Abstract: The invention relates to a package filled with individually foil wrapped, rectangular, in particular square, flexible slices of a highly perishable food, wherein a large number of wrapped slices are disposed, standing substantially upright, as a stack in a container that is open at the top, wherein the stack is enclosed by the four vertical outer walls of the container and the wrapped slices stand on the container bottom, which is preferably ribbed. The entire container can be sealed in a transparent plastic wrapping. A lower front sidewall of the container facilitates removal of individual slices from the container.

Abstract: A loading head for loading food articles into packaging includes a transfer conveyor in operable communication with a source of articles to be loaded. The transfer conveyor communicates the articles from an upper receiving position to a lower loading position. A first drive drives the transfer conveyor at a variable speed. A second drive oscillates the transfer conveyor between a first position and a second position. A controller is in operable association with the first and second drives for varying the driving speed of the transfer conveyor as a function of the position of the transfer conveyor. An article holder is disposed at the loading position for receipt of a transferred article.

Abstract: In a process and an apparatus for introducing individual products into containers for receiving a given number of individual products for filling the containers, by means of a picker line, the individual products and the containers are not advanced with a transportation movement in co-flow relationship, and delivery of the next container to be filled, into the working region of the pickers of the picker line, is controlled in dependence thereon.

Abstract: A method for the automated filling of pharmaceutical multichamber packages for clinical studies. The multichamber packages include a plurality of individual chambers, e.g. in the form of blisters, arranged in one plane. The products to be packed are fed from a storage container by a conveyor device into a mobile duct; the free end of the feed duct is guided to the desired chamber by a robot arm capable of swinging parallel to the plane of the individual chambers, and the product is introduced into the chamber. The individual steps are controlled by a computer. The robot arm has one or more freely programmable axes of movement, allowing the products to be conveyed to and introduced into the predetermined chambers in the plane in accordance with a freely selectable program which can be stored in the computer.

Abstract: A case packer includes a mass flow conveyor moving containers in defined lanes and lane deflectors for urging containers laterally across the conveyor into a selectively actuable metering station. Containers are selectively metered into row groups of select count and segregated by transfer guides on an underlying transfer conveyor. The row groups are directed to move rearwardly or upstream on the forward moving transfer conveyor into alignment with an open case mouth. A rotary loader has extensible can pushers maintained in parallel with open case mouth during a substantial portion of movement of the cases past the rotary loader. This maintains the rows of cans in proper alignment for final case loading and prevents undesirable "A" pattern lock up. The transfer guides and rotary loader can be adjusted and/or modified to handle varied row counts of cans.

Abstract: An improved case packer machine, of the type where containers are dropped through grid fingers to an empty case positioned on a lift table. The case packer machine of the present invention includes a flap opener which includes a pair of shoes mounted to an air cylinder. The shoes are extended by the air cylinder to contact and open the leading flap. The lifting table of the present invention is motor driven and controlled to limit the shock loading experienced by the containers as they are positioned within the cases. The lifting table includes a pair spur gears driven by the motor in meshing arrangement with a pair rack gears each mounted to a table and a novel gear guide to maintain proper engagement between the racks and gears and further to provide for backlash adjustment between the gears.

Abstract: A conveyor indexing mechanism for a bakery production line includes a variable speed motor, a conveyor, a number of baking pans, a dough packet drop mechanism, a sensor, and a timing generator. The conveyor moves the baking pans under the dough packet drop mechanism at a base speed and a ramp-up speed based on input from the sensor and timing generator. The sensor senses pan pockets in the baking pans which causes the motor to assume the base speed. The timing generator periodically causes the motor to assume the ramp-up speed. The indexing mechanism ensures that a row of pan pockets will be below the dough packet drop mechanism so that a row of dough packets will consistently fall therein with maximum throughput. The absence of any clutch or brake reduces wear, as does the continuous motion of the drive train, which prevents backlash in the gear components. A programmable controller receives system inputs and instructs an inverter to change the motor speed.

Abstract: A device for introducing items, in particular filled flat bags, into cartons has a bag delivering device, a plurality of feed shunts for transferring one flat bag at a time onto a respective vacuum turntable as well as suction devices each for at least one flat bag. The empty cartons are furnished by means of a delivery belt and a horizontally movable carton positioning belt. According to the invention, it is proposed that a plurality of flat bags be introduced into the cartons simultaneously, with the flat bags each being assigned to certain cartons.

