Abstract: A conveyor system transports a multiplicity of product items from an input portion to an output portion and is provided with a first conveyor that transports the product items from the input portion to a distal turnaround region. A second conveyor transports the product items from the distal turnaround region to a redistribution region. A first product transfer arrangement urges the product items from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A plurality of exit conveyors are arranged to be parallel to each other for transporting the product items from the redistribution region to a product exit region located at the output portion, and are arranged to transport the product items at a respectively associated rates of transport. A product redistribution arrangement directs the product items to respective input ends of the plurality of exit conveyors.

Abstract: In laner apparatus for automatically arranging articles into lanes on a conveyor, for example for packaging or further processing, the articles are fed onto a conveyor upstream of a fence that extends at an acute angle to the direction of travel of the conveyor. The fence has gateways at intervals along its length and gates that control passage of the articles through the gateways and into lanes downstream of the fence. These downstream lanes may feed the articles onto slides for packaging or further processing. Articles that do not pass through a gateway move to the downstream end of the fence by the reaction forces resulting from motion of the conveyor and the angle of the fence. A control unit reads signals from sensors which are placed downstream of the fence, and preferably downstream of the laner apparatus, to determine whether each downstream lane is full and sends signals to selectively open and close the gates.

Abstract: There is now provided a beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles or other beverage containers with a liquid beverage filling material and an arrangement for dividing and separating of a stream of beverage bottles or other beverage containers, which arrangement reduces noise, wear and toppling of containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), “A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food transport. The system can direct food to travel serially over side-by-side predetermined travel lanes using one or more of a pick-up mechanism and/or router guide channels to pick-up and/or laterally translate the food product form the first travel lane to the second travel lane so that it travels greater than one, and typically a plurality, of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier. Associated methods redirect and/or laterally translate food being transported in an automated food processing system.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping products is provided with a product diverter for producing package formats which are greater in width than the number of lanes which deliver product to the wrapper machine. A plurality of metering belts advance product from an infeed conveyor along a plurality of infeed lanes. The metering belts are independently driven so that product can be advanced in each lane independently of the product in the other lanes. The metering belts deliver product to accelerator belts which speed up the product to create a gap between successive products in a lane. A first flighted conveyor advances product from the accelerator belts to a plurality of pivotally mounted diverting gates, corresponding in number to the number of infeed lanes. Each of the diverting gates direct the product to one of a plurality of output lanes. The number of output lanes is equal to, less than, or greater than the number of infeed lanes.

Abstract: A conveying unit with accumulation of containers (6), especially of bottles, includes an accumulation table (2) equipped laterally with guide rails (12, 13) and composed of a juxtaposition of at least one feed conveyor (9) and one accumulation conveyor (10), the containers (6) being routed onto this table (2) at its upstream end via at least one feed transporter, and being discharged on the downstream end via at least one discharge transporter. The unit is characterized in that at least one of the guide rails (12, 13) is equipped with a transverse offset (12a, 13a), composed of a segment of the guide rail (12, 13), with an amplitude (14) of between 0.2 and 0.8 times the diameter D of a container (6) and offset relative to the longitudinal axis (15) of the guide rail (12, 13) by a distance corresponding to the amplitude (14).

Abstract: Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food transport. The system can direct food to travel serially over side-by-side predetermined travel lanes using one or more of a pick-up mechanism and/or router guide channels to pick-up and/or laterally translate the food product form the first travel lane to the second travel lane so that it travels greater than one, and typically a plurality, of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier. Associated methods redirect and/or laterally translate food being transported in an automated food processing system.

Abstract: The packaging machine includes: a plurality of lane guides, the plurality of lane guides being spaced apart to form a plurality of lanes; a moveable conveyor belt having a first end and second end, the first end located beneath one of the plurality of lanes, the movable conveyor belt delivers the product to each of the plurality of lanes; a support device located at the plurality of lanes; and a shifting assembly attached to the plurality of lane guides. The method for packaging a case with a product includes: conveying a first plurality of the product to a first lane; supporting the first plurality of the product within the first lane; conveying a second plurality of the product to a second lane; shifting the first lane and the second lane in a first direction; and dropping the first plurality of the products into the case.

