Systems and method of wrapping an object are disclosed. An object wrapping system includes a contractible loop, a positioning system, and a wrapping material system. The contractible loop is configured to be deployed in an expanded position and a contracted position. The positioning system is configured to position an object in alignment with an aperture defined by the contractible loop. The wrapping material system is configured to position a wrapping material between the object and the aperture. The positioning system is configured to move the object into the wrapping material and through the aperture when the contractible loop is deployed in the expanded position. The contractible loop is configured to deploy into the contracted position to at least partially close the wrapping material around the object.

A packaging machine is for packaging articles with a film. The packaging machine has: a housing; an infeed belt configured to feed an article to be packaged in a transport direction to a film packaging device in the packaging machine; and a weighing device configured to determine a weight of the article. The weighing device has a weighing belt configured to convey the article from the weighing device to the infeed belt in the transport direction. The weighing device is rigidly connected to the infeed belt. The weighing device and the infeed belt together form an infeed module that is removeable from the housing. The removable infeed module has a shared fastener for being releasably fastened to the housing.

A packaging machine is for packaging articles with a film. The packaging machine has: a housing; an infeed belt configured to feed an article to be packaged in a transport direction to a film packaging device in the packaging machine; and a weighing device configured to determine a weight of the article. The weighing device has a weighing belt configured to convey the article from the weighing device to the infeed belt in the transport direction. The weighing device is rigidly connected to the infeed belt. The weighing device and the infeed belt together form an infeed module that is removeable from the housing. The removable infeed module has a shared fastener for being releasably fastened to the housing.

A tray sealer comprises a conveyor arrangement for conveying packaging trays along a conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement comprises a first conveyor device for conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, a second conveyor device running laterally alongside the first conveyor device for conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, and a center guide which is arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device and extends along the conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement further comprises a third conveyor device for conveying packaging trays along the conveying direction. The third conveyor device extends adjoining the second conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction laterally alongside the first conveyor device.

A tray sealer comprises a conveyor arrangement for conveying packaging trays along a conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement comprises a first conveyor device for conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, a second conveyor device running laterally alongside the first conveyor device for conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, and a center guide which is arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device and extends along the conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement further comprises a third conveyor device for conveying packaging trays along the conveying direction. The third conveyor device extends adjoining the second conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction laterally alongside the first conveyor device.

An apparatus for processing food products comprises a product conveyor having a frame and a conveyor unit for conveying products along a conveying direction, wherein the conveyor unit is arranged laterally projecting at the frame with respect to the conveying direction and comprises a work unit which is associated with the processing of the conveyed products and which is arranged at least partly beneath the projecting conveyor unit of the product conveyor. Provision is made that the frame of the product conveyor is supported or held at the work unit via a mechanical connection or extends into a free space defined by the work unit.

An apparatus for processing food products comprises a product conveyor having a frame and a conveyor unit for conveying products along a conveying direction, wherein the conveyor unit is arranged laterally projecting at the frame with respect to the conveying direction and comprises a work unit which is associated with the processing of the conveyed products and which is arranged at least partly beneath the projecting conveyor unit of the product conveyor. Provision is made that the frame of the product conveyor is supported or held at the work unit via a mechanical connection or extends into a free space defined by the work unit.

A product management system (100) includes —a continuous first track (104), including a lug queuing section (108), a lug engagement section (110), and a product engagement section (112), each section being configured and adapted to effectuate specific lug movement steps, —a continuous chain (116) partially following the track configured and adapted to actuate lugs (106) about at least a portion of the track, —a series of lugs (106) moveably disposed along the track (104) configured for moving a product along the product engagement section of the track, —a star wheel (120) disposed at the lug engagement section (110) of the track (104) configured for metering lugs (106) to engage the chain (116) from the queuing section (108) of the track (104) and to control a variable pitch between each of the lugs along the transferring chain, —and a magnetism source (122) configured to direct the lugs (106) to the queuing section (108), and to the end of the queuing section (108).

A method of arranging articles can comprise moving a first article and a second article along a respective first lane and second lane toward a respective first output end of the first lane and second output end of the second lane, and guiding the first article from the first output end onto a stacking conveyor. The guiding the first article can comprise engaging the first article with first guide features. The method further can comprise moving the first article on the stacking conveyor past the second output end, and forming a stack by guiding the second article from the second output end onto the first article on the stacking conveyor as the stacking conveyor moves the first article past the second output end. The guiding the second article can comprise engaging the second article with second guide features. The method also can comprise moving the stack on the stacking conveyor.

A method comprises the steps of: positioning a plurality of objects, having different dimensions to each other, on an infeed conveyor; delivering to an intermediate conveyor a flow of objects coming from the infeed conveyor and movable along an advancement direction; feeding a packaging unit with the objects coming from the intermediate conveyor, the packaging unit producing a plurality of packages, starting from a web of packaging material, each package containing one object.

The method further comprises the step of checking if, in the flow of objects which advance along the intermediate conveyor, there are empty positions in which an object is missing. If an empty position is detected, there is provided filling the empty position by accelerating the objects which follow the empty position relative to the objects which precede the empty position. The intermediate conveyor comprises a plurality of conveyor belts arranged in sequence along the advancement direction. If the number of objects arriving on the intermediate conveyor in the unit of time is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the production speed of the packaging unit is adjusted in such a way as to keep in the intermediate conveyor a predetermined average filling level.