Abstract: A conveyor has multiple successive fixed stops (17), each suitable for holding the empty beverage container (20) in place. A horizontal ladder frame (12) structure lifts the beverage container (20) in sequences above one fixed stop (17) at a time. Multiple lifting motions transport the beverage container (20) through the successive fixed stops (17). The ladder frame (12) structure has plural transverse beams (14) that reciprocate between a flat position and a raised position. The motion from the float position to the raised position ejects the beverage container (20) above the fixed stop (17).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for transferring glass items from machines for shaping glass items of the type that comprises: a rotary cooling platform for receiving, cooling and conveying items formed immediately prior in molds of said shaping machine to a conveyor belt, the rotary cooling platform having a rotational motion towards the left and towards the right, from a first position for receiving items to a second delivery position facing said conveyor belt; first drive means located under the rotary cooling platform in order to rotate same with said rotational motion from said position for receiving items to said second position for delivering items and from said position for delivering items to said position for receiving items; and a pushing mechanism coupled onto the rotary platform, the pushing mechanism being aligned in the first receiving position with each of the recently shaped items of the molds, the pushing mechanism being translated together with said rotary cooling pla

Abstract: A conveying device includes first guide rails 2A, 2B; second guide rails 12A, 12B for being connected to the first guide rails 2A, 2B; a movable holding part that holds the second guide rails 12A, 12B such that the second guide rails 12A, 12B are movable in transverse directions with respect to longitudinal directions of the second guide rails 12A, 12B; and moving parts 3A, 3B that move by being guided by the corresponding first guide rails 2A, 2B and the corresponding second guide rails 12A, 12B.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus has a vertical guide rod, on which a vertical carriage slides, which is integrated with a horizontal carriage, both of which support a transfer bar and gripping members that are responsible for the automatic handling of stamped parts in process. The transfer apparatus has a shaft limiter, below which there is a right angle lever with a stop, and a horizontal guide rod where the horizontal carriage slides. The transfer apparatus has a drive lever to drive a connecting rod which is connected to the right angle lever and has an adjustable stop toward a fixed stop, which limits the travel of the horizontal carriage in the Y-axis direction. The transfer apparatus in question has a continuous operating cycle and is controlled by a central processing unit.

Abstract: A unit for grouping packages along a transfer path includes an input station receiving the packages arranged in longitudinal lines parallel to the transfer path; an output station for groups defined by a given number of packages from respective longitudinal lines and aligned in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path. A movable conveying surface is supplied at predetermined time intervals with a number of packages equal to that in each group, and which feeds the packages along the transfer path. At least one aligning member is moved cyclically along a first path having a work portion parallel to the transfer path, and at least one push member is moved cyclically along a second path having a work portion parallel to the transfer path. The aligning member and the push member are moved respectively by independent first and second conveying mechanisms, and the work portions of the first and second paths coincide with each other.

Abstract: Machine for profile working of front surfaces on oblong wood workpieces resolves the problem of simple, accurate and fluent or continued working of workpieces front surfaces of various lengths and intersections, and the machine is of a compact construction. It is characteristic by the construction of the entrance turnover device transversely placed between longitudinal conveyors with carriers, which has on the periphery of rotating wheels constructed movable bearing couplings, and by them fixed guiding plates with the groove inside which there are movably inserted guided bearings of bearing couplings. In the area of the entrance turnover device there are placed under an optional angle the oblique roller conveyors, inside which there are flexibly and circularly movably inserted rolls.

Abstract: An inductor station for a sortation conveying system is able to accommodate an assortment of substantially rectangular items which in general each have unique dimensions. A worker loads the inductor station with a charge of items each standing upright on edge and side-by-side. The charges are loaded in sequence to a feeder tray, and a programmably controlled feeding assembly feeds the charges along the feeder tray to a loading mechanism. The loading mechanism loads the endmost item from a discharge end of the feeder tray onto a takeaway conveyor. The items are loaded on the takeaway standing upright and on edge. An indexing motion stripping conveyor is used to time the loading of the items onto the takeaway conveyor so that the items are conveyed to an appropriate pocket on the core conveyor for the sortation conveying system.