Abstract: A conveying device with a diverter having a curved path for conveying lightweight unstable articles, such as plastic bottles having a neck portion with a neck ring thereon. The unstable articles are conveyed along a first path to different ones of plural second paths through a third path at the diverter with the third path having first and second ends alignable with the first path and different ones of the plural second paths and a middle portion maintained in a curved configuration that is varied during aligning movement of the second end. A controller controls the aligning movement of the second end, preferably along a straight path, and the unstable articles are supported by engaging members in actuating guides to urge the unstable articles along the article paths.

Abstract: Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food transport. The system can direct food to travel serially over side-by-side predetermined travel lanes using one or more of a pick-up mechanism and/or router guide channels to pick-up and/or laterally translate the food product form the first travel lane to the second travel lane so that it travels greater than one, and typically a plurality, of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier. Associated methods redirect and/or laterally translate food being transported in an automated food processing system.

Abstract: Readily bendable rolling conveyor guides are provided. The guides include axle-positioning members having notches. The axle-positioning members slidably engage channels of a structural support member. A plurality of axles carrying rotatable elements and spacers are disposed between the axle-positioning members. Due to the notches in the axle-positioning members and the unique cross-section of the exterior of the channels, the assembled guides may be bent at small radii without causing distortion of the channels or interference between the axle-positioning members and the channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for diverting articles from a single lane to one of a plurality of lanes wherein the articles in the single lane are moving on a conveyor along a travel path, the apparatus comprising a pair of spaced apart flexible rails suspended above the conveyor where the flexible rails define a guide channel therebetween. The guide channel can have an upstream portion configured to receive the articles in the single lane and a downstream portion configured to distribute the articles to one of the lanes. The flexible rails are movable in a direction substantially parallel to the travel path. The downstream portion of the guide channel is configured to be selectively movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel path in order to selectively distribute the articles to one of the lanes.

Abstract: The device comprises a guide (23) defining a closed for a plurality of separator fingers (15). In the vicinity of the end of the advance stretch of the guide is set a separating member (101) provided with a movement of insertion and extraction (f103) with respect to the pile of products (P, P1, P2), synchronized with the movement of advance of the products along the path of advance, so as to insert itself between two contiguous packs of laminar products (M1, M2), between which is inserted a respective separator finger (15), and to withhold temporarily the pile of laminar products whilst said separator finger (15) is moved away from the path of advance.

Abstract: An article row former for arranging an unorganized stream of articles into a plurality of rows. The row former includes a conveyor for conveying articles in a flow direction and a frame. A support assembly is slideably coupled to the frame for movement above the conveyor substantially parallel to the flow direction, and a carriage assembly is slideably coupled to the frame for movement above the conveyor substantially perpendicular to the flow direction. Each of a plurality of elongated guides has an upstream end that is pivotally coupled to the support assembly, and a downstream end that is pivotally coupled to the carriage assembly. The guides define a plurality of guide channels that receive the articles. Each of a plurality of starwheels is rotatably coupled to the downstream end of a respective guide, and rotate in timed relation with the movement of the carriage assembly to control the release of articles from the guide channels.

Abstract: A system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles each having a downwardly oriented primary edge, laterally diverting the flat articles in the serial input stream alternately between a pair of separate paths, impeding horizontal movement of each flat article in each separate path, accelerating each flat article with impeded horizontal movement in the direction of its primary edge, and delivering substantially horizontally oriented flat articles from each separate path.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a diverter positioned between an upstream conveyor and several downstream conveyors and splits or switches a procession of objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor to one of the downstream conveyors where the downstream conveyors are provided with a plurality of sensors along their lengths that detect the presence or absence of objects on the downstream conveyors at different positions along their lengths and supply signals to the diverter to control the diverter to switch between the downstream conveyors to direct the objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor to the one of the downstream conveyors having fewer objects being conveyed by the conveyor and also controls the number of objects delivered by the diverter to the downstream conveyors.

