Abstract: In the present invention, penetrating radiation (X-rays) is projected by penetrating radiation (X-ray) generating means 14 onto a tablet package 12a. The penetrating radiation (X-rays) is detected by penetrating radiation (X-ray) detecting means 16. Tablet count determining means 18 determines the number of tablets packaged in the tablet package 12a, based on the detection result supplied from the penetrating radiation (X-ray) detecting means 16. Comparing and verifying means 18 extracts from prescription data tablet count data associated with the tablets supposed to be packaged in the tablet package 12a, and verifies whether the tablets are packaged as directed by the prescription data, by comparing the tablet count data with the number of tablets determined by the tablet count determining means 18.

Abstract: A machine, and operating procedures for a machine, for automatically threading, swaging and packaging surgical needles. A first mechanism is used to suture the needles and to pull test the needles to determine if certain maximum and minimum pull test requirements are met. The sutured needles are then transferred to packages on a second mechanism, and that mechanism indexes the packages through a series of stations to complete the packaging of the needles. Various checks are made at the packaging mechanism before that mechanism is operated to index the needle packages; and different items at the station used to pull test the needles, are monitored to determine if they return timely to predetermined positions. Also, check are made at the station at which the needles are transferred to the packages, to be sure that those items are in preferred positions before the packages are moved.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically dispensing prescriptions according to a patient's order. The system includes at least one line of machines that can automatically fill a patient's prescription order with countable oral solid medication under the control of an appropriate control system. The system includes containers provided to store the oral solid medication. One or more medication-containing containers are detachably coupled to a vibratory dispenser according to a patient's order. The vibratory dispenser automatically vibrates the container to dispense a predetermined amount of medication from the container into the vial according to the patient's order. Labeling and capping apparatus may be provided to apply a patient-specific label to the vial and to apply a cap or closure to the vial. Vials containing medication according to the patient's order may be collected in accumulation receptacles prior to delivery to a patient.

Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.

Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.

Abstract: Based on a non-orderly flow of supplied articles, which may also be sticky articles of food, there is effected in a compulsory manner an isolation of mutually separated small article portions, which are moved through a weighing station (20) and thereafter brought together selectively into larger portions, e..g, with a predetermined weight. In a preferred system according to the invention use is made of an endless row of carrier trays (12) which, in two straight runs, pass along a number of receiver containers (22), into which they are selectively emptied after having passed the weighing station. In front of this station distributor means (14, 18) are provided above a horizontal reversing path of the tray chain for ensuring that the supplied articles are distributed to the trays without overlapping therebetween. Various advantageous embodiments of the single parts of the system to work with a desirably high capacity.

Abstract: A method and a system 100 is provided for automatically dispensing prescriptions according to a patient's order. The system 100 includes at least one line 105 of machines that can automatically fill a patient's prescription order with countable oral solid drugs and unit of use drugs, under the control of an appropriate control system, within the same machine 105. The apparatus of the invention includes numerous components that are integrated into a singular process. A robotic assembly 140 may be used to manipulate and transport vials, canisters 130, and bins 145 within the system. The robotic assembly 140 may further include a gripper assembly 20. The canister 130 may include means to accelerate a drug during the drug's movement through the canister 130 in order to increase the separation distance between drugs. The canister 130 may also include singulation control for maintaining drugs in a nearly single-file order as the drugs move through the canister 130.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers.

Abstract: An automated positive count rotary slat packaging apparatus and related methods include independently rotatable rotary slats. In one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a positive count mechanism disposed in the pill delivery path adjacent the containers and a controller which is capable of generating an alarm or determining when a bottle is filled incorrectly. Accordingly, underfilled containers can be independently filled by further rotating only the respective rotary slat. A drive device for each rotary slat is also provided having frustoconical drive wheels connected to the ends of counterrotating drive shafts. The drive wheels, which are driven by a motor, engage corresponding frustoconical drive surfaces of the rotary slats to thereby rotate the slats.

