Abstract: A device and method for packaging of toothbrushes in cartons where conveyored toothbrushes gravitationally descend in a containment slide to be released individually from a metering mechanism into dual slotted starwheels. Brushes from the starwheels are deposited into configured infeed buckets to be subsequently loaded into a carton by a brush inserter mechanism.

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: A multi-lane extended product transfer filling machine for filling multiple lanes of containers simultaneously. The machine fills pockets with a sized portion at a product sizing station. The pockets are mounted to a chain which transfers the filled pockets from the product sizing station to a remote container filling station. Multiple tampers eject the food product from multiple filled pockets into multiple lanes of containers simultaneously. A programmable operating control unit controls the operation of the machine.

Abstract: An automated cartoner for packaging a product in a carton having score lines is provided. The automated cartoner includes a carton feed for storing a plurality of cartons. A carton slide is provided and is coupled to the carton feed for receiving cartons from the carton feed. A pre-break station is positioned at approximately the midpoint of the carton slide. The pre-break station is provided for flexing the score lines on the carton. A product feed is provided for storing a plurality of products, for example, videotape cassettes. A product slide is provided and is connected at approximately a 90.degree. angle to the carton slide at one end below the pre-break station to form a packaging station. The other end of the product slide is connected to the product feed for receiving product from the product feed. The product slide delivers product to the packaging station. At least one motor is provided for driving the carton slide and the product slide in reciprocating directions with respect to one another.

Abstract: A loader for an automatic packaging machine has a plurality of input conveyor belts that run at successively slower speeds in order to bring products into a predetermined product density. A metering wheel picks up the products one at a time and delivers them to a metering conveyor belt having upstanding fences defining batch areas. The profile of the metering wheel may be changed, by substitution, in order to pick up another product. A product counter moves the metering conveyor belt a distance equal to one batch area responsive to a batch count indicating that the metering wheel has delivered a selected number of products to one of the batch areas. In one embodiment, the product is a tube of soda crackers. Down stream, the soda crackers are slid into position without abrading one tube of crackers against another tube of crackers. For horizontal layers, abrasion is avoided by using a variable width mandrel.

Abstract: An improved leaflet inserter includes a series of adjacent leaflet trays carried by a conveyor along side of a cartoner and each tray includes a leaflet pusher movable in a slot transverse to the direction of the conveyor to push a leaflet placed in the tray out the side of the tray and into a synchronized carton or into a product bucket which is moving along side of the tray. In an embodiment of a leaflet tray, the leaflet pusher includes a downwardly extending cam pin which engages an adjustable cam positioned beneath the trays which urges the cam pin to slide the leaflet pusher transversely across the tray. In another aspect of the present invention, an integrated product bucket loader includes a plurality of product load receiving buckets mounted on a conveyor and each bucket has an integral, movable end wall which is slidably mounted on the bucket for movement across the width of the bucket.

Abstract: A dough cutting and packing apparatus capable of processing and packaging dough products of differing dimensions includes a plurality of cutting plates supported adjacent one another to form an endless cutting unit. A container positioning mechanism positions a plurality of containers relative to the openings to receive the dough pieces after they are removed by the reciprocating packing mechanism. A servo motor drive actuation of both the cutter bar indexing drive system and the container advancement system allows for accurate positioning by reprogramming the servo drive for a particular product dimension rather than mechanically changing over to alternate equipment. A self-contained container advancement module can be removed and replaced with another container module suitable for delivering containers of different dimensions.

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: 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: The packaging machine comprises a feeding line equipped with belt conveyors for conveying flat folded blanks withdrawn thereby from a magazine. An erecting station, situated downstream of the withdrawing station, is provided with a rotating head featuring gripping means with suction cups aimed at cooperating with second suction cups to open adjacent edges of the blanks. Upper runs of belt conveyors of a packaging line situated below the feeding line, are designed to cooperate with the lower run of the conveyor so as to hold the cases obtained from the blanks. Pushers are located at the side of a feeding line placed at the side of the packaging line for feeding the articles, and are operated axially in order to introduce the articles into the cases. Means are provided for adjustment in accordance with the height of the cases, and move vertically a group comprising the feeding line.

