Abstract: A machine for feeding a plurality of tubes (18) to a station at which articles in the tube, such as DIPs (10), are released into a discharge chute (46). The device includes a platen (56) which is inclined with respect to each of the two mutually-perpendicular horizontal axes. The tubes (18) are placed on the platen (56) The platen (56) has a wall (50) which occludes lower open ends of the tubes (18) when they are placed on the platen (56). The tubes (18) pass downwardly on the platen (56) along this wall (50). A second lower edge with respect to the other of the mutually-perpendicular horizontal axes, defines a releasing station, and when a tube (18) is in that station, its lower end is not occluded by the wall (50). Devices within the tube (18) are, thereby, permitted to pass outwardly into the discharge chute (46). Stops (80) are disposed proximate this lower edge of the platen (56) in order to arrest downward movement of the tubes (18) beyond the releasing station.

Abstract: An equipment (10) designed to engage and stop each of a plurality of items (16) passing down a track (12). The equipment (10) includes a mount (28) which carries a plurality of stops (30). The stops (30) are disposed such that, when the mount (28) which is spaced laterally from the track (12) is moved toward the track (12), stops (30) will successively obstruct the track (12) in sequence, consecutively in a direction upwardly along an axis along which the stops (30) are spaced.