Systems for packaging orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a system includes a processor and a memory operably coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform operations including: receiving a plurality of orthodontic appliances, each orthodontic appliance associated with an identifier; receiving a plurality of containers, each container associated with at least one identifier of at least one orthodontic appliance; matching each orthodontic appliance to a corresponding container that is associated with the identifier of the orthodontic appliance; and loading each orthodontic appliance into the corresponding container for the orthodontic appliance.

A transport mechanism for engaging a pouch in an erect configuration at a first station of a packaging machine and transferring the pouch to a second station of the packaging machine includes a carriage and a grip assembly. The carriage is moveable between the first station and the second station. The grip assembly is coupled to the carriage and is at least partially moveable relative to the carriage between an engaged position for clamping the pouch in the erect configuration within the grip assembly, and a released position.

A conveyor capable of detecting a cut line of portion packaging bags, and a medicine inspection support system are provided. The conveyor conveys the portion packaging bags to an inspecting machine, the portion packaging bags being divided one by one with use of a heat seal portion and perforations by a portion packaging machine and being continuously discharged in a longitudinal posture from the portion packaging machine. The conveyor includes a posture changing device configured to change the longitudinal posture of the portion packaging bags to a lateral posture; and a detector configured to detect a cut line of the portion packaging bags.

A web of bags configured to be guided through a filling station is provided. The web of bags may include a continuous guide of a guide material configured to be guided through the filling station. The guide may be connected with one or more bags of a bag material and with a bag opening. Also provided are methods of filling such bags on a web of bags and use of such web of bags.

A product bagging assembly and method of manipulating a web material bag that is operable to create a bag opening that is greater than six inches and which is operable without substantially detracting from product throughput associated with use and operation of the product bagging assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the bag opening/dosing assembly includes a first actuator and a second actuator that are connected to one another such that a position of one of the actuators can be manipulated by operation of the other actuator. The product bagging assembly can be provided as a kit configured for plug and play operation with previously provided bag and product delivery systems.

A filling machine for filling flexible pouch type packages that includes a transport unit arranged for intermittent, edgewise advancement of the packages from an upstream station to a downstream station. The transport unit is movable in a reciprocating manner between a first end position and a second end position, and includes a first gripping member arranged to retrieve packages from the upstream station and delivered to the filling station, a second gripping member arranged to retrieve packages from the filling station and delivered to the downstream station and a suction cup member arranged for opening the filling channel of the packages retrieved by the first gripping member. The suction cup member includes, for each package retrieved by the first gripping member, a pair of oppositely arranged suction cups movably arranged in order to engage and separate side wall sections defining the filling channel of the associated package.

A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies for packaging a series of products. A carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products are provided at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The carton feeding system feeds carton blanks into registration with products, which generally can be grouped to form 4, 6, 8 packs, etc. Thereafter, the product groups, with the carton blanks applied thereto, will be moved through one or more downstream folding and wrapping or packaging assemblies or stations of the packaging machine.

Provided herein is a system for automated dispensing and packaging of articles. Systems may include: a controller configured to receive an indication of an order to be packaged, where the order includes one or more articles; a packaging station; a web of bags, where the web of bags is fed to the packaging station; a pneumatic table configurable to support a bag disposed at the packaging station; an opening mechanism including a pneumatic nozzle to open the bag disposed at the packaging station; a loading bin configured to be inserted into the open bag and deposit the one or more articles; and a closure apparatus to seal the bag disposed at the packaging station after receiving the one or more articles.

An article packaging machine and method or turning article packs, the article packaging machine having a turner station for turning article packs moving though the packaging machine. The packaging machine includes a main conveyor extending longitudinally from an upstream end to a downstream end and through the turning station. Article packs are carried by the main conveyor spaced and sequentially in the downstream direction through the turner station. The turner station includes flight drive assembly having multiple flight assemblies. The flight assemblies are driven above upper cam plates in the upstream direction, and below lower cam plates in the downstream direction. The flight assemblies include turner rods that are moved toward the main conveyor to contact the article pack in at least two points. The turner rods progressively move toward the main conveyor center line until the distal ends of the turner rods are moved past the article pack side walls and the pack is turned 90 degrees.

An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.