Abstract: A system for dispensing and packaging wire ties directly from a wire tie forming machine. While the prior art contemplates dispensing wire ties along first and second flexible strings or wires to form a coil of ties having the first and second strings or wires passing through first and second eyelets, respectively, formed in the ties, the present invention teaches first and second, rigid rods emanating from the first and second tying anvils on the tie forming machine, which rods are configured to slide each formed tie away from the tie forming machine, wherein the ties are counted via electric eye or the like and selectively dispensed into a package via computer controlled actuator. Bagging a quantity of the ties in this fashion provides an automated, dependable, economical system for packaging the specified quantity of ties, and is particularly useful for smaller lots of ties, for example, 500 ties or less.

Abstract: A method enabling the selective packaging of a product comprising a plurality of items of varying weights, such as chicken parts, and subsequent even-weight scannable packaging of the same. The method includes the steps of weighing each individual part; sorting each individual parts into a holding bin; accumulating a plurality of parts in each bin until a predetermined weight of parts is reached in a first of the bins; emptying the first bin of its parts; and packaging the parts in the appropriate package. The steps of emptying and packaging the parts in accord with the method of the present invention would be repeated as the bins were determined to hold the appropriate weight of product.

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 coin wrapping machine includes a coin denomination selecting device for selecting the denomination of coins to be wrapped, a coin discrimination and counter device for discriminating and counting the coins to be wrapped, a coin stacking device for stacking a predetermined number of coins, a coin wrapping device for wrapping a wrapping paper around the stacked coins and crimping both ends of the wrapping paper, and a speed setting device for setting the operating speed of wrapping rollers to a predetermined speed and setting the moving speed of a crimping device to a predetermined speed.

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: Based on a non-orderly flow of supplied articles, which may also be sticky articles of food, there is effected in a compulsory manner an isolation of mutually separated small article portions, which are moved through a weighing station (20) and thereafter brought together selectively into larger portions, e.g. with a predetermined weight. In a preferred system according to the invention use is made of an endless row of carrier trays (12) which, in two straight runs, pass along a number of receiver containers (22), into which they are selectively emptied after having passed the weighing station. In front of this station distributor means (14, 18) are provided above a horizontal reversing path of the tray chain for ensuring that the supplied articles are distributed to the trays without overlapping therebetween. Various advantageous embodiments of the single parts of the system are described, including a special weighing station enabling the system to work with a desirably high capacity.

Abstract: A system for processing a carton includes a unit for supplying articles for printing, a unit for printing the contents of articles supplied from the supplying unit so as to be housed within the carton, including the names or quantity of the articles to be housed within the carton, or the printing pattern, a unit for assembling the article to be printed to a carton shape from its developed state, a unit for loading the articles to be housed within the article to be printed assembled in the carton shape by the assembling unit, a transporting unit for interconnecting the unit for supplying the articles for printing, printing unit, assembling unit, and the loading unit; and a production supervising computer controlling the unit for supplying the articles for printing, printing unit, assembling unit, loading unit and the transporting unit.

Abstract: The invention relates a loading and unloading device for x-ray film cassettes, said device being further developed in such a way that a number of exposed x-ray films having different formats can be haphazardly delivered to a storage place, and in such a way that the filling height (H) as well as the number of x-ray films in storage can be reliably measured. For this purpose, a light-tight storage magazine is positioned in the film conveyor track of the loading and unloading device, said magazine being provided with a single sensor which measures the number of films introduced into, and the height (H) of the stack of films present in the magazine.

Abstract: A medication filling apparatus which is capable of preventing medications from being over-dispensed so as to enable accurate filling operation. The medication filling apparatus is equipped with: a tablet case for holding medications; a dispenser drum for dispensing the medications one at a time from the tablet case as it rotates; a motor for driving and rotating the dispenser drum; a sensor for detecting the medications which have been dispensed; and a controller which starts the motor, counts the dispensed medications according to an output of the sensor, and stops the motor when a predetermined count value is reached. The controller drops the voltage applied to the motor before the predetermined count value is reached and then short-circuits the terminals of the motor when the predetermined count value is reached.

Abstract: A system for coordinating an operational speed of an envelope inserter receiving incoming packets containing a predetermined number of document pages with an interval of time required to generate each incoming packet. A printer generates the document pages within each of the packets and a computer coordinates the operational speed of the envelope inserter with the interval of time required by the printer to generate each incoming packet.

