Machine (10) to produce straws (11), preferably made of paper, comprising a feed unit (16) configured to feed a plurality of tubular elements, preferably made of paper, to different working units (17, 19, 20, 21) configured to automatically carry out different workings on the tubular elements (12), including at least one cut to make a pointed end (13), or an end cut obliquely, a deformation to make a bellows (14), a bend in correspondence with the bellows (14) and the packaging of each straw (11).

Automated bagging of cannulate objects comprises arranging a plurality of cannulate objects to be substantially longitudinally parallel with one another, opening a mouth of a bag so that the sidewalls of the bag are spaced from one another at the mouth of the bag, and forming a longitudinally-extending externally supported constriction between the mouth of the bag and the bottom of the bag. The externally supported constriction is narrower than the open mouth of the bag and the cannulate objects remain confined above the constriction. The cannulate objects are fed into the mouth of the bag, longitudinally parallel with the constriction, and, while feeding the plurality of cannulate objects into the mouth of the bag, the constriction is lowered toward the bottom of the bag, whereby the cannulate objects remain substantially longitudinally parallel with one another in the bag.

Automated bagging of cannulate objects comprises arranging a plurality of cannulate objects to be substantially longitudinally parallel with one another, opening a mouth of a bag so that the sidewalls of the bag are spaced from one another at the mouth of the bag, and forming a longitudinally-extending externally supported constriction between the mouth of the bag and the bottom of the bag. The externally supported constriction is narrower than the open mouth of the bag and the cannulate objects remain confined above the constriction. The cannulate objects are fed into the mouth of the bag, longitudinally parallel with the constriction, and, while feeding the plurality of cannulate objects into the mouth of the bag, the constriction is lowered toward the bottom of the bag, whereby the cannulate objects remain substantially longitudinally parallel with one another in the bag.

A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.

A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.

Processor tray for displaying tubular meat products in an arcuate configuration, and designed to help guide the packer to mold and place curved meat products in the tray. The filled tray is wrapped in film, and the configuration of the filled tray maintains the film taut to avoid leakage. The tray includes a rectangular upper shaped cavity, and a plurality of curved recessed pockets extend below the upper cavity to define a lower cavity. The tray is designed to provide structural rigidity that resists warping and breakage, thus enabling the overwrapped tray to be handled, shipped, and displayed with minimal leakage or breakage. In some embodiments the tray includes features that facilitate de-nesting of a stack of empty trays, and is adapted to facilitate movement of the wrapped package on a moving conveyor line. The tray is easy to manufacture and provides a lightweight and cost effective packaging product. Preferably the tray has a rectangular shape that provides for consistent wrapping strength and can be handled on standard processing equipment.

An apparatus is provided for transferring at least one sausage link into a packaging item. The apparatus includes at least one drivable, rotatable conveyor device having at least one protruding vane, with the conveyor device being adapted and configured in such a way that the at least one sausage link can be placed on the vane in a receiving position, and that by rotating the conveyor device, the at least one sausage link can be placed onto or into the packaging item by the vane in a delivery position. The conveyor device may further include an impeller that forms, in part, a horizontal support surface for a group of sausage links.

A full motion wrapping apparatus includes a wrapper unit and a product support unit. The wrapper unit is configured for stretch wrapping a product. The product support unit includes a plurality of supports. The supports are movably disposed in, on or around a track with the wrapper unit. The wrapper unit may be positioned between corresponding pairs of the supports. The product support unit permits the stretch wrapping of the product while the product remains in a substantially stationary position.

A full motion wrapping apparatus includes a wrapper unit and a product support unit. The wrapper unit is configured for stretch wrapping a product. The product support unit includes a plurality of supports. The supports are movably disposed in, on or around a track with the wrapper unit. The wrapper unit may be positioned between corresponding pairs of the supports. The product support unit permits the stretch wrapping of the product while the product remains in a substantially stationary position.

A device for securing two or more posts together is disclosed. The device comprises a first end that can be passed through the post apertures, that is also configurable to prevent the first end from being withdrawn through the apertures, and a second end adapted to prevent the second end from passing through the apertures. The device may be reusable or non-reusable. A handle for use in moving a bundle of two or more posts is also disclosed. The bundle may have been formed with the device, or in another manner. The device and handle may be separate components or integrally formed. Systems and methods employing the device and/or handle are also disclosed.