Abstract: A goods collection method is disclosed, in which box-shaped goods form goods delivery units and are successively received in necessary quantities on goods receptacles and accommodated in containers or the like. Each goods receptacle used has a goods reception surface inclined downward from a goods reception side toward the other side and includes a stopper wall provided on the other side for stopping received goods. The goods received on the goods receptacle are caused to gather on the goods reception surface such as to be on the side thereof adjacent the stopper wall.

Abstract: A beverage container packaging machine which employs a series of pusher plates to move groups of containers into open-ended carrier sleeves. The plates are pivotally attached to two continuous chains which are arranged so as to maintain the plates parallel to the downstream direction of travel of the containers and sleeves. The chains move the plates in a diagonal run toward the loading station wherein the downstream component of movement is at a speed similar to the speed of travel of the containers and sleeves, and the right angle component causes the plates to push the containers into the sleeves.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for packaging containers in a carrier in two rows, in which a first half carrier is formed from a first blank by bringing a bottom portion into a horizontal position, placing a first longitudinal wall portion perpendicularly thereto, folding two side wall portions and partition flaps cut from the first longitudinal wall portion into a position perpendicular to the first longitudinal wall portion, inserting containers between the side wall portions and the flaps and bringing a second longitudinal wall portion into a position parallel to the first longitudinal wall portion and connecting it with the side wall portions, after which, in a similar manner, a second half carrier with containers is formed from an identical blank and both half carriers are composed by connecting two corresponding longitudinal wall portions to form a carrier with two rows of containers. The blanks can be made with a minimum of waste material.

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: An apparatus for automatically inserting a tray of articles, such as a tray of letters for mailing, into a tubular packaging sleeve includes a conveyor for positioning a tray at an inserting position, and a sleeve carrier to move a sleeve into position for inserting the tray in the sleeve. The carrier includes a vacuum head for gripping a sleeve blank from the top of a sleeve supply, and sleeve forming plates for unfolding the blank into the tubular shape. The sleeve is positioned in axial alignment with the tray and a pusher arm pushes the tray into the sleeve. The invention includes automatic controls for initiating and controlling the sleeving operation without operator intervention. The invention includes a method of inserting a tray of articles in a sleeve using the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for feeding and preparing information leaflets on a product packaging line consisting of a first carton conveyor, a second product conveyor and, between these two conveyors, a leaflet continuous-grip conveyor for transporting leaflets along a conveyor aligned to the packaging lines where the leaflet conveying means have sections with varying degrees of grip to facilitate feeding and inserting of leaflets.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed including a first pushing plate (172) removably secured to a second pushing plate (174) and movable to eject bags (12) from fixtures (32) into pockets (186). The second pushing plate (174) ejects any defective bags (12) remaining when the first pushing plate (172) is not secured or movable with the second pushing plate (174) in the prior intermittent position. The pockets (186) are rotatable to an inverted position where the bags (12) are removed by lugs (230) upstanding from movable lands (228). The lands (228) are pivotable to be in a non-interfering position with the rotation of the pockets (186). A finger (294) is pivotally mounted to a vertically reciprocated carriage (288) to place the bags (12) on conveyors (200) from the lands (228).

Abstract: A parallel linkage loading apparatus designed to be made part of a larger case packing machine which has a special retraction operation to improve efficiency. The push plate (ram) of the apparatus is lifted up and around in a pre-determined path as it is retracted, instead of pulling horizontally straight back. This retraction motion allows for the simultaneous positioning of subsequent sets of the product material (under the lifting push plate), avoiding the delay associated with waiting for this positioning after full retraction. Immediately upon completion of the retraction operation, the push plate may extend forward again, without delay, to push the waiting product materials into the next waiting case.