Abstract: In an automated prescription pill dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers are provided each operable to count out and dispense pills from supply hoppers. The dispensers are controlled by a computer which selects up to five of the dispensers to operate and control the selected pill dispensers to count out pills simultaneously. The pill dispensers dispense the pills into the first set of output hoppers, from which the pills can be released into a second output hopper under the control of the computer. The computer will release the pills from the second output hopper corresponding to a selected pill dispenser through a snout into a pill vial in response to sensing the presence of a pill vial at the snout. The computer controls a prescription label printer to print prescription labels for the pill vials. The computer also controls indicator lights to indicate which dispensing cell is selected and ready to have pills released from the second output hopper corresponding thereto.

Abstract: An automated product collection apparatus comprising two vertical, endless belt conveyor systems and a horizontal conveyor. One vertical conveyors (the load station) is loaded with a number of empty containers which are transferred sequentially to the horizontal conveyor (the fill station). The horizontal conveyor moves an empty container into position to collect parts from process and production equipment. Sensing circuitry counts the parts loaded into each container to determine when each container is full or reaches a predetermined product count. The full container is moved to the second vertical conveyor system (the unload station) which accumulates the full containers until unloaded from the second vertical conveyor. Individual parts may be counted, the accumulated total of parts can be weighed, and inputs may be obtained from other automated production equipment.

Abstract: A system for transporting containers in serial order through container-processing stations, such as filling and capping stations. The transporting system comprises a revolving turret defining a plurality of container receiving pockets in a spaced apart relationship for serially advancing containers from one processing station to another along a generally arcuate path. Each pocket is configured to accept and release a container along predetermined ingress and egress directions respectively. An endless conveyor supplies unprocessed containers to the revolving turret and also removes the processed containers therefrom.

Abstract: A system for sequentially establishing batches of predetermined numbers of items is disclosed. The system includes a feeder for continuously dispensing items serially and one at a time. A counter counts items as they are dispensed by the feeder and emits a batch control signal each time a predetermined number of items has been dispensed by the feeder. An item accumulator/separator separates items fed on a continuous basis into batches. The separator includes a diverter for diverting items forming each succeeding batch to a collection location separated from the location of items in the batch immediately preceding each separated batch while maintaining all items along a flow path from the feeder to a collection station. The diverter is operative to establish diversion of items of a succeeding batch in response to each such batch control signal. A collector is positioned at the collection station for sequentially collecting such batches and maintaining them in such separated condition.

Abstract: In an automatic prescription dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers dispensing the pills of different prescriptions are arranged in columns and rows. A conveyer organizes open and labeled pill bottles in columns corresponding to the columns of the pill dispensers and carries the columns of pill bottles severally past and beneath the pill dispensers in the array. The pill bottles are carried in bottle carriers which in turn are carried by pallets on a conveyer. When a pill bottle gets to a pill dispenser containing the pills to be dispensed for the prescription of a pill bottle, the pills are released from the dispenser into the pill bottle, whereby a plurality of pill bottles passing under the array of dispensers are filled simultaneously. The pill dispensers count the pills out one at a time and accumulate the pills of a prescription before the pill bottle to receive such prescription reaches the dispenser and then releases the pills en masse into the pill bottle.

Abstract: A bulk straw loading system includes one or more bulk straw staging members having a plurality of compartments which receive, organize and store straws. The straws are detected and counted as they are received. A bulk straw staging member compartment opening temporary closure device insures that at least two compartments full of straws can be stored in a bulk straw staging member prior to being unloaded to a bulk straw transport device. A bulk straw transport device provides the straws to a bulk straw packager such as a boxer or bagger. A bulk straw loading system controller utilizes straw manufacturing speed information from a straw extruder, cutter or wrapper and combined with straw count information, effectuates rotation of each bulk straw staging member as appropriate.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking and loading sheet material being continuously ejected along a flow path from a sheet production apparatus has a frame, a stationary rake, a catching rake and a drive. The stationary rake is mounted on the frame and positioned for directing sheet material being ejected to a stacking area. The catching rake is pivotally and extensibly mounted on the frame. The drive is adapted for effecting movement of the catching rake.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a predetermined quantity of objects and a counting device therefor is disclosed. The counting device includes a feed tray for singularizing objects, and the tray has at least one guide path including segments defining a direction of movement along the path oriented at an angle with respect to the drive axis of the tray. The packaging apparatus includes the counting device and associated components and controls for the automatic, high speed filling of containers.

