Abstract: In a stretch film wrapping machine wherein packages are elevated into a stretched sheet of film and underfolded, an improved control system monitors the operation of the wrapping machine to detect a jam condition and stop the machine for such jam conditions. A microprocessor monitors clock counts generated by the main drive shaft of the wrapping machine to detect a jam condition. Microprocessor operating cycles are counted between consecutive clock counts generated. If the drive shaft hesitates for a defined period of time, the counter overflows indicating a jam condition. The system also provides for operating the film wrapping machine in a reverse direction in discrete steps within a defined and limited range of the machine operating cycle to thereby facilitate removal of jams. To further facilitate jam removal, the rear film underfolder and package pusher are mounted to be moved away from the machine to thereby remove pressure from packages jammed beneath the rear underfolder.

Abstract: A horizontal wrapping machine which includes a former for shaping a continuous film of packaging material drawn past the former into a continuous tube, a film drive for drawing the continuous film of packaging material past the former and past a cutting and sealing station, a product infeed drive for feeding products to be packaged through the former into the continuous tube of packaging material so that the products are spaced apart from one another in the tube, and a pair of motor-driven cut-heads at the cutting and sealing station for cutting and sealing the continuous tube of packaging material as each product moves past the cutting and sealing station. The horizontal wrapping machine further includes independent closed loop servo control circuits for the film drive, product infeed drive, and cut-head drive, each of which are responsive to a desired velocity control signal.

Abstract: In a film wrapping machine for wrapping packages in stretchable film, a monitoring system is provided to generate a signal each time film is drawn into the machine. If no film is drawn into the machine indicating that the film source has expired, broken or otherwise become disengaged from the film feeding apparatus for the wrapping machine, the machine is stopped. The film draw into the machine is monitored by an electrical switch which is coupled to a tensioning roller, the motion of which is adjusted to activate the switch each time even at least a minimum length of film is drawn into the machine.

Abstract: A perimeter guard for a machine wherein a plurality of vertical posts are spaced about a machine. Each post is H-shaped and has lateral flanges projecting from it to create vertical channels on each side of the post. A transparent window is slidably mounted in one set of perimeter channels to form an upper guard and a lower pannel is slidably mounted in the other set of opposed channels.A counterbalance is provided for the windows and a detent is provided for locking the lower panels in their lowermost position or in a raised position.

Abstract: A sealing wheel having a plurality of radially outwardly opening pockets is rotatably indexed through loading and discharging positions. Each pocket, formed by a pair of stationary jaws, receives an article and its wrapper at the loading position and forms the wrapper to a U-fold about the article. Movable heat sealing jaws associated with each pair of stationary jaws have U-shaped sealing surfaces which engage marginal portions of the wrapper outwardly of the stationary jaws to form a U-shaped fin seal around three sides of the package, a fourth side being formed by the wrapper fold. A jaw opening mechanism opens each set of sealing jaws as it approaches the discharging position, where the wrapped and sealed package is ejected. The jaw opening mechanism is also arranged to simultaneously open all jaws in closed position in response to a predetermined condition, such as machine shut-down.

Abstract: A loading and indexing mechanism for loading articles into successive compartments in a circular tray is shown. It is particularly adapted for use with slide transparencies and their circular trays. The mechanism uses a pawl and gear arrangement to catch and hold successive compartments of a tray in registration with the insertion station. Cams are used to cause turning of the axle on which the tray is mounted and engagement and disengagement of the pawl and gear in coordination with each insertion operation.

Abstract: An auxiliary flap sealer for a cartoning machine. A conveyor carries cartons past a gluer and then to a normally stationary plow to press together flaps to which glue has been applied. When the conveyor stops, with glue applied to open flaps, the stationary plow and glue nozzles are shifted upstream to complete the glue application if necessary and to close the flaps.

