Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

A method for producing bags containing fiber material, comprises the steps of forming at least one continuous layer of fiber material; separating in succession portions of fiber material from the continuous layer and moving them along a predetermined path; feeding each portion of fiber material to respective containment and compaction elements of a first transfer conveyor; feeding an ordered succession of bags containing respective portions of fiber material to respective supporting elements of a second transfer conveyor; transferring the portions of fiber material into respective housings of a third transfer conveyor; transferring the portions from the third transfer conveyor inside respective containment bags carried by a second transfer conveyor; transferring the containment bags from the second transfer conveyor to a fourth transfer conveyor; and moving in succession the bags housing respective portions of fiber material to a folding unit at which the bags are closed.

A stack of a plurality of cellulose-containing absorbent towels for a dispenser is provided. The towels are separable upon dispensing. The stack is compressed to a predetermined density dependent on material choice.

A roll-packing machine (100) is provided with a belt drive mechanism having a closed-loop belt (110). Further, the roll-packing machine (100) is provided with a feed mechanism (130, 140) configured to feed a mattress (10) to the belt (110). The belt drive mechanism is configured to form an inner loop (115) of the belt, to receive the mattress (10) in the inner loop (115), and to roll the mattress (10) by advancing the belt (110) while the mattress (10) is received in the inner loop (115). The inner loop (115) of the belt may thus act as a rolling chamber for the mattress (10).

A roll-packing machine (100) is provided with a belt drive mechanism having a closed-loop belt (110). Further, the roll-packing machine (100) is provided with a feed mechanism (130, 140) configured to feed a mattress (10) to the belt (110). The belt drive mechanism is configured to form an inner loop (115) of the belt, to receive the mattress (10) in the inner loop (115), and to roll the mattress (10) by advancing the belt (110) while the mattress (10) is received in the inner loop (115). The inner loop (115) of the belt may thus act as a rolling chamber for the mattress (10).

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

A method for handling flat objects, in particular sanitary products, such as nappies, sanitary towels or the like, wherein a group of objects is subjected to a compression operation in a compression device so that the group of objects has a degree of compression as a result of the compression. A plurality of compression devices are arranged one after the other so that the group of objects which is compressed with a compression device is supplied to the following compression device with the respective degree of compression thereof and is further compressed in this compression device in order to achieve a higher degree of compression.