Abstract: A reconfigurable transport system includes a transport device for receiving items in a first orientation in one of a first portion and a second portion and releasing the items from the other of the first portion and the second portion. The transport device includes rotating transport elements in opposing relation. Items received between the transport elements are conveyed along a transport axis. The transport system further includes a positioning device for selectively moving the second portion between a first position in which the transport device maintains the items in the first orientation, and a second position in which the transport device rotates the items substantially about the transport axis to a second orientation.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing mail pieces that include RFID enabled cards. The improvement provides enhanced tracking and control capabilities for such mail pieces. In an inserter control system, individual RFID signals of the RFID enabled cards are related to particular mail pieces in a mail piece production database. The corresponding RFID enabled cards are fed into the inserter system from a card feeder. An attaching device attaches the cards to a carrier sheet. The inserter system transports the cards and carrier sheets to different stations where other documents are joined with the carrier sheets. The assembled mail pieces are then inserted into envelopes to form finished mail pieces. Sensors are located within the system to detect the RFID signals of the individual cards. The sensed individual RFID numbers are compared with stored mail piece data. The system is programmed to process the mail piece based on instructions in the database corresponding to the sensed number.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for simultaneously transferring a plurality of containers onto a continuously moving conveyor from a surface located adjacent to the conveyor. A pair of pusher plates are positioned along the surface, opposite the conveyor. The pusher plates extend towards the conveyor to simultaneously transfer a predetermined number of containers onto the conveyor. A shuttle plate is positioned above the conveyor and has compartments positioned to receive the cartons as they are pushed onto the conveyor. Once the cartons are loaded into the compartments, the shuttle plate is moved along the conveyor to accelerate the batch of containers up to the speed of the conveyor. Once the cartons reach the speed of the conveyor, the shuttle plate retracts out of the path of the conveyor and the containers continues to move along the conveyor. The shuttle plate then returns to its original to accept the next batch of containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flattened seating area from a gabled bottom of a carton. The apparatus includes a cup having a recess that conforms to the bottom cross-section of the gabled bottom. The cup has an inlet in fluid communication with an underpressure source. An anvil is disposed within the cup recess for forming the carton when the carton bottom and anvil are driven together by, for example, the underpressure in the cup.

Abstract: A vacuum operated processing station having a liquid separating system is set forth. The liquid separating system includes a separator tank disposed between a vacuum operated processing apparatus and an under-pressure source. The separator tank prevents liquid from reaching the under-pressure source. The system may be controlled to automatically drain the separator tank when the liquid level within the tank reaches a predetermined level.

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 sleeve handling device comprising, a first moving conveyor, a second moving conveyor disposed at an angle to the first conveyor, and a device for picking up a cloth on the first conveyor at a central portion thereof. The sleeve handling device has a device for moving the picking up device to a location above the second conveyor and dropping off the folded cloth onto the second conveyor.

Abstract: A cloth pickup device comprising, first and second elongated jaws. The pickup device has a device for pivotally mounting the jaws about first and second axes substantially parallel to each other and spaced so that the jaws are pivotable from a first position wherein they are in operative clamping position with respect to each other to clamp a piece of cloth therebetween, to a second position wherein they are in an unobstructive open position to allow a piece of cloth to freely pass into a position between the jaws. The pickup device has an overcenter spring device acting directly on the jaws for maintaining the jaws in either the first or second position thereof once moved to that position. The pickup device has a device for moving the jaws from the first position to the second position, and a device for actuating the jaws and moving them from the second position to the first position.