Abstract: A tablet supply apparatus including a main body having a case accommodating unit at the upper portion thereof, plural tablet cases provided in the case accommodating unit, each of the tablet cases having tablets accommodated therein, a hopper provided at the lower side of the tablet case in the main body, a nozzle for filling tablets received by the hopper into a container, the nozzle comprising a passage through which tables drop, a shutter which is freely opened and closed so as to allow or prohibit passage of dropping tablets through the nozzle, and a sensor for detecting passage of the tablets dropping through the passage at an upper side of the shutter. Furthermore, a tablet feeder for adding deficient tablets to the hopper comprises plural cells for accommodating tablets and an endless belt on which the cells are arranged on a line side by side.

Abstract: A system for dispensing items comprises trays each adapted to support items to be dispensed. A casing comprises a restocking volume receiving trays with items thereon for subsequent storage. A storage volume accommodates the trays in storage. An outlet is used to dispense any selected items on the trays. An arm displaces trays within the casing, and displaces items from the trays to the outlet. A controller unit receives an identification of each item in the trays when positioned in the restocking volume, and monitors a position of each identified item within the trays in the casing to control the actuation of the arm to dispense items through the outlet as a function of an order entered through the user interface.

Abstract: A thermal seal packaging systems and methods thereof. In one implementation a thermal sealing packaging system has a container transfer unit for transferring a container which is to contain a package item, a measuring unit for measuring the weight of the item that is loaded in the container being transported before it is loaded into the container, a capping film supply unit for a capping film to cover the opening area of the container, an indication means for indicating the measurement data of the measurement unit on the capping film, and a sealing unit for heat-sealing an opening area of the container, into which the package item is loaded, with the capping film, the opening area of the container into which the item is loaded is covered by the capping film on which the corresponding measurement data is indicated.

Abstract: A device for filling tablets into tablet carriers such as blisters is provided. The device includes , a tablet storage container for intermediately storing a multiplicity of tablets which lie loosely next to one another and above one another. The device also removes a single tablet from the tablet storage container and transfers the received tablet to the tablet carrier. The device thereby removes the tablet from above from the tablet storage container. The device is designed for performing scanning movements above the tablet storage container, where the scanning movements proceed under the control of either predetermined curves or of a sensor for detecting tablets.

Abstract: This mail-handling apparatus includes a feed module for feeding in mail items, a weigh module and a franking module. The weigh module includes regulator means for regulating the speed of advance of the conveyor means of the weigh module, which regulator means are adapted to take account of the weighing times taken to weigh the mail items.

Abstract: A coin wrapping machine includes a discrimination unit which detects images of the front face and rear face of coins during conveyance, and which discriminates the coins, a sorting unit which sorts the coins to one of a first side and a second side based on the discrimination results of the discrimination unit, a stacking unit which stacks the coins sorted to the first side by this sorting unit into columnar form with a prescribed number of coins, a wrapping unit which wraps stack of coins in columnar form, and a controller which controls the sorting unit based on the discrimination results so that at least one of an outside face of a coin at one end of the stack of coins and a second outside face of a coin at the other end of the stack of coins is the rear face.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: An automated supply system stacks and releases a selected number of products. The products are deposited from a conveyor into an arranging member and formed into a stack of a selected number of products. The stack of products is released into packaging. A product discharged from the conveyor is supported by a sliding base, which lowers when the next product on the conveyor is detected by a sensor. Once the sensor detects a selected number of products deposited onto the sliding base, the sliding base is retracted, dropping the stack of products into packaging. A retractable member is extended to collect products subsequently released from the conveyor while the sliding base is in the retracted position. The retractable member is retracted when the sliding base has extended and returned to an initial position.

Abstract: A method relates to a production line where cigarettes are arranged in horizontal layers within approximately vertical channel (3) of packing machine feeding system, the width of which is slightly bigger then the cigarette diameter. The cigarettes are moved gravitationally toward the bottom plate (6) tram which they are transferred to the packing machine, whereas faulty cigarettes are detected with sensors (9, 11) defining their defects, and the faulty cigarettes are rejected by a rejecting device (14).