Abstract: An on-the-fly envelope stuffing apparatus has an envelope feeder comprising a pair of parallel feed belts for underlying the back panel of the envelope and a laterally aligned medial feed belt for overlying the front panel of the envelope. The medial feed belt descends below the level of the parallel feed belts in the downstream direction. An envelope fed lengthwise through the belts is bent so that the envelope flap is partially opened. This allows interposition of a flap guide to fully open the envelope. The envelope feeder dispenses the envelopes serially to an envelope conveyor. An endless tray conveyor parallels the envelope conveyor. Each tray supports an insert stack against which arms on the tray rest. As the trays move downstream in synchronism with envelopes on the envelope conveyor, each tray is cammed toward an envelope so that the arms enter the opening of the envelope.

Abstract: A cartoning apparatus for loading stacked article groups into carton sleeves. The cartoning apparatus comprises at least two article infeed mechanisms, each supplying at least one stream of articles at a predetermined height or level, an article selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanisms to form and move a stream of stacked article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selection and transport mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: An apparatus for the insertion of products of various sizes from a product conveyor into containers on a container conveyor has an insertion chain of carriages whose rams are controlled by endless cams along the carriage travel path. The hold-down tongues on hold-down rods are mounted on slides which are guided on posts of the carriages and controlled by a slide cam and a rod cam on a cam carrier which is split for size adjustment upon movement of a moveable carrier to vary the positions of these cams at the insertion region of the chains when products of different sizes are to be inserted in the boxes.

Abstract: In a method of transferring goods into a container 83, the container 83 is tilted toward a goods loader 18, and a goods transferring member 90 with goods accommodated therein is inserted into an upper empty space in the tilted container 83. Thereafter, the goods transferring member 90 is tilted downward, and in this tilted state, it is withdrawn to the outside of the container 83, thus effecting the transfer of the goods in it into the container 83.

Abstract: A method to package stacked article groups utilizing packaging sleeves having a divider or base member mounted therein. At least one open end of each packaging sleeve is exposed during travel on a conveyor whereby a stream of articles within reach of the moving packaging sleeves are directed below and above the divider members of the open ended sleeves before closure.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine comprises a spaced parallel pair of conveyor chains for transporting a plurality of pallets around an endless path. A pair of guide rails are connected between the conveyor chains for slidingly carrying each pallet. A plurality of control bars are slidably mounted on the guide rails. Two or more cam slots are provided at selected locations along the path followed by the conveyor chains in order to independently control the position of each of the control bars as a function of their instantaneous locations in the packaging machine. A stabilization support system built into the control bars provides enough play to dissipate centrifugal force and thereby enable the machine to operate at a higher speed. An X-Y mounting system may be provided in order to enable the pallets to undertake two dimensional motion. The control bars enable specific points in the surface area of the pallet to undertake specific motions which are independent of the motion of the pallet.

Abstract: An on-the-fly envelope stuffing apparatus has an envelope conveyor and an endless tray conveyor running in synchronism. Each tray supports an insert stack. A web pivotally mounted to the tray has rigid members which rest against the stack of inserts. Fingers are pivotally mounted to the web and biased such that the free ends of the fingers are canted toward each other. A protuberance on the tray underlies the inserts and projects beyond the front edge of the tray. As a tray moves downstream in synchronism with an envelope, the tray is cammed towards the envelope so that the protuberance enters the opening of the envelope and passes over any window in the envelope. Additionally, the ends of the rigid members enter the envelope. A pusher on the tray then pushes the inserts towards the envelope and also presses against the fingers so that they move towards the side edges of the envelope.

