The invention includes a method and apparatus to transfer and place articles (12) into outer packages (16), which are open at the top and which each receive at least one article group (18) composed of a plurality of articles (12). In the method, at least one article group (18) is seized by at least one handling device (46) and is placed from above into one of the outer packages (16). An article group (18), which has been seized by the handling device (46), already is compacted or will be compacted during placement of the article group into the outer package (16) by reducing the spacings between at least some of the individual articles (12) of the article group (18). The article group may also be subsequently spread out.

Machinery for packaging articles (15, 15′) in preformed cartons (18), having a conveyor (19) for making cartons travel with an article resting on top of the carton, partially enclosed by the carton, comprising a closing station, in particular having first folding means (24) designed to lift a first side wall of the said carton arranged transversely to the carton progress direction (A) so that it is positioned against the article, in particular towards the rear of the article with respect to the carton progress direction, characterised by the fact that said closing station may be moved parallel to the carton progress direction, wherein the closing station is integral to a sliding surface (20) which is parallel to the surface (26) of the machine on top of which the cartons travel. Packaging method using a machine as described above.

Machinery for packaging articles (15, 15′) in preformed cartons (18), having a conveyor (19) for making cartons travel with an article resting on top of the carton, partially enclosed by the carton, comprising a closing station, in particular having first folding means (24) designed to lift a first side wall of the said carton arranged transversely to the carton progress direction (A) so that it is positioned against the article, in particular towards the rear of the article with respect to the carton progress direction, characterised by the fact that said closing station may be moved parallel to the carton progress direction, wherein the closing station is integral to a sliding surface (20) which is parallel to the surface (26) of the machine on top of which the cartons travel. Packaging method using a machine as described above.

A method, apparatus and program product control a dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser of a stretch wrapping apparatus by utilizing a combination of a sensed rate of packaging material exiting the dispenser and a predicted geometric relationship between the packaging material dispenser and the load.

A method, apparatus and program product control a dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser of a stretch wrapping apparatus by utilizing a combination of a sensed rate of packaging material exiting the dispenser and a predicted geometric relationship between the packaging material dispenser and the load.

An advanced food storing, dispensing, and packaging system, including the use of computing and communications technology to both monitor and improve quality of food. The storing and dispensing system can also integrate with better packaging. Such a system and technology is used to create a better way to acquire and control food quality, whether delivered or not, raw or cooked, that is fresher when monitored, whether it waits to be delivered for immediate consumption or is acquired raw or in bulk and stored in a home pantry. This technology can be further leveraged to enable patrons to access and transact a food purchase without waiting in a checkout line including food that is not required to be specially packaged in order to be recognized by video analytics.

An advanced food storing, dispensing, and packaging system, including the use of computing and communications technology to both monitor and improve quality of food. The storing and dispensing system can also integrate with better packaging. Such a system and technology is used to create a better way to acquire and control food quality, whether delivered or not, raw or cooked, that is fresher when monitored, whether it waits to be delivered for immediate consumption or is acquired raw or in bulk and stored in a home pantry. This technology can be further leveraged to enable patrons to access and transact a food purchase without waiting in a checkout line including food that is not required to be specially packaged in order to be recognized by video analytics.

A machine for filling and capping cartridges for electronic-cigarettes includes a transport line for feeding cartridges; a transfer unit for transferring the cartridges from a feeding line to the transport line; a station for dispensing a predetermined quantity of product into the cartridges; a station for applying a cap to each cartridge filled with product; a system for feeding caps to the cap application station including a conveyor for transporting the caps thereto according to a pre-established formation, and a unit for detecting the caps transported by the conveyor; a control unit for checking possible empty spots in the formation of the transported caps, based on detection data provided by the detection unit, and for transmitting a stop signal to at least one among the transfer unit, the product dispensing unit and the cap application station, if an empty spot is identified in the formation of the caps.

A packaging process, apparatus and control system for articles to be packaged in box-shaped packagings are presented. The flow of box-shaped packagings and the flow of articles are efficiently managed, avoiding an excessive discarding of the box-shaped packagings during the process. Articles and open box-shaped packagings are conveyed in a continuous flow. Packaging compliance with the instructions related to the box-shaped packagings and article compliance with instructions related to the deposit of the articles are verified. Upon verification of the packaging compliance, the articles are transferred to the box-shaped packagings. In case of lack of packaging compliance, the flow of articles is suspended. In case of lack of article compliance, the articles to be transferred are moved to a buffer.

A packaging process, apparatus and control system for articles to be packaged in box-shaped packagings are presented. The flow of box-shaped packagings and the flow of articles are efficiently managed, avoiding an excessive discarding of the box-shaped packagings during the process. Articles and open box-shaped packagings are conveyed in a continuous flow. Packaging compliance with the instructions related to the box-shaped packagings and article compliance with instructions related to the deposit of the articles are verified. Upon verification of the packaging compliance, the articles are transferred to the box-shaped packagings. In case of lack of packaging compliance, the flow of articles is suspended. In case of lack of article compliance, the articles to be transferred are moved to a buffer.