Abstract: The device (1) comprises a transfer mechanism (7) which is attached to the free ends of two parallel piston rods (13, 14). The associated piston-cylinder units (15, 16) are attached to a support structure (17) and can be pivoted therewith in a reciprocating manner about a vertical axis (18) by an angle of approximately 105° between a dead plate (3) and a conveyor belt (5). Compressed air nozzles (11) for the purpose of producing negative pressure in corners (10) of the transfer mechanism (7) are supplied with compressed air from a first advance chamber (22) by way of a supply duct (12) of the transfer mechanism (7) and one (13) of the piston rods and the associated piston (21). This is performed by way of a first directional control valve (29) from a first compressed air source (31) of relatively low pressure.

Abstract: An inductor station for a sortation conveying system is able to accommodate an assortment of substantially rectangular items which in general each have unique dimensions. A worker loads the inductor station with a charge of items each standing upright on edge and side-by-side. The charges are loaded in sequence to a feeder tray, and a programmably controlled feeding assembly feeds the charges along the feeder tray to a loading mechanism. The loading mechanism loads the endmost item from a discharge end of the feeder tray onto a takeaway conveyor. The items are loaded on the takeaway standing upright and on edge. An indexing motion stripping conveyor is used to time the loading of the items onto the takeaway conveyor so that the items are conveyed to an appropriate pocket on the core conveyor for the sortation conveying system.

Abstract: Apparatus or gear mechanism for producing linear movements for pushers, carry-along elements and similar elements, in particular during reciprocating movement. The pushers (24, 25) are connected to a gear mechanism (33), in the case of which use is made exclusively of rotating or circulating elements. Each pusher (24, 25) is connected to a lever (37) which is moved by the gear mechanism such that the connection of the lever (37) to the pusher (24, 25) is moved exclusively on a rectilinear path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic device for discharging, from a vibrating table to an on-line conveyor, continuously arriving flat-bottomed objects, which device operates in cycles and each of the cycles of which includes the following stages: said objects are accommodated in a ditch contiguous with the forward edge of said vibrating table (1) so as to form a row; said row of objects is pushed by a pusher (11), the initial speed of which is zero, towards a smooth surface (12) extending in a transverse direction in relation to the vibrating table (1) in the continuation of the ditch (4); said objects arrive on a conveyor belt (13) located in the continuation of the smooth surface (12); and, while the pusher (11) discharges said row and then returns to its initial position, a fresh row of objects gradually forms in the ditch (4).

Abstract: A unit (1) for transferring groups (2) of cigarette packets (3) from a conveyor (4) to an input device (5) of a cartoning machine is provided with a transfer member (18) and an epicyclic gear train (25) for moving the transfer member (18) back and forth along an annular trajectory (T). The cigarette packets (3) are fed along a path (P) by the conveyor (4) and the annular trajectory (T) has a forward portion and a return portion partially overlapping the path (P) of the packet (3) on the conveyor (4). The epicyclic gear train (25) has two gears (48, 49) having a variable transmission ratio (W) for varying the speed of the transfer member (18) along the forward movement of the transfer member (18).

