Abstract:
A ribbon of packaging comprises individual packages (11) adjacently and separably arranged for separation prior to filling. The ribbon is preferably drawn under tension from a reel, and the packages are linked by mechanical couplers (FIG. 11) which are separable in a direction orthogonally to the traction force. The packages have a closure (FIG. 8) which is removed and replaced to permit filling. Also disclosed are preferred package couplers, and filling and dispensing arrangements.
Abstract:
Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition. The product receiver is preferably a discharge tray, and product guides on the tray straighten the product, to align it for netting, and also co-operate with the voiders to help tighten the product packaging. The clipper is also preferably uniquely structured in its clip rails to contribute to tighter packaging. The chute is gravity driven and includes product ribs or rails for centering and ease of movement of products. The handle former is an essentially two-part, mechanically actuated disc and clam shell construction that reaches for the netting, captures it, and rotates a loop into it, while tightening the packaging, in co-ordination with the voiders.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for filling and sealing flexible poly bags which are provided on a continuous roll. The apparatus has means for heat sealing filled bags. A drive mechanism conveys the bag into position for filling and sealing thereof. A clamp mechanism draws the bags into contact with the heat sealing means during the sealing process. A reverse actuation mechanism is provided for reversing the drive mechanism while the bag remains clamped so as to detach the bag at a perforation thereof. An interrupt means is also provided for disengaging the clamp mechanism when the clamp mechanism is interfered with by a foreign object. The interrupt means consists of an electrical circuit established through the clamp mechanism frame which circuit is broken when the clamp mechanism contacts a foreign object. Also provided is a guide mechanism for guiding the bags into engagement with the drive mechanism. The guide mechanism includes a pair of rollers which are in frictional contact with a table member, and a pair of belts are drivingly connected between the rollers and the drive means.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for cutting continuous webs having varying thicknesses, widths, and compositions into sheets. The apparatus includes a pair of oppositely rotating web feed assemblies employing a unique floating nip and clamping mechanism which engages the web and advances it a specified length past a poised cutting blade assembly and onto a simultaneously driven exit assembly. After the desired length of web has been fed, the drive mechanisms stop, and the cutting blade assembly cycles to clamp the web on the upstream side and cut. During the cutting stroke the web is held taut on the downstream side by the web feed assemblies. Upon completion of the clamping and cutting stroke, the cutting blade assembly returns and stops at its poised position.
Abstract:
A web 26 of packaging material on which a plurality of cigarette wrapper blanks 10 are defined in oppositely rotated and laterally dsplaced pairs, is fed between a reciprocatable punch 38 and a fixed support 36 having cooperating cutting edges 39 and counter edges 40, respectively, whereby the downward movement of the punch severs a pair of blanks from the web. The continued downward movement of the punch separates the two blanks of the severed pair through the cooperation of a further cutting edge 45 on the punch and a counter edge 46 on a turntable 41 disposed beneath the fixed support. The turntable is then rotated 180.degree. to successively feed the separated blanks to a suction conveyor 47.
Abstract:
A bag, such as an envelope, a sack, etc., is clamped on a moving conveyor at a place where both edges of the bag are cut off by fixed cam controlled pressing units associated with respective edges of said bags.
Abstract:
Apparatus for filling a chain of connected bag elements wherein improved design enables the apparatus to receive the bag elements from a folded pile. This allows the use of bag elements almost totally separated from each other whereby after filling the bag elements can be easily parted, as, for example, by a gentle pulling action. Accordingly, a cutting station to part the bags after filling can be eliminated from the apparatus. Other beneficial features of the invention include the employment of a mandrel to initially mount and align the connected bag elements in the apparatus such that the possibility of fouling the same by misfeeding the bags thereto is minimized, and an intermittently operated filling station which works in combination with a continuously run sealer or closing station to facilitate the pulling apart of the connected bag elements after fill operations.