Abstract: A device for feeding a specific number of spheres into a container from a supply conduit via a sphere-metering device so that a predetermined number of spheres reaches a container. The metering device has a groove that is aligned with the outlet of the supply conduit and the opening of the positioned container and functions in conjunction with a cylindrical worm conveyor that covers this opening laterally and whose axis of rotation runs parallel to the extension of the groove. As the worm conveyor rotates by one turn, the spirals in cooperation with the stationary groove, guide the required number of spheres form-fittingly and forcibly into the container. A sensor of a monitoring device detects the conveyance of the spheres in order to feed the proper number of spheres to the container.

Abstract: An automatic filling system which inserts objects into containers includes a feed hopper. A conveyor conveys a plurality of the objects into the feed hopper. The feed hopper has a discharge station. A collection station is located at the discharge station for disposing the containers in a position for receiving the objects fed from the discharge station. The feed hopper includes a flat inclined disc which receives the objects from the conveyor. The disc is rotated at a sufficiently high speed to cause the objects to move under centrifugal force toward the periphery of the disc. The feed hopper further includes a cylindrical member having an annular wall disposed around the disc and having an upper edge located generally at the same elevation as the upper end of the disc so that objects moving toward the periphery of the disc are moved to the upper edge of the cylindrical member and are conveyed on the upper edge away from the upper end of the disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined count and/or weight of objects into a receptacle includes a conveyor, an object sensor, a controller, a trickle-feed conveyor, and a receptacle conveyor. The conveyor conveys the objects and has at least one grouping assembly which is capable of capturing a group of objects and supporting that group of objects during conveyance. The object sensor is disposed to detect the presence of each of the groups of objects prior to discharge and relays information relating to the number of objects within each group of objects. The controller communicates with the object sensor, monitors the information relayed, generates instructions, and tracks the location of each grouping assembly from detection to discharge into the receptacle. The controller also monitors the number of objects in each group of objects discharged into the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and securing small-count stacks of plural printed documents for handling and mailing with peelable tabs which are applied to opposite sides of stacked plural documents. The apparatus is incorporated into an automated magazine binding production line to receive predetermined printed documents. The apparatus has a glue bead applicator for tacking a glue bead on the printed documents, a stacking station downstream of the glue station for stacking said plural printed documents, and a tabbing station downstream for creating tabs of the required length and then applying of the stacking station tabs on opposing sides of said stacked printed documents. The secured stack of printed documents is then conveyed to a sorting and mailing station.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for making up consignments from articles supplied in packs. It consists essentially of a consignment-assembly unit (9) that supplies individually supplied articles via a sorter (10) having inward conveyors (30,31) to an array of rack sections (14) through which the articles pass to be assembled into consignments via an outward conveyor (32). The individual articles are unpacked from the packs and the packs are temporally buffered by means of an intermediate store (6). Control is effected by a computer (2) which issues control data (d) to the intermediate store (6) and the various positions of the consignment-assembly unit (9) on the basis of goods received data (a) and customer order data (b) so as to determine, starting from the intermediate store (6), which article is to pass at which time to any particular rack section (14) and is to be available at a further particular time at the outlet in a consignment.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles, such as can ends, in a sleeve drawn from a roll of continuous sleeve material is described. Means are disclosed for feeding the can ends to a packaging location, for segregating the can ends into package-size groups and for inserting the groups into the sleeves. The machine further includes means for feeding the sleeve material to the packaging location, means for retaining the sleeve material at the packaging location and means for clamping and severing the sleeve material to form an individual sleeve. Means for forming and sealing end-flaps on the contents containing sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for stacking and packaging a series of articles includes a rotating wheel having a multiple number of dividers thereon. The dividers being selectably projected from the periphery of the wheel in various space relationships for defining the size of a stack. The size of the stack is adjusted by varying the distance between adjacent dividers. The stacking wheel moves a stack to a packaging device that includes elements to align the stack for positioning into a package.