Abstract: In a counting machine, a feeding tray contains articles in bulk to supply the articles to a rotating disc-shaped support with a plurality of through holes. A check station has a transparent plate operating to keep the articles in the holes and cooperating with vision devices provided for checking integrity and presence of articles in the through holes A rejection station has plurality of wings to keep/release articles into/from respective through holes according to signals coming from the vision devices. Also a discharge station has a plurality of wings to release/keep articles from/into respective through holes, according to signals coming from the vision devices.

Abstract: A packaging object supplying apparatus for supplying a packaging object to a packaging unit for packaging the packaging object into a predetermined fashion and specifically, a packaging object supplying apparatus comprising a packaging object combining portion for forming a combination of the packaging objects by combining two or more kinds of the packaging objects by a predetermined quantity in a predetermined array and a packaging object introducing portion for introducing the packaging objects combined by the packaging object combining portion to the packaging unit, a boxing apparatus comprising foldable box body supplying means, opening forming means, box body holding means, packaging object loading means, and lid forming means, a box body supplying apparatus for supplying a box body to the boxing apparatus.

Abstract: A sorting and conveying line provided at an X-ray film cutting and collection operation includes a defective sheet gate, a collection gate and a sample gate for sorting X-ray film sheets, which have been cut to a predetermined size at a cutting section, while the X-ray film sheets are conveyed. Film detection sensors are disposed at entrance and exit sides of each of the defective sheet gate, the collection gate and the sample gate, and each film detection sensor detects the X-ray film sheet at times when the X-ray film sheet should be conveyed and sorted. Based on the results of detection, a determination is made as to whether or not there is any failure in control on a number of produced X-ray film sheets, and the like, as well as conveyance and sorting operations. This allows smooth and quick handling in the event of a failure.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures.

Abstract: A transfer system for food products (P) having a product conveyor (11); a first support conveyor (13) suitable for moving supports (12) in equicurrent with the food products (P); a plurality of pickers (R1, R2, R3) situated in series along the run of the products (P) and supports (12) for individually collecting the products (P) from the product conveyor (11) to arrange them on the supports (12) translated from the first support conveyor (13); presence and position surveying devices (C1, C2) of which at least one is situated upstream with respect to the food products (P), of a first picker (R1) of the plurality of pickers (R1, R2, R3) suitable for detecting the presence, number, position and orientation of each product (P); an electronic image with a presence and position surveying device (C3), also connected to an electronic image identification and data processing system (34), wherein the pickers (R1–R4) are equipped with handlers (22) with an individual grip of the sucker type, with an anti-crash system an

Abstract: The invention is an under-filled cushion detector that is capable of conveying a string of packaging cushions and detecting whether the string of packaging cushions may be under-filled. The detector includes an upper driven belt that is movably suspended above a lower belt. The belts cooperate together to define a longitudinal cushion pathway between the belts. The distance between the upper and lower belts may vary depending upon the thickness of the string of packaging cushions. If a string of under-filled cushions travels between the upper and lower belts, the upper belt can move downwardly in the direction of the lower belt. A switch stops the upper and lower belts if the height of the cushion pathway decreases below a predetermined threshold. The detector can be used in a system for manufacturing and transporting packaging cushions to a desired location.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: In a processing facility comprising a plurality processing stations each for automatically conveying products in various stages of production for controlled processing, an intelligent product transfer and conveyance system that enables uninterrupted processing of only products determined as having passed a first inspection process at an upstream processing station. The intelligent product transfer and conveyance system for a processing facility ensures a continuous flow of a plurality of good products at sufficiently high speeds from an inspection process to subsequent stations for subsequent individualized packaging. The processing facility may comprise a contact lens manufacturing line for manufacturing spherical or toric type ophthalmic contact lens products.

Abstract: A tablet detecting system ascertains whether a tablet exists in a receiving hole of a loader unit used for a molding tablet supplying apparatus or, if exists, whether the tablet has a standard size, by using a mechanical contact manner. The tablet detecting system has a push rod, a contact head, an insulation plate, a conductive assembly and a control unit. The push rod is inserted into the receiving hole and moves upward just as high as the tablet. The contact head is formed on a top of the push rod and the insulation plate is located over the contact head. The conductive assembly is formed in the insulation plate and the control unit is electrically connected to the conductive assembly. When the tablet in the receiving hole has a standard size, the contact head mechanically touches the conductive assembly and gives electrical connection to the conductive assembly, and the control unit senses the electrical connection.

