A thermoform packaging machine comprising, as work stations, a forming station for thermoforming troughs in a packaging film, at least one sealing station for sealing the troughs with a cover film, and a cutting station as well as a feeding device for causing a feed of the packaging film. A method for using such a thermoform packaging machine wherein a controller determines for two or more work stations, prior to a process step, which required feed length each of these work stations has, the required feed length indicating the distance by which the packaging film will have to be conveyed for the next process step of the respective work station, before a feed length specification is ascertained from the required feed lengths determined and the feeding device is controlled accordingly.

The invention relates to a method and a production line (1) for producing pouches (2). The product line (1) comprises a supply unit (3), a deformation unit (4), a dosing unit (5), a sealing unit (6) and a cutting unit (7).

A device (1) handling articles comprises at least one work module (30), which can move packages with article placed on a first packaging type and at least one folding mechanism (45) used to erect back and/or front flaps of the first packaging type. Another component of the device (1) is at least one transport module (20), with a transport device (2), along which articles intended for packages of a second packaging type move, where the second packaging type differs from the first packaging type. The at least one folding mechanism (45) and the transport device (2) alternate between an operating position (BP) and a waiting position (WP). The operating positions (BP) and the waiting positions (WP) are configured such that the at least one folding mechanism (45) is disposed exclusively adjacent to the right side or to the left side of the transport means (2).

A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.

A tray sleeving system includes a robotic arm, an end-of-arm tool operably connected to the robotic arm and configured to selectively hold a sleeve blank, a conveyor system having a first sidewall proximate the robotic arm and a second sidewall distal from the robotic arm and separated from the first sidewall by a conveyor, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions for execution by the processor that, when executed, cause the processor to cause the robotic arm to retrieve a sleeve blank with the end-of-arm tool; cause the robotic arm to push the sleeve blank against the second sidewall so as to cause the sleeve blank to transition from a flattened state to an open state; and cause the robotic arm to release the sleeve blank into a loading position on the conveyor.

A variable height fill station for filling containers with ready mixed compositions, includes a hopper, a dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the hopper, an inner tube having a first inner end, and an opposite second inner end, an outer tube having a first outer end telescopingly receiving the second inner end of the inner tube, and an opposite second outer end, a support frame supporting the second outer end, and providing an actuator mounting point, and a linear actuator connected at a work end to the second inner end, and at an opposite end to the support frame, so that linear reciprocation of the actuator moves the inner tube relative to the outer tube, thus adjusting an operational height of the dispensing nozzle.

A container handling plant and a method for a container handling plant are shown. The container handling plant comprises at least one container handling machine for handling containers, wherein at least one container handling machine comprises a type preselection memory in which different types are preselectable for a handling to be performed by the container handling machine, at least one output device positioned at the at least one container handling machine for outputting an audio signal and/or an optical signal, and a control device configured to control the at least one output device such that the output device acoustically outputs a predetermined audio signal made of tone sequences comprising at least two different tones and/or optically outputs an optical signal, if due to the type preselected in the type preselection memory a change of a type or a refilling for the preselected type at the container handling machine is scheduled in the future at the end of a predetermined time period.

An apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers, in particular vials, syringes or carpules, and a filling device for filling pharmaceutical containers. The apparatus includes a frame that can be positioned on a set-down surface and has a surface, a first side and a second side, a processing station, and a transport device arranged between the first side and the second side, with circulating holding elements for the containers which move along a transport direction on a transport segment and counter to the transport direction on a return segment. The processing station is arranged at the transport segment, and the transport segment and the return segment are arranged above the surface. The transport plane is inclined by an angle of inclination relative to a plane of the surface and/or a horizontal plane, and the transport segment is arranged above the return segment in the direction of gravity.

A carton sizing system (1) that has a frame (2), a controller (4), one or more cutters (51) movably mounted to the frame (2) and operatively connected to the controller (4), one or more markers (61) movably mounted to the frame (2) and operatively connected to the controller (4). The carton sizing system (1) also has a measuring system (7) that is operatively connected to the controller (4) and configured to determine, in use, the footprint of an open top carton and to determine the height of one or more objects contained within the carton. The controller (4) is configured to position the one or more cutters (51) based on the determined footprint and to cut vertical edges of the carton based on the determined height and also to position the one or more markers (61) based on the determined footprint and eight and to score or crease vertical walls of the carton between the vertical edges to at least partially define foldable panels.

Control of a load wrapping apparatus may be based at least in part on the relative stability of a load, such as based upon one or more load stability types that categorize the relative stability of the load. A graphical depiction of a wrap profile may also be used in some instances to facilitate operator set up of the wrap profile.