The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the steps of performing a motion cycle of a drive means for bringing at least one drinking straw into a picking position, and adapting said motion cycle such that, at the point when an application device picks the drinking straw at the picking position, the acceleration of the drive means is substantially zero and the velocity of the drive means is kept at a set point velocity. The invention also relates to an apparatus being operated according to the method.

The invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for applying drinking straws to packaging containers. The method comprises the steps of performing a motion cycle of a drive means for bringing at least one drinking straw into a picking position, and adapting said motion cycle such that, at the point when an application device picks the drinking straw at the picking position, the acceleration of the drive means is substantially zero and the velocity of the drive means is kept at a set point velocity. The invention also relates to an apparatus being operated according to the method.

A method of positioning and sealing a bag in a vacuum chamber, includes detecting a trailing edge of a product in the bag, detecting a trailing edge of a patch adhered to the bag, controlling advancement of the bag, and closing the bag. A bag positioning apparatus includes an infrared sensing apparatus, a fluorescence sensing apparatus, and a controller. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes adhering a first patch to film stock, detecting a position of the first patch, aligning a second patch with the first patch, and adhering the second patch to the film stock. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes detecting an edge of a patch adhered to film stock, forming a seal across the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch, and severing the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch.

A method of positioning and sealing a bag in a vacuum chamber, includes detecting a trailing edge of a product in the bag, detecting a trailing edge of a patch adhered to the bag, controlling advancement of the bag, and closing the bag. A bag positioning apparatus includes an infrared sensing apparatus, a fluorescence sensing apparatus, and a controller. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes adhering a first patch to film stock, detecting a position of the first patch, aligning a second patch with the first patch, and adhering the second patch to the film stock. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes detecting an edge of a patch adhered to film stock, forming a seal across the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch, and severing the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a box sealer including a first box measurer including a top flap engager configured to move downwardly from a disengaged position above a box at a box measuring position to an engaged position in which the top flap engager engages one or more of the four upright open top flaps of the box. The amount of movement of the top flap engager is partially used to determine the height of the box. The determined height is then used to position a combined flap closer and flap sealer at an appropriate position.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a box sealer including a first box measurer including a top flap engager configured to move downwardly from a disengaged position above a box at a box measuring position to an engaged position in which the top flap engager engages one or more of the four upright open top flaps of the box. The amount of movement of the top flap engager is partially used to determine the height of the box. The determined height is then used to position a combined flap closer and flap sealer at an appropriate position.

A method, apparatus and program product are provided that utilize wrap profiles that specify controlled wrap cycle interruptions to handle specialized load requirements for loads to be wrapped by a stretch wrapping machine. Also provided is a method of creating wrap profiles, and a plurality of wrap profiles are stored in a database.

A method, apparatus and program product are provided that utilize wrap profiles that specify controlled wrap cycle interruptions to handle specialized load requirements for loads to be wrapped by a stretch wrapping machine. Also provided is a method of creating wrap profiles, and a plurality of wrap profiles are stored in a database.

A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.

A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.