Abstract: A sleeve-type packaging machine system comprises: first (10) second (20) and third (30) article conveyor means, piece wrapping means (40), piece conveyor means (50) with a conveyor belt (51), a first modular unit (T100-G100) for forming and feeding pieces (S1) of packaging material, and a second modular unit (T200-G200) for forming and feeding pieces (S2) of packaging material. -The said two modular units (T100-G100; T200-G200) can assume at least two transverse positions, namely a first position in which the modular unit (T100-G100; T200-G200) is positioned at least transversely at the side of the packaging machine, and a second position, in which the modular unit (T100-G100; T200-G200) is positioned under the packaging machine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for packing an order of parts. An operator is prompted to select an indicated part. The part is read by the system to verify the selection of the part. An array of indicators directs the operator to where the part should be placed in a shipping tote. An array of sensors confirms the packing of the part.

Abstract: An attachment for supplying printed tabs or tags to a bag neck tying device for tying a ribbon dispensed from a spool about a gathered neck and the printed tag.

Abstract: A coin wrapping machine includes a discriminator for discriminating whether or not a coin is acceptable, a denomination of the coin when the coin is acceptable and whether or not the denomination of the coin coincides with that specified and counting coins of the specified denomination, a coin stacking device for stacking coins of the denomination to be wrapped, a reference stacked coin height data memory for storing reference stacked coin height data for each denomination of coins stacked by the coin stacking device, and a coin number discrepancy detecting device including a comparator for comparing a height of stacked coins and the reference stacked coin height data for each denomination stored in the reference stacked coin height data memory, the discriminator being made responsive to inclusion in coins of the specified denomination of new issue coins and past issue circulating coins for discriminating whether each coin is a new issue coin or a past issue circulating coin, determined based on a count made

Abstract: A coin wrapping machine includes an operation mode selector for selecting a counting mode for counting coins or a wrapping mode for wrapping coins, a coin passage, a first coin sensor provided in the coin passage for detecting physical properties of coins, a second coin sensor provided in the coin passage downstream of the first coin sensor for detecting physical properties of coins different from those to be detected by the first coin sensor, a first coin sorter provided in the coin passage downstream of the second coin sensor for sorting, a second coin sorter provided in the coin passage downstream of the second coin sensor for sorting coins, a third coin sorter provided in the coin passage downstream of the second coin sensor for sorting coins, and a discriminator for discriminating, based on the physical properties detected by the first coin sensor and the second coin sensor, and the second coin sorter being made responsive to such inclusion for sorting one kind between the new issue coins and the past is

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to produce magazines, books, catalogues, brochures, periodicals, or the like on a collation or binding line, transport these products in a single stream of products towards a packaging line, divide the single stream of products into distinct streams of products where one such stream comprises products requiring wrapping and another such stream comprises products which do not require wrapping, transport the products requiring wrapping to a wrapping machine and sending these products through a wrapping process, transport the products that do not require wrapping around the wrapping machine, and merge the separate streams of products back into a single stream of products such that the products are arranged in a predetermined output order, such as demographic order.

Abstract: A system for producing folded articles includes a cutting station (56) operable to segment a fabric web (42, 44) into a continuous stream of individual web segments (74, 76). The system also includes a first folding station (58) operable to fold each of the web segments (74, 76). The system further includes a spacing station (88) operable to receive the stream of web segments (74, 76) from the folding station (58) and deliver the stream of web segments (74, 76) at a predetermined spacing to correspond with a packaging registration.

Abstract: A system and method of arranging products, such as batteries, in a display package according to a desired orientation with efficient space utilization. The method includes providing products to be packaged, and applying an invisible orientation marking on each of the products. The orientation marking is visible when illuminated with ultraviolet light and is generally invisible to consumers under normal ambient light conditions. The method also includes illuminating the products with ultraviolet light, scanning each of the products, detecting the orientation marking on each of the products, orienting each of the products based on the detecting steps, and disposing each of the oriented products in a package so that the products have a desired orientation.

