Abstract: In a machine for packaging individual items such as 6-packs of beverages into a container, the containers are moved along a lower conveyor and the items are moved along an upper conveyor. A pusher bar pushes the items off the upper conveyor whereupon they drop by gravity into the containers. Shortly before the items begin to fall, the pusher bar rotates frictionally against the back of the item whereby that the falling speed of the back of the item as it leaves the upper conveyor is increased so that both the backside and the frontside of the item drop into the container with the sides vertically aligned.

Abstract: A transport apparatus (C) for transporting products (X), supplied onto a lower transport path, successively to an upper transport path, and a loading apparatus for loading the products (X), which have been transported by the transport apparatus, into a receptacle (Y). The system includes a first transport mechanism (2) for transporting the products (X) towards a pick-up station (P2), a lifter mechanism (4) for holding the products (X), having been transported to the pick-up station (P2), and transferring the products (X) from the pick-up station (P2) towards a delivery station (P3) defined generally above the pick-up station (P2), and a second transport mechanism (5) for receiving the products (X), which have been transferred to the delivery station (P3) by the lifter mechanism (4), and transporting the products (X) towards a stand-by station (P4) defined above a loading station (P5) at which the bagged products are loaded into the receptacle (Y).

Abstract: A method for halting the function of a high speed packaging machine of the type having a conveyor based article infeed line conveying articles to a flight bar based selection line. The method is useful for performing a clean out procedure used during maintenance, and product or packaging change over. The method comprises the steps of terminating the operation of the infeed line conveyor at a predetermined position; placing an article follower behind a terminal article in each input lane; activating the operation of the infeed line conveyor whereby the articles in each input lane are conveyed to the selection line; and halting the conveyance of the article follower in the input lane prior to the selection line. An article follower and follower system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for packing a plurality of packages into a container has an input conveyor for delivering the packages one at a time at regular intervals and at a constant input speed to a transfer station and an output conveyor having a perforated lower belt and an upper belt together defining a path extending from an upstream end at the transfer station to a vertically displaceable downstream end at a loading station. A container conveyor extends past the loading station for displacing a succession of the containers through the station. A controller connected to all of the drives operates the output conveyor at a low stacking speed to form an overlapped group of the packages on the output conveyor. It periodically switches the output conveyor from the low stacking speed to a high gapping speed when a predetermined number of the packages have been deposited on the output conveyor by the input conveyor to form a space on the output conveyor between succeeding groups of packages.

Abstract: A continuous motion apparatus and method are disclosed where discrete, successive slugs of articles are picked up by pick-up heads revolving in a vertical plane path, and are transferred over a linear transfer section of that path 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.

Abstract: The device is for feeding articles to a packaging line that inserts the articles into respective containers, and includes a continuously moving supplementary line that transfers articles to the packaging line. The supplementary line is equipped with a plurality of holders, removably fastened to a conveyor of the same line by connecting means. The articles are supplied to the holders by an article feeding line, at a loading station. Raising means release the connecting means from the conveyor at the loading station, so as to temporarily stop the holder to be loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterilization and secondary packaging into cartons storing arrays of blister packages, each of which contains at least one hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, disclosed in an apparatus adapted to provide for arrays of blister packages which are transported within trays supported on racks. These racks are transported to a sterilization chamber for sterilizing the arrays of blister packages, and from which the sterilized arrays of blister packages are then transported to a locale for implementing the pairing thereof and the secondary packaging into sealable cartons. Also disclosed is a method of sterilizing and implementing the secondary packaging into cartons of predetermined quantities of arrays of blister packages, each of which contains a hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution, so as to provide a sterile environment for the arrays of blister packages.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a device for a machine for handling of sausage between a sausage feeder and a delivering device for sausage to a package with a conveyor operating between the feeder and the delivering device. According to the invention a number of flaps are located above the conveyor divided by carriers into compartments. The flaps are arranged to extend substantially in line with passing carrier and forming an extension of the same. The functions of the flaps is to act on sausage to be directed in said compartment before delivering of the sausage to packing.

