Abstract: A loading station for a pocket conveyor having two conveying lines. The loading station has a receiving section for receiving pockets for each conveying line; a receiving section for objects, with which the pockets are to be loaded; and a device for each conveying line, into each of which an empty pocket to be filled can be introduced. In addition, the loading station has a moving unit for moving the devices from a receiving section for objects to one of the receiving sections for receiving pockets, and back again. The loading station is also designed to alternately load the pockets of the first conveying line and the pockets of the second conveying line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transferring products from an accumulation surface to an outlet conveyor configured to convey products in a longitudinal direction using an intermediate conveyor arranged between, and flush with, said accumulation surface and said outlet conveyor, and a pushing device the method comprises decelerating the intermediate conveyor and transferring the products between the accumulation surface and the intermediate conveyor by said pushing device and accelerating the intermediate conveyor end transferring the products from the intermediate conveyor to the outlet conveyor. The present invention also relates to a device for transferring products from an accumulation surface to an outlet conveyor, in particular one that is capable of carrying out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for producing sausage-shaped products, like sausages, containing a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing and a suspension element, like a suspension loop. The system includes a clipping machine for producing the sausage-shaped products, a discharge device for discharging the sausage-shaped products out of the clipping machine and a feeding device for feeding a rod-like element into a loading position in which the sausage-shaped products are stored on the rod-like element by the discharge device.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting misplaced units in a moving carrier tape having a plurality of pockets with units positioned therein. The apparatus includes a displaceable assembly having a head portion positioned above the carrier tape that is adapted to deflect in response to engagement with a misplaced unit in one of the plurality of pockets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device (1) for positioning one or more adjustable directing components for guiding articles in a transport system. One or more of the directing components are coupled to at least one first output (7a to 7g) of a transmission arrangement (11) and can be positioned via the at least one first output (7a to 7g). One or more further directing components are coupled to at least one second output (7a to 7g) of the transmission (11) and coupled via at least one second output (7a to 7g) of the transmission (11) and can be positioned via the at least one second output (7a to 7g). The device (1) further comprises a control actuator (17), which can be selectively and mechanically brought into an operative connection with the at least one first output (7a to 7g) and/or with the at least one second output (7a to 7g).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a line converger comprising a label dispenser and to a method for converging a row of at least three packages into a single lane and for applying a label to each package before the packages leave the line converger.

Abstract: A method of changing a transporting configuration of a workpiece of an absorbent article includes: for the workpiece having a shape in which a longitudinal central section is narrower in the lateral direction than longitudinal end sections, transporting a plurality of workpieces in longitudinal-direction flowing, the plurality of workpieces being transported in a state where the longitudinal end sections of each workpiece are adjacent to the central section of another workpiece and the plurality of workpieces form N workpiece lines (N is an integer of 2 or more) arranged in a lateral direction; forming each workpiece group including N workpieces by correlating, based on a predetermined correlation pattern; and changing a transporting configuration of the workpieces of the workpiece group from the longitudinal-direction flowing to the lateral-direction flowing. The forming of the workpiece group is performed by correlating workpieces arranged side by side in the lateral direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding at least two substrates to each other comprises a plurality of substrate bonding machines arranged adjacent to one another and an input transporter extending adjacent to the plurality of substrate bonding machines which is operative to deliver the substrates to each of the substrate bonding machines. The input transporter is supplied with substrates by an onloading station. An output transporter extending adjacent to the plurality of substrate bonding machines is operative to receive bonded substrates from each of the substrate bonding machines and deliver the bonded substrates to an offloading station for removal from the apparatus.

Abstract: In the present method, which includes use of an operating head, groups of articles are intermittently picked up from a plurality of identical flanked channels (10, 20, 30) which bear articles (3) equidistanced from one another. The articles are ordered in groups in identical flanked lines (F1, F2, F3) and in a number that is equal to the number of channels. In the method, each group of articles is transferred above a supply line (40) provided with equidistanced compartments corresponding to the articles arranged on the channels. Each line of articles is unloaded into underlying compartments (4) of a series of compartments in the line. It is thus possible to insert into the compartments of a series of compartments an equal, smaller or greater number of articles than the number of channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating articles susceptible to cohesive grouping includes a first collection area having an end. A first conveying device collects and conveys an array of articles in a plurality of rows toward a second collection area receiving at least one row of articles from the end of the first collection area. A barrier positioned in close proximity to the end of the first collection area controls movement of the article rows between the end of the first collection area and the second collection area. A separator is positionable between the end of the first collection area and at least a portion of the second collection area. Upon the second collection area receiving the at least one row of articles from the end of the first collection area, the separator maintains a spacing between the row of articles controllably positioned along the end of the first collection area by the barrier.