Abstract: A filling head for loading food articles such as franks into individual packaging trays is adapted for quick connect to a power system and a loader parent machine. The filling head comprises an open frame, at least two spring loaded flapper doors hingeably attached to the frame, and a pusher bar unloading system capable of operable connection to the power system of the parent machine to intermittently discharge food articles from the filling head to the individual packaging trays positioned below the flapper doors. The pusher bar unloading system includes a drive rod which can be connected to the periphery of a flywheel by quick connect means to run in an smooth continuous reciprocating motion to deliver an up and down motion to a horizontal shaft slideably mounted on the frame and an associated set of pusher bars and elongated pusher members.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine comprises a spaced parallel pair of conveyor chains for transporting a plurality of mandrels. A pair of guide rails connected between the conveyor chains for slidably carrying each mandrel, so that a mandrel may be moved in a product transport position to a loading station. At the loading station, the mandrel is thrust forward to confront a box so that the product may be pushed into a box. The mandrel may be made wider to accept product without a precise alignment between mandrel and product or more narrow to fit the product into a box at the loading station. Two cam slots are provided to independently control the thrust position and the width of the mandrel. A stabilization support provides enough play to dissipate centrifugal force and thereby enable the machine to operate at a higher speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for introducing (small) packs, especially cigarette packs, into a box. An intermediate container (18) is used in order to fill containers, especially boxes (16), with a plurality of (small) packs arranged in rows above and next to one another. This intermediate container is formed from elongated compartments (19) which are open at both ends and which receive one pack group (20) each. The intermediate container (18) is positioned in front of the open box (16) in such a way that the contents can be pushed into the box (18) in a single push-out cycle. A feed conveyor (28) which serves for filling the intermediate containers (18) feeds a pack string (15) from a packaging machine (11) to the intermediate container (18) and directly introduces the pack string into the compartments (19).

Abstract: A package transport mechanism having a plurality of phase adjustable lug-type flights. The mechanism is incorporated in a continuous motion packaging assembly for loading article groups into cartons or other carriers which comprises an article infeed mechanism supplying at least one stream of articles; an article group selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanism to form and transport a longitudinal stream of article groups of a predetermined pattern; a package supply mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with the article group selecting mechanism to provide packages with open ends facing the moving article groups; and an article group transfer mechanism which is constructed and arranged to move the article groups into the open ends of the packages.

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: Adjustable bucket packaging machine for the packaging of items and literature into a carton having conveyored buckets whose size is readily adjustable by phase adjusters, which move the leading and trailing bucket members about a central member. Alignment of adjacent loading devices is also accomplished by the use of phase adjusters, as well as spacing of flites along a conveyor system which is also adjusted by phase adjusters.

Abstract: An article group transfer apparatus constructed and arranged to move article groups into open ends of the carton sleeves. The apparatus is incorporated in a continuous motion cartoner assembly for loading article groups into cartons which comprises an article infeed mechanism supplying at least one stream of articles; an article group selection and transport mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanism to form and transport a longitudinal stream of article groups of a predetermined pattern; a carton supply and transport mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with the article group selecting mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups; and the article group transfer apparatus which moves the article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: A packaging machine with a flite adjustment mechanism for readily changing the distance between a rearward and a forward set of flites where a flits head shaft is coupled by a chain to a slave shaft by a phase adjuster. The flight head shaft drives a pair of outboard flite sprockets and chains. The slave shaft drives an independently rotating hub which drives a pair of inboard chains via inboard flits sprockets, which are driven at approximately the same speed as and angularly deflected from a pair of outer sprockets. Spacing of the flites is changed by adjustment of a phase adjuster. A splined network also allows for adjustment to accommodate different flits lengths.

Abstract: In a method of packaging sliced loafs into bags, each loaf is supplied from a slicing machine and is pushed into an opened bag by pusher means. The bags are supplied laterally connected within a strip of bags and each loaf is then pushed transverse to its direction of supply into the laterally held opened bag by the pusher means. The pusher means is circulated within a closed path. The invention also includes an apparatus for performing this method and a foil strip of bags for use in the apparatus.

Abstract: Products which are somewhat self-supporting are carried in tandem on a first conveyor toward a second conveyor with an edge of the product transverse to the direction of travel. When each product reaches the point of transfer between conveyors, it is transferred downwardly on edge onto the second conveyor and the products are reverse-shingled in batches on edge in a partially upright fashion on the second conveyor. Each batch of products is then moved on the second conveyor on edge by a loader for insertion into a container or for transfer to another device for further processing or handling. When inserted into a container, a wall of the container is temporarily bowed inwardly to guide the products while they are being loaded into the container.