Abstract: A rotary knife apparatus for depositing filled pouches in preselected count stacks along a travelling product conveyor. The rotary knife apparatus includes a rotating disc valve intermediate negative and positive pressure sources on one side and a rotary knife hub on the other side. The rotating disc valve includes a plurality of arcuate slots and apertures which communicate with the negative and positive pressure sources and axial ports in the knife hub such that the knife hub holds and expels the filled pouches along defined segments of rotation of the knife hub. The rotating disc valve has a dynamically variable rotational speed relative to a rotational speed of the knife hub for changing a predetermined number of different angular drop-off points during a period of rotation of the knife hub to correspondingly change the preselected count of pouches in a stack.

Abstract: A transfer device designed to reposition and to move heavy filled bulk containers and bags ninety degrees from their original position without lifting the heavy filled bulk container or bag. The transfer device is designed with a moveable upper frame structure that contains a plurality of spaced apart groups of rollers providing a pair of elongated openings. The transfer device also has an inner fixed frame that contains a pair of transfer conveyors, in the preferred embodiment, exposed in the pair of elongated openings whenever the moveable upper frame structure drops downwardly. This permits the pair of transfer conveyors to transfer the container weight from the rollers and to carry the weight of the filled bulk container previously resting on the plurality of rollers. The pair of transfer conveyors then move the filled bulk container from the transfer device in a direction ninety degrees from the original direction that the container was traveling on the rollers of the upper frame.

Abstract: A method of automatically transferring contact lenses from a plurality of cups good positioned at a first location to a plurality of packages positioned at a second location wherein each good cup contains a transferable contact lens for placement in an individual blister package comprises a step of communicating positional information of good cup locations to a robotic device having an arm with one or more end effectors thereon, each end effector having a tip in connection with a vacuum and air pressure supply device, each end effector independently moveable with respect to the arm. Then, steps of applying a vacuum to the end effector tip to enable pick-up of a transferable lens from a cup located at a good cup location, and, controlling the robot to effect positioning of one end effector tip within the cup having the transferable lens therein to pick up the lens are performed.

Abstract: Plastic bottles filled with hot liquid such as fruit juices or the like are packaged in cases fed in line below the path of these bottles in the machine. Line pressure urges the bottles down an inclined ramp into a load station where the plastic trays are continuously filled with the bottles. The trays are indexed by a flight bar conveyor that lifts each tray turn at the load station. Overhead flight bar conveyor chains operate separator pegs that move downwardly between selected article rows to index groups of the softened hot bottles as they are loaded into the inline trays. Overhead separator discs are used in place of these flight bars and pegs for loading conventional plastic bottles or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the mix of articles in a plurality of containers. A first set of containers is conveyed to a mixing station, each container of the first set of containers containing a plurality of articles having physical characteristics differing from the physical characteristics of the plurality of articles in the other containers of the first set of containers. A second set of containers is transported to the mixing station, each of the containers of the second set of containers defining a space for accommodating a layer of articles. At the mixing station, articles are removed from each of the containers of the first set of containers, consolidated, and inserted into the containers of the second set of containers at the mixing station to at least partially form a layer of articles therein comprised of a mix of articles from all the containers of the first set of containers.

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 phase adjusts the selector flights, and allows for easy selector flight replacement.

Abstract: A roller bottle handling system includes a culture rack storage station for storing a plurality of culture racks each for accommodating a plurality of roller bottles each filled with a culture medium and cells, and a mass-handling facility for extracting completed cultures from roller bottles and replacing a culture medium in the roller bottles with a new culture medium. The roller bottle handling system further includes an unloading station for taking out roller bottles from culture racks delivered from the culture rack storage station and delivering the roller bottles to the mass-handling facility, and a loading station for charging roller bottles filled with a culture medium and cells into culture racks. Automatic guided vehicles or overhead traveling cranes are movable to deliver culture racks, one at a time, between the culture rack storage station and the unloading and loading stations.

