Abstract: A bread slicer is provided with an input compartment for a loaf of bread and a set of blades designed for cutting a loaf of bread and cooperating with a push block, which enables the loaf to be pushed through the set of blades to an output table. The output table has a bag holder for keeping open a packing bag with the opening facing the set of blades, the push block being arranged to push at least a part of the sliced loaf so as to introduce it at least partially in the packing bag.

Abstract: A chip cutting system for use in loading, cutting, and packaging stacks of tortillas. The chip cutting system can include a loader, a vertical loading system, a processing line, a plurality of cutting stations, a sleeving area, an inversion portion, and an output portion.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products are configured to package products using automated movement of components that fill, then clip bags in a manner that is particularly suitable for packaging blasting powder and/or explosives in shot bags.

Abstract: A system includes trays of a plurality of different widths and an unloading system for unloading cartons from the trays. The trays (20; 20?; 20?) each comprise a base (22) and a pair of end walls (30) extending upward from the base. The unloading system (200; 200?) comprises a plurality of fingers (202A-202I). Each of the end walls comprise a plurality of vertical slots (40) open to an upper edge of the end wall. The fingers are positioned and dimensioned to pass through the slots of the trays as the trays are delivered by the tray delivery conveyor to lift contents of the trays. The fingers are positioned so that some fingers pass through the slots of each of the different widths, but others pass only through slots of wider said widths.

Abstract: A method for producing a package using a traysealer is provided, wherein the package includes a container, at least two sealing films and a plurality of products, of which a first product is located in the container and a second product between two sealing films. The first product is moved into the container upstream of a sealing station, the second product is moved onto a first sealing film before the container, the sealing film and the products are supplied together with a second sealing film, which is located above the first sealing film, to the sealing station. The first sealing film moves above and spaced apart from the container and the first product until the sealing station is reached. In the sealing station the container, the first sealing film and the second sealing film are subsequently sealed to one another.

Abstract: A system for reducing power consumption of a packaging machine, including a processing device performing a predetermined process on supplied processing objects and discharging them, and a packaging machine packaging the objects discharged from the processing device. The packaging machine includes a centralized control unit controlling the operation of the packaging machine. The control unit operates the packaging machine in a power-saving mode when an insufficient supply of the processing objects is in or is likely to be in the processing device.

Abstract: A thru-beam sensor is positioned such that the beam passes through the crease line of the envelope when the envelope is parked in the insertion area. As the envelope enters the insertion area, the through beam sensor is set to current level A. The sensor is used to accurately position the envelope based on the passing of the lead edge. Once the envelope is in position, the current in the thru-beam emitter pair is raised until the envelope is no longer obstructing the line of sight of the sensor. From this state, the insert or plurality of inserts that are entering the accumulator can be detected, as the presence of the inserts will inhibit light transmission between the emitter and receiver. Using the sensor system proposed here, the inserts trailing edge can be detected at the crease line of the envelope.

Abstract: A waste sealing apparatus includes a supply mechanism of opposed sealing sheets, a pressure bonding mechanism therefor, a throw-in checking sensor provided on an insertion side of the pressure bonding mechanism, a cutting mechanism for the opposed sealing sheets, a passage checking sensor provided on a discharge side of the pressure bonding mechanism, and a catch-in preventing sensor provided on the discharge side of the pressure bonding mechanism. The pressure bonding mechanism has opposed bonding rolls each having seal parts on its both ends and a elastic compression part therebetween. Detecting a waste by the throw-in checking sensor automatically activates the supply mechanism of opposed sealing sheets. With the pressure bonding mechanism, the bonding rolls to bond opposed sealing sheets to seal the waste. When the passage checking sensor detects the waste from the bonding mechanism, the cutting mechanism automatically cut the sealing sheets.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.

Abstract: A bag filling and packaging apparatus including hollow guide members that are disposed below ascending/descending hoppers and guide product dropping from hoppers into the interior of bags, the guide members being raised/lowered and moved together with the hoppers in a filling region. The guide members comprise a pair of opening and closing guide frames that are disposed to face each other; and when clogging is detected in a guide member, its guide frames are repeatedly opened and closed while moving through a non-filling region, thus promoting the dropping of product. Directly below the guide members is provided a receiving member that receives the product.

Abstract: An ice bagging system is described.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.

Abstract: An outboard motor having a steering control and a rudder reference sensor, both connectible to a computer-operated guidance system. The steering control utilizes a linear actuator connected through a linkage to the motor. The actuator utilizes a rack that moves along the axis about which the motor pivots from its use position to its storage position, thereby enabling the rudder position sensor to remain connected to the motor when the motor is pivoted from its use position to its storage position. The sensor can include a follower disposed in a sloping groove on the rack, a pin on the rack engaged in a helical groove on a cylinder, or an externally mounted sensor connected to the steering linkage through an auxiliary linkage.