Abstract: A packing machine for producing semi-finished packets of cigarettes having respective blanks of packing material and respective wrappings, wherein a forming drum rotates continuously about a given axis to form the packets by partially folding the blanks about the respective wrappings; the drum being located along a packing path having an input branch, an output branch, and an intermediate branch defined by the drum and extending substantially in a spiral about the given axis; the input branch and the output branch being straight and tangent to the intermediate branch; and the drum having a number of orienting assemblies for feeding the packets to the output branch with respective longitudinal axes of the packets oriented parallel to an output direction.

Abstract: An automated packaging system that can simultaneously process a single case or a plurality of cases and can be adjusted to accommodate packages and cases of various sizes. Individual packages are fed to the packaging system on the package conveyor. The packages are recognized by the system when they energize an electric eye which causes the package to be elevated above the conveying surface of the package conveyor and stopped below a pick and place mechanism. The individual packages are elevated by plates having upper surfaces that extend through slots in the conveying surface and are stopped by vacuum cups carried by the upper surfaces of the plates. The upper surfaces of the plates are inclined which causes the packages to climb the incline which functions to decelerate the movement of the package.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article processing apparatus which is preferred for use in a capper which attaches a cap to a vessel. The apparatus includes a processing head, which is provided with four capping mechanisms. Each capping mechanisms on the processing head takes hold of a cap on feeder means. The processing head is then translated to a position over a conveyor and moves in tracking relationship with four vessels which are being conveyed by the conveyor to attach each cap carried by the capping mechanism to associated underlying vessel. The attachment of a cap to a vessel while the processing head moves in tracking relationship with vessels on the conveyor provides an article processing apparatus which has its processing capability enhanced as compared with the prior art.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons has a carton conveyor for conveying an open-ended carton through the machine, an article infeed for directing articles along an infeed path toward the carton conveyor, and an article group-forming conveyor comprising a plurality of spaced metering bars moving along the conveyor for intersecting the infeed path to separate articles into groups of predetermined pattern. The metering bars at a first end of the group-forming conveyor are disposed away from cartons on the carton conveyor and, during movement along the group-forming conveyor, are moved laterally to extend at least partially between adjacent ones of the cartons. The group-forming conveyor further includes a series of carriers, the metering bars being detachably mounted to selected ones of the carriers in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons has a carton conveyor including an endless series of carton conveying elements in which adjacent carton conveying elements are carried in similar but independent first and second endless series, the first endless series being adjustable relative to the second endless series so that the spacing between adjacent conveying elements can be varied in accordance with the size of a carton to be processed through the machine, the first and second endless series being adapted to operate in synchronism during processing of cartons through the machine.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a caser for quickly organizing variously sized containers into a plurality of predetermined patterns and then simultaneously filling an equal plurality of individual cases with that predetermined number of products. The caser of the present invention includes two parallel in-feed conveyors each delivering a single file continuous stream of containers to a loading area. Clamp and sensor means provide for regulating a predetermined number of containers into a pattern forming area from each conveyor. After a pattern is formed by an alternating pusher means that provides for pushing the group of containers either right or left to a position over one of two loading areas. Each loading area includes trap door means and a gripper head assembly. Each gripper head assembly includes a plurality of gripper heads each for gripping one of the plurality of patterns of containers. The gripper heads provide for gripping the containers and lowering them into cases after the trap door means open.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine includes a first conveyor which carries a batch of small items along a path extending in a first direction. A second conveyor carries boxes in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A depositing structure in the form of a twisted funnel rotates the products from the first direction to the second direction before inserting them into a box. An oscillating plate carrying the funnel moves back and forth to fill the box while traveling in a first half of back and forth motion. Then, in the second half of that motion, returns to fill the next box. The oscillating plate may carry a plurality of funnels on each of its opposite sides. A memory of the type of small item carried by each funnel enables a single box to be loaded with different products.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine inserts small items, such as candy coated chewing gum, into a box with the small items arranged in a desired orientation. First, the small items are swept into a grid of individual pockets in plates on a conveyor. Then, the grid is inverted over an insertion tray having grooves which receive the small items without disturbing the desired orientation. The entire tray is inserted into a box and then withdrawn from the box. A ridge is formed adjacent said grooves for lifting a side of the box confronting the small items while the tray is inserted into the box so that there is almost no friction between the small item and the box, which might otherwise disturb the desired orientation. The small items are blocked during a withdrawal of the tray so that they are laid down in the desired orientation on the bottom of the box.

