Abstract: A weighing-packaging-pricing apparatus has a roll supporting device to rotatably support a film roll, a film transporting device to pull a stretch film from this film roll and to transport a stretched film sheet to a packaging station, a weighting device for weighing and measuring the dimensions of an object on a tray to be packed while it travels to a lifter which lifts the object to the packaging station and pushes it against the stretched film sheet, and a folding device for folding edge sections of the film sheet to form a package. The film transporting device clamps side edge sections of the film pulled out of the film roll and adjusts the clamping positions automatically according to the position of the film roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically applying trasfers to packages in any size of cartons, such as revenue stamps to cigarettes while in cartons. Initially, cigarette cartons of any size are loaded onto a conveyor belt where they are carried to the various stations of the apparatus. The apparatus is automatically adjustable to any size of carton by means of photoelectric cells. As the cartons are pushed through the apparatus, an improved plow head opens the cigarette cartons in preparation for stamping. Just before stamping, any improperly opened cartons are automatically ejected. An improved stamp indexer scans the stamps photoelectrically so a motor advances the correct number of stamps so that waste is reduced and defective stamping is avoided. Next, a gluing station applies glue to ensure that flaps stay down when the cartons are reclosed. Finally, the cartons are discharged onto a conveyor where a packing station aligns them and pushes them row by row into a case for shipment.

Abstract: A weighing-packaging-pricing apparatus has a roll supporting device to rotatably support a film roll, a film transporting device to pull a stretch film from this film roll and to transport a stretched film sheet to a packaging station, a weighing device for weighing and measuring the dimensions of an object on a tray to be packed while it travels to a lifter which lifts the object to the packaging station and pushes it against the stretched film sheet, and a folding device for folding edge sections of the film sheet to form a package. The folding device includes transversely moving plates for folding side edge sections of the film sheet, and the motion of these plates is controlled according to the size of the tray to be packaged.

Abstract: The system comprises at least one conveyor for carrying the bundles with equipment for checking bundle integrity and verifying correct addresses. Equipment can be included to remove unacceptable bundles and to divert each bundle to the predetermined conveyor and align the bundles properly. The bundles are rotated and held in position until a uniformed, and/or predetermined dimension log is achieved and then moved into position for strapping the log, identifying it and attaching the label. Conveyors are used to place each log in position to be palletized in conjunction with other logs. The logs can be rotated to create cross stacking of the logs and equipment can be used to raise or lower each layer of the logs. When the complete pallet is created an address and information label is prepared and attached.

Abstract: A method of wrapping articles in plastic, whereby the cross-section of the article dictates variations in the length of plastic web required at various times, with a mechanical wrapper that revolves around the article and has at least one take-off cylinder rotating at a rate controlled in accordance with a sequence of values that depends on the article's cross-section, and releasing plastic in the length required at a particular time. The sequence of values exploited for controlling the take-off cylinder (7) is determined during at least the first revolution of the winder (5) by measuring the stress on the web downstream of the take-off cylinder in the accordance with the angle (.PHI.) of the winder, is stored in a memory (15), and is appropriately standardized for varying the rate of rotation of the take-off cylinder.

Abstract: Cookies (30) of uniform but irregularly shaped perimeter are received from the cookie oven in a horizontal as-baked attitude onto a first surface conveyor (19). As the cookies are passed to successive surface conveyors 920) and (21) operating at successively decreased velocities, the cookies are raised to an edge standing attitude abutting one another. Laser detecting means (24-26) are positioned above the conveyors (19-21), and measure the height of the edge stacked cookies and adjust this height by varying the speed of the successive conveyors (19, 20 and 21). A counting means (28) at the discharge end of conveyor (21) counts out a predetermined number of cookies to be placed upon the loader (16) for loading into a cookie tray (104), and a pair of separator blades (42, 43) separates these cookies on the loader from the cookies remaining on surface conveyor (21). A cookie tray (104) is positioned under the loader (16) by a cookie tray conveyor (18).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying, classifying, and packing goods is disclosed. The goods move on a plurality of lanes to containers for packing. The goods move on conveyors to classifiers where goods outside a predetermined specification are discarded. Goods which meet the specifications move to a counter and retainer. A predetermined number of goods moves to a stacker in a cycle. The stacker moves within a set of spindles configured to receive the goods there between. A controller counts the number of goods stacked in the set of spindles. When a full count is reached the spindles rotate and the goods are placed into a box which is positioned proximate the spindles.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating balloons of the kind having a body and a filling neck terminating in a beaded edge, said apparatus comprising a balloon support plate having a sealing surface and an open ended slot extending from one edge thereof to receive the filling neck of a balloon such that the beaded edge is adjacent said sealing surface and the body of the balloon is disposed on the remote side of the plate; a filling head selectively moveable toward said sealing surface to clamp said beaded edge between the filling head and sealing surface and establish a substantially gas tight seal between the filling head and beaded edge; and a pressurized gas flow passage through said filling head to the neck of a clamped balloon for inflation of the balloon. The apparatus further includes means for stretching, twisting and sealing the neck of the inflated balloons. In a preferred embodiment has the apparatus has a plurality of support plates mounted on a conveyor in the form of an endless loop.

