Abstract: The assembly performs the method of handling packages having a panel extending outwardly from one side of the package and along one edge thereof. A plurality of such contiguously nested packages is provided with the extending panel of each package disposed in the same direction and overlapping the side of the next adjacent juxtaposed package. The end package of the plurality of nested packages has its extending panel directed outwardly from the plurality and is rotated to cause the extending panel thereof to be placed in an overlapping relationship with respect to the next adjacent juxtaposed package. The plurality of packages being fed to the work station of the end package rotation process is acted upon in a particular manner to cause them to shift with respect to each other to produce a substantially uniform overlapping disposition of the outwardly extending panels with respect to the side of the next adjacent juxtaposed panel.

Abstract: An article feeding and stacking mechanism for receiving a series of articles from a conveyor and then collating the articles for subsequent cartoning or other disposition. A first indexing or collating wheel lifts the articles from the delivery end of the conveyor and stacks or deposits one or more of the articles on an intermediate support. The articles are then lifted by a second indexing or collating wheel and deposited or stacked in predetermined arrangement on a table for subsequent handling. A pair of control guide wheels are positioned above the collating wheels for restraining or limiting unwanted movement of the articles as they are being handled by the collating wheels. The collating wheels have cut-out or recessed portions at that portion of their support surfaces which would normally engage the edge of the articles, whereby the edges of the articles are not damaged by excessive pressure against the collating wheel support surfaces.

Abstract: A longitudinally, self-adjustable linking element is used to form a conveyor assembly for moving an article along a path. The linking element has two end sections, bearings mounted at each end section, and coupling elements for connecting the end sections with respect to each other. The coupling elements are fixedly secured to one of the end sections and shiftingly secured to the other end section. A closed loop conveying apparatus includes the longitudinally self adjustable linking element and rail guide members extend along the length of the conveying apparatus. Sprocket mechanisms are disposed at fixed spaced locations for changing the direction of movement of the conveying apparatus along the path.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism includes a removably mounted backing roller having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a rotatably mounted cutting member having a cutting edge and a longitudinal axis of rotation disposed parallel to the axis of rotation for the roller member. The roller member rotates in a fixed relationship with respect to the cutting member so that the cutting edge operates at substantially the same surface location of the circumferential surface of the backing roller to cut film thereagainst upon each revolution of the cutting member. The roller member is mounted to resiliently float in a direction transverse to a plane extending through the axis of rotation for the cutting member. The drive of the rotating elements is effected through the use of a timing belt operating from the main drive of the machine on which the cutting mechanism is mounted.