Abstract: A pear orienting apparatus for receiving, orienting and subsequently feeding oriented pears with the stem-end lowermost to peeling and coring devices in a machine of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,058,502 and 3,797,639 including a canted reciprocable shaker pan feeding singulated pears to at least one channeled lifter that tumbles the singulated pears over spaced divergent guide plates onto an inclined and intermittently gated delivery chute.

Abstract: A veneer stacking system providing the feature of consistent air suction above the multiple veneer stacks enabling reliable separation of the veneer sheets from an overhead conveyor. This consistent air suction is provided by independent air chambers for each stack. It also includes aligning belts for aligning the sheets on the overhead conveyor. An aligning belt replaces a section of one or both of the conveyor belts and is independently driven to speed up or slow down one side of the sheet to achieve the desired alignment. It also includes improved knock-off shoes activated byh cylinders connected to master cylinders in a master cylinder housing activated by a common mover piston for simultaneous knock off of veneer sheets onto the stacks.

Abstract: An automatic wheel alignment apparatus for attaching a wheel to a wheel attachment member of an automotive body. The automatic wheel attachment apparatus includes a reorienting device for reorienting a wheel attachment surface of the wheel attachment member, a phasing device for phasing wheel attachment bolts on the wheel attachment member, the phasing device being movable longitudinally and vertically of the automotive body to bring the wheel attachment member and the phasing device into central alignment with each other, a detecting device for detecting the amount and direction of movement of the phasing device, and a nut runner for fastening the wheel to the wheel attachment member while the center of the wheel attachment member as detected by the decting device is being held in alignment with the center of the wheel. At least the reorienting device, the phasing device, and the detecting device are combined in a single robot.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning glass sheets moving on a conveyor line prior to shaping on a bending apparatus includes a pair of stops for engaging the leading edge of the glass sheets and a pair of side pushers for engaging the end edges of the glass sheets to align the glass sheets with respect to a reference line. The spacing between the side pushers is automatically selected in accordance with the predetermined sequence of glass sheets. In addition, a sensor detects a mark on the sheets to generate a sequence signal identifying the sheets. The sequence signal is utilized to signal that a sheet is missing or an improper sequence, and/or the signal is utilized to control the means for automatically adjusting the spacing of the side pushers. The stop pins can be adjusted individually in a direction parallel to the reference line and a direction transverse to the reference line.

Abstract: A device for detecting a position of an edge of a disk-like workpiece having an outer periphery whose shape includes a portion bearing positional information related to the workpiece, the device including a system for rotationally moving the workpiece; an illuminating system; and a photodetecting system; wherein the illuminating system and the photodetecting system are disposed so as to sandwich therebetween an outer peripheral portion of the workpiece when it is rotationally moved by the moving system and wherein the illuminating system projects, toward the photodetecting system, a light beam having an elongated shape in cross-section.

Abstract: Cylindrical bodies 12 are brought into end-to-end relationship on a conveyor 30 (FIG. 7) by means of a second conveyor 42 running at a different speed, which may be greater than or less than the speed of conveyor 30. The conveyor 42 serves to flip misorientated bodies (see FIGS. 6C, 6D) into an orientation in which their axes are parallel to the feed direction C of the conveyor 30. A modified arrangement (FIG. 10) is described for bodies with length to diameter ratios of the order of 0.8:1. Other handling devices are also described for effecting single streaming of bodies starting from a randomly distributed array (FIG. 1), for separating bodies of different sizes from each other (FIGS. 2 and 3) and for transferring bodies from one conveyor to another (FIGS. 4 and 5).

Abstract: A device for removing dust and other fine particulate matter from the exterior surface of a bottle moving along a conveyor line. A jet of ionized air neutralizes any static charge adhering the particulate matter to the bottle and also commences the dislodgement of the former from the latter. Moving brushes contacting the exterior surface of the bottle further dislodges the particulate matter. Lastly, a vacuum on the other side of the brushes from the bottle removes the air and entrained particulate matter detached from the bottles. A star wheel having indentations in it moves the bottles along at a predetermined pace. Alternately, one or more rotating longitudinal screws can control the bottles motion through the system. A belt in contact with the bottles and moving relative to the conveyor effects their rotation regardless of their exterior configuration. This assures that the brushes contact all portions of their exterior surface.

