Abstract: A baby merchandise gift package includes three inclined racks on which respective pairs of baby shoes are mounted. A raised shelf supports a toy rattle.

Abstract: An automated rack loading system for loading trays of products, especially bakery products, into racks for transport by delivery trucks. An empty transport rack is brought to the loader, and its shelf structure is scanned on each side to locate shelf brackets and to detect any left-over trays still residing on the supposedly empty rack. The precise height of each bracket on each side is noted, and pairs of brackets are compared to determine vertical height differentials, missing brackets, and damaged brackets. Filled trays are advanced on a conveyor to the loader station, where individual trays are loaded into a lift mechanism having lift brackets capable of carrying trays from the lowermost rack shelf position to the uppermost. A loading program, based on the original scan of the transport rack, moves flights of the lift mechanism, filled with trays, to the nearest available open rack position.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus, and components thereof, which is characterized by a high degree of modularity, enabling complex robotic mechanisms to be assembled on a customized basis from relatively standardized components on an efficient and economical basis. Individual numbers of a multi-axis device may be comprised of inverted channel-like support members, cut to predetermined length and provided at the extremities of their flange walls with opposed, longitudinally extending track strips. A movable carriage mounts series of guide rollers engageable with and guided and confined by the track strips for movement along a predetermined axis defined by the support member. A drive sprocket, driving by a digitally controlled stepping motor, with a drive sprocket, is mounted at one end of the support member and an idler sprocket at the opposite end.

Abstract: A three-way clamp for the assembly of structural frameworks is disclosed. The clamp includes a block-like clamp body provided with a first bore extending through the block and second and third bores intersecting with the first at right angles and intersecting with each other at right angles. The clamp body is slotted in the plane of the axis of the second and third bores, to form cantilever extension portions of the block body capable of being squeezed together by a single compression bolt. Strut-like tubular structural elements are received in the several bores, one passing through the block, the other two being inserted endwise into the second and third bores. By tightening the single compression bolt, the clamp body is caused to be tightened down into secure gripping relation with structural elements in each of three right-angularly related, intersecting axes, significantly expediting assembly, disassembly and adjustment of frame structures.

Abstract: A product gripper mechanism, particularly for gripping a plurality of products in a product group, such as bakery products, for transfer to and loading into a shipping basket or tray. The gripper is constructed of a material, such as rigid PVC tubing, which is easily obtainable, lightweight and of substantial strength. The gripper frame includes spaced-apart lateral supports, which carry a plurality of adjustably positionable cross members carrying suction devices. The suction devices are adjustably positionable on the cross members, and may easily be added to or removed from the cross members. The assembly of the tubing elements is such as to accommodate rapid disassembly and reassembly, in order to reconfigure the gripper for different product types. The gripper has pivoting end flaps of L-shaped configuration provided with thin, flexible, inwardly projecting bottom plates.

Abstract: A vertically-mountable dispenser unit for storing and individually dispensing a large number of small boxes. The unit is formed by a frame including a pair of side walls having corresponding-positioned, inwardly-directed ridges thereon that divide the unit into parallel channels for receiving the boxes. Each channel has a discharge opening at the lower end thereof which is terminated by a ledge whereby the boxes are retained in the channels by the ledges and may be laterally withdrawn therefrom. The unit is fabricated of clear thermoplastic material and is created from a flat injection-molded blank that is thermally folded to assume the desired configuration.

Abstract: A blister-card package for housing cylindrical articles of merchandise, the package being convertible into an easel-supported display stand and a one-at-a-time dispenser. The package is constituted by a card covered by a transparent plastic dome to define a rectangular container for a stack of cylinders, the container having an opening in the lower end thereof from which the articles may be withdrawn.

Abstract: A clamping type bracket which is attachable without tools to a shelf or other board-like members to support a shelf extension or other objects. The bracket includes an upper arm adapted to rest on the top surface of the shelf and a lower arm which extends below the undersurface of the shelf to define a free space therebetween, the lower arm being in the form of a ramp whose sloping surface is treaded. Receivable within the free space is a removable locking piece whose horizontal upper edge engages the undersurface of the shelf and whose lower edge is sloped and treaded to complement the ramp, whereby when the piece is thrust into the free space, it wedges therein to secure the bracket to the shelf.

Abstract: A generally-rectangular box adapted to store candy pieces and other small objects, the upper side wall of the box having a double-humped wave formation, and the lower side wall thereof having a complementary single-humped wave formation, whereby when the boxes are stacked one above the other in a dispenser unit, the boxes intermesh with each other. When the boxes are withdrawn from the dispenser unit and the candy pieces removed therefrom, they are usable as play modules, in that a pair of boxes placed in end-to-end relation may be intercoupled by a third box seated on and straddling the adjacent humps of the pair below. Moreover, because the boxes have an abstract animal-like form, they may be decorated to assume the appearance of zebras, lions, and other four-legged animals, thereby enhancing their play value.

Abstract: A display turret for supporting four identical box-dispensing units on a counter. Each unit is constituted by a frame having a pair of side walls from which ledges project inwardly to divide the interior of the frame into compartments for accommodating the boxes to be stored, the side walls being bridged at the rear of the frame by upper and lower cross slats. The turret is formed by a center post extending between square top and bottom plates whose corners are chamfered, the sides of the plates being provided with upwardly-extending flanges to define brackets. Thus each side of the turret has an upper and lower bracket, these brackets being adapted to engage the upper and lower slats of a respective unit whereby the turret supports an array of four units.

Abstract: A vertically-mountable storage and dispenser unit for holding and individually dispensing a large number of small boxes. The unit is constituted by a frame having a rectangular back wall and a pair of side walls secured to the edges of the back wall to create a channel. Projecting inwardly from each side wall is a series of stepped ledges each pair of which defines a distinct sub-channel for receiving boxes, the lower end of each sub-channel having a stop to hold the boxes therein. The leading edges of the ledges are staggered with respect to the back wall to provide discharge openings for lateral removal of the boxes from the subchannels. The sides of the ledges are staggered with respect to the back wall, each front ledge registering with an opening formed in the adjacent ledge which in turn registers with an opening in the next ledge, the rear ledge registering with an opening in the back wall whereby the unit may be injection molded in a one-piece operation.