Abstract: A box forming machine includes a converter assembly, a fold assembly, and an attachment assembly. The converter assembly converts sheet material into a box template. The fold assembly engages a first end of the box template and moves the first end of the box template to a predetermined position. The attachment assembly engages a second end of the box template and moves the second end of the box template toward and into engagement with the first end of the box template to attach the first and second ends of the box template together.

Abstract: A rotational device is provided that reorients a container from a first orientation to a second orientation in a manufacturing line and receives and reorients containers with different dimensions. The rotational device has an enclosed passageway defined by four continuous, turning surfaces that contribute to the ability of the rotational device to receive and reorient containers with different dimensions. In one embodiment, the passageway of the rotational device rotates 90 degrees in a clockwise manner. The bottoms of the different sized container are aligned with a right edge of an entrance of the passageway that corresponds to a surface that turns and defines the bottom edge of an exit of the passageway. Thus, the rotational device can receive containers with different dimensions while reduces the movement or jostling of the containers within the passageway.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor guide including: a frame; a conveyor track attached to the frame at a downwardly angle for guiding a plurality of moving containers down the conveyor track along a travel path; a pair of opposing struts attached on either side of the conveyor track; a rail assembly attached to the pair of opposing struts above the conveyor track; a linear shuttle carriage slidingly attached to the rail assembly, the linear shuttle carriage having a bank of at least two container rotating devices disposed; wherein the linear shuttle carriage slides on the rail assembly to move from a first position in which one of the at least two container rotating devices is aligned with the travel path to a second position in which a second one of the at least two container rotating devices is aligned with the travel path.

Abstract: A pharmacy order processing system includes a container disassembly workstation defining a container disassembly workspace and a bulk container area including a plurality of bulk containers configured to receive a plurality of pharmaceuticals. The container disassembly workstation includes a holding area, a cutter device, a container manipulation device, a pharmaceutical receptacle, and a container receptacle. The cutter device includes a cutter head and is configured to cut through at least one wall of at least one container to separate at least a first portion of the at least one container of the plurality of containers from a second portion of the at least one container when the at least one container is in a cutter position. The container manipulation includes a gripper device and is configured to move the at least one container between at least the holding position and the cutter position within the container disassembly workspace.

Abstract: A conveying system includes a conveyor for moving items along a primary conveyance path. A first buffer table is releasably connected at a first lateral side of the conveyor, and a second buffer table is releasably connected at a second lateral side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A rotating mechanism includes a base, a number of rotating assemblies, and a transmitting assembly. The rotating assemblies are secured on the base. Each rotating assembly includes a rotating table and a limiting assembly assembled to the rotating table. The rotating table of each rotating assembly is substantially collinear and inclined a certain degree relative to a previous rotating table. The limiting assembly defines a channel. The transmitting assembly is received in the channels. When the transmitting assembly moves along the channels, the transmitting assembly is rotated.

Abstract: A product conveying and accumulation system utilizes an alignment wheel which rotates non-aligned rectangular shaped bottles and containers, for smooth movement through the system. The alignment wheel is located at the product pinch point exit of the system, such that products which are out of alignment are reoriented and aligned with the other products in the system, before proceeding to the downstream product destination.

Abstract: A unit for transferring and up-ending at least one sealed package containing a pourable food product and having a first axis, comprising: at least one push member which cooperates with package to feed it along a first path from an in-feed station to an out-feed station; the path extending about a second axis; the unit further comprising a guide cooperating with a first side of package along first path to up-end it from an in-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a first direction, to an out-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a second direction crosswise to first direction; and an anti-rotating mechanism cooperating with package along path to prevent package from rotating about first axis; an anti-rotating mechanism comprising a pressure element rotatable about second axis and adapted to cooperate, in use, with package.

Abstract: The device includes several rails supported by a frame (17) which form a kind of tunnel for the end of the preforms, on the neck (21) side. The tunnel is twisted and the two rails (12) and (13) which act as a guidance under the neck have a separation which is constant between the entrance (4) and the exit (5) of the tunnel in order to convey diverse and varying preforms. One of the rails, the rail (12), is straight and the other rail, the rail (13), is curved, this curved rail (13) having a profile created in accordance with the type of preform to be conveyed. The straight rail (12) corresponds to the edge of a guide (15) in the form of a simple flat which is fixed to the frame (17), and the curved rail (13) also corresponds to the edge of a guide (16) in the form of a simple flat which is also fixed suitably to the said frame (17).

