Abstract: A sterile product packaging system includes a bottle filling/stoppering machine housed within a sterile environment and a bottle capping machine housed within a non-sterile environment separated by a partition wall from the sterile room. Each of the filling/stoppering machine and capping machine has a belt conveyor associated therewith for moving bottles to and from the machines, each belt conveyor residing entirely within the respective sterile and non-sterile rooms. A transfer conveyor system is provided to transfer bottles from the filling/stoppering machine belt conveyor, through the opening in the partition wall, to the capping machine belt conveyor. The transfer conveyor system includes a lead screw formed of an elongated shank having a continuous spiral thread along its length. A transfer plate overlaps the ends of the two belt conveyors, and is situated beneath and substantially contiguous with the lead screw.

Abstract: A vacuum means for detecting transverse seal areas dividing unsealed areas in adjacent plies of a moving, multiple ply web includes vacuum ports defining a gap through which the web moves. Unsealed web areas are sucked against the ports. When a sealed area enters the gap, it is sucked to one or the other port, uncovering the opposite port. The ensuing pressure differential is sensed to indicate a seal entering or passing the gap. Seal signals are produced and used to control accurate cutting at the seals to separate the web into individual pouches. Control and circuitry apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An automated tube filling machine and process having a plurality of work stations, a rotating disc to deliver the tubes to the work stations and a central processing unit to control implementation of the work stations and rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A packaging machine and method of packaging utilizing chains of interconnected preopened bags which are fed sequentially and one at a time to a load station. Bag tops are clamped against spreading horns by sensor equipped clamps which cause disablement of a bag filling mechanism unless a bag is properly located at the load station. A bag spreading and transfer mechanism spreads a loaded bag and transfers it to a bag closure station for sealing. The mechanism includes bag-supporting structures for supporting the bag during loading transfer and sealing and for expelling a completed package from the machine.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the feeding and placing of a preformed cover(44) on a linearly advancing preformed container(130), said improved apparatus being automatically operated in response to an "on-demand" condition, said improved apparatus including a frame assembly(12), an inclined hopper assembly(14), a cover separating assembly(16), a transfer chute assembly (18) an infeed conveyor assembly(20), and a cover seating assembly(22). This improved apparatus may also provide selective orientation of a pour spout or bung located in a circular cover.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises an aseptic chamber having a required packaging work space as separated from the outside air, a container outlet and a closure for the outlet, an inner container conveyor disposed inside the chamber to provide an inner path of transport of containers, an outer container conveyor disposed outside the chamber to provide an outer path of transport of containers, a fixed transfer member interposed between the outlet and the terminal end of the inner transport path, a movable transfer member interposed between the outlet and the starting end of the outer transport path and movable about its front end upward to a raised position or downward to a horizontal position, and means for successively forwarding containers on the fixed transfer member from its rear end to the front end thereof and then delivering the containers from the front end to the rear end of the movable transfer member in the horizontal position.

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: Apparatus and methods for removing overlapping material such as occurs in wrinkles and folds in the open edge of a pliable package, such as plastic prior to sealing the package. The apparatus includes a set of transport belts which grip the open edges of the package and move them in a selected direction of travel. The open package edges then encounter a set of opposing programmable pinch wheels before the trailing edge of the package leaves the first set of transport wheels. The pinch wheels have a rate of rotation selected to move the package edge along the direction of travel at a speed faster than that provided by the transport belts. Consequently, the leading package edge is pulled taut. Subsequent to the trailing edge of the package leaving the transport belt, the leading edge of the open package edges encounters a second set of transport wheels which also move the package edge in the selected direction of travel.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sequential loading of a plurality of cartons with articles, such as plastic bags and the like, and more particularly, an indexing system for such an apparatus to increase the rate of feed of the cartons to bag-loading stations which are contained in the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring sample holders to and from workstations positioned along a transfer path, including an entrance support having a first transfer for supplying the sample holders to the transfer path, an exit support for receiving the sample holders from the transfer path, a second transfer for transferring the sample holders along the transfer path past the workstations and a controller for coordinating the actuation of the first and second transfers and the workstations.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system is provided for a container filling line having an in-feed conveyor for conveying empty containers, a multiple-valve rotary fill station supplied by the in-feed conveyor for filling the containers, a multi-head closer station for closing the then-filled containers, a discharge station for discharging the filled and closed containers to a take-away conveyor, the take-away conveyor not being cynchronized with the in-feed conveyor, the operation of the filler station and the operation of the closer station, the monitoring and control system including means at the discharge station for generating a first signal responsive to each container passing the discharge station, a detection station provided at a location on the take-away conveyor spaced from the discharge station for detecting one or more characteristics of a container passing thereby, means at the detection station for generating a second signal responsive to each container passing the detection station, means for generati

