Abstract: A field crop harvesting, carton packaging and packed carton handling machine, which includes transport means having a front section, central section and a trailing section; the front and trailing sections include ground engaging means and each include a platform mounted on the ground engaging means; the front platform also includes area means for stacking and supplying non-erected cartons and for erecting the non-erected cartons; the central section includes conveyor support means including a central conveyor means and a left and right conveyor means; the left and right conveyor means each include erected carton receiving and supplying means; the left and right conveyor means also include a series of carton packing stations as well as a conveyor for moving the packed cartons to the central conveyor; the central conveyor includes a rearwardly moving conveyor for transporting the packed cartons rearwardly to the trailing platform; and the trailing platform includes area means for receiving, handling and sealing

Abstract: An installation for making up batches of articles, the installation being characterized in that it comprises at least one work station for one operator, said station including a storage member (4) for storing said articles species-by-species, said articles each being provided with automatically readable identification means, said station also including a reader (19) for automatically reading the said identification means and a hatch (17) communicating with a chute (18) whose opening is controllable, said installation further including an endless chain of buckets (21) disposed in such a manner that the buckets pass beneath the chutes, and a moving belt (25) disposed beneath the buckets and receiving the boxes (26) for receiving the batches of articles via an inlet station, each bucket being provided with a controllable pivoting device in order to cause the article contained therein to fall into a box, the installation including a station (20) from which loaded boxes are removed and being controlled by a comput

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the extraction of the contents of envelopes includes a mail opening and extraction assembly which opens an envelope along at least one edge of the envelope and spreads apart the opened envelope to facilitate removal of the contents of the envelope. A power unit provides a source of electricity and fluid pressure, and a supply line couples the mail opening and extraction assembly to the power unit to transfer the electricity and fluid pressure to drive the mail opening and extraction assembly. The mail opening and extraction assembly includes a pivotable extraction surface having a first position substantially flush with a transfer surface and a second position in which the extraction surface is pivoted so as to be at an angle with respect to the transfer surface. The extraction station also includes a vacuum apparatus for spreading apart the envelope to expose the contents of the envelope.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for facilitating the rapid hand packing of fragile ingredients such as used in salads. Mechanisms are provided to transport empty containers to a filling station, introducing the ingredients by a hard raking procedure into the container and then further moving the containers to a weighing station and finally passing them for sealing and packaging. Facilities are included so that containers of a number of different sizes can be accommodated.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for facilitating the rapid hand packing of fragile ingredients such as used in salads. Mechanisms are provided to transport empty containers to a filling station, introducing the ingredients by a hand raking procedure into the container and then further moving the containers to a weighing station and finally passing then for sealing and packaging.

Abstract: A moveable on-site harvesting/packing plant is built on a framework comprising a floor area and table area elevated above and extending transversely over rows of crop to be harvested such that the table area is to the rear of the moveable plant as it is towed along the crop rows. Pickers follow the moveable plant as it is towed and place harvested produce onto the table area. Extending transversely outboard from either end of the table area are inclined transverse wings, upon which harvested produce is placed and rolls onto the table area. Outboard of the table area on platforms are box assemblers who assemble boxes from stacks of flat cartons, sliding the assembled boxes along an overhead box rack toward the center of the packing table. In front of the packing table, standing on the floor area, are packers who take the empty, assembled boxes from the overhead box rack and place them into box supports which hang from the front of the packing table.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus is provided wherein a forward harvesting machine tows a rearward shuttle truck, both vehicles being self-propelled, with the harvesting machine having a crop collection system comprising a series of conveyors which convey the crops from a pair of forward wing conveyors through a cleaning/fungiciding station to a pair of on-board longitudinally extended conveyors spaced on opposite sides of the harvesting machine. Between these two spaced longitudinal crop conveyors extending centrally down the bed of the harvesting machine is a full box conveyor for boxes which have been packed, and between the full box conveyor and the crop conveyors are the respective work areas having sorting bins and packing stands enabling workers in these areas to remove individual crops such as melons from the outer crop conveyors and place them in the boxes, and then place the boxes on the central full box conveyor, which is moving rearwardly.