Abstract: Cigarette packets of a file wherein packets having satisfactory envelopes are randomly distributed among packets with defective envelopes, particularly envelopes having improperly glued and/or loose flaps, are advanced by a belt conveyor between two laterally adjustable guides. The guides bear upon the adjacent fold lines for pairs of mirror symmetrical flaps with a force which suffices to intensify the defects of envelopes with one or more non-adhering or improperly adhering flaps. This facilitates subsequent detection and segregation of packets having defective envelopes.

Abstract: A coin wrapping machine includes an operation mode selector for selecting a counting mode for counting coins or a wrapping mode for wrapping coins, a coin passage, a first coin sensor provided in the coin passage for detecting physical properties of coins, a second coin sensor provided in the coin passage downstream of the first coin sensor for detecting physical properties of coins different from those to be detected by the first coin sensor, a first coin sorter provided in the coin passage downstream of the second coin sensor for sorting, a second coin sorter provided in the coin passage downstream of the second coin sensor for sorting coins, a third coin sorter provided in the coin passage downstream of the second coin sensor for sorting coins, and a discriminator for discriminating, based on the physical properties detected by the first coin sensor and the second coin sensor, whether or not a coin is acceptable, the denomination of the coin and whether or not the denomination of the coin coincides with th

Abstract: As a substrate (10) is carried on a conveyor (20), an image analysis system (40) detects its presence and derives the various data, at least indicative of the footprint. The footprint data are used in selecting appropriate packaging components. Data may also indicate the transverse location and/or orientation and/or alignment of a substrate, and be used to control position adjustors for adjusting one or more of these. Data may also serve for categorizing the substrate, e.g., in terms of size or color. Such data may be used to control rejection of products, or categorization, e.g., by selection of distinguishable packaging.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes first and second conveyors for moving products from a receiving station to a first transfer station and a plurality of product-carrying elements mounted on the conveyors. The product-carrying elements of the first and second conveyors form respective first and second groups of product-carrying elements. The products are conveyable from the receiving station to the first transfer station alternatingly by the two conveyors. A first discharge mechanism at the first transfer station includes a plurality of product-pushing elements for displacing products transversely to the advancing direction. The product-pushing elements are spaced identically to the spacing of the product-carrying elements. A third conveyor extends from the first transfer station to a second transfer station.

Abstract: A coin wrapping machine including a coin stacking section for stacking deposited coins, a coin wrapping section for wrapping coins stacked by the coin stacking section and a coin supporting post for supporting the stacked coins and moving them from the coin stacking section to the coin wrapping section, the coin wrapping machine further including a light projector disposed between the coin stacking section and the coin wrapping section for projecting light onto the stacked coins being moved from the coin stacking section to the coin wrapping section, a line sensor disposed between the coin stacking section and the coin wrapping section for photoelectrically detecting light impinging onto the stacked coins from the light projector and reflected by edges of the stacked coins and a CPU for detecting portions between adjacent coins based on detection data produced by the line sensor, thereby determining the number of the stacked coins supported by the coin supporting post.

Abstract: A method of balancing the output of two lines of a packing system, wherein the two lines extend through at least two machines, at least one of which is a two-line machine, along two respective paths to produce and form respective articles into groups, and to pack the groups; the method including slowing down the articles, on each line, at at least one control station to form a continuous queue of contiguous articles; measuring the length of each queue; and maintaining the lengths of both queues and the difference between the lengths of the two queues within a first and a second given variation range respectively.

Abstract: A automated packaging system that can simultaneously process a single case or a plurality of cases and can be adjusted to accommodate packages and cases of various sizes. Individual packages, are fed to the packaging system on the package conveyor. The packages are recognized by the system when they energize an electric eye which causes the package to be stopped and elevated below a pick and place mechanism. A plurality of cases are stopped and then positioned longitudinally, by stops carried by a first chain, on the case conveyor at locations aligned with the packages that have been stopped and elevated over the package conveyor. The pick and place head is lowered and picks up the packages with vacuum heads. The pick and place heads can be rotated to thus change the attitude of the package. The pick and place mechanism is then moved laterally over the case conveyor and the packages are lowered into the open cases.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine inserts small items, such as candy coated chewing gum, into a box with the small items arranged in a desired orientation. First, the small items are swept into a grid of individual pockets in plates on a conveyor. Then, the grid is inverted over an insertion tray having grooves which receive the small items without disturbing the desired orientation. The entire tray is inserted into a box and then withdrawn from the box. A ridge is formed adjacent said grooves for lifting a side of the box confronting the small items while the tray is inserted into the box so that there is almost no friction between the small item and the box, which might otherwise disturb the desired orientation. The small items are blocked during a withdrawal of the tray so that they are laid down in the desired orientation on the bottom of the box.