Abstract: A device for positioning a disk-like workpiece, the device having a system for detecting a change in position of an edge of the workpiece, the detecting system producing a signal; a system for selecting a portion of the signal produced by said detecting means, which portion contains desired positional information, the selecting means producing a signal; and a positioning system for rotating the workpiece on the basis of the signal produced by the selecting system, to thereby position the workpiece.

Abstract: A bottle orientation system for orientating and uprighting a horizontal flow of bottles being conveyed by coacting endless belt conveyors. The system includes a raised kick-up stop and knock-down stop for positioning all bottles in a bottom-first position between the belt. A raised platform then rights the bottles between the belts.

Abstract: An integrated circuit sleeve handler and method includes a hopper for receiving a plurality of integrated circuit sleeves. A conveyor sequentially loads individual ones of the plurality of integrated circuit sleeves for transportation to a pair of opposed orientation wheels. The orientation wheels orient the integrated circuit sleeves in accordance with their specific cross-sectional aspect, such as a longitudinal slot. An interface mechanism in conjunction with the conveyor receives the uniformly oriented integrated circuit sleeves for presentation to a subsequent handling station such as marking or testing equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatic assembly of laminated panes formed of at least one rigid sheet and at least one flexible sheet. According to the method of the invention, the flexible sheet is positioned by gravity according to at least one of two coordinates in the horizontal plane determining an intermediate position for gripping and is then transferred through a path of constant length to a stacking station for the elements of the laminated pane.

Abstract: A high precision automated wafer inspection station provides a base table area on which an X-Y stage is movable in mutually orthogonal directions relative to an inspection axis in alignment with a microscope or measuring instrument which is mounted on a bridge support above the table. The stage mechanism includes a wafer-supporting vacuum chuck having a top engagement surface for receiving and retaining the wafer, the chuck being rotatable about a central axis to provide angular positioning of the wafer, and focusable along the inspection axis. The wafer is moved on a dual probe mechanism in a horizontal plane from a first cassette controlled by an elevator at one side back to the first cassette, or to a second cassette controlled by an elevator at the opposite side of the table area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning an article having opposed ends at least one of which is flat and an irregular surfaced body portion between the ends so that the article can stably rest on the flat end including feeding one or more of such articles to a substantially horizontal support surface in random orientation and imparting a simultaneous back-and-forth and side-to-side motion on the surface with the resulting forces on each article created by such motion causing each article to seek a stable position bringing each article to rest on the flat end of the article.

Abstract: Can ends having an off-center aperture, are each orientated by a resiliently mounted peg which engages a surface of the can end and is rotated about a pitch circle for one complete revolution. The peg seeks and enters the aperture and thereafter causes the can end to rotate with it until it stops at a position corresponding to the desired orientation of the can end. The peg is then withdrawn from the aperture and the can end, supported in a carrier plate and is delivered to a moulding machine (not shown) in which a plastics closure is moulded into the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of DIP devices to or from DIP delivery tubes is shown to include a hopper for the storage of several tubes, an elevator member for removing individual tubes from the hopper and depositing such tubes into a hopper, an orienting member which positions the tube in a predetermined radial orientation and which moves the tube axially in response to a control signal to a head member which receives the radially oriented tube and guides it to a predetermined second orientation for the transfer of DIP devices and which ejects such tubes upon completion and a computer control member for generating the necessary actuation signals to coordinate the transfer of DIP devices and tube ejection. The head member may also be provided with an extracation member to remove any pin or plug which may seal the tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for positioning a silicon wafer which comprises: two pieces of supporting boards, fixed to an upper plate, for supporting both side portions of the silicon wafer; an adsorbing disk, disposed in a vertically movable and rotatable manner between the supporting boards, for supporting the silicon wafer in its central position, this adsorbing disk having its upper surface formed with adsorbing holes; a holding member disposed in a vertically movable manner on the circumference of the adsorbing disk between the supporting boards, this holding member having a movable holder which moves inwards by pushing the edge of the silicon wafer when going up while raising the silicon wafer supported on the adsorbing disk; and a photoelectric detector, fitted to a part of the supporting boards, for detecting the edge of an orientation flat of the silicon wafer. The silicon wafer loaded on the supporting boards is raised while being adsorbed by the adsorbing disk.

