Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading packing trays filled with fruit or vegetables into a packing carton. The apparatus can include a frame, a carton loading station to support the packing carton, and a tray engaging member configured to engage the selected tray and move the selected tray into the carton. In one embodiment, the tray engaging member is coupled to a tray head that is movable relative to the frame to place the tray into the packing carton. A pad inserter, movably coupled to the frame, inserts a cushioning pad above each tray after the tray is loaded into the carton.

Abstract: A pattern former for assembling wrapped bakery products into predetermined patterns includes a vacuum turntable comprising a perforated plate which is driven by a belt extending around the periphery of the vacuum turntable and actuated by a motor. A first transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves groups of wrapped bakery products onto the vacuum turntable and which retracts to facilitate the formation of a subsequent group of wrapped bakery products as a previous group is being transferred to the vacuum turntable. A second transfer apparatus includes a pusher plate which moves assembled patterns of wrapped bakery products from the vacuum turntable into bakery trays and which is retractable to facilitate the assembly of a subsequent pattern of wrapped bakery products as a previous pattern is being transferred to a bakery tray.

Abstract: The apparatus for dispensing change of the present invention comprises: a data input device for inputting change data; a base sheet supplier for supplying a base sheet; a top sheet supplier for supplying a top sheet; a cash deliverer for delivering cash based on the change data input to the data input device; and a change pack producer for producing a change pack by packing the cash delivered by the cash deliverer between the base sheet supplied by the base sheet supplier and the top sheet supplied by the top sheet supplier.

Abstract: A device for packing trees and greenery on a pallet or the like having lateral supports. The device comprises a base part capable of supporting a pallet and a working tower protruding upwards from one side of the base part. The working tower comprises a top part which is movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and which, at least in its horizontal position, is slidable in a vertical direction to compress the trees packed on the pallet. The device additionally comprises a frame which at least comprises plate parts at the ends of the pallet, and which together with the lateral supports of the pallet defines a delimited loading area for trees and greenery. The frame is vertically slidable, and the top part has an extent in its horizontal position which cause trees and greenery as well as the frame to be pressed downwards by the top part during the compression. Also described is a method of compressed packing of trees and greenery on a pallet or the like having lateral supports.

Abstract: A machine for container formation by folding a die-scored paperboard structure to close flaps shaped by the scoring that serve as the top and bottom of the container. A scored paperboard sheet is loaded onto a male pedestal inner pattern such that the foldable top and bottom container portions extend beyond the pattern, whereupon armature driven semicircular outer patterns, having upper and lower fingers adapted to be driven by corresponding fluid driven pin stabilizers, close upon the sheet. While closed over the sheet, the pins are activated to move the fingers inward on the inner pattern and force fold the container along the score lines, followed by automatic retraction of the pins and outer patterns. The container is thus pre-folded in preparation for shipping as a flat paper form that is ready for folding on the crease lines thus formed. One or both flaps of the container can be folded along the crease lines to form a closure at one or both ends.

Abstract: The invention describes a container for retaining a plurality of microscope slides and comprises a base and a tray removably received on the bottom wall of the base; the tray displays a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending slide retaining compartments wherein each compartment includes a series of longitudinally spaced partitions, the spaces between the partitions and the distance between the opposite walls of the compartments are such as to receive the short sides of the rectangular shaped microscope slides; the spaces also enable the slides to be manually moved reciprocally between a frontwardly inclined position and a rearwardly inclined position. The width of the base is slightly greater than the width of three laterally vertically standing slides so that the slides may be stored in three lateral rows in the base when the tray is removed therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to the packaging or dispensing of hydrogel contact lenses in a dry state. By packaging hydrogel lenses dry, the risk of bacterial growth and package or product degradation commonly associated with hydrated lenses is reduced or eliminated, thereby significantly extending product shelf life. The application of a material or the placement of a divider between unhydrated lenses prevents the lenses from adhering to each other and allows manufacturers to package lenses in more space-efficient packaging. Such a packaging and dispensing system dramatically simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacturing, storing, packaging, inventorying, and distributing hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable dish system, with the bottom surfaces of the disposable dishes being at least partially coated with a light tack non-toxic adhesive to retain it to a tablecloth, tray, or table in a manner which will be resistant to wind or tipping, but yet allow for easy removal and replacement during use. Also disclosed is a wind-resistant disposable tablecloth which includes adhesive disposed at certain locations on the tablecloth for use in retaining the tablecloth on a picnic table or a similar table or surface. The tablecloth has the adhesive placed thereon in strips, which are covered by strips of release liner prior to the tablecloth being used. The release liner strips are removed to expose the adhesive on the tablecloth, which is used to secure the tablecloth on the picnic table.

