Abstract: A device for assembling an element, such as a washer, to the end of a fastener, such as a bolt, in a reliable, high-speed fashion wherein the assembling device includes the washers being supplied in a position to be picked up by an end of the shank of the bolt and slides along a ramp causing the washer to be positioned closer to the head of the bolt. The bolts are supplied to the assembling machine in an upright, in-line position. The bolts are conveyed through the assembling machine utilizing a screw having a thread designed to receive a portion of the shank of the bolt within the thread and cause the bolt to catch the hole of the washer and be assembled therewith into the assembled bolt and washer.

Abstract: A position regulating parts feeder has a rotary hopper (11) and a slanted chute (20) fixed in the hopper that has lift plates (12) secured to its inner periphery. The chute is composed of an upstream receiving section (21), a middle sorting section (22) and a downstream discharging section (23). A groove (51) formed in the upstream section has an open top and is of a depth enough to wholly embrace each of the parts (1) lying on its side such that its front and rear faces are oriented sideways. The side walls have upper oblique zones (31c) and (41c) to widen the groove towards its top. A path defined in the middle section and continuing from the groove is composed of a main passageway (53) extending to the downstream section for transfer of the regularly positioned parts, and an auxiliary passageway (54) branching off from the main one for transfer of the inverse parts to an outlet (35) formed in a bottom of the chute.

Abstract: A feeding system for feeding blank contacts to a crimping device for crimping the contacts onto ends of lead wires. The contact feed system includes a bowl, and a scoop for removing contacts from the bowl. The scoop is preferably mounted on the end of a rotating arm so that the scoop describes the locus of a circumference of a vertical circle when the arm rotates. Contacts fall, under gravity, from the scoop, when it is near the apogee of travel, onto an angled chute that guides the contacts into a space between two parallel contact orienting rails. The contacts are stacked between the supporting contact orienting rails and a shuttle gate controlledly carries a single contact at a time into a drop tube that feeds the contact to a crimping device for crimping onto an end of a wire lead.

Abstract: A vibratory parts feeder includes a pivotal top confinement member rigidly securable to the parts feeder. The parts feeder includes an adjustable width parts channels for orienting parts having a variety of sizes. One embodiment is intended for orienting headed parts having elongated shafts and includes an air block adjacent a parts orienting unit which provides a pressurized air stream against the flow of parts, and at an acute angle relative to an axis perpendicular to the parts flow path, for directing misoriented parts back into the parts feeder. An alternate embodiment is intended for orienting non-headed parts such as nuts and washers. The vibratory parts feeder of either embodiment is configured to minimize parts jams therein.

Abstract: The conveying apparatus for transporting elongated objects having a radially protruding flange, particularly injectors, injecting containers and the like, includes two conveying tracks (18, 19) over which the objects move in a conveying direction and in a suspended position with the flanges (13) contacting bearing surfaces of the tracks; two vertical buffer storage devices (21, 22) consisting of a vibrating conveyor having one or more substantially spiral guideway (51, 52, 56) for conveying objects vertically downward; and/or an adjustable connecting guide device (20). A connecting guide device (20) is positioned between opposing ends of the conveying tracks (18, 19) and conveys the objects around a curved path between the two conveying tracks (18, 19). The adjustable connecting guide device (20) is adjustable to convey different sized elongated objects (11, 11a, 11b) between the two conveying tracks (18, 19) and the conveying tracks are designed to carry the different sized objects (11, 11a, 11b).

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for inspecting finish dimensions of and detecting finish defects on containers moving sequentially in a predetermined path. More than one container can be inspected simultaneously. The apparatus includes one or more inspection gauges suspended above the container path. A transport system is provided for aiding in moving containers through the gauges and simultaneously axially rotating the containers about a vertical axis. Rotation of the containers allows the inspection gauges to inspect the entire circumference of the containers at one or more levels on the container simultaneously. Defective containers are detected when the relative separation distance between the gauge plates of the inspection gauge falls outside predetermined limits. If a defective container is detected, a rejection assembly may be activated to physically remove the defective container from the container path.