Abstract: A readily bendable rolling conveyor guide is provided. The guide includes axle-positioning members having notches. The axle-positioning members slidably engage channels mounted to a structural support member. A plurality of axles carrying rotatable elements and spacers are disposed between the axle-positioning members. Due to the notches in the axle-positioning members and the unique cross-section of the exterior of the channels, the assembled guide may be bent at small radii without causing distortion of the channels or interference between the axle-positioning members and the channels.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a novel row former, a novel array rake and a novel sweep mechanism that are all designed to prevent relative movement between objects arranged in rows and then formed in two dimensional arrays of the objects as the objects are moved through the conveyor system, where the objects have triangular shaped cross sections.

Abstract: Mass manufacturing and packaging apparatus (10) of products in roll form, in particular paper products including, from upstream to downstream, a cutting station (12) for cutting very long consecutive logs (20) of a specified diameter into consecutive sequences of several rolls (22) of shorter length, and an upstream conveyor (14) to move the sequences of rolls (22) from the cutting station (12) to a feeder station (16) distributing the rolls (22) to several automated packaging stations (18) characterized in that a roll-switching system (26, 37) of the feeder station (16) allows directing each sequence of rolls (22) toward a specific set of packaging stations (18) which is different from the set towards which the previous sequence of rolls (22) was directed.

Abstract: A diverter assembly for use with a vibratory conveyor having a product transporting bed is described and which includes a conveyor frame positioned in spaced relation relative to the product transporting bed; a drive assembly borne by the frame; and a product engaging member mounted in forced receiving relation relative to the drive assembly and movable along a given path of travel relative to the product transporting bed.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers. Chutes may be used to direct incoming product bags between parallel conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring containers from one moving conveyor to another. The conveyors may be aligned with a common direction of travel. One or more guide rails may be provided to guide conveyed items through a curved transfer section. The conveyors may be supported on a modular support unit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a transfer table is located between incoming and outgoing conveyor support structures.

Abstract: An interchange apparatus for a pneumatic conveying system including a plurality of branch tubes joined together at an acute angle in an interchange chamber to form a main tube and a flap positioned between at least two branch tubes of the plurality of branch tubes at the end of the interchange chamber, the flap faces the branch tubes and is swivelable between a first position and a second position. The flap is held in each position by a holding device such that when the flap is positioned in the first position there is a connection between a first branch tube and the main tube, and when the flap is positioned in a second position there is a connection between a second branch tube and the main tube. In one embodiment the flap is switched from a first position to a second position by the passage of the cylindrical objects through the interchanges.

Abstract: A route switching apparatus for conveying articles, including a plurality of lines suitable for conveying the articles along respective separate paths and a body having a polygonal cross-section and pivotable about a longitudinal axis. The body is positioned along the plurality of lines between an entry and an exit of the lines. The body has a plurality of lateral faces with transfer lines formed on respective lateral faces. The transfer lines communicate with respective lines of the plurality of lines between the entry and the exit. The body is pivotable such that the transfer lines can communicate with different respective lines so that the articles moving along one of the separate paths can transfer to another of the separate paths.

Abstract: A displaceable conveyor is used to convey selected printed products to different destination points. A reversing device is positioned intermediate the different destination points and a rigid guide track. A partial guide path connects the reversing device with the rigid guide track.

Abstract: A grading unit divides a supply of objects into constituent portions and directs the divided portions to various predefined locations. At least one passageway is defined, being sufficiently inclined so that the supply of objects flows through the unit solely under the force of gravity. Diverting gates disposed along the passageway selectively divert objects from the passageway toward and through an associated secondary opening located adjacent the passageway. A dividing chute associated with each secondary opening is provided to direct the diverted objects to one of a plurality of different predefined locations.

Abstract: The device for separating individual or a plurality of rotationally symmetric containers (11) from a stream of rotationally symmetric containers (10) conveyed under backup pressure comprises a first conveyor path (12) for the stream of containers (10) and a second conveyor path (18) for removal of the separated containers (11), the second conveyor path (18) branching off at a separation point (16) from the first conveyor path (12). The first conveyor path (12) bends at the separation point (16) at an acute angle. A dividing wedge (20) is disposed between the first and the second conveyor (12, 18).