Abstract: A driving system in a packaging appratus is controlled by detecting when an object to be packaged reaches a predetermined position of a supplying device, driving a film supplying device to withdraw a packaging film in the form of a strip for a predetermined time and/or a predetermined length after detecting the object to be packaged at the predetermined position, and driving a cutting device to cut a predetermined position of the packaging film, formed cylindrically about the object, after detecting the object to be packaged at the predetermined position. A detecting device is provided on or adjacent to the supplying device for detecting when the object to be packaged reaches the predetermined position of the supplying device. A first driving device drives the supplying device at a constant speed. A second driving device drives the film supplying device, and a third driving device drives the cutting device.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the positioning of articles driven on a path comprises a first position detector mounted on the path upstream from a desired stop position for the articles on the path and a sensor for sensing displacement steps of the articles and triggered by the first position detector. The apparatus is characterized in that first detector is at a non-critical distance from the stop point, and in that it further includes a second position detector mounted at a distance which is known and referenced relative to the stop point, and means for deriving a stop-controlling parameter P during an initialization cycle using one of the articles driven along the path, on the basis of the number N of article displacement steps representing the known distance and on the basis of a number n of sensor steps measured between the article being detected by one of the two position detectors and then by the other. The invention is applicable to mail processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pellet handling equipment for conveying pellets. The pellet handling equipment is essentially composed of a first roller device, a second roller device, and a pellet supplying device. The first roller device is supported generally horizontal and rotatable about an axis thereof for a rotation in a predetermined direction. The second roller device is disposed parallel and adjacent to the first roller device, supported rotatable about an axis thereof for a rotation in a same direction with the first roller device. The second roller device is provided with a slot formed in a circumferential surface thereof and extending in the axial direction. The slot is capable of receiving each one of the pellets. The pellet supplying device intermittently supplies the pellets to the first and second roller device.

Abstract: A method of supplying stacks of flat articles to a packing machine comprises the following steps: charging receptacles in a dosing device with articles to obtain in each receptacle an article stack shorter and lighter than a predetermined weight and length; advancing some of the charged receptacles to a standby station and some of the charged receptacles to a fine dosing device; and charging the receptacles in the fine dosing device with articles until the predetermined weight and length are substantially reached. The charging step in the fine dosing device includes the step of transferring articles from a receptacle dwelling in the standby station to a receptacle dwelling in the fine dosing device. Thereafter, the receptacles are advanced from the fine dosing device to the packing machine. The empty receptacles are advanced from the packing machine and the standby station to the dosing device.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus for detecting discrepancy in number of stacked coins provided for a coin wrapping machine including wrapping rollers for winding a wrapping film having a larger width than the height of stacked coins around stacked coins of a predetermined number so that there remain crimp regions crimpable above and below the stacked coins and an upper crimp claw and a lower crimp claw movable in the vertical direction, the upper crimp claw and the lower crimp claw being for crimping the crimp regions of the wrapping film by being moved toward each other and holding the stacked coins therebetween, the detecting apparatus for detecting discrepancy in number of stacked coins further including an upper arm for supporting the upper crimp claw, a lower arm for supporting the lower crimp claw, a rack extending vertically and fixed to one of the upper arm and the lower arm, a pinion rotatably mounted on the other of the upper and lower arms and engageable with the rack, an absolute type rotary encoder connecte