Abstract: A device for loading dough into cylindrical containers is disclosed. A first conveyor is provided which delivers a plurality of cylindrical containers to a receiving surface which is declining with respect to the horizontal. The containers are oriented such that a central cylindrical axis of each container is substantially parallel to the container receiving surface as the containers approach the container receiving surface. A second conveyor then delivers a cylindrical object to the receiving surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to path of the containers in the first conveyor as the objects approach the container receiving surf ace. The second conveyor aligns the cylindrical objects and causes the objects to be inserted into the cylindrical container. Means for positioning the container on the container receiving surface and for releasing the cylindrical containers after filling is also provided. A method of inserting cylindrical objects into cylindrical containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tagging machine acts to automatically insert label tags into selected compartments of a seed tray as the tray passes under the machine.A cartridge loaded with tags feeds the tags one by one to a breach channel. A pair of extractor fingers lift the tag in the breach channel, onto a deflector which deflects the emerging end of the tag between a pair of displacement fingers. Once the displacment fingers have received the tag they drive the tag back along the channel in the opposite direction to discharge the tag into the seed tray.As the tag is moved in a direction to be discharged from the channel it displaces the extractor fingers out of the channel. The fingers are only brought back into the channel to lift the next tag, when the displacement fingers return to their tag receiving position.

Abstract: An insertion station for a mail-handling machine includes a driving lever 25 and a means for swivelling the driving lever 25 back-and-forth according to an operating cycle. Axle members 18, 19 have a cam 20 mounted therebetween and a spring 26 extends between the driving lever 25 and the cam. A base plate 1 includes grooves 2, 3, 4 and finger-roller guides 28 have front and rear ends mounted above the base plate. Insertion ramps 35, 36, 37 are located below the rear ends of the finger-roller guides; and, inserting arm means 8, 9, 10 and 14, 15, 16 have fingers 5, 6, 7 and finger rollers 27, 38, 39 attached thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking small goods, particularly small packages, in a container, the apparatus including a separating module by means of which the small goods are conducted over a surface disposed upstream of the container. The opening of the container is arranged to be pivotal at the end of the surface and a pusher is disposed on the surface so as to move in the direction of the container opening, the apparatus further including a retaining threshold and a downwardly pivotal rake that is arranged downstream of the retaining threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles having a conveyor; means associated with the conveyor for forming groups of articles and moving the groups independently of other articles on the conveyor; means for moving the groups of articles transversely to the conveyor; an elevator for receiving said groups of articles in stacked groupings; and means for moving the stacked groupings into a carton. Means are also provided for assembling and closing the carton upon receipt of the stacked groupings.

Abstract: A dough cutting and packing apparatus for cutting a sheet of dough into dough pieces and transferring the dough pieces to containers. A cutting unit is defined by a plurality of cutting plates having dough retaining openings. The sheet of dough is pressed against the cutting plates by a presser roll which divides the dough sheet into dough pieces that are retained within the dough retaining openings. A packing mechanism transfers the dough pieces from the cutting unit to the containers as the containers are moved relative to the packing mechanism by a plurality of flighted augers. The packing mechanism is driven by a microprocessor controlled servo motor. The servo motor moves the packing mechanism through a packing stroke and a return stroke with each stroke having an acceleration stage and a deceleration stage.

Abstract: A cartoner assembly loading article groups into open carton sleeves. The cartoner assembly comprises an article infeed mechanism supplying at least one stream of articles, an article selecting mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanism to form and move a stream of article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selecting mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying stacks of paper sheets or the like to two or more packing machines has a platform for collection of successive rows of stacks, e.g., by arresting sheets forming part of discrete scalloped streams of sheets. Two or more discrete carriages for tongs are utilized to remove stacks in any desired grouping from the platform and to deliver them to two or more discrete removing units serving to transport the stacks to discrete packing machines. Each removing unit can employ a set of two or more aligned conveyors. Each carriage is or can be driven by a separate prime mover, each carriage can support two or more tongs, or each carriage can support a single tongs. All such undertakings contribute to versatility of the apparatus, namely the apparatus can be operated to ensure equal distribution of stacks among the removing units or one or more selected removing units can receive larger or smaller numbers of stacks than the other unit or units.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling blocks into containers individually by placing the container as turned upside down over the block and inverting the container with the block fitted therein. A block feeder and a container feeder are arranged as horizontally spaced apart from each other. An intermittenly driven container-inverting slat conveyor has slats each adapted to stop at the block feeder and then at the container feeder while traveling along an upper path of transport of the conveyor.

