Abstract: A system for semi-automatically closing flexible containers includes a continuous deformable web and a semi-automatic device for closing containers with the web. The device includes a frame having a slot for receiving an open end of one container at a time, feeding means for feeding the web, web cutting means and deforming and closing means. The web has labels integrally joined thereto at a substantially constant distance from each other, to thereby form a labeled web having a predetermined cross section. The cutting means are configured to cut the web into sections whose length is equal to the distance and to form labeled clips with the labels located halfway of the sections, The deforming and closing means are coordinated with the cutting means to deform and close each labeled clip around the open end of one container at a time while keeping the labels centered on each container.

Abstract: A device for processing a continuous web includes a feed station for feeding the web in a feed direction towards a cutting station for cutting the web to a cutting length into individual segments of web that are disc-shaped. A further feed station feeds each segment. A first cutting unit cuts the web into the segments and a second cutting unit includes a cutting element configured to sever the web across a full width in a direction transverse to the feed direction. A drive unit is configured to issue a command to move the cutting element from a non-operating position, where the web is fed by the feed station to the first cutting unit through the second cutting unit, to an operating position, where the web is severed by the cutting element to interrupt feeding of the web to the first cutting unit.

Abstract: A rotary impulse sealer includes a roller having a roller body and a plurality of seal bars extending radially outwardly from the roller and spaced apart around the roller body. At least one of the seal bars has a body and a selectively heatable heating element extending along at least a part of a length of the seal bar body. The roller is rotatable through a pre-heating pressure application region in which the at least one seal bar is adapted to apply pressure to a bond area of the bondable material, followed by a heating region in which the at least one seal bar is adapted to heat the bond area, wherein the at least one seal bar and tensioned belt are configured to sandwich the bondable material directly between the at least one seal bar and tensioned belt during the pre-heating pressure application region and the heating region.

Abstract: Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stretch-hood machine configured to optimize reefing device lateral movement and unwinding speed during film stretching to minimize reefing device travel distance and wear on the actuators that move the reefing devices and to reduce the possibility of damaging the film during stretching.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a frame, a lower tool engaged with the frame and configured to receive one or more supports, and an upper tool configured to engage a film portion with at least one support. The lower tool is movable relative to the frame at least between: a packaging position, in which the lower tool is aligned with the upper tool, and a loading position spaced from the packaging position in which the lower tool is configured to receive said support. The packaging apparatus comprises a barrier configured to intercept the package during the movement of the lower tool from the packaging position to the loading position.

Abstract: A mobile packaging system and method to increase the efficiency of the picking and packaging process of items to be shipped from a warehouse or similar facility. A mobile packaging cart that is moved to a location adjacent to the storage location of the item to be packaged. The item to be packaged is retrieved from the storage location and identified, packaged, and the package is labeled at the location by the subsystems of the mobile packaging cart. The completed packages are stored on the mobile packaging cart until being unloaded for shipping from, or further processing within, the facility.

Abstract: Systems and processes for packing complementary articles of footwear into a container are disclosed. The processes can include utilizing a reusable packing sheet positioned underneath complementary articles of footwear to transfer the complementary articles of footwear into a container. The processes can also include removing the reusable packing sheet from underneath the complementary articles of footwear while the complementary articles of footwear remain positioned in the container. Additional processes can include aligning and sizing complementary articles of footwear for packing in a container.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product are provided that utilize wrap profiles that specify controlled wrap cycle interruptions to handle specialized load requirements for loads to be wrapped by a stretch wrapping machine. Also provided is a method of creating wrap profiles, and a plurality of wrap profiles are stored in a database.

Abstract: A wrapping assembly includes: a material roll that holds a roll of wrapping material; a duckbill assembly including a duckbill carrying a duckbill roll that draws material from a roll of wrapping material held by the material roll, the duckbill being movable between a first position and a second position; a duckbill actuator coupled to the duckbill that moves the duckbill between the first position and the second position; a variable brake associated with the material roll that applies a variable braking force to the material roll; and a controller operatively coupled to the duckbill actuator and the brake. The controller determines that a load on the duckbill actuator exceeds a threshold value and outputs a brake reduction signal to the brake so the brake reduces applied braking force to the material roll when the load on the duckbill actuator exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. A test apparatus may be used to evaluate packaging material using a take up drum capable of sensing containment force imparted upon the drum by packaging material applied thereto, and in some instances, simulated flaws may be formed in a web of packaging material to evaluate a packaging materials response to such flaws when under tension.

