Abstract: A workpiece feeder includes a forward stage that separates base plates from one another and adjusts the base plates into correct top-bottom orientation and a pickup unit that individually holds the separated and adjusted base plates and horizontally aligns the held base plate into correct planar posture while feeding the held base plate to a destination. The forward stage includes a stage body that has a stage surface on which the base plates are placed and is movably supported so as to shift the stage surface and a drive unit that applies separate impacts to the stage body so that the stage body moves to apply a bouncing force and a shifting force orthogonal to the bouncing force due to the separate impacts to the base plates.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bundle orienting device in-line with a conveyor configured for transporting bundles in a conveying direction. The bundle orienting device can include a plurality of selectively actuatable orientation elements that, collectively, laterally and/or angularly displace a bundle as it travels in the conveying direction through the bundle orienting device. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a method for rotating bundles traveling in a conveying direction along a conveyor system. The method includes conveying a bundle along a conveyor to pass through a bundle orienting device, thus described.

Abstract: An edge justification device for a mail processing machine. The device shifts the mailpiece from bottom edge justified to top edge justified. The amount of shift is determined as a function of the height of the mail piece. One embodiment solves the problem of switching from bottom to top registration by having a series of steerable nips, which are arranged in line, parallel to the mail flow direction. As the mail piece travels though the justifier, the nips will rotate to impart a lateral velocity to the mail piece, shifting it over to properly justify it. In a further embodiment, the nips of the justification device are not steerable. Rather, a whole nip assembly that is transporting the mail piece is moved laterally to switch from bottom to top justification.

Abstract: A system and method for skew correction of a mailpiece includes moving the mailpiece along a path of travel in a first orientation toward a first drive roller and a second drive roller. Control of the mailpiece is established in the first orientation by the drive rollers. A first skew correction of the mailpiece is implemented by employing the first drive roller and the second drive roller to align the mailpiece with respect to the path of travel. The first drive roller and the second drive roller may be employed to change the orientation of the stopped mailpiece from the first orientation to a second orientation with respect to the path of travel. A second skew correction may be implemented by employing the first drive roller and the second drive roller to align the mailpiece in the second orientation with respect to the path of travel.

Abstract: When one side (11b) of the article to be inspected (10) faces the front side of a conveyance device (30) and the first region (R1) of a mounting member (20) is in contact with a first resistance application portion (33A), the sliding between the first region (R1) and the first resistance application portion (33A) is suppressed. Thereby the mounting member (20) moves forward while rotating in the clockwise direction (refer to the reference numeral 5A). Next, when the second region (R2) comes into contact with the first resistance application portion (33A) as indicated by the reference numeral 5B, sliding occurs between the second region (R2) and the first resistance application portion (33A), and the mounting member (20) stops rotating. Then, the mounting member (20) comes into contact with a second resistance application portion (33B), and the mounting member (20) moves forward while rotating in the clockwise direction (refer to the reference numeral 5C).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming two filters in a two-up configuration. The apparatus includes a feed wheel 18, an assembly wheel 20, a take-off wheel 22, and a flipping wheel 24. According to the method of the invention, tubes 10 are loaded from the feed wheel 18 to the assembly wheel 20 where one hollow end of the tubes is filled. The half-filled tubes 10? are then transferred to take-off wheel 22 and then to a flipping wheel 24 where the tubes are flipped. The half-filled and flipped tubes 10? are returned to vacant positions on the feed wheel and transferred back to the assembly wheel so that the remaining hollow ends can be filled. The filled tube 10?? is transferred to a take-off wheel 22, where it is then removed from the take off wheel 22 using a stripper and/or additional wheels for further processing.

