Abstract: A method of continuously processing chopsticks (35), the outer shape of which is defined by two mutually parallel surfaces and two opposing, plane, oblique surfaces (5, 6) inclining towards one another by the same inclination seen relative to a common plane of symmetry. The chopsticks (35) are advanced in the longitudinal direction while passing pairs of processing implements (37, 38 and 39). During the advancing movement, one oblique surface (5) of the chopsticks (35), the common longitudinal plane of symmetry, and the second oblique surface (6) are aligned one by one substantially parallel to a common plane of alignment (50) extending in the direction of advance (36) and are processed by a pair of processing implements (37, 38 and 39) associated with each aligning position. The advance is carried out by continuously rotating friction rolls (8 to 34) engaging the mutually parallel surfaces of the articles.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting sticks into ice cream bodies filled into mould cavities open at the top and continuously or stepwise passing below the stick inserting apparatus, said apparatus comprising a stick feeding mechanism feeding sticks to a conveyor which reciprocates relative to said feeding mechanism and which advances the sticks to a set of receiving means gripping and removing said sticks from the conveyor. The apparatus comprises furthermore a set of inserting means which remove the sticks from the receiving means so as to insert said sticks into the mould cavities. The apparatus comprises two feeding mechanisms are provided which feed their respective conveyor, said conveyors being associated with their respective set of receiving means and their respective set of inserting means. The sets of inserting means are disposed such that alternately they are moved into and insert the sticks in one and the same vertical inserting plane in the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously processing and packing elongated articles (10) such as coherent pairs of chopsticks imply that the articles (10) are continuously advanced in the longitudinal direction in a track and are centrally aligned during the continued advancement. The alignment is performed during the processing by means of one or more processing implements (31, 35) by means of uniform centering rolls (14, 15) operating from their respective side of the plane of symmetry of the articles. These centering rolls are biased by a uniform spring tension. Subsequently the articles are continuously advanced in the transverse direction by means of transverse conveyor means (50, 51) to a bundling device. In the bundling device the articles (10) are situated in layers and collected in a bundle (80) of articles (10) subsequently wrapped in a sheet material (84) in a wrapping device (83).

Abstract: Optical fibers control the height and curvture on the perpendicular level of a number of articles on a conveyor while the articles traverse a box in which the optical fibers are placed so that the light ray is disturbed in response to the height and curvature of the articles. Outside the box the articles are scanned by a camera. Both from the box and from the camera (11) measuring data are transferred to a computer (13) which evaluates the measured data and decides whether or not the article is to be discarded when it reaches the grading device. In this way a reliable, three-dimensional control of the articles is achieved.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously processing and packing elongated articles such as coherent pairs of chopsticks include continuously advancing the articles in the longitudinal direction in a track and centrally aligning the same during the continued advancement. The alignment is performed during the processing by means of one or more processing implements by means of uniform centering rolls operating from their respective sides of the plane of symmetry of the articles. These centering rolls are biased by a uniform spring tension. Subsequently the articles are continuously advanced in the transverse direction by means of transverse conveyor means to a bundling device. In the bundling device the articles are situated in layers and collected in a bundle of articles subsequently wrapped in a sheet material in a wrapping device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing oblong wooden articles to be used for the manufacture of coherent pairs of chopsticks includes punching or cutting the articles out of veneer sheets along outer straight lines resulting in outer surfaces (6 and 7) being formed. These surfaces are preferably inclining slightly towards one another and extend over the entire length of the articles. The articles are simultaneously provided with a cut along the plane of symmetry between the inclining surfaces (6 and 7), which results in a short uncut portion at the thickest end (9). This cut (8) along the plane of symmetry extends only partially through the articles in the transverse direction thereof, whereby a bridge-creating portion (10) is present between the parts (2 and 3) of the articles. This bridge-creating portion (10) is optionally automatically removed at a succeeding processing involving a bevelling (11-18) of the parts of the article.

Abstract: In a method of grouping, orienting, and packing articles such as ice-cream cones, the cones are advanced in rows on conveyors while being grouped and oriented, and are subsequently gripped in groups by a gripping device. Through suction heads gripping their respective groups, the gripping device is adapted to situate the groups in an open packing box. To permit the process to be carried out at a relatively high speed and low noise level, the articles are initially advanced in a first advancing direction while lying directly on a first endless and continuously running conveyor. They are then received in groups by a second endless and continuously running conveyor, which lifts the cones into contact with the suction heads of the gripping device while the mutual distance of the cones is being adjusted. The transfer of the cones from the first conveyor and through the second conveyor to the gripping device is carried out without stopping the advancing movement of the cones.