Abstract: In one aspect, a stretch wrap system configured to separately wrap a plurality of loads in film comprising a plurality of stretch wrapping machines, each machine comprising at least one sensing mechanism configured to sense the presence of a load, and a control box electrically coupled to sensing mechanisms, the control box comprising a start button configured to start the machines when sensing mechanisms detect load.

Abstract: A coupon insertion apparatus configured for sequentially inserting coupons into receiving containers, including a machine frame, at least one pair of opposed rollers mounted to the frame and adjustable between a closed position and an open position. A drive system includes a drive belt for simultaneously driving the opposed rollers in both of the positions. A tensioner is connected to the belt and is movable generally transversely to a direction of the adjustment of the drive rollers to maintain a designated tension on the drive belt.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by capturing the product in flexible packaging material. The packing apparatus includes a product detector for detecting the presence or absence of a product to be packaged. The detection of the product may cause the advancement of packaging material and the product through a nipping station to form a package. The failure to detect a product may cause the advancement of the packaging material to stop and conserve packaging material until a product is detected. The product detector may be a color sensor trained to detect a color of the first web, a luminescence sensor trained to detect a luminance of the first web, or a light-sensitive sensor trained to detect a difference in light passing through the first web. Also, a luminescence additive may be joined with the lower web to provide a distinct luminance.

Abstract: A device (1) packages a stack of sheet objects such as banknotes (2) in a container (4) sandwiched between a frame (6) and the device's main body (5). Banknotes are fed through a first input port (3) to be stacked in the container. A closure member (9) is inserted through a second input port (10) and heat-sealed onto the container (4) when full. The container (4) is integrally moulded in a plastics material with inwardly hinged wings (19,20) that act as guide rails (23) for banknotes as they are fed towards opening (11) of the container by a drive mechanism the packaging device. The wings have castellations (24) that act as a stop to hold edges of banknotes (29) in stacked in the container by the drive mechanism. A printer (51) prints data concerning the stacked banknotes on the underside of the closure member (9). The packaged container is opened by a device that compresses it so that the closure member (9) bursts along a line of weakness (53).

Abstract: An ice-bagging apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice, a hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker, a drawer system comprising a drawer and a top door operatively associated with the hopper for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice, a bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism for placing the ice in a bag, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the ice, a sealer for sealing the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice, and a control device for managing and monitoring the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allowing transmission of the collected data to the internet.

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

Abstract: A method for bagging ice using an ice-bagging apparatus comprising an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker, a door and drawer system operatively associated with the hopper for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice, a bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag, a bag supply mechanism, a blower for opening the mouth of the bag to receive the ice, a sealer for sealing the mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice, and a control device for managing and monitoring the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.

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

Abstract: A typical product overwrap machine includes a crossfeed conveyor, a pusher bar for transferring bread products to a lifting table which moves upwardly to wrap the bread product with a sealing wrap, and the wrapped bread product is sealed by heated rollers. The present invention provides a sensor and control systems operating servomotors or AC drives so that the crossfeed conveyor is operated only when product is detected at a conveyor inlet, and the pusher bar is actuated to move the product from the crossfeed conveyor when product is detected. The control systems detect the width of a pusher bar plate and adjust the separation of flight bars in the crossfeed conveyor to match the size of the installed pusher bar plate, thereby preventing damage to the crossfeed conveyor if there is a mismatch in sizes. Other control systems may be provided to adjust both the width of the pusher bar and the separation of flight bars in the crossfeed conveyor.

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

Abstract: In a machine for obtaining strip packages a station feeds products to a packaging group, which places and seals each of the products in a relative welded pockets distributed along a continuous strip. In a working station, situated in cascade with the packaging group, a feeler group, a printing group, a working group, a drawing group, a cutting group cooperate to supply at the outlet a plurality of strip packages. The packaging group is arranged in a vertical configuration and the configuration of the working group is horizontal. Direction-changing means make the continuous strip pass from a vertical configuration to a horizontal one.

Abstract: A machine for treating sheets, said machine comprising drive means (14, 16, 18) for driving the sheets, treatment tooling (52, 62) for forming cutouts or folds in said sheets that extend transversely to the drive direction (F) in which the sheets are driven. The treatment tooling is carried by at least one carrier shaft (52, 62) driven by a shaft motor (M52, M62). The sheets are driven at a substantially constant drive speed through the machine, and said machine further comprises a control unit (UC) which, as a function of said drive speed, and of information relating to the position of a sheet in the machine, control the shaft motor (M52, M62) such that, for treating said sheet, the tooling is in contact with a predetermined region of the sheet and is driven at a treatment speed whose tangential component is equal to the drive speed at which the sheet is driven.