Abstract: A method of operating a packaging line comprises the following steps:(a) sensing the absence and presence of an operationally sufficient quantity of wrapper sheet supply for a bag making station of the packaging line;(b) sensing the absence and presence of an operationally sufficient quantity of bulk material supply in a metering and filling station of the packaging line;(c) sensing the absence and presence of the bags on a first conveying lane of the packaging line;(d) sensing the quantity of the bags on a second, accumulating conveying lane which adjoins the first conveying lane and receives the filled and closed bags therefrom, to determine a receptiveness or non-receptiveness of the second conveying lane;(e) allowing a start-up of the packaging line only if the sensing steps (a) and (b) determine a presence of bags on the first conveying lane and the sensing step (d) determines a receptiveness of the second conveying lane; and(f) allowing the stoppage of the packaging line only if the sensing step (c) det

Abstract: A machine for applying a twist-type tie to the neck of a bag has a path and sets of endless belts which come together at a nip along the path to propel a bag neck which passes into the nip forwardly to a tying zone in the path. Here a twist-type ribbon crosses the path and is secured at its end in a holder. An endless chain carries a pusher tab up to the tying zone behind the bag neck, causing the bag neck to gather behind and deflect the ribbon, then pauses, and thereafter resumes its forward motion to drive the bag neck out of the machine. During the pause a bag clamp secures the bag neck against a surface that is along the path and a needle lifts a portion of the ribbon upwardly behind the gathered bag neck and brings that portion of the ribbon to the holder so that the ribbon loops below the bag neck in the form of leading and trailing segments. While the needle is so extended, a twister hook gathers its leading and trailing segments and twists them together.

Abstract: An automatic bag-loading apparatus for placing valve bags onto the spouts of a bag-filling machine. The apparatus comprises a carousel with carrier arms equipped at their ends with grippers to grip and hold bags. Synchronizing means are mounted to the bag-filling machine to encounter the bag-carrying grippers and to guide them through appropriate channels towards the spouts, thereby synchronizing the relative speed between the bag-filling machine and the carousel.

Abstract: A barrel loader for a cartoner having a product conveyor and a carton conveyor. A plurality of pusher heads are carried on two spaced endless chains. A cam track between the chains cooperates with cam followers on the heads to cam the heads toward the product conveyor to thrust product into the cartons. A switch on the cam track diverts a pusher head from the cam track upon detecting the absence of a carton with which the pusher head is associated.

Abstract: This disclosure illustrates and describes an electronic program control for controlling the filling operation for cartons supplied by one turret mechanism having a plurality of equally spaced mandrels to a compartmented conveyor which carries the cartons in pairs beneath a pair of filler nozzles. The electronic program control includes the switches, AND gates, shift registers and flip flops required to assure that, in the event a carton is missing for any reason from a conveyor compartment, the appropriate filler nozzle will not be actuated.

Abstract: A plug driving apparatus comprising an annular rotary receiver stand for receiving containers, the receiver stand having container placing portions disposed at a plurality of locations thereon in circular arrangement, plug driver heads disposed individually above said placing portions, each of the heads having a sucker portion for sucking and retaining thereon plugs, a plurality of plug pick-up means, each having a retractable hooked portion adapted to be extended to and retracted from a point right beneath the plug driver head, fixed plug-feeder means for feeding plugs to the hooked portion, the plug driver head being adapted to be raised and lowered between an intermediate position where the sucker portion thereof sucks and retains thereon a plug held in the hooked portion and a lower position where plug driving operation is carried out and an upper limit of movement of the driver head.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic filling of bags at a discharge spout of a filling hopper wherein empty bags are stored in a bag magazine in a horizontal position, the apparatus including an attachment unit hub, a frame pivotably mounted on the hub, a suction device mounted on the frame for individually removing each bag from the bag magazine and for swinging the removed bag into an essentially vertical hanging position and including a drum having suction mechanism, a spreading mechanism mounted on the frame for opening a respective bag mouth, and a holding device for holding each bag mouth tightly against the discharge spout, wherein the drum is mounted on the frame for horizontal movement and for rotation about an axis parallel to the surface of the stored bags and for movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stored bags upon pivoting of the frame about the attachment unit hub, such that the drum is lowered towards the stored bags so that the suction mechanism seizes the respective topmost bag of the

Abstract: An envelope flap opening apparatus 11 includes a suction cup 21 mounted on a slidable rotatable shaft 23. The shaft 23 both rotates the suction cup 21 so as to partially open an envelope flap 17 engaged thereby and advances the suction cup 21 alongside the travelling envelope 15 until the partially opened flap 17 passes beneath a stationary blade member 91 which fully opens the envelope flap 17.