Abstract: A harvester comprising a vehicle (11) supported on wheels (12) and forming a loading platform (51) on which packers can stand to pack the produce in cartons. Wings (17, 18) extend from opposite sides of the vehicle and include hinged assemblies (22, 24) to allow folding for turning and road transportation. A continuous conveyor (50) extends the length of both wings and along the vehicle loading platform to carry produce from field level to be packed. The conveyor comprises a flexible cable (61) on which are suspended baskets (70) for carrying produce. A drive wheel (71) powers the cable and means are provided for moving this wheel relative to the vehicle to maintain the cable taut and make the conveyor operable in all positions of the wings.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a semi-automatic mail insertion machine which assists an operator in placing materials into envelopes by presenting automatically unfolded and opened envelopes in rapid succession to the operator for manual placement of the materials therein. The machine includes a horizontal conveyor which, under operator control, incrementally advances the envelopes to be processed from one processing station to another in succession. An envelope stacker is positioned above the conveyor and a feed means feeds the envelopes to the conveyor prior to each advancement of the conveyor. The envelopes are conveyed to a first process station which automatically unfolds the pre-folded unsealed envelope flaps. The envelopes are then advanced to a second processing station which opens the envelopes and presents the envelopes to the operator in a manner which permits ready placement of materials into the envelopes.

Abstract: The mechanism disclosed comprises a semi-automatic insertion machine for facilitating the insertion of contents into envelopes of the type utilizing exposed self-sealing adhesive.The envelopes, with the seal flaps in open position and the adhesive exposed, are arranged in superposed relation within a supply hopper. Means is provided for removing the envelopes one by one from the supply hopper and transmitting them to the inserting station. The removal means for removing the envelopes from the supply hopper includes mechanisms for insuring that the envelopes shall not stick together due to the self-sealing adhesive, and for insuring that the envelopes shall be translated in one by one relationship to the inserting station.At the inserting station the sidewalls of the envelope are drawn apart by suction gripping means, while the seal flap remains open and extended beneath a guide plate to facilitate the insertion of materials into the envelope by an operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling and filling bags or envelopes fed from a continuous length supply are disclosed wherein each bag or envelope is open at or adjacent one marginal edge of the continuous length supply for insertion thereinto of filling material.

Abstract: A rotary horizontal table is provided and has item delivery structure associated therewith for supplying items to be packaged to the table and a plurality of stationary worker positions are disposed about the table slightly outwardly of the periphery thereof. Rotary container support structure spaced apart in a generally circular path substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of the table is also provided and supported for simultaneous angular displacement about the table with the support structure substantially registered with the outer periphery of the table. Workpersons disposed at the worker positions may manually transfer items from the table to containers supported from the container support structure and first drive structure is operatively connected to the table for rotating the latter while second drive structure is operably connected to the container support structure for angularly displacing the latter.

Abstract: A pet waste containment or waste matter disposer unit is disclosed as including a first sheet of sealable material for receiving the waste matter and a covering sheet of sealable material superimposed relative to the first sheet. The free marginal edges of the superimposed sheets are then sealed to each other to form a package and the now encapsulated waste material can be easily and sanitarily disposed.

Abstract: At the content extraction location radiant energy is transmitted through the spread-open envelope. Change in this transmitted energy due to content extraction is sensed and activates removal of the envelope from the extraction location.

