Abstract:
Apparatus including a conveying member defining a loop (98). The conveying member can be a belt, a chain, or plurality of hinged plates. The invention also includes first and second supporting members (92, 94) individually disposed at opposite sides of the loop and spaced a first distance apart from one another. The first and second supporting members support rotating movement of the conveying member. A moving device (102) is operable to translate the first and second supporting members concurrently along a path having at least one bend (106). The lengths of the portions of the conveying member disposed on opposite sides of the bend can be adjusted by the moving device. A bendable frame assembly (108), connected to the moving device, extends between and is attached to the first and second supporting members.
Abstract:
A packaging system (20) for forming and filling a transportable container (22) of plurality of bulk goods includes a frame (26) having a bottom support (48) and an upper support (32). An upper turntable (34) is rotatably supported within the upper support (32) and a lower turntable (50) is rotatably supported on the bottom support (48). A drive system (58) includes at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66) interconnected to the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) for simultaneously driving and synchronizing rotation of the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66). A slip frame former (42) extends downwardly from the upper turntable (34) and a roll of stretch wrap (92) is disposed in overlapping relationship with the slip frame former (42) and the bottom support (48) during simultaneous and synchronized rotation of the turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66).
Abstract:
A packaging system (20) for forming and filling a transportable container (22) of plurality of bulk goods includes a frame (26) having a bottom support (48) and an upper support (32). An upper turntable (34) is rotatably supported within the upper support (32) and a lower turntable (50) is rotatably supported on the bottom support (48). A drive system (58) includes at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66) interconnected to the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) for simultaneously driving and synchronizing rotation of the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66). A slip frame former (42) extends downwardly from the upper turntable (34) and a roll of stretch wrap (92) is disposed in overlapping relationship with the slip frame former (42) and the bottom support (48) during simultaneous and synchronized rotation of the turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66).
Abstract:
The packaging system forms a transportable container for bulk goods having stretch wrap that is spirally wrapped about a bottom support and bulk goods to define the transportable container. The stretch wrap contacts at least a portion of the bulk goods to squeeze and lock together the bulk goods. During filling, the bottom support of the transportable container lowers as the transportable container is formed to accommodate additional bulk goods. The stretch wrap is prestretched from a non-stretched state to a stretched state prior to disposing the wrap about a slip frame former in the stretched state. The wrap returns to its non-stretched state as it is disengaged from the slip frame former to squeeze and lock together the bulk goods disposed therein. The packaging system results in a transportable container that is optimally packed and shaped for the efficient filling of a truck for shipping.
Abstract:
The invention provides a diameter reducing system for reducing the diameter of a flexible container as the container is filled. The system includes a shrinking device to shrink the container at the fill level as the container is filled with a plurality of particles. The shrinking device can include a heater to direct heat at the fill level. The container can be a bag formed from heat shrinkable material. Shrinking of the container at the fill level as the container fills promotes supporting engagement between particles.
Abstract:
The invention provides a diameter reducing system for reducing the diameter of a flexible container (12) as the container is filled. The system includes a stretching device (24) to stretch the container at the fill level as the container is filled with a plurality of particles. The stretching device can release a stretched portion (22) of the container substantially at the fill level as the fill level rises. The container can be a flexible, elastic bag. Shrinking of the container at the fill level as the container fills promotes supporting engagement between particles to enhance the structural integrity of the filled container and to reduce the likelihood that particles will be damaged during movement of the filled container.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for cutting open a case of product having a top and a bottom is provided. The case is placed on a conveyor (102) and moved to a cutting apparatus (106). The top is cut open at the cutting apparatus. The case is moved to a lift apparatus (108). The top of the case is opened and the product is lifted from the bottom of the case. The case is then cut by a bottom cutting apparatus (110) thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case.