Abstract: Blister pack, for example to accommodate items such as pharmaceutical items in the form of capsules, coated capsules, ampoules etc., from a base part and a lid part made from strip shaped packaging material. The base part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders and the lid part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders; the base and lid parts lie on a plane of symmetry and the base and lid parts are joined at their shoulders over the whole or part of the surface area in the region of the plane of symmetry; the recesses in the base and lid parts which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane of symmetry form compartments and the contents are contained in the compartments. The blister packs may be manufactured, for example, by folding or turning over an endless strip of packaging material along a line of symmetry.

Abstract: A packing apparatus for packing multiple layers of containers into a receptacle is shown. The packing apparatus includes a placement assembly and a carriage assembly. The placement assembly includes a plurality of pickup devices mounted on one end of a moveable arm. The arm is moveable so that the pickup devices can pick up and transfer the containers to the receptacle. The receptacle is supported by the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes a moveable carriage that adjustably moves the position of the receptacle, relative to the placement assembly, to enable the articles to be placed into the receptacle in a preselected pattern. A system controller controls the timing, sequence, and movement of the placement assembly and the carriage assembly, both individually and relative to each other, in order to place and pack the containers into the receptacle in the preselected pattern.

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

Abstract: Upon filling cans with fiber band, the movable bottom of the cans, as the filling process proceeds, moves downwardly from an initial upper to a lower final position. As this happens, between two elements, one inside, one outside the circumferential shell of the can, a force field is built up in such a way that the element inside the can supports the can bottom and because of the force field, this bottom is held at the same elevation as the element outside of the can. Further, the desired operating height of the can bottom can be correspondingly held. For the lowering of the can bottom, one of the two elements between which the force field exists, is moved relative to the other in the direction of the lower final positioning of the can bottom and the remaining element follows after, because of said force field, until both elements again stand across from one another at the same height.

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

Abstract: Methods and systems for packaging surgical needles. In this system, a plurality of packages are indexed, by means of a package carrier, through a plurality of work stations, at which various operations are performed on the packages. In particular, at each work station, an operating device is moved from a home position to an operating position to perform an operation on the package: and after finishing the operation, the operating device is returned to the home positions. With all of the operating devices in their respective home positions, the package carrier can then be moved to index the packages forward. Each of the work stations generates a respective return home signal when the operating device of the work station returns to its home position.