Abstract: A method is provided for alignment of flat products along a side guide of a conveying device. The products are conveyed successively while resting on their flat base area. Each product is positioned at an angle relative to the conveying direction while in an essentially horizontal plane. Subsequently each product is straightened. The straightened products are pushed against a side guide to align the products along the side guide. A conveying device is also provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for changing the direction of travel of a reel being moved by a incoming conveyor (12), for transfer to the following conveyor, in which method the reel is first brought to a turntable and the direction of travel of the reel is changed by turning the turntable. After turning, the reel is removed to a receiving conveyor. In order for the turntable to be able to turn reels, the width of which is greater than the diameter of the turntable, the reel is lifted on the turntable from the level of the incoming and receiving conveyors, for the duration of the turning.

Abstract: A drag-behind square hay bale accumulator that groups ten (10) bales of hay is claimed. The grouping configuration has the advantage of providing the first two bales of hay turned at right angles to the remaining bales, to provide for improved stacking of the hay bales. The accumulator is comprised of an open framework within which channels for routing the bales are positioned. After a group of ten (10) bales is collected, the accumulator leaves the bales on the field in a grouping that can be mechanically picked up and stacked.

Abstract: A bag-making and packaging machine, in which a horizontal bag-making machine and a packaging machine are provided, including a positioning conveyor for positioning bags fed out from the horizontal bag-making machine, a feed conveyor for feeding the bags to the packaging machine, and first, second, and third transport mechanisms provided between the positioning conveyor and the feed conveyor. The first transport mechanism lifts up the bags up and change their attitude to a vertical attitude with the bag mouths oriented upward. The second transport mechanism receives the bags from the first transport mechanisms, transports them, and rotates the bags to orient bag surfaces in the feed direction of the feed conveyor. The third transport mechanisms receives the bags from the second transport mechanisms, changes their attitude to a horizontal attitude, and places them on the feed conveyor with the bag mouths oriented in the feed direction.

Abstract: An electronic chip attitude changing device includes a rotor having, on the outer periphery, cavities that are formed at equal pitch to respectively contain and hold electronic chips with a part thereof projecting out; an air suction path for drawing and holding the electronic chips in the cavities of the rotor; a driving device for rotationally driving the rotor in a predetermined direction; and a chip guide placed at a fixed position close to the outer periphery of the rotor and having a guide face for making sliding contact with the projecting portions of the electronic chips held in the cavities so as to turn the attitudes of the electronic chips by 90°.

Abstract: It is the pallet conveying mechanism to move a pallet P arrived at an end point 17b of a friction conveyer FC2 to a starting point 7a of a friction conveyer FC1 in just as it is the direction without turning. The pallet conveying mechanism is comprised of rollers 34 having a flange portion 34a to contact with the pallet P by arranging along a main frame 31 provided so as to connect the friction conveyer FC1 and FC2 with each other and a drive mechanism 35 for driving rollers 34.