Abstract: An inductor station for a sortation conveying system is able to accommodate an assortment of substantially rectangular items which in general each have unique dimensions. A worker loads the inductor station with a charge of items each standing upright on edge and side-by-side. The charges are loaded in sequence to a feeder tray, and a programmably controlled feeding assembly feeds the charges along the feeder tray to a loading mechanism. The loading mechanism loads the endmost item from a discharge end of the feeder tray onto a takeaway conveyor. The items are loaded on the takeaway standing upright and on edge. An indexing motion stripping conveyor is used to time the loading of the items onto the takeaway conveyor so that the items are conveyed to an appropriate pocket on the core conveyor for the sortation conveying system.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus (1) for shelf channels of shelf storage facilities comprises two parallely arranged, circulating conveying means (2) for receiving pallets (P). The conveying means (2) are partially designed as support roller chains (3) whose ends are interconnected by a rope (3). Two deflections (5, 6) are provided per conveying means (2) by means of which the particular conveying means is divided into an upper (7) and a lower run (8). In order to bring the two conveying means into a defined initial position after unloading the last pallet, several chain links (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) of the end region of the particular chain (3) near the unloading end are provided with a smooth surface. Moreover, an end stop member (15, 16) is provided for each conveying means (2) that limits the path of displacement of the chain (3) in the unloading direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for intermittently and successively feeding sheet materials such as plastic bags into a plurality of sheet material processing stations which are spaced from each other along the feeding passage of the sheet material. The apparatus comprises movable elongated member means extending parallel to the feeding direction of sheet material, a fixed elongated member means extending parallel to the feeding direction of sheet material and disposed side by side with the movable elongated member means. The movable elongated member means is reciprocatingly moved in the longitudinal direction thereof at a stroke corresponding to the distance between the processing stations. The sheet materials are held by the holding means of the movable elongated member means and released from the holding member of the fixed elongated member means when the movable elongated member means is forwardly moved.

Abstract: A lehr loader (20) for transferring a line of freshly formed glass containers (C) on a cross-conveyor (XC) transversely of the cross-conveyor into an annealing lehr (L). The lehr loader has a superimposed stack of three carriages (48, 76, 94), the lowermost carriage (48) being supported on a frame (22) and being movable longitudinally in a horizontal plane with respect to the frame toward and away from the lehr. The intermediate carriage (76) is supported on the lowermost carriage (48) and is movable longitudinally with the lowermost carriage and is movable laterally in a horizontal plane with respect to the lowermost carriage. The uppermost carriage (94) is supported on the intermediate carriage (76) and is movable horizontally with the intermediate carriage and vertically with respect to the intermediate carriage. An enclosed linear actuator (50) in the form of an enclosed ball screw mechanism with a housing (56) is attached to the frame, and a reversible, co-axial a.c.

Abstract: The device comprises a transfer unit with a block (44) containing wells (48) in which suckers (50) are located. The wells (48) comprise a border (72) made of a sealing and friction material. The peripheral wall (60) of the sucker (50) is flexible enough to permit axial movement of the lip (62) between an expanded position in which the lip (62) projects above the border (72) of the well (48) and a contracted position in which the lip (62) is coplanar with this border. The internal space of the sucker (50) and the internal space (70) of the well (48) around the sucker are both connected to a vacuum source by respective narrow channels (64,68) whose cross sections are approximately the same as each other. The size of the cross sections of the narrow channels (64,68) is such that there is negligible loss of vacuum inside the sucker (50) when a work piece is placed against the lip (62) but not against the border (72) of the well (48).

Abstract: A blow molding apparatus configured to receive plastic parisons and output blow molded containers including a support frame and a parison conveyor attached to the support frame and having a plurality of parison supports and a drive mechanism for driving the parison supports in a stepped movement circuit, advancing the parison supports by a curvilinear distance corresponding to a curvilinear spacing between a preselected number of parison supports. A first parison transfer assembly is adapted to receive the preselected number of the parisons from the parison supports.

Abstract: A brick-like article feeding mechanism with nearly square travel path and quick returning function includes an eccentric apparatus composed of a slide block and a slide channel and cooperative spur gear and internal gear with a gear ratio of 1:4. In cooperation with synchronously driving sprockets, the pushing arms for feeding the article travel through a nearly square path. One side of the square travel path (loading travel) costs a period of time equal to the sum of the time cost by the other three sides (unloading travel) so as to achieve a quick returning function and synchronous operation.