Abstract: A selectively adjustable apparatus permits the holding down and stabilizing of cartons in a continuous motion packaging machine as grouped articles are inserted into the cartons. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced parallel hold-down rails (56, 62) adapted to engage the tops of moving cartons with light force to hold the cartons down and inhibit their deformation as grouped articles are inserted with significant momentum into the cartons. A side rail (97) is provided and positioned to engage the back ends of the moving cartons to absorb the momentum of grouped articles as the articles are inserted into the cartons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the manufacturing of pouches. The system includes a pouch dispensing module, robotics module, filling and sealing module and a cartoning module. The robotics system is coupled with the other modules and loads containers with pouches for delivery to the filling and sealing module. The robotics module increases production and decreases costs of manufacturing the pouches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tube picker for picking out unfilled tubes which are to be filled with some mass, such as creams or the like. The tube picker comprises rigidly fixed fingers (5) on a movable support (7) intended to be inserted into the unfilled tubes (2) through their open bottoms and it is characterized in that on the support (7) in the vicinity of the rigidly fixed fingers (5) pins (10) have been mounted movable in relation to the fixed fingers intended to be put on the fingers (5) after they have been inserted into the tubes (2) and therethrough clamp these.

Abstract: A self fastening plastic guide for attachment to a metal guide rail having openings formed therein has a first guide member and a second guide member. The guide members are provided with protruding locking tangs that lock the members to each other when the locking tangs are snapped together. In use, the first and second guide members are snapped together with their tangs extending through the openings in the guide rail to secure the guide to the rail.

Abstract: A laning conveyor is provided which may be used as an infeed for a packer. The laning conveyor comprises a central lane guide and a movable lane guide unit including at least two lane guides connected thereto spaced apart a first lane width. The unit is mounted adjacent the central lane guide to form a lane therebetween having the first lane width. The unit is movable to provide the lane with a second lane width. A method of laning articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging machine adapted to meter and load various size groups of articles into receptacles to form a package. Star wheels are used to meter the articles into groups, each star wheel functioning as a single unit in conjunction with an infeed conveyor and a conveyor that feeds the metered groups downstream to a packaging station. Star wheels carrying different numbers of lugs are interchangeable in order to create different size packages on the same machine. The lugs which move the groups of articles and the article receptacles may be relocated as necessary to accommodate different size packages.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for clearing excess trailing beverage containers from the lanes defined between guide rails in a beverage container packaging machine. The method includes providing the guide rails with compressed air nozzles that are positioned and oriented to direct compressed air along the lanes defined between the guide rails in the desired direction of movement of beverage containers along the lanes. An apparatus that includes an improved guide rail configured to achieve the method of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A wrapping method and machine, particularly for food products such as chocolates and similar, whereby the products are fed in an orderly succession along a first curved path to a pickup station where they are gripped by respective gripping devices moving along a second curved path for feeding the products to a wrapping device; the first and second paths being substantially coplanar and substantially tangent to each other at the pickup station.

Abstract: Bottles or like articles are fed singly in ungrouped bottle-to-bottle contact in a continuous path by gravity feed in sequence onto horizontally moved cases carried by a conveyor disposed below the line of movement of the bottles or like articles, the case conveyor moving the cases at a predetermined speed. The bottles are conveyed to the cases on inclined paths and/or spaced rails, the bottles being slidably movable on portions adjacent the inclined paths and/or spaced rails. In one embodiment the bottles are suspended from rails in bottle-to-bottle contact. Detectors may be provided for detecting the height of the bottles, disposition of the caps thereon, positioning of the bottles in the cases, and eliminating jamming or improper spacing of the cases.

Abstract: A wrapping machine wherein a wrapping device is supplied with an orderly succession of products by a transfer device which, at an input station, successively removes the products off a feed device traveling through the input station in a given direction. The transfer device presents at least a gripping device in turn presenting jaws moving in a plane for gripping a respective product at the input station, and which rotates about an axis for selectively positioning the plane of the jaws in a first position substantially parallel and in a second position substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the feed device.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterilization and secondary packaging into cartons of arrays of blister packages, each of which contains at least one hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, disclosed is an apparatus adapted to provide for the assembly of paired arrays of blister packages which are suitably interleaved and transported in batches of predetermined quantities within one or more trays. These trays are transported to a sterilization chamber for sterilizing the arrays of blister packages, and from which the sterilized arrays of blister packages in which at least the contents thereof are maintained in a sterile condition, and which are then transported to a locale for implementing the secondary packaging thereof into sealable cartons.