Abstract: A lumber turning device for use with a conveyer having spaced apart lumber moving therealong whereby the lumber may be turned through 180° so that all faces of the lumber may be visually inspected. A first arrangement has a four lobed member whereby a first one of the lobes will extend upwardly above the conveyer with a front surface facing a first lumber piece such that when the locked first lumber piece contacts the front surface of the first one of the lobes, the member will rotate and a rear face of an adjacent lobe will lift the lumber piece to rotate the same through 180°. Other embodiments illustrate members which may turn alternate pieces of lumber.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting and reorienting one or more items is provided. The system includes a first transport apparatus that can transport and reorient an item from a loading location to a first unloading location. For example, a first carder is movably secured to a frame of the first transport apparatus such that it can move at least about 180 degrees about the frame to the first unloading location. Moreover, the first carrier can also move about 90 degrees to a first transfer location. At the first transfer location, the items contained within the first carrier can, in some instances, also be pushed to a second carrier at a second transfer location. The second carrier is movably secured to a frame of a second transport apparatus such that it can move at least about 90 degrees to a second unloading location. The reoriented item(s) can be unloaded from a carrier at the first or second unloading locations.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement that conveys cargo along a predetermined path of conveyance between an initial cargo intake portion and a final cargo releasing portion is provided with a first conveyor that is arranged to convey the cargo along a first portion of the predetermined path of conveyance between a first cargo receiving portion and a distal first cargo releasing portion of the first conveyor. The first conveyor has a twist that varies with respect to distance along a first intermediate cargo conveyance region. There is additionally provided a second twisted conveyor arranged to convey the cargo along a second portion of the predetermined path of conveyance. The second portion of the predetermined path of conveyance overlaps the first portion of the predetermined path of conveyance. A third twisted conveyor is arranged to convey the cargo along a third portion of the predetermined path of conveyance between a third cargo receiving portion and a third cargo releasing portion of the third conveyor.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for handling (individual) packs (10), namely for packaging the latter in a folding box or the like. The packs (10), which, for production or other reasons, are fed in a specific relative position, to be introduced into the folding box as a pack group (22) in another predetermined relative position. For this purpose, turning stations (27, 49) are installed in the region of the pack conveyor and rotate the packs (10)--depending on requirements--about a horizontal axis and/or about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A workpiece inversion system for orienting a workpiece in a conventional milling machine or the like. The workpiece is securely attached to a pallet. The pallet is of uniform design to provide a standard interface for presenting the workpiece to the milling machine. The pallets are transported to the milling machine where a combination of parts senses the pallet orientation. Upon arrival to the input station the pallet mates with an inverting receptor adjacent the input station. An actuator rotates the pallet 180 degrees thereby inverting the pallet and the attached workpiece. The inverted pallet is moved onto an inverted linear actuator disposed within the volume above the milling head. The inverting receptor returns to it original position to receive another workpiece. The inverted workpiece is moved through the machining area. As machining occurs, debris dislodged by the force of forced oil lubrication and gravity will fall away from the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for orienting portions of a disposable undergarment, such as a core thereof, is provided. The apparatus preferably includes a core lifting system for lifting a core of a disposable undergarment when in a first orientation position during travel along a predetermined path and a core orientor connected to the core lifting system for orienting the core in a second orientation position along the predetermined path of travel. The core orientor preferably includes at least one drive for driving the core lifting system along the predetermined path of travel and an orientation changing system associated with the at least one drive for changing the orientation of the lifted core to the second orientation position when driving at least portions of the core lifting system along the predetermined path of travel.

Abstract: An assembly and method for turning an article traveling on a conveyor. The assembly includes a conveyor having an upstream end and a downstream end, and first, second and third turning stations spaced apart from each other and disposed adjacent the path of a conveyor, with each station including a sensor for sensing an oncoming article and a selectively activatable surface, disposed downstream of said sensor, for turning an article 90 degrees. A computer selectively activates each of the surfaces responsive to information received from the sensors to thereby selectively turn an article either 90, 180 or 270 degrees total as desired.

Abstract: A method for making sterile suture packages employs a frame assembly line, a sterilization line and a blanker/cartoner line. A web of foil is advanced in a series of movements through the frame assembly line to assemble a frame containing needle-suture assemblies in a plurality of cavities in the frame, the frame having top and bottom aluminum foils with heat seal coatings on their facing surfaces. The cavities are formed in the bottom foil of each frame by a combination of pressurized air and mechanical plugs which are forced against the bottom foil and an underlying die having recesses for defining the cavities. A blanking operation following sterilization and sealing separates individual packages, each containing one needle-suture assembly, from the frame. The packages are then conveyed by belts through inspection stations and reoriented for loading into shipping cartons.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating a polyolefin surface to become receptive to inks and adhesives is disclosed. The present invention provides a method of and apparatus for treating a polyolefin surface to become receptive to inks and adhesives, using the steps of introducing the shaped object onto a conveyor belt; conveying the shaped object towards an output end of the conveyor belt; aligning and guiding the shaped object across a treatment device to treat the entire 360.degree. surface of the shaped object. The treatment device includes, for example, an electrode spark generator.

