Abstract: An apparatus for splitting a shingled stream of paired coextensive sheets into two partial stream is advanced below an upper conveyor to which suction can be applied and which displaces the sheets at an acute angle to the main path defined by the lower conveyor. The upper conveyor engages only the upper sheet of each pair and shifts it laterally to deposit it on the lower conveyor in a shingled partial stream parallel to the partial stream which remains of the lower sheets after the upper sheets of each pair has been laterally drawn away.

Abstract: A load accumulator which has one or more stacking wheels mounted for high speed rotation is provided with an improved conveyor for conveying load items to the stacking wheel. The conveyor includes platforms that extend toward each stacking wheel in a plane located above the stacking wheel. An endless conveyor is mounted above the platforms and has a forward run that extends toward a discharge end from the platform which opens into a pocket of the transfer wheel. A plurality of load pushing fingers are mounted on the conveyor and project toward the platform. The fingers positively drive the load items along the platform and ensure that the load items are correctly positioned for entry into the pockets of the transfer wheel at high speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the path of transportation of articles comprises a first conveyor belt which delivers the articles to a plurality of second conveyor belt which delivers the articles to a plurality of second conveyor belts arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship which continue the conveyance of the articles. A plurality of deflectors selectively deflect the articles from the first conveyor belt to one of the second conveyor belts. In order to attain an especially compact construction the first conveyor belt extends obliquely over and rests on the second conveyor belts and is a belt of such small thickness that the articles can slide form the first conveyor belt extends obliquely over and rests on the second conveyor belts and is a belt of such small thickness that the articles can slide form the first conveyor belt onto one of the second conveyor belts without the risk of toppling over.

Abstract: A unit for sampling cigarettes on a filter assembly machine, which unit is designed to cooperate with a conveyor for feeding the cigarettes through the filter assembly machine, and features a sampling conveyor tangent to the feed conveyor and having an even number of peripheral seats for the cigarettes; the aforementioned seats being arranged along the sampling conveyor, and each having a respective suction device; and a selecting device being provided for selectively activating the suction devices and so withdrawing given cigarettes off the feed conveyor.

Abstract: A transfer system for transferring decorated containers, having images of wet ink on the outer peripheries thereof, from a first container carrying apparatus, comprising a continuously rotating mandrel wheel type apparatus carrying decorated containers with their open ends exposed, to second and third container carrying apparatus, each comprising continuously moving vacuum belts for carrying the decorated containers through a curing oven with their open ends exposed, comprising a continuously rotating transfer wheel which carries the decorated containers with their closed ends exposed and which is located between the first and the second and third container carrying apparatus and wherein the transfer wheel receives containers from the first container carrying apparatus for movement in a circular path and moves the containers while they are held thereon so that they are separated into two parallel spaced apart circular paths to be transferred to the second or third container carrying apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transfer device for receiving a series of flexible products from a single path and delivering the flexible products to a plurality of paths where they can be separately stacked and packaged. The device includes a vacuum transfer drum and apparatus for rotating the drum. The transfer device also includes a rotating product drum for supplying flexible products such as plastic bags in a single row along a path to the drum. Further, the transfer device includes apparatus on the drum for securing the leading edges of the flexible products to the surface of the drum, for shifting selected flexible products transversely from the path as the drum rotates, and for securing the trailing edges of the selected flexible products during the shifting thereof. This transverse shifting of selected flexible products permits delivery by the transfer drum along a plurality of paths.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing samples from a single-layer stream of cigarettes which move sideways in the peripheral flutes of hollow rotary first and second drum-shaped conveyors has two valving elements which are disposed in the interior of the respective conveyors and establish or terminate connections between certain suction ports of the two conveyors and a suction generating device in such a way that a desired number of samples can remain on the first conveyor and advance therewith beyond a transfer zone between the two conveyors when the operator depresses a pushbutton, or at regular intervals. In normal operation, all of the cigarettes which are supplied to the flutes of the first conveyor upstream of the transfer zone are delivered to the flutes of the second conveyor.

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: A transfer arrangement for transferring articles on one conveyor belt to another conveyor belt comprises a plurality of transfer units disposed alongside the one conveyor belt in spaced relationship. Each transfer unit includes an air nozzle controlled by a solenoid valve arranged when operated to direct a jet or jets of air at an article on the one conveyor belt to cause displacement of the articles onto the other belt.

Abstract: A suction wheel is mounted laterally adjacent a horizontal conveyor and at an elevation slightly thereabove. The suction wheel is movable laterally between that position and an inward position partially overlapping the conveyor. A plurality of peripheral ports are provided in the suction wheel which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis at a peripheral speed correspond to the speed of the conveyor. A manifold rests upon the suction wheel, but is held stationary against rotation. The manifold has at least three ports disposed in the path of movement of the suction wheel ports. A vacuum source is operatively coupled to at least two ports in the manifold, and a pressurized fluid source is operatively coupled to at least one of the ports in the manifold. The suction wheel operates intermittently. Only when an article is to be removed from the conveyor, does the suction wheel move inwardly to remove the reject articles.

