Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

Abstract: A rotary unloader (10) removes articles (26) from a magazine (24) and includes a carriage (12) rotating about a primary axis and a carrier (14), attached to the carriage (12), rotating about a secondary axis. The secondary axis is separated from the primary axis by a first radial spacing. The carrier (14) may have one or more handlers (16) attached at a second radial spacing. Where the carrier (14) includes multiple handlers (16), they may advantageously be equidistantly spaced and circumferentially located around the carrier (14). The first radial spacing is smaller than the second radial spacing to ensure an outward disposition of the handler (16) with regard to the primary axis. Rotation of the carriage (12) about the primary axis may be coupled to the rotation of the carrier (14) about the secondary axis by a gear system. The simultaneous rotation of the carriage (12) and the carrier (14) cooperates to produce a reciprocal motion of the handler (16).

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

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.

Abstract: A system (10) for processing pliable, sealed bags (16) includes an inlet section (176) for transferring the bags (16) onto a lower conveyor (152) with the lower end being downstream of the bag upper end and allowing product not contained by the bags (16) to fall through the inlet section (176). The bags (16) on the lower conveyor (152) pass beneath an overhead conveyor (194), with product being dispersed inside of the bag (16) as the result of the rotation of a conditioning roller (168) engaging and flexing the belting (158) of the lower conveyor (152). The endless carrier of the overhead conveyor (194) is deflected by first and second support plates (216, 220) slideably received in flexible guides (212). The first support plates (216) places pressure on the bags (16) to force air out of improperly sealed bags (16) while the movement of the second support plates (220) is detected to determine whether the bags (16) are within a tolerable thickness.

Abstract: A bag loading apparatus (26) of a packaging system (10) includes a platen (68) having a convex upper surface upon which layers of bags (16) are sequentially placed, with the platen (68) being lowered upon receipt of each layer, until a full stack is supported on the platen (68). The loading apparatus (26) also includes a pivotally mounted pusher plate (98) against which the layered bags (16) are arranged when supported on the platen (68). Furthermore, a shelf (58) is arranged above both the platen (68) and the pusher plate (98) and is preferably pivotally mounted about a common axis with the pusher plate (98). With a stack of bags (16) on the platen (68), the pusher plate (98) accelerates across the platen (68) to shift the bags (16) into an open container (28), with the bags (16) preferably assuming a generally wedge-shape to aid in the loading of the bags (16) into the container (28).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for erecting collapsed, tubular cartons (12) includes a device (32) for removing the top carton (12) of a vertical stack of cartons (12) and moving it in a horizontal orientation to an operative position, with the second side panel (16) of the collapsed carton (12) underlying at least the first end panel (18) which is in a linear arrangement with the first side panel (14). Suction cups (76) carried by a frame (74) are secured to the second side panel (16) in an attachment position and moved by a parallelogram linkage to an open position located vertically below and coinciding with the first side panel (14). After an unload arm (84) is secured to the first end panel (18), tucking arms (102, 104, 106) are pivoted to tuck the bottom closure flaps (22, 24, 25).

Abstract: A package (10) is disclosed including stacked, lower and upper trays (12, 14) each including end walls (22, 122) extending on opposite sides of a base panel (16, 116). The handgrips (26) of the end walls (22) of the lower tray (12) are aligned with the handgrips (126) of the end walls (122) of the upper tray (14) when it is stacked on the lower tray (12). The openings (38) in the ends of a shrunk film wrapper (36) are at least partially coincident with the upper peripheries of the handgrips (26, 126) for providing extra strength. Side walls (18, 118) are integrally connected to the base panels (16, 116) about fold lines (20, 120) and are secured to the end walls (22, 122) by tabs (28, 34, 128, 134). The trays (12, 14) are formed of paperboard and/or corrugated from one or more blanks.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed including a web of film (20) extending between first and second pairs of pinch rollers (12-15) and onto a vacuum table (18). A rotary cutter (46) positioned before the first pair of pinch rollers (12, 13) includes laterally extending and spaced knives (52) for creating cuts (54, 58) in the film (20) which expand into vent openings (54') positioned over the sides (68) of the product (72) when the film (20) is wrapped around and shrunk upon the product (72). A further rotary cutter (30) positioned between the pairs of pinch rollers (12-15) includes a cut-off knife (36) and first and second blades (44). The cut-off knife (36) creates a cut (60) in the film (20) to form a single sheet of film (20) and includes notches (38) in its cutting edge to form tie strips (62) connecting the single sheet to the web of film (20).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for partially setting up a blank (12) is disclosed including first suction cups (122) for removing the first blank (12) from a magazine (96). The first suction cups (122) are pivotally mounted to the ends of pivot arms (110) to move the first blank (12) up and over actuators (102) of the magazine (96) as the first blank (12) is moved forward out of the magazine (96). After the lower edge of the first blank (12) passes over the actuators (102), the lower portion of the blank (12) is supported in an intermediate position upon an abutment bar (106). While still secured to the first suction cups (122), second suction cups (78) are secured to the blank (12). The second suction cups (78) tilt the blank (12) to be parallel to and move with upstanding lugs (36) of a conveyor assembly (34). A forming die (38) pushes the blank (12) into the lugs (36) as the forming die (38), blank (12) and the lugs (36) move at a constant speed.