Abstract: A case packer has a product-supplying mechanism for transporting packaged products sequentially to a product-aligning mechanism including a plurality of conveyors arranged longitudinally towards a packing unit for packing a container with these transported products. The aligning mechanism starts to move intermittently every time a product is delivered from the supplying mechanism so as to sequentially align them. The aligned products are thereafter moved in a continuous motion towards the packing unit. Each conveyor of the aligning mechanism is again caused to move in the same intermittent mode of motion every time the products aligned thereon are discharged therefrom.

Abstract: A packer is provided with a continuous flow of side-by-side columns of plastic bottles that move down an inclined ramp and into a load station where groups or slugs of bottles are deposited into trays or cases. An overhead flight bar conveyor provides a gap between each such group and the cases move by line pressure through the load station. Neck ring guides are provided above the flight bar path to control the descent of the bottles into each case. The path of the flight bars assures that each slug or group is closely controlled, initially by the steep entry angle and as a result of the shallow V-shaped path defined by the angularly related linear active runs on the flight bars prior to entry into the load station and by a second active run forming an abrupt V at the entry to the load station and inclined toward the neck ring guides at the same angle defined by the first run.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles such as beverage containers (c) or the like into cartons (ct) has a carton conveyor (14) including a pair of like conveying assemblies (16, 18), one or both of the assemblies being useable to convey cartons through the machine dependent upon the size of the cartons. The conveying assemblies are adjustable with respect to each other transversely of the machine direction, and carton supporting structure (70, 72) is mounted so as to be retractable from an operative position between the assemblies to partially support a carton when the assemblies are disposed relatively far apart, to a retracted non-operative position when the assemblies are disposed relatively close together.

Abstract: A carton feeding and erecting mechanism is disclosed for a packaging machine for packaging articles such as beverage containers or the like into cartons, the packaging machine including a carton conveyor for conveying an open-ended carton through the machine. The feeding and erecting mechanism includes a vacuum conveyor for engaging a lower surface of a collapsed carton and moving the carton onto the carton conveyor, and a feeder disposed generally beneath the vacuum conveyor for selecting a collapsed carton from a carton supply and placing the carton on the vacuum conveyor. An erector is disposed above the vacuum conveyor and has vacuum engagement cups for engaging an upper surface of the collapsed carton and moving the panel upwardly with respect to the lower surface thereby erecting the carton.

Abstract: A component tray handling system is provided which is capable of handling vacuum formed plastic component trays which have very different controlled surfaces and tolerances. In these vacuum formed trays, a leading ridge is formed at a known location with respect to each of a plurality of component cavities. The present system utilizes a unique drive system which is capable of interacting with this ridge rather than interacting with the leading edge of the tray. The present system also has a dual drive characteristic wherein the component trays are quickly removed or taken away from the first drive system so as to avoid any interference by the drive system with the trays or damage to the trays. This tray handling system is designed to allow easy incorporation into any number of automated manufacturing and component handling systems.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shifting objects from a first conveyor to a container transferred by a second conveyor. The apparatus includes a holder guide, a displacing mechanism for moving the holder guide, a plurality of holders carried by the holder guide and spaced from each other for receiving the objects from the first conveyor. The holders are movable on the holder guide. A pitch changing mechanism is mounted for selectively causing the holders to move on the holder guide in response to the movement of the holder guide. A discharging mechanism causes the holders to discharge the received objects into the container. The pitch changing mechanism includes a first cam arranged adjacent to at least one of the holders for selectively causing the one of the holders to move on the holder guide. The pitch changing mechanism further includes a second cam held in contact with the first cam for positionally adjusting the first cam.

Abstract: A high speed multiple conveyor packaging system having product separating bars that separate a product into specific sized groups on moving opposing conveyors. Two product streams diverge to meet the separating bars, and subsequently reconverge after separation for loading into a carton or package. Separated conveyed product is channeled from opposing conveyors into another conveyed product carton from opposing carton ends. A tight package is formed by sets of formed guide bars which cause the package flaps to be stretched or formed to the position of maximum tightness about the product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a batch of containers to determine if the containers have been filled with product to the proper volume with the apparatus including a conveyor for moving empty containers from a first location to a second location, a filling head for filling a batch of individual containers, a checkweigh platform for receiving a batch of individual empty containers from the conveying line and individually weighing each of the containers in both the empty condition and the filled condition and a robotic arm for transporting the containers to and from the conveying line and within the checkweighing station.