Abstract: A method and a machine for automatically bagging articles in a bag and in a sequential and uninterrupted manner. A plurality of articles are continuously fed to the machine and received in two or three compartments, herein three compartments. Once the third article is received in the third compartment, all three articles are discharged within a bag held under the machine. A control circuit, after a predetermined time delay actuates an article support element which is caused to enter into the third compartment or the first compartment depending on the sequence of loading the machine whereby to support a fourth article entering the third compartment due to the fact that the bottom end of all compartments is open. The feeding device is uninterrupted and continues to feed articles to the machine regardless if the bottom discharge gate is open and the sequence is automatically reversed, back and forth, between the first and third and third and first compartments.

Abstract: A blister-pack package is made by forming a strip with a plurality of fields of upwardly open pockets and filling the pockets with respective objects while leaving at least one pocket empty and then scanning the fields and determining an address of the empty pocket in the respective field. A refilling head is then loaded at a stationary location with at least one of the objects. The loaded refilling head is then positioned above the empty pocket in accordance with the determined address, and the object is dropped from the loaded and positioned head into the empty pocket.

Abstract: Packages arriving continuously one after the other at an input station are loaded into boxes by continuously displacing an endless pocket belt through the input station and loading the packages at the input station into respective pockets of the belt. At a transfer station offset along the belt from the input station groups of the packages in the pockets are displaced transversely of the belt out of the respective pockets while the packages are still being displaced parallel to and synchronously with the belt at least until the packages being displaced transversely are clear of the pocket belt. These groups of packages displaced out of the respective pockets of the belts are then loaded into respective boxes.

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 automatic packing device for the filling of containers with superimposed layers of products, in particular fruits such as oranges, comprises a transport device capable of dividing the flow of citrus fruits into two separate streams, two separate feed stations suited to arrange each stream of citrus fruits according to a predetermined distribution, a packing station, and gripping elements capable of gripping alternately a layer of citrus fruits square with each feed station, and of effecting their transfer towards the packing station. Each feed station comprises a conveyor belt (8, 9) extending along a descending slope, which is constructed to run in a longitudinal direction opposite to that in which the products are fed, and an interchangeable cradle (10, 11) whose form is suited to ensure that the products endowed with a rotating movement take up position inside the cradle.

Abstract: A paper processing apparatus including a paper supplier for supplying papers one by one. A checker reads the papers supplied by the paper supplier to check at least whether the papers are complete or dirty papers. A transferrer transfers the papers checked by the checker. A collector collects papers checked as complete papers by the checker from among the papers transferred by the transferrer. A brancher branches papers checked as dirty papers by the checker from among the papers transferred by the transferrer. A discarder discards dirty papers branched by the brancher. A detector detects an abnormality of the transferrer and the discarder. A controller controls the brancher before the checker determines the checking result such that dirty papers are collected in the collector when an abnormality is detected in at least either the transferrer or the discarder by the detector.

Abstract: A medication dispenser for use in a hospital or other medical setting comprises a plurality of containers for holding medication units, packaging apparatus for containing one or more medication units in a package and robotics for manipulating a selected container to transfer one or more medication units from the container directly to said package. Since medication is directly transferred from the container to the package, no cross-contamination occurs.

Abstract: A cigarette packaging machine is provided with a mechanism for rejecting defective cigarette packs of a two pack stack of cigarette packs. A defective top pack of the stack is rejected at a first rejection station by a blast of pressurized air or a pusher bar and a defective bottom pack of the stack is rejected at a second rejection station downstream of the first rejection station by a movable arm which pivots away from a position supporting the stack and then pivots toward the stack to strike the bottom pack and eject it from the stack. A magazine filled with acceptable packs is located downstream of the second rejection station for replacing defective packs ejected from the stack.