Abstract: A printing plates lifting apparatus having storing function in a rotary press having upper and lower printing units arranged in tiers and upper and lower work floors corresponding to the printing units. The printing plates lifting apparatus comprises upper and lower rotating bodies, opposed endless flexible bodies which are engaged with vertically opposed upper and lower rotating bodies, driving means for rotating the rotating bodies to run the endless flexible bodies, and printing plate hanging members arranged along and between the endless flexible bodies.

Abstract: A sorter for orienting integrated circuit devices comprises first, second, and third sections. The first section receives the devices and sorts them into those with a leads down orientation and those with a leads up orientation. The first section comprises two opposing faces, each having a pair of lead channels. The first face lead channels receive leads of devices having a leads down orientation, and the second face lead channels receive leads of devices having a leads up orientation. The second section comprises a first channel for receiving devices from the first section having a leads down orientation, and a second channel for receiving devices from the first section having a leads up orientation. The second section further comprises an inverter integral to the second channel for inverting devices passing therethrough to a leads down orientation.

Abstract: A thrusting mechanism with a thrusting member (5) which is moved periodically with an acceleration relative to the conveying speed out of a starting position into an end position and back into the starting position by a drive arrangement is provided on the conveying track (1) along a turning zone. Installed downstream of the starting position are an upward-curved ramp (8) and, at a distance downstream of the latter, a further upward-curved guide track (9) for the objects (2a, 2b, 2c) arriving on the conveying track (1) and moved by pushers (3). The whole arrangement is such that an object can be taken over in the turning zone by the thrusting member (5) and pushed upwards with an acceleration on the ramp (8) and the guide track (9) until it tilts backwards beyond its upright position and, after the return motion of the thrusting member (5) out of its end position, falls back turned onto the conveying track (1).

Abstract: A feed device for a corner finishing machine for finishing frames consists f a framework which supports the frames, a conveyor for longitudinal movement of the frames along the support plane and a pivot device to rotate the frames around a normal pivot axis to the support plane in the area of the finishing tools. In order to achieve reliable, careful support of the frames, the framework forms an inclined support, with a guide rail, interrupted in the area of the finishing tools, and the pivot device includes two support arms which fit into the break in the guide rail in their extended position. The arms can be pivoted up out of their extended position by an angle that corresponds at least to the greatest corner angle of the frames via a suitable drive.

Abstract: A system for turning shape steels upside down includes a conveyor adapted to transport shape steels along a line, a shifting device having bars rotatable across the line upwards and downwards for transferring the shape steels from a count-up station to a first tumbling station and at the same time from the first tumbling station to a second tumbling station, intermediate and final lifting devices disposed at the tumbling stations, respectively, such that they are raised and lowered alternately in unison with the shifting device, and in their raised positions cause the shape steels to turn upside down and magnetic means adapted to attract the inverted shape steels located on the final lifting device, so as to transfer them onto a pick-up station before they are delivered to a binding apparatus.

Abstract: An inverter adapted to gently invert multi-cell moulds used in a brick making machine includes a first carrier for transporting a mould through a first arcuate path, a second carrier for transporting a mould through a second arcuate path to cause inversion of the mould, and means for transferring a mould from the first to the second carrier. When the inverter is in use, the cumulative effect of transporting a mould through said first and second arcuate paths is to cause inversion of the mould without subjecting the mould to undue shock loads and to accurately locate the mould for subsequent operations thereon. The first and second carriers preferably include pairs of holders rotating synchronously in opposite directions.

Abstract: A comprehensive container inspection system includes axial container examining features, side wall inspection features and a controllable diverter for routing the containers to one of at least two sorting paths. Each stage of the inspection system is adapted to process moving containers, a continuous line of moving containers being processed and controllably diverted without stoppages. In an axial inspection area, containers are carried through rim, energy absorption and base inspection areas by means of side rollers bridging a gap in endless belt conveyor sections. In a side wall inspection area, containers are continuously rolled before a video detector operable to record and analyze images including at least three of the rolling bottles.