Abstract: Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a strapping apparatus for strapping articles to be packaged with a strapping band. The strapping apparatus includes a band detection device configured to indicate that the band is in a non-positionally correct and/or a positionally correct position, depending on the embodiment.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product control a dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser of a stretch wrapping apparatus by utilizing a combination of a sensed rate of packaging material exiting the dispenser and a predicted geometric relationship between the packaging material dispenser and the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a round baler having a bale chamber in which a round bale can be produced, and a wrapping device with which a completely pressed round bale can be wrapped with a first plastic film in the bale chamber, and a feed device for feeding the first plastic film into the bale chamber. The round baler also includes a feed point at which the first plastic film can be fed to the bale chamber, and an ultrasonic sensor which is arranged at the bale chamber. The ultrasonic sensor is arranged at the bale chamber in such a way that with the ultrasonic sensor it is possible to determine whether the first plastic film is present on a surface of the round bale. The invention also relates to a detection method for detecting a first plastic film on a surface of a round bale.

Abstract: A round baler includes a bale chamber in which a round bale can be produced, and a wrapping device with which a completely pressed round bale can be wrapped with a first film in the bale chamber, and a feed device for introducing the first film into the bale chamber. The round baler also includes a feed point at which the first film can be fed to the bale chamber, and an ultrasonic sensor which is arranged at the bale chamber. The ultrasonic sensor is arranged at the bale chamber in such a way that with the ultrasonic sensor it is possible to determine whether the film is present on a surface of the round bale.

Abstract: Devices and method for accurately measuring the length of film feeding into a pre-stretch carriage from a supply roll and the length of film exiting after the pre-stretch carriage in order to accurately determine the actual percentage of film stretch occurring during the wrap cycle are provided. A first idler roller mounted on the frame of a pre-stretch carriage before the pre-stretching rollers and second idler roller mounted to the frame after the pre-stretching rollers are included. Optical rotary encoders are driven directly by idler roller shafts as stretch film passes around the shafts during film application. Systems including internet of things (HOT) devices can be fitted or retro fitted to a wide variety of stretch wrapping machines.

Abstract: A method for producing beverage containers includes the steps of: delivering plastic parisons to a transforming device; transforming the plastic parisons into plastic containers using the transforming device; transporting the plastic containers to a filling device; filling the plastic containers with a liquid using the filling device, and closing the filled containers with closures. Product changeover from one product to another is facilitated.

Abstract: A sealing machine having a movable carriage assembly which utilizes a counterbalance and two servo motors is disclosed. The counterbalance allows high throughput operation without excessive mechanical vibration. The use of two servo motors allows independent control of the horizontal movement of the movable carriage assembly and the vertical movement of the jaws. The use of two servo motors also allows adaptation to articles or packages of various dimensions. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is used to detect the position of the package to be sealed, and the movement of the movable carriage assembly and the jaw is altered based on the detected position.

Abstract: A database device stores a plurality of data records comprising package parameters, each data record corresponding to a unique URL. Each unique URL corresponds to one of a plurality of different, unique, individual scannable codes printed on individual packages so that each data record corresponds to a scannable code which corresponds to an individual package. A parameter portal provides to the database device individual package parameters which correspond to an individual scannable code on each individual package. An access portal provides selective access to at least some of the individual package parameters stored in the database device based on the unique URL. Systems, methods, databases, and computer readable media storing computer executable instructions for individualized product packages are provided. An enabler processor provides the codes and a loader processor linked to the enabler processor populates a selectively accessible database with information corresponding to the code.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing containers may include a transport unit which transports the containers along a specified transport path, at least one handling unit which handles the containers in a specified manner, a closing unit which is located downstream of the handling unit in a transport direction of the containers and which fits closure tops onto the containers, and a feeding unit which feeds the closure tops to the closing unit. An inspection unit may be provided upstream of the feeding unit in a transport direction of the closure tops. The inspection unit inspects the closure tops and emits at least one signal which is characteristic of the physical condition of the closure tops.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine includes a vertical sealing mechanism, a first film detection sensor, and a controller. The vertical sealing mechanism has a horn, an anvil, and an ultrasonic transmitter. The vertical sealing mechanism sandwiches a cylindrical film conveyed by a pull-down belt mechanism, by the horn and the anvil, and seals the cylindrical film by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the cylindrical film. The first film detection sensor detects whether the cylindrical film is sandwiched by the horn and the anvil. The controller stops the ultrasonic transmitter in a circumstance in which the first film detection sensor detects that the cylindrical film is not sandwiched by the horn and the anvil.

