Ethicon, Gmbh

Taifa Nyiendo

Robert Nunez

Andrew Chaloka

Apparatus for opening an open end of a pouch, an overwrap, or the like so as to facilitate the insertion of an object thereinto includes a number of processing stations, such as a storage station where a supply of pouches is stored and an opening station where an open end of a pouch transported thereto from the storage station is opened so as to receive an object. A transporting mechanism, which includes a suction-type gripper, transports a pouch from the storage station to the opening station and then from the opening station to another station, which may or may not be a processing station. The suction-type gripper of the transporting mechanism continuously grips a pouch throughout its movement from station to station. The opening station may be provided with its own pair of suction-type grippers which cooperate to open a pouch which has been transported to the opening station. Other processing stations include an inspection station for inspecting a pouch transferred from the opening station and a sealing station for sealing a properly filled pouch. The last station is an unloading station having its own suction-type gripper adapted to receive a sealed pouch which is handed off by the suction-type gripper of the transporting mechanism.

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Somerset, NJ, United States of America

Taifa Nyiendo