In a transfer device and a process for discrete elements, fed in a line with a predetermined spacing, variations in the dimensions of the discrete elements resulting in a variation in a release spot included in a release segment, are absorbed by an alignment of the receiving elements. A transport device of the transfer device has receiving elements, each configured to receive a respective discrete element and moving along a transport path at a predetermined speed. The discrete elements are transported on a release device of the transfer device along a release path with a linear development. The release path has a release segment intersecting the transport path at a receiving segment of the transport path. The transport device includes a moving mechanism for the receiving elements to align the receiving elements at the receiving segment, where the release segment is superimposed on the transport path at the receiving segment.

The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.

The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.

A method accurately detects biting of a foreign object in a packaging machine. A control apparatus controls a packaging machine that sequentially seals and/or cuts a packaging material transported in a first direction using a rotor. The rotor is arranged to have a tangent to its outer circumference portion in contact with the packaging material extending in the first direction. The rotor is drivable and rotatable by a driver. The control apparatus includes an information obtaining unit that obtains information indicating a rotational position of the rotor and a status value of the driver in predetermined cycles, and a determination unit that determines a presence of an abnormality in a sealed portion of the packaging material using, from the information obtained by the information obtaining unit, a status value of the driver corresponding to a rotational position of the rotor falling within a predetermined range or being a predetermined position.

A method accurately detects biting of a foreign object in a packaging machine. A control apparatus controls a packaging machine that sequentially seals and/or cuts a packaging material transported in a first direction using a rotor. The rotor is arranged to have a tangent to its outer circumference portion in contact with the packaging material extending in the first direction. The rotor is drivable and rotatable by a driver. The control apparatus includes an information obtaining unit that obtains information indicating a rotational position of the rotor and a status value of the driver in predetermined cycles, and a determination unit that determines a presence of an abnormality in a sealed portion of the packaging material using, from the information obtained by the information obtaining unit, a status value of the driver corresponding to a rotational position of the rotor falling within a predetermined range or being a predetermined position.

Apparatus and method for separating product containing pouches from a travelling web of adhered films carried on a film support surface includes a rotary blade drum assembly having blade configurations with blade portions arranged to form the entire perimeter edge of the flange of the pouch which rotate in synchronous registration with grooves in the film support surface. In one form, at least one blade portion and associated groove portion are non-linear and other than longitudinal or transverse to the film support surface of the forming drum or travelling web of films. The blade portions may be heated and the rotary blade drum assembly may include insulating guides for the pouches.

Apparatus and method for separating product containing pouches from a travelling web of adhered films carried on a film support surface includes a rotary blade drum assembly having blade configurations with blade portions arranged to form the entire perimeter edge of the flange of the pouch which rotate in synchronous registration with grooves in the film support surface. In one form, at least one blade portion and associated groove portion are non-linear and other than longitudinal or transverse to the film support surface of the forming drum or travelling web of films. The blade portions may be heated and the rotary blade drum assembly may include insulating guides for the pouches.

The invention relates to a packaging machine comprising an apparatus for cutting food packagings to size along a longitudinal direction, wherein the apparatus defines an inner space and an outer region, said apparatus having a first shaft, which extends in the inner space and on which at least a first cutting blade is arranged, and a second shaft which extends in the inner space and on which at least a second cutting blade is arranged, said second cutting blade forming a cutting unit arranged in the inner space together with the first cutting blade during operation, wherein the first cutting blade is axially displaceably supported on the respective shaft to change an axial spacing and an axial contact pressure between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade of the cutting unit, and said apparatus having an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blade to displace the displaceable cutting blade in an axial direction. The invention furthermore relates to a method of setting a contact force between a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade of a cutting unit of a packaging machine.

The invention relates to a packaging machine comprising an apparatus for cutting food packagings to size along a longitudinal direction, wherein the apparatus defines an inner space and an outer region, said apparatus having a first shaft, which extends in the inner space and on which at least a first cutting blade is arranged, and a second shaft which extends in the inner space and on which at least a second cutting blade is arranged, said second cutting blade forming a cutting unit arranged in the inner space together with the first cutting blade during operation, wherein the first cutting blade is axially displaceably supported on the respective shaft to change an axial spacing and an axial contact pressure between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade of the cutting unit, and said apparatus having an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blade to displace the displaceable cutting blade in an axial direction. The invention furthermore relates to a method of setting a contact force between a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade of a cutting unit of a packaging machine.

A method for processing at least one blank for forming a carrier for containers includes obtaining at least one blank including a central panel having plurality of container openings and at least one container retention tab extending into respective container openings of the plurality of container openings. The method further includes inserting the at least one blank into a blank infeed assembly, moving the at least one blank from the infeed assembly to a blank processing assembly, the blank processing assembly having a forming belt and a forming wheel, moving the at least one blank between the forming belt and the forming wheel, and moving the at least one blank to a product engagement portion of the blank processing assembly such that the at least one blank is positioned for engagement with a group of containers.