Abstract: A device and a method for deflecting and aligning goods, which are transported in at least two approximately parallel longitudinal rows, in a first conveying direction to a transfer and alignment unit, from where they are transported further in a second conveying direction perpendicular to the first conveying direction. The transfer and alignment unit is coupled with a stop that is movable in or against the first conveying direction. The stop, in the process of transferring the front transversal row of articles or piece goods to the transfer and alignment unit, is brought into a position that is aligned with the flush front or back side of the first transversal row of articles or piece goods or profiled according to the orientation of the front or back side of the first transversal row of articles or piece goods.

Abstract: The invention relates to an egg breaking apparatus and a method of feeding eggs to an egg breaking apparatus, where eggs are fed to a plurality of egg breaking devices by means of a feed conveyor. Each egg breaking device receives one egg at a time and all egg breaking devices are mounted on a common drive conveyor, where the egg breaking devices are moved in relation to the feed conveyor in a first direction following a substantially vertical first axis at the area of the feed conveyor. The feed conveyor feeds eggs to the egg breaking devices along a substantially horizontal second axis. When near a position at the feed conveyor, the egg breaking devices are tilted about a third axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes, in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous loading and accumulation of rows of suspendedly handled items includes a feed jig at a top of the apparatus with one or more feed channels having grippers for holding the row, and a continuous-motion loader at a bottom of the apparatus having panels or walls on an outer periphery to define a plurality of passageways, wherein the continuous-motion loader has a length defining a row loading area, which is defined by the feed jig, and a pickup area for the rows so loaded, external to the feed jig.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically mounting substrates with medical and/or pharmaceutical and/or food-supplementing products, including at least one magazine to store blister strips rolled up on rolls or the like, each magazine having at least one holding position for the rolls, a delivery device to unroll the blister strips and deliver the unrolled blister strips to a supply position for the products provided by each roll in the magazine to be mounted, a separating device for separating product-filled blister sections from the blister strip, and a mounting head to receive, rotate and dispense the separated blister sections with the products sealed therein, the mounting head controlled by a control system to transport the separated blister sections from the supply position to a mounting position over the substrate.

Abstract: A conveyor and a method for depalletizing and singulating packages. The conveyor comprises, in one version, a set-down conveyor on which pallet layers are deposited and conveyed, a row-separation conveyor that separates the pallet layer into spaced rows, a row-extraction conveyor that extracts a leading row of packages from the trailing rows and conveys the packages of the extracted row in a transverse direction, and a singulating conveyor that arranges the articles in a single file. The conveyor system operates by first pulling a gap in the leading row of a pallet layer when the packages cross into the row-separation conveyor. Then the row is extracted from the other rows on the row-extraction conveyor. Finally, as the packages travel on and along the singulating conveyor, they are aligned to the conveyor's outer edge and rotated, if necessary, to be properly singulated.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes an article conveyor for transporting articles in a flow direction and a plunger assembly for displacing articles from the article conveyor. The plunger assembly is supported and positioned by a system that includes a frame assembly and a pressure sensitive coupling as means for releasably fixing the position of the plunger assembly. The frame assembly includes a first frame structure that is attached to the plunger assembly and a second frame structure. The first frame structure and the second frame structure are slidably coupled to one another such that a resistive force that overcomes the holding power of the pressure sensitive coupling will cause the first frame structure to slide and translate the plunger assembly out of its operating position in which it can displace the articles.

Abstract: A device and method for sequencing trays includes a tray receiving conveyor and a recirculating conveyor. Trays are placed on the recirculating conveyor and merged with ejected trays into a multiple of sequenced trays at one or more merge locations. The system can include more than one merge location, with one of the merge locations providing a merge of trays into a contiguous sequence of trays.

