Abstract: The present invention may be utilized as a single station integrated with a standard form, fill and seal machine. The present invention is able to retrieve fitments from a source, apply the fitments to a container and seal the fitments to the container at a single station. The design of the present invention requires only minimal space on a form, fill and seal machine. In practicing the present invention, an anvil retrieves a fitment from a source and then translationally retreats to a position for longitudinal descent into a container. The anvil, with the fitment attached, longitudinally descends into the container to a position parallel to an incision previously incised into the container wall. The anvil proceeds forward to the incision, substantially recovering the translational retreat discussed above, only at a lower level. Once the fitment is positioned therethrough the incision, a sealer permanently attaches the fitment to the container.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for transferring containers from a packaging machine to a pair of continuously moving outfeed conveyors which then route the containers to another location in the packaging facility. The packaging machine includes a vacuum cup which carries a row of container. The vacuum cup is movable to position the row of containers in place in front of a pair of pusher plates. The pusher plates are driven transversely across the vacuum cup to transfer the containers to a pair of puller plates positioned on the opposite side of the vacuum cup. As the pusher plates extend, they push the containers against sidewalls on the puller plates, aligning the cartons in rows running parallel to the outfeed conveyors. The puller plates then move transversely to align the rows of cartons with the outfeed conveyor. Once the puller plates are aligned with the conveyors, an unloader mechanism pushes in the containers onto the outfeed conveyors.

Abstract: A mechanism is set forth that prevents packages from tipping as the packages are moved along a conveyor line. The mechanism employs a at least one gate, a detecting means for detecting when a tipping package has been righted and holding means for holding the gate in a closed position until the detecting means detects a righted package. In one embodiment, the mechanism comprises an upper gate and a lower gate mounted in the path of a moving conveyor belt. The upper gate and lower gate are operatively connected by a camming mechanism which prevents the upper gate from opening under the influence of the upper portion of a package until the lower gate is engaged by the lower portion of the package.