Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient dispensing of desiccant canisters into containers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microprocessor that monitors a plurality of sensors, and applies control signals to a servomotor that controls a rotary disc that transports desiccant canisters from a drop chute to containers. The containers pass through the apparatus via a conveyor system. Control signals determine the position and presence of desiccant canisters and containers to ensure proper operation. Error detection and recovery features are provided to handle the case of a missing desiccant canister, and halt the apparatus upon detection of an unrecoverable error.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for sorting containers commonly referred to as bottle unscrambler. The apparatus has a bowl assembly consisting of a base and an upstanding generally cylindrical sidewall, a support disc, and an actuator disc overlying the support disc. A plurality of pie-shaped disc segments are disposed in a circular array between the support disc and actuator disc, operatively connecting the actuator disc and support disc so that relative rotation of the support disc and actuator disc effects radial movement of the pie-shaped disc segments between inner and outer limit positions thereby providing a means for selectively varying the channel to accommodate containers of various sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A desiccant feeder system comprising, a reservoir for desiccant canisters, means for delivering the canisters through a transfer tube to at a loading station, means for presenting the open end of containers one at a time at the loading station, means for circulating air at high velocity through the tubing including an adjustable internal ring-shaped nozzle to deliver desiccant canisters from the reservoir to the loading station, and a shuttle selectively actuatable to discharge at least one desiccant cannister to the containers at the loading station.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively rotating pocket assemblies between first and second limit positions. The mechanism comprises a cam follower block mounted on the shaft of the pocket assembly for limited movement relative to the shaft in a predetermined plane and direction. Biasing means normally urges said cam block toward the first limit position. Upper and lower cam followers have centers of rotation to one side of and parallel to said predetermined plane. A profile cam is mounted on the shaft and rotatable relative to the cam block having two diametrically opposed shoulders and arcuate profile surfaces connecting the shoulders. The spring biasing means normally biases the cam block and the profile cam to a position where one of the cam followers engages a shoulder to prevent rotation of the cam block and therefore the pocket assembly and wherein the other cam follower is spaced from the profile cam.

Abstract: A bottle orienting device is disclosed in which bottles are fed into a first station randomly in either a top down or a bottom down condition, moving pockets pick up the individual bottles and transport them past a sensor which determines the particular condition thereof and responds with an appropriate signal when a predetermined condition is found, means are provided to rotate the pockets carrying the bottles so that all bottles have the same orientation condition, either top down or bottom down as desired, at this point bottle air cleaning means can be operatively provided, with all bottles being selectively first presented in a top down condition to the air cleaning device, means are then provided to reverse the condition of the bottles to the bottom down position, and then the bottles are discharged from the device, if air cleaning is not desired, the bottles found to be in the wrong orientation at the sensing station are rotated to present them bottom down to the discharge, of significance all bottles m