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

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

Abstract: Process for manufacturing blister packs, for example to accommodate items such as pharmaceutical items in the form of capsules, coated capsules, ampoules etc., from a base part and a lid part made from strip shaped packaging material. The base part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders and the lid part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders; the base and lid parts lie on a plane of symmetry and the base and lid parts are joined at their shoulders over the whole or part of the surface area in the region of the plane of symmetry; the recesses in the base and lid parts which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane of symmetry form compartments and the contents are contained in the compartments. The blister packs may be manufactured, for example, by folding or turning over an endless strip of packaging material along a line of symmetry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stacking and loading disc-like objects into receptacles is provided. The apparatus includes a lane combining conveyor which receives multiple lanes of product and combines one or more of the outer lanes into the remaining lanes. A stack former is provided for forming individual stacks of patties which are side supported onto rails. The rails can be pivoted down to divert patties for clearing jams. After the product is formed on the stack formers, a stack transfer mechanism transfers the stacks of products formed on the stack forming rails to the matrix former. Matrix former receives individual rows of multiple stacks from the stack transfer mechanism. A stripper mechanism is used to ensure that the stacks are not scrambled during this transfer. Once the matrix former is filled with product, a case rollover mechanism is rotated to the matrix former.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a shell body with sub-projectiles in a predefined geometric arrangement and in a very short time without creating shifting errors is provided. Prior to filling the shell body, the sub-projectiles may be combined into layers which are as thick as the length of the sub-projectiles and which extend in planes transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shell body. The sub-projectiles take up a position in the layer which corresponds to their geometric arrangement in a hollow chamber of the shell body. During the combination, the outer periphery of the layers may be shaped so that, following insertion of the layer into the hollow chamber, the sub-projectiles may be held there and fixed against relative rotation while maintaining the previously formed geometric arrangement. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the outer periphery of the layers may assume a hexagonal shape where the axes of the cylindrical sub-projectiles are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shell body.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying, cleaning, drying, oiling, candling, grading and packing eggs and high speeds. A main conveyor assembly, which includes two or more conveyors, transfers eggs continuously in spaced-apart, aligned relationship to transfer at which eggs are packaged according to their previously-determined individual physical characteristics, such as weight, cracks, dirt, etc. The conveyors can run in the same direction, or may run in opposite directions. The transfers accommodate the at least two conveyors, and include a section which gathers ejected eggs and may convey them to a packing station in a manner which prevents egg collisions. The eject mechanism for ejecting eggs from the conveyors ensures proper distribution of the eggs across a transfer so as to prevent egg collisions and to ensure that the packers are filled equally across their widths.

Abstract: A double-sided plastic tray (12) for holding two compact discs. The tray has a disc-receiving surface (35a) on its face and obverse sides and a tray opening (61) is disposed thereon. A hub (50) comprising an array of tabs (51) is disposed on the surface (35a). Proximal ends of the tabs are attached to-the tray opening (61) and distal ends can reciprocate within the tray opening (61). Prongs (54) are disposed on one side of the distal ends and reciprocate with the tab (51) when they are engaged by the internal rim (60) of a disc and grasp the internal rim (60) to detachably and resiliently hold one compact disc. Shoulders (55) are disposed on opposite sides of the tabs (51). Shoulders (55) reciprocate with tabs (51) when prongs (54) are engaged by the internal rim (60) of a second compact disc to inhibit lateral movement of the second compact disc held by prongs on the opposite side of the surface (35a) and inhibit breakage of the tabs (51).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing an item or plurality of items for shipment. Disposing one or a plurality of items on a rigid surface having a layer of deformable cushioning material with a bonding material thereon wherein the items are connectingly bonded to the foam layer which is deformed in response to the items. The items may be items of china, floral containers, and flower pots, or other similar items.

Abstract: A pouch making machine has a pin conveyor which receives finished pouches from a knife and transfers them to a cartoner where they are stacked in a carton in a continuous motion. The cartoner indexes the carton after entry of each pouch, or group of pouches, so that an empty portion of the carton is aligned with the pin conveyor's discharge path to receive the next pouches released from the conveyor. When a carton is full the cartoner executes a long move to discharge the filled carton and position a succeeding carton for receipt of the next pouches. The cartons are held with the bottom wall angled or tilted from both the horizontal and vertical so that during filling pouches in the carton are neither standing on edge nor piled in a vertical stack.

Abstract: A process (100) for transporting goods between a component manufacturer (102), a product manufacturer (104), and a purchaser (106) includes the steps of:(a) providing a tray (200, 300) having a plurality of compartments (208) which retain securely components (402, 404) manufactured by the component manufacturer (102), and further which retain securely product (502) manufactured by a product manufacturer (104);(b) shipping the tray (200, 300) with components (402, 404) securely retained to the product manufacturer (104);(c) utilizing the components (402, 404) in the manufacture of the product (502);(e) shipping the tray (200, 300) with the product (502) securely retained to the purchaser (106);(f) returning the tray (200, 300) to the component manufacturer (102) after the product (502) has been removed from the tray (200, 300). The process (100) can be managed by a resource manger (108) who tracks the inventory and distribution of trays.