Abstract: A continuous motion apparatus and method are disclosed where slugs of articles are picked up by pick-up heads revolving in a vertical plane path, and are transferred to a case packing station. A vertical motion mechanism lowers the pick-up heads at the case packing station to gently place the slugs into indexed cases in a reliable manner. The slugs, pick-up heads, and indexed cases are fed in continuous, synchronous motions. The pick-up heads are carried on the transfer arms in alignment with grid heads which reciprocate relative to the pick-up heads. The grid heads include grid fingers which define grid chutes arranged in a matrix corresponding to the array of articles in a slug. The grid chutes are lowered over the slug to receive the articles, and thereafter to transfer the slug to the case packing station. In this manner, the grid heads may be used in connection with the pick-up heads to provde a placement packer.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is adapted to insert a plurality of layers of product into a carton. In a preferred embodiment, the product is carried in an X-Y tray which is able to expand or to contract in width and to raise or lower, thereby giving two dimensional geometrical adjustments. A first layer of product is loaded into the X-Y tray. Then the tray is lowered and a second layer is placed over the first layer. The process is repeated for any number of layers. Thereafter, the stack of layers is pushed into a carton.

Abstract: In a packaging line adapted to feed articles into a packer and including lane guides defining lanes for columns of articles fed under line pressure to the packer, the lane guides are provided with an offset portion adapted to create a back pressure for reducing the line pressure at the packer. The offset portion provides sufficient resistance to the flow of articles so that the articles entering the packer are more readily accommodated, particularly articles of the type which are compressed by excessive line pressures and tend to upset the operation of the packer as a result of excessive or varying line pressure. The reduced line pressure permits operation of standard packing equipment for the handling of relatively soft and compressable cylindrical plastic bottles.

Abstract: A wedge for selecting articles to group on a cartoning machine where a wedge face that reacts infeed pressure has an outwardly curved surface. The curved face greatly reduces damage from infeed pressure to thin-walled cylindrical articles, such as beverage cans. In the preferred embodiment, the selector wedge is designed to attach to a flight bar on a selecting system of the cartoning machine. It has a recess to accept an end of a flight bar and holes through it for bolting the wedge to the flight bar.

Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming stacked article groups by supplying at least two streams of articles; forming a stream of first article groups having at least one article; placing a support base on a top surface of each first article group; and forming a second article group, having at least one article, on top of the support base of each first article group, whereby stacked article groups are formed. The stacked article groups are subsequently packaged.

Abstract: Packages arriving continuously one after the other at an input station are loaded into boxes by continuously displacing an endless pocket belt through the input station and loading the packages at the input station into respective pockets of the belt. At a transfer station offset along the belt from the input station groups of the packages in the pockets are displaced transversely of the belt out of the respective pockets while the packages are still being displaced parallel to and synchronously with the belt at least until the packages being displaced transversely are clear of the pocket belt. These groups of packages displaced out of the respective pockets of the belts are then loaded into respective boxes.

Abstract: A cookie tray loading machine (5) constructed and arranged to divert a single file lane of cookies (12) moved along an infeed conveyor belt (9) into a plurality of separate and generally parallel lanes (34) of cookies, which are formed as rows (44) of cookies on a plurality of alignment belt assemblies (36) and spaced apart from each preceding row of cookies, each row of cookies being placed onto a tray loading conveyor belt (46) and moved toward a tray loading station (60) for placement directly into a packaging tray (62), is disclosed. The loading machine includes a sweep arm diverter assembly (20) having a sweep arm diverter (21) directly driven by a sweep arm servomotor (23), a first lane alignment arm assembly (26) and a second and opposed lane alignment arm assembly (30) for aligning the cookies into the separate lanes of cookies, and an alignment belt assembly (36) for each lane of cookies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing dry ice from a central source, through a distribution network of feed conveyors, to one or more remote dispensing stations where the dry ice is dispensed into packaging containers. The feed conveyors are provided with low-friction material ice-contacting surfaces to prevent clumping and sticking of the ice. A programmable electronic controller enables automatic dispensing of batches of predetermined quantities of dry ice to the packaging containers.