Abstract: A modified inspection apparatus for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets for surface defects includes a pellet guide chute assembly extending through an ultrasonic inspection chamber. The guide chute assembly has a support substrate and a pair of elongated plates attached on respective upper adjacent sides of the substrate. The substrate is composed of a pair of elongated wall sections rigidly attached together to have a V-shaped configuration in cross section. The plates are adjustably attached on the substrate wall sections for supporting a nuclear fuel pellet between and on adjacent longitudinal portions of the plates located in the inspection chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a package around an article to be packaged by folding one or a plurality of closing flaps (3, 4) around the open side of a package. The apparatus comprises a conveyor track (13), first folding means (32) which are movable crosswise of the conveyor track, holder and pusher means (22) mounted below folding means (32) and movable crosswise of the conveyor track, a first conveyor track section followed by a second conveyor track section (13), the latter being vertically liftable and lowerable, and press means (8, 18) mounted above the second track section and vertically liftable and lowerable. Said folding means (32) are adapted to be movable together with holder and pusher means (22) and, in addition, relative to holder and pusher means (22). Above the first conveyor track section are means for positioning and measuring of the width of an arriving package.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying disc-shaped end walls to the end faces of rolls of convoluted paper in a positioning unit wherein the rolls are maintained in horizontal positions has a magazine with two rows of floor-mounted pallets for stacks of superimposed end walls having different diameters. A conveyor which is mounted for travel between the two rows of pallets has lifters which can simultaneously pick up end walls from selected pairs of transversely aligned stacks and delivers the thus lifted end walls to an orientation changing unit which moves the end walls from horizontal into vertical planes and centers the end walls prior to applying them to the respective end faces of the roll in the positioning unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the level of a liquid filling a packaging tube comprises a float for use as suspended in the liquid filling the tube, a magnet attached to the float, and a magnetic sensor for detecting from outside the tube variations in the intensity of magnetism due to the upward or downward movement of the magnet to produce an output signal. The level of the liquid in the tube is adjusted in accordance with the output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A device and method for filling open boxes, containing such products as electronic equipment, with loose fill. The boxes are fed one at a time to a conveyor in random order. A bar code applied to each box, giving the box size, is scanned. The boxes are longitudinally centered by electric eyes actuating a brake at a centering station along the conveyor. The boxes are then widthwise centered by a pair of successively actuated cylinders. A pump-up cylinder at the centering station is actuated to lift a centered box to a predetermined height set by said bar code. A fill valve for loose fill has a supply of loose fill at its upper end fed to it through a feed pipe by gravity, the loose fill flowing by gravity, once the valve is opened, until its feed pipe is plugged, and then it is shut off. The pump-up cylinder then lowers the box to the conveyor. A series of air-blasts, sent to the box further along the conveyor, levels any mountain of loose fill that forms during the feeding of the loose-fill.

Abstract: A self-service check-out counter for cashier-unattended use and operation includes an laser scanner for automated reading of product identification codes borne by articles to be purchased, a keyboard for manual entry of article-identifying information, a variety of indicators and signalling devices for instructing actions by the customer, devices for preventing pilferage, fraud and inadvertent errors and an integral bag forming apparatus for manufacturing custom-formed bags on-site at the counter and on demand and, preferably, custom-sized to conform to the volume of articles to be packed in the bags. A customer individually scans articles to be purchased and the scanned data is verified through comparison with stored product identifying information. Following verification of each article, customer placement of the article into the bag forming apparatus in enabled and a bag preferably conforming to the volume of articles purchased in manufactured within the check-out counter.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping cylindrical articles in a thermally weldable web has an automatic changeover system for webs of different widths in response to the detection of articles of different lengths. The system automatically guides the free end of a new web downwardly by a deflector connected to the upper jaw member of a double-welding system in which pairs of electrodes are energized to form two seams when successive articles are to be wrapped with the same web but where a new web is to be used, only a single seam is formed and the clamped end of the previously used web is cut away while the balance of the previously used web is rolled up again.