Abstract: A lehr loader (20) for transferring a line of freshly formed glass containers (C) on a cross-conveyor (XC) transversely of the cross-conveyor into an annealing lehr (L). The lehr loader has a superimposed stack of three carriages (48, 76, 94), an enclosed linear actuator (50) in the form of an enclosed ball screw mechanism with a housing (56) is attached to the frame, and a reversible, co-axial a.c. servo motor (52) is provided to cause reciprocation of the lowermost carriage. An enclosed linear actuator (78) in the form of an enclosed ball screw mechanism with a housing (82) attached to the lowermost carriage (76) and a co-axial reversible, a.c. servo motor (80) is provided to cause reciprocation of the intermediate carriage. An enclosed linear actuator (96) in the form of an enclosed ball screw mechanism with a housing (102) attached to the intermediate carriage (76) and a reversible, a.c. servo motor (98) is provided to cause reciprocation of the uppermost carriage (94).

Abstract: A pusher that translates products (3) along a straight first path (4) extending along a substantially horizontal conveying surface (5) has a transmission assembly (21) for moving the pusher (8) along a closed second path (11) having a conveying portion coincident with the first path (4) from the input to the output ends (6,7) and a return portion (12) outside the first path (4). The pusher (8) is connected to the transmission assembly (21) so as to maintain a constant angular position in relation to the straight conveying direction (4a) along the first path (4), and oscillate about a first axis (30) that is crosswise to the second path (11) when moving along the return portion (12) of the second path (11).

Abstract: A transport apparatus for feeding textile packages used in the textile industry in two transport directions includes a first pusher element being displaceable in two transport directions and a second pusher or indexing element extending parallel to the first pusher element. A coupling device couples the elements in various positions with limited mutual movement. A reversible drive mechanism is connected to one of the elements for acting on the one element to produce a relative motion between the elements. Latch carriers for the two transport directions are movably supported on the first pusher element. The latch carriers are pivotal into a transport plane of sliver holding containers in accordance with the transport directions by the second pusher or indexing element. The latch carriers are automatically pivoted into a transport position or an idle stroke position under influence of the relative motion.

Abstract: A pusher mechanism for transferring a selected number of containers from a dead plate of an I.S. machine to a conveyor. The mechanism has a finger assembly including a back support portion and a finger portion, with the back support portion and the finger portion defining a pocket having a corner at their juncture. The finger portion has an air jet with the center line thereof making an acute angle with the finger portion and selectively located so that a bottle placed on the deadplate within the pocket will be located on the side of the center line remote from the corner of the pocket, and the back support portion is selectively inclined to the finger portion to substantially prevent the bouncing of a bottle, drawn into the pocket by the air jet, off the finger portion in the direction of the air jet.

Abstract: Step conveyor comprising a primary stationary beam (1) and as secondary beam (2) being movable upwards and downwards as well as to and fro relative thereto. The secondary beam (2) is supported by restrictedly pivotable bow-shaped eccentrically journalled segments (3) resting on a stationary guideway (5). In each position the secondary beam (2) is positioned below the level of the primary beam (1). At its top the secondary beam (2) carries dogs (6) which in a nonoperative rest position are positioned below the level of the primary beam (1) and which in an operational position extend beyond the level of the primary beam (1) and can engage the objects (7) to be transported.

Abstract: A retainer dog is pivotally mounted on a pusher dog at the front end portion thereof and normally urged to a standing position. The distance between a retainer surface of the retainer dog and a thrust surface of the pusher dog is predetermined such that a space large enough for the retainer dog to rotate with a tilting radius can be obtained.