Abstract: An improved structure for supporting and positioning a planar glass workpiece within a glass grinding apparatus is disclosed. Three radially extending carriage assemblies are provided between a lower pan and an upper supporting platform. Each of the carriage assemblies extends radially outwardly from a central drive shaft connected to the supporting platform to the periphery of the lower pan. The radial inner ends of the carriage assemblies are rotatably supported about the drive shaft, while the radial outer ends are carried on respective motor assemblies connected to a gear formed on a lower pan. Energization of the motor assemblies causes the associated carriage assemblies to pivot relative to the lower pan. Each of the carriage assemblies also carries a locator cylinder assembly thereon. The locator cylinder assemblies are movable radially inwardly and outwardly throughout the length of the corresponding carriage assemblies by means of the associated motor assemblies.

Abstract: A pear orienting and transfer apparatus for orienting pears stem-end lowermost and subsequently transferring oriented pears with the blossom-end foremost to subsequent inspection, peeling, coring and segmenting stations which includes a channel-bottom reciprocable shaker pan and lifter at each channel for feeding singulated pears one at a time down a movably inclined and intermittently gated delivery chute to a set of orienting rolls that orients each pear stem-end lowermost and places it in one of a plurality of pneumatic gripping cups carried on an indexible rotary cup drum.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for grinding the surface of a semiconductor wafer by moving a holding table and a grinding wheel relative to each other in a predetermined direction substantially parallel to the surface of the semiconductor wafer held onto the holding table to cause the grinding wheel which is rotated to act on the surface of the semiconductor wafer held onto the holding table. The semiconductor wafer is placed on the holding table with its angular position being regulated so as to direct its crystal orientation in a predetermined direction with respect to the holding table, and thus the grinding direction of the surface of the semiconductor wafer by the grinding wheel is set in a predetermined relationship to the crystal orientation of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Automatic device for guiding and loading magnetic tape cassettes into a machine which loads tape onto the cassettes. The device includes an inlet funnel chute wherein a sensor determines the open side of the cassette. The cassette is then dropped onto a rotatable plate wherein sensors sense the location of the screws in the cassette and then the cassette is oriented for and passes to a second rotatable mechanism for righting the cassette. A logic unit evaluates the information from the two sensors and controls the rotatable plate and second rotatable mechanism to properly orient and righten the cassettes for the next station.

Abstract: A system for finding the orientation of a substantially circular disk shaped wafer with at least one flat region on an edge thereof, in which the wafer is spun one 360 degree turn on a chuck and the edge position is measured by a linear array to obtain a set of data points at various wafer orientations. The rotation axis may differ from the wafer center by an unknown eccentricity. The flat angle is found by fitting a cosine curve to the data, subtracting the expected data derived from the cosine curve from the actual data to obtain a deviation. The angle of maximum deviation of the data from the cosine curve is a first estimate of the flat angle. The estimate may be corrected for errors due to a finite number of data points and wafer eccentricity by calculating an adjustment angle from data points on the wafer flat. After determining the flat angle, the wafer is spun to the desired orientation.

Abstract: An edge steerage apparatus for steering an edge of a moving web to correct for misalignment of the edge in the direction of travel. The apparatus includes one or more edge steerage units, each unit having a pair of pivotally supported, spaced-apart wheels adjacent to the edge of the web for contacting the moving web. For each of the wheels of the steerage unit, a spherical ball is provided which rotates freely omni-directionally so that the web is engaged between the wheels and the spherical ball. The two wheels of a steerage unit have a slight toe-out so that the web between the wheels is maintained in a taut condition. The position of the edge is monitored in relation to a fixed position and a steerage drive orients the wheels to introduce lateral movement in the cloth between the wheels and at the edge to steer the edge toward the fixed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for orientating circular can ends having an eccentric aperture encompassing the geometric center of the can end comprises a supply stack for delivering can ends to a table and a first conveyor for moving can ends one by one to a first station at which the center of successive can ends is precisely located. Can ends are then engaged by fingers on a second conveyor and drawn along a support track. The dragging action of the fingers in co-operation with a guide causes the can ends to adopt a required orientation in which the center trails behind the finger from that part of the aperture most remote from the center.

Abstract: A part positioning apparatus is provided for accurately positioning and angularly orienting a variety of different parts or components for pick-up by a robotic part handling device. The apparatus includes a bowl-like part receptacle which is subjected to a vibratory force so that a part placed on a concave interior surface of the receptacle slides thereover, under the influence of gravity, and assumes an equilibrium position in a designated area of a horizontal plane thereby positioning the part with respect to X and Y axes. Thereafter the receptacle is rotated about a vertical axis to angularly orient the part in a desired direction.