Abstract: A modified inspection apparatus for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets for surface defects includes a pellet guide chute assembly extending through an ultrasonic inspection chamber. The guide chute assembly has a support substrate and a pair of elongated plates attached on respective upper adjacent sides of the substrate. The substrate is composed of a pair of elongated wall sections rigidly attached together to have a V-shaped configuration in cross section. The plates are adjustably attached on the substrate wall sections for supporting a nuclear fuel pellet between and on adjacent longitudinal portions of the plates located in the inspection chamber.

Abstract: A wrapping machine used to wrap with a prescribed wrapper a commodity having the shape of a hexahedron having a length, a width, and a height, as well as a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a right side surface, and a left side surface; in this wrapping machine, the commodity being wrapped in a wrapping region, this wrapping region having a central position along the length of the commodity, and a reference wrapping position along the width of the commodity; the wrapping machine further comprising: a wrapping supply device that holds at least two wrappers of different sizes, and selectively supplies either of the wrappers to the wrapping region; a sensing device, provided in the wrapper supply device, that detects the sizes of the wrappers; a control device electrically connected to the sensing device, as well as operationally connected to the wrapper supply device; this control device has a display device, and it determines whether the sizes of the wrappers are within the usable

Abstract: The packaging system consists of a method for packaging a particular weight of pre-wrapped items. A measured length of articles to be packaged is fed to a wrapping station. The measured length of articles is then wrapped to form a wrapped stack of the articles called a slug pack and the slug pack is weighed. The weighted slug pack is then sent to a classifying accumulator which inventories a number of the slug packs of known weight. A set number of slug packs having a combined weight above a preset minimum and a preset maximum weight is then selected and packaged together. The apparatus used in the system comprises a length metering feeder having a multiple number of lanes to hold a measured length of articles to be wrapped, an apparatus to wrap the measured length of articles and a device for weighing and recording the weight of each slug pack. A device for categorizing, counting and storing the slug packs in an accumulation system.

Abstract: Bodies such as nuclear fuel pellets are formed into a stack in a stacking lane (34) and the length of the stack is measured at intervals by device (40) to determine if the partly-formed stack is drifting away from a target length. Pellets are issued into the stacking zone (34) by a selector mechanism (32), the input of which receives pellets from three lanes (24, 26, 28) containing oversize, undersize and intermediate size pellets and the pellets issued to the stacking lane (34) are selected under the control of microprocessor-based unit (18) according to the extent of any drift from the target value. The pellets in lanes (24, 26, 28) are derived from a common supply (12) following segregation by a diverter mechanism (22) controlled by unit (18) in accordance with length measurements made by measuring device (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading one or more kinds of nuclear fuel pellets in fuel cladding tubes for producing nuclear fuel rods comprises at least one pellet transporting tray transferred from a tray stacking unit and provided with a plurality of grooves on which the fuel pellets are mounted, at least one pellet aligning tray provided with a groove selectively connected with one of the grooves of the pellet transporting tray at one end of the aligning tray, and a fuel cladding tube supporting device located in the vicinity of the other end of the aligning tray and adapted to support a number of fuel cladding tubes so that a selected one fuel cladding tube is operatively connected to the aligning tray. The fuel pellets are transferred from the transporting tray into the aligning tray by means of a pushing device and the row of the pellets transferred on the groove of the aligning tray is moved forwardly until it abuts against a stopping mechanism located in association with the aligning tray.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for arranging paper rolls coming, e.g. from a winder into a package suitable for delivery. The rolls are identified, end-labelled, and their width, weight and diameter are measured, whereupon a package is formed of a suitable number of rolls at a wrapping station. According to the invention, the rolls are transferred, each in its turn, to a positioning station, where they are identified and end-labelled one by one, whereupon the identification data and measurement data of each roll as well as of a preceding roll, if any, placed in the waiting position of the positioning station, are compared with the specification data of the package to be delivered. When said data of the rolls correspond to the specification data of the package, the rolls are transferred to the wrapping station, whereas, in the contrary case, the rolls are shifted to the waiting position of the positioning station. Thus, this acts as a sort of a buffer store for paper rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring elongated parts, such as spark plug insulator bodies, travelling in a single row, end to end, on a first conveyor to a receptacle travelling on a second conveyor, the parts being placed each in a part-holding cavity in an insert in the receptacle, the part-holding cavity being disposed in consecutive rows. A part pick-up member picks up parts one at a time at the end of the first conveyor and transfers each part to the receptacle in which the part is placed substantially vertically with its end in a part-holding cavity in the insert. Sensors distinguish between good and defective parts at the location where the parts are picked up at the end of the first conveyor such that defective parts are rejected and the part pick-up member picks up only non-defective parts. Sensors detect fallen-over parts in the receptacle and stop loading in the event that parts are not properly placed in the holding cavities in the receptacle insert.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging particulate product in bags for deposit into cartons of predetermined cross section and height.