Abstract: A process for filling a non-self-supporting pack with cylindrical, pellet-like products by introducing into a pack closely surrounding at least one multiple-row layer of the products in such a manner that the products are arranged beside and above one another in linear contact with one another at their cylindrical surfaces and are arranged closely adjacent one another in the pack so that they fit exactly into the pack, are self-supporting, and disperse a pressure applied externally to the pack through the cylindrical surfaces of the products. The pack is brought into a transportation position wherein the products are in an upright position. A pack unit of the products is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for loading items, such as fruit, into a container such as a fruit bin with an open top face. The bin is transported on rollers to a tiltable cradle that grasps the cradle and tilts it to a loading orientation in which the bin face opens sideways. A wide endless belt conveyor positioned adjacent the cradle has a leading edge of the belt that shifts from a retracted position outside the container to an extended position projecting through the open face into the bin. The leading edge of the conveyor is retracted from the bin as the conveyor belt is running to deliver a horizontal layer of fruit from the conveyor surface into the bin. A height adjuster moves the cradle down (in the loading orientation) after the layer of items is delivered into the container, to provide clearance for delivering a subsequent layer of items from the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed where stand-up pouches are partially flattened and arranged in an overlapping row where they are picked-up by a thin cantilevered vacuum pick-up head and placed into the open side of a tilted carton with the sequence being repeated until the carton is filled.

Abstract: Device for the distribution of bulk articles, comprising a supporting structure (1), to which there is fastened a conveyor (6), and a stock container (11) having a discharge opening (25) which can be closed off by a slide valve (13), the stock container (11) being disposed exchangeably on the supporting structure (1) above the conveyor (6), and the conveyor (6) being able to be drive so as to transport bulk articles, leaving the stock container (11) along the discharge opening (25), and drop them into a packaging. Use of a device for the distribution of bulk articles as an apparatus in the sale of bulk articles in a shop.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus is provided for automatically performing the steps of filling a pill card or capsule with a desired pill or capsule, folding the pill card, heat sealing the pill card, and, if desired, printing a label directly onto the pill card.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a stacking apparatus which utilizes a supplemental stacking member on a transfer mechanism for receiving at least one article from a conveying mechanism while the transfer mechanism is transferring a stack, such that a new stack is begun prior to completing the transfer of the first stack. This permits a substantially constant supply of articles to be provided continuously to the stacking apparatus without having to interrupt or slow down the flow of articles to the apparatus. The packaging system also includes a boxing apparatus which relies on pneumatically-actuated positioning mechanisms to move stacks of articles to discrete positions within boxes. Both the position and the velocity of the pneumatic mechanisms are utilized as feedback to provide increased speed without compromising positioning accuracy.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for loading stacked article groups into cartons in a continuous motion cartoner assembly. The barrel cam loading apparatus or article group transport mechanism is particularly suited to loading article groups that are unstable or whose articles tend to spin and kick article out of the carton.