Abstract: A continuous, automated method and apparatus for transporting and electrostatically coating articles including providing a plurality of articles in an unoriented bulk state, each article having a first end portion, orienting each article and transporting them into a desired position, transferring each article in succession to a moving conveyor, suspending each article from the conveyor by its end portion and conveying the articles for electrostatic coating and curing.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically separating cuvettes supplied in bulk form to an analytical instrument, the cuvettes being suitable for the performance of photometric measurements on samples contained in the cuvettes. To automatically separate cuvettes, the apparatus contains a receiving station for receiving the cuvettes in bulk form. It also includes a device for separating cuvettes, the device having an inlet through which disordered cuvettes can be supplied to the device, and an outlet through which individual cuvettes successively leave the device. A device is provided for conveying disordered cuvettes from the receiving station to the inlet of the device for separation of the cuvettes.

Abstract: The apparatus makes use of a pair of rotating combs (11-14), the discs of the second comb being interposed between the discs of the first comb and positioned at the top between fixed guide plates (17). The discs of the first comb intercept the streams of closed capsules, from which any covers not provided with shells have already been removed. The capsules are inserted by their shells between the discs of the first comb and remain suspended on said discs by their covers (C1). Only capsule shells and any crushed capsules fall through the discs of the first comb. The capsules conveyed by the first rotating comb arrive on the discs of the second comb, generally with their covers at the front.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vibration-generated movement and manipulation, such as transportation, orientation, loading or sorting of materials are provided. At least one electromagnetic coil is disposed to act in a horizontal plane, and another electromagnetic coil may be disposed to act in a vertical plane, imparting two-dimensional vibration to a generally horizontal vibratory surface. Apparatus vibrationally transports parts across a surface while concurrently orienting and sorting them. Reversibility of transport direction is also provided.

Abstract: A rivet orienting and handling device is disclosed that is capable of controllably and accurately handling rivets of different size diameters. The device includes a manifold adapted to receive rivets from a remote hopper, a body adapted to transport rivets and two rivet blocks adapted to receive and position rivets for insertion into fingers. The rivet blocks are positioned by air actuated leaf springs. The springs cause the distance between the rivet block to vary to accommodate rivets having different diameters.

Abstract: Presented is an automated fastener feed system for feeding fastener elements such as threaded studs and nuts to a utilization device such as a press. The system includes a vibratory bowl into which the fastener devices are placed in an unoriented mass, and from which the fastener devices are fed into an orientation module that orients the fastener devices into the proper orientation to be delivered to the utilization device. Between the utilization device and the orientation module is a singulator module that receives the fastener devices, properly oriented, from the orientation device, and propels the fastener devices, either singly under manual operation, or continually under automatic operation, to the utilization device. A combination of pneumatic and electrical controls are utilized to control operation of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pin feeder for supplying contact pins in a high density interstitial pattern in a printed circuit carrier. The feeder apparatus eliminates the use of tubes, and features instead vertical vibration in combination with a honeycomb feeder plate configuration, thereby providing a process and apparatus for pin feeding with greatly improved reliability, reduced jamming and greater flexibility in its applications.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transferring flanged articles from a vibratory feeder to a discharge station which features a pair of feed rails one of which has a curved external hearing surface for providing point bearing contact with a flange of the article being transferred.A method is disclosed for discharging and orienting flanged articles for delivery from a vibratory feeding device which includes the mounting of one of a pair of feed rails above the other feed rail at an entrance end of a discharge device for supporting the flanged article with its body portion tilted away from the other rail and supporting an outlet end of the discharge device such that its rails position the body portion of the flanged article in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a plurality of component parts of a hypodermic syringe, at least some of which are elongated with one enlarged end, from a plurality of molding machines and for conveying such parts in a programmed manner to a plurality of assembly machines including a plurality of coneyors each having a primary conveyor paths for feeding parts from a molding machine and a plurality of secondary conveyor paths for feeding parts from a primary conveyor path to the assembly machines; diverter means between the primary conveyor path and secondary conveyor path for directing parts to a preselected one of the secondary conveyors and to a preselected assembly machine; isolator means on a primary conveyor path to separate a predetermined number of parts from all other parts and to allow such separated parts to be fed as a group to the diverter means; and orienting means associated with at least some of the primary conveyor path to move elongated parts in a hopper to a position at the input end of