Abstract: A packaging machine for bonding a sheet to opposite walls and over the articles therein. One embodiment has a conveyor which moves the trays down a predetermined path, during which a film sheet is disposed over the tops of the articles in each of the trays, and flight bars traveling about an orbital path interpose the sheet between the trailing and leading walls of each of the successive trays and press the sheet against the adjacent trailing and leading walls. Heating elements associated with each of the flight bars heat the sheet, while compressed, to form a bond between the film sheet and the tray walls. The heating elements are controlled by an improved electrical circuit. Three independently movable sets of flight bars are provided for placing each of the trays in compression whereby the apparatus is adjustable as required to accommodate trays of different sizes over a range within the limits of the machine.

Abstract: In an automatic mail processing apparatus, a mail reject mechanism is disposed between a reading and sorting unit and labeling unit. The mail reject mechanism includes a reject member movable between a first position outside of a convey unit and a second position inside of the convey unit and a pneumatic cylinder for normally holding the reject member in the first position and being adapted, when the sorting data stored in a memory relating to a mail stack brought in an opposite position to the reject member is not appropriate to the mail stack, to move the reject member from the first position to the second position for removal of the mail stack from the convey unit.

Abstract: A machine for continuously packaging/bagging articles within a thermoplastic film, includes a microprocessor cued by magnetic encoder wheels for coordinating intermittent advancement of a film web by a continuous side sealing mechanism with operation of a bar sealing mechanism across the film web. The machine is tiltable between horizontal and vertical positions on a pivoting base for allowing gravity infeed of the articles being packaged/bagged.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of packing collected objects having different shapes and volumes, and to a packing station therefor. The method consists in assembling beforehand the objects to be dispatched in a container having a retractable bottom; the container is lowered towards an open-top chest covered with a plasticized film. The bottom of the container is removed so that the objects bear directly upon the plasticized film, whereafter vacuum is created in the inner volume of the chest in order to alter the shape of the plasticized film and thus lower the top level of the objects. Then the container is removed in turn and a rigid support is laid upon the objects and bonded to the plasticized film at the level of the flange of the aperture; finally, the vacuum is discontinued in the chest for releasing the package thus obtained. This invention is applicable more particularly to the mail order industry and the dispatching of goods in general.

Abstract: A method and system for packaging insulation units comprising a receiving section that indexes each roll-set that comes off a production line, a roll breaking section that separates the roll-set into individual units and spaces each unit, a diverter section that verifies height and facing and then diverts a selected roll unit to the proper packaging material and a packaging section that receives a roll unit, orients it properly, and packages it in the proper packaging. The system allows rejection of unsuitable product and reduced handling of product by employees.

Abstract: A method of producing packages and an apparatus for implementing the method wherein each package contains a whole number of stackable objects which are conveyed in a row for packaging and the weight of each package is to remain within given limits. The method includes counting a number of contiguous objects in the row, forming groups of objects each having the counted number of objects, determining the length of each respective group in the direction of the row, bringing each respective group to a balance scale only if the group has a length within predetermined limits, measuring the weight of each respective group and rejecting a group if its weights lies below a given weight value.

Abstract: A weighing scale and a label printer/applier are cooperatively combined with a wrapping machine to form a packaging machine into which a trayed commodity can be inserted and a wrapped and priced package removed. The weight of a trayed commodity is preferably determined as it is transported into the packaging machine. The tray size, known commodity and weight of the trayed commodity or package are utilized to determine the length and width of a sheet of film to be used to wrap the package. The package weight is passed to a label printer which calculates the price for the commodity being packaged, prints the label and passes it to a labeling head incorporated into a portion of the wrapping machine. The package weight is determined by subtracting a tare weight based on sensed package dimensions from the gross weight of the package to arrive at an accurate net pricing weight.