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 rotary transfer device includes a rotating transfer disc and a valve plate overlying and concentric with the disc. A series of fluid conduits extend radially inward from the disc perimeter, or from a face of a disc near the perimeter, and are open at their inward ends to the disc top surface beneath the valve plate. An arcuate vacuum groove, and a spaced apart air pressure groove, are formed in the bottom surface of the valve plate and open to a vacuum source and pressurized air source, respectively. Rotation of the disc brings the inner end of each conduit into intermittent fluid communication with the vacuum groove at an object acquiring position where the outer end of the conduit is near the feed station. Further rotation of the disc brings the inner conduit end into fluid communcation with the pressure groove, with the outer conduit end near an object discharge position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizing pressurized air discharged through nozzles to segregate a mixture of elements having either different geometrical characteristics or different masses. The mixture is placed in a container having a conveyor track, and is forced to move along the track, across a primary nozzle which forms the mixture into a single layer. The mixture then moves across a blow-off nozzle which propels one set of elements off the track and out of the container while the other remains within the container. A two stage separation may be used to optimize efficiency.

Abstract: In an apparatus for collecting sheets in a set thereof, two juxtaposed receiving stations (16,17) receive incoming sheets. A transverse conveyor means (53) is utilized to transfer the contents of one receiving station to the other receiving station. The transverse conveyor means (53) has a conveyor belt (58) adapted to be revolved through a course of travel. The upper portion of the course of travel of the belt (58) lies substantially in the plane of a sheet-supporting surface (18). The conveyor belt (58) has perforations (52) provided therein. A source of vacuum communicates through a suction block (57) to the perforations (52). According to a disclosed method, a sheet is transversely transferred from one receiving station to the other when conveyor belt (58) is revolved and the perforations (52) in the conveyor belt (58) communicate with the source of vacuum.

Abstract: Method for dividing a row of identical solid products brought in on an input conveyor along the axis of symmetry of the latter, from an upstream delivery apparatus to two output conveyors connected respectively to two downstream receiving apparatuses, said products emerging from the delivery apparatus resting flat on their largest surface on said input conveyor, said method including the steps of disposing tipping means comprising an entry dihedral with two tipping surfaces so that the ridge of said dihedral is aligned with said axis of symmetry of the input conveyor; bringing the products coming from the input conveyor to pass successively over the ridge of said dihedral; conferring a minimum rectilinear speed on said input conveyor, so that said products are placed successively in equilibrium on said ridge; causing each of said products to tilt onto a selected tipping surface of the dihedral by applying selectively to the upper surface of the products in equilibrium, a compressed air jet oriented towards th

Abstract: Apparatus for diverting an object from a main path of movement which shall have been sensed as displaying a defect or irregularity includes a pusher fixedly located along the main path and an auxiliary conveyor which extends into the main path. The auxiliary conveyor includes a belt disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the object, having a plurality of contiguous cups providing a passive suction for retention of the object, and the auxiliary conveyor moves along a path at least slightly oblique to the main path. The pusher includes an operator movable rapidly through a stroke of movement whose length is less than the diameter of the object to divert the object from the main to the auxiliary path of movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively transferring cigarettes, uniting bands or other discrete articles from a first onto a second conveyor has a first suction generating device which communicates with suction ports in the periphery of the cylindrical rotor of the first conveyor while such ports advance along a first portion of a first endless path, and a discrete second suction generating device which can be activated to draw air from the ports in a second portion of the first path adjacent to a portion of a second endless path defined by the second conveyor. When the second suction generating device is activated, the articles which reach the second portion of the first path are not transferred onto the second conveyor. The second suction generating device can constitute an injector which can be activated or deactivated by a valve within a few milliseconds.

Abstract: A gate station incorporates air pressure flows to direct clips in a production stream through the station and to selectively divert defective clips into a separate reject steam. Mounted on a support plate in the station are an upstream manifold, continuously supplied with low pressure air, and a downstream manifold, having a plurality of downwardly directed air ports and selectively supplied with high pressure air. Air flow from the upstream manifold is directed laterally over the upper surface of a clip so as to enable atmospheric pressure to maintain the clip travelling through the gate station in the production stream. If a clip is to be diverted, the downstream manifold is injected with high pressure air causing blasts of high velocity air through the downwardly directed ports. This high velocity air disrupts the flow from the upstream manifold and forces the leading edge of the defective clip downwards, pressing the clip into the reject stream.

Abstract: In a feed line of articles arranged one after the other on a movable conveyor belt or the like so as to make up a continuous row, the articles being under the control of a longitudinal guide device, a stop member is provided for blocking this row of articles at the cavity of the molding box into which one article is to be introduced by a pusher. A drawing member is provided for another article in the row, the drawing member being reciprocated in a direction at right angles to the row of articles, so as to form a second row guided by second guide devices. A second stop member is provided for the second row, and a second pusher is provided for introducing the individual articles of the second row into a second cavity of the molding box in which such articles are received.