Abstract: Improved bottle extractor for hollow glass molding machines of the type consisting of a mechanical arm for transfer of the hollow glass, with a stepping motor whose output shaft connects directly with the drive shaft of the mechanical arm, the motor being insulated from the rest of the extractor by means of a sheet of thermal insulating material and with a position detector based on the effect produced by an integral plate that has the same axis of rotation as the drive shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading components such as circuit boards from a transport unit to a work station. The apparatus includes a flexible tape which is wound on a storage drum and selectively extended or retracted relative to the drum. Components are included to drive the drum, elevate the extended tape, sense the position of the tape and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for serially transferring objects between a supply conveyor and a receiving conveyor, in which the speed of the supply conveyor is not smaller than the speed of the receiving conveyor. The apparatus includes a feed cam which is inserted into the stream of supplied objects, an object being overtaken by pushing from behind in order to transfer it to the receiving conveyor means, whereby the feed cam must return for the transfer of each object outside of the serial stream of objects to its insertion location. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a four bar linkage with a drive crank (a), a coupling (b), a driven crank (c), and a stationary link (d) in which the feed cam is connected to the coupling (c) at a coupling point (C). The four bar linkage is designed such that it is an mechanism which additionally obeys certain conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying coating to products such as medicaments are disclosed. The present invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling the loading and feeding of tablets onto carrier plates for transfer to various processing stations of the coating system. A novel plate indexing apparatus includes a box cam follower device mounted to an engagement bar for incrementally advancing the plates in a precisely controlled manner. A second complementary shaped engagement bar provides a locking mechanism to ensure the plates are always under positive control. In one embodiment the plate indexing apparatus also controls the feeding of the tablets. An alternative embodiment includes a vacuum pick-up system for feeding tablets onto the carrier plates as the plates are incrementally advanced.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles such as glass containers from a first conveyor, on which the containers are travelling generally horizontally in line one after another, on to a second conveyor extending generally at right angles to the first conveyor from one side of the first conveyor. The apparatus is operable in cycles to transfer on each cycle a group of articles from the first to the second conveyor with the articles in the group extending in a row transversely of the second conveyor. The apparatus includes a support, a first carriage on the support movable generally parallel to the second conveyor, a second carriage on the first carriage movable with respect to the first carriage generally parallel to the first conveyor, and a third carriage on the second carriage movable vertically with respect to the first and second carriages. The third carriage carries a pusher bar.

Abstract: Articles, such as envelopes, are formed into stacks that are transported to packing station. For this purpose a stacking and transport mechanism is positioned between a depositing mechanism (4, 4a) and the packing station. Continuously and individually arriving articles are set with one of their edges (6, 6a) on a stacking surface (7, 7a). The articles to be stacked are first held at the beginning of the formation of a stack (10, 10a), by a first, forward or leading stack holder (8, 8a) which moves in the direction in which the stack (10, 10a) increases, (FIG. 4 ) toward the packing station. Thereafter, a second forward or leading stack holder (9, 9a) takes the position of the first, forward stack holder (8, 8a) (FIG. 6 ). Upon completion of the stack (10, 11 or 10a, 11a) (FIG.

Abstract: Workpieces are transported step-by-step by means of transport bars which are provided with grippers and which are longitudinally and transversally displaceable only in cyclic relation to the reciprocating movement of a press. The transport bars have the configuration of hollow profiles which are rigid with respect to bending and torsional stresses, and their ends are rigidly constrained and guided by means of angle brackets and by means of longitudinal guidings and transversal guidings both of which are free of play. Thus, a particularly rigid and a relatively lightweight construction results which allows high working cadences.

Abstract: A device for the translation or discharge of articles from a transport conveyor to a discharge conveyor includes a push-off ledge that is moveable into the transport conveyor path. The elongated push-off ledge is pivoted at each of its ends to an endless pull member that is guidely driven around a start-deflection roller, an out-deflection roller and a displaceably-tensioned guide roller that are rotatable about vertical roller shafts. Each of the pair of pull members are synchronously driven so that the push-off ledge remains substantially parallel to the conveyor's article transport direction while the ledge is advanced, for displacing an article from the transport to the discharge conveyor, at an oblique angle to the article transport direction. The push-off ledge is retracted substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, thereby avoiding interference with following articles being carried on the transport conveyor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for transporting stacked workpieces with aligned edges on a low friction workpiece support platform in which the shifting of individual panels relative to each other under the influence of inertia is precluded. The process includes the step of pressing the workpiece stack on the workpiece support platform. An apparatus that presses the workpiece stack is moved in its entirety along the direction in which the workpiece stack is transported.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring pasta nests or skeins from drying frames to packaging containers. In particular, it relates to an apparatus having three consecutive and horizontal translators, the first two having vertically moveable nails or cramps and the third having a moveable checking side suitable as a whole to move parallel rows of pasta nests or skeins from frames and thereby laying them in packaging containers.

