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.

To fill bags, a hopper is used to stored fill material. Bag holders are mounted on a transport mechanism. At one or more operator stations, an operator attaches a bag to one of the bag holders. At one or more fill stations, fill material from the hopper is used to fill a bag attached to a bag holder. A conveyer mechanism conveys the bag, after it has been filled, away from the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism transports the bag holder with the attached bag from an operator station to a fill station. The transport mechanism also transports the bag holder from a fill station to an operator station.

To fill bags, a hopper is used to stored fill material. Bag holders are mounted on a transport mechanism. At one or more operator stations, an operator attaches a bag to one of the bag holders. At one or more fill stations, fill material from the hopper is used to fill a bag attached to a bag holder. A conveyer mechanism conveys the bag, after it has been filled, away from the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism transports the bag holder with the attached bag from an operator station to a fill station. The transport mechanism also transports the bag holder from a fill station to an operator station.

A method of automatic packing of comminuted silicon includes providing an inner bag in a first shaping vessel, spreading out an opening of the inner bag and positioning the opening above a lip of a first filling funnel of a filling unit, and filling the inner bag with comminuted silicon. The comminuted silicon passes through the filling funnel into the inner bag. The inner bag is welded in a welding unit. The opening of the inner bag is folded together by inward folding of two opposite inner bag sides such that two inner bag edges formed by the folding-together are opposite and parallel to one another and form a fold with a channel. A vacuum welder is applied to the fold and welds the inner bag. The inner bag is transferred into an outer bag. The outer bag is welded.

A method of automatic packing of comminuted silicon includes providing an inner bag in a first shaping vessel, spreading out an opening of the inner bag and positioning the opening above a lip of a first filling funnel of a filling unit, and filling the inner bag with comminuted silicon. The comminuted silicon passes through the filling funnel into the inner bag. The inner bag is welded in a welding unit. The opening of the inner bag is folded together by inward folding of two opposite inner bag sides such that two inner bag edges formed by the folding-together are opposite and parallel to one another and form a fold with a channel. A vacuum welder is applied to the fold and welds the inner bag. The inner bag is transferred into an outer bag. The outer bag is welded.

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 bag opening apparatus and a bag opening method capable of efficiently opening a bag body in a short period of time are provided. A bag opening apparatus includes a gap formation unit which bends at least a front wall portion, of the front wall portion and a back wall portion that constitute a mouth portion of a bag body, so as to form a gap. When a first press drive member presses a first holding unit against the front wall portion, a contact part of the first holding unit is swung against urging force of an urging part of the first holding unit to bend the front wall portion.

A facility for the automated opening of a carrier and for the provision of the carrier in loading and transport aids, the facility including a carrier feed appliance for feeding flatly closed carrier to a holder of a first conveying appliance, and a first conveying appliance for conveying the flatly closed carrier, which are held the holder, to a carrier opening appliance. The carrier opening appliance opens the flatly closed carrier. A merging appliance brings the carrier into the loading and transport aids. A second conveying appliance transports away the loading and transport aids with the opened carriers, which are arranged in the loading and transport aids.

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.