Abstract: An apparatus and control system for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for packing a number of small packages into containers of a larger size and having an inclined conveyor for receiving packages, a counter flat adjacent to upper end of the conveyor for generating count signals, a storage chute for receiving packages being angled downwardly, container holders located adjacent to the chute lower end adapted to hold container in registration with the chute lower end for receiving packages the holder means being intermittently operably whereby to move the container when it has received a predetermined number of said packages, and to place an empty container, in registration with the chute lower end, and, controls operable to cause intermittent movement of the holder in response to a predetermined number of count signals, and a method of packing packages on the apparatus.

Abstract: Automatic bag filler for packaging predetermined numbers of spheroidal or ellipsoidal articles presorted to have substantially the same size and weight. From a bulk product receiving station the articles are conveyed through a singulating zone, thence through a counting station where the articles, in single file, are counted and carried to an inclined chute leading to a product bagging station. The counting mechanism halts the conveyor temporarily just as the last of the predetermined number of articles enters the top of the inclined chute. A blower acts in conjunction with suitably directed vanes to guide a flow of air toward the open end of the topmost one of a stack of bags thereby opening the topmost bag located at the bottom of the inclined chute for the reception of the counted articles. When the conveyor stops, the filled bag containing the predetermined number of articles is transferred to a bag closure station, thence to storage.

Abstract: A self-aligning sleever for inserting photograph slides into pockets of an elongated web of sleeving material having a plurality of rows with a predetermined number of pockets per row and spaced from one another by a predetermined row spacing distance. The web of sleeving material is supported for movement in a direction perpendicular to the rows of pockets by a chassis base. A slide shuttle removes photograph slides from a hopper and moves the slides to a first position on a slide support. Photograph slides at the first position are moved to second and subsequent positions in a row corresponding to positions of the pockets in the row of slide sleeving material. A slide counting mechanism mechanically counts the photograph slides moved to the positions on the slide support. Pocket opening means such as coil springs arc the slide sleeving material to open the pockets of the row into which the photograph slides are to be inserted.

Abstract: A control system for a cigarette making and pack aging system including a cigarette making machine, a cigarette packaging machine with a variable operation speed, and a reservoir mechanism provided between the cigarette making machine and the cigarette packaging machine, a current reserve amount calculating unit for calculating a current reserve amount in the reservoir mechanism, an intermediate reserve amount calculating unit for calculating an intermediate reserve amount, a desired value setting unit for setting a maximum reserve amount and a minimum reserve amount of the reservoir mechanism on the basis of the intermediate reserve amount, a comparison unit for comparing the current reserve amount with the maximum reserve amount and the minimum reserve amount, and a speed control unit for controlling the speed of the packaging machine on the basis of a comparison result by the comparison unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a preselected number of unsymmetrical objects into a package has a vibratory transporter for feeding a predetermined number of objects to be packaged into a collector and a photoelectric device for releasing the objects from the collector into a package when the predetermined number of objects are in the collector. The transporter includes a discharge trough which is slopped to one side and has a fixed siderail and a resiliently yieldable siderail which prevent jamming of unsymmetrical objects within the trough. Tracks which feed objects from an object storage unit to the trough are arranged one above the other so that the unsymmetrical objects cannot enter the trough on edge or in stacked relation to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coin handling apparatus for coin receiving and coin wrapping operations. A coin receiving apparatus of the present invention is provided with a safe means in which coins received in the apparatus are stored after the total value of the coins has been calculated. The apparatus is also provided with a transfer means for taking out the coins stored in the safe means. In another aspect of the present invention, a coin receiving and wrapping apparatus is provided having both coin receiving and wrapping operations functions.