Abstract: A unit for transferring and up-ending at least one sealed package containing a pourable food product and having a first axis, comprising: at least one push member which cooperates with package to feed it along a first path from an in-feed station to an out-feed station; the path extending about a second axis; the unit further comprising a guide cooperating with a first side of package along first path to up-end it from an in-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a first direction, to an out-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a second direction crosswise to first direction; and an anti-rotating mechanism cooperating with package along path to prevent package from rotating about first axis; an anti-rotating mechanism comprising a pressure element rotatable about second axis and adapted to cooperate, in use, with package.

Abstract: A material handling system has a helical conveyor apparatus operable in a first mode in which the orientation of a product can be changed and a second mode in which the orientation of the product is unchanged, i.e., passed through. The helical conveyor apparatus has a pair of conveying surfaces, with at least one of the conveying surfaces pivotal relative to the other conveying surface. The conveying surfaces can thus be arranged to twist the product as it is being conveyed or pass the product unaltered.

Abstract: For the purpose of packaging diapers (10), the latter are fed to a grouping arrangement (13) in order to produce diaper groups (20, 21) from a plurality of diapers (10) positioned closely one beside the other. The diaper groups (20, 21) are fed along a plurality of conveying paths, in particular along two removal conveyors (35, 36) located one beside the other or one above the other, to a (multi-path) packaging machine or a plurality of packaging machines.

Abstract: A guide path for electronic components has guide elements by means of which the components are guided obliquely with respect to the direction of the light beams at least in the area of a light barrier, such that the component produces a shadow area which is higher than the side end surface of the component.

Abstract: This invention structurally includes an adjustable guide rail system for laterally adjustably guiding and axially rotatably manipulating containers, such as cans, passed axially between the guide rail systems and with structure to simply and easily facilitate adjustment of the system to adjust to various series of different size cans to guide multiple series of different size cans there through by rotating a cylinder through which the cans passed to present a different passage for each respective series of different size cans.

Abstract: A device (1) for transferring continuously transported printing products (2 a . . . g), e.g., book blocks, books or sheet stacks consisting of folded and/or non-folded sheets, from an essentially flat lying position into an upright position or vice versa by a conveyor (3) that is twisted about a longitudinal axis (9). A first transporter (3) with pushers (4) advances the printing products (2 c . . . f) during the transfer, and a second transporter (10 or 12) has support elements (11), on which the printing products (2 c . . . f) are at least partially supported or lie with their primary surface during the transfer. The invention allows a particularly careful transport of sensitive individual parts or partial products that may even consist of thin individual sheets on the bottom side. A narrow line of support provided by the support elements (11) suffices for this purpose, wherein this narrow line of support essentially acts upon the product (2c . . . f) in one line of action with the respective pusher (4).

Abstract: Readily bendable and twistable rolling conveyor guides are provided. The guides include axle-positioning members that slidably engage channels of a structural support member. A plurality of axles carrying rotatable elements and spacers are disposed between the axle-positioning members. Certain embodiments include notches in the axle-positioning members. Certain other embodiments include unique cross-sections at the exterior of the channels. Advantageously, the assembled guides may be bent without causing distortion of the channels or interference between the axle-positioning members and the channels. In certain other embodiments, the support structures of the guides are constructed of flexible materials. The guides are thus readily twistable about longitudinal axes thereof.

Abstract: A conveyor includes elongated and curved first and second structural beams. Each beam includes a plurality of support tabs projecting outwardly therefrom in opposite directions and the tabs support a corresponding endless belt along the entire length thereof. The two belts operatively connect to at least one drive mechanism and define a conveying path from a first end of the beams to the opposite end. The beams are oriented such that the spacing between the two belts remains relatively uniform along the conveying path. The size, shape, orientation, and spacing of the support tabs cause the endless belts to twist in orientation, preferably by about 180° between entrance and exit ends of the conveying path. During driving of the belts, the belts cause an article held therebetween to change angular orientation as the belts convey the article from the entrance to the exit of the conveying path.

