Super Products LLC

Other

Ralph F Thompson

Charles E Frost

A package banding machine for wrapping each of plural packages with a band. The machine includes a package conveyor for continuously moving successive packages in-line in a machine direction at a set line speed. A series of band transfer heads connected to a transfer head conveyor are provided for transferring separate package bands from a supply source into overlying proximity with each package's obverse face, the transfer head conveyor also moving at the set line speed. A band forming head is cooperatively associated with the band transfer head, the forming head functioning to deform each band around against opposed side faces of a package after the transfer head has positioned the band against the package's obverse face. The machine includes a first flap folder for folding one end of the package band against a reverse face of the package while the package is continuously moving in the machine direction, and also includes a second flap folder for folding the band's other end against the package's reverse face while the package is moving in the machine direction. Preferably the band is oriented generally parallel to the machine direction when the band is positioned against the package' s obverse face so that the first flap folder can fold the band's one end in a counter-machine direction, and so that the second flap folder can fold the band's other end in the machine direction.

Package banding machine

A package collator machine adapted to translate two successive in-line packages into face-to-face paired orientation, particularly where the faces of those packages present plural curved surfaces, e.g., shrink wrapped sausages. The machine includes first and second package conveyors, one having a transfer section of a lesser length and the other having a transfer section of a greater length, that are juxtaposed to define common entry and exit points. The difference between the lesser and greater conveyor lengths is at least equal to the length of the trailing package of each package pair. A series of active package seats is preferably connected with one of the first and second conveyors, and a series of inactive package seats is connected with the other of those conveyors. The active package seats are connected with a vacuum system that holds packages in place while the packages are moved between entry and exit points when the active seat conveyor is oriented above the inactive seat conveyor during use of the machine. The first and second package conveyors preferably are operated at the same line speeds as packages move through their transverse sections between entry and exit points. Accordingly, two in-line packages at the conveyors' entry point are re-oriented into face-to-face paired orientation at the conveyors' exit point because of the difference in conveyor length and the sameness of the conveyor line speed.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Ralph F Thompson