A machine and related method for clipping a succession of generally planar sheets according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,726 onto a succession of rectangular arrays of cans of a type having an end with a chime. Each sheet has two lines of can-stabilizing strips defined by generally parallel slits and two longitudinal edge portions defined thereby. Successive arrays of cans are registered in such manner that successive cans are spaced regularly and are conveyed with one such sheet overlying the cans of...

A reciprocating platen automatically aligns and seats the carriers. Extending downwardly from the surface of the platen is a pair of spaced, conically shaped projections. As the platen is lowered, the inclined surface of each projection engages and cooperates with the edge of one of the circular finger-grip openings in the upper surface of the carrier. The carrier moves in a plane parallel to the platen surface until the base of each projection is received within a different one of the openings,...

The invention relates to a method of packaging together series of bottles (6) by holder blanks (4) in which each one is to hold a number of bottles. The holder blanks (4) are provided in stacks (8) and are fed via a separation unit (9) to an application unit (3), into which bottles are fed on a conveyor (5) in a required formation (27). When a holder blank is applied, its laterally disposed flaps (39) are bent downwards and, at the same time, fingers (44), integrated with the flaps and possibly ...

A machine and related method for clipping a succession of generally planar sheets according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,726 onto a succession of rectangular arrays of cans of a type having an end with a chime. Each sheet has two lines of can-stabilizing strips defined by generally parallel slits and two longitudinal edge portions defined thereby. Successive arrays of cans are registered in such manner that successive cans are spaced regularly and are conveyed with one such sheet overlying the cans of...

Apparatus for enclosing a group of articles such as a six-pack of beverages having a divider separating the articles from each other includes a conveyor for moving the group in such a fashion as to receive the divider between the articles, the divider having a base element which is folded into position beneath the group, and including structure for thereafter enclosing the group with the base element of the divider maintained in position beneath the articles to prevent the upward movement thereo...

In an apparatus for fitting together cup-like or pot-like containers and packaging carriers which engage same and which are supplied by a guide means to the containers which are carried by a conveyor member, to form a packaging unit, the invention seeks to make it possible for the assembly operation to be performed by machine with a high level of through-put capacity and a wide capacity for adaptation to different sizes and quantities of containers or groups of containers. For that purpose, at l...

A machine for aligning the side walls of a continuously moving carton disposed in enveloping relationship about a continuously moving group of articles and having an open bottom wall panel and for positioning the bottom wall panel relative to the side walls comprises side registering means movable in synchronism with the carton and articles and provided with registering probes disposed to enter registering apertures formed in each side wall of the carton together with synchronous rotatable botto...

An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies, such predetermined spacing corresponding with a distance between ho...

An apparatus and method for storing two different types of carton, and for selecting and transferring cartons to be packaged, which apparatus includes a first hopper for storing a first carton type, a second hopper for storing a second carton type, and a carton engaging device that provides a first position for engaging cartons from the first hopper and a different second position for engaging cartons from the second hopper. A transfer device transfers the cartons from its respective first or se...

An apparatus for sequentially applying panels or row of plastic caps to groups of cans or jars, which comprises: a feeding path for panels of caps, which is arranged above a belt conveyor arranged to feed a sequence of cans, already filled with product and sealed and belonging to a can packaging line; means for blocking each panel of caps at the end of the feeding path; and pressure means for applying each panel or row of caps to a group of cans being fed on the belt conveyor.