Abstract: A no pouch - no fill device with a memory system is disclosed for controlling two spaced filling valve systems at sequentially filled products into a pouch when the pouch is at different filling stations in response to the detection of a properly opened pouch by a vacuum detection system located at a pouch opening station upstream of the two filling stations. If no pouch or an improperly positioned pouch is sensed at the opening station, the no pouch - no fill device will prevent actuation of the filling valve system when the absence or improperly positioned pouch eventually enters the filling stations.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a control member for opening and closing of the exit of a feed channel communicating a closure magazine and a closure transfer device, especially for apparatus for closing containers such as bottles and the like to which a closure is to be secured. The control member is controllable by means of an opto-electric sensor arrangement which is actuatable by a proximity switch which, in turn, is actuatable by a control cam. The sensor is arranged at such a distance away from the point of tangency of the pitch circles respectively prescribed by the transport wheel and the rotating securing devices, laterally of the transport path of the transport wheel and its beam is directed transverse to the transport path to strike a container held by the transport wheel to project from the upper side or the lower side thereof, such that the control member is retained in its open position when a container is sensed and, when the absence of a container is sensed, i.e.

Abstract: A tray indexing apparatus is disclosed for indexing trays containing rows of containers to be filled beneath a filler head. The apparatus includes means for supporting trays for movement along a predetermined path, means for indexing the supported trays beneath a filler head where the respective rows of containers are filled, and means for successively moving the supported trays along the predetermined path to a position for indexing by the indexing means and moving indexed, supported trays containing filled containers further along the predetermined path.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for spacing apart objects conveyed through an operation-performing machine provided with operating-performing means arranged in a predetermined operating zone along an object support surface. The device according to the invention comprises a pair of transverse pushers, which are disposed at the two sides of said support surface upstream of said operating zone and can be displaced from a rest position to a working position in which they are able to engage with opposite sides of the objects. Said pushers are suitably controlled by means sensitive to the position of the objects along said support surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic filling of plastic bags with, for example, elastic, soft and deformable contents. In order to provide for the automatic handling of empty bags without intermediate, especially manual, steps, the invention provides that the empty bags are attached by extending flaps to a plastic carrier web across a tear line. The apparatus of the invention places a quantity of goods into the bag by means of an axially moving filling piston which passes between spreadable jaws that hold the bag open. The continued motion of the filling piston eventually exerts a force sufficient to cause fracture along the tear line and separation of the filled bag from the flap which stays attached to the carrier web. The piston then moves the filled bag into position for sealing. A number of embodiments is presented.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling a bag that has a bag pick-up assembly movable from a pick-up position to pick up a flat folded bag from a magazine to a bag release position, a table for supporting the released bag in a generally horizontal condition, a bag opening assembly for grippingly engaging the mouth edge portions of the bag on the table and opening the bag mouth portion, the bag opening assembly including stationarily mounted lower vacuum cups on the table and vertically movable upper cups, a spout assembly for clampingly engaging an opened bag, transferring the clamped bag from a bag transfer position to a filled bag release position, discharge a weighed charge into the clamped bag, and release the filled bag, the spout assembly including spout jaws and bag holders to clamp the opened bag to the jaws, a bag transfer assembly for moving the opened bag on the table to the spout in the bag transfer position, the transfer assembly including a pair of fingers that are movable toward one another and into the bag that

Abstract: From the bottom of a vertical magazine, relatively large-sized stiffly flexible "Kwik Lok" bag closures (die stamped from 0.032" sheet polystyrene), and vertically stacked therein, compacted flatwise on each other, are individually power fed edge to edge sequentially along a rigid guide extending at a right angle forwardly from the bottom of the magazine and then dipping at its forward end to incline the front portion of the leading closure downward and thus facilitate manual insertion of a bunched polyethylene bag neck into a bag neck capturing aperture opening from the forward edge of the closure. The closures are fed one at a time from the magazine into the guide by a single revolution clutch which is triggered by each manual application to a bag neck of the forwardmost closure in the guide.

Abstract: An apparatus having a plurality of supports adapted to receive containers with portions of the containers spaced from their respective supports, an assembly mounting the supports in spaced relation to a first path of travel for movement along a second path of travel approaching the first path of travel, and a control system for individually detecting when the portions of the containers reach the first path of travel and thereupon terminating movement of their respective supports along the second path of travel.

Abstract: A loading system for loading articles into containers includes a container handling assembly and an article handling assemby, the paths of which intersect at a loading station. The container handling assembly carries a series of empty containers which it intermittently drives for moving the forwardmost one to the loading station while pushing a filled container from the loading station. The article handling assembly includes an input conveyor which moves the articles to a loading conveyor having alternating conveyor sections and window sections passing over the loading station. A platen carries a plurality of upwardly extending pins and is movable vertically between a receiving position with the pins disposed through complementary holes in the bottom of the container at the loading station and a depositing position wherein the pins are withdrawn from the openings in the container.