Abstract: There is now provided a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles and like containers with a liquid beverage filling material and a conveyer arrangement for aligning and distributing packages containing filled bottles and like containers. The conveyer arrangement permits rotation of a package upon traveling from the conveyer input to the conveyer output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively orienting an article (28) can include a selective indexing of a movable carriage (94) between a first carriage position and at least a second carriage position, thereby providing a selected face-alignment of a datum surface (74) of the article. In particular aspects, the first carriage position can be configured to provide for a first, twist displacement of the article, and the second carriage position can be configured to provide for a second, twist displacement of the article with the second twist displacement directionally opposite to the first twist displacement. In another aspect, the movable carriage can include an indexing wheel (120). In a further aspect, at least one set of twist-belts (66) can be connected to the carriage (94).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulating articles (28) include conveying a plurality of individual articles with a stacking conveyor (96) In particular aspects, the vacuum conveyor (96) can be arranged with an elbow configuration to substantially avoid an undesired encircling or surrounding of a substantially fixed portion of cooperating downstream equipment, and the stacking conveyor (96) can have a plurality of holding members (112) that project away from an article-side surface of the stacking conveyor. In another aspect, the method and apparatus can include a turning mechanism which forms the desired elbow configuration. A further aspect can include a transfer system (98) which can cooperate with a vacuum system (100) to load the articles (28) into downstream packaging equipment. Still another aspect can include a storage buffer mechanism (104) which provides an area upon which to stage at least one article-set (70).

Abstract: A device for removing rod-shaped objects from a production line includes a turning arrangement adapted for receiving the rod-shaped objects removed from the production line. The turning arrangement has at least one essentially fixed in place and rigid guide mechanism for swiveling the rod-shaped objects.

Abstract: In an object evacuation chute for an object sorting installation, a guide duct extends between a horizontal inlet and an outlet defined on a lateral face and at least one elastic deflector is disposed in the duct to push an object toward a guide wall of the duct. The duct advantageously has a base for turning the objects.

Abstract: An inverter (1) for thin, flat products (2), especially printing substrates in a printing machine, with belts (7, 8) positioned over two deflection pulleys (3, 4, 5, 6) that are set together at 180° between the deflection pulleys (3, 4, 5, 6). Such inverter is configured so that the product (2) and the belts (7, 8) move precisely in their reference positions. This is achieved by the fact that, in the transport direction (9), after a setting region (10) at least three guide rolls (11, 12, 13) are mounted on the supporting strand sides (7′, 8′) of belts (7, 8) in alternating arrangement and at least one of the guide rolls (11, 12 13) has a retaining collar (14) on at least one side and at least one guide roll (18) is arranged before the setting region (10). Further, at least one guide device (19, 20, 21) is arranged to guide product (2) to facilitate inversion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to manually discharge bottles from a tray of bottles onto a slippery slope at the bottom of which tilted bottles are gravitationally inserted into the top receiving edge of a parallel sloped multi-pocketed indexing wheel, and sequentially: a. discharged tangentially at the bottom edge of said indexing wheel in a single file row, b. automatically corrected from a tilted axis to a vertical axis, and, c. pushed on to adjoining equipment for further operations.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transporting open containers is provided with at least two conveying elements located opposite to each other that are adapted frictionally or positively engage the containers. Each conveying element comprises a plurality of gripping elements by means of guiding rails. The gripping elements each comprise at least two lip members located distantly to each other as seen in conveying direction and elastically resilient at least in a direction crosswise to the conveying direction, in order to grasp the containers laterally. The gripping elements are adapted to grasp and guide the containers, such that additional guiding elements can be avoided.

Abstract: A fin alternating and delivering apparatus is provided for orientating and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill to a fin trayer for assembly into a heat exchanger. The fin alternating and delivering apparatus includes an entrance chute for receiving fins emanating from the fin mill in a horizontal position. The fin alternating and delivering apparatus also includes a sensor disposed adjacent the entrance chute to sense the fins entering the entrance chute. The fin alternating and delivering apparatus includes an air jet operatively connected to the sensor for delivering a blast of air to the fins upon sensing the fins entering the entrance chute to reorientate the fins from the horizontal position to a vertical position. The fin alternating and delivering apparatus further includes a discharge chute disposed adjacent the entrance chute for guiding the fins from the entrance chute to the fin trayer in the vertical position.