Abstract: A control and monitoring system for cigarette packaging machines comprises a control station (1) connected in cascade to each of a plurality of remote stations (2 and 3) in turn, in a ring. The control station 1 supplies an interrogation signal to a D-type latch (20, 30) of the first remote station, which changes state on the next clock pulse edge and applies an interrogation signal to the D-type latch of the second remote station so that the stations are sequentially interrogated in essentially non-overlapping time periods. An interrogated station communicates with the control center (1) via an information line (16) either to receive machine control signals to be passed on to a machine or machine part with which the remote station is associated, or to send machine fault signals indicating a fault in the associated machine or machine part.

Abstract: In a skin packaging machine, a mechanism for raising and lowering the film frame. The mechanism includes a single vertical post, a vertical shaft alongside the post, a carriage assembly slidably mounted on the vertical shaft. A laterally projecting arm and slide block cooperate with a slide rail on the vertical post to prevent the swiveling or rotating of the assembly as it rides up and down the shaft. A chain passing around upper and lower sprockets is driven by a reversible alternating current motor. The chain is connected to the carriage assembly through two series connected springs. The springs serve as chain tensioners as well as shock absorbers in the event that the assembly, including the frame, engages an object during its upward or downward excursion.

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

Abstract: A packing paper supply apparatus for use with a coin packing machine which packs several kinds of coins with packing paper supplied from the supply apparatus. This supply apparatus includes a carriage which is accommodated in the machine body and which is charged with several kinds of the packing paper for the kinds of coins to be packed. A corresponding number of stoppers such as pins or recesses are provided in the outer periphery of the carriage and are arranged to correspond to the kinds of the packing paper. Drive means including an electric motor and a power train of belt and pulley type is used to drive the carriage so that it may rotate. An actuating member such as a bail having its extending end provided with a hook or roller is resiliently biased into abutment contact with one of the stoppers and can be brought into and out of engagement with the selected stopper in a manual manner so that the packing paper selected may be held in its supply position.

Abstract: A device for attaching a tab with a central opening and bag receiving passage formed therein in which is gathered the neck of a flexible bag comprising: conveyor means to receive and flatten a portion of the bag adjacent the open end thereof and guide the flattened neck of the bag into the bag receiving passage and gather the bag neck in the tab; a tab strip feed mechanism and means severing each tab singly from the tab strip and positioning and bracing the tab to receive the bag neck; means detecting the completed passage of the bag and in response thereto releasing said tab and bag gathered therein prior to positioning another tab to receive a bag neck; means responsive to the reception of a product thickened bag neck in said conveyor means to cause said tab support means to release said tab prior to detection of completed passage of said bag. Also included is means to hold the passage of said tab open for the reception of a bag.

Abstract: A machine loads and unloads containers with articles arranged in rows by transferring articles between a first station outside the containers and a second station inside a container. It comprises a vertical support adjacent the first and second stations and an arm on this support which pivots through 90.degree. C. between a first position over the first station and a second position over the second station. Chains around four pulleys on the arm are paid out and wound in synchronously by the rotation of the pulleys. The chains extend to one end of the arm and then downwardly through respective apertures in the arm. The chains are attached to a platform moveable vertically which carries suckers for manipulating the articles, through chain tension detector and centering means on the platform which operate with the platform in its highest position. Further chain tension detector means on the path of the chains monitor the tension in the chains.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for filling and capping a quantity of stackable containers with a fluid from a fluid reservoir. The apparatus comprises a rotary table having a plurality of apertures disposed therein for receiving the containers. Containers from a container magazine are transferred individually and placed within the apertures in the rotary table. A filling head is disposed at a second position for filling the container with the fluid pumped from the fluid reservoir. The filling head comprises a unique pinch bar and flexible tubing combination to insure rapid termination of fluid flow from the filling head. A lid magazine is disposed at a third position with a rotatable arm placing a lid from the lid magazine upon the filled container. A heat sealer located at a fourth position heat seals the lid to the container. A discharge station is located at a fifth position for discharging the capped containers from the rotary table.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing boxes comprising a conveyor for bringing a box in centralized position between two vertically arranged transport belts which can be moved toward each other to engage the side walls of the box the four top flaps of which are open, whereafter the said transport belts move the box to a bridge the height of which is adjustable and which is provided with a sensing member, which on the engagement thereof with the fore wall of the box when the bridge is in its lowest position operates means to cause raising of the said bridge until the said sensing member comes into engagement with the fore wall flap of the box, which flap is closed by further movement of the box, the bridge being provided with a pivotably mounted arm carrying a rotatable wing for closing the rear flap of the box, with fixed arms for raising the side flaps and with pivotable arms carrying closing members which can be moved downwardly at an oblique angle toward the center of the upper surface of the box for closing the side f