Abstract: A conveyor conveys boxes that are empty and boxes that are filled with articles in a horizontal plane past an article handling machine where articles of a first type are removed from some boxes and articles of a second type are inserted in empty boxes. The machine runs concurrently with the box conveyor in one direction so boxes from which the articles of the first type are conveyed beyond the machine and empty boxes in which articles of the second type are inserted are also conveyed from the machine in the same direction. The article handling machine has heads that are constrained to orbit in a generally circular path and the heads have grippers on them which are controllable to grip and release groups of articles at consecutive working stations along the orbital path of the heads.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the input of articles to a packaging machine. The apparatus comprises a dead plate, a plurality of stop posts and an actuator connected to each stop post. The dead plate has top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of lanes located on the top surface and extending from a proximal edge to a distal edge, across which articles are moved, and at least one aperture disposed in each lane. Each stop post is aligned for extension through a corresponding dead plate aperture. An actuator is connected to each stop post, whereby the stop posts are extendible and retractable above the top surface of the dead plate, the stop posts impeding travel of articles across the dead plate when extended and permitting travel of articles across the dead plate when retracted.

Abstract: In a system for transferring groups of containers from one location to another, a loading station including a transfer mechanism for continuously delivering rows of containers from the transfer station to a tray loading station. A device at the tray loading station is included for cycling the tray in a predetermined controlled sequence to receive rows of containers delivered by the transfer mechanism and to position them in a compact array in the tray.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing bakery products is disclosed where an individual dough packet 26 is deposited in a pan 24 made of magnetic material. Endless belts 16 and 18 including magnets 62 has a portion thereof in a path along which the pans 24 are advanced by conveyor belts 12 and 14. The pans 24 are magnetically coupled to the belts 16 and 18, and a sensor 20 is positioned along the path nearby a position Y where an individual dough packet 26 is deposited in a pan at this position.. The sensor 20 provides a control signal upon a pan 24 moving to this position. A motor 22 having a brake 70 and a clutch 72 drives the belts 16 and 18, and a pan 24 held by the belts is advanced upon actuation of the clutch and stopped upon actuation of the brake. A control circuit 80 includes a signal generator that provides a timing signal indicating that a dough packet 26 has been deposited in a pan 24.

Abstract: A machine automatically carries out operations for ampul boxing, because it includes, coordinately operating with one another, a framework, a conveyor device for conveying the ampuls, a box transporting and positioning unit, an ampul transfer device and either a pneumatic or a mechanical device for transient ampul clamping.

Abstract: A machine for filling and closing packs for liquids, wherein an opening is arranged in an upper surface which can be connected to a pouring device. The device has a first feed conveyor (3) with a base for open, empty packs (8). It has a conveyor (12) for intermittently moving the packs (8) from a base position (I) into individual intermediate positions (II-X, XI), an end position (IX), and has a filler station, a stoppering station and a carry off conveyor (25). A transverse sliding conveyor is arranged in the path of movement behind the feed conveyor (3), and transverse conveyors and entrainment devices are arranged between the feed conveyor (3) and the carry off conveyor (25) for the purpose of intermittently moving transportation boxes (14), and, in addition, the filler and stoppering stations are arranged in the region of the transverse conveyors at a level above the transportation boxes (14).

Abstract: A system for transporting by gravity a single-file series of elongate, tapered articles along an inclined transport path for distribution into receiving slots. The system includes a hopper for holding a supply of the articles and a pair of adjacently parallel rotating cylinders for holding the articles in suspended, sliding contact therebetween. A cleated conveyor belt carries the articles from the bottom of the hopper to a point above the cylinders and drops them onto said cylinders. The base of the hopper defines an inclined movement path to thereby convey articles which might fall from the cylinders back to the conveyor belt. The articles are thus fed by the conveyor onto the cylinders and slide along the gap therebetween to an end location. A series of three gates manipulates the articles one at a time to drop in a vertical orientation into an array of narrowly-tailored receiving slots in a packing rack.

Abstract: A system whereby products are fed in orderly succession by a feed conveyor to the input conveyor of a machine for packing the products in pillow pack type wrappings; and whereby the products are transferred between the mutually aligned feed and input conveyors by means of at least one transportation head rotatable about its axis and which is moved by a hypocyclic drive along a substantially quadrilateral path, one side of which is aligned with, and extends along facing end portions of, the two conveyors.