Abstract: A device for selecting cut paperboard blanks has two series of drive belts detining two paths tor the blanks, namely an upper path and a lower path each of which is defined between drive belts. The upper and lower paths diverge from each other in the device. A flap that is disposed where the paths diverge from each other is pivotally mounted about a downstream shaft and is capable of occupying two positions, namely, a lower position in which the blanks are fed to the upper path and an upper position in which the blanks are fed to the lower path. Each of the paths has an upstream portion from the flap and a downstream portion from the flap and each of the paths is more steeply inclined relative to the horizontal in one of its upstream and downstream portions than in the other of its upstream and downstream portions.

Abstract: A lane distribution apparatus for distribution of articles in a single lane to multiple lanes. A rocker plate and associated rocker arms are used to shift simultaneously lanes both upstream and downstream of a distribution point. The apparatus and process permits lane changes in a short period of time, which minimizes the risk of product stoppage and maximizes the speed with which products can be conveyed.

Abstract: Article distribution apparatus comprises means defining a zone through which a plurality of articles can move from a first location to a second location. Distribution means extend between the first and second locations to divide the zone into first and second lanes. The distribution means is movable laterally across the zone to vary the capacity of the first and second lanes of the articles.

Abstract: Device for the division and adjustment of a flow of products into a plurality of partial flows, which are fed to a plurality of working machines by a belt conveyor, in which distributing units are provided with blades for the interception of the products. The blades being moved along respective support structures by corresponding cursors to which the same blades are rotatingly connected.

Abstract: A switching device with a swiveling deflector for delivering goods to be transported from one of at least two delivery channels. The swiveling deflector is positioned at the free end of a leaf spring clamped into a bearing block. The force is introduced into the swiveling deflector, and the surface of the swiveling deflector has a predetermined curvature. The cross section of the swiveling deflector is tapered in the direction counter to the bearing block, and the bearing block has a horn-like shape. The bearing block and the swiveling deflector have respective concave and convex connecting regions in the bearing region of the leaf spring, and wherein the bearing block has a recess that extends along one region of the leaf spring, within which the leaf spring is freely movable during the swiveling movement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for receiving a flow of packages such as parcels or bundles, dividing it into plural streams for easier singulation, singulating each such stream, and delivering the produced packages one at a time to a user, each stream being provided to a different user. Downstream sensors are used to control a deflector which in turn divides a received flow of packages into multiple such flows and apportions the received packages among the two output flows. Singulation of each such output flow is accomplished by a plurality of inclined belts which each moves a received package upward and over its peak to drop for entry into the next stage downstream, thereby singulating the received flow in stages. These belt stages are individually controlled by further downstream sensors and motors which prevent movement of upstream such belt(s) if one or more packages, indicating a flow blockage, is sensed downstream.

Abstract: Article transport apparatus (10) comprises first and second transports (12,14) for transporting a plurality of articles, in the form of biscuits (100). The second transport is arranged to receive biscuits from the first transport, and the second transport comprises a plurality of lanes (18) extending lengthwise of the second transport, along which articles can be transported. The first transport comprises a guide (20,22,28) to guide the article towards at least a selected one of the lanes. The guide may be in the form of laterally movable walls (20,22) or rotatable members (28).

Abstract: A document sorting section for sorting flat documents wherein a plurality of primary document conveying paths are interposed between rows of opposing document stacking elements and document diverters are positioned in the primary paths. Each of the primary conveying paths are in conveying communication with separate diverters and corresponding sorting paths, such as angularly disposed sorting paths, wherein each of the sorting paths is in conveying communication with either of the primary conveying paths, but not both. A primary pivotal diverter, located upstream from the first and second primary conveying paths, diverts documents from the main transport path to either of the primary conveying paths.

Abstract: A diverter for redirecting a single member or portion of a generalized set of material passing thereby. The device includes an electromechanical actuator which moves from an extended to a retracted position. A flexible strip has a first end attached to actuator and a second end fixed with respect to the actuator. The device is positioned proximate a gravity slide down which a stream of material moves in a first direction. When the actuator moves from its extended to its retracted position, the resilient strip flexes out into the path of the moving material. Any of the material striking the flexible strip will be deflected into a second direction which diverges from the first direction.