Abstract: A system for packaging a food product including a conveying system for supporting and moving the food product. The system includes a detection device for collecting data related to the shape of the food product while the food product is supported by the conveying system. The system also includes a film dispensing device for dispensing one of a plurality of different films. A controller configured to direct the film dispensing device to select one of the plurality of films for dispensing. The system also includes a wrapping device for wrapping the food product in the selected film.

Abstract: An embossing device comprises a first embossing roller and a second embossing roller forming a passage for a strip of wrapping material to be embossed; the first embossing roller comprises on its surface a tooth set to imprint a pattern and an imprinting system to imprint a reference on the strip to identify a section of the strip: the imprinting system comprises an area without teeth in the tooth set, extending along a sheaf of directrices of the first roller for forming on the strip a non-embossed band in the pattern; the imprinting system comprises a second tooth set lying on the sheaf of directrices to imprint an embossed mark on the strip in the non-embossed band.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic filling are provided. The system includes a drive assembly and a source of bladders to be filled wherein the bladders are joined in serial arrangement to a feeding web. The web is configured to be moved through the system using the drive assembly. The system further includes a nozzle configured to receive a flow of filling fluid and direct the flow of fluid into each bladder in turn and a closure device positioned proximate the nozzle wherein the closure device is configured to secure each bladder when filled such that each bladder remains filled after discharge from the system. The system also includes a trigger assembly configured to activate the closure device at a predetermined level of filling of each bladder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection device (10) for the use in a hag filling plant (100) to detect an overlapping section (230) of a film web (200) between an end of a film web (212) of a film in use (210) and a start of a film web (222) of a subsequent film (220), comprising a first film roll (20) and a second film roll (30), which contact the film web (200) on side areas (202) aligned opposite each other, and form a conveyer gap (40) for the film web (200) with the first film roll (20) being supported mobile in reference to the second film roll (30), in order to alter the conveyer gap (40), and with a sensor device (50) being arranged for the detection of the motion of the first conveyer roll (20).

Abstract: A round module builder for forming a round module. The round module builder comprising a first module-forming portion configured to receive a crop. A second module-forming portion is pivotally coupleable to the first module-forming portion. The first module-forming portion and the second module-forming portion are configured to rotate the crop into the round module. A wrapping device is coupleable to at least one of the first module-forming portion and the second module-forming portion. The wrapping device is configured to position a wrap onto the round module. A wrap indication device is coupleable to at least one of the first module-forming portion and the second module-forming portion. The wrap indication device is configured to measure an indication of the wrap on the round module.

Abstract: A method for operating a system for treating containers, where the containers are treated by at least one first treatment unit of the system, and the containers are treated by at least one additional treatment unit of the system, and where a measuring device, determines, either after or during the treatment in the first treatment unit, at least one parameter that is characteristic of the geometric shape of the containers, where at least one of the parameters determined by the measuring device that is characteristic of the geometric shape of the containers is taken into account for the control or adjustment of the at least one additional treatment unit and/or sensors thereof disposed after the measuring device.