Abstract: A tape applying apparatus (10) includes a plurality of pairs of vacuum heads (120, 122) extending axially at circumferentially spaced intervals on a disc (24) rotated about an axis by the extension of a cylinder (48) which is operatively connected by a cam follower (60) to a cam (40) rotatably fixed to the disc (24). The vacuum head (120) adjacent the free end of the tape includes a trough (126) including vacuum bleed holes (128) for drawing the tape segment extending over the trough (126) into the trough (126) to form a tab when desired. A slide (66) is reciprocated between retracted and extended positions by a further cylinder (72). A knife (98) is movably connected to the slide (66) for cutting the tape when the knife (98) reaches a cutting position, with the knife (98) stopping at the cutting position before the slide (66) reaches the extended position.

Abstract: A continuous motion stacking apparatus (10) is disclosed including a positive drive device (14) which places abutting products on a conveyor (12). When the leading series of products is detected to have reached a predetermined position by a sensor (94), the series of products are pushed from the conveyor (12) by a pusher plate (32) which has a first movement component equal to the conveying speed parallel to the conveyor (12) and a second movement component perpendicular to the conveyor (12). The series of products are pushed onto a shelf (30) simultaneously moving perpendicular to the conveyor (12) with the pusher plate (32). When the shelf (30) retracts, the products fall onto a vertically, movable platform (24) or products supported thereon. A guide (34) moves forward at the conveying speed parallel to the conveyor (12) to keep the remaining products on the conveyor (12) and to keep the last product of the series being pushed from the conveyor (12) parallel to the conveyor (12).

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for opening the closure flaps (22-25) of a carton (12), for presenting the carton (12) for loading, and for closing the closure flaps (22-25) is disclosed including a carrier (202) which initially receives the carton (12). The carrier (202) carries the carton (12) into a carriage (226), with the carton (12) sandwiched therebetween. The closure flaps (22-25) are opened by a device (242) including fingers (254-257) which are pivoted to an expanded position after their insertion through an opening (27) in the closure flaps (22-25). An elevator (212) raises the carton (12) in the carriage (226) while the carton (12) is still under compression, with suction cups (56,171-173) then being attached to the closure flaps (22-25). The carriage (226) can then be moved to a loading position and back where the closure flaps (22-25) of the loaded carton (12) are fan folded by a device (120). The elevator (212) can then be lowered where the closed carton (12) can be pushed therefrom.

Abstract: A device (10) is disclosed including a discharge unit (54) having a vertical conveyor (56) formed by a pair of vertically arranged belts (58) each including circumferentially spaced shelves (60) defining a plurality of evenly spaced flights. A diverting conveyor (16) is pivotally mounted about its infeed end so that its outfeed end can be moved to be synchronous with one of the flights of the discharge unit (54) or to an overflow position. In particular, a servo motor (50) pivots the diverting conveyor (16) under the control of a controller (74) depending upon whether product is detected by a sensor (52) in the diverting conveyor (16), upon the rate that the flights of the discharge unit (54) are moving, and upon the pivotal position of the diverting conveyor (16). The device (10) is then able to place products which are fed to the diverting conveyor (16) with random spacing into the flights without bumping or bunching the products together.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for erecting collapsed, tubular cartons (12) is disclosed including a device (32) for removing the top carton (12) of a vertical stack of cartons (12) in a hopper (26) and moving it in a horizontal orientation to an operative position. In the operative position, the second side panel (16) of the collapsed carton (12) underlies at least the first end panel (18) which is in a linear arrangement with the first side panel (14). Suction cups (76) carried by a frame (74) are secured to the second side panel (16) in an attachment position and moved by a parallelogram linkage to an open position located vertically below and coinciding with the first side panel (14). The bottom closure flap (23) is folded upwardly by a bending rod (82) as the frame (74) moves the carton (12) to its open condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for erecting collapsed, tubular cartons (12) is disclosed including a device (32) for removing the top carton (12) of a vertical stack of cartons (12) in a hopper (26) and moving it in a horizontal orientation to an operative position. In the operative position, the second side panel (16) of the collapsed carton (12) underlies at least the first end panel (18) which is in a linear arrangement with the first side panel (14). Suction cups (76) carried by a frame (74) are secured to the second side panel (16) in an attachment position and moved by a parallelogram linkage to an open position located vertically below and coinciding with the first side panel (14). In a first preferred form, the folded closure flaps (22-25) are held by a tape piece (116) applied by a taping machine (114) carried by the last tucking arm (106).

Abstract: A container metering device (10) is disclosed including longitudinally split pins (12) having first and second portions (12a, 12b). The second portions (12b) are mounted to cross bars (16) mounted on and around a roller chain (18) in the form of an endless loop. The first portions (12a) are mounted to a shaft (70) rotatably mounted relative to the cross bars (16) for pivotal movement relative to the second portions (12b) between a first, abutting position insertable into the windows between adjacent containers (14) in a packaging lane and a second, open position. The cross bars (16) include cam followers (20) for engaging a cam track (26) of a cam support (24) for changing the pitch between adjacent pins (12) of the endless loop. Cam followers (74) are mounted on the free ends of crank arms (76) secured to the shafts (70) for engaging a second cam track (82) adjustably mounted on the cam support (24) for pivoting the first portions (12a) relative to the second portions (12b).

Abstract: A machine (10) for loading product onto trays or the like is shown in the preferred embodiment including paddles (16) pivotally mounted to spaced, horizontally arranged chains (30) located above the conveyor (12). A cam track (46) arranged above the chains (30) is engaged by cam followers (48) mounted on the paddles (16). The chains (30) are mounted at an angle relative to the conveyor (12). The paddles (16) are moved by the chains (30) to move longitudinally at the same speed as the product on the conveyor (12) while being held parallel to the movement direction of the conveyor (12) by the followers (48) engaging the cam track (46) to thus simultaneously move laterally across the conveyor (12) to push product located intermediate lugs (14) on the conveyor (12).