Abstract: An on-board aircraft cargo handling system comprises a plurality of tines which are mounted within a cargo ramp and beneath its surface and are capable of extension aft of the ramp across a truck bed or the like. The tines have a plurality of rollers extending above their top surfaces for permitting easy movement of cargo across the tines. The ends of the tines are tapered to allow them to be pushed under the cargo to be moved. Pallet retainers, which consist of arm members which have finger-like projections on one end for allowing interengagement of the arm members with notches on the cargo, are mounted to the cargo ramp in such a way as to permit movement of the arms for aligning them with the cargo notches. Additionally, the cargo ramp surface includes pop-up chocks, which may be extended above the surface to lift the cargo, thus permitting forklift tines to be slid underneath.

Abstract: A push out device for a glass container making machine has a series of pusher fingers mounted on a pusher head arranged for the conventional extended and retracted movement and rotation about a vertical axis. The pusher fingers are mounted in a support plate of the pusher head so that the spacing between a base of the pusher head and the support plate may readily be adjusted.

Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a pick-up and a feed fork apparatus which work together to gather crop from the ground and deliver it to the inlet of the bale forming chamber of the baler. The feed fork apparatus includes a plurality of teeth which are mounted to an eccentric located beneath a chute of the apparatus and are caused to sweep along an oval path in the direction of desired crop movement, the tines moving through respective slots provided in the chute. Leading edges of the tines are stair-stepped so that they engage the crop and carry it along the chute to the inlet to the bale forming chamber.

Abstract: A shuttle type sweepout mechanism is described wherein the 90.degree. sweepout that consists of rotary head driven through an arc is mounted on a support that is translated in the direction of the moving conveyor. With the sweepout head capable of being rotated and translated makes it feasible to have an array of deadplates that are in alignment but at different distances from a pair of parallel conveyors that transport the ware to the lehr.

Abstract: Fixed parallel cargo rails are positioned on the cargo bed floor of an aircraft, spaced sufficiently to fit a pallet snugly therebetween. A plurality of collinear slots arranged along the length of the cargo bed floor are positioned just inboard of each rail. The slots are evenly spaced and oriented lengthwise with respect to the cargo bed floor. A dog extends above the cargo bed floor from each slot and is adapted to engage a notch in the cargo. While engaged, the dog is adapted to move along its slot, thereby moving the pallet lengthwise along the cargo bed floor. The pallet is passed bucket brigade style from one dog to the next.Another aspect of the invention is the employment of movable cargo rails on the cargo ramp. The rails are slidable widthwise across the ramp within mounting slots, thus permitting the spacing between the rails to vary. The result is that loading cargo onto the ramp and aligning it with the fixed cargo rails on the cargo bed floor is made much easier.

Abstract: An article transfer mechanism for use with an I.S. glassware forming machine includes a pusher arm having fingers for engaging a number of glassware articles formed by the I.S. machine, the pusher arm being movable between a first position to engage the glassware at the dead plate and a second position at which the glassware is transferred to a take-away conveyor. A stepping motor is provided for moving the pusher arm between the first and second positions according to a velocity profile. A microcontroller and electronic circuitry associated with each section of the I.S. machine determine a new current position of the pusher arm as the arm moves according to the velocity profile.

Abstract: A pusher apparatus, particularly for the handling of glassware articles from a cross conveyor in which continuous lines of articles are formed, to a perpendicular linear conveyor of a lehr in a common plane, in a transference cycle comprised of pushing and return strokes, is provided with an adjusting mechanism that can be operated while the apparatus is in operation, to impart a plurality of velocity profiles to said pushing and return strokes.

Abstract: In a device for forming vertical piles of items, coming from a feeding line, a pair of conveyor belts set side by side, at the end of the feeding line translate the items downwards onto a plane disposed beneath, while a pusher moves vertically in order to push the items coming from the feeding line towards the belts; a frame is made to horizontally and vertically move to engage with the support plane, in a transfer phase, and to move beneath the plane, in a return phase; the frame is also suited to support a subsequent pile being formed during the transfer phase and to allow the descent of the pile being formed on the support plane during the return phase.