Abstract: A newspaper recycling disposal system that stacks and bundles used newspapers while eliminating need for using ties to tie the used newspapers to form bundles wherein the bundles are compatible with pulping processes used for recycling the used newspapers at paper mills, by virtue of eliminating the ties that are incompatible, and thereby eliminating contaminates which require labor and time to remove which reduces the value of the used newspapers that have been bundled. The system includes a generally circular-cylindrically-shaped container, a replaceable and circular-cylindrically-shaped rigid sleeve, and a circular-cylindrically-shaped mesh bag. The replaceable and circular-cylindrically-shaped rigid sleeve sits replaceably in the generally circular-cylindrically-shaped container and has the used newspapers stackable therein and has an open and circular-shaped top that forms an open mouth that receives the used newspapers.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus is provided for placing pills into a series of pill receptacles moved under the apparatus at a predetermined speed by a conveyor. The packaging apparatus includes an escapement mechanism positioned above at least one drop chute and a vertical positioner for moving the drop chute adjacent to the pill receptacles so that pills may be sequentially placed into the pill receptacles. The apparatus includes a first horizontal positioner for moving the drop chute in a horizontal direction parallel to the path of travel of the pill receptacles and at a speed independent of the speed of the pill receptacles so that the lower end of the drop chute can be moved horizontally with respect to a pill receptacle while a pill is being placed therein. The apparatus may also further include a second horizontal positioner for moving the drop chute in horizontal directions transverse to the path of travel.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to packaging and storage containers suitable particularly for the packaging and storage, with optimum filling, of remote-handled hazardous waste; a process for filling the containers; and the implementation of the process for the packaging and storage of compacted nuclear waste. The containers are equipped inside, along one or more axial walls, over substantially the whole of their height h, with locking elements capable of undergoing elastic radial deformation on direct contact with the products introduced therein, the locking elements allowing the introduction and movement of products inside the containers only when force is applied to the products.

Abstract: A method for packaging flat or stacked article groups within a packaging unit such as a paperboard carton. The method comprises the steps of supplying a stream of packaging units, for example paperboard cartons, supplying at least one stream of articles, for example beverage cans; forming at least one article group, for example a group of from six to twenty-four cans, optionally placing a support base on a top surface of the article group, and loading the article group in the packaging unit. In a stacked packaging mode a second article group is formed and loaded into the packaging unit, on top of the support base on each first article group disposed in the packaging unit. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for compacting resilient waste materials for storage and disposal. The device provides for a storage container having at least one group of retaining members secured to the interior surface of the sides. Each group of retaining members is generally coplanar with the bottom of the container and each group defines the top of one of a plurality of storage zones located within the interior of the container. One or more domed caps are provided which are dimensioned to slidingly fit within the container and to cover the top of each storage zone. Finally, there is structure located on the edge of each domed cap for engaging the retaining members when a domed cap is placed on the top of the waste materials and compacted below a group of retaining members defining the top of a storage zone. There is also disclosed a method for compacting resilient waste materials for storage and disposal using the device of the invention.

Abstract: An IC package transfer mechanism for transferring molded IC packages to and from a flat tray with a large number of IC holder nests in an array and an IC magazine adapted to accommodate a large number of IC packages in a row within a tubular housing to be turned into a tilted position in loading and unloading operations to let IC packages slide into or out of the cylindrical housing automatically by gravity.

Abstract: A shipping carton including a box assembly and a plurality of pots containing floral groupings. A bonding material is applied to the base of the box assembly and the pots containing floral groupings are disposed in the retaining space of the box so that the bonding material engages and connects each of the pots containing floral groupings. Retaining inserts may be disposed in the retaining space of the box to retain the growing medium contained in the pots within the pots during movement or shipment of the box assembly. The retaining inserts may be secured to the inner surface of the side walls of the box through a securing means such as a clip to prevent displacement of the retaining inserts during movement or shipment of the box assembly.

Abstract: A method for container packaging includes the steps of providing a plurality of square profile individual packages, each package having an empty 47 mm by 47 mm square profile, and a full profile between about 50 mm by 50 mm and 51 mm by 51 mm, a relatively rigid bottom, and a peaked gable top having a rigid, linearly disposed, upwardly extending sealing portion defined by a pair of sloped top portion walls. The method includes providing a packing storage unit for storing the individual packages. The storage unit has an inside storage dimension of between about 6.6 to 6.8 times the length of a container wall when the container is empty and 6.0 to 6.4 times the length of the container wall when the container is filled. The containers are disposed in a lower layer within the packing storage unit, and are positioned in a 6 by 6 matrix having a first set of six parallel linear arrays and a second set of six parallel linear arrays.

Abstract: A method for delivering an item or plurality of items to a predetermined destination. Packaging a plurality of items within a carton wherein the items are connectingly bonded to interior walls or inserts within the carton, and transporting the carton with the items disposed therein to the predetermined location. The items may be items of china, flower pots, vases or other similar items.