Abstract: Plain oval cigarettes which issue from a maker in such orientation that the minor axes of their oval cross-sectional outlines extend vertically are advanced lengthwise in the spiral groove of a trough toward an outlet where the major axes of their oval cross-sectional outlines extend vertically. The thus reoriented oval cigarettes are attracted to the undersides of receptacles which are pivotably mounted on a rotary carrier and deliver the cigarettes, without any further changes in the orientation of the major and minor axes of their cross-sectional outlines, to successive peripheral flutes of a rotary drum-shaped conveyor which transports the cigarettes in such a way that the minor axes of their oval cross-sectional outlines extend radially of the rotational axis of the drum-shaped conveyor. This ensures that the oval cigarettes are more reliably held in their flutes during advancement with the drum-shaped conveyor.

Abstract: Device and process for the manufacture of hollow plastic objects to screen out defective plastic preforms that are to be molded into their desired shape in a molding station before they reach the molding station, the conveyor track leading into the molding station comprising a screening area through which the preforms are conveyed in such a way that they are loosely supported on only one side, wherein screening apparatuses are provided in the screening area to screen out defective plastic preforms in response to signals from an inspection station.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a cylinder housing a rotary scroll Tubular preforms are fed into the cylinder in an upright state and displaced along the cylinder by a fin of the scroll. An upstream cam engages each preform in turn and inverts it. The inverted preforms are then driven over a series of nozzles discharging ionized gas to purge the preforms of debris. The preforms are then reinverted by a downstream cam and/or discharged.

Abstract: A unit (1) for feeding a succession of sealed packages (2) containing pourable food products along a first path (P) from a supply station (4) to an output station (5), and for simultaneously tipping the packages (2) from a supply position in which the packages (2) are positioned with a respective axis (A) oriented in a first direction (B), to an output position in which the respective axis (A) is oriented in a second direction (C) perpendicular to the first direction (B); the unit (1) having a number of push arms (15) for feeding respective packages (2) along the first path (P), an actuating member (14) for moving the arms (15) along an endless second path (S) having a portion (S.sub.

Abstract: A method and device for vertically conveying packets of cigarettes, whereby packets of cigarettes, fed successively to an input of a guide, are transferred to an output of the guide by means of a screw lifting member rotating about a respective axis; the output being at a different level from that of the input, and the guide extending by a given angle about the axis of the screw lifting member.

Abstract: A method and unit for conveying packets of cigarettes, whereby packets of cigarettes, supplied successively to an input of a guide, are transferred to an output of the guide by means of a screw device rotating about a respective axis of rotation; the guide winds 180.degree. about the axis, and has two conducting elements located inside and outside the screw device to orient the packets with respect to the screw device.

Abstract: A container carrying apparatus capable of carrying out containers at high speed with reliability wherein the container is filled with juice, etc. and is manufactured by a filling and packaging apparatus, particularly by a high speed filling and packaging apparatus. The containers are carried out by the container carrying apparatus comprising an intermittent driving container carriage conveyor which nips each container at front and rear portions thereof in a carrying direction while each container having a top and a bottom is carried in an upside down state, and which is movable in a direction crossing at right angles with the carrying direction, a cylindrical guide member extending in a direction crossing at right angles with the conveyor, a guide rod provided in the cylindrical guide member, and a pressing member for discharging containers from the conveyor and pressing containers in the cylindrical guide member.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a cylinder housing a rotary scroll Tubular preforms are fed into the cylinder in an upright state and displaced along the cylinder by a fin of the scroll. A spring mounted on the fin engages each preform in turn and inverts it. The inverted preforms are then driven over a series of nozzles discharging ionised gas to purge the preforms of debris. The preforms are then discharged.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for upending and transporting bottles (2) in continuous cycle is utilized especially in continuous cycle bottling plants using plastic bottles. The apparatus (1) comprises a horizontal axis (X) tubular body (70) having a guide (7) constituted by a slot (71) in a wall thereof, which slot (71) is of a breadth such as to permit passage of a neck (20) of a bottle (2). The slot (71) has an intermediate portion (71b) winding helically about the tubular body (70) by an angle equal to half a revolution. A bottle feed line (3) feeds the bottles (2) one at a time to the apparatus (1). Internally of the tubular body (70) a drive screw is rotatable about its axis (X) to engage the bottles (2) by the necks (20) thereof, urging them along the guide (7).

