Abstract: The grouping of objects, for example unit packaging goods, is accomplished by automatically assembling a stepped formation of the goods and subsequently leveling-off the stepped formation. To accomplish the foregoing, a serially increasing number of the goods are delivered in steps to a grouping station until a maximum number is reached and thereafter the number of goods per step is serially decreased. By exercising simultaneous control over the in-feed of goods and the shifting of the goods step-wise in a direction transverse to the in-feed direction after each delivery, finished groups having a predetermined size and configuration are formed at a downstream end of the grouping station and these finished groups are shifted out of the grouping station in the in-feed direction in synchronism with the in-feed of goods as the number of goods per step being fed in decreases.

Abstract: Containers such as beer kegs are cleaned and filled by movement along a linear treatment line, in step-wise fashion, and delivery to movable filling stations which are alternately brought into alignment with the treatment line. The filling procedure is accomplished continuously while the containers are moving, the filling station motion having a directional component which is angularly related to the axis of the treatment line, away from and back to the position of alignment with the treatment line.