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 first unit positions and then rotates an apple with a randomly oriented core. Rotation is stopped when any one of a series of aligned probes enters into one of the indents in the core of the apple. A second unit with axis of rotation at 90 degrees from the axis of rotation of the first unit takes and holds the positioned apple, and then rotates it. Rotation is stopped when a positioned probe enters into the indent in the core to align the core of the apple in the desired position to provide apple core alignment.

Abstract: A system for manipulating articles, such as irregular mailpieces in the U.S. Postal Service mail processing system, receives an agglomeration of parcels into a first subsystem where the parcels are separated and are passed to a second subsystem where each parcel is manipulated until its addressee label is directed upward. The first subsystem includes a plurality of individually rotatable cylindrical rollers which form a support surface for the parcels. The rollers produce translation of a parcel by cooperative motion or separation of parts of a pile of parcels by differential motion. The second subsystem includes a high-friction, flexible conveyor belt which in a first mode supports a parcel and in a second mode forms a downward loop in which a parcel can be rotated and inverted. The parcels in both subsystems are manipulated by a five-axis robotic arm which is responsive to a machine vision system measuring the position and physical characteristics of each parcel.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling over or positioning workpieces. The apparatus consists of two conveyor belt surfaces arranged to rotate a workpiece supported on a first conveyor surface in a vertical plane. The apparatus eliminates the need for complicated hoisting or lifting devices to position the workpiece or operations to be performed thereon. The apparatus can also include an electromagnet for retaining the workpiece on a first conveyor surface when it is being worked on. The apparatus may also include the ability to adjust a second conveyor surface which improves the stability of the workpiece when worked on in an inclined position.

Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for positioning a circular substrate having a notch in a circumferential edge includes a notch sensor which senses the rotational position of the substrate about a center axis, a pushing member adapted to fit into the notch and moved toward the center axis to displace the substrate so as to engage positioning elements, and a detector that detects the fitting of the pushing member in the notch, the detector being movable with the pushing member.

Abstract: A hopper tray for receiving a bulk array for articles, all the same oblong shape and size, is disposed on one side of an elongated conveyer. The tray is angularly movable between an up position at which articles on the tray are discharged onto the conveyer and a down position. The articles are transported one at a time, to a zone at which they are stopped by their contact with a stop plate and their arrival is indicated by a signal fed from a photodetector to a controller. A failure of an article to timely arrive at the zone indicates a probable jamming upstream of articles, and the controller responds to cause a temporary reverse movement of the conveyer tending to relieve the jam. The article stopped by the plate is, if at an angle, reoriented to bear flush against the plate, either lengthwise or widthwise to the conveyer, by the force exerted on the articles by the continuing movement of the conveyer. A probe senses whether the articles have been oriented lengthwise or widthwise.

Abstract: A printed circuit board imaging system automatically aligns apertures on a board with reference points established by light beams located outside an exposure unit. The reference points have a known spatial relation to alignment pins in the enclosure. A movable arm engages an aligned board, moves it into the exposure unit and deposits it on the pins.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a troughing conveyor for products such as bags, boxes, cartons and the like. It is anticipated that products of like configuration and initial orientation are carried to an orienting conveyor means. This conveyor system has a stop plate that is actuated as and when required to insure that an oriented product has exited the system before entrance of another product to said system. Two plate-like conveyors are arrayed in tandem and are of like size and extent. These conveyors are troughed to provide a shallow included angle and the upper extents are also formed with convex arc so that the product is transported on two points. Each of these conveyors is independently driven by variable-speed gear motors, each with computer programs controlling the speed of each of the conveyor extents. An electric-eye counter device insures that an oriented product has exited the system before another product has been delivered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling a workpiece includes the combination of a first workpiece position for checking the presence of a workpiece and a second subsequent position for checking the orientation of a workpiece. An orientation device adjacent the orientation checking position orients the workpiece to a proper position for subsequent transportation to a third workpiece position such that acceptable workpieces may be segregatably removed to a subsequent handling location.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for singling and orienting coiled tension springs which have hook-like bends at, at least one end of the spring. The apparatus uses a guide through which the springs are fed to a receiver. The receiver has a chamber and the chamber has an inlet opening for the introduction of the spring into the chamber of the receiver. The receiver can swing about an axis that is transverse of the axis of the guide from a first position in which the inlet opening of the chamber is in line with the guide and the chamber of the receiver forms the prolongation of the guide to a second position in which the inlet opening of the chamber is out of line with the guide. A sword-like element moves into and out of the chamber in a direction transverse to the chamber.