Abstract: The medicament dispensing machine enables to use vials having various sizes and shapes without changing a part in the machine or without performing a special operation. The medicament dispensing machine contains a discharging unit that receives a vial filled with a medicament from a medicament filling means and discharges out of a vial discharging window. The discharging unit contains a vial gripping means having a pair of gripping arms that grip a vial, a body of gripping means having the vial gripping means, a moving means that moves the vial gripping means from the medicament filling means to the vial discharging window, and an orientation changing mechanism that changes the orientation of the body of gripping means. With a coordination of the movement of the body of gripping means toward the vial discharging window, the orientation changing mechanism makes the gripping arms orient to the vial discharging window.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions utilizes a controller adapted for acquiring information from preconfigured film material and automatically setting one or more operation parameters suitable for inflating and sealing the film. The controller can avoid or limit the need for user input, thus simplifying use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus and method utilize a corner geometry-based wrap control that controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed at least in part based on the geometrical relationship between one or more corners of a load and a packaging material dispenser.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus and method utilize a corner rotation angle-based wrap control that controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed based on the rotational position of one or more corners of the load during relative rotation established between the load and a packaging material dispenser. The locations of one or more corners on a load may be sensed or otherwise calculated, and when combined with a sensed or calculated rotational position of the load relative to a packaging material dispenser, the locations of the corners relative to the packaging material dispenser may be determined and utilized to control the dispense rate of the packaging material dispenser, e.g., by determining which corner is currently driving an effective consumption rate of the load and/or determining when to apply a controlled intervention to the load.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus and method utilize an effective circumference-based wrap speed model that dynamically controls the rate at which packaging material is dispensed based on an effective circumference of a load during relative rotation established between the load and a packaging material dispenser. The effective circumference of a load may be indicative of an effective consumption rate of the load, and may refer to a dimension or size of a tangent circle that is substantially centered at the center of rotation of the load and substantially tangent to a line substantially extending between a first point proximate to where the packaging material exits the dispenser and a second point proximate to where the packaging material engages the load.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating and sealing packing cushions utilizes a controller adapted for acquiring information from preconfigured film material and automatically setting one or more operation parameters suitable for inflating and sealing the film. The controller can avoid or limit the need for user input, thus simplifying use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically adjusting the placement of internal content material to optimally position the content material relative to a wrapped enclosure, and obviate the requirement to out-sort the assembled envelope. Upon assembly, a detection system visually images each envelope in predetermined regions of interest (ROIs). A controller captures the image data for comparison with a set of predefined position data and issues a feedback signal indicative of a directional change which drives an error signal to zero. The correction signal is used by the phase nip roller assembly to adaptively adjust the position of the content material by incrementally adjusting, advancing or retarding, the phase-nip roller assembly, i.e., forward or aft. A predefined number of envelopes is selected to acquire a running average of the image data.

Abstract: A product roll packaging apparatus includes a transfer unit for lifting and transferring a product roll from a conveyor, a wrapping unit for wrapping a protective sheet around the roll and attaching an end thereof with an adhesive tape, a protective sheet supply unit for cutting off the sheet from a sheet roll and supplying it along a protective sheet path line to the wrapping unit, and a tape supply unit for supplying the tape to the end of the cut sheet. The transfer unit includes a position correcting mechanism for establishing a reference line depending on the roll size, and bringing a reference end face of the roll into alignment with a vertical plane including the reference line. The protective sheet supply unit includes an edge position control mechanism for bringing a reference edge of the sheet into alignment with the reference line corresponding to the roll size.

Abstract: Loading caps suitable to mount to product chutes for rucking sleeves of covering material onto a chute body include a conical or frustoconical upper portion.

Abstract: A bale wrapping system for wrapping a bale while maintaining independent control over both the sensor and brake assemblies. The bale wrapping system generally includes a support frame to secure a roll of wrapping material to a baler, a brake assembly secured to the support frame, wherein the brake assembly is adapted to brake a rotation of the roll of wrapping material, and a sensor assembly secured to the support frame, wherein the sensor assembly includes a sensor wheel adapted to measure an amount of outputted wrapping material. The brake assembly and the sensor assembly operate independent of each other with respect to the roll of wrapping material and the support frame. The support frame may be retrofitted to an existing baler through a coupler and a bracket extending from an elongated rod connecting opposing sides of the support frame.

Abstract: A tape closure device for securing the neck of a bag with a tape closure includes an automated control system, a tape feed assembly configured to provide a continuous length of tape and a closure application assembly. The closure application assembly also includes an encoder wheel that outputs to the automated control system a signal representative of the length of tape provided to the closure application assembly from the tape feed assembly during the closure cycle. The tape closure device further includes a motorized cutting member that is connected to the automated control system and configured for selective activation by the automated control system in response to the signal provided by the encoder wheel. The selective activation of the motorized cutting member allows the tape closure device to create a tape closure that based on the length of tape drawn into the closure application assembly.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping a product with a plastic film including a supporting frame with which a ring arrangement is associated that rotates around a wrapping axis of the film and around the product. The supporting frame further supports a carriage arranged for supporting a reel of the film and for supporting a first roller and a second roller for unwinding and stretching the film. A first motor and a second motor are mounted on the supporting frame and coupled, respectively, with the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: The medicament dispensing machine enables to use vials having various sizes and shapes without changing a part in the machine or without performing a special operation. The medicament dispensing machine contains a discharging unit that receives a vial filled with a medicament from a medicament filling means and discharges out of a vial discharging window. The discharging unit contains a vial gripping means having a pair of gripping arms that grip a vial, a body of gripping means having the vial gripping means, a moving means that moves the vial gripping means from the medicament filling means to the vial discharging window, and an orientation changing mechanism that changes the orientation of the body of gripping means. With a coordination of the movement of the body of gripping means toward the vial discharging window, the orientation changing mechanism makes the gripping arms orient to the vial discharging window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing pattern or indicia onto a gelatin ribbon. It comprises a transfer station with a print roll and a motor-driven casting roll provided for forming a gelatin ribbon. The transfer station is positioned in relation to the casting roll in such a way that the gelatin ribbon is sandwiched between the casting roll and the transfer station; elastic tackiness of a passing gelatin ribbon causes the rotation of the print roll. The apparatus further comprises an adjustment means, wherein the adjustment means are adapted to provide finely-tuned positioning of the transfer station in relation to the casting drum, and balance pressure exerted by the transfer station on the passing gelatin ribbon thus facilitating on optimal printing result.

