Abstract: A high speed weighing machine, for determining the weight of a package "on-the-fly", with respect to a predetermined weight range, as the package travels across a weigh cell weighing platter, incorporates apparatus for interpreting multiple samplings of the weight bearing on the weighing platter for determining the interval during which the package is fully on this weighing platter and for calculating the average weight registered by the weighing platter during that interval wherein three periods are defined for each weighing operation.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, wrapping packages of different sizes in thin-gage film and heat sealing the film includes transporting the package at the same horizontal level through the machine, pulling the film down across a horizontal in-line package path to form a vertical wall of film, pushing the article along the path forwardly into the wall of film, forming a tubular loop of film about the package with the loop open at the rearward end, severing the film, closing and sealing the rearward end of the loop, stretching, and/or underfolding the film, and heat sealing the package. The length of film needed to wrap packages of randomly different sizes is sensed and fed automatically. A trailing-end portion of over-lapping film of preselected fixed length, irrespective of the size of the particular package, is provided at the rearward edge of the package. This over-lapping trailing portion is heat sealed and then pushed against the back of, or under, the package.

Abstract: A wrapping machine has film feed rolls driven through a one revolution clutch to advance a wrapper length of stock in each cycle, past a continuously driven cutter, to separately driven and intermittently operating sheet locating belts. First sensing means disengage the clutch when no articles are ready to be wrapped. Second sensing means stop the belts in correct wrapping position of the sheet. Movable pressure rollers hold sheets on the belts, to stop with belts. Electrically actuated lifting devices lift the rollers from the belts. Cyclically driven switch means and holding circuits are connected to successively engage an electric clutch to drive the belts while opening a circuit to a brake for stopping the belts and deenergizing the roller lifting devices, then deenergize and disengage the electric clutch while conditioning the circuit to the brake for completion by the second sensing device, then energize the lifting devices for lifting the rollers from the belts.

Abstract: A wrapping machine assembly accelerates articles from a supply conveyor to a wrapping conveyor. Separating bars moved in an orbit over the accelerating portion of the assembly enter into the gap between articles created by acceleration of the leading article or articles. The separating bars and the accelerating portion of the machine are driven intermittently by a drive transmission which is synchronized and driven cyclically with the wrapping conveyor. The intermittent drive which forms the novelty of this invention has a belt loop driven continuously in synchronism with the wrapping conveyor. The belt loop drives an accelerating conveyor and the separating bars, but the driving motion is converted to intermittent motion by a pair of idler rolls which engage the opposite reaches of the belt loop, and swing transversely of the belt reaches to alternately lengthen one reach and shorten the other reach.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and acknowledging the return of a wheeled vehicle to a check-in station, as for example, a grocery service cart. The apparatus includes a rugged, foolproof sensor required to operate in predetermined sequence thereby to thwart efforts to decipher the mode of operation needed to give a false acknowledgment of a returned vehicle or permitting reception of the same vehicle more than once from the same person. All sensor components are adapted to be mounted on a base plate supporting a return entry port and passageway. The apparatus is readily adjustable to accommodate vehicles of different size. Access to control components is safeguarded by a locked cover equipped with tamperproof retainers and means for preventing reassembly of the sensor cover by persons who have gained access without authorization.

Abstract: Articles delivered in side-by-side rows are separated in each row and advanced in pairs to the feeding flights of a wrapping machine conveyor operating at right angles across the ends of the delivery rows, by pairs of accelerating belts that grip the lead pair of articles in the rows between top and bottom belts and advance the pair at a faster rate than the delivery conveyors. Separator bars extending transversely across the paths of the articles are advanced in an orbit around the top accelerating belts and above the bottom accelerating belts by carrier loops located vertically alongside of the accelerator belts. The accelerator belts and the carrier loops are driven intermittently in a cycle synchronized with the feeding flights to advance at higher speed than the article feeding rows during 270.degree. of each cycle and stop during 90.degree.