A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.

The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1), which unrolls a lower film web (8) from a supply roller (52) and transports it intermittently or continuously along the packaging machine and thereby forms packaging recesses (6) in the lower film web (8) in a forming station (2), after which the packaging recesses are filled with a product (16) to be packaged, wherein an upper film web (14) is subsequently sealed onto the lower film web (8) in a sealing station (15), wherein the upper film web (14) is unrolled from a supply roller (22). Provided downstream of the supply roller is a dancer (20), which has at least one, preferably two rollers (23.1, 23.2), which are provided on a linkage (23.4), which, driven by a rotary drive, rotates about an axis of rotation (23.3) and thereby stores a certain length of film web (8, 14) and/or produces a certain tension in the film web (8, 14).

The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1), which unrolls a lower film web (8) from a supply roller (52) and transports it intermittently or continuously along the packaging machine and thereby forms packaging recesses (6) in the lower film web (8) in a forming station (2), after which the packaging recesses are filled with a product (16) to be packaged, wherein an upper film web (14) is subsequently sealed onto the lower film web (8) in a sealing station (15), wherein the upper film web (14) is unrolled from a supply roller (22). Provided downstream of the supply roller is a dancer (20), which has at least one, preferably two rollers (23.1, 23.2), which are provided on a linkage (23.4), which, driven by a rotary drive, rotates about an axis of rotation (23.3) and thereby stores a certain length of film web (8, 14) and/or produces a certain tension in the film web (8, 14).

A device for filling liquid to pasty food products into prefabricated individual containers including a support rim, the device including carrier elements which are run by a drive continuously through the device, which carrier elements form receiving openings for the individual containers and include a top side that is oriented away from a direction of gravity and configured to carry the support rim of the individual containers that are inserted into the receiving openings; operating stations in whose operating range the carrier elements move during an endless cycle of the carrier elements in the device; at least one operating station that is configured as a sterilization device which de-germinates the carrier elements and the individual containers; a lifting device forming a portion of the sterilization device and configured to lift individual containers that are seated in the receiving openings and which contact a top side with the support rim.

A device for filling liquid to pasty food products into prefabricated individual containers including a support rim, the device including carrier elements which are run by a drive continuously through the device, which carrier elements form receiving openings for the individual containers and include a top side that is oriented away from a direction of gravity and configured to carry the support rim of the individual containers that are inserted into the receiving openings; operating stations in whose operating range the carrier elements move during an endless cycle of the carrier elements in the device; at least one operating station that is configured as a sterilization device which de-germinates the carrier elements and the individual containers; a lifting device forming a portion of the sterilization device and configured to lift individual containers that are seated in the receiving openings and which contact a top side with the support rim.

A method and apparatus for settling a product in a package made on a form, fill and seal machine. In one aspect the invention comprises the steps: providing a package material on a product conduit of a form, fill and seal machine; forming a first end seal on the package material to form a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with product; and settling the product in the partially formed package while continuously conveying the package material along the product conduit. In a second aspect, the invention comprises a product settler comprising a first object positioned to cause an impact against a package material. The impact agitates the package material and settles a product from an unsettled height to a settled height while the package material is continuously conveyed.

A method and apparatus for settling a product in a package made on a form, fill and seal machine. In one aspect the invention comprises the steps: providing a package material on a product conduit of a form, fill and seal machine; forming a first end seal on the package material to form a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with product; and settling the product in the partially formed package while continuously conveying the package material along the product conduit. In a second aspect, the invention comprises a product settler comprising a first object positioned to cause an impact against a package material. The impact agitates the package material and settles a product from an unsettled height to a settled height while the package material is continuously conveyed.

A protective packaging formation device is provided herein. The device includes an inflation assembly having a fluid conduit that directs fluid between overlapping plies of a polymeric web. The device also includes a driving mechanism that drives the film in a downstream direction. The device also includes a sealing mechanism that includes a thin film heater that heats the plies to create a longitudinal seal that seals the plies of film together. The driving mechanism drives the web such that the web slides across the heating assembly in a downstream direction to trap fluid between the plies.

The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises e.g. the step of adjusting the pitch, between the packaging containers being fed to an application device, by means of a pitch control device upstream the application device, such that the pitch becomes substantially equal between succeeding packaging containers and equal for all packaging sizes with an operational range of packaging sizes. The invention also relates to an apparatus being operated according to the method.

The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises e.g. the step of adjusting the pitch, between the packaging containers being fed to an application device, by means of a pitch control device upstream the application device, such that the pitch becomes substantially equal between succeeding packaging containers and equal for all packaging sizes with an operational range of packaging sizes. The invention also relates to an apparatus being operated according to the method.