Abstract: An apparatus for agitating cylindrical articles in a bulk flow and removing non-aligned articles from the flow includes a plurality of parallel, spaced rotating pins having helical threads on an outer surface. The flow of articles is directed through the pins and non-aligned articles are conveyed out of the flow direction by the threads while aligned articles pass across the pins. Eccentric rotation of the pins agitates the articles to assist maintaining free flow of the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus applies glue to closure stamps for insertion onto packages, such as cigarette packs. A pair of rotatable glue-applying wheels receive glue from a glue pot and transfer the glue onto the backs of the closure stamps as the closure stamps are fed therepast. A portion of the peripheral edge of each glue-applying wheel is recessed radially inwardly, to define an interruption in an outer diameter of the peripheral edge, so that only a non-recessed portion of the outer edge transfers glue to the closure stamps. In this way, opposite ends of the glue lines are spaced from leading and trailing edges of the closure stamp. A synchronizing mechanism is provided to achieve a proper synchronization between the stamp-feeding mechanism and the glue-applying wheels to ensure that the glue lines are kept spaced from the leading and trailing ends of the closure stamp.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for ultrasonically bonding endcaps to a food or tobacco product container comprised of a material dissimilar from the endcaps. Ultrasonic vibration is applied to the joint between the container and the endcaps, which includes a strip of preapplied adhesive, so that the adhesive partially melts. The partially melted adhesive quickly resolidifies, providing a durable bond without the disadvantageous and time consuming use of wet glues. The apparatus includes a pair of opposingly mounted ultrasonic devices, a controller associated with each ultrasonic device, and a general purpose computer programmed to synchronize and mointor the controllers.