Abstract: X ray films are withdrawn from a drawer type magazine positioned above an X ray film cassette unloading station. The films drop down freely from the magazine through a hopper and towards the said X ray cassette. The hopper comprises two substantially U shaped guide elements, one placed opposite the other in such a way as to form two channels along which slide the edges of the two opposite sides of each individual film. One of the elements is fixed, while the other is supported in a sliding fashion by the frame of the machine. The sliding element is able to undergo, in the direction of the fixed guide element, a two way displacement, and is connected to a pusher device provided on the machine for positioning the X ray cassette inserted into the unloading station, up against an abutment member located on the same side of the machine as the fixed guide element.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping objects in heat-sealable film which provides for continuous mechanical wrapping of objects and which is suitable for wrapping objects which have poorly-defined shape or which are non-uniform in size or shape is described. The apparatus of the invention comprises a frame; a conveyor assembly for advancing the film and the object and for bringing the film into a wrapping relationship with the object; a sealing assembly for bringing the sides of the film having the object contained therein into heat-sealable contact and for sealing the film to sealably enclose the object; an indexing carriage for advancing the sealing assembly at the same rate as the conveyor assembly; and means for sensing the object and activating the sealing assembly to seal the film.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated articles such as french fried potato strips are aligned with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel and packaged in such aligned condition by the apparatus and method of the invention. The articles are prealigned by a vibrating conveyor having longitudinal partitions dividing it into four tracks, so that the longitudinal axes of such articles are substantially parallel to their direction of travel which forms acute angle of about 45.degree. with the front wall of an alignment container into which the articles are fed. The alignment container is vibrated at a different frequency than the vibrating conveyor in order to settle and to further align the elongated articles with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the front wall of such container.

Abstract: A package sensing system provides length, width and height signals to a film control system which selects the width and length of stretch film to be used by a film wrapping machine to wrap the sensed package. Package width is sensed by spring biased swing arms which active electrical switches upon deflection by an entering package. A wide package is indicated if both swing arms are deflected. The length and height of a package are sensed by a generally vertical downwardly extending lever arm which is pivotally mounted above the package entryway into the machine. A first electrical switch coupled to the lever arm generates a length signal upon initial contact by an entering package and a second electrical switch coupled to the lever arm generates a height signal depending upon the ultimate deflection of the lever arm by the package.

Abstract: In a stretch film wrapping machine an improved control system provides for automatic or manual selection of one of at least two differing width film rolls and provides individualized wrapping parameters dependent upon the film width selected. Automatic film selection is performed in response to signals identifying the height, width and length of a package to be wrapped which characteristics are sensed or measured by a package sensing system. Both automatic and manual film selection includes timing controls for synchronizing film gripping and clamping apparatus with underfolding apparatus dependent upon the film selected to provide improved control over the tensioning of film wrapped about individual packages.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing cylindrical paper rolls with envelopes consisting of inner discs which are adjacent to the end faces of the rolls, of blanks which are draped around the peripheries of the rolls and whose marginal portions are folded over the inner discs, and of outer discs which are pasted over the folded marginal portions of the blanks has a feeding unit which delivers successive rolls axially to a monitoring station where the dimensions of the rolls are ascertained by sensors and where the recesses in the end faces of the rolls receive expandible clamping heads of a lifting device serving to advance the rolls, in horizontal positions, past a draping and thereupon past a blank-folding station. The heads are movable toward each other in response to signals from the sensors to enter the recesses of a roll at the monitoring station, and such heads deliver successive rolls to an intermediate conveyor which, in turn, delivers successive rolls to an orientation changing device.

Abstract: A wrap-around packing machine wherein the packing station and the station which supplied prefabricated blanks are separated from each other by a treating unit having a pair of tools serving to provide successive prefabricated blanks with additional fold lines in positions depending on the dimensions of commodities to be wrapped. To this end, the tools are movable toward and away from each other by a reversible motor which receives signals from photocells monitoring the height of commodities to be packed while such commodities advance toward the packing station. The photocells are mounted on a carrier which is movable up and down by the reversible motor so that the photocells come to a halt when they assume certain predetermined positions with reference to the commodities whose height deviates from the height of previously supplied commodities.

