An item packaging system can position and prepare a package for receiving one or more items. The package can be received by the system in a storage orientation and stored in a storage container. A picking assembly can be positioned above the storage container in a picking orientation and pick and rotate the package to a loading orientation. A gripper can grip the package in the loading orientation and transport the package to a loading station for loading the one or more items into the interior of the shipping receptacle.

The present disclosure relates to a container device capable of storing and discharging liquid. A container device according to the present disclosure includes a pouch having the elastic property; a rigid container having a rigid outer case compared to the pouch and having a container opening at one side thereof; a coupling unit coupled to the container opening and for coupling an opening of the pouch with the container opening; and an air passage formed at the rigid container or the coupling unit. When the pressure is applied to the inside of the pouch and the volume of the pouch is increased, the volume of a space between the pouch and the rigid container is reduced by an increase in the volume of the pouch, such that the air in the space is discharged to the outside of the rigid container through the air passage to perform the depressurization of the space.

An exemplary apparatus for making packages from a web of interconnected bags includes an indexing mechanism, an opening arrangement, a pair of engagement devices, and a sealing arrangement. The indexing mechanism is configured to move the web of interconnected bags along a path of travel. The opening arrangement is configured to open a bag such that an opening is formed in the bag and a product can be placed into the opening of the bag. The pair of engagement devices are configured to engage the bag and close the opening of the bag. Each engagement device includes a base member, a first link, a second link, a sliding pivot member, and a finger. The first link is pivotably connected to the base member, and the second link is pivotably connected to the first link. The sliding pivot member is configured to allow the second link to slide through the sliding pivot member and pivot in relation to the base member. The finger is connected to the second link. The pair of engagement devices are configured to pull a first side and a second side of the bag in opposite directions. The sealing arrangement is configured to seal the opening of the bag.

An exemplary apparatus for making packages from a web of interconnected bags includes an indexing mechanism, an opening arrangement, a pair of engagement devices, and a sealing arrangement. The indexing mechanism is configured to move the web of interconnected bags along a path of travel. The opening arrangement is configured to open a bag such that an opening is formed in the bag and a product can be placed into the opening of the bag. The pair of engagement devices are configured to engage the bag and close the opening of the bag. Each engagement device includes a base member, a first link, a second link, a sliding pivot member, and a finger. The first link is pivotably connected to the base member, and the second link is pivotably connected to the first link. The sliding pivot member is configured to allow the second link to slide through the sliding pivot member and pivot in relation to the base member. The finger is connected to the second link. The pair of engagement devices are configured to pull a first side and a second side of the bag in opposite directions. The sealing arrangement is configured to seal the opening of the bag.

A displacement device for a handling device, having an articulation mechanism on which the handling device is accommodated, wherein the handling device is displaceable by the articulation mechanism between a first position and a second position. A pre-loading device is in operative connection with the articulation mechanism and/or the handling device to intercept the weight of the articulation mechanism and/or the handling device during displacement of the handling device between the first position and the second position. In a method for displacement of a handling device by such a displacement device, the pre-loading device unloads the weight of the handling device during displacement between the first position and the second position so that a continuous and reduced application of force moves the handling device. A packing machine for filling product like bulk materials into bags includes a filling module with a filling nozzle, a displacement device and a handling device.

A displacement device for a handling device, having an articulation mechanism on which the handling device is accommodated, wherein the handling device is displaceable by the articulation mechanism between a first position and a second position. A pre-loading device is in operative connection with the articulation mechanism and/or the handling device to intercept the weight of the articulation mechanism and/or the handling device during displacement of the handling device between the first position and the second position. In a method for displacement of a handling device by such a displacement device, the pre-loading device unloads the weight of the handling device during displacement between the first position and the second position so that a continuous and reduced application of force moves the handling device. A packing machine for filling product like bulk materials into bags includes a filling module with a filling nozzle, a displacement device and a handling device.

A packaging system for filling bulk materials into packages, including a filling unit with a filling box, and a filling box for a filling unit of a packaging machine for filling bulk materials into packages, including an upwardly opened takeup space for a package, wherein the takeup space is laterally enclosed by side walls. A partial vacuum device is provided, which is disposed in a corner portion between the side walls. The method for filling packages provides for a package to be guided to the takeup space of such a filling box of a filling unit of a packaging system. The partial vacuum device is then activated for aspirating a flexible wall of a package into the corner portion between the side walls of the takeup space of the filling box.

A packaging system for filling bulk materials into packages, including a filling unit with a filling box, and a filling box for a filling unit of a packaging machine for filling bulk materials into packages, including an upwardly opened takeup space for a package, wherein the takeup space is laterally enclosed by side walls. A partial vacuum device is provided, which is disposed in a corner portion between the side walls. The method for filling packages provides for a package to be guided to the takeup space of such a filling box of a filling unit of a packaging system. The partial vacuum device is then activated for aspirating a flexible wall of a package into the corner portion between the side walls of the takeup space of the filling box.

A filling machine for filling flexible pouch type packages that includes a transport unit arranged for intermittent, edgewise advancement of the packages from an upstream station to a downstream station. The transport unit is movable in a reciprocating manner between a first end position and a second end position, and includes a first gripping member arranged to retrieve packages from the upstream station and delivered to the filling station, a second gripping member arranged to retrieve packages from the filling station and delivered to the downstream station and a suction cup member arranged for opening the filling channel of the packages retrieved by the first gripping member. The suction cup member includes, for each package retrieved by the first gripping member, a pair of oppositely arranged suction cups movably arranged in order to engage and separate side wall sections defining the filling channel of the associated package.

A filling machine for filling flexible pouch type packages that includes a transport unit arranged for intermittent, edgewise advancement of the packages from an upstream station to a downstream station. The transport unit is movable in a reciprocating manner between a first end position and a second end position, and includes a first gripping member arranged to retrieve packages from the upstream station and delivered to the filling station, a second gripping member arranged to retrieve packages from the filling station and delivered to the downstream station and a suction cup member arranged for opening the filling channel of the packages retrieved by the first gripping member. The suction cup member includes, for each package retrieved by the first gripping member, a pair of oppositely arranged suction cups movably arranged in order to engage and separate side wall sections defining the filling channel of the associated package.