Abstract: A method and device for tip-up conveying packets of cigarettes, whereby packets of cigarettes, fed successively to an input of a guide, are transferred to an output of the guide by a screw transferring member rotating about a respective axis; the screw defining at least one substantially helical channel along which the packets slide as the screw rotates, and which winds by an angle of 90.degree. about its own longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tipping device includes a plurality of upper rod sections which curve to cause the tipping of the container from the vertical to the horizontal, and a single lower straight rod which does not bend or otherwise follow any curved path with respect to the tipping angle of the container. A plurality of spaced vertical plates are arranged along the length of the device to provide structural support to the rod sections. The vertical plates have an interior section that is cut out to conform to the shape of the cylindrical container passing therethrough. The vertical plates are mounted upon a deck that extends the length of the device. A container enters the device at the upstream end of the device by a conveyer. At the downstream end of the device is another conveyor for discharge of the containers. A plurality of blower jets are positioned along the length of the device which cause air to strike against the containers to provide a downstream force to move them through the tipping device to the downstream end.

Abstract: An arrangement for charging successive pockets on a conveyor path of an insetting machine with inset products with a given edge first. A sheet feeder disposed to convey the inset products approximately perpendicular to a conveying direction of the insetting machine is provided. Above the pockets a conveyor segment ends that is disposed downstream of the sheet feeder. The conveyor segment is formed by two endless adjacent flat belts and conveys the inset products from the sheet feeder to the pockets of the insetting machine. The inset products are grasped between respective conveying surfaces of the flat belts. Deflector rollers circulate the flat belts.

Abstract: A turnover module for turning over envelopes comprises a plurality of pulleys and disposed thereabout a driven endless belt in the general shape of a flattened figure `8`. The belt includes a crossover region and a first and a second reach extending therethrough. The reaches contact one another resiliently along length portions thereof while crossing over and twisting about one another. Envelopes are received in a first orientation at an entry end of the reaches; nipped between the reaches; transported thereby through the crossover region while being turned over by virtue of the twist of the reaches about one another; and, delivered from the turnover module in a second orientation.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus automatically processes symmetrical supply tubes used in the storage and handling of semiconductor integrated circuit packages, IC. Unlike prior art methods which rely on the asymmetrical quality of the A-tube, the invention processes symmetrical, rectangular tubes to a point where the contents are discharged to a desired orientation. The invention operates to manipulate the symmetrical supply tubes from a gravity bin to a standing position wherein each tube is at rest on one of its two narrow sides. The tubes are then singulated, moved, and tilted to a position where the leading ICs are discharged to a short distance outside the tube. The IC are held on side in either a lead left or lead right position and are sensed to determine their orientation. Upon determination of the lead left or lead right orientation, the sort block is appropriately placed and the IC are released.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers bobbins mounted on peg trays by way of an endless transmission belt trained about and driven by guide pulleys in a required passage. The apparatus comprises two elongated guides slidably contacting the peg trays and elastically embracing the peg trays between the elongated guides and the endless transmission belt. The endless transmission belt and the two elongated guides are twisted at required positions to twist a passageway of the peg trays formed by the transmission belt and the elongated guides. Therefore, the bobbins are able to pass through their passageway without interfering with each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coin packaging device. More particularly, it relates to a coin packaging device in which coins despatched in the prone state change their position to the upstanding state and in which a coin stack comprised of coins in an intimately contacted aligned upright state is transferred to a packaging section.

