B65B59/003

Transport section of a packaging line as well as method for modifying a packaging line provided for articles or article sets

Disclosed is a system (1) for forming a transport section for a packaging line and for coordinating the transport section to individual articles or article sets with different packaging types. The system (1) comprises at least one module (3), which at least one module (3) has at least two individual module units (5, 7), which at least two individual module units (5, 7) cooperate in a first operating mode (B1) of the system (1) for the transport of individual articles or article sets provided for a first packaging type. It is furthermore provided that the at least two individual module units (5, 7) are each designed to be movable, and that the system (1) is transferable by way of a movement of the at least two individual module units (5, 7) into a second operating mode (B2), which is aligned to a transport of individual articles or article sets provided for a second packaging type that differs from the first packaging type.

Packaging machinery having automated adjustments based on package parameters

A packaging machine having at least a pair of independently driven conveyors on which packages are adapted to be carried though the machine for processing, a micro-controller having a memory in which is stored a computer program containing computer readable instructions, a database/look-up table containing data correlating package sizing parameters with optimal speed profiles at which the machine can run effectively, at least one motor that drives each conveyor, and a motor controller that is electronically linked to the micro-controller for purposes of adjusting the speed at which the motor runs based upon the speed profile of the package.

PACKAGING MACHINE
20210206525 · 2021-07-08 · ·

The invention relates to a packaging machine for wrapping packaging trays for foods using a packaging film, in particular a plastic film, in which the film is supplied to a holding mechanism having two holding means spaced apart from one another to hold the supplied film at two mutually oppositely disposed sides; in which the spacing of the two holding means from one another is then adjusted: and in which a supplied tray is subsequently pressed toward the supplied film by lifting from below, wherein the holding mechanism is adjusted such that the spacing of the two holding means from one another is reduced.

Shrink wrap tunnel
11084616 · 2021-08-10 · ·

A heat shrink tunnel with width adjustment includes a pair of opposing side wall assemblies, each including an outer wall and an inner perforated wall defining a plenum therebetween. The opposing side walls define a product path with the side wall assemblies being movable toward and away from each other. A heater/blower assembly disposed in each of the opposing side walls and has an outlet directed into the product path. A shroud extends over the side wall assemblies and an open top space between the side all assemblies. The side wall assemblies extend upwardly toward an inside of the shroud so as to define a small gap between tops of the side wall assemblies and the inside of the shroud. The shroud has a bottom wall. A conveyor is configured to convey items through the heat shrink tunnel. A tunnel includes a side wall assembly width adjusting assembly to move the side walls toward and away from one another by actuation of a single actuator.

Bagging machine and method

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/closing 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.

Packaging with extendable plastic film with simplified gripping
11077970 · 2021-08-03 ·

A packaging adapted to contain products, which is made with an extendable plastic film and has a simplified gripping, and in which the extendable plastic film is wrapped around the products with at least one coil to form a bundle, has on its upper surface only one notch configured to provide a gripping point of the packaging for a user.

BOX ASSEMBLING AND PACKING SYSTEM AND CONTROLLER FOR SAID SYSTEM

This box assembling and packing system is provided: a first jig which is fixed at a predetermined position and against which a side part of a body of a packing box is thrust; a second jig which is fixed at a predetermined position and against which a flap part and a tuck part of the packing box are thrust; and a robot having two articulated arms. A first articulated arm of the two articulated arms holds and moves the packing box in a flatly collapsed form by a packing box holding mechanism, folds and raises the body of the flatly collapsed packing box into a rectangular tubular shape in cooperation with the first jig, and maintains the folded and raised body of the packing box in the rectangular tubular shape by a packing box rectangular tubular shape maintaining mechanism. The second articulated arm moves a folding member into contact with the flap part and the tuck part of the packing box being held by the packing box holding mechanism of the first articulated arm, forms each of a bottom and a lid of the packing box in cooperation with the second jig, and moves an object-to-be-packed being grasped by an object-to-be-packed grasping mechanism and inserts it into the body from an end portion at a timing between forming the bottom and forming the lid.

CAPSULES TRANSPORT SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE HOUSINGS
20210253357 · 2021-08-19 ·

A transport system for transporting capsules within a machine for preparing capsules for producing capsules. Housings, wherein each housing is configured to house a capsule for producing beverages, and wherein the housings comprise at least a first housing for holding a first capsule and a second housing for holding a second capsule, wherein the second capsule is different in size and/or shape from the first capsule. Seats are configured to receive one of the housings with each seat configured to receive either the first housing or the second housing. An extractor extracts the first housing from a seat in which it is received. An insertor inserts the second housing into the seat. A machine for preparing capsules for producing beverages in which such a transport system is implemented is also presented.

Adjustable, inline packaging machine for filling and sealing pouches and method of using same
11091285 · 2021-08-17 · ·

An inline packaging machine for automatically accommodating and filling different sized containers, such as pouches, to reduce changeover time and thereby improve operating efficiency of the machine. The machine includes stations disposed longitudinally along a center line of the machine, including a first carrier track opposing a second carrier track with respect to the center line. A first clamp is disposed on the first carrier track and at least a second clamp is disposed on the second carrier track wherein the clamps are configured to releasably secure first-sized pouches for filling. The pouches are advanced inline from a setup station through an opening station to a filling station for filling with contents. The filled pouches are then advanced to a sealing and discharging station. A control system automatically adjusts the distance between the corresponding clamps to accommodate second-sized and/or third-sized pouches for inline processing and filling.

AUTOMATED CASE HANDLING SYSTEM
20210299874 · 2021-09-30 ·

The present invention provides an automated case handling system and method. The automated case handling system can determine the existence of a proper seal on a case, the location of a label or other criteria or place a label or other information on a case. It can be a self-contained unit that can be easily inserted into an existing case handling line. To facilitate easy installation, the disclosed embodiment is powered by electricity and can be configured to plug into a single power source. The automated case handling system has a control unit for controlling the operation. A first sensor determines the dimensions of a case. A second sensor is mounted on the moveable sensor support. The second sensor senses predetermined criteria on a case as the second sensor is moved along a case. The second sensor provides a detection signal to the control unit as to the existence of the predetermined criteria on a case. The detection signal gives a go authorization to the control unit to release a case or a no-go to redirect the case along a secondary travel path.