Abstract: A goods arrangement system includes a goods storage arrangement apparatus 7000 capable of storing goods temporarily and discharging a specified number of goods at the same time. The goods storage arrangement apparatus 7000 consists of a gradient storage shelf 7774 made up of multiple gravity roller conveyors 7001, and arrangement conveyors 7002 associated with the stories of gravity roller conveyors. Unpackers 1000 and 2000 peel off outer flaps from each box (container) containing goods, and a flap opener 4000 opens up and down outer flaps on one of the sides of a box. A goods takeout apparatus 5000 takes out goods from a box. The taken-out goods are fed to the goods storage arrangement apparatus 7000 by a goods feeder 6000 based on a running cart 6034. In the goods storage arrangement apparatus 7000, the arrangement conveyors 6002 arrange multiple goods in a row substantially perpendicularly to the direction in which the arrangement conveyors run.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying or removing vessels including a conveyor means to or away from a continuously working packing machine. For adapting the supply or the removal of vessels to the sequence of movements of the packing machine in the best possible manner, the vessels are transported in an essentially closed formation by a conveyor means which is adapted to be driven continuosly at a periodically non-uniform speed in synchronism with the performance of the packing machine.

Abstract: A carton loading system has a carton carrier movable along a carton carrier support track driven by a continuous conveyor. The continuous conveyor has a first path segment in which the continuous conveyor drives the carton carrier along the track while a carton is placed into the carton carrier from a carton storage magazine by a carton transfer device. The continuous conveyor also has a second segment with a first portion arranged such that the conveyor is disengaged from the carton carrier to allow the carrier to a stop, permitting loading of the carton. At the loading station an accumulator may be positioned to load the carton. The second portion of the second segment is such that conveyor re-engages the carton carrier so that the carton carrier moves again along the track. The carton may be discharged from the carton carrier while the carton carrier moves along the track. The system may be adapted to provide for adjustable components such that cartons of differing depths can be accommodated.

Abstract: An egg packer apparatus is disclosed having baskets mounted on a transport moveable in a continuous path. The baskets have side-by-side compartments and move from an upright loading position to an inverted position at an unloading station. In the inverted position, the eggs roll along a cover to provide lateral movement of each egg in the direction of its pointed end. The unloading station has chutes to receive only the blunt end half of the egg as it rolls along. The egg drops into the chute blunt end first and then topples forwardly down the chute and drops pointed end downwardly into the egg flat.

Abstract: A cartonizing machine wherein articles are arranged either individually or in groups in trays passing through a feeding station and to and through a loading station wherein the articles on the successive trays are pushed transversely into respective carton members conveyed with a mutual spacing. The filling of the trays is facilitated when the trays are closely juxtaposed with such being achieved by a tray conveyor system disposed so as to operate with a reduced tray pitch and a tray speed in the feeding station.

Abstract: A portable loader may be brought up to and selectively positioned to deliver product into mandrels carried by an automatic packaging machine. The loader may receive product on an asynchronous and on-demand basis and delivers product on a time basis coordinated with operation of the automatic packaging machine. The loader has two bins which are opened and closed in sequence to receive and deliver product with a buffer time storage in a second of the two bins in order to accommodate the timing of the packaging machine. The loader handles pouches and similarly irregularly shaped product, having a geometry which may vary at random. The pouches are gently shaped to fit into a box as they are transferred from a source of product into a loading position of the packaging machine.

Abstract: Automatic panel placer having a rotary table upon which cardboard sleeves and trays are placed to form a combined sleeve and tray. The rotary table is advanced about its center through a plurality of station positions where a sleeve is first placed upon the table followed by placement of and securement of a plastic tray on the cardboard sleeve.

Abstract: A method for discontinuous delivery of products, such as tubes or capsules supplied continuously by a production facility to a delivery station of a machine. A box-filling installation, for example, is located at the delivery station. The machine has two carriages guided along the same path. While the first carriage which is moved in steps is loaded at the transfer station, the second carriage is already at the delivery station, where it is unloaded and subsequently rapidly moved on until it again abuts the carriage. Thus, loading of the carriages at the transfer station can take place continuously. So that the carriages can perform the movement cycles, such as step-by-step movement, driving, stopping, rapidly moving on until connection with the other carriage, independently of each other, an individual drive is provided for each one of the two carriages.