Abstract: A container processing machine (M) with at least one carousel (1, 1?) which defines a multiple-row processing section (2, 2?), processing devices (24, 25) which move concurrently in multiple rows with the carousel, container holding element groups which are attached to sections of a concurrently moving conveyor device (3), holding elements (H), at least within the processing section (2, 2?), that are positioned next to each other transversely to the conveyance direction, and feed and removal systems (Z, A) for the loading and the unloading of the holding elements (H). The feed and removal systems (Z, A) are designed with a single row, while the holding elements (H) of the groups are resettable between a single-row position, in which they are oriented at least approximately parallel to the conveyance direction, and, in the area of the loading and unloading zones (L, E), a position resetting device (U) for the holding elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for separating imbricated flat products, in particular, folding boxes, with a delivery belt on which the products are supported in the form of an imbricated flow and are transported at a transport speed, with a transfer conveyor belt, disposed downstream of the delivery belt, which has a higher transport speed than the delivery belt. The transfer conveyor belt is designed as vacuum belt, or comprises a vacuum belt, and a retaining device is provided for the trailing flat products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying stacked product from an infeed conveyor that conveys the product in multiple rows and at irregular intervals onto a transverse outfeed conveyor, wherein the product is in a single row and spaced at regular intervals, wherein the regular row may include gaps or empty spaces. The apparatus includes an intermediate conveyor that is disposed between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. The intermediate conveyor overlaps and is interleaved with the infeed conveyor. A number of lift assemblies are disposed below the infeed conveyor and are adapted to selectively lift the product to suspend its forward progress and lower the product to achieve a desired arrival at the outfeed conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate conveyor has a faster belt speed than the infeed conveyor, such that the stacked product accelerates on the overlapped portion of the infeed and intermediate conveyors.

Abstract: A device for processing packets of cigarettes has a transportation unit for conveying a line of packets from an input station to an output station in a direction perpendicular to the line; a conveyor unit for feeding the line to the input station in a direction parallel to the line; and a transfer unit for transferring the line from the conveyor unit to the transportation unit; the transfer unit has a first pusher for transferring the line from the conveyor unit to an intermediate conveyor which reduces the longitudinal speed of the line to zero, and a second pusher for transferring the line from the intermediate conveyor to the transportation unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting articles includes a first transporter (e.g. a conveyor) for transporting articles in a line and a member that separates the articles in the line into groups and also removes the groups from the line while the articles continue to be transported.

Abstract: A conveyor transfer apparatus (100) conveys stacks of product (S1) on a multi-row conveyor (110) having a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart belts (112) toward a single-row conveyor (120) oriented transversely to the multi-row conveyor. When a stack is in a desired position, an elevator assembly (130) lifts the stack above the multi-row conveyor to a position near the single-row conveyor. The elevator assembly includes a plurality of elongate members (136) that are sized and spaced to move between adjacent belts of the multi-row conveyor. A pusher assembly (140) extends to push the lifted stack from the elevator assembly onto the single row conveyor. The elevator assembly and pusher assembly then retract until another stack is in position to be lifted. A plurality of elevator assemblies and pusher assemblies are arranged to engage particular rows of stacks.

Abstract: According to a method for transferring blister packs to a feeding line of a packaging machine, a series of blister packs arranged in a line at a cutting station is picked-up and arranged in alignment with receiving and moving means, adjacent to the cutting station. The series of blister packs is released simultaneously, so that a first blister pack, situated in a foremost position falls onto the receiving and moving mechanism and the further blister packs of the series of blister packs fall onto support elements, carried by a selective releasing member and disposed above the receiving and moving mechanism. The support elements are operated selectively, so as to release, one by one and in succession, the further blister packs aligned and regularly spaced apart, onto the receiving and moving mechanism.

Abstract: A device for transferring blister packs to the feeding line of a packaging machine includes a pick-up member capable of picking-up a series of blister packs disposed in reciprocal alignment at the blister packs cutting station and releasing this series of blister packs in alignment with a conveyor situated adjacent to the cutting station. A blister packs selective releasing device is situated above the conveyor and is equipped with support elements for receiving in support the blister packs picked-up by the pick-up member and operated selectively to release the blister packs, disposed in reciprocal alignment and orderly spaced apart, onto the conveyor. A stepwise rotating carrousel is situated at the outlet of said conveyor and is equipped with gripping members capable of picking-up the blister packs from the conveyor and transferring the blister packs, one by one, to a feeding line arranged perpendicular with respect to the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for transferring film bags which are supplied in a plurality of parallel rows to a transfer station, to a conveying means which further transports the film bags in a continuous row substantially in a direction transverse to the direction of supply, the film bags to be handed over being preaccelerated in the direction of movement of the conveying means.