Abstract: A produce packaging device for weighing and packaging produce in an appropriate package based upon the produce type and quantity. In one embodiment, the device includes: (1) a scale for receiving and weighing produce to be packaged; (2) produce-type determination circuitry coupled to the scale; and (3) a control module, coupled to the scale and the produce-type determination circuitry and having a packaging database associated therewith, that (i) selects an appropriate package for the produce based upon a quantity received from the scale and a produce-type received from the produce-type determination circuitry, and (ii) causes the appropriate package to be dispensed for use in packaging the produce.

Abstract: A semiautomatic packaging machine utilizes a single servo motor to rotate a belt around single track, providing linear motion to two opposing loaders attached to the belt. As one loader approaches a retrieval area, an operator manually positions an article or group of articles with a unit of packaging material onto an infeed conveyor. Upon sensing the presence of the material to be packaged, a sensor sends a signal to a processor. The processor controls the servo motor and an elevating component to adjust the horizontal and vertical position of the loader to synchronize the positions of the loader and the article(s). The loader removes the article(s) from the infeed conveyor, and transports them through a closer or other packaging element. The packaged articles are released into a discharge area as a second loader simultaneously approaches the retrieval area to repeat the process.

Abstract: Packages of varying dimensions are loaded into a plurality of electrical package tubes. A guide arrangement is provided, which is programmable to receive the electrical packages by automatically configuring to accommodate the varying dimensions of the electrical packages, the configuring being performed without manual intervention, and a receiving arrangement is provided to receive the electrical package tubes and configured to individually align the electrical package tubes with the guide arrangement to receive the electrical packages. Upon application of a feeding force to the electrical packages, the guide arrangement guides the electrical packages into the electrical package tubes.

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

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for enclosing a head portion of a stethoscope in a barrier material. The packaging apparatus includes a housing having an interior with an opening for allowing the insertion of a head portion of a stethoscope into the interior. A sensor assembly detects the insertion of the head portion of the stethoscope. A door assembly selectively closes the opening. The door assembly comprises a door member and a door actuator. The door member is movable between an open position and a closed position. A vacuum assembly evacuates air from the interior. A table member supports a section of a roll of barrier material comprising individual plastic sleeves. A feed assembly positions the barrier material. A handling assembly manipulates an open end of the sleeves. The handling assembly includes an upper attachment member and a lower attachment member for releasably attaching to top and bottom sides of the open end of the sleeve respectively.

Abstract: A device and a system are disclosed that are adapted to perform a process for automatically continuously packaging products (4) through heat-sealed plastic films (2) comprising the steps of: inserting and supplying the products (4) downstream in a timed way and along a horizontal direction; applying a plastic film (2) to the products (4); heat-sealing a first end of each one of the products (4) and simultaneously advancing each one of the products (4) horizontally; heat-sealing a second end of each one of the products (4) and simultaneously advancing each one of the products (4) horizontally; and collecting and unloading the heat-sealed products (4). In particular, the device (1) is equipped with pairs of pliers (3, 5) for sealing and handling with a mutually opposite reciprocating movement.

Abstract: A vertical pillow type form-fill-seal packaging machine with transverse sealers incorporates a timing controller for adjusting the timing for clamping a tubularly formed film with the sealers such that articles being dropping in to be packaged will not be caught in between. A display device displays a time axis or parallel axes. along which markers indicate the times of arrival of the falling articles to be packaged and the sealers at the clamping position for the sealers. As the user moves the marker for indicating the arrival time of the sealers, the timing controller adjusts the operating mode of the sealers such that the sealers will clamp the film at the time specified by the user according to the displayed time of arrival of the articles.

Abstract: A vertical pillow type form-fill-seal packaging machine with transverse sealers incorporates a timing controller for adjusting the timing for clamping a tubularly formed film with the sealers such that articles being dropping in to be packaged will not be caught in between. A display device displays a time axis or parallel axes along which markers indicate the times of arrival of the falling articles to be packaged and the sealers at the clamping position for the sealers. As the user moves the marker for indicating the arrival time of the sealers, the timing controller adjusts the operating mode of the sealers such that the sealers will clamp the film at the time specified by the user according to the displayed time of arrival of the articles.