Abstract: A pouch conditioner inverts a group of pouches, urges them together while conditioning the by vibrating them, reinverts them and deposits them into a confine container. Product is more evenly dispersed throughout the pouch, reducing the maximum pouch thickness and allowing packaging of a group of pouches in a smaller case than possible with pouches having product which is settled in the pouch bottom.

Abstract: A packaging assembly for packaging a pre-measured quantity of products particularly irregular-shaped products such as potatoes into a bag or other container. The assembly includes a plurality of transfer conveyors mounted upon a turntable for transferring the pre-measured quantity of product to the bag. The conveyor allows the product to be slowly conveyed to the bag to avoid clogging of the product between the weighing station and the bag. Additionally, clogging is reduced by the sidewalls surrounding the conveyor being generally pyramid-shaped, facilitating the transfer of the product to the bag.

Abstract: A product orienting and loading system includes a powered disk conveyor which receives product to be oriented from an infeed conveyor. A turntable is parallel to the support plane of the disk conveyor and is movable between a lowered position below the support plane and a raised position above the support plane and accommodating rotation of the turntable to orient the product. The turntable has cruciform slots for respectively receiving the disks to allow the turntable to pass to its lowered position in any of several rotational orientations spaced 90.degree. apart. The reoriented product is transferred to an endless window conveyor overlying a container supported at a loading level of a loading station. A counter-rotating pusher shifts the product through the window of the window conveyor into the container while the window conveyor moves the container in a discharge direction.

Abstract: A packing apparatus used for filling or/and emptying bottle cases or the like. The packing apparatus comprises an extension arm, which is adapted to have attached thereto a gripping head and which is articulated on two articulation points with the aid of steering rods defining a steering rod system which is adapted to be moved after the fashion of the bars of a parallelogram, said extension arm being adapted to be moved in an essentially horizontal direction via a cam disk. The steering system also comprises a bipartite steering rod whose parts are adapted to be pivoted relative to each other. By pivoting the two parts of the steering rod relative to each other with the aid of a second cam disk and by changing thus the effective length of the steering rod defined by these two parts, an essentially vertical motion can be superimposed on the horizontal motion of the extension arm, to provide an appropriate path for the gripping head.

Abstract: Collating apparatus for stacking generally flat articles comprises a chute on opposite sides of which are two pairs of conveyor bands carrying supports for the articles. The conveyor bands are driven as two diagonally opposite pairs so that the stack builds on the supports of one pair of bands while a preceding stack built on the supports of the other pair of bands is discharged from the chute. The supports carried by the bands also comprise members which act on the completed stack to compress it before it is discharged.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus and method for packaging objects in such a way as to ensure that the article will not be damaged. Objects to be packaged are gripped by a plurality of pairs of vertically oriented gripping fingers each having inflatable bladders therein. The inflated bladders engage the objects with a predetermined low pressure sufficient to grasp and secure the objects. The plurality of fingers with objects gripped therein therebetween are then moved to place the objects in packaging containers. A vacuum is drawn on the inflated bladders, releasing the objects into the packaging container.

Abstract: Fully automated apparatus and method for manufacturing compact disc holders having a central rotating table about which conveyor tables, rotary tables, placers and other devices align to interdigitate and load compact discs into disc bases, to mate disc bases containing CDs to packaging sleeves, to load booklets into the packaging sleeves, and to handle, glue, fold and otherwise form a package containing CDs and booklets or literature.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic packing system including a station at which a serial stream of articles are placed into stacks (one on top of another) or groups and discharged into a transversely moving tray-type package, or the like. The system includes a conveyor belt for transporting the articles, one by one, while they lie in a horizontal plane. The articles are transferred by another conveyor to a station at the end of the conveyor where the articles are stopped by protruding pins, picked up by a vacuum holding device, transferred by lever mechanisms and carried to a loading station where the articles are dropped one upon another in a stacked manner until an appropriate group has accumulated.