Abstract: There is disclosed a continuously operating system for removing particulate material from the bottom portion of a suitable storage silo. The system includes a feed conveyer from the silo to a vertical uplifting conveyer whereby the particulate material is raised to a level sufficiently high to efficiently feed a packing system or the like. A by-pass arrangement whereby to return the particulate material to the vertical uplifting conveyer whenever the packing system is indicated.

Abstract: A transporting system to deliver coins to coin-processing machines includes a single endless belt mounted above the coin-processing machines. The belt is mounted horizontally, with the coin-carrying belt surface canted at a 45.degree. angle to horizontal to form a V-shaped trough with an adjacent wall along which coins are carried. A plurality of ports having adjustable gates permit coins to fall through chutes to the processing machines. Coins passing all of the ports drop into a hopper, and are recirculated to the endless belt by a conveyor.

Abstract: An article transfer apparatus (10) is provided for transferring articles (16) from a predetermined first position to a varying second position and discharging the articles (16) at the second position. Difficulty is often encountered in controlling the drop height of articles (16) delivered by a conveyor (18) for random placement at varying levels in a container (12). It is desirable to minimize the drop height to prevent damage to the article (16). A carriage (36) on the article transfer apparatus (10) is controllably operated to controllably discharge articles (16) at a preselected distance above either the bottom of the container (12) or articles (16) predisposed within the container (12). The invention is particularly useful for transferring finished metal piston pins (16) from a conveyor (18) to a tote box (12).

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 machine for making meat patties comprises a machine frame defining an inclined slideway including a bed at an output end thereof. A feed funnel is mounted on the machine frame at an upper input of the slideway and receives ground meat at an inlet and discharges a layer of the ground meat to the input of the slideway which gravity-feeds the layer to the bed. A sensing element projects into the slideway at the output end thereof and is arranged to sense a forward edge of the gravity-fed layer of ground meat. On contact with the forward edge, the sensing element emits a control signal and an electronically controlled knife assembly operates in response to the control signal. The assembly includes a knife movable into the slideway to cut the layer of ground meat in response to the control signal and an electromagnet controlling the knife movement.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an incorrect coin number detector to be used with a coin wrapping machine for detecting whether or not a preset number of piled coins are correctly wrapped when the both ends of wrapping paper are fastened by means of a pair of fastening claws. The incorrect coin number detector includes stroke setting means for setting the stroke of the one of the fastening claws and accordingly the shortest spacing inbetween. Further inclusive is actuating means for moving the one fastening claw toward the other with the aid of a coil spring. Still further inclusive is incorrectness detecting means having a detecting switch for generating, when actuated by the fastening claw moving mechanism through an actuating lever, the signals which are indicative of the incorrectness in the number of the piled coins being wrapped.

Abstract: A bifurcated funnel presents small fish in alternating orientation to a canning apparatus. The canning apparatus is moved incrementally forward to receive the oncoming fish by a distance equivalent to the width of that individual fish. A flap is disposed in the funnel and each fish displaces the flap by a distance equivalent to its width. The flap is connected to a ratchet wheel which contains electrical contacts for actuating a plurality of solenoids which determine the position of a stop mechanism for the canning apparatus. The distance of movement of the ratchet wheel is designed in accordance with the size of the apparatus which is to receive the fish. When the ratchet wheel moves its total allotted distance, a set of contacts resets the ratchet wheel and the canning apparatus.

Abstract: An article packing system includes a first conveyor for advancing a series of flat articles; at least two stack-forming devices for consecutively forming stacks of variable length from the articles received from the first conveyor; a second conveyor extending from the stack-forming devices for carrying away the stacks; a packing machine for packaging the article stacks received from the second conveyor and a scale for weighing the stacks of articles. The scale is in the conveying path of the second conveyor and is located downstream of the stack-forming devices and upstream of the packing machine as viewed in the direction of article advance on the second conveyor. The latter includes a mechanism for successively advancing the article stacks from the stack-forming devices towards the scale in a direction parallel to the plane of the flat articles. Further, the mechanism sequentially introduces the article stacks into the scale and subsequently advances them from the scale to the packing machine.