Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for a combination weigher or the like includes an elongated trough having inlet and outlet ends and a pair of upwardly extending and outwardly flared side walls. The conveyor also includes a pair of ramps for lifting and slowing a flow of particulate material as it is conveyed along the length of the conveyor. A first of the ramps includes a relatively flat base portion and two sloping side portions that converge at the apex of a V-shaped end portion to bias the flowing material toward the center of the trough. A second ramp has a relatively flat portion and further slows the flow of material so that it drops off of the outlet end of the conveyor in a mere trickle.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a vertical cartoner which has a plurality of adjustable pockets including a primary drive motor, a servo motor and a clutch assembly for adjusting the pockets to accommodate cartons of different widths. The primary drive motor rotates a pair of sprockets which move a pair of endless chains along a predetermined pathway. When the clutch is engaged, the primary drive motor also rotates the servo motor through a pair of bevel gears. However, when the clutch is disengaged, the primary drive motor is stopped and the servo motor is energized to rotate one sprocket with respect to the other to thereby adjust the pockets to accommodate cartons of a different width.

Abstract: A vertically oriented horizontally extending carton conveyor and loading apparatus incorporates a mechanical mechanism for simultaneously adjusting the distance between a pair of longitudinally extending guide rails at a plurality of locations. The carton conveyor also includes an intermediate member and a carton finishing apparatus disposed on the intermediate member for closing and sealing operations. The mechanical mechanism simultaneously moves a first of the guide rails and the intermediate member laterally with respect to a second of the guide rails, but with the mounting member being moved one half of the distance of the first guide rail.

Abstract: A product distribution system includes a cone shaped member for receiving a mass of solid flowable product thereon and a pair of concentric downwardly extending cylindrical walls. A top portion of the first of the downwardly extending cylindrical walls is adjacent to and abutting the base of the cone shaped member. A plurality of circularly arranged electromagnetic feeders which extend outwardly in a radial direction from the cone shaped member are disposed below the cone shaped member at the bottom of the first cylindrical wall, and in close proximity thereto, for moving product away from the first cylindrical wall and toward a plurality of circularly arranged weigh hoppers. The second cylindrical wall or retaining member has a diameter which is greater than the first cylindrical wall and together with the first wall forms a circular trough at the base of the cone shaped member.

Abstract: A vertically oriented horizontally extending carton conveyor and loading apparatus includes a mechanical mechanism for transporting a plurality of cartons along an endless pathway in a horizontal plane. The apparatus also includes carton finishing systems and a second mechanical mechanism for adjusting the carton conveyor to accommodate cartons of different sizes and for positioning the cartons with respect to the loading apparatus and finishing systems. This second mechanical mechanism fixes an upper, back and trailing corner of a carton with respect to the pathway so that the upper, back and trailing corner provides a reference point for adjustments with respect to carton width, thickness and height.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination weighing system for non-uniform weight items which comprises a plurality of hoppers that selectively empty by means of gates into a chute, and then usually into a packaging machine. The system further comprises check weighers associated with each hopper and a combination selection and machine control logic which typically receives weight signals from the check weighers and sends discharge signals to predetermined gates so as to combine items in order to achieve a nominal weight between a predetermined minimum weight and maximum weight. The improvement comprises a set point determining circuit which includes logic blocks to establish a changeable set point within the range of the maximum and minimum weights. The logic blocks allow weights below a set weight and/or maintenance of an overall average weight for the output of the system.