Abstract: The tube carrier apparatus is composed of carrier rails, at least a pair of rollers provided so as to pinch a flexible tube therebetween, and a driving section for rotating the rollers. The carrier falls are formed with a groove as a passage for the tube through which the tube is to be carried in the longitudinal direction thereof. When the motor is driven, both the rollers are rotated in two different rotative directions, so that the tube is pinched between the rotating rollers and the tube is then carried in accordance with the rotation of the rollers. The tube carrier apparatus is simple in structure and small in size.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of output rows from a single input row of articles has a conveyor advancing articles in a row parallel to the conveying direction; a deflecting device including an endless deflecting belt trained about two end rollers and having, when in a working position, an operative length portion forming an acute angle with the conveying direction. The deflecting member includes a first length portion provided with a bounding edge extending generally parallel to the conveyor surface and being at a clearance therefrom which is less than an expected minimum height of the articles positioned on the conveyor. The deflecting member further has a second length portion provided with a bounding edge extending generally parallel to the conveyor surface and being at a clearance therefrom which is greater than an expected maximum height of the articles positioned on the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sorting waste into different waste types. A first division of the waste is effected into at least two waste types in that each waste type is placed in a bag or container (100, 101) which is provided with at least one marking which indicates the waste type for which the bag is intended. The containers are collected and mixed together for transport to a common sorting plant in which the containers pass an identification mechanism (6) establishing, with the aid of the marking on the bag, the type of waste for which the bag is intended. The information is transmitted to a recording and control system (7) which, via a signal transmission device (73) switches a separating mechanism (9) for adjusting the same into a position in which the bag, on its passage of the sorting plant, is brought into a position reserved for that type of waste indicated by the marking on the container.

Abstract: A dual motion divider for articles moving along a conveyor belt has an intake lane defining member with elongated parallel spaced partition walls defining an intake lane for articles carried on an associated conveyor belt. The member is pivotable at its article receiving end in an arc extending transversely of the partition walls and movable at its other end. The divider also has a discharge lane defining member with a multiplicity of elongated parallel spaced partition walls defining a plurality of discharge lanes for the articles. The discharge lane defining member is pivotable at its article discharging end in an arc extending transversely of the partition walls and movable at its other end. The movable ends of the members are adjacent each other and a drive assembly is connected to each of the lane defining members to move concurrently the movable ends in opposite directions and bring the intake lane into alignment with a predetermined one of the discharge lanes.

Abstract: An article diverter for changing the conveyor path of successive conveyed articles from a single succession to at least two successions of articles. The diverter includes actuators positioned adjacent to one conveyor path but on opposite sides of the conveyor path. A flexible terminal end of one actuator is moveable, across the conveyor path to end adjacent to the flexible terminal end of another actuator when said ends are compressed. Each of the flexible terminal ends are directed towards the center of the first conveyor path when compressed. The flexible terminal ends are connected to piston rods which are retractable and extendable responsive to a control signal. The two actuators contain a member to hold their terminal end parallel to the conveyor path when the rod is extended and in a second position which intersects the conveyor path when the rods are retracted. When the ends of the two actuators intersect the conveyor path, articles contacting the actuators are diverted to a second path.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a removal arm which is provided at its front with two cooperating rollers to grip a printed product and with a movable flap in front of the rollers. A cylinder-piston unit can move the two cooperating rollers in the same plane and linearly to the first conveyor path. The cylinder-piston unit is controlled in such a manner that at least the extraction speed of the two cooperating rollers is proportional to the transporting speed of the first conveyor path. The apparatus is provided to serve as a turnout switch or to separate an overlapping stream of laterally offset, folded together printed products.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for marshalling objects from one ingoing conveyor to two outgoing conveyors is disclosed. Counting gaps are created by a belt brake operating at a slower speed than the ingoing conveyor. The counting gaps are registered by a pair of photocells, and two gates are maneuvered by a control unit. The gate downstream of the ingoing conveyor is of the single type, and the gate downstream of both of the outgoing conveyors is of the double type. The gates are mechanically interconnected and rotate towards one another in order to marshall the objects onto one or the other of the outgoing conveyors.

