Providing a rotary packaging machine which can improve production efficiency and mass productivity, which can be rendered smaller-sized with the result of reduction in a footprint and which can cause various devices and apparatuses arranged at each packaging station to function in a stable manner. The rotary packaging machine P in accordance with the invention has four grip pairs intermittently moved to each packaging station simultaneously, and all the grip pairs include grips configured to be located on a circumference L of an imaginary circle that is concentric with a disk-shaped rotating body.

A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.

A method of loading articles in cartons. The method can comprise moving a carton in a generally flat configuration in a downstream direction with a carton opening carousel, at least partially opening the carton while moving the carton with the carton opening carousel, and transferring the carton from the carton opening carousel to a carton loading carousel in a transfer region. The transferring the carton can comprise moving the carton in an upstream direction. The method further can comprise loading a plurality of articles into the carton while moving the carton in a downstream direction with the carton loading carousel.

An apparatus makes packages from a web of bags includes an indexing mechanism, an opening arrangement, engagement devices, and a sealing arrangement. The indexing mechanism moves the web. The opening arrangement opens a bag to form an opening so that a product can be placed into the bag. The engagement devices engage the bag and close the opening. Each engagement device includes a base, a first link, a second link, a sliding pivot, and a finger. The first link is pivotably connected to the base, and the second link is pivotably connected to the first link. The sliding pivot pivots with respect to the base and allows the second link to slide through the sliding pivot member. The finger is connected to the second link. The engagement devices pull a first and second sides of the bag in opposite directions. The sealing arrangement seals the opening of the bag.

An apparatus makes packages from a web of bags includes an indexing mechanism, an opening arrangement, engagement devices, and a sealing arrangement. The indexing mechanism moves the web. The opening arrangement opens a bag to form an opening so that a product can be placed into the bag. The engagement devices engage the bag and close the opening. Each engagement device includes a base, a first link, a second link, a sliding pivot, and a finger. The first link is pivotably connected to the base, and the second link is pivotably connected to the first link. The sliding pivot pivots with respect to the base and allows the second link to slide through the sliding pivot member. The finger is connected to the second link. The engagement devices pull a first and second sides of the bag in opposite directions. The sealing arrangement seals the opening of the bag.

The packaging machine for packaging products in preformed flexible containers with closing element comprises a feeding station (1), which feeds the preformed flexible containers (10) with closing element; a dosing station, which doses a product into the containers; and a sealing station (6), which seals the container with the product inside, wherein the packaging machine also comprises an opening station (3), in which said container (10) is opened, said opening station (3) being positioned before said dosing station.

It allows the container to be fed with the closing element open or closed, as the opening station allows the closing element to be opened if it is closed, increasing the productivity of the packaging machine.

The present invention relates to a method of packaging a set of stacked lids, which includes the steps of capturing an empty, flat package (12), comprising an inlet (25), by securing a vacuum terminal (8) in the immediate proximity of the inlet (25) of the package (12) and maintaining this package (12) straight; maintaining the vacuum terminal (8) activated, retaining the package (12), and producing an air jet towards the inlet (25) of the package (12) so as to open the inlet (25) of the package (12); maintaining a vacuum terminal (8) activated, retaining the package (12) and fitting the inlet (25) of the package (12) thus opened in a feed nozzle (5); transferring into the package (12) a set of stacked lids (6), the set of lids (6) passing through the feed nozzle (5) and the inlet (25) of the package (12) to the interior of the package (12). The present invention also relates to a packaging device for sets of stacked lids.

The present invention relates to a method of packaging a set of stacked lids, which includes the steps of capturing an empty, flat package (12), comprising an inlet (25), by securing a vacuum terminal (8) in the immediate proximity of the inlet (25) of the package (12) and maintaining this package (12) straight; maintaining the vacuum terminal (8) activated, retaining the package (12), and producing an air jet towards the inlet (25) of the package (12) so as to open the inlet (25) of the package (12); maintaining a vacuum terminal (8) activated, retaining the package (12) and fitting the inlet (25) of the package (12) thus opened in a feed nozzle (5); transferring into the package (12) a set of stacked lids (6), the set of lids (6) passing through the feed nozzle (5) and the inlet (25) of the package (12) to the interior of the package (12). The present invention also relates to a packaging device for sets of stacked lids.

A method for inserting mass-customized items into bags includes the steps of (a) identifying each individual item of a plurality of mass customized items using item-specific identification information associated with each individual item in a computer system database; (b) conveying the plurality of identified individual items on an item conveyor; (c) conveying a plurality of bags on a bag conveyor, each of the bags being associated with the item-specific identification information associated with least one of the individual mass-customized items; (d) associating each of the bags with the item identification information associated with each of the identified individual mass-customized items; (e) receiving the plurality of mass-customized items from the item conveyor; and (f) inserting each individual mass-customized item into one of the bags that has been associated with the individual mass-customized item using the item-specific identification information in the database identifying the individual mass-customized item.

A method for inserting mass-customized items into bags includes the steps of (a) identifying each individual item of a plurality of mass customized items using item-specific identification information associated with each individual item in a computer system database; (b) conveying the plurality of identified individual items on an item conveyor; (c) conveying a plurality of bags on a bag conveyor, each of the bags being associated with the item-specific identification information associated with least one of the individual mass-customized items; (d) associating each of the bags with the item identification information associated with each of the identified individual mass-customized items; (e) receiving the plurality of mass-customized items from the item conveyor; and (f) inserting each individual mass-customized item into one of the bags that has been associated with the individual mass-customized item using the item-specific identification information in the database identifying the individual mass-customized item.