Abstract: A translation device for can bodies consisting in a supporting group, on one end, a pushing element of the same and jointed on the opposite end, to a supporting structure and connected, in of its intermediate points, to crank movement mechanisms which allow the group itself to make a pendular trajectory which is alternatively positive and negative according to the advancement of the can bodies, between two opposite positions, one being the operative pick-up position of the can bodies and the other being the dropping-off of the same; a drive cam element is foreseen to act on the pushing element in such a way as to permit the same pushing element to carry out a rectilinear trajectory of can body engaging interference when it crosses the positive trajectory, and of non-interference when the pushing element crosses the negative trajectory.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles such as glass containers from a first conveyor, on which the containers are traveling generally horizontally in line one after another, on to a second conveyor extending generally at right angles to the first conveyor from one side of the first conveyor. The apparatus is operable in cycles to transfer on each cycle a group of articles from the first to the second conveyor with the articles in the group extending in a row transversely of the second conveyor. The apparatus includes a support, a first carriage on the support movable generally parallel to the second conveyor, a second carriage on the first carriage movable with respect to the first carriage generally parallel to the first conveyor, and a third carriage on the second carriage movable vertically with respect to the first and second carriages. The third carriage carries a pusher bar.

Abstract: The fingers (20,22,24) of a push out device are constructed so that the spacing between then is adjustable between that appropriate to the spacing of containers on the dead plate (4) to that appropriate to a desired spacing of the containers on a conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles such as glass containers from a first conveyor, on which the containers are travelling generally horizontally in line one after another, on to a second conveyor extending generally at right angles to the first conveyor from one side of the first conveyor. The apparatus is operable in cycles to transfer on each cycle a group of articles from the first to the second conveyor with the articles in the group extending in a row transversely of the second conveyor. The apparatus includes a support, a first carriage on the support movable generally parallel to the second conveyor, a second carriage on the first carriage movable with respect to the first carriage generally parallel to the first conveyor, and a third carriage on the second carriage movable vertically with respect to the first and second carriages. The third carriage carries a pusher bar.

Abstract: A plant for the automatic stacking and orderly arrangement of different sized panels. The plant causes the packs of panels coming from the dividing machine to reach a first transport runway, arranged either side by side or in end-to-end sequence depending upon their size and stacking requirements. Ranged on a line beside the runway are lifting platforms to which the packs are supplied and onto which are stacked packs of panels of the same size. The stacks are then transferred to stations adjacent the lifting platforms, where they are arranged in order either end to end or, if desired, side by side to form parallelepiped assemblies which are then transferred to a discharge station after being, optionally, arranged on a pallet or other support.

Abstract: A machine for packaging is a non-germ atmosphere according to the present invention comprises a container sterilization means which sterilizes containers, and a fill-end-pack means which fills the food in the containers and seals them with lids. At least a pair of rails runs through the container sterilization means and the fill-and-pack means. The containers are hung by the rails and they are intermittently carried by a first intermittent carrying means and the container sterilization means and by a second intermittent carrying means in the fill-and-pack means. The machine is arranged such that it is readily adjustable for different sized containers without allowing germs in the atmosphere to enter into the machine. The container sterilization means for further comprises an air current control means to control the flow of the sterilization agent and to fully sterilize the containers.

Abstract: A lead frame transfer device has a pair of guides and a transfer mechanism. At least one of the guides has a first guide rail adapted for moving in the widthwise direction of a lead frame, a second guide rail which is biased by a biasing mechanism to cause the second guide rail move toward the first guide rail in the widthwise direction of the lead frame so that the position of the second guide rail with respect to the first guide rail can be varied. Depending upon the widthwise size of a lead frame, the first guide rail of the guide is moved in the widthwise direction of the lead frame by a driving unit. In response to the movement of the first guide rail, the second guide rail is moved concurrently under by the force of a biasing mechanism and the lead frame can be held at a predetermined position under the pressure of the biasing mechanism.