Abstract: A merchandise delivery conveyor apparatus for an automatic merchandise bagging apparatus including a bag receptacle pivotable from a horizontal position to a generally upright position for erecting the bag loaded with articles comprises an endless conveyor belt of a length sufficient to support a plurality of the loaded bags thereon, a multi-strand conveyor belt positioned between the bag receptacle and the endless conveyor belt for receiving the loaded bag from the bag receptacle when the latter is in the upright position and then transferring it to the endless conveyor, and a tilt preventing system for avoiding the possibility of fall-down of one or some loaded bags being transported towards a delivery zone. The tilt preventing system comprises a plurality of equally spaced tilt preventing arms, some being held in operative positions to hold the loaded bag between each adjacent two tilt preventing arms and some being held in inoperative positions.

Abstract: A means and method are provided for harvesting field crops such as watermelon, tomatoes, cabbages, brocolli, cauliflower, cucumbers, spinach, onions, red beets, turnips, squash, mixed melons, and others. The system utilizes about six identical or very similar trucks, one of which is modified to act as the harvesting truck by the attachment of a series of conveyors and hydraulic structure whereby laterally directed wing conveyors extend out over the fields and convey crops deposited thereon through other conveying mechanism up to the truck bed where it is put directly into crop shipping containers which are palletized on a roller grid attached to the truck bed. The trucks other than the harvesting truck act as shuttle trucks and back up in sequence to the rear of the harvesting truck and are coupled to it, subsequent to which a winch and T-bar are extended from the shuttle truck into the harvesting truck to draw, in a single pull, all of the filled containers onto a roller grid in the bed of the shuttle truck.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for loading articles, particularly meat articles, into containers. The apparatus comprises two groups of movably mounted beams cantilevered in a direction of article progression. One group of beams is movable in a vertical direction while the other group of beams is movable in a horizontal direction. The movement of the beams is synchronized to provide for article movement in the desired direction. The terminal portions of both sets of beams are unconnected and spaced apart so as to provide a spaced relationship between the group of beams to permit the insertion of a container over the terminal portions of the beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for making electronic component assembly comprising:a first tape feeder for feeding a supporting tape to an assembly stage,a punching tool for making perforations with a predetermined pitch on said supporting tape,a feeding way for feeding electronic components near said assembly stage at then consecutively pushes said electronic component onto said supporting tape in said assembly stage,a rotating drum having around its outer face a number of projections to engage to said perforations and a number of guiding member to define positions of lead-wires of said electronic components when pushed onto said supporting tape,a second tape feeder for feeding a bonding tape onto said supporting tape at a position after said assembly stage in a manner not to cover said perforations anda bonding roller for pressing to bond said bonding tape onto said supporting roller with said lead-wires inbetween.

Abstract: Orchard fruit handling apparatus for conveying and delivering harvested fruit into a plurality of storage bins comprising a first conveyor for adjustable attachment to a conventional farm tractor for receiving and transporting fruit received thereon in a generally linear direction rearwardly of the tractor, and trailer means for attachment to the tractor containing a second conveyor for receiving harvested fruit from the first conveyor and selectively directing the fruit into a plurality of storage bins carried on the trailer. A plurality of deflecting blades or bars are selectively positionable across the second conveyor to selectively intercept and deflect the fruit into corresponding bin filler mechanisms located along the side of the second conveyor and above corresponding collection bins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting and processing head lettuce wherein the lettuce is shredded immediately upon harvesting and before deterioration occurs. The shredded lettuce is retained in an insulated or refrigerated enclosure and then promptly transported to a mobile processing trailer where it is further cleaned and chilled and finally packaged for shipment. The practice of the method and apparatus permits the lettuce to be on its way to the consumer on the same day that it is harvested from the field.A method and apparatus for simultaneously chilling, washing and adding preservatives to the chilled lettuce in a continuous fashion. A mobile enclosure embodying the apparatus and adapted to perform the method wherein the lettuce is maintained at a reduced temperature throughout all stages of processing.