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting articles with a head and a shank such as bolts or screws with an inclined track on which articles are dumped adjacent its upper end by an elevator with a hopper. Some of the dumped articles fall off the track and are returned to the hopper by a chute while others remain on the track improperly oriented and some properly oriented with their heads bearing on rails of the track and their shanks depending between the rails. The improperly oriented articles are removed or kicked off the track by an overlying finger which is reciprocated generally longitudinally of the track. The properly oriented articles pass through a gate in the finger even when it is reciprocating and are accumulated on the track downstream of the finger. As needed, properly oriented articles are supplied from the lower end of the track to a feeder which propels them to a power screw driver or other driving device.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding headed pins includes a frame having thereon a hopper into which the pins are placed. A ramp extends substantially horizontally from the hopper and has a plurality of spaced, parallel slots therein which are adapted to receive the pins with the heads of the pins seated on the surface of the ramp. At the end of the ramp is a transfer shuttle assembly which is adapted to feed pins from the slots into passages in a chute which extends vertically downwardly from the end of the ramp. The upper ends of the passages are offset from the ends of the slots. The shuttle transfer means includes a shuttle plate movable back and forth across the end of the ramp by means of pneumatic cylinders, and a plurality of gates mounted on the shuttle plate. Each gate has a notch in its end which can receive a pin.

Abstract: Cylindrical plastic pieces (i.e., preforms) each with a bottom are supplied one by one to jigs circulated through the heating and blowing mold of a biaxial-orientation blow-molding machine. The pieces are formed of polyethylene terephthalate material to obtain transparent thin-walled bottle-shaped containers, and are formed in cylindrical shape each with a semispherical bottom and a prefinished neck portion molded simultaneously in large number by an injection molding machine.

Abstract: A machine that takes screws out of a hopper and delivers them to a screw driving station where they are driven by motor operated screw driver members to secure a hinge to a door and a jamb. Inside the hopper, a screw lifting member engages, lifts, aligns and delivers individual screws to a hopper discharge station. Pressurized air blows the screws from their respective discharge stations onto tracks, there being one track associated with each discharge station. Elongate transfer tubes positioned at the discharge end of the tracks deliver the screws to a movable head member which upon receiving a charge of screw members moves downwardly and inwardly to a fixed position screw driving station where a door and jamb are positioned. Screw driver members are brought into driving relation to associated screws by horizontally inward movement of a motor that rotates the screw driver members.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement for assembly parts, which comprises a rectilinear vibratory conveyor track comprising at least two detachably mounted conveyor track parts arranged in different planes and constituting guide members for the assembly parts, a device separate from the conveyor track for feeding the assembly parts thereto, and a vibrating drive for the conveyor track.

Abstract: A dispenser and component feeder for integration with automated assembly equipment is adapted for the high speed placement of self-orienting components of varying sizes and includes, a linear vibratory chute for transferring the self-orienting components from the storage hopper to an adjustable single roller feed assembly where the self-orienting components are conveyed to a pick-up position, the single roller feed assembly having a roller to facilitate in conveying the self-orienting components, and alternately reciprocating rod members to segregate a self-orienting component at the pick-up position. A pick-up and placement assembly is operative to pick-up the segregated self-orienting component from the pick-up position and move the same to a position for placement on an associated conveyor on the automated assembly equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the orientated supply of helical springs, which are provided on at least one end with an open loop, to a working station, having a first conveying device, to the end of which are supplied the springs resting with their spring bodies on a support surface of the first conveying device and with their longitudinal extension arranged in the conveying direction of the first conveying device, and having a second conveying device with its beginning adjoining the end of the first conveying device.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming nails into a nailing strip, in which nails are welded to wire strips, and having a nail feed, a nail indexing wheel indexing nails into predetermined nail spacings, a nail rotator to bring their heads in a predetermined orientation, a nail handling slide for receiving nails, a wire feed for feeding wire to one side of the nails, electrical welding contacts for pressing the wire against nail and passing a welding current to weld the wire to the nail, a moving device for moving the welding contacts towards and away from the nails, and a movement device for moving the nails along the nail slide.

Abstract: A conveyor with reciprocating flights elevates tapered articles to an elevated discharge point. Conveyor flights have powered elements thereon to move articles lengthwise of the flight into endwise abutment with a flight mounted stop. The conveyor has discharge flights delivering singular articles to cooperating oscillating and pinch plate components which serve to detain the larger end of the article to tip same for subsequent endwise contact of an article end with a transversely running belt surface which contributes to article small end first orientation. A reciprocating surface serves to position the articles in mutual alignment for subsequent simultaneous delivery of the articles to a conveyor for further article processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for arranging balloons or the like in a nozzle-up orientation. The apparatus comprises a pair of downwardly inclined, elongate members, at least one of which has an upwardly movable surface, such as the surface of a rotatable roller. The members define a gap therebetween, and a row of spaced, unoriented balloons are fed at random, some with the baggy body leading and others with the less baggy nozzle leading, into the gap at the upper end of the members from below or the underside thereof. A baggy body leading balloon is advanced upwardly by the roller through the gap and discarded, whereas only the nozzle of each less baggy nozzle leading balloon is advanced through the gap. The nozzle leading balloons then slide down the members all arranged in a nozzle-up orientation.