Abstract: An interface device for packaging equipment comprises three bins arranged vertically and separated by gates located at the bottom of each bin. An infeed unit or conveyor feeds product into the receiver bin. A product counter in a logic unit counts the product fed into the receiver bin. The logic unit cycles the counted product into the buffer and discharge bins, respectively to provide an accumulator function. The logic unit cycles the discharge gate upon output of a flight sensor on the outfeed unit to deliver the counted product on the desired location of the outfeed unit. The device allows temporary differences between product flow rates between the infeed unit and the outfeed unit. No connections to the control system of the outfeed unit is required.

Abstract: An apparatus (5) for packaging generally granular materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a structural framework (7) on which a feed hopper (8) is mounted, the feed hopper being supplied with the material to be packaged, and storing the material therein. A fill hopper assembly (11) is supported on the framework with respect to the feed hopper, and has a spaced pair of fill hoppers (31, 32) received thereon. As spaced pair of discharge chutes (15, 16) are also supported on the framework, and are offset with respect to the feed hopper. Each one of the fill hoppers is alternately moved into alignment with the feed hopper and into alignment with one of the discharge chutes, respectively, in reciprocable fashion on the framework.

Abstract: A dual pocket loader wheel assembly for use on a continuous motion packaging machine is disclosed. The dual pocket loader wheel assembly has an elongate tubular member supported for rotation on a framework positioned on the packaging machine with respect to a carton transport conveyor on the packaging machine. A drive frame is positioned at one end of the tubular member and rotatably supports a spaced pair of pocket loader wheels thereon. A drive motor assembly is positioned on the framework at the other end of the tubular member and is operably connected to a drive shaft extending through the tubular member and into the drive frame for rotating the dual pocket loader wheels about their axes. The loader wheel assembly includes a rotary actuator mounted on the framework and operably engaged with the tubular member for rotating the tubular member to reverse the position of the dual pocket loader wheels with respect to the carton transport conveyor.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the packaging of articles, in particular of sausages (1) or of raw sausage meat (50) formed into sausages (1a) which arrive at a packaging station (3) via a feed device (2), at least one trough wheel (22) is to be arranged in the packaging station (3) above a packing means (36) and to be associated with the feed device (2), wherein the trough wheel (22) and packing means (36) are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: An automated product collection apparatus comprising two vertical, endless belt conveyor systems and a horizontal conveyor. One vertical conveyors (the load station) is loaded with a number of empty containers which are transferred sequentially to the horizontal conveyor (the fill station). The horizontal conveyor moves an empty container into position to collect parts from process and production equipment. Sensing circuitry counts the parts loaded into each container to determine when each container is full or reaches a predetermined product count. The full container is moved to the second vertical conveyor system (the unload station) which accumulates the full containers until unloaded from the second vertical conveyor. Individual parts may be counted, the accumulated total of parts can be weighed, and inputs may be obtained from other automated production equipment.

Abstract: A continuous motion, end loading packaging machine forms article groups of a predetermined number and configuration using a flight type article selector. The packaging machine is flexible in its ability to package articles of different heights and diameters in various product configurations. The packaging machine includes adjustable guide rails to selectively change product infeed lane widths. The machine also includes phase adjusts the selector flights, and allows for easy selector flight replacement.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles, such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations. The lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto. The invention includes various assemblies, including lens transfer assemblies, deionized water filling and removal assemblies, a water degassing assembly, a lens inspection assembly, and a lens package sealing assembly. The lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station, transported and spatially redistributed, and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets. The packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water. The contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station.

Abstract: An indexing motion apparatus and method for advancing and vacuum sealing a plurality of connected, preformed trays. The connected, preformed trays are supplied by an indexing conveyor belt assembly which delivers the preformed trays to an advancement mechanism indexingly driven by a programmable servo motor. After the preformed trays are loaded and evacuated, a flexible web of packaging material is disposed in overlying relation to the preformed trays and sealed thereto. A cutting mechanism severs the sealed, preformed trays longitudinally and transversely.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for putting small, slender, cylindrical cells in a box in an aligned row. By using the force of a magnet, multiple cells are suspended from the lower side of a conveyor belt, and are aligned and held in this position. By releasing the magnetic force, the cells drop, so that large numbers of cells, in a suspended and aligned state, can be simultaneously put into a cell container waiting below.