Abstract: Device and a method are taught for specifically orienting and conveying products in a common direction of travel. The products are individually mounted on a plurality of identical, circular, product-carrying pucks. Each circular puck has a flat conveyor-contacting bottom surface and at least one circular peripheral surface contactable by corresponding circular peripheral surfaces of other pucks when located in a random surge thereof. Each puck is surmounted by a product support. Between its bottom surface and its product support, each puck has a peripheral slide surface parallel to the desired direction of travel of the oriented puck and at least one peripheral rotation-producing surface, the slide and rotation-producing surfaces being inset from the circular peripheral surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for orienting semiconductor wafers of the type that have a generally circular peripheral shape and a flat, chordally extending edge on the periphery. In fabricating the wafers the chordally extending portion is formed in fixed relation to the crysatallographic axes of the material of which the wafer is formed. All subsequent processes are precisely orientated with respect to the chordally extending edge and the present invention affords orientation of such edge to virtually any position.

Abstract: A method for positioning seamed balls each having an endless curved seam line, comprising steps of: supporting each ball to locate its center at an origin of a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate consisting of two horizontal axes X, Y and one vertical axis Z; rotating the ball on at least one of the axes X, Y until an optical sensor disposed on the axis Z specifies such a particular locus that intersects the seam line at four points during one full rotation of the ball to provide four arcs along the locus; finding the shortest arc among the four and locating its mid point on the axis Z by rotating the ball on the axis X; rotating the ball on the axis Y so that an intersection of a bisector and a part of the seam line is located on the axis Z; and rotating the ball on the axis Y until a hip center of the ball is located on the axis Z.

Abstract: A bottle orienting device is disclosed in which bottles are fed into a first station randomly in either a top down or a bottom down condition, moving pockets pick up the individual bottles and transport them past a sensor which determines the particular condition thereof and responds with an appropriate signal when a predetermined condition is found, means are provided to rotate the pockets carrying the bottles so that all bottles have the same orientation condition, either top down or bottom down as desired, at this point bottle air cleaning means can be operatively provided, with all bottles being selectively first presented in a top down condition to the air cleaning device, means are then provided to reverse the condition of the bottles to the bottom down position, and then the bottles are discharged from the device, if air cleaning is not desired, the bottles found to be in the wrong orientation at the sensing station are rotated to present them bottom down to the discharge, of significance all bottles m

Abstract: A container orienting apparatus suitable for flasks and other non-cylindrical containers comprising a pair of continuously moving counter-rotating parallel belts for engaging opposite sides of the finish and/or neck of each container and for rotating each container a predetermined amount by changing the relative speeds of the belts for a predetermined time period. The amount of rotation necessary to rotate each container to a common second orientation is determined by a programmable controller responsive to orientation sensors which determine which one of a number of discrete first orientations each container is in prior to engagement by the belts. The controller contains in memory a plurality of predetermined instruction sets corresponding to the various possible container orientations and the amount of rotation which is required to achieve a predetermined common second orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing a set of linear objects such as helically coiled turbolaters (11) from a container (12) of objects, comprising a cover (17) including holes (37) from which air is drawn to cause some of the objects (11) to engage the underside of the cover (17) and an obturator plate for reducing the air flow through the holes (37) so that the objects (11) correctly engaged with the cover will detach from the cover (17). A feed mechanism is also provided to insert the helically coiled objects (11) into the tubes (13) of a radiator (14).

Abstract: DIP tube handling apparatus including an input hopper 62 suitable for containing a quantity of randomly oriented DIP container tubes, agitating, singulating and metering means 34 at the bottom of the hopper 12 for causing one tube at a time to leave the hopper 12 under the influence of gravity, a pair of walking beams 26, 28 for moving the singulated DIP tube to an orientation station, an orientation device 30 for orienting the tubes so that the tubes and DIPs contained therein are positioned top side up, a tube inclining means 110 for causing the tube to be inclined so that DIPs may slide therefrom under the influence of gravity, either into the tube from a supply chute or out of the tube into a discharge chute, and an output hopper 14 for receiving tubes that have been loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: This specification deals with electro-optic controls for stopping and orienting of a semiconductor wafer being transported along a track on an air film. At one or more locations along the track the characteristics of the air film are changed by electronic controls responding to optical pickups sensing the position and orientation of a semiconductor wafer entering the particular location on the air film to first stop the wafer in the general proximity of the location, then center the wafer in the location and after the wafer is centered, quickly rotate the wafer until it assumes the desired orientation. All this is done without edge contact of the wafer by any solid objects.