Abstract: An automated painting system where the parts to be painted are placed on a carrying tray in a first position and moved through a painting and a drying station so that first surface portions of the parts are painted. Then the carrying tray with the parts is moved first through a depth gauge unit and then to an inverting location to cause the parts to be deposited back on the same carrying tray but in an inverted position, this being accomplished by the use of two transfer trays and three inversion steps. Thereafter the parts on the carrying tray are again moved through the painting and drying stations and then discharged from the system.

Abstract: A device is provided for transferring a lithographic plate (S) from a horizontal conveyor (1) to an overhead conveyor (25). The transfer device has orienting means (2) for receiving a transversely extending lithographic plate from the horizontal conveyor (1) and positioning a folded over end portion (12) of the lithographic plate in the path of a hook member (13) carried by an endless chain (30) of an elevator (3), so that the plate (S) is lifted into a vertical position and then deposited on a positioning bed (4). An upper part (23) of the bed (4) is pivotable by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (22) to position the end portion (12) of the plate (S) inwardly of the locus of the hook member (13) as the hook member passes around a lower sprocket wheel (15) of the elevator, so that the hook member passes by without again picking up the lithographic plate.

Abstract: A container rotating-transporting device for transporting a plurality of containers while rotating same, which comprises a transport device for transporting the containers straightly, a plurality of container stands each provided rotatably on the transport device to hold a container thereon and having a roller or pulley and a rotation imparting member for rotating each container stand when the roller or pulley contacts the rotation imparting member. This device is used for a container inspecting device.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating axially-aligned rods of the cigarette industry comprises a first pair of conical drums (14,16) mounted on a first common sleeve (32) and arranged to receive respectively the two rods (10) of each pair to be separated, the axes of rotation (22, 24) of the drums being inclined so as to separate the rods carried by the respective drums; a second pair of conical drums (25,26) mounted on a second common sleeve and arranged to receive the cigarettes from the first pair of conical drums, the second pair of conical drums having axes inclined so as to space the rods further apart while returning the rods to axially-aligned orientations; and device (28) for receiving the spaced-apart rods from the second pair of conical drums.

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 turn around device that is designed for changing two side-by-side parallel rows of filter tipped cigarettes, which are formed by a succession of parallel pairs of co-axial cigarettes (S1, S2) with their filters in facing relation, into only one row of parallel cigarettes (S1, S2') with their filters being oriented in the same direction, comprises two fluted, conical, suction, turn around drums (5, 6), of which one takes the cigarettes (S2) forming one of the two cigarette rows, and lays them in a turned around position, i.e., rotated by 180.degree. about a transverse axis thereof, between the cigarettes (S1) of the other cigarette row.

Abstract: There is provided a device and a method for turning flat articles, more particularly letter envelopes, flat bags or the like. The article is first moved out of its direction of conveyance into a curvilinear path, whereafter--without stopping in its original direction of conveyance--it is moved into a curvilinear path in a new direction until finally advancing onwards in its original direction of conveyance.

Abstract: A yeast cake device for reorienting yeast cakes by a tumbling operation has a single reciprocating part. The reciprocating part is a reciprocating ram having an upper arm and a lower arm. The upper arm serves to push articles to be tumbled across a first shelf. The tumbling occurs from the first half and onto the lower arm of the reciprocating ram. Upon retraction during a backstroke of the reciprocating ram, the article supported by the lower arm brings the article into engagement with the first shelf such that the article remains stationary while the lower arm moves beneath the article. During retraction, the center of gravity of the article lies beyond a free edge of the lower arm such that the article tumbles for a second time through a 90 degree revolution and onto a second shelf. During another stroke, the lower arm again engages the article so as to push the article onto a conveyor belt.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing the work required for moving, handling, and rolling heavy boxes and the like having a center of gravity. The apparatus incorporates a ramp contoured to the locus of points described by the surfaces of the workpiece as that workpiece rotates about its center of gravity, as that center of gravity is horizontally translated while simultaneously maintained at constant vertical elevation.