Abstract: A machine which drops flat articles such as flattened cartons into a case. The articles are delivered to a basket having a floor which can be opened. The basket is mounted for up and down movement. The case is mounted below the basket with its top open and can be held in position by vacuum cup means. When the stack has been formed, the flow of articles is halted and the basket can be lowered into close proximity to the open top of the case. The basket floor is opened to drop the stack into the case. If desired, two stack sections can be formed and dropped into a single case one after the other. When the stack has been dropped into the case, the basket is raised to free the basket from the case. The vacuum is released, and the case is then advanced laterally out of alignment with the basket. The case can then be raised by a lift table to a convenient height for inspection and, following inspection, can be discharged.

Abstract: An all purpose indexing device primarily for interrupting the motion of baking pans on a continuously moving conveyor, the baking pans having spaced indentations therein, comprising a U-shaped index bar pivotally mounted to fixed portion of the conveyor frame having a central crosspiece disposed across the conveyor, at least two indexing fingers extending downwardly from the crosspiece toward the conveyor and engagable with the indentations of a baking pan. Air cylinders are connected between the U-shaped index bar and the fixed portion of the conveyor frame at points adjacent respective lateral ends of the index bar. A sensing rod is pivotally mounted to the conveyor frame and disposed parallel to the index bar. A sensing finger is connected adjacent the middle of the sensing rod and extends downwardly towards the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and means are described for improving the feeding of closures and containers to a sealing machine. Sealing machines utilize container controlled trips for controlling the stop and start of the closure feed to the sealing section to synchronize the container and closure feeds. Means is provided for compensating the action of the container controlled trip in accordance with the operating speed of the sealing machine. This permits changes in the machine speed to occur or to be made while retaining the necessary synchronization of the cap and the container feeds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for inserting sheet material into a quantity of envelopes. The envelopes are conveyed in seriatim along a conveyor to an indexing drum. The envelopes are shingled and respectively overlap each other as they approach the drum. The indexing drum simultaneously receives one envelope from the conveyor, while discharging another envelope to an inserting deck. Each discharged envelope is restrained, and then sheet material is inserted therein. A sensor disposed upon the inserting deck, respectively senses each discharged envelope and provides a signal to actuate the inserting mechanism, and deactuate the indexing drive. When an inserted envelope leaves the deck, the sensor then actuates the indexing drive to cause the drum to discharge another envelope.

Abstract: A bag supply apparatus for use with an article packaging apparatus providing bags on demand along in a predefined product flow line. Two spaced apart supply magazines are employed as part of the bag supply apparatus, one magazine being disposed in the product flow line and the second magazine being out-board of the product flow line. Each magazine is of a three part construction having a central telescoping body with a pivoting tail end section and a lip portion opposite thereto.A positioning cam assembly urges the first magazine to a level consistent with the product flow line and is also responsive to a sensing arm disposed adjacent to the first magazine, for sensing the presence of bags at a predisposed operating height, so that the magazine moves upwardly at an incremental rate consistent with the supply of bags remaining in said magazine.

Abstract: A packing machine wherein a first feeding unit supplies groups of cigarettes into successive mandrels of a first turret which is driven stepwise and moves successive mandrels into register with first and second supplying devices for tinfoil blanks and paper blanks which are thereupon draped around the mandrels to form open-ended packs. The packs and the groups of cigarettes are transferred simultaneously from successive mandrels into successive pockets of a second turret on which the packs are closed.

Abstract: Brander apparatus, for container filling and sealing machines, is actuated by independent driving means controlled by movement or operation of carton treating apparatus at a station in the filling and sealing machine spaced from the brander station. An anvil and a dater block, having protruding date indicia, are mounted so that one is movable toward the other for branding, via actuation of an associated air cylinder and reciprocating cylinder shaft. In several embodiments, pressurized air is transmitted to the cylinder by a valve which is positioned to be actuated by movement of the carbon treating apparatus. In another embodiment, the brander actuating cylinder is commonly actuated with actuation of another cylinder for upstream carton treatment. Additional control apparatus is provided for eliminating the double branding of containers.

Abstract: In a coin packaging apparatus of the type comprising a stacking cylinder for stacking a prescribed number of coins of the same denomination, a cutter blade for severing a wrapper strip as the same is unwound from its roll, wrapping rolls for winding the severed piece of wrapper strip around the circumference of the stack of coins, and a pair of crimping hooks for crimping the opposite marginal edges of the wrapper strip over both ends of the coin stack, several wrapper rolls of different widths are used interchangeably in accordance with the denomination of coins to be packaged, and each time a new wrapper roll is installed in position on the apparatus, its width is sensed by a wrapper width sensing member which correspondingly actuates a mechanism for adjustably moving one of the crimping hooks in the direction of the other hook and a mechanism for adjustably changing the position of the cutter blade in the transverse direction of the wrapper strip which will extend therepast from its roll.