Abstract: A high speed multiple conveyor packaging system having product separating bars that separate a product into specific sized groups on moving opposing conveyors. Two product streams diverge to meet the separating bars, and subsequently reconverge after separation for loading into a carton or package. Separated conveyed product is channeled from opposing conveyors into another conveyed product carton from opposing carton ends. A tight package is formed by sets of formed guide bars which cause the package flaps to be stretched or formed to the position of maximum tightness about the product.

Abstract: Canister tester for rapid testing of the contents of a pressurized canister containing fluid or gaseous matter. Incoming canisters are placed into a dual rotary canister test bed and are revolved about the canister test bed axis to mix the canister contents prior to pretest purging and final test stations. A load mechanism loads canisters into the dual rotary canister test beds for testing. An eject mechanism ejects tested canisters from the dual rotary canister test beds into an off-load star wheel. Unsatisfactorily tested canisters are ejected prior to placement on an output conveyor.

Abstract: Flap tucker assembly and cam actuators for tucking and/or closing a box container flap. One or more flap tucker assemblies, the major elements of which include a slider body, a pivotable tucker blade and a face closer assembly, are carried by a tucker transporter system which presents members of the tucker assembly to be reciprocatingly actuated by cam operators to horizontally and transversely actuate the slide body, to vertically actuate the pivotable tucker blade, and to horizontally and transversely actuate the face closer assembly in sequence as the flap tucker assembly is carried parallel to a box container conveyor.

Abstract: An inclined hopper system for the conveyance of irregular shaped geometric blank material upwardly along an inclined specially configured conveyor for presentation to a specially configured gravity hopper having a plurality of adjustment mechanisms for accommodation of irregularly geometrically shaped blanks such as paper cup sidewall members.

Abstract: A device and method for packaging of toothbrushes in cartons where conveyored toothbrushes gravitationally descend in a containment slide to be released individually from a metering mechanism into dual slotted starwheels. Brushes from the starwheels are deposited into configured infeed buckets to be subsequently loaded into a carton by a brush inserter mechanism.

Abstract: Adjustable bucket packaging machine for the packaging of items and literature into a carton having conveyored buckets whose size is readily adjustable by phase adjusters, which move the leading and trailing bucket members about a central member. Alignment of adjacent loading devices is also accomplished by the use of phase adjusters, as well as spacing of flites along a conveyor system which is also adjusted by phase adjusters.

Abstract: Can selector bar assembly including one or more can selector flight bars, each having an angled tip comprised of a rubber or plastic-like material for non-scoring or scratching separation of product.

Abstract: A packaging machine with a flite adjustment mechanism for readily changing the distance between a rearward and a forward set of flites where a flits head shaft is coupled by a chain to a slave shaft by a phase adjuster. The flight head shaft drives a pair of outboard flite sprockets and chains. The slave shaft drives an independently rotating hub which drives a pair of inboard chains via inboard flits sprockets, which are driven at approximately the same speed as and angularly deflected from a pair of outer sprockets. Spacing of the flites is changed by adjustment of a phase adjuster. A splined network also allows for adjustment to accommodate different flits lengths.

Abstract: Fully automated apparatus and method for manufacturing compact disc holders having a central rotating table about which conveyor tables, rotary tables, placers and other devices align to interdigitate and load compact discs into disc bases, to mate disc bases containing CDs to packaging sleeves, to load booklets into the packaging sleeves, and to handle, glue, fold and otherwise form a package containing CDs and booklets or literature.

Abstract: A high speed multiple conveyor packaging system having product separating bars that separate a product into specific sized groups on moving opposing conveyors. Two product streams diverge to meet the separating bars, and subsequently reconverge after separation for loading into a carton or package. Separated conveyed product is channeled from opposing conveyors into another conveyed product carton from opposing carton ends. A tight package is formed by sets of formed guide bars which cause the package flaps to be stretched or formed to the position of maximum tightness about the product.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for assembly of an ecologically compact disc or media package where a trayed rotating table advances to process a packaging sleeve and place a compact disc or media package on a processed packaging sleeve. A packaging sleeve is placed in a tray on one rotating table and subsequently a pamphlet is glued to the packaging sleeve. A one-piece compact disc or media base on another rotating table is placed on the awaiting packaging sleeve. An end cap can then be separated from the base. The packaging sleeve is secured by glue to the compact disc or media base and end cap. The end cap is either cut away or manually separated from the media base.

Abstract: Fully automated apparatus and method for manufacturing compact disc holders having a central rotating table about which conveyor tables, rotary tables, placers and other devices align to interdigitate and load compact discs into disc bases, to mate disc bases containing CDs to packaging sleeves, to load booklets into the packaging sleeves, and to handle, glue, fold and otherwise form a package containing CDs and booklets or literature.

Abstract: Lane divider for conveyor systems which converts from one product path to multiple paths or from multiple paths to a single path. The lane divider system separates a product trail into discrete paths with automatic control for the flow of product.

Abstract: A device for use in packaging apparatus in which an article is carried on a first conveyor and is transferred to a second conveyor during continuous motion of the conveyors. A transfer mechanism including a cam follower is engageable by a cam track underlying the first conveyor to actuate the transfer mechanism for effecting the transfer operation. A selective direction or bypass device engages the cam follower to guide it to either engagement with the cam track to either effect a transfer operation or to bypass the cam track so that the transfer operation is not effected. The bypass device includes a guide track that engages the cam follower that is mounted on a pivot pin on a frame member of the first conveyor adjacent to the upstream ends of the first conveyor and the cam track. The guide track is movable laterally with respect to the cam track and has a quarter circular profile so as to engage the cam follower as the cam follower travels about the conveyor sprocket.

Abstract: A pick and placement machine particularly adapted to pick off and place deep drawn trays or the like. The machine includes rotating suction means which dips into a station and picks off a tray or places a tray, the suction means moving in a radial direction and in a substantially straight line at the station. Means are provided for effecting such motion of the suction means.