Abstract: An improved packaging apparatus includes a linear conveyor belt above which there is mounted an automatic reciprocating turning device which turns flat elements moved by the conveyor. At the end of travel of the conveyor, there is a clamp loader which presses the flat elements and transfers them from a horizontal position to a vertical position, dropping them in this position onto a horizontal dual conveyor, whereby they are displaced with an intermittent forward movement. The elements are faced in pairs and grouped in quantitatively scheduled packages, until they are deposited on a roller table to group various laterally faced packages and to obtain a scheduled volume for the packaging thereof. The upper belt of the horizontal dual conveyor moves at the same speed as the belts below it and maintains the members forming the package in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: Packet handling apparatus, particularly for use between a cigarette packing machine and a cigarette packet wrapping machine, includes a main conveyor for moving packets towards a receiving station, and a reservoir for temporarily storing packets when the receiving station cannot accept the full supply from the conveyor. Packets are diverted from the main conveyor onto a secondary conveyor on which transfer to or from the reservoir occurs. The orientation of the packets is changed before loading into the reservoir so that the latter can receive batches of stacked packets. Packets are returned to the main conveyor at a position downstream of the position at which they were diverted, and returned packets have the same orientation as other packets on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A method of opening an envelope along three edges, in which the envelope is moved to an opening or edge removing device along a supply path, one edge being guided along said device for cutting open or removing the edge. Next, the envelope is rotated through 90.degree. to be subsequently guided again along the opening or edge removing device for opening the second edge, which cycle is repeated for the third edge. An apparatus for performing this method includes a housing having an inlet path leading to the supply path along which the opening or edge removing device is arranged, a first set of members for moving and guiding the envelope co-extensively with the inlet path, and a second set of members for moving and guiding the envelope in a direction perpendicular to the inlet path along the opening or edge removing device, and a third set of members for guiding and moving the envelope along a quarter-circular path, which returns the envelope, turned 90 degrees, to the first set of members in the inlet path.

Abstract: A walking beam conveyor of the type having a plurality of reciprocally movable notched beams interposed between a plurality of fixed notched beams, cools and transfers elongated articles such as cylindrical bar stock between a furnace and a discharge station. Vertical and horizontal reciprocal motions are applied simultaneously to the movable beams by eccentrics which are mounted on a single drive shaft for advancing the bars along the fixed beams toward the discharge end of the cooling bed. The vertical motion eccentric is operatively connected to the movable beam through a bellcrank lever and the horizontal motion eccentric is connected by a generally horizontal push-pull connection. The beam notches are V-shaped with one sloped surface having a greater length and smaller angle of slope than the other sloped surface. Rotation of the drive shaft in one direction will reciprocate the movable beams causing the bars to rotate 90.degree.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating the edges of pre-fired brick includes an extruder for extruding a column of clay and a wire cutter assembly for severing the column into individual bricks having their longitudinal axes substantially perpendicular to the direction of extrusion. The bricks are transported to a first conveyor where they are turned and directed to a side conveyor. As the pre-fired bricks move on the side conveyor, they move in a single file arrangement with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the direction of movement. The upper longitudinal edges of the pre-fired brick are treated by engagement with a pair of canted rollers to give the edges of the brick an irregular appearance. The bricks are then reoriented by a pair of rotating tables which direct the bricks onto a third conveyor with the axes of the brick being substantially perpendicular to their direction of travel.

Abstract: Bottom opening pockets in a newspaper stuffing machine sequentially move newspapers to a transfer station at a first speed with closed edge portions of the newspapers downward and major sides of the newspapers on which headlines are printed facing in the direction of movement of the pockets. The pockets are sequentially opened and the closed or folded edge portion of each of the newspapers in turn moves into engagement with a receiving conveyor. The receiving conveyor accelerates the closed edge portion of a newspaper while the open or cut edge portion of the newspaper remains in a pocket and travels at a slower speed. This results in deflecting or bending of the newspaper. As the closed or folded edge portion of the newspaper is accelerated, the paper is moved into an underlapped relationship with an immediately preceding newspaper. The underlapped newspapers are moved into an overlapped relationship by an inverter.

