Abstract: A conveyor module adapted to receive products thereon for translating and simultaneously rotating the product 90° in going from its infeed end to its outfeed end. An endless chain is deployed about spaced-apart sprocket wheels, one at the infeed end and one at the outfeed end and a plurality of product support plates are linked to the chain by a coupler that permits rotation of the support plate about an axis that is perpendicular to the support plate. The support plate carries a cam follower that is adapted to engage a cam track that is configured to impart the 90° rotation to the support plate as the endless chain carries the support plate between the infeed end and the outfeed end.

Abstract: An in line feed method and apparatus for forming slugs of incoming items, which are standing on edge and aligned front-to-back is disclosed. The process uses a conveyor belt and a vacuum chamber aligned end to end for separating the flow of items and creating slugs. The items introduced to the system are on a conveyor belt. The belt is periodically stopped and the items blocked from being sucked into the vacuum chamber. While the product is blocked from entering the vacuum chamber a moving finger which travels through the chamber is introduced at the mouth of the vacuum chamber and the items are released from the conveyor belt such that they are sucked into the vacuum chamber but are limited by and stack up against the finger. In this manner slugs are formed.