Abstract: An empty bag supplying apparatus used in a continuous conveying type bag-filling packaging machine in which the empty bag supplying apparatus receives empty bags and transfers these empty bags to gripper pairs of the bag-filling packaging machine that are moved continuously at a constant speed. The empty bag supplying apparatus includes downward-facing bag holding members and a reciprocating movement mechanism. The bag holding members hold the upper portions of bags. The reciprocating movement mechanism causes the bag holding members to reciprocate along an arc-shaped path and keeps the empty bags held by the holding members to be parallel to the direction of movement of the gripper pairs during the reciprocating motion. In a bag transfer region established in the arc-shaped path path, the speed of the bag holding members holding the empty bags is equal to the moving speed of the gripper pairs.

Abstract: A method for transferring blister packs to a step-less moving feeding line of a packaging machine, according to which a gripping member of a three-axes robot device picks up at least one group of blister packs from an outlet line of a blistering machine. The robot device moves in a direction as the outlet line, so as to follow the movement thereof. The group of blister packs is transferred to the feeding line, following the movement thereof.

Abstract: A unit for feeding an ordered succession of products to an unloading station comprises: an arranging device including a first and a second conveyor, each constituting a first and a second conveyor portion on a feed path whose total length is the sum of the two portions that complementarily vary in length relative to each other; a device for feeding the products to the first conveyor in sets; a transfer device located between the conveyor portions, coupled to the conveyors and designed to complementarily vary the lengths of the portions. The transfer device comprises two resilient belts that transfer the products from the first to the second portion. The feed device is cyclically mobile and, consequently, the first conveyor and the transfer device are cyclically mobile according to a law of motion and timing dependent upon the cyclic motion of the feed device.

Abstract: A spout-equipped bag feed apparatus allows an increased number of spout-equipped bags to be stored. A plurality of conveyor rails are attached to a conveying device at a predetermined space and carried along an endless track. Each conveyor rail is capable of being loaded with and unloaded of a plurality of spout-equipped bags from one end thereof and capable of supporting the spout portions of the bags in such a manner that the bags are movable in the axial direction. Loading of bags into the conveyor rail is effected with a bag loading tool capable of being loaded with and unloaded of bags from one end thereof and capable of supporting the spout portions of the bags in such a manner that the bags are movable in the axial direction. The one end of the bag loading tool is butted against the one end of the conveyor rail, and the bags are pushed into the conveyor rail.

Abstract: A device for transferring blister packs to the feeding line of a packaging machine includes a pick-up member capable of picking-up a series of blister packs disposed in reciprocal alignment at the blister packs cutting station and releasing this series of blister packs in alignment with a conveyor situated adjacent to the cutting station. A blister packs selective releasing device is situated above the conveyor and is equipped with support elements for receiving in support the blister packs picked-up by the pick-up member and operated selectively to release the blister packs, disposed in reciprocal alignment and orderly spaced apart, onto the conveyor. A stepwise rotating carrousel is situated at the outlet of said conveyor and is equipped with gripping members capable of picking-up the blister packs from the conveyor and transferring the blister packs, one by one, to a feeding line arranged perpendicular with respect to the conveyor.

Abstract: According to a method for transferring blister packs to a feeding line of a packaging machine, a series of blister packs arranged in a line at a cutting station is picked-up and arranged in alignment with receiving and moving means, adjacent to the cutting station. The series of blister packs is released simultaneously, so that a first blister pack, situated in a foremost position falls onto the receiving and moving means and the further blister packs of the series of blister packs fall onto support elements, carried by a selective releasing member and disposed above the receiving and moving means. The support elements are operated selectively, so as to release, one by one and in succession, the further blister packs aligned and regularly spaced apart, onto the receiving and moving means.

Abstract: A food processing system for an elongated strand of food product, such as hot dogs or sausage links, provides aligned orientation of conveyor hooks and identical arrival time spacing between adjacent hooks at a reference loading point at a strand producing machine discharge station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transferring film bags which are supplied in a plurality of parallel rows to a transfer station, to a conveying means which further transports the film bags in a continuous row substantially in a direction transverse to the direction of supply, the film bags to be handed over being preaccelerated in the direction of movement of the conveying means.

