A packaging apparatus includes a first holding unit configured to hold a peripheral edge portion of a film on a front side; a second holding unit configured to hold the peripheral edge portion on a rear side; a lifting unit configured to press an article to be packaged to the film; a folding unit configured to fold the peripheral edge portion on the rear side into an underside of the article to be packaged; and an extruding unit configured to extrude the article to be packaged to the front side. The first holding unit moves to decrease tension of the held film after the peripheral edge portion on the rear side starts to be folded into the underside of the article to be packaged before the extruding unit starts to extrude the article to be packaged from the rear side to the front side.

A packaging apparatus includes a first holding unit configured to hold a peripheral edge portion of a film on a front side; a second holding unit configured to hold the peripheral edge portion on a rear side; a lifting unit configured to press an article to be packaged to the film; a folding unit configured to fold the peripheral edge portion on the rear side into an underside of the article to be packaged; and an extruding unit configured to extrude the article to be packaged to the front side. The first holding unit moves to decrease tension of the held film after the peripheral edge portion on the rear side starts to be folded into the underside of the article to be packaged before the extruding unit starts to extrude the article to be packaged from the rear side to the front side.

Systems and methods for securely identifying an item are disclosed. The method includes receiving an item, selecting a plastic wrap that is opaque and that includes a random pattern of markings, and wrapping the item with the plastic wrap, which protects the protects the item frons visual inspection with the opaque plastic and that secures the item with a unique fingerprint/code formed from the random pattern of markings.

Systems and methods for securely identifying an item are disclosed. The method includes receiving an item, selecting a plastic wrap that is opaque and that includes a random pattern of markings, and wrapping the item with the plastic wrap, which protects the protects the item frons visual inspection with the opaque plastic and that secures the item with a unique fingerprint/code formed from the random pattern of markings.

A wrapping machine for wrapping trayed items includes a wrap station and a conveying system for moving trayed items from an input station to the wrap station. The conveying system includes a conveyor for moving trayed items from the input station to a trayed item detection arrangement, and a prime mover operatively connected for moving the conveyor. A controller connected to the trayed item detection arrangement and the prime mover is configured for selectively carrying out a self-calibration operation in which: the prime mover is operated to cause movement of a portion of the conveyor from a start position to the trayed item detection arrangement; and an amount of prime mover movement required for the portion to travel from the start position to the trayed item detection arrangement is monitored and used to store a calibration value in memory of the controller.

Provided is a stretch wrapping machine that can stably convey film even in a case where, for the purpose of wrapping, a holding component that holds the film is provided separately from belts for conveyance. The stretch wrapping machine is equipped with conveyance devices (22) having belt conveyance units and belt pressing mechanisms, a clamp device (23), a wrapping station, and a control device (9). At the wrapping station, product is pushed against film held by the clamp device (23), and the product is wrapped by the film. The belt conveyance units have upper belts and lower belts that sandwich end portions of the film. Pressing members (221e) of the belt pressing mechanisms apply force to the upper belts so that the force with which the upper belts and the lower belts sandwich the film increases. Additionally, the control device (9) controls the belt pressing mechanisms so that during conveyance of the film the force resulting from the pressing members (221e) acts on the upper belts and so that after conveyance of the film the force resulting from the pressing members (221e) that had acted on the upper belts is cancelled.

Provided is a stretch wrapping machine that can stably convey film even in a case where, for the purpose of wrapping, a holding component that holds the film is provided separately from belts for conveyance. The stretch wrapping machine is equipped with conveyance devices (22) having belt conveyance units and belt pressing mechanisms, a clamp device (23), a wrapping station, and a control device (9). At the wrapping station, product is pushed against film held by the clamp device (23), and the product is wrapped by the film. The belt conveyance units have upper belts and lower belts that sandwich end portions of the film. Pressing members (221e) of the belt pressing mechanisms apply force to the upper belts so that the force with which the upper belts and the lower belts sandwich the film increases. Additionally, the control device (9) controls the belt pressing mechanisms so that during conveyance of the film the force resulting from the pressing members (221e) acts on the upper belts and so that after conveyance of the film the force resulting from the pressing members (221e) that had acted on the upper belts is cancelled.

A packing unit and method for folding a blank on a packing machine; the packing unit having: a packing conveyor having at least one pocket for receiving the blank; and a feed device for inserting the blank into the pocket on the packing conveyor; the packing conveyor has at least a first conveyor belt defining a bottom wall, of the pocket; at least a second conveyor belt separate from, parallel to, and alongside the first conveyor belt, and defining the bottom wall of the pocket together with the first conveyor belt; a first retaining member, which projects perpendicularly from the first conveyor belt and defines a front wall of the pocket; and a second retaining member, which projects perpendicularly from the second conveyor belt and defines a rear wall of the pocket.

A packing unit and method for folding a blank on a packing machine; the packing unit having: a packing conveyor having at least one pocket for receiving the blank; and a feed device for inserting the blank into the pocket on the packing conveyor; the packing conveyor has at least a first conveyor belt defining a bottom wall, of the pocket; at least a second conveyor belt separate from, parallel to, and alongside the first conveyor belt, and defining the bottom wall of the pocket together with the first conveyor belt; a first retaining member, which projects perpendicularly from the first conveyor belt and defines a front wall of the pocket; and a second retaining member, which projects perpendicularly from the second conveyor belt and defines a rear wall of the pocket.

A method of bundling primary packages of absorbent articles into secondary packages includes advancing first and second films in a stretched state in a machine direction. At least two primary packages of absorbent articles are advanced in the machine direction between the first and second films. The primary packages are compressed in a first direction, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the machine direction. The primary packages are advanced in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the machine direction. The first and second films are bonded together to form a bonded region. The first and second films compress the primary packages of absorbent articles in the first direction, forming a secondary package around the primary packages of absorbent articles. The bonded region is cut to form a first bond on a first secondary package and a second bond on a second secondary package.