Abstract: Automatic machinery, particularly suited for the loading of pre-cut, individual microfilm strips into the storage channels of microfilm jackets, includes a feed roll shaft intermediate of insertion chute means and a loading pedestal carrying the jacket. Respective feed rolls overlie corresponding delivery ends of chutes and the jacket edges leading to channel openings. A film strip is first inserted into a chute and is in registry with the jacket edge. Then, the pedestal is raised upward to press the film between the lower surface of the corresponding feed roll and the jacket edge, whereupon the feed roll is activated to drive the strip into the channel.

Abstract: The instant invention concerns a cartoning assembly which operates in conjunction with a sheet stacker to pile sheets directly in their carton. The assembly loads a three-sided carton having an open top into the stacker and supports the carton there such that sheets accumulate in the carton. After a predetermined number of sheets have been piled in the carton, succeeding sheets piling into the stacker are segregated and separately supported away from the predetermined pile. The carton is then transferred to a discharge conveyor for processing and lidding. Meanwhile, a further carton is loaded into the stacker and supported beneath the succeeding pile. The succeeding pile is then deposited into the further carton. The further carton is supported in the stacker until the predetermined number of sheets accumulate and the process repeats.

Abstract: An apparatus receives empty bins and loose articles of random size and shape, such as apples, to be stored within the bins at a fill station. The articles are delivered to an inclined conveyor which has a lower end adjacent to a horizontal conveyor with a stop roller being positioned between the conveyors. When the articles have collected on the inclined conveyor a predetermined distance up the incline, a drive is actuated which simultaneously moves the inclined conveyor upwardly and moves the horizontal conveyor away from the inclined conveyor while rotating the stop roller to permit the articles to move from the inclined conveyor to the horizontal conveyor. This conveyor motion causes the articles to gently cascade down the incline in spread out fashion so that they are transported toward the end of the horizontal conveyor remote from the inclined conveyor and across the entire breadth thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading containers with articles, such as post parcels, includes the use of a carrier device which is lowered into a container by suitable hoisting means at a rate dependent upon the number of articles deposited on the carrier device. The carrier device is positioned within the upper portion of a container in which articles are to be stored, and a conveyor belt delivers articles onto a pivotal flap member of the carrier device. Once the articles reach a certain height on the flap member, photocells signal the hoisting means to lower the carrier device further into the container, and this process continues until the carrier device is near the bottom of the container. Once the carrier device reaches its lowermost position, the pivotal flap member swings downwardly to release the accumulated articles into the container. The carrier device is then withdrawn from the filled container, and the container may then be removed.

Abstract: Self-adhesive labels mounted on a backing strip are formed into fan-folded sets or stacks and are loaded directly from the fan-folding machine into an open four-sided cassette. The cassettes are made of cardboard, and after they are loaded with fan-folded labels, they are enclosed either by the addition of a fifth side or by wrapping. The cassette packages are then transported to the location where labels are to be applied to products moving along a conveyor. The fan-folded labels are supported in an open L-shaped rack which is tilted and which is of sufficient length to hold at least two sets or cassettes of fan-folded labels side by side. The labels are fed directly into a standard type of label dispenser which applies the labels to products as they are moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: A box-like container receives a deflated sealed expandable tube which is disposed with one sealed end as a first layer of the tube over the inside bottom wall of the container. Fragile articles are then laid on the upper side of this first layer in a random fashion and spaced apart. A second layer of the tubing is then disposed across the fragile articles and another group of fragile articles is positioned on the second layer of tubing. The tubing is then disposed across this second group and so forth until the container is filled to the desired extent. The tube is then inflated with a gas to expand the tubing between the fragile articles and will suspend the articles between the inflated layers. A closure valve is disposed in a convenient location for the inflating and deflating of the tube.

Abstract: A packaging machine for automatically packaging articles in a honeycomb structure which includes mechanisms for providing a honeycomb structure in an expanded condition in a loading station. The articles to be packaged are directed into the loading station, dropped into the expanded honeycomb structure, and the articles and honeycomb are subsequently dropped into the container. This is automatically done on a repeated basis until the container is filled, after which the container is automatically moved out of the loading station and a new container is moved into place.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system receives electronic axial lead devices, particularly polarized devices such as diodes, that are advancing axially from a sorter. The storage system includes a chute assembly with an upper run that funnels the devices to a stop wall spaced from the lower end of the run. The stopped device forms an acute angle with a magnetic field extending horizontally across the chute assembly to produce a controlled rotation of the device to a horizontal orientation. The reoriented device falls through the spacing to a lower chute run that guides it in a lateral mode of advance to a bin cassette replaceably secured between a pair of magnet pole pieces. The pole pieces have a tapered thickness to develop a downwardly increasing magnetic flux density that promotes a high packing density of the devices in the cassette. A flapper valve is manually operable to block movement of the devices on the second chute assembly while a loaded cassette is being replaced with an empty cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for packing articles, for example apples and other readily damaged fruits, in a close-packed array. A first feeder operates to pack a first supply of the articles in spaced-apart groups and a second feeder operates to fill the spaces between these groups. The feeders are preferably rotary members rotating in a vertical plane and having circumferential depressions. These depressions cooperate with peripheral confining barriers, eg. belts, to carry the articles downwardly and release them as required. The packages for receiving the articles, preferably pieces of expanded structural honeycomb material, may be carried under the feeders by a movable, synchronized conveyor. This conveyor may have protruberances for holding the honeycomb material expanded during filling. Unloading may be effected by raising the filled package into a confining frame in which it is then moved for deposition in a carton.