Abstract: A machine for packaging multiple containers wherein a flexible carrier stock is fed across a jaw drum. A plurality of containers are also moved through the machine whereby the carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers so that flexible carrier stock engages with one of the containers to form a package. The jaw drum and/or a connected feed drum are preferably adjustable to accommodate a range of container sizes and carrier configurations.

Abstract: There is provided a medicine dispensing system configured such that a medicine dispensing device includes a sub unit having a function to dispense medicine that is connected to a medicine dispensing device that includes a main unit having a function of packing medicines. There is also provided a medicine dispensing device that can be appropriately integrated with such a medicine dispensing system. The medicine dispensing system includes, in some embodiments a main unit, a sub unit and a transfer device connecting the main unit and the sub unit. The medicine dispensing system transfers the medicine dispensed in the sub unit to the main unit by means of a transfer device and dispenses the medicine at a medicine packing part together with the medicine dispensed from a main storage part in the main unit.

Abstract: A method and machine for folding sheets of packing material about respective groups of cigarettes to form respective packages, and wherein a web of packing material is first fed through a control station for detecting the position of a reference mark made on the web at a work station upstream from the control station, and is then fed through a cutting station where the web is cut into sheets of packing material, each of which is fed to a packing station where each sheet of packing material is folded about the respective group of cigarettes.

Abstract: Method for allocating product carriers and a food processing device The present invention relates to a method for allocating product carriers (13, 14), in particular L-boards, to certain types of product portions (7) of a food product, in particular stacks (6) of slices (5) of a food product (4). During processing of the product portions (7), at least two different product carriers (13, 14) are available, of which a specific product carrier (13, 14) is respectively combined with the product portion (7) in dependency of a property of a product portion (7). Furthermore, the invention relates to a food processing device.

Abstract: A machine (1) for the manufacture of bags, having a support element (2, 3, 4) for detachably coupling a corresponding portable storage (22, 33, 44) of a consumable material (22a, 33a, 44a) from which the bags are made and mechanical mechanism for making bags from the material. A remote reading mechanism (5) is provided for reading the information stored in a radiofrequency tag (6, 7, 8) included in the portable storage, as well as a control unit (18) which contains a mechanism for obtaining information from the radiofrequency tag, which allows identifying the type of consumable material coupled in the support element, and for automatically generating a signal for controlling the mechanical mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for the packaging of articles into flexible plastic bags supplies a continuous web formed by two flat superimposed layers to a fill-in station and the web is cut transversally to form web lengths of the desired length. The upper edges of the web lengths are grasped and spread apart to introduce articles, while contemporaneously the presence/absence of such edges is detected to automatically allow or inhibit the operation of the apparatus, respectively.

Abstract: A device for feeding a web of a packaging material along a path and towards an application station; wherein the packaging material comprises a plurality of pre-laminated holes at which application station applies respective opening devices. The device comprises an advancing mechanism for advancing the web along a first direction parallel to path; a sensor for generating a plurality of measure signals associated to the positions of pre-laminated holes; and a first motor controllable on the basis of measure signals. The first motor is operatively connected to the advancing mechanism for moving the advancing mechanism along a second direction transversal to path.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a bale wrap mechanism is configured to wrap a bale with a pre-tensioned wrap material and include a wrap material dispensing mechanism and a wrap material tensioning mechanism. The dispensing mechanism is configured to provide wrap material to a rotating bale in a baling chamber, and the tension mechanism is configured to pretension the wrap material by manipulating the speed of the meshwrap supply relative to the speed of the rotating bale in accordance with a predetermined scheme. The tensioning mechanism may include a brake to manipulate a material wrap payoff roll and a controller to manipulate the brake. A user interface may be used to provide a desired scheme to the controller, such as a desired tension.