A packaging machine packages items using film. The packaging machine includes: a film transporter for feeding film; and a cutting device for cutting film. The cutting device is transferrable by a driving force from a rest position into an extended position. The film is severable by the cutting device in the extended position. The cutting device is connected to a housing surrounding the cutting device via a return mechanism. The return mechanism is activatable upon the cutting device being transferred from the rest position into the extended position. A return force in a direction of the rest position is exertable by the return mechanism in the activated state on the cutting device in its extended position, the force being greater than a return resistance of the cutting device in its extended state by which the cutting device is held in the extended state without action of the driving force.

A packaging machine for packaging articles with a stretchable film includes: a weighing device, which is rigidly fastened to a machine frame, for determining a weight of an article; a film transport device, which is fastened to the machine frame, with a belt conveyor for transporting the film to the article to be packaged; and a folding mechanism for folding the film. The folding mechanism having: two lateral slides that push the film left and right under the article to be packaged; and a rear slide which pushes the film from behind under the article to be packaged. The lateral slides and the rear slide are fastened to the machine frame via at least one damping element which is designed in such a way that it prevents or at least dampens transmission of mechanical vibrations of the lateral slides and of the rear slide to the machine frame.

A collection assembly (10, 10a) for flowable materials includes a central, flexible bag (12, 12a) with a collection skirt (14, 14a) secured to the bag (12, 12a) and extending outwardly from the open top (20, 20a) of the bag (12, 12a). In use, the assembly (10, 10a) is placed at a collection site with the bag (12, 12a) in a collapsed condition and the skirt (14, 14a) is deployed about the bag (12, 12a). Material (36) is then placed on the assembly (10, 10a) over the open top (20, 20a) and, as necessary, the skirt (14, 14a). The skirt is then elevated using marginal gathering apparatus (16, 16a), thereby causing the material (36) to flow into the bag (12, 12a). The skirt (14, 14a) may then be gathered and closed, forming a duffel closure for the assembly (10, 10a).

A film transport device for transporting a stretchable film includes: at least one belt conveyor, the belt conveyor having two opposing transport belts for transporting the film and a first and a second deflection roller, each of which guides one of the transport belts in continuous circulation and is arranged at an end in a respective transport belt. An end portion of the first deflection roller projects past an associated transport belt, the first deflection roller having a first transport ring at the end portion along its periphery. An end portion of the second deflection roller projects past an associated transport belt, the second deflection roller at the end portion along its periphery having a second transport ring. A first contact surface of the first transport ring extends with mechanical friction along a circumference of the first deflection roller.

A packaging machine for packaging products to be packaged by means of a stretchable film includes: a film transport device for a film feed to a product to be packaged; a first and a second belt conveyor for transporting the film, the belt conveyors each including a first and a second belt conveyor that are synchronously driven in a film transport direction prescribed by the film transport device and are arranged side by side, at least the second belt conveyor device being movable in a direction perpendicular to a film transport direction; and a movable film guiding element, by which the film is introducible into the film transport device, the film guiding element including a guide plate for guiding the film that has a first recess and a second recess in an upper edge in a vertical direction toward the belt conveyors.

An apparatus comprising a conveyor with a conveyor belt and a series of stacking towers spaced along the length of the conveyor belt and secured to the conveyor belt. Each of the stacking towers has a chamber adapted for receiving fragile goods. A drive gear is coupled to the conveyor belt for advancing the stacking tower with goods in the chamber to a baler, which is configured to place a mouth of one of the plurality of empty packages over the stacking tower with goods in the chamber. The conveyor is configured so that further advancement of the conveyor belt by the drive gear causes the stacking tower to tilt so that the goods slide into the package and the package slides off the stacking tower, in each case under the force of gravity. Method for packaging fragile goods using stacking towers is provided.

Systems and method of wrapping an object are disclosed. An object wrapping system includes a contractible loop, a positioning system, and a wrapping material system. The contractible loop is configured to be deployed in an expanded position and a contracted position. The positioning system is configured to position an object in alignment with an aperture defined by the contractible loop. The wrapping material system is configured to position a wrapping material between the object and the aperture. The positioning system is configured to move the object into the wrapping material and through the aperture when the contractible loop is deployed in the expanded position. The contractible loop is configured to deploy into the contracted position to at least partially close the wrapping material around the object.

Systems and method of wrapping an object are disclosed. An object wrapping system includes a contractible loop, a positioning system, and a wrapping material system. The contractible loop is configured to be deployed in an expanded position and a contracted position. The positioning system is configured to position an object in alignment with an aperture defined by the contractible loop. The wrapping material system is configured to position a wrapping material between the object and the aperture. The positioning system is configured to move the object into the wrapping material and through the aperture when the contractible loop is deployed in the expanded position. The contractible loop is configured to deploy into the contracted position to at least partially close the wrapping material around the object.

An assembly system for wrapping an outer wrapper to an inner sleeve to form an outer wall of a double-wall container can include a suction arm. The suction arm can be configured to couple to a suction source and can have a portion defining a suction surface. At least one suction opening can be provided within the suction surface and fluidly coupled to the suction source. A sealing edge can circumscribe at least a portion of the suction surface.

An assembly system for wrapping an outer wrapper to an inner sleeve to form an outer wall of a double-wall container can include a suction arm. The suction arm can be configured to couple to a suction source and can have a portion defining a suction surface. At least one suction opening can be provided within the suction surface and fluidly coupled to the suction source. A sealing edge can circumscribe at least a portion of the suction surface.