Abstract: A multiplicity of relatively narrow spaced apart parallel arrayed endless conveyor belts cantilevered from a support frame in the direction of product movement at a bagging station moves individual product articles, one at a time, towards the cantilevered ends of the conveyor belt array. At a predetermined point adjacent the belt cantilevered ends, the moving product article engages and depresses a sensing trigger which stops the belts forward movement to permit sliding a bag of suitable size over the article, with the bag side walls slipped under and between same or all of the cantilevered belts supporting the article. Conveyor belt movement is resumed upon a control signal by the bagging station operator and the bagged article is conveyed from the station.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device which normally supports a plurality of relatively large receptacles thereatop in a stacked, nested relation to a receptacle carriage and dispenser frame. When the carriage and dispenser frame is actuated in a first direction, the stack is conditioned to permit the lowermost receptacle to be dispensed downwardly onto a support frame. Actuation of the carriage and dispenser frame in a second direction dispenses the lowermost receptacle onto the support frame which is simultaneously elevated to a position to be filled with a product such as fruit from a conveyor. Subsequent actuation of the carriage and dispenser frame in the first direction lowers the support frame to discharge the receptacle thereon onto the ground and simultaneously reconditions the balance of the stack to discharge the lowermost container thereof on the next operation of the carriage and dispenser frame in the second direction.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which moves a column of nested, uniformly shaped chips into a reservoir thereby forming a loop array. The loop array of snack chips is then transferring from the reservoir into a package.

Abstract: A system for loading a predetermined plurality of rows of rolls of coins from a roll-receiving table into a box includes conveyor means for receiving each fully loaded box, means movable between raised and lowered positions for supporting the box on a side thereof with an opening of the box exposed to receive rows of rolls urged endwise into the box from the table to cause the box to move downwardly upon receipt of each row of rolls. Means limiting the downward movement of the box-supporting means after each loading of a row of rolls into the box serves to register the box opening in position to receive each subsequent row of rolls. A fulcrum means carried substantially at the predetermined level of the conveyor when the box has been filled permits the box to be tipped across the fulcrum onto the conveyor to dispose the box opening at the top of the box for transport via the conveyor to an inspection station.

Abstract: A rolling device for manipulating a substantially flat work object, the device comprising a frame adapted to transmit the work object therethrough; a mechanism borne by the frame for folding the object to dispose portions thereof in overlapping relation; and a pair of powered conveyor belts mounted on the frame in object receiving relation to the mechanism and having juxtaposed runs twisted for inverting the object to dispose it in rested relation on the overlapping portions thereof.

Abstract: A plant picking and boxing apparatus is mounted on a wheeled frame and includes an engine for driving the wheeled frame by a hydraulic system. Parallel mounted endless belts are supported on the frame and grip tomato plants, or the like planted in rows, and transport the plants into a loading mechanism. The plant roots are cleaned by rotatable, flexible flaps hitting the roots of the plants being transported between the parallel belts. The loading box has microswitch to determine when it is filled and ready for shifting to a second box, and to allow the plants to be pushed from the loading box into a packaging container where they can be placed on a conveyor and be conveyed to a closing platform on the wheeled frame.

Abstract: A fruit harvesting machine comprising means for picking up, rolling up and storing an elongated discontinuous flexible belt previously laid on the ground between two successive rows of plants whose fruit is to be harvested, and means cooperating with said first-named means for transferring the fruit harvested and carried on said flexible belt to container means for transportation.

Abstract: A multiplicity of relatively narrow spaced apart parallel arrayed endless conveyor belts cantilevered from a support frame in the direction of product movement at a bagging station moves individual product articles, one at a time, towards the cantilevered ends of the conveyor belt array. At a predetermined point adjacent the belt cantilevered ends, the moving product article engages and depress is a sensing trigger which stops the belts forward movement to permit sliding a bag of suitable size over the article, with the bag side walls slipped under and between .[.same.]. .Iadd.some .Iaddend.or all of the cantilevered belts supporting the article. Conveyor belt movement is resumed upon a control signal by the bagging station operator and the bagged article is conveyed from the station. .Iadd.