A method, apparatus and program product may utilize packaging material quality compensation to sense changes in certain characteristics of a packaging material that can be associated with increased risks of film breaks, and automatically make certain changes in machine settings to mitigate the impact of those enhanced risks.

An optimal package structure and an amount of refrigerant to insert into the package structure are determined based upon product information, consumer preference information, and weather information. The optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant are an optimized combination that is effective to both protect the product from damage and preserve the product from spoilage. A package is constructed to contain the product according to the optimal package structure and the amount of refrigerant is inserted into the structure.

An information processing apparatus for determining an area of a packaged object in a packaging material to suctioned by a suction device for picking up the packaged object includes an input unit configured to input an image obtained by capturing the packaged object, and a determining unit configured to, based on a state of a surface of the packaging material regarding a degree of ease of suction in each area of the surface of the packaging material identified based on the image, determine the area to be suctioned by the suction device.

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.

It is disclosed a packing-work station for packing articles, which belong to one picking order, into shipping units comprising: a packing device comprising a packing plane where the articles are stackable to an article stack; a stacking aid having a plurality of lateral sides against which the articles are positioned to form the article stack, wherein the stacking aid is configured to be positioned on the packing plane; and a measuring device for determining dimensions of the article stack in order to individually produce the shipping unit in accordance with the so-determined dimensions; wherein the lateral sides of the stacking aid, which are closed in a circumferential direction of the stacking aid, are connected to each other; wherein the lateral sides define an open bottom side as well as an open top side of the stacking aid, wherein the lateral sides are adjustable in length at least along the circumferential direction for positioning the lateral sides circumferentially compact against the article stack; and wherein the measuring device is configured to measure a length of the lateral sides of the stacking aid as well as to determine a maximum height of the article stack and the measured lengths as well as to transmit the so-determined height to a package-production device which produces the shipping unit in accordance with the measured lengths and the determined height.

It is disclosed a packing-work station for packing articles, which belong to one picking order, into shipping units comprising: a packing device comprising a packing plane where the articles are stackable to an article stack; a stacking aid having a plurality of lateral sides against which the articles are positioned to form the article stack, wherein the stacking aid is configured to be positioned on the packing plane; and a measuring device for determining dimensions of the article stack in order to individually produce the shipping unit in accordance with the so-determined dimensions; wherein the lateral sides of the stacking aid, which are closed in a circumferential direction of the stacking aid, are connected to each other; wherein the lateral sides define an open bottom side as well as an open top side of the stacking aid, wherein the lateral sides are adjustable in length at least along the circumferential direction for positioning the lateral sides circumferentially compact against the article stack; and wherein the measuring device is configured to measure a length of the lateral sides of the stacking aid as well as to determine a maximum height of the article stack and the measured lengths as well as to transmit the so-determined height to a package-production device which produces the shipping unit in accordance with the measured lengths and the determined height.

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 machine for wrapping a film to form packs containing single articles includes a conveyor transporting the articles, an aspirated conveyor belt arranged consecutively to the conveyor, a supply station feeding a film and arranging the film with a central part resting on the conveyor belt and with lateral parts projecting from the belt, a frame associated with the conveyor belt and tunnel-conformed for passage of the articles, and folder means for abutting the projecting lateral parts of the film and winding the parts about the tunnel-conformed frame to form a tube of film about the tunnel-conformed frame. A glue device applies glue on one of the two flaps of the film and heat welding and cutting means are activatable for clamping the tube of film and heat-welding and cutting the film to obtain an envelope containing the article.