Abstract: There is provided a coin packaging machine which comprises a coin denomination selection handle provided with a rotary operation plate. A coin denomination side switch is opened or closed by the operation plate. A coin accumulation side switch is opened or closed by mounting or dismounting an accumulation cylinder. A changeover switch is provided and an electric circuit including the coin denomination switch, the coin accumulation side switch and the changeover switch is constructed so that the machine cannot be started unless accumulation cylinders are dismounted and then re-mounted.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for detecting irregular arrangement of accumulated coins for use in a coin packaging machine wherein a predetermined number of accumulated coins are delivered from an accumulating cylinder to a packaging zone by a pair of delivery arms and packaging them in the packaging zone. The pair of delivery arms, an upper delivery arm and a lower delivery arm, is constructed so that it is rotatable between a coin accumulating zone and a coin packaging zone and vertically slidable to engage with and disengage with the accumulated coins in the coin accumulating zone. The delivery arms are insulated from each other. A detection circuit is provided for detecting the irregular arrangement of the accumulated coins by sensing the height of the upper delivery arm indicating at the irregular arrangement of the accumulated coins.

Abstract: A coin packaging machine in which different kinds of coins are packaged is provided. The coin packaging machine is provided with means for supplying coins, means for transporting the supplied coins while selecting the desired kind of coins during transportation, means for accumulating transported coins, delivery means for receiving accumulated coins and delivering the coins from a receiving position to a packaging position, means for supplying a web of paper within packaging zone and means for clamping the packaged coins. The coin packaging machine includes means for making various adjustments of the above means in accordance with the thickness and the width of the coins to be packaged. The coin packaging machine is also provided with a packaging paper confirming device which functions to remind the operator to change the packaging paper when made necessary by a change in the kind of coin being packaged.

Abstract: Apparatus for batchwise transfer of articles to a receptacle comprises an elongate, upwardly open tray which is longitudinally reciprocable between a loading position and an unloading position. An article receiving compartment within the tray is defined rearwardly by a pusher and forwardly by a hinged flap. When a portion of articles has been loaded into the compartment, the tray is subjected to a longitudinal shaking action. The tray is then moved to its unloading position wherein the compartment therein is located within a receptacle. During this movement the flap hits against a stationary abutment whereby it is pivoted clear of the front end of the compartment. Subsequently, the tray is withdrawn to its loading position and simultaneously the pusher is moved forward relative to the tray whereby the articles are transferred gently from the compartment to the receptacle.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for machines for packeting cigarettes into hinged-lid rigid type cigarette packets is of the type comprising an intermittently rotating wheel having radially disposed compartments for housing individual cigarette packets. A dispensing channel is associated with the wheel and upper and lower heated plates cooperating with the compartments. A pushing member is provided at the end of the dispensing channel to push, during the normal operation of the apparatus, the individual packets into a first track coplanar to the dispensing channel. A control mechanism, should the wheel accidentally stop, acts on a pair of mechanical systems which cause the spacing apart of the plates from the compartments and further starts a timer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coin wrapper discharge assembly for use with a coin wrapping apparatus that momentarily stops a coin roll to change its direction, and senses the presence of loose coins. The assembly includes a chute disposed beneath a coin wrapping apparatus that accepts coin rolls falling downwardly after being wrapped. The chute directs a coin roll laterally from its original downward direction into a V-shaped trap. The trap is formed by an inclined floor and a swingable door. A solenoid is provided to hold the door in its normally closed position until actuated by a paper feed mechanism in the coin wrapping apparatus. When actuated, the solenoid releases the door to allow a trapped coin roll to fall onto a conveyor for removal to a packaging point. In addition, the door is electrically insulated from the floor and chute to provide a pair of electrical contacts that are bridged by loose coins to complete an electric circuit that disables the coin wrapping apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling a sequence of operations on products moving on an indexing conveyor. The electronic control system is illustrated as controlling a sequence of operations, carried out at various work stations, on cartons in a packaging machine, such as filling operations, sealing operations, and clean-in-place operations on carton filler heads. A limit switch carton detector detects the presence or absence of cartons on the indexing conveyor of the packaging machine and feeds such carton information into a first shift register, which in turn feeds the carton position information into a first "and" gate. A limit switch machine timing indicator functions to feed a first machine timing signal into said first shift register, and into a machine cycle counter. An output signal from the machine cycle counter is fed into a sequence selector which products a sequence signal that is fed to said first "and" gate, which in turn produces a filler sequence signal.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for filling capsules having first and second sections that are telescoped within each other and which define an enclosed volume in the assembled condition. At least one and preferably a plurality of capsule filling stations are provided in a rotatable table. Each capsule filling station includes a first portion that is rigidly fixed to the table within a bore formed therein. The first portion receives the capsule section having the smaller transverse dimension. A second portion of the capsule filling station is D-shaped and is positioned within the same bore as the first portion. The second portion is selectively rotatable and is arranged to receive the capsule section having the larger transverse dimension.