Abstract: Article feeding apparatus includes a series of equally spaced pushers for advancing along a platform a procession of sweets or the like lying flat on the platform. The platform has a downwardly extending ramp and as the sweets travel down the ramp they are turned through 90.degree. to an erect position under control of one or more restraining fingers which move in timed relationship with the pushers. A further turnover device may be provided for turning the erected sweets through a further 90.degree..

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying rod-like articles, especially cigarettes, includes parallel conveyors for streams of articles and two transfer conveyors which together re-orientate articles in one stream for combination with articles in the other stream. The transfer conveyors each convey articles on a curved path having a substantially vertical axis and include guide means for elevating the outer ends of the articles on the path. In another arrangement parallel opposed conveyors deliver articles to a downwardly-extending junction provided with retractable conveyor bands which may initially extend across the junction to aid filling. The stream on one of the opposed conveyors may be delivered from a further parallel conveyor by a rotary disc transfer conveyor which turns articles through 180 degrees for delivery to the one conveyor. The apparatus is particularly useful for tip-turning of cigarettes at the exit on a filter cigarette assembling machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism for receiving bales or cartons in small stacks or cubes and delivering single bales or cartons in pre-determined alignment. The bale or carton is placed on an elevator floor and moved up in steps of one tier at a time. A pusher arm sweeps the top tier of bales or cartons in the elevator off of the stack into a tier container. The tier container has drag chains which move the bales or cartons laterally into an orienting chute where each is oriented to the same pre-determined position regardless of its position in the stack. Two such units may be combined with a common chute so that two different stacks of bales or cartons may be alternatively singulated.

Abstract: Coils of hot strip from a hot strip mill downcoiler are transferred broadside and set down with the coil eye horizontal on a walking beam conveyor. The conveyor comprises elongated transfer members pivoted at their lower end below the path of coil travel which swing toward and away from each other. Each transfer member has a coil-supporting platform on its upper end and coils are passed from one transfer member to the next when they approach each other, both at the intersections of their arcuate paths and at a point in each arcuate path intermediate those intersections, so that each coil is rotated about its axis during travel, but without rolling.

Abstract: A device for obtaining the proper end to end orientation of articles that are delivered to the device in a random orientation, the articles having a common longitudinal characteristic, the device including a rotating pick up and feed device for introduction of the articles to a first fee conveyor, an inspection device arranged to scan the article being carried therepast on the conveyor, a selector responsive to a signal from the inspection device and actuated in response thereto to shift the article into position for rotation, allow the same to continue its travel without rotation or to eject the article dependent upon the size of the article and a rotating wheel element to accomplish the rotation of the articles that are positioned for rotation by the selector and to propel and deliver such articles and those articles that do not require rotation to a final delivery conveyor.

Abstract: A stone fruit cutting apparatus for slicing apricots, this apparatus having a pair of substantially vertical belts defining a channel to guide and carry the fruit therealong to the cutting position. The cutter comprises a pair of vertical disc cutters displaced one above the other to give an upper and lower cutter, so that during cutting the fruit is supported by the belts and rotated to produce a cut around its circumference to the depth of the stone.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying rod-like articles, especially cigarettes, includes parallel conveyors for streams of articles and two transfer conveyors which together re-orientate articles in one stream for combination with articles in the other stream. The transfer conveyors each convey articles on a curved path having a substantially vertical axis and include guide means for elevating the outer ends of the articles on the path. In another arrangement parallel opposed conveyors deliver articles to a downwardly-extending junction provided with retractable conveyor bands which may initially extend across the junction to aid filling. The stream on one of the opposed conveyors may be delivered from a further parallel conveyor by a rotary disc transfer conveyor which turns articles through 180 degrees for delivery to the one conveyor. The apparatus is particularly useful for tip-turning of cigarettes at the exit on a filter cigarette assembly machine.