Abstract: An orientation device for properly orienting nuclear fuel rod end plugs (18) in their proper mode for ultimate use and processing includes a funnel (12) the inside diameter (d) of which is greater than the diameter (D) of each end plug (18), and the diameter (D) of each plug (18) is greater than the length (L) of each plug. The plugs (18) are permitted to pass through the funnel bore (30), however, only when the longitudinal axis of each plug is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the funnel bore (30) because the diagonal dimension (DG) of each plug as defined between any point on the plug's upper peripheral surface (26) and a point disposed diametrically opposite the first point upon the lower peripheral surface (28) is greater than the diameter (d) of the funnel bore.

Abstract: A mechanism, for delivering two different kinds of fastener elements to a fastener-assembling apparatus, comprises a pair of hoppers for containing the two different fastener elements separately, and a pair of pick-up plates pivotally and vertically movable in the respective hoppers for picking up the fastener elements therein to deliver the same to a pair of separate chutes. The two pick-up plates are driven by a single drive, such as an air-cylinder or oil-cylinder.

Abstract: Packages which may drop from an elevator or other package supporting/conveying apparatus in a package elevating wrapping machine are caught by a package catcher comprising a pan having upwardly extending edges which is coupled to the elevator and reciprocated therewith. The pan is supported in a generally horizontal attitude to receive dropped packages. A package guide is positioned adjacent to a package feed-in tray to direct packages which may drop to the pan. The edge of the pan which extends toward the package guide is preferably angularly oriented and lengthened to be substantially aligned with the package guide when the elevator is in its lowered position. The distal end of the lengthened pan edge is maintained in close proximity to the package guide throughout the reciprocating motion of the elevator and package catcher to facilitate passage of a dropped package to the pan.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and stacking hollow, frusto-conical containers or other articles has a downwardly inclined ramp for receiving the articles in random orientations. A deflector wall spaced by a gap from the bottom end of the ramp serves to deflect the articles to the gap, which is greater than the width of the widest end of the articles and less than the length of the articles, so that the articles can drop into the gap only with the widest end uppermost. Endless conveyor belts are provided below the gap for receiving the articles therebetween and conveying the articles. The ramp is formed by the upperwardly driven upper run of an endless belt arrangement, or has an upwardly rotating roller at the bottom thereof, for displacing upwardly of the ramp an adjacent portion of any of the articles which bridges the gap so that the containers are caused to fall properly into the gap.

Abstract: A system for packaging into cartons cones for ice-cream and other cornet-like articles coming loosely from a production unit wherein in a first processing station (A) splitting of the cone feed main stream into a plurality of individual sub-streams occurs. In a second processing station (B) a temporary cone-storage field is made up, the cones being orderly marshalled in a number of rows, the cone axes being vertical with the cone tips upside down and the cones being closely spaced apart from each other. From said second processing station (B) the cone rows are transferred into a third processing station (C), wherein, for each cone row, a belt having evenly spaced apart bores is provided for receiving individual cones. Each belt is independently motorized for stepwise forward motion. As a predetermined number of bores in each belt carries as many cones as there are bores, a cone-grasping unit (E) draws the cone row and transfers it into empty cartons.

Abstract: A feeder for fastener is used to supply uniformly oriented, uncollated fasteners to a detachably mounted loading assembly so that the uncollated fasteners can be loaded into a magazine of the fastener driving tool. The feeder includes a rotatable supply drum mounted on a base into which fasteners may be supplied. Scoops along the inner wall of the drum scoop up a quantity of fasteners as the drum is rotated and supplies the fasteners to an orientation assembly. The orientation assembly receives the unoriented fasteners on a funnel-shaped trough which directs the fasteners toward a rotatable orientation roller disposed on one side of a fastener path. The orientation roller has several notches or grooves that tend to jiggle or agitate the fasteners so that the fasteners are oriented in the fastener path with the heads of the fasteners lying on an orientation rail on the opposite side of the fastener path from the orientation roller.

