A method, apparatus and program product perform automatic load profiling to optimize a wrapping operation performed with a stretch wrapping machine. Automatic load profiling may be performed, for example, to determine a density parameter for a load that is indicative of load stability such that one or more control parameters may be configured for a wrapping operation based upon the density parameter. Automatic load profiling may also be performed, for example, to detect a load with a nonstandard top layer, e.g., a load with a top or slip sheet, a load with an easily deformable top layer, a load with a ragged top surface topography and/or a load with an inboard portion, such that a top layer containment operation may be activated during wrapping to optimize containment for the load.

A method, apparatus and program product perform automatic load profiling to optimize a wrapping operation performed with a stretch wrapping machine. Automatic load profiling may be performed, for example, to determine a density parameter for a load that is indicative of load stability such that one or more control parameters may be configured for a wrapping operation based upon the density parameter. Automatic load profiling may also be performed, for example, to detect a load with a nonstandard top layer, e.g., a load with a top or slip sheet, a load with an easily deformable top layer, a load with a ragged top surface topography and/or a load with an inboard portion, such that a top layer containment operation may be activated during wrapping to optimize containment for the load.

A tubular bag machine having a longitudinal sealing element having two transverse sealing jaws which are moveable against each other to transversely seal a film tube, having a mechanism which moves the transverse sealing jaws, a filling device for filling the unsealed tubular bags with a filling material, a separating element for separating individual filled tubular bags, a dosing device disposed upstream of the filling device, and a transfer element having several transfer containers between the filling device of the tubular bag machine and the dosing device. The filling material is transferred from the dosing device to the transfer containers, and the transfer containers are transported to a dispensing station along a transfer line, and the filling material is transferred to the filling device, and the transfer containers are transported back along a return transfer line.

A tubular bag machine having a longitudinal sealing element having two transverse sealing jaws which are moveable against each other to transversely seal a film tube, having a mechanism which moves the transverse sealing jaws, a filling device for filling the unsealed tubular bags with a filling material, a separating element for separating individual filled tubular bags, a dosing device disposed upstream of the filling device, and a transfer element having several transfer containers between the filling device of the tubular bag machine and the dosing device. The filling material is transferred from the dosing device to the transfer containers, and the transfer containers are transported to a dispensing station along a transfer line, and the filling material is transferred to the filling device, and the transfer containers are transported back along a return transfer line.

An autonomous packing apparatus, including a body, a shelf coupled to the body for placing goods, a shelf actuator for moving the shelf relative to the body, output device for outputting a packing material for packing the goods while the goods are located on the shelf, a computerized management system coupled to the shelf actuator and to the output device, including a set of instructions for outputting a first portion of the packing material before the goods are placed on the shelf, moving the shelf after the goods are placed on the shelf, and outputting a second portion of the packing material after the goods are placed on the shelf.

An autonomous packing apparatus, including a body, a shelf coupled to the body for placing goods, a shelf actuator for moving the shelf relative to the body, output device for outputting a packing material for packing the goods while the goods are located on the shelf, a computerized management system coupled to the shelf actuator and to the output device, including a set of instructions for outputting a first portion of the packing material before the goods are placed on the shelf, moving the shelf after the goods are placed on the shelf, and outputting a second portion of the packing material after the goods are placed on the shelf.

A system for grabbing and filling pills into a blister pack is provided and associated corresponding method. The system includes a vacuum pill-manipulator provided with prongs having holes at their tip to retain pills. The vacuum pill-manipulator is configured to transition from a pill-retaining configuration where suction is applied at the tip of each prong to hold the pills during movement, to a pill-releasing configuration where suction is released to drop the pills in corresponding pill-chambers. A robotized arm is provided with the vacuum pill-manipulator, and is controllable to: move the vacuum pill-manipulator from a pill-container rack, for grabbing a pill-container, to a pill-container retaining station, to suction pills at the tips of the prongs; and move, in the pill-retaining configuration, the vacuum pill-manipulator to the blister pack location, and position the vacuum pill-manipulator to align the tip of each prong with the corresponding pill-chamber for the pill-releasing configuration.

A system for grabbing and filling pills into a blister pack is provided and associated corresponding method. The system includes a vacuum pill-manipulator provided with prongs having holes at their tip to retain pills. The vacuum pill-manipulator is configured to transition from a pill-retaining configuration where suction is applied at the tip of each prong to hold the pills during movement, to a pill-releasing configuration where suction is released to drop the pills in corresponding pill-chambers. A robotized arm is provided with the vacuum pill-manipulator, and is controllable to: move the vacuum pill-manipulator from a pill-container rack, for grabbing a pill-container, to a pill-container retaining station, to suction pills at the tips of the prongs; and move, in the pill-retaining configuration, the vacuum pill-manipulator to the blister pack location, and position the vacuum pill-manipulator to align the tip of each prong with the corresponding pill-chamber for the pill-releasing configuration.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.

A method of adjusting accelerations within a packaging machine includes determining the dimensions and frictional coefficients of each product or group of products that are placed on a product feeder 106. Acceleration profiles of first and second drive lines 200, 202 can be adjusted to ensure that the products are moved through the packaging machine at appropriate speeds and accelerations. The method may ensure that the products maintain proper positions throughout the packaging process so that the products are not damaged, and the packaging process is not hindered. A packaging machine with means for determining the coefficient of friction associated with a product is also provided.