Abstract: A supply device which, in a retainer type continuous-filling packaging system, converts the movement of empty bags supplied intermittently in a plurality of rows into a continuous motion in a single row and supplies these empty bags continuously to retainers that are conveyed at a constant speed. The supply device includes an empty-bag holding member conveying device and an intermittent bag supply device. In the empty-bag holding member conveying device, a plurality of empty-bag holding members (that contain therein empty bags) disposed at equal intervals are moved in one direction along a ring-form track that has a pair of parallel sections, and during this movement, the empty-bag holding members are moved intermittently by a specified distance (a distance equal to an integral multiple of an attachment spacing of the empty-bag holding members) on a bag entry side of the parallel sections and are moved continuously at a constant speed on a bag exit side of the parallel section.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring fruit products from a feeder conveyor to a receiving conveyor that is perpendicular thereto, the apparatus comprising a transfer device which comprises a supporting beam for a plurality of grip elements suitable to grip at least one row of equidistant products, means for moving the beam between a picking position, in which the elements grip at least one row of products at the output of the feeder conveyor, and a release position, in which the grip elements are aligned with the receiving conveyor, the beam, in the alignment position, being actuated with a motion that is equal to, and in step with, the receiving conveyor in order to allow to deposit onto the receiving conveyor, with zero relative speed, the row of picked products.

Abstract: A sausage transfer station is disclosed for transferring sausages from a rack where they are hung by respective string loops in a plurality of rows to a main conveyor. The transfer station includes an unload conveyor for advancing the rack forward, a selectively pivotable unloader shaft oriented transversely to the unload conveyor, and a transfer conveyor having a leg parallel to the unloader shaft and an apex proximate the main conveyor. The unloader shaft has a plurality of unloader fingers extending transversely outward therefrom. The unloader fingers engage the string loops of a row of sausages to push them off of the rack and then drop them onto respective fingers of the transfer conveyor. The sausages are carried by the transfer conveyor to the apex proximate the main conveyor where they are transferred to hooks on the main conveyor.

Abstract: An autonomous remote controlled vehicle for use in the automation of an existing refrigerated flow through storage facility food processing application. The remote vehicle is specifically designed to operate within a network of centrally controlled remote vehicles that are adapted to receive selectable items from production and temporarily store them for later retrieval. The system is adapted to minimize travel time for the remote vehicle and optimize cycle time. The system is specifically adapted to handle cardboard shipping boxes containing meat products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for compressing a plurality of objects into a compressed grouping and transferring said compressed grouping to a transfer conveyor. The apparatus includes a rotatable cylinder having a plurality of receiving areas positioned around the circumference of the cylinder for receiving a plurality of objects in expanded arrangement from an infeed conveyor at a receiving position. The apparatus also includes first and second compression members, one positioned on each end of said cylinder adjacent the receiving areas and covering a circumferential-portion of a side of said cylinder. The compression members include inclined portion which force the end objects toward the longitudinal center of the cylinder. In addition, a transfer conveyor running longitudinally through the cylinder for capturing a compressed grouping at the transfer position.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling bags that are conveyed on a first conveyor in an upright position and on a second conveyor in a lying position, particularly for the gentle handling of bags and adapted to the handling of stand up bags, by providing a transfer device between the first and second conveyor, the first conveyor comprising a transfer portion in which the bags are oriented in a substantially horizontal direction in space, and the transfer device comprising a depositing surface for forming a row of lying bags, alone with a gripper for pulling the bags from the first conveyor onto the depositing surface in a substantially straight movement, and a delivery means for delivering the row of bags to the second conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of buffering sheets of cut stock in block-shaped stacks ranged in rows between stock-cutting machinery and further processing machinery, whereby each row is also block-shaped. Each row produced by the cutting process is forwarded to a buffer's intake and thence to a marshaling area where it is combined with previously forwarded rows into a group. Each group is forwarded to the buffer's outtake and combined with any other rows already there. The most downstream row of the group is forwarded to the further-processing machinery.

Abstract: In a method for aligning products, the products, being substantially aligned in crossways rows on a first conveyor, are carried by the first conveyor in hollows made in trays through a pickup position at which the products in each row are picked up by a suction head which, while remaining parallel to itself, moves in a circular path extending partly over the first conveyor. The suction head transfers the products along a portion of its path between the pickup position and an unloading position at which the products are dropped onto a second conveyor equipped with hollows so that the products are arranged in a single line, with one product in each hollow.

Abstract: A turnover mechanism for handling sheets having a pair of belts, said belts are spaced one above the other, sheet turnover tubes interposed between the two belts, one of the turnover tubes facing in a direction opposite to the other turnover tubes, the sheets being fed to one of the belts, the belt moving the sheets to a turnover tube whereby the turnover tube inverts the sheets and transfers the sheets from one belt to the other belt. The belts and turnover tubes are mounted in an invertable module.

