An ice bagger is provided. The ice bagger includes an ice hopper into which ice is disposed from an ice manufacturer. The ice hopper further includes an ice agitator. The ice hopper defines an ice trough positioned beneath the ice hopper. An ice auger is housed inside the ice trough. The ice auger transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. The ice delivery chute and the hatch define a bag filling area such that, when bags are present in the bag filling area, the bags are positioned to be filled. A scale is positioned on the hatch. The scale weighs the ice being deposited into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is sealed by a sealer. When the bag is sealed, the hatch opens and the bag of ice is deposited in an bag depository. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

An ice bagger is provided. The ice bagger includes an ice hopper into which ice is disposed from an ice manufacturer. The ice hopper further includes an ice agitator. The ice hopper defines an ice trough positioned beneath the ice hopper. An ice auger is housed inside the ice trough. The ice auger transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. The ice delivery chute and the hatch define a bag filling area such that, when bags are present in the bag filling area, the bags are positioned to be filled. A scale is positioned on the hatch. The scale weighs the ice being deposited into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is sealed by a sealer. When the bag is sealed, the hatch opens and the bag of ice is deposited in an bag depository. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Packaging method and device in which, with the aid of a stretch hood system 1, a tubular film portion 3 is drawn over an article 2 that is to be packaged. The tubular film portion 3 is firstly reefed with the aid of a reefing device 8 onto at least two reefing fingers 7 of a drawing-over device 6. Then, by moving the drawing-over device 6 along the article 2 that is to be packaged, the tubular film portion 3 is unreefed from the reefing fingers 7 of the drawing-over device 6 and drawn at least in sections over the article 2. During the reefing, the tubular film portion 3 is at least intermittently inflated.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a packaging apparatus and method for packaging an article with a tubular film to be pulled over the article. The packaging apparatus has a machine frame on which a film supply apparatus and a film covering apparatus are mounted. The packaging apparatus includes a releasable drive coupling usable to operatively couple a drive with either the film covering apparatus or the film supply apparatus (or a subcomponent of the film supply apparatus). Once coupled, the drive can move the film covering apparatus or the film supply apparatus relative to the frame.

A method for creating an opening in a sheath, made of stretch film, that retains a goods stack arranged on a pallet. The pallet comprising an upper-side deck surface as support for the goods stack and lower-side support feet. The sheath engages under the support feet arranged in the region of the four outer edges of the pallet. At least one opening is in the sheath between two support feet . At least one opening is generated such that the sheath is first heated, the heated sheath is retracted from the pallet and then, still in the heated state, displaced upward. The upwardly displaced sheath is secured in its upwardly displaced position by cooling. The invention also relates to a shaping apparatus, and additionally to at least one heating device for carrying out the method.

A floating platen system for use in connection with a packaging system that processes tube stock continuous film media to form bags that are filled with product. The floating platen system includes a floating platen that is maintained in a substantially stationary position by use of magnetic forces acting on the floating platen.

A floating platen system for use in connection with a packaging system that processes tube stock continuous film media to form bags that are filled with product. The floating platen system includes a floating platen that is maintained in a substantially stationary position by use of magnetic forces acting on the floating platen.

A device is provided for producing a tubular container which is able to be filled with granular, pulverulent, pourable and flowable materials, wherein the container can include webs manufactured from geotextile material. The device includes a displaceable frame with at least one unwindable geotextile web, wherein the frame includes a filling trough with an outlet hopper for the material, and wherein the filling trough has a conveying device for the filled material, the conveying device acting counter to the direction of movement of the frame, which, at the rear end of the filling trough, surrounds the material in an enveloping manner, in the region of the outlet hopper, by the unwindable geotextile web, as the frame is advanced, so as to form a tube.

A device is provided for producing a tubular container which is able to be filled with granular, pulverulent, pourable and flowable materials, wherein the container can include webs manufactured from geotextile material. The device includes a displaceable frame with at least one unwindable geotextile web, wherein the frame includes a filling trough with an outlet hopper for the material, and wherein the filling trough has a conveying device for the filled material, the conveying device acting counter to the direction of movement of the frame, which, at the rear end of the filling trough, surrounds the material in an enveloping manner, in the region of the outlet hopper, by the unwindable geotextile web, as the frame is advanced, so as to form a tube.

A packaging apparatus comprising a base surface, in turn comprising a first end and a second end is disclosed. The packaging apparatus further comprises a feed tube between the first end and the second end of the base surface, a transporter between the first end of the base surface and the feed tube, a first sealer between the feed tube and the second end of the base surface, and a second sealer between the first sealer and the second end of the base surface.