Abstract: A jam detector in an inserting station of an inserter comprises horizontal and vertical photosensors and therewith associated retroreflective targets; the horizontal sensors have a light beam directed across and above an envelope positioned in the inserting station, and the vertical sensors have a pair of vertical light beams directed toward opening fingers while the fingers are positioned in the inserting station for holding envelopes open. The jam detector detects jam malfunctions during the inserting cycle by sensing interruption of the horizontal beam and uninterrupted retroreflection of the vertical beams.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing cigarette packages from a packaging machine for the purpose of inspection by a Machine Vision System includes an index wheel and machine vision machine for detecting defective packages and returns only good packages to the machine output flow.

Abstract: An in-line inserter device comprises envelope and insert feeding assemblies, an envelope inserting station assembly, a sealing and stacking assembly, and various diverter stations. The envelope feeding assembly withdraws envelopes from a hopper-held envelope stack and conveys them to the inserting station. Each modular insert feeding assembly comprises a hopper-held insert stack disposed above, along, and in line with an insert conveyor. The conveyor, along its track, carries inserts dispensed from the hopper-held insert stacks to the inserting station. Diverter stations are disposed ahead of the envelope inserting station for diversion of envelopes and inserts and ahead of the inserted envelope stacking assembly to divert inserted envelopes, for normal operational purposes and for rectification of sensed faults by rejection and extraction of processed faulty items.

Abstract: A device for transferring objects, such as filled bags, from a conveyor to a collection device, such as a box, placed below the conveyor comprises two conveyor belts (1, 2) placed adjacent to each other. In the conveying position, the top parts of said conveyor belts together form one conveying face. Each of the conveyor belts (1, 2) is disposed on a tiltable frame (4). In order to make the drive of the conveyor belts (1, 2) extremely simple and to make it possible to adjust the conveyor belts at right angles to their direction of conveyance, the drive comprises a drive pulley (3) acting upon the top part of the belts (1, 2) in the conveying position thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for the testing of cigarettes.In the packaging of cigarettes, it is necessary to test these for correct formation, especially for a complete filling of tobacco. For this purpose, a testing unit (13) is arranged within a cigarette magazine (10) and has a plurality of vertical test shafts (18), in the region of which the cigarettes are tested by optoelectrical sensors. The intact cigarettes subsequently pass into a cigarette stock (21) in free fall.To guarantee an orderly fault-free transfer of the tested cigarettes to the cigarette store (15), guide shafts (b 28) are formed underneath the test shafts (18) as a continuation of these and lead to a point immediately above the cigarette stock (21). The guide shafts (28) limited by vertical plane guide-shaft walls (29) guarantee that the cigarettes are deposited in an orderly manner and without tilting.There are also measures to clean the sensors for testing the cigarettes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging citrus fruit or discrete articles in a tightly packed pattern or arrangement closely resembling that of a hand packed box. A two-part telescoped box is conveyed in inverted position to a box filling and counting station, the box including an box inner part in which the side and end flaps are in open relation at the box filling station. At the counting station, fruit is being oscillated transversely of their path of travel so as to singulate the fruit into a plurality of counting stations arranged in a row and in a valley. When the row count has been satisfied, all of the fruit in the row are lifted upwardly for discharge into the open box. When the full count is satisfied, the filled box with fruit extending above the top of the outer box is moved to a box handling station in which the inner box is lifted to a height where the side and end flaps of the inner box may be folded over the top fruit.

Abstract: A case packing apparatus having a conveyor for moving a plurality of articles seriatim in a first direction to a location where means substantially perpendicular to the conveyor move a predetermined number of articles in the perpendicular direction into a case to form a layer within the case.

Abstract: A packing machine for pouches or other flexible container is provided having an indexable conveyor, a feed means which discharges pouches onto said indexable conveyor, a sensing means for indexing the conveyor, a variable stroke vacuum head assembly with a vacuum shroud for transporting and packing the pouches, and means to vary the length of stroke of the vacuum head assembly.