Abstract: Coffee dispensing and packaging machine, comprising a container for the grained coffee and a mill for the same coffee, in which the container (7) is subdivided in a plurality of separate rooms (8, 9) containing respectively grained coffee of different types, and is joined at the lower side thereof with at least an additional container (21), subdivided in first and second room portions (28, 29; 30, 31), respectively utilized for metering the grained coffee and grinding thereof. Such first and second room portions (28, 29; 30, 31) are provided with movable gates (24, 25, 26, 27) for metering and grinding the grained coffee and a discharge conduit (41) of the ground coffee. Machine comprising also a plurality of bags (42) in which the ground coffee is introduced.

Abstract: A desiccant feeder system comprising, a reservoir for desiccant canisters, means for delivering the canisters through a transfer tube to at a loading station, means for presenting the open end of containers one at a time at the loading station, means for circulating air at high velocity through the tubing including an adjustable internal ring-shaped nozzle to deliver desiccant canisters from the reservoir to the loading station, and a shuttle selectively actuatable to discharge at least one desiccant cannister to the containers at the loading station.

Abstract: A desiccant feeder system comprising, a reservoir for desiccant canisters, means for delivering the canisters through a transfer tube to at a loading station, means for presenting the open end of containers one at a time at the loading station, means for circulating air at high velocity through the tubing including an adjustable internal ring-shaped nozzle to deliver desiccant canisters from the reservoir to the loading station, and a shuttle selectively actuatable to discharge at least one desiccant cannister to the containers at the loading station.

Abstract: A product such as a monitor is transferred by a transferring unit such as a conveyor, stopped at a working position, elevated to a packing position by an elevating unit, packed with packing material, such as with a vinyl cover, buffering materials and a box at the packing position, moved down to its original down position, and transferred to a subsequent process in the fabricating or process line. In addition, a cylinder is used for elevating the product to permit packing the product. A plurality of supporting bars are fixed to an elevating member installed at an end of a cylinder rod of the cylinder. Only the product, such as a monitor, loaded on a transferring member, such as a pallet, is moved up by the engaging operation of the supporting bars. For slidable insertion of the supporting bars, a plurality of insertion holes corresponding to the supporting bars are formed in the transferring member.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the operation of a packaging machine of the type which carries out the operations of causing a tube film placed around articles under transport to be cut and sealed between adjacent articles for being successively formed into bags, then causing individual bags, each with an article contained therein, to be conveyed forward by a delivery conveyor, causing the bags to be sequentially transferred from the delivery conveyor onto moving surface plates, causing each surface plate to be covered with a cover member, and then causing the interior of the cover member to be placed under a vacuum atmosphere while the open end of the bag is hermetically sealed. A bag sensor sequentially detects the passage of open ends of bags on the delivery conveyor, and a surface plate detecting sensor sequentially detects the passage of individual surface plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically applying trasfers to packages in any size of cartons, such as revenue stamps to cigarettes while in cartons. Initially, cigarette cartons of any size are loaded onto a conveyor belt where they are carried to the various stations of the apparatus. The apparatus is automatically adjustable to any size of carton by means of photoelectric cells. As the cartons are pushed through the apparatus, an improved plow head opens the cigarette cartons in preparation for stamping. Just before stamping, any improperly opened cartons are automatically ejected. An improved stamp indexer scans the stamps photoelectrically so a motor advances the correct number of stamps so that waste is reduced and defective stamping is avoided. Next, a gluing station applies glue to ensure that flaps stay down when the cartons are reclosed. Finally, the cartons are discharged onto a conveyor where a packing station aligns them and pushes them row by row into a case for shipment.

Abstract: A detection apparatus is provided in a form, fill and seal operation to detect the position of sealing jaws with respect to one another during the sealing process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a food tray film wrapping machine having an improved film feeding mechanism particularly adapted to feeding pre-printed film from a continuous roll and assuring proper registration of the printing on the film-wrapped tray, including a receiving position for a large film roll provided with a pair of rollers for cradling the film roll, a film feed motor separate from the main wrapping machine motor, an automatic motor control responsive to optical sensors for sensing an index mark on the film sheet and for sensing the presence of a food tray at the machine wrapping station to stop and start the film feed motor, a perforating knife positioned adjacent the index mark sensor for perforating the film on a line across the film without separating it, and an arrangement of a filmfolding arm with gripping means for the film whereby the film sheet is separated at the perforation line as the folding arm tucks the trailing edge of the film sheet at the wrapping station under the food tray.