Abstract: In a vacuum packaging machine there is provided the combination of a sealing unit and vacuum unit. The sealing unit comprises first and second sealing dies and the vacuum unit comprises a primary spacer located adjacent the input end of the sealing dies. The primary spacer is spaced from the first die to form a first web feeding passage therebetween and is spaced from the second die to form a second web feeding passage therebetween. The vacuum unit also includes a secondary spacer located adjacent the input end of the dies and mounted for movement between a retracted position permitting closure of the dies to effect sealing and an extended position maintaining at least a portion of the webs which passed through the first and second web feeding passages, in a spaced relationship to permit evacuation of the container space formed between the webs.

Abstract: An apparatus for an envelope processing machine in which opened envelopes are serially presented by the machine to a work station in the machine for manual removal of the contents of each serially presented envelope. The apparatus comprises means operating responsive to the hand of a person being moved into and out of a contents removal attitude to a presented envelope to control the serial presentation of envelopes. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus comprises a light source and a photoelectric cell mounted in a spaced apart relationship to each other and to a presented envelope in the machine.

Abstract: A package making machine of the vertical form, fill and seal type has an improved electrical control system operable on demand irrespective of the intervals of time between a train of cycle start signals and operable independently of the mechanical power source for the machine and/or its associated product feeder. The machine has a tube feeder operable during a portion of each bag making cycle and an end sealer operable during another portion of each cycle. Side sealing is accomplished during feeding by a hot belt sealer and secondary operations include a jammed product dislodging plunger, an air blast, a code dater, and a bag cut-off knife. All of the foregoing are operable by the control system in timed relationship and the system is also capable of controlling a product dump device in the product feeder. The tube feeder is controlled by an adjustable timer or by a photoregistration circuit which reads marks printed along the length of the web from which the package tube is made.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an automatic capping apparatus for placing a cap on the opening of a container and crimping the cap onto the opening to seal the container. The capping apparatus includes three operating stations through which the containers are moved on a conveyor -- an aligning station to position the container on the conveyor, a cap pickup and placing station to deposit a cap on the opening of the container, and a crimping station for crimping the cap onto the opening. Furthermore, sensing means are provided at the pickup and placement station and the crimping station to assure that the operation at those stations is successfully accomplished.

