Abstract: An elongate vibratory conveyor for moving products is reciprocated by driving a motor with a cyclical nonuniform motion by supplying power nonuniformly to the motor. The conveyor is reciprocated in opposite lengthwise directions, without any substantial movement of the conveyor normal to the lengthwise direction. Motor control circuitry variably drives the motor automatically in response to feedback from a sensor which senses a motion related to the conveyor motion. The feedback signal is compared to a selected one of a set of predetermined different motion patterns, and the motor is driven by supplying power nonuniformly thereto in accordance with the selected motion pattern.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting transversely-spaced articles moving along a direction of travel employs an array of fluid nozzles aligned transversely to the direction of travel for separating some of the articles from others, according to differences in their physical characteristics, by selectively directing respective streams of fluid toward some of the articles to deflect them from the direction of travel. The nozzles are arranged in a substantially linear transverse alignment relative to the direction of travel, each nozzle being connected to a respective selectively operable fluid supply valve. The valves are arranged in a nonlinear array in a common plane extending generally in the direction of alignment of the nozzles, and are connected to the respective nozzles by flexible tubes of equal length which interface the nonlinear array of valves with the linear transverse array of nozzles. The tubes are embedded in a hardened polymeric material which also forms the nozzles.

Abstract: A natural frequency vibratory conveyor which substantially improves upon the slow starting and stopping times and the power requirements associated with prior art natural systems is disclosed. The conveyor employs a drive member reciprocatively connected at one end to a drive motor assembly and resiliently connected at the opposite end to the conveyor platform. The conveyor can be operated at unusually high natural frequencies of vibration, thereby achieving high production rates, by employing opposed, adjustable springs to establish a high bidirectional spring rate between the conveyor platform and the base. Undesirable vertical components of vibration can thus be reduced without sacrificing productivity due to the high natural frequency.

Abstract: A belt conveyor system carrying bagged product toward a packing station is interrupted and offset downward to form the basis of an automatic collating station for placing the bags in a column, side-by-side and upright, for easier packing into a carton. A rearwardly inclined guide surface at the offset between the upper and lower conveyor portions begins the erection of each bag as it is discharge by the upper conveyor portion and slides down into contact with the lower conveyor portion. Automatic sensing of a bag in this position actuates a reciprocating erector platen which emerges from the guide surface and tilts the bag forward against a previously erected bag. Further automatic sensing of this new forward tilted position of the bag actuates forward indexing of the lower conveyor to make room for the next bag. Then automatic retraction of the erector permits the next bag to be delivered into the collating station.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying resiliently self-latching lids to upwardly open containers such as molded plastic buckets used to contain powdered or liquid products, in which a supply of generally planar circular lids is supported in a shallow sloping stack in which individual lids are on edge and supported on parallel sloping rails. Lids are released individually into a lid placement guide which may include a reciprocally rotating mechanism to orient each lid to place a pour spout of the lid in proper position relative to a bail of the container. Containers are carried beneath the lid placement guide on an endless belt conveyor to receive lids. A powered presser roll forces the lid into mating relationship with each container, without overturning empty containers receiving the lids.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging product-filled sealed bags in cases includes an inclined plate and an extensible pushing plate operable to arrange a predetermined number of bags fed from an infeed conveyor in a row on the inclined plate. The row is supported thereon by a movable support pivotable from a holding or supporting position to a retracted position in which the row is free to slide downwardly off the inclined plate and onto a retractable bottom plate. The movable support further operates to position each row formed in an upright position on the bottom plate, where a predetermined number of rows are successively accumulated. The accumulated rows are laterally supported on one side by the movable support and on the other side by a cylinder having a supporting back plate at the end. When a predetermined number of rows have been accumulated, the bottom plate is retracted to allow a cylinder-operated pushing plate to push the rows downwardly into an underlying open case.