Abstract: A coin receiving and wrapping machine comprising upper hopper for receiving coins, discriminating sensor for discriminating denominations of coins to introduce a predetermined denomination of coins to be wrapped to one direction and coins other than the predetermined coins to another direction, accumulating section for receiving said predetermined denomination of coins to accumulate them, wrapping section provided downward of said accumulating section for wrapping said predetermined denomination of coins in the form of a coin stack, holding section removably mounted on said machine for temporarily holding the coins from the discriminating section other than said predetermined denomination of coins, selecting box removably mounted on said machine and positioned downward of said holding means for receiving the coins from the holding section and for discharging the coins from the holding means, lower hopper located at the lower portion of the machine for receiving said coins from the selecting box and coins from

Abstract: A control device on a packaging machine for single and multiple packaging of articles of clothing hanging on coat hangers and to be jacketed and welded in a tube film of plastics material in which in the region of the running path of the articles of clothing between the feed screw and the packaging suspension device there are arranged a singler and a stopper arranged at a distance therefrom as well as a scanner registering the number of clothing articles to be packaged by preselection with magnetic scanning, by color scanning or by distance scanning and controlling the singler and stopper for packaging preparation and release.

Abstract: The apparatus for forming separate piles of equal-numbers of workpieces, especially can covers, from a stack moving longitudinally in a feed trough is equipped with an electronic counter and controller with a sensor responding to the edge of the workpiece which operates without contact with the workpiece and with a feed device which is shiftable into a clamped and a released position engaged on the stack upstream of the sensor in the feed direction. It is drivable in the clamped position with at least two feed speads. Moreover a separating mechanism is provided with a separating wedge movable to-and-fro transverse to the stack to form a separating gap in the edge region between the adjacent workpieces of the pile and the stack together with two separating knives guidable into the separating gap which are connected with a drive acting in the longitudinal direction of the stack. The new apparatus can be mounted at each position along the conveying trough without interruption of or blocking the trough.

Abstract: A bill handling system provided with a bill bundler unit for sorting bills according to denominations, counting the sorted bills for each denomination and bundling bills of a predetermined number and a predetermined denomination, the number of bills remaining unbundled being counted and stored when bill sorting and counting operations have been completed, so as to continually implement the succeeding bill bundling operation on the basis of the stored number of bills remaining unbundled. The number of remaining bills is displayed or printed for calling an operator's attention to the number of remaining files.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for successively packaging hen's eggs to obtain packs of eggs, in which the eggs to be packed are successively conveyed, the weight of each of the eggs conveyed is detected, then the eggs are divided and accumulated in the respective regions according to the detected weight, then a predetermined number of eggs are taken out from each region to form a set of eggs to be contained in one pack, and this set of eggs are placed in a plastic packaging container.

Abstract: An envelope stacking apparatus adapted to be positioned at the end of a discharge conveyor for an envelope insertion machine, the apparatus including an infeed conveyor for picking up envelopes from the discharge conveyor, a stacking assembly for stacking envelopes, the stacking assembly including a stacking conveyor and a pusher plate, a transfer conveyor for transferring the envelope stacks from the stacking assembly, a drive mechanism for driving the infeed conveyor and transfer conveyor continuously, the drive mechanism including a one-revolution clutch for intermittently actuating the stacking conveyor and a counter for tripping the clutch when a predetermined number of envelopes have been stacked in the stacker assembly.

Abstract: A document collating and inserting system having displays for document count verification. A plurality of bank checks belonging to a check set are fed, counted and stacked at a stacking station while simultaneously an associated statement is fed to an imaging station where a number imprinted thereon is imaged by a video camera and displayed on a video monitor. The number represents a predetermined number which should equal the actual number of checks counted, the actual count also being displayed. An operator makes a visual comparison of the two displayed numbers and, if they are in agreement, initiates a cycle of the system thereby forming a collation of the statement and checks and transporting them to a holding station. From the holding station the collation is inserted within an envelope provided by an envelope feeder during the next cycle of the system. If the two numbers are not in agreement a mismatch switch is provided for the operator to activate before cycling the system.

Abstract: A container filling machine having a parallel series of elongated slats for movement in a closed path in a direction generally transverse to their length. The slats have cavities carrying articles such as capsules, tablets, caplets, etc. and deliver the same to a first set of horizontally extending chutes which in turn deliver the same to a second set of chutes there beneath. The first set of chutes is fixed with the second set of chutes being adapted for a "shuttle" or reciprocating movement so as to alternately deliver the articles to first and second rows of containers therebeneath. An associated conveyor has single and double container sections with a gate which alternately directs the containers to the first and second rows of containers in the double row section. Similarly, a pair of lead screws at the container filling station alternately assist in delivery, hold the containers in position for filling and thereafter discharge the filled containers.