Abstract: A machine for arranging flat articles in a stack and for placing the stack in a case. The machine includes endless flight supports mounted on opposite sides of a stack forming station and opposed flights mounted on the flight supports for supporting a stack of the articles therebetween. The stack is formed on the flights. The flights are lowered as the stack builds up thereon until a complete stack has been formed. The complete stack is lowered onto stack supports. First pusher means advance the complete stack from the stack supports onto a turntable having a pile face. A second stack starts to form on second flights as the first pusher means advances the complete stack from the stack supports and returns to a position for engaging the second stack when the second stack reaches the stack supports. The turntable can be turned 90.degree. and the stack is discharged from the turntable crosswise of the path of stack advance from the stack supports to the turntable.

Abstract: Case sealer apparatus for sealing filled cases that have their top flaps extending vertically and that includes flight bars on endless chains for first moving the filled case over frusto conical rolls to slightly open the bottom major flaps and permit the package plate to enter between the major and minor bottom flaps. A guide plate and a flap tucker assembly are provided above the package plate to close the leading and trailing top minor flaps respectively as the case moves forwardly. Glue guns then apply adhesive to the upper minor and lower major flaps. Thereafter as the case moves along the slide plate, the major flaps move into contact with closure members to close the major flaps, and then the flight bars move the case through a compression roller assembly. The package plate includes a hingedly mounted entry portion that is resiliently retained in an entry position while the drive mechanism for the chains includes adjustable stop mechanism to discontinue the chain drive to provide overload protection.

Abstract: A relatively high speed packaging machine of the type in which a heated film is formed by application of pressure to provide an enclosure for encapsulation of articles on a substrate utilizes a conveyor, a heater and film transport means disposed above the conveyor. Pressure forming means and cutting means are movably supported on the frame for reciprocal movement along the frame and for movement vertically relative to the conveyor to effect forming of the film and cutting of the film into units. Drive means simultaneously drives the conveyor and film transport means as well as the pressure forming means and cutting means in movement towards the exit end of the conveyor. The drive means also returns the pressure forming means and cutting means and moves them in a vertical path relative to the conveyor. Control means operates the drive means to effect the times operation thereof while the conveyor moves continuously.

Abstract: The machine includes a horizontal operating table and various apparatus associated therewith for performing different functions. The apparatus includes, as a first portion of the operating table, a product in-feed conveyor, a supply of film and bag-forming means, bag-sealing means including means for operating sealing bars to form a seal and simultaneously moving the packaged product along the table to an out-feed conveyor. The invention is particularly concerned with the bag-sealing means.

Abstract: A device for transporting sliced comestible product from a slicer and loading the product in packages includes a belt drive system, with a plurality of transfer carriages supported thereon, extending between the slicer and the loader. Each transfer carriage includes a grid of horizontal, parallel tines to support the product. The loader includes a loader carriage slidably depending from a track, and a plurality of hooked tines pivotably secured to the loading carriage. The hooked tines are adapted to rotate down between the transfer tines to remove the product therefrom as the loader carriage translates along the track toward the package to be filled. The loader carriage stops above the package, where side guides grasp the sides of the product as the loader tines swing away. A loader plunger then descends to urge the product into the package. The transfer carriages are slidably supported on the belt drive system, so that one or more transfer carriages may be temporarily stopped on the belts.

Abstract: When a selected loading platform bearing a roll of wrapping paper of a width corresponding to stack of a selected kind of coins to be wrapped is brought into a paper feeding station in a coin wrapping machine, a detection member is actuated in conformance with that paper width thereby to adjustably set the operational position of at least one of two crimping hooks in a device for fold crimping the outwardly projecting lateral edges of the paper after it has been wrapped around the coin stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for high speed filling of containers with product such as ice cream and the like. The apparatus includes a turret driven by power means for moving containers from a feed station to a fill station for filling of the container and then to a capping station for placing a cap on the container and finally to a removal station. A lift is provided to move the containers toward and away from a dispensing nozzle which dispenses product into the containers. Pneumatic control means are provided to cooperate with the lift and a shut-off valve in the dispensing nozzle for independent adjustment of the timing of the operations thereof.