Abstract: A can star drive for a fish-canning machine in which a turret 11 and can star 75 are separately driven, with the can star 75 being rotated through its 120.degree. advance in each cycle during half again as much time as it takes for the turret 11 to advance through its 120.degree. advance. The slower rate of rotation of the can star 75 reduces the exit velocity of the filled cans as they are discharged from the machine to avoid ejection of fish from filled cans. In addition, the can star 75 rotates through its 120.degree. continuously in a one-step advance, rather than through a two-step advance with an intermediate stop as in prior machines.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine comprises a spaced parallel pair of conveyor chains for transporting a plurality of mandrels. A pair of guide rails connected between the conveyor chains for slidably carrying each mandrel, so that a mandrel may be moved in a product transport position to a loading station. At the loading station, the mandrel is thrust forward to confront a box so that the product may be pushed into a box. The mandrel may be made wider to accept product without a precise alignment between mandrel and product or more narrow to fit the product into a box at the loading station. Two cam slots are provided to independently control the thrust position and the width of the mandrel. A stabilization support provides enough play to dissipate centrifugal force and thereby enable the machine to operate at a higher speed.

Abstract: A feed station having a plate-retaining device which consists of a stationary guide arranged in front of or preceding the bridging belt for folding or swinging the side edge flaps of the folded box during an abutting thereof to a position wherein the plane thereof is parallel with respect to the direction of transport or movement. An additional guide plate oriented in a processing position subsequent to the stationary guide is provided, which guide plate is moved to hold the side edge flap of the folded box, which side edge flap is a trailing flap, open until the respective rear or trailing guide plate for the goods is oriented in front of the corresponding side edge flap.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically applying trasfers to packages in any size of cartons, such as revenue stamps to cigarettes while in cartons. Initially, cigarette cartons of any size are loaded onto a conveyor belt where they are carried to the various stations of the apparatus. The apparatus is automatically adjustable to any size of carton by means of photoelectric cells. As the cartons are pushed through the apparatus, an improved plow head opens the cigarette cartons in preparation for stamping. Just before stamping, any improperly opened cartons are automatically ejected. An improved stamp indexer scans the stamps photoelectrically so a motor advances the correct number of stamps so that waste is reduced and defective stamping is avoided. Next, a gluing station applies glue to ensure that flaps stay down when the cartons are reclosed. Finally, the cartons are discharged onto a conveyor where a packing station aligns them and pushes them row by row into a case for shipment.

Abstract: An improved packaging machine having a positive retention mandrel device and positive discharge pusher means for transporting semi-rigid containers from one conveyor to a second conveyor. A broad size latitude conveyor providing accurate positioning of such containers for transfer from said conveyor to a second conveyor. A system for utilizing a draped unfettered leaflet for telescopic introduction into a box by employing an inverted semi-rigid bottle as the insertion mechanism with the leaflet ending up in embracing relation to the bottle cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling an article into a bag having an open end and a closed bottom includes an article insertion station which inserts an article into the bag through the open end thereof, an open end portion forming station which forms the open end portion of the bag into a predetermined shape, an open end portion folding station which folds the formed open end portion of the bag, and a conveyor which conveys the bag from a bag feeding station to the open end portion folding station through the article insertion station and the open end portion forming station in sequence. The conveyor conveys the bag with the open end of the bag directed transversely to the bag conveying direction of the conveyor and said article insertion station inserts the article in the direction transverse to the bag conveying direction of the conveyor.