Abstract: A dual pocket loader wheel assembly for use on a continuous motion packaging machine is disclosed. The dual pocket loader wheel assembly has an elongate tubular member supported for rotation on a framework positioned on the packaging machine with respect to a carton transport conveyor on the packaging machine. A drive frame is positioned at one end of the tubular member and rotatably supports a spaced pair of pocket loader wheels thereon. A drive motor assembly is positioned on the framework at the other end of the tubular member and is operably connected to a drive shaft extending through the tubular member and into the drive frame for rotating the dual pocket loader wheels about their axes. The loader wheel assembly includes a rotary actuator mounted on the framework and operably engaged with the tubular member for rotating the tubular member to reverse the position of the dual pocket loader wheels with respect to the carton transport conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for packaging uniform-sized articles having generally flat, parallel sides and uniform length, width and thickness comprising the use of an array of articulating vanes attached in tandem and moved in a closed curvi-linear path. As the vane passes a loading station, each vane receives a single article upon a loading surface thereof. Each vane then carries such article to an unloading station (which may include means for packing said articles into boxes). During the aforesaid transit, the article is retained between adjacent vanes, side retainer and inner and outer retaining rods the latter rods operating together which operate together to strip the article toward and into a packing box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically providing a display case for a plurality of packages includes an assembly station at which the packages are initially assembled into an array. The array is then moved to a covering station. At the same time, a shroud is formed which shroud covers a top and two opposed first sides of the array while leaving two opposed second sides of the array uncovered. Forming of the shroud includes initially bending a blank so that a partially-formed shroud is produced having a top panel and two opposed side panels formed in a plane, and finally bending and locating the partially formed shroud relative to the array at the covering station such that a fully covered array is provided with the top panel and side panels covering a majority of the respective top and first sides of the array. Finally, the covered array is placed in a tray at a finishing station to provide the display case.

Abstract: A cartoner system for picking and placing multiple articles into a single container with the system including one embodiment with a first arm with a pick-up head movable from a first pick-up position to a second carton drop-off position, and a second arm with a pick-up head movable from the same article pick-up position to a second carton drop-off position, with the second arm movable in conjunction with said first arm, so that when pick-up head on the second arm is in the first position picking up a second article, the pick-up head on the first arm is dropping the first article into a container. The cartoner system includes a mechanical drive which maintains conveyors and pickup heads in a synchronous relationship whether the system is speeded up or slowed down.

Abstract: The device implementing the method for packaging fragile, delicate food products according to the invention comprises a transfer and placement module (13) for transferring products (14) directly from a supply belt (15) onto the supply belt of the following packaging unit or onto a transverse belt (11) perpendicular to the supply belt. To accomplish this the module comprises an endless conveyor belt extending into an orientable, extendible tip (19) which receives and places products (14) on the transverse belt (11). The supply belt (15) has one movable extremity (17) which serves as a switching means between the transverse belt (11) and the following supply belt (15).

Abstract: A packaging machine (5) for moving a spaced series of groups of containers along a path of travel in a packaging machine line is disclosed. The packaging machine includes a variable pitch lugged conveyor belt assembly (12) having a pair of conveyor chains (61, 62) equally spaced from a longitudinal axis extending along the path of travel, and a pair of generally parallel side guides (17) mounted one each on a pair of accessory rails (14) movably supported on the framework (7) of the packaging machine, and extending along opposite sides of the path of travel. The conveyor chains are constructed to be moved laterally toward and away from each other, and the side guides are constructed to be simultaneously moved laterally toward and away from the conveyors with the accessory rails, respectively, as the conveyor chains are moved.

Abstract: Guide blocks (20) having guide ribs (22) are moved by an endless chain (30) above and in synchronization with conveyor systems (11, 13) carrying groups (1) of containers. The guide blocks (20) and guide ribs (22) form channels for engaging the tops of containers in rows of an uncovered array (3) of respective groups (1) of containers as each group (1) of containers is pushed laterally across the conveyors (11, 13) into cartons (9) which are transported by a third conveyor system (15) which is also synchronized with the other conveyor systems (11, 13).

Abstract: An apparatus for handling flat coiler cans before, during and after filling the cans with sliver by a sliver producing textile machine. The apparatus includes an empty-can storing device; a full-can storing device; an intermediate space defined between the empty-can storing device and the full-can storing device; and a sliver filling station for receiving a can to be filled. The sliver filling station includes a can-reciprocating device for moving the can back and forth while sliver is deposited thereinto. The apparatus further includes a conveyor extending between the intermediate space and the sliver filling station for moving a can to be filled into and withdrawing a filled can from the sliver filling station; and a transferring device for transferring a can to be filled from the intermediate space onto the conveyor and for transferring a filled can from the conveyor into the intermediate space.