A packaging installation that includes a grouping machine configured to form batches of products and a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine arranged downstream the grouping machine and being configured to receive the formed batches of products and to package them in individual packages. The grouping machine includes a receiving area to receive the products and a grouping area where the products are grouped into batches, and, for transporting products to the grouping area. The grouping machine includes a first product path and a second product path, different from the first product path, extending from the product receiving area to the grouping area. According to one embodiment, the grouping machine is configured to cause the products arriving at the grouping area from the first product path and from the second product path to have different orientations.

A packaging installation that includes a grouping machine configured to form batches of products and a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine arranged downstream the grouping machine and being configured to receive the formed batches of products and to package them in individual packages. The grouping machine includes a receiving area to receive the products and a grouping area where the products are grouped into batches, and, for transporting products to the grouping area. The grouping machine includes a first product path and a second product path, different from the first product path, extending from the product receiving area to the grouping area. According to one embodiment, the grouping machine is configured to cause the products arriving at the grouping area from the first product path and from the second product path to have different orientations.

A tray sealer comprises a conveyor arrangement for conveying packaging trays along a conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement comprises a first conveyor device for conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, a second conveyor device running laterally alongside the first conveyor device for conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, and a center guide which is arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device and extends along the conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement further comprises a third conveyor device for conveying packaging trays along the conveying direction. The third conveyor device extends adjoining the second conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction laterally alongside the first conveyor device.

An improved robot for packing produce such as fruit or other produce is provided. The robot includes a plurality of longitudinal carriage arms arranged in an array, and cantilevered off a support unit such that each longitudinal carriage arm is independently movable between an extended condition and retracted condition. Each arm includes a head connected to it that is independently movable in a vertical direction to pick up, hold and/or drop off an item of produce. Each longitudinal carriage arm is further independently movable in a lateral direction to alter the relative spacing between the plurality of heads such that the heads can move across lanes of the robot. The cantilevered arrangement of each carriage arm allows for compact set-out and other advantages.

A packaging assembly for wrapping mail items of differing sizes and each including at least one mail component or a stack of mail components, wherein the packaging assembly comprises: a mail item collecting assembly, a flow wrap station comprising a folding assembly for creating a folded web, a longitudinal sealing assembly for creating a longitudinal seal, and a cross sealing assembly. The packaging assembly is characterized in that the flow wrap station is configured to create said folded web so as to have a single side fold which is positioned on a first side of the subsequently placed mail items, wherein the side fold extends in a transport direction. The packaging assembly further comprises a measuring assembly for determining a transverse position of a second side of the mail item which is opposite the first side. The longitudinal sealing assembly has an infeed end which is positioned downstream of the cross sealing assembly. The longitudinal sealing assembly is configured for creating a mail product by applying a longitudinal seal in each intermediate mail product at the second side of the mail item. The longitudinal sealing assembly comprises a positioning assembly for controlling a transverse position of the longitudinal seal for each intermediate mail product, wherein the transverse position of the longitudinal seal is determined by the transverse position of the second side of the mail item.

A packaging assembly for wrapping mail items of differing sizes and each including at least one mail component or a stack of mail components, wherein the packaging assembly comprises: a mail item collecting assembly, a flow wrap station comprising a folding assembly for creating a folded web, a longitudinal sealing assembly for creating a longitudinal seal, and a cross sealing assembly. The packaging assembly is characterized in that the flow wrap station is configured to create said folded web so as to have a single side fold which is positioned on a first side of the subsequently placed mail items, wherein the side fold extends in a transport direction. The packaging assembly further comprises a measuring assembly for determining a transverse position of a second side of the mail item which is opposite the first side. The longitudinal sealing assembly has an infeed end which is positioned downstream of the cross sealing assembly. The longitudinal sealing assembly is configured for creating a mail product by applying a longitudinal seal in each intermediate mail product at the second side of the mail item. The longitudinal sealing assembly comprises a positioning assembly for controlling a transverse position of the longitudinal seal for each intermediate mail product, wherein the transverse position of the longitudinal seal is determined by the transverse position of the second side of the mail item.

Embodiments herein describe a pusher for inducting items into a packaging system. In one embodiment, the pusher moves an item through a mandrel and into a loading volume where the item is enclosed in a package. To mitigate the likelihood the item becomes stuck or does not fully come to rest in the loading volume, the pusher has a scoop that pushes the item through the mandrel into the loading volume. Further, the scoop is designed to perform a springing action to help move the item into the loading volume. In one embodiment, the scoop is cantilevered where an upper edge connects to a back side of the pusher but a lower edge is not connected to the pusher, to help perform the springing action. When the pusher stops moving, the compressed scoop performs the springing action to help propel the item into the loading volume.

A high-speed automated ring carrier applicator system and methods of using the same are provided. The applicator system is operable to be loaded with a magazine of ring carriers and individually apply them to a plurality of individual containers for beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, or other goods. The ring carriers may include a plurality of full or partial apertures (e.g., 2 to 12, or other numbers of apertures), each with a neck-engaging locking mechanism to receive and hold a container.

A high-speed automated ring carrier applicator system and methods of using the same are provided. The applicator system is operable to be loaded with a magazine of ring carriers and individually apply them to a plurality of individual containers for beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, or other goods. The ring carriers may include a plurality of full or partial apertures (e.g., 2 to 12, or other numbers of apertures), each with a neck-engaging locking mechanism to receive and hold a container.

An ammunition packaging apparatus and system is reconfigurable to package a select caliber of ammunition by changing a set of components to those associated with the selected caliber of ammunition and selecting the corresponding operating procedure. An ammunition collating and packaging apparatus can be quickly reconfigured from packaging a first caliber of ammunition to packaging a second caliber of ammunition by quickly replacing a define set of components and modifying operationally timings to correspond to the selected caliber.