Various aspects of the subject disclosure relate to a compounder system having a cartridge that includes controllable fluid pathways. One or more rotary piston pump/valves may be used to move fluid and/or gasses through the various fluid pathways of the cartridge. For example, the cartridge may include a dedicated rotary piston pump/valve for each process that moves fluid and/or gas through the cartridge. When turning, the rotary piston pump/valve acts as a pump to move the fluid or gas, and when the rotary piston pump/valve stops turning, it effectively acts as a shutoff valve, preventing any fluid flow. Magnetic couplers for the cartridge may be provided on a pump head of the compounder system.

An automatic packaging machine for enclosing packages in a pliable film includes a conveyor for moving a package through the packaging machine, an end seal bar configured to cut and/or seal a pliable film transversely to a longitudinal axis of the pliable film, and first and second side sealers disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor and configured to cut the pliable film along the longitudinal axis of the pliable film. The side sealers are automatically moved in a vertical direction to align the side sealers with a centerline of the package. The side sealers are also automatically moved in a horizontal direction to approximate a known width of the package.

An automatic packaging machine for enclosing packages in a pliable film includes a conveyor for moving a package through the packaging machine, an end seal bar configured to cut and/or seal a pliable film transversely to a longitudinal axis of the pliable film, and first and second side sealers disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor and configured to cut the pliable film along the longitudinal axis of the pliable film. The side sealers are automatically moved in a vertical direction to align the side sealers with a centerline of the package. The side sealers are also automatically moved in a horizontal direction to approximate a known width of the package.

Disclosed is a method for arranging an edge-protection device on a package. For this purpose, an arranging device is moved from a starting position in the direction of the package. The package edge is sensed by way of a first or a second sensor. Which sensor is to be used is determined by a controller. To this end, the latter checks whether one of the sensors is arranged above the package top side. Also disclosed is an arranging device, which is used in the abovementioned method.

Disclosed is a method for arranging an edge-protection device on a package. For this purpose, an arranging device is moved from a starting position in the direction of the package. The package edge is sensed by way of a first or a second sensor. Which sensor is to be used is determined by a controller. To this end, the latter checks whether one of the sensors is arranged above the package top side. Also disclosed is an arranging device, which is used in the abovementioned method.

A first scoreline, and a perforated line along which a lid can be severed are formed beforehand in a lid sheet. The portion of the lid sheet along its first adjustment side is cut off in a strip shape by a first cutter. The portion of the lid sheet along its second adjustment side is cut off in a strip shape by a second cutter.

A method, apparatus and program product implement top layer containment operations to optimize containment of various types of loads such as loads with top/slip sheets, ragged topographies, and/or inboard portions. Bidirectional control of the elevation of a web of packaging material may be performed within one or more revolutions between a load and a packaging material dispenser to selectively engage one or more corners of the load with a web of packaging material while passing the web of packaging material inwardly of one or more other corners of the load.

A method, apparatus and program product implement top layer containment operations to optimize containment of various types of loads such as loads with top/slip sheets, ragged topographies, and/or inboard portions. Bidirectional control of the elevation of a web of packaging material may be performed within one or more revolutions between a load and a packaging material dispenser to selectively engage one or more corners of the load with a web of packaging material while passing the web of packaging material inwardly of one or more other corners of the load.

A wrapping machine comprising a base and a wrapping arm connected to the base and configured to be movable relative to the base. The wrapping arm includes a carriage vertically movable on the wrapping arm, with the carriage having a roll of wrap film. The wrapping machine also includes a bumper assembly movable with the wrapping arm. The bumper assembly includes a bumper and an actuator, wherein engagement of the bumper with an external object will actuate the actuator to stop movement of the wrapping arm about the product. The wrapping arm can include side tubes connected by a connection tube, with the side tubes forming a link recess between the side tubes. Each of the side tubes includes an exteriorly facing slot, with the carriage riding on the side tubes along the slot. A link moves within the link recess to move the carriage.

A packaging system for high flexibility and speed box-last packaging comprises one or more dimensional scanning sensors that are configured to scan a group of one or more target products that are to be boxed and gather dimension information describing physical dimensions of the group of one or more target products. The system also comprises one or more packaging-production machines that are configured to generate custom-made packaging templates that conform to a pre-determined set of packaging template types. Additionally, the system comprises a packaging template buffer that comprises physically divided sections that contain multiple packaging templates selected from the pre-determined set of packaging template types that are generated by the one or more packaging-production machines. Each of the packaging templates are organized within the physically divided section based upon packaging template type.