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.

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 line for conveying and forming box-like bodies of different types includes at least one suction belt, closed in a loop and arranged at least in its initial portion, at least one strap, closed in a loop and provided with protruding teeth. The strap is parallel to the suction belt and is arranged at least in the end portion of the line and has the initial front juxtaposed with respect to the end portion of the suction belt. The line further includes at least one band closed in a loop and provided with protruding tabs, parallel to the at least one suction belt and to the at least one strap and is arranged along the entire line, and has a start area that is juxtaposed with respect to the at least one suction belt and an end area that is juxtaposed with respect to the at least one strap.

An automatic capping machine for containers includes a main frame body with a workbench having a bottom conveyor belt disposed thereon, and a lining plate provided below the conveying side of the bottom conveyor belt. A fixed track and a rolling mechanism are disposed on the workbench, and there is a gap between the rolling surface of the rolling mechanism and the fixed track. At least one rolling gap is relatively defined and formed by the space between the rolling surface and the fixed track. The lateral state maintaining structure of a container is disposed above the conveying side of the bottom conveyor belt, so that the convex frame edge of the box body of the container is maintained and limited above the fixed track. A through air collision avoidance section is formed in the rolling section defined on the setting path of the lining plate.

The invention relates to a processing device for foil pouches, comprising a plurality of pouch receiving elements arranged side by side, each of them being configured to receive and transport one foil pouch, a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed ramps arranged successively in the direction of transport, the pouch receiving elements being transported in a guided manner along said ramps when in operation, the distance of oppositely disposed ramps defining the width of the pouch receiving elements, and an adjusting element configured to automatically adjust the distance transversely to the direction of transport between oppositely disposed ramps.

An apparatus for producing a multipack includes forming groups on opposite sides of a transport section. The first forming group comprises a sliding carriage that moves along and transverse to a transport direction, a format part that forms a contact surface for engaging a container, and a guiding-and-holding element that detachably secures the format part to the sliding carriage. The first and second forming groups are movable along the transport direction and transverse to the transport direction such that contact surfaces of the first and second forming groups that are opposite each other are brought into contact with containers to move the containers along the transport direction and to press the containers against each other by moving transverse to the transport direction.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer including a pneumatically-controlled top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). The case sealer includes a pressure sensor that monitors the pressure of gas incoming from a gas source delivered to the top-head-actuating assembly via one or more valves. A controller controls the open level and/or the open time of the valves based on the pressure of the incoming gas to ensure the top-head-actuating assembly operates as desired regardless of whether the pressure of the incoming gas is equal to, below, or above a desired pressure. These features result in increased throughput compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.

A machine for packaging soft products, including a conveyor defining a ring-shaped path having an active linear lower branch facing a feed plane and a non-active linear upper branch. Each of a plurality of carriages supports a tooth, projecting towards the feed plane during the passage on the lower branch. A transfer device moves one group of products at a time, with a corresponding sheet of wrapping material folded around the group, towards the feed plane and to a receiving compartment defined by a first and a second tooth, along a second direction transversal to a first direction. Along the lower linear branch there are a number of teeth equal to the number of groups positioned or arrived on the feed plane. Each tooth is configured to define simultaneously a pushing tooth and a tooth containment when the tooth is interposed between two groups along the feed plane.

A machine for packaging soft products, including a conveyor defining a ring-shaped path having an active linear lower branch facing a feed plane and a non-active linear upper branch. Each of a plurality of carriages supports a tooth, projecting towards the feed plane during the passage on the lower branch, and configured for retaining and feeding along the feed plane the groups of products. A transfer device moves one group of products at a time, with a corresponding sheet of wrapping material folded into a U shape around the group, towards the feed plane and to a receiving compartment defined by a first and a second tooth, along a second direction transversal to a first direction. Each tooth includes a head permanently connected to the carriage and an operating portion in contact with the groups which can be separated from and reconnected to the head.

An apparatus for forming packs from multiple packaging units includes three transporters, a deflector, and an exchange transporter having no more than one transport segment. A gap exists between the first transporter and the third transporter. Either the exchange transporter or the second transporter is in the gap. Movement of the deflector adjusts a lineal dimension of the gap so as to accommodate insertion of the exchange transporter.