Abstract: A device for controlling the sealing of seams of thermoplastic overwraps for packets of cigarettes. A wrapping wheel has a plurality of sealing stations for heat-sealing one single seam of the overwrap of each packet. In each station a heat-sealing contrivance can contact the seam during a halt of the wheel. The total contact time, that is, the sum of the individual times of contact between the several sealing contrivances and the overwrap, is controlled in response to the operating speed of the machine. For this purpose the several sealing contrivances, each connected for a reciprocating motion, are installed, one in each sealing station, and have a control system sensitive to variations in the operating speed of the machine, to trip the means for reciprocating them individually, to suit different speed levels of the machine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to wrapping or packaging machines and, in particular, to what are known as overwrapping machines.

Abstract: A device for controlling the sealing of thermoplastic wraps comprises contrivances for heat-sealing each wrap, at a speed compatible with individual speed levels of a wrapping machine; cams for causing the heat-sealing contrivances to operate with a reciprocating motion; means sensitive to variations in the speed levels of the machine and which trip the cam linkage so that the sealing action of the heat-sealing contrivances is suitably put into and out of operation; and a heat-sensor so-connected to the heat-sealing contrivances that, following the switching in of the heat-sealing contrivances, follow-up means respond to the reciprocating motion of the cams through differentiated operating time multiple tracks, in such a way as to operate the heat-sealing contrivances in a differentiated operating time to suit the temperature detected in them by the heat-sensor.

Abstract: A device for controlling the sealing of thermoplastic overwraps, particularly sealing end flaps of the overwraps on packets of cigarettes. At various speed levels of the overwrapping machine the time devoted to this sealing operation is kept constant. This is achieved by providing a plurality of control cams, the number of which corresponds to the number of speed levels there are on the machine. Each control cam operates at one of the speed levels, to periodically activate and deactivate sealing contrivances which operate on the ends of the packet.

Abstract: Control for a system of machines for packeting, overwrapping and parcelling packets of cigarettes or similar articles of prismatic shape, so that in the event of a machine dropping out of operation, the operator be able to set it going again after having first overcome the causes that brought about the stoppage. The control is effected through a main multiple contact remote contactor connected to the individual motors of the individual machines. The excitation coil of the remote contactor is connected in series with the operating coil of a main relay actuated by a manual pushbutton which serves to manually reset the plant in operation after an outage.

Abstract: The article depositing and transferring apparatus has a plurality of rows of abutted containers fed to a grid or a carrier means at a processing station where a vertically movable control means having a plurality of individual push or transfer rods releasably attached thereto is provided. Suction cups releasably attach push rods individually to the control means whereby when the control means is driven vertically downwardly, the individual rods engage individual articles on the grid and forcibly move them downwardly for article deposit action, but if an obstruction is encountered the rods individually release and permit the remainder of the apparatus to function normally. Or the rods may have end members to engage the articles for controlled transfer or deposit of the same.This invention generally relates to article packaging or caser apparatus.

Abstract: An electric capping machine for crimping the caps of containers, in which each cycle of operation takes place fully automatically, once initiated by the operator; in the course of each operation, a container-receiving member is automatically raised into engagement with a spring-loaded abutment roller of the crimping mechanism which, upon further upward movement, causes the crimping roller to be positively brought into engagement with the edge of the cap by the use of a quadrilateral linkage connection actuated by a cam follower; to increase the safety to the operating personnel, both hands must be placed in a predetermined position relative to the machine before the cycle of operation can be initiated.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel pellet loading machine including an inclined rack mounted on a base and having parallel spaced grooves on its upper surface arranged to support fuel rods. A fuel pellet tray is adapted to be placed on a table spaced from the rack, the tray having columns of fuel pellets which are in alignment with the open ends of fuel rods located in the rack grooves. A transition plate is mounted between the fuel rod rack and the fuel pellet tray to receive and guide the pellets into the open ends of the fuel rods. The pellets are pushed into the fuel rods by a number of mechanical fingers mounted on a motor operated block which is moved along the pellet tray length by a drive screw driven by the motor. To facilitate movement of the pellets in the fuel rods the rack is mounted on a number of spaced vibrators which vibrate the fuel rods during fuel pellet insertion.