Abstract: Individual beverage containers 16 are transported by conveyor track 14A to conveyor track 14B, along which they are advanced by parallel chains 34 and 36 carrying flight bars 44. Trays 26 to receive containers 16 are advanced by an inclined conveyor track 24B having projections 30 to engage the trays. A plurality of support members 130 are disposed at the downstream end of track 14B to introduce the containers into the trays. Special trays are used having a plurality of structural members on their inner wall surfaces to define recessed regions between the structural members into which the curved surfaces of the containers fit so that they are held upright.

Abstract: A packaging machine of the type, in which products are inserted into the gap between two halves of center-folded film. The machine comprises two sealers. The first sealer cuts and heat-seals the center-folded film along a line extending at right angles to the fold of the film, thereby forming a bag containing a product. The second sealer heat-seals each bag at the open side thereof which extends parallel to the fold of the film. The machine further comprises a clamper and an evacuator. The clamper clamps the open side of the bag before the bag is sealed completely. The removes air from the bag through the clamper before the bag is sealed completely.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading trays with cut product typically meat chops is described, comprising a delivery conveyor (22) onto which are delivered the pieces of cut product (76) in sequence for movement to a delivery station (26), a tray conveyor (32) extending transversely to the delivery conveyor (22) and adapted to deliver in succession each of a plurality of trays (90) to the delivery station to receive cut product, and a product detector (94, 96) at the delivery station to detect the passage of each piece of cut product therethrough. The tray conveyor drive (230) operates in response to the detection of cut pieces by the detector (94, 96) to move the tray conveyor through a small amount sufficient to present the next available region of a tray to the delivery station, to receive the next piece of cut product so as to fill each tray in turn. A transfer conveyor (34) downstream from the delivery station moves the filled trays away from the delivery station.

Abstract: A system for packing containers, such as beverage containers, into corresponding transport trays is comprised of a first conveyor track on which the containers are transported and a second conveyor track on which the trays are transported. A portion of the second conveyor track is inclined with respect to the first conveyor track so that the first and the second tracks converge at a predetermined location. A plurality of relatively flat, elongated support members are mounted at the downstream end of the first track adjacent to the predetermined location for journally supporting a discrete group of containers while the containers are being packed into the corresponding tray.

Abstract: A system and method for packing containers, such as beverage containers, into a transport tray is comprised of a first conveyor track on which the containers are transported and a second conveyor track on which the trays are transported. A portion of the second conveyor track is inclined with respect to the first conveyor track so that the first and second tracks converge at a predetermined location. A packing ramp is pivotally mounted at the downstream end of the first track adjacent to the predetermined location at which the two tracks converge. The packing ramp is moved upwardly to an inclined position when the ramp is in contact with either the leading or the trailing edge of a tray. The containers are packed into the tray in sequence from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the tray while the tray is on the inclined portion of the second track. A plurality of sensors, such as photoeyes, is used in conjunction with a computer to control the operation of the system.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for wrapping articles, in particular for wrapping reams of paper in a sheet of wrapping material such as paper or the like.

Abstract: A method and device fills sheet-like blanks, such as folded box blanks, into a container on the edge of the blanks to form a stack or row therein. The method and device utilizes a feed unit for removing blanks from a flow of shingled blanks one at a time and inserting them into a conveyor which transports them to a filling unit that inserts them one at a time on edge in a row or stack in the container. The device includes a control arrangement including various sensors, one for determining the presence of blank at the filling unit, one for detecting of the position of a surface on which the blanks are being placed and one for determining a position of a side wall of the container.

Abstract: A device for applying a wrapping tape (14) around an object (2), comprising a substantially closed trough (6) surrounding a support (1) for the object (2) to be wrapped, said trough (6) being adapted for guiding the tape (14) to be wrapped which is driven through said trough (6) by means of an air flow, clamping means (9) for temporarily retaining the free tape end (21), said trough (6) being adapted to be opened thereafter for releasing said tape (14), means (26; 25; 30) for tightening said tape (14) around said object (2) and returning it towards a buffer storage (19), means (19; 24) for attaching said tape end (21) to the opposite tape part and cutting loose the latter, means (22; 26) for refilling said storage (19) to the maximally required tape length, and control means for controlling said sequence of operations.

Abstract: A system for in-line processing of envelopes and the like includes a first upstanding feed hopper for feeding primary rectangular envelopes through a first printer press operative to print predetermined indicia on the primary envelopes after which they are conveyed in the direction of their major longitudinal axes through an inserter station operative to insert special event envelopes between selected ones of the primary envelopes. The primary and insert envelopes are conveyed in-line past an ink jet type printer operative to print particular customer data on each successive envelope making up a set, followed by automatic collating and insertion of sets of envelopes into cartons. A pulse encoder and photoelectric sensors cooperate with various elements of the system and an electronic data processor to effect automatic high speed operation of the system.