Abstract: A high capacity machine cuts the tops of plastic bottles and inverts the bottles for discharging their contents. Bottles are conveyed through the machine by a feed screw. At the cutting station means are provided for standing the bottles erect so that they engage a stationary knife just below the top for cutting off the caps. Guides downstream from the cutting station maintain the bottle in the screw and invert it underneath the screw for dumping. The cap is not completely severed but a minor portion of the circumference is left intact to serve as a hinge between the cut bottle and cap. The cap is kept more or less erect as the bottle is inverted to avoid interference with discharge of the contents. At the cutting station a support screw is rotated synchronously with the feed screw by interengaging teeth on the crests of the threads of the two screws.

Abstract: A transport system particularly for flat articles, e.g. cards, includes guides which allow alternate articles to be conveyed in different orientations through the same duct (122) so that the risk of jamming or shingling during conveyance is eliminated. In a preferred arrangement the system includes a crossed-axes pneumatic duct (122) and driven rollers (144) for introducing cards (12) into the duct in different orientations. The system also includes intermediate air supply stations (138), a card inspection unit (134), and a receiving station (139) including a device (145) for turning cards so that they are all received in the same orientation.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor comprising a plurality of buckets, a chain on which the buckets are mounted in series, a chain track on which the chain is mounted for movement thereon, a drive for moving the chain whereby the buckets are moved along a circuitous conveyor path between one bucket filling station and one bucket emptying station, and a device for moving the buckets around the axis of movement of the chain as required for the buckets to negotiate curves and turns in the conveyor path as the buckets move along the conveyor path on the chain.

Abstract: A device for inverting articles being transferred from one location to another in an assembly machine. More particularly, the device includes a tube having a helical groove extending therealong so that an article entering one end of the groove is inverted at the other end.

Abstract: A can unscrambler system, having a longitudinal can arranger and an unscrambler apparatus, orients randomly oriented unfilled cans having an open end and a closed end such that all of the open ends face the same direction. The longitudinal can arranger arranges randomly oriented cans longitudinally onto a conveyer for transportation to the unscrambler apparatus. The randomly oriented cans are loaded into a collection zone of inclined surfaces, at the bottom of which is the conveyer. A turning belt located adjacent to the conveyer rotates cans that are in a crosswise mode over the conveyer and a brush assembly located downstream of the collection zone allows only longitudinally arranged cans to pass therethrough. The cans are then loaded onto a vacuum conveyer belt at the unscrambler apparatus, where they are conveyed into a sorter mechanism. The sorter mechanism distinguishes between the closed and open ends of the cans and sorts accordingly.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an apparatus that orients unfilled cans having an open end and a closed end such that all of the open ends face the same direction. Unoriented or scrambled cans are first loaded onto a vacuum belt and then conveyed into a sorter mechanism. The ends of the cans are coupled to the vacuum belt by a partial vacuum. The closed ends are distinguished from the open ends by proximity switches which control a solenoid regulated air blast capable of knocking cans having their open ends facing one direction off of the vacuum belt and into a gravity track. The cans are turned to a desired orientation as they descend through the gravity track. Cans on the vacuum belt having their open ends facing in another direction are not subjected to an air blast and are removed from the vacuum belt by another gravity track which turns descending cans into the same desired orientation. The newly oriented cans blend together upon exiting from either gravity track.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing on both surfaces of a chip type article comprises first and second transfer paths for transferring the chip type article, an article feed device for feeding the article to the first transfer path, a printing device for printing on the article on the first transfer path and on another article on the second transfer path, an article removing device for removing the printed article on the second transfer path, and an article reversing device for reversing upsidedown the printed article on the first transfer path and for delivering to the second transfer path.

Abstract: A digger for root crops, such as peanuts, includes two or more digger units depended from a frame drafted by a tractor. Each digger unit includes a screw conveyor, a guide pair helically wrapped 180.degree. around the screw conveyor, and a hydraulic motor to rotate the screw conveyor. Stem and leaf portions of the plants extending above the bed surface are engaged within and moved rearward by flights of the rotating screw conveyor. The stems slide within the helical guide slot, which lifts the peanuts from the soil, moves them outboard of the conveyor, and inverts the plants above the conveyor. The conveyors are angled to the direction of draft so that the inverted plants are discharged from the slots in a windrow on the center furrow between the dug beds. A roller between the conveyors forms a mound or hill in the center furrow to elevate the windrow above standing water.