Abstract: A pair of conically tapered rollers orients and positions a plurality of initially randomly oriented negative glow lamps. A component holder receives said oriented and positioned lamps sequentially one at a time and releasably holds said lamps in a fixed position relative thereto as the lamps are moved laterally away from the rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying headed parts from a hopper to a chute has a pickup or scooper blade movable by an actuator mechanism between a first position in which a second groove in the pickup blade is out of alignment with a first groove in the chute and a second position in which the first and second grooves are aligned with each other to allow headed parts as scooped from the hopper by the pickup blade to be fed in a row from the pickup blade to the chute. A rejector in the form of a bent wire is operatively connected to the hopper or chute and slidable along the second groove as the pickup blade approaches the second position to remove off-the-groove headed parts from the pickup blade to permit smooth supply of neatly arranged headed parts from the pickup blade to the chute.

Abstract: A device for orientating components each comprising an axially elongated body extendng unequal distances on opposite sides of a flange. Different components may have the center of gravity on different sides of the flange.The device comprises a slotted track along which components are fed by vibration, the slot being too narrow to pass the flange. A component is supported on the track by its flange about which it can pivot while on the first portion 28 of the track. A second portion 29 of the track can be entered only by a component orientated perpendicularly of the track with its longer part extending into the slot.The orientating device includes two air jets 38 and 39, one overlying each part of the track and spaced apart along the track by rather more than the length of one component.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting a plurality of articles with a head and a shank. An elevator dumps the articles onto a track having a pair of laterally spaced apart rails which slope downwardly so that articles can slide toward the lower end of the track. Some of the articles fall off the track, others assume a desired orientation with their heads bearing on the rails and their shanks depending therebetween, and the remainder begin to slide down the track in other orientations. A gate associated with the track permits only those articles in the desired orientation to continue sliding down the track and prevents all the articles in other orientations from going past the gate. To remove the misoriented articles, a discharge section of the track immediately upstream from the gate is moved intermittently so that the articles fall off this section of the track.

Abstract: An electrical component positioning apparatus includes a frame with first and second substantially horizontally extending conically tapered rollers rotatably mounted upon the frame. Edges of the first and second rollers closest to each other are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart so that said electrical components may be received between the rollers and may be engaged with and supported by both of the rollers. This apparatus mechanically positions in sequence at a predetermined position a plurality of electrical components of the type having a body with first and second lead wires extending therefrom. The predetermined position includes a predetermined location in space and a predetermined angular orientation so that the wires extend downward from the body of the electrical components and are spaced apart in a direction parallel to a predetermined horizontal line.

Abstract: A device for feeding hot articles and a method of feeding the same include transporting hot articles by a transporting element one after the other, and positively directing cooling air supplied by a blower toward the hot articles during their transportation so that the cooling air flows around the articles to cool and to prevent mutual adherence of the hot articles to one another.

Abstract: A fastener feeding apparatus includes a hopper for the bulk storage of fasteners, an oscillating scoop plate body for scooping up the fasteners from the hopper and letting them slide down onto a vibrating chute rail and a spring biased exclusion plate which moves back and forth above the chute rail to return any improperly oriented fasteners back into the hopper.

Abstract: An automated welding system takes initially randomly oriented negative glow lamps and welds a resistor to each lamp. Lead wires are trimmed to desired lengths and the physical strength of the weld between the lamp and the resistor is tested.

Abstract: Automated apparatus and methods are provided for aging negative glow lamps.

Abstract: Apparatus for unscrambling, orienting and feeding elongated objects, such as parisons, having flanges thereon, in a sorting chamber which receives the objects and then passes them on to a further processing station, comprising one or more pairs of longitudinally mounted rollers for unscrambling and orienting the objects in the sorting chamber and then directing them to tracks adjacent the ends of the feeding roller pairs, for receiving the objects and forwarding them to the processing station. The flanges on the objects prevent them from passing between the feeding rollers which are spaced apart sufficiently to receive the body of the object but are close enough to prevent the passage of the flanged objects therebetween. The rollers rotate on longitudinal axes and are inclined to promote gravity feed of the objects along their length.