Abstract: A sleeve style closed end carton for a can matrix. The carton includes a corner flap formed integral with each side wall at each end of each side wall. Those corner flaps are wrapped around the matrix corner cans in the carton relatively tightly so as to draw all cans of the matrix against one another in a plane normal to the can axis in order to aid in minimizing movement of the cans within the can matrix one relative to the other. The carton also includes a primary compound panel foldably connected along one edge to a first top wall section, and foldably connected along an opposite edge to a second top wall section, those top wall sections together forming the carton's top wall.

Abstract: The present invention has at least a continuous belt or chain, a sliding bar, at least two drivers--one for moving and driving the belt--, and a plurality of constraining rollers for guiding the belt around all the other components such that the portion of the belt between the rollers and the extreme ends of the sliding bar is substantially parallel thereto. Suction cups or grippers disposed at regular intervals along the belt and having distance which is greater or equal to that of the tray pitch and frame pitch picks up outputs from a packaging system and places such outputs into carrier trays. The sliding bar accommodates automaticaly troy change without interrupting the operating of the packaging system. By matching the flow of outputs from packaging system with that of the offloading trays, space economy is achieved without requiring modification to existing packaging systems.

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

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

Abstract: A container for memory modules comprising a generally rectangular shape with a lid and tray with a multitude of finger-like protrusions forming vertical slots therebetween for receiving memory modules. The interior is formed such that a cavity may be created above and below the memory modules contained inside providing a buffer region, which protects the contents from damage when the exterior of the container is subjected to physical contact.

Abstract: A method of producing a container of banana clusters is provided wherein a flexible inner container is inserted into an outer container prior to placing the banana clusters into the outer container, placing a first row of banana clusters in the inner container atop the interior bottom, placing a second row of banana clusters in the inner container such that a portion of the second row is positioned atop a portion of the first row, providing a tunnel pad having a width at least as great as the length of the sidewalls of the outer container and a length greater than the length of the endwalls of the outer container and positioning a portion of the tunnel pad atop and in contact with a portion of the banana clusters of the first and second rows, and placing a third and fourth row of banana clusters in the inner container atop a portion of and in contact with a portion of the tunnel pad. A method of transferring a load of bananas from the outer container to another outer container is also provided.

Abstract: A goods accommodation method and apparatus in which a container is set such that its opening is directed horizontally, and box-shaped goods are stacked on a slide such that their surfaces facing the opening of the container are aligned with each other. The goods are transferred into the container while they are held in the stacked state by inserting the slide together with the goods stacked thereon into the container and then quickly pulling the slide out of the container at a speed higher than the speed of insertion such that the stacked goods remain in the container. The container is then turned up such that its opening is directed upward.

Abstract: A loader arrangement is provided with a first conveyor for delivering an article to a first station, and a second conveyor for delivering a container to a respective first station. A gripper engages the article at the first station of the first conveyor, and a linear actuator, which is coupled to the gripper, moves the gripper along a first linear axis. Once the article has been engaged by the gripper, a rotator moves the linear actuator rotatively so that it parallels a second linear axis which is angularly displaced first the first linear axis. The gripper then is moved along the second linear axis, which is arranged to intersect with the first station of the second conveyor. A tilting arrangement is provided at one or both of the first stations for moving the container and/or the article arcuately to achieve an orthogonal orientation with respect to the second linear axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing tablets or pills or the like issuing from a tablet or pill press and processing them further in a plurality of containers (125, 126, 127) standing cramped on a restricted area. After leaving the tablet or pill press, the tablets or pills are conveyed upwards and, by gravity alone without the application of further energy, pass from top to bottom through an oblique deburring and dust-removing station (12) and a distributing guide (15) to divide the flow of tablets or pills into two partial streams which are taken to either a metal testing device (18) or a tablet or pill testing device (19) with a sample collector (22); the tablets or pills found to be faultless are taken further by gravity to a belt conveyor (107, 112) which takes the tablets or pills to and inserts them in a predetermined container (125, 126, 127).