synchronously with the article conveyor. The pushers are movable along a path extending at an angle to the conveyors.