Abstract: A vacuum starwheel which provides for a positive vacuum to hold containers, such as bottles, to maintain the bottles in position during transfer by the starwheel, and with the use of a pair of hub members, one rotating relative to the other, and with one hub member including a plurality of ports corresponding to and connecting with tubes and cups to retain the bottles and with the other hub including a plurality of ports connected to either vacuum, pressure or atmosphere, and with at least two of the ports being elongated, and with a first small port intermediate the two elongated ports and a second small port after the two elongated ports and with vacuum always applied to the two elongated ports, and with either vacuum, pressure or atmosphere, applied to the two small ports to either release a bottle at the intermediate position or to transfer the bottle along the entire length of the two elongated ports and then release the bottle.

Abstract: Elongate workpieces with enlarged heads to be distributed in groups to different destinations, such as plastic parisons to be delivered to respective mold cavities of a four-cavity blow-molding unit, are fed--partly by gravity--over a pair of sloping, counterrotating spindles to a tilted turntable, the spindles being separated by a gap letting the bodies of the workpieces hang down between them. The workpieces are successively inserted into peripheral recesses of the turntable along a raised edge thereof for rotary entrainment to respective guide channels confronting its opposite, depressed peripheral edge. Four workpieces at a time are dislodged from their recesses, after retraction of a barrier, by air jets driving them into the guide channels assigned to them. Fresh workpieces are deposited upon the upstream end of the spindle track by an elevating conveyor controlled by a monitoring device such as a photosensor which stops the conveyor upon detecting a backup of workpieces along the track.

Abstract: A takeoff and restacking device is operated in coordination with printing apparatus that applies decorations to the outside of cup-like containers. The apparatus includes a plurality of container holding mandrels extending radially from a turret which moves in angular steps between stations spaced by a distance equal to the space between adjacent mandrels. At one of these stations (takeoff station) a bellows-type suction head mounted on a support arm of the device engages a decorated container and carries it to a stacking region where the container is added to a stack at the rear thereof. The support arm is pivotally mounted to a drive arm on a movable pivot located at one end of the drive arm and intermediate the ends of the support arm. The end of the drive arm remote from the movable pivot is mounted to a fixed pivot about which the drive arm oscillates.

Abstract: An apparatus for laterally deflecting selected articles from a first conveyor to one or more other conveyors comprises either extensible and retractable deflective segments, or gas nozzles whose intensity is adjustable. The deflective segments have tapered front faces which jointly form a smooth deflecting face whose taper increases in the direction of conveyance. The number of segments used depends on the speed component required, and the segments are extended by only a portion of the lateral distance the articles are to cover, the remainder of the distance being covered by the imparted inertia.Alternative embodiments include a deflecting wedge or flap.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an improved deflection-switch mechanism for a conveyor system which continuously handles a succession of articles, such as like sheets or sheet-like workpieces, on a first conveyor, and which sorts them in alternation to one and then to the other of two further conveyors, whereby in each of the further conveyors the sorted articles are more greatly separated and therefore can be subjected to more effective deceleration prior to their uniformly stacked accumulation. The deflection mechanism of the switch is vacuum-operative upon individual articles, relying upon their spatial distribution in the first conveyor as a basic determinant of whether a particular article is to be automatically deflected or switched, by effectively synchronous commutation, into one or into the other of the two further-conveyor paths.

Abstract: Overlapping sheet articles on a first suction conveyor are intermittently diverted in groups by a lowerable second suction conveyor having a direction-changing roller which can be intermittently applied to the first conveyor and moved along therewith at the same speed and then returned.

Abstract: The printing plate processing machine includes a first conveyor for receiving printing plates and a second conveyor for receiving plate-separating sheets, and a feed mechanism for selectively transporting the plates and sheets from a loading station in which the plates and sheets are alternately disposed in a stack, toward the first and second conveyors. A plate and sheet diverting mechanism is located between the first and second conveyors for alternately delivering the plates to the first conveyor and the sheets to the second conveyor. The plates are processed after disposition on the first conveyor. A collecting station received the plates and sheets from the first and second conveyors alternately in a stack after processing of the plates. The feed-mechanism includes a fluid-operated cylinder and ram, the ram being movable selectively between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: In a thick film screen printer having a chute that is alternately in a horizontal position for receiving a screened substrate at one location on it and inclined downward to slide the screened substrate onto a conveyor belt, a pair of elongated openings extend through the chute at the one location. The broad side edges of the openings are generally parallel to each other and the direction that substrates slide off the chute. These broad edges are also inclined with respect to the top surface of this chute so the openings generally face toward each other. A stream of air is passed through one and then the other of these openings to alternately move substrates over them toward opposite sides of the chute so that they slide onto different transverse locations on the belt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for inspecting and sorting buttons and the like. The inspection means includes a main chamber having a first aperture opening with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the buttons to be inspected and a center on the optical axis of said chamber. The inspection means and/or the sorting means of the invention includes means for aligning each button in a rapid succession of buttons at the first aperture opening. A light source is positioned to direct a beam of light through a button stationed at the aperture and along the optical axis of the chamber. Positioned within the main chamber and on the optical axis thereof is a light reflecting means for reflecting the transmitted beam of light. Preferably, four light receiving members, each member having a first and second end and being spaced apart 90.degree. from two other members, are positioned in a plane normal to said optical axis.