Abstract: A parison handling assembly receives tubular plastic parisons from a random bulk storage, orients the parisons, and feeds the parisons in a controlled manner to one or more blow molding machines. Parisons are stored in the random bulk storage and fed at a controlled rate by a metering apparatus to a parison orienter which orients the parisons into a closely grouped arrangement wherein the parisons are both upright and side-by-side. The parisons are fed from the parison orienter to a parison escapement mechanism which holds the parisons temporarily. The escapement mechanism is actuated to release parisons into a parison transporter depending on the production demands of the individual blow-molding machines. Released parisons, from the parison escapement mechanism, move along the parison transporter to be pushed axially into stuffer tubes. The stuffer tubes hold the parisons in properly oriented, end-to-end relationship for delivery to the actual loading station of the blow-molding machine.

Abstract: For feeding short rods, which term includes tubes, such as clinical thermometer tubes with bulbs at one end, a feeding hopper has downwardly-converging bottom walls terminating in an elongated gap between their lower edges forming an elongated slot. Reciprocable horizontally beneath the slot is fluid-pressure-operated ejector plunger which feeds, one at a time, the short rods to a horizontal receiver composed of a pair of spaced parallel guide bars separated by a distance large enough to pass the rod but to detain the bulb, whereupon the rod pivots around the detained bulb to swing downward into the slot and comes to rest between the bars with the bulb uppermost and the rod suspended vertically from the bars.

Abstract: Apparatus for serially feeding and crimping a plurality of electrical contacts of the type having an open-ended, ferrule head portion adapted to receive an uninsulated end of an electrical wire and to be crimped into electrically conductive contact therewith. The contacts are serially discharged from an annular hopper and caused to attain an upright position. First and second tracks, mutually aligned and vertically spaced one from the other, are provided for transporting the electrical contacts, while in the upright position, from the hopper to a mechanism for feeding the contacts into a crimping chamber. The tracks have a downward inclination from the hopper which is insufficient to permit sliding movement of the contacts absent vibratory movement of the tracks, which movement is derived from a vibratory device connected to the hopper.

Abstract: An unoriented supply of similar articles, each having a shank and a head of greater dimension than the shank are introduced into orienting means which include a trough having an inclined slot at its bottom and a plurality of cleats positioned at fixed locations on its side walls. Upon vibration, the articles become separated resulting in certain of the articles becoming oriented within the slot, with the unoriented articles being returned to the supply. The oriented articles are then directed to storing means which include a track including a straight lower portion, level maintaining means and a discharge end wherein the articles are discharged at a predetermined rate to article receiving, positioning and carrying means.

Abstract: Randomly oriented screws are deposited onto two horizontally spaced endless belts and are advanced toward a track located adjacent the ends of the upper runs of the belts. As the screws are advanced, the belts are vibrated vertically to shake the screws to properly oriented positions in which the screws hang by their necks from the belts with their shanks located between the belts. Vibration of the belts is effected by means of lugs formed on the inner sides of the belts and operable to flex the belts upwardly and downwardly as the lugs pass across pulleys which support and guide the belts. Also disclosed is a clearing wheel for flinging any improperly oriented fasteners from the track, the clearing wheel being constructed from a series of face-to-face discs made of comparatively soft urethane or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and orienting parts such as studs to production machines such as threaders for work on the parts, comprises an indexing dial having a plurality of radially aligned pockets for receiving the parts. A plurality of feed stations adjacent the indexing dial eject parts into the dial pockets in a desired sequence such that successive parts are ejected from different feed stations into a succession of dial pockets. Each pocket receives but one part during a single rotation of the dial, and each pocket is provided with means for orienting the part into a desired position for ejection onto a track for transporting the part to the production machine.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus incorporates a generally rectangular framework for assembling a set of parallel rods defining adjacent grooves. The apparatus receives and stores a supply of nails in a container. The nails emerge from a storage container and drop onto a sorting device. The nails fall into grooves sized to receive the point but not the head. The head thus hangs, and the nail slides to the end of the groove. The apparatus simultaneously and consecutively drop nails, always in the same position.

Abstract: In the packaging of dispensing spoons with bottles in containers, the spoons are oriented by means of protuberances on shank portions thereof extending normal to the shank in the same direction as the hollow side of the spoon bowl. The spoons are tilted longitudinally either while falling off the end of a conveyor or by a downwardly curved conveyor section. Properly oriented spoons are caught by a wire extending above the conveyor during the tilting to hang the spoons on the wire in a single orientation.

Abstract: Clearing wheel assembly is provided for combing out headed objects improperly oriented on a feed track and features an arcuate shield precluding undesired discharge of the objects from a hopper.