Abstract: System for feeding empty containers on a conveyor belt, namely for packaging installations, such as bottling plants. The system for feeding containers comprises a supporting surface having dimensions sufficient to accommodate a multitude of empty containers placed side by side. This supporting surface continuously moves the containers against an abutment wall. The movement of the supporting surface causes empty containers to agglomerate against the abutment wall. A pushing device is provided to selectively push out from the containers agglomeration a number of containers over a secondary conveyor belt that will lead those containers to successive processing stations, such as a filling station, capping station, labeling station etc. The pushing device is mounted relative to the supporting surface such that it moves generally parallel to the abutment wall.

Abstract: A plurality of sheets are fed along a plurality of rows of conveying paths in a state in which leading edges of the respective sheets in the conveying direction are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, and fed from an outlet of the conveying paths by a high-speed feeding means at a speed which is greater than or equal to a conveying speed of the conveying path. In the feeding section, the plurality of sheets are received by a moving endless belt, arranged, and then fed out. As a result, the present invention can provide a sheet conveying apparatus which has a simple structure and a simple control system and in which a plurality of the sheets which are conveyed along the plurality of rows of the conveying paths are fed while being arranged in a single row in the feeding section.

Abstract: An apparatus for braking the travel on oncoming rolled products and depositing the rolled products on a cooling bed or other collector as a support frame extending in the direction of travel of the rolled workpieces and an array of profile braked members which can be U-shaped and open toward brake surfaces on the support frame. The U-shaped brake members are pressed against the workpiece to clamp it against the braking surface. The brake members can be swung pendulum fashion so that angled legs beneath the workpieces can be swung away to allow them to drop on the cooling bed or other collector.

Abstract: A take-out mechanism for removing sets of blow molded bottles from a blow mold includes a rotary turret, a take-away conveyor and a drive for moving the turret between the blow mold and the take-away conveyor. The turret has a number of sides with a plurality of vacuum plugs extending from each side. The drive moves the turret toward the mold to extend a set of plugs on one side of the turret into mold cavities and vacuum-capture bottles molded in the cavities. After opening of the mold, the turret is lowered and rotated 90.degree. to position the vacuum-held bottles at the infeed end of the take-away conveyor. Rotation of the turret positions a second set of plugs facing a second mold moved to the take-out position. Subsequent rapid retraction of the turret moves the set of removed bottles into the take-away conveyor and powers the conveyor to receive the bottles while maintaining orientation between individual bottles.

Abstract: A transport system operates to convey articles preferably through an oven before their subsequent removal. The transport system is synchronized with an article delivery system to receive and subsequently convey articles for final distribution on one or more conveyor belts. This is accomplished by drive mechanism which rotates a plurality of support bars having hooks. These hooks are used to catch articles as they are provided to the transport system and retain these articles during conveyance. An adjustable chute is used to impede the conveyance of only the articles. This causes the articles to be removed from the hooks and slide down the chute to the conveyor belt(s).

Abstract: An improved connector feeding apparatus for use with a wire harness-making system is described and includes a series of slots for holding longitudinal trains of connectors, a finger plate positioned above individual connector slots that is driven by a linear drive mechanism in a manner that permits the finger plate to move longitudinally along the trains of connectors. The finger plate includes an associated lift mechanism that can be raised and lower onto a preselected train of connectors and which engages a selected connector at the lowest extent of the lift mechanism. A shuttle is positioned ahead of the connector slots and receives connectors moved therefrom. The shuttle is driven linearly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal movement of the connectors within the connector slots. A connector loading means that ejects the connectors from the shuttle is positioned so it may face the shuttle when being driven alongside of the connector slots.

Abstract: A belt feeder for the rapid and successive in-line transportation of small electronic components. The belt feeder has an inclined dispensing portion with at least one dispensing lane, a conveyor portion having an intermittently moving conveyor belt and at least one conveyor guide lane superposed above the conveyor belt, and a receiving nose structure having at least one nest structure mounted thereon at the end of the conveyor belt and forming a nest. The inclined track is positioned adjacent and above the conveyor track to allow the components enough space to be successively dispensed to the conveyor belt from the dispensing lane and into the conveyor guide lane where the component is intermittently carried forward by the conveyor belt until it comes to rest within its nest.