Abstract: A vibration damping nest is adapted for receiving axial lead components deposited upon a conveyor assembly by an automatic grasping and positioning device such as robotic pincers. The conveyor assembly, such as a walking beam, is provided with a plurality of grooves along the length thereof which are aligned perpendicular to the length and direction of displacement of the walking beam and are adapted to receive an elongated, linear electronic component deposited thereon. The vibration damping nest includes a pair of pivoting plates positioned on respective sides of the walking beam immediately adjacent thereto. An upper edge of each of the plates includes a generally V-shaped recessed portion for receiving a respective axial lead of a component. Suspended from each pivoting plate is a biasing weight for urging the plate in a generally vertical orientation wherein the V-shaped upper edge portions of the plates define a component drop position across the walking beam assembly.

Abstract: Dust-pressed plates (P) are trimmed to a predetermined peripheral profile by means of three milling cutters rotating at around 12,000 r.p.m. The cutters are uniformly spaced about a central axis and operate simultaneously on the periphery of a plate while the plate is rotated about the axis. The cutters are located during trimming by means of a profile cam which is in registration with the plate mounted on a ware support. To ensure registration with the cam, a plate is centered by a centering unit before being orientated by orientating mechanism and transferred to the ware support. Each plate is delivered to the centering unit with a reference feature at a predetermined position on its periphery, the orientating mechanism being arranged to search for that feature before rotating the plate to bring it into the required orientation for registration with the cam.

Abstract: Blanks of noncircular, especially polygonal (e.g. heptagonal), outline are fed to a die-stamping press of an embossing plant such as a mint by means of a turntable with radially oriented transport plates projecting beyond its periphery at angularly equispaced locations. Each transport plate has an outwardly open recess with inner edges conforming to part of the blank outline and with two substantially parallel jaws spaced apart by the maximum width of the blanks, the depth of the recess being less than this maximum width to let an inserted blank protrude by one corner in an incorrect position and by two corners but to a lesser extent in a correct position.

Abstract: First and second chambers, each having a rotor are interconnected by a passage. The first chamber has a contoured periphery to receive articles and the passage is shaped and dimensioned to permit travel therealong only of those articles which are orientated in the first chamber with their longitudinal axes either in the direction of travel or normal to the direction of travel. Articles in other orientations are carried round the first chamber by the rotor for representation at the passage. The rotor in the second chamber permits the passage of those articles which have their longitudinal axes in the direction of travel and topples the articles having their axes normal to the direction of travel into positions in which the axes are in the direction of travel.

Abstract: A support slidably mounted for reciprocable movement above and generally parallel to a conveyor, a rotator element mounted on and movable with the support and having a generally U-shaped package enveloping device arranged to straddle the package to be rotated together with a rotatable driving device mounted on and movable with the support for imparting rotary movement to the rotator element.

Abstract: A machine for labeling containers which are oriented vertically and have a bottom surface provided with a transverse jam recess that is at least partially radial to the longitudinal axis of the container. The machine includes a labeler and a work table moveable relative to the labeler. A plurality of plates are each mounted on the table for rotation about vertical axis and each plate includes a container supporting surface. A holder is disposed above each plate for vertical movement relative thereto. A counter jam is mounted on each rotary plate for movement between a first position below the container supporting surface and a second position in which a portion of the counter jam extends above the container supporting surface for cooperating with the jam recess of a container positioned on the support surface. At least three rollers are mounted on each rotary plate to support the container for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis relative to the rotary plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a filler opening of a drum into alignment with a filler. A wheel on the end of a probe driven by a pneumatic motor is moved in a circular path on the surface of the drum and falls into and is captured by the filler opening. The probe continues to move, rotating the drum and the filler opening toward alignment with the filler. Alignment between the probe and filler is sensed and used to reverse the direction of movement of the probe, causing it to withdraw from the filler opening.