Abstract: A distributing and collecting device for conveyed products includes a wire conveyor, a conveyance-direction sorting guide, a product-distributing device with a distributing vertical conveyor, a first gate and a second gate. The conveyed articles can be tall, thin articles such as drink cartons. The products are sequentially fed by a supply, vertical conveyor through the conveyance-direction sorting guide over the wide conveyor. The conveyance-direction sorting guide can shift the articles from side to side of the wide conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The articles are fed by the product-distributing device and distributing vertical conveyor to a row in front of the first gate. When a prescribed number of products fills a row, the product-distributing device will move to fill an adjacent row. Just before all rows are filled, the first gate is opened and the products move over the wide conveyor to the second gate.

Abstract: A live chicken separating and counting machine which has a single high level primary endless belt conveyor connected by a divergent fixed chute to twin lower level secondary conveyors of higher speed than the primary conveyor to further separate chickens; a pair of additional but mobile product flow-diverting or changeover chutes is provided at the discharge end of the secondary conveyors, these chutes oscillate intermittently in a limited horizontal arc in synchronization with a pair of L-shaped flaps each of which has a long arm and a short arm, both flaps pivot in a limited vertical arc below the discharge end of the mobile chutes both of which when aligned in an inner position, fill an inner collection chamber for chickens which is closed off by short arms of the flaps and when the mobile chutes are diverted to an outer position, long arms of the flaps swing up to a horizontal position, closing off the bottom of the outer collection chambers which then fill with chickens.

Abstract: An apparatus for the ordered arrangement and creation of a feed stock in boxing plants for cones and/or conoids, for positioning after first conveyors which feed a stream of individual cones one after another, comprising a splitter unit for splitting in two the stream of cones flowing from the first conveyors towards second conveyors which follow the splitter unit. An escapement mechanism disposed at the other end of the second conveyors and a pusher and positioning unit for transferring the cones towards containing devices, to provide good accumulation of cones and their regular downstream feed.

Abstract: Articles to be sorted are loaded into carriers which move along a predetermined path that has groups of receptacles under and adjacent to it. Each carrier has gates or doors which are normally "closed" to define a bottom that can hold an article within that carrier, but which can be "opened" to release that article for direct transfer into a selected one of the receptacles, all of which are positioned below the level of that carrier. The gates or doors of the carriers are arranged so they can selectively and directly transfer articles into the centermost of a group of transversely-positioned receptacles, into the receptacle that is disposed outwardly of that centermost receptacle, or into the receptacle that is disposed inwardly of that centermost receptacle. As a result, the direct transfer sorting system of the present invention obviates the bulky and expensive chutes and guides which have been required by prior sorting systems.

Abstract: A device for distributing and transferring articles including a plurality of branch conveyers arranged parallel to one another and disposed near the terminating end of a main conveyer which continuously transfers articles of a predetermined shape. The branch conveyers are located beneath the main conveyer at right angles to the main conveyer with the truck lines being spaced and closely adjoined to one another. An article receiving inlet faces the traversing direction of the main conveyer and is disposed before the terminating end of the traversing truck of the main conveyer and a distribution unit equipped with a traversing direction change-over member guides the articles in a direction at right angles to the traversing direction and a chute in combination with the traversing direction change-over member feeds the articles onto the traversing surface of a desired branch conveyer.

Abstract: A pressureless conveyor for objects, bottles or similar items, including an input conveyor having single-channel paddle chains, a slowdown conveyor having a guide ramp, and an output conveyor with multiple juxtaposed channels. This conveyor includes a distribution system attached to the slowdown conveyor guide ramp for, imparting a serpentine path to the bottles on the output conveyor. More particularly, this distribution system transforms the straight-line motion of the bottles on the slowdown conveyor into an alternating movement combined with the progression of the different paddle chains of the output conveyor. This results in the distribution of the bottles over the entire working surface of the output conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a continuous stream of filled beverage bottles moving in a single row in one linear direction into a plurality of spaced apart rows of filled beverage bottles moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to such one linear direction using at least first, second and third continuously moving conveyors moving in spaced apart parallel linear directions and a continuously moving collection conveyor moving in a linear direction substantially perpendicular thereto wherein the middle filled beverage bottle of three successive filled beverage bottles is moved at spaced apart intervals over the second or third continuously moving conveyors and onto the continuously moving collection conveyor to form spaced streams of filled beverage bottles thereon and wherein the filled beverage bottles remaining on the third continuously moving conveyor are transferred to the continuously moving collection conveyor to form another stream of filled beverage bottles thereon.