Abstract: Apparatus for collating products into arrays, comprising: (a) an upper conveyor receiving the products at random intervals, the upper conveyor moving in a first direction, the upper conveyor establishing a first gap thereon between each product and a second gap thereon to create groups of products, the upper conveyor having a nose; (b) a lower conveyor positioned below the upper conveyor and receiving the products from the upper conveyor, the lower conveyor moving in a second direction substantially opposed to the first direction; and (c) a reverse shingling plate associated with the upper conveyor at the nose thereof and blocking product movement beyond the nose, whereby product encountering the reverse shingling plate drops onto the lower conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for packaging products (P) includes a mechanism (84) for accumulating, metering, and creating an array of products (P) in a pack pattern. The array of products (P) in a conveying orientation is transferred to a tray (36), and the tray (36) and the entire pack pattern of products (P) supported thereon are rotated to a second arrangement where the products (P) in the conveying orientation in the tray (36) are perpendicular to the conveying direction. The products (P) are pushed from the trays (36) moving in the conveying direction into cartons (C) moving at the same speed as the trays (36). In the preferred form, the trays (36) are rotatably mounted to carriers (12) moving along a path defined by roller chains (22). A cam follower (48) on a crank arm (46) extending from a spindle (44) rotatably mounting the tray (36) to the carrier (12) travels in a cam track (50) to rotate the tray (36) relative to the carrier (12) between the first and second arrangements.