Abstract: Finger mounting apparatus for a case loading grid is disclosed. Pyramidal shaped blocks are fixed to conventional bars in a packing grid, and a plate is selectively fixed to the bottom face of a block. The plate has an opening to hold a finger. The same block can mount two or more types of plate to carry two or more different types of finger. A single plate can be removed from a grid without removing the entire grid, so the grid can be serviced without removing the entire grid.

Abstract: A finger assembly includes a finger holder supported in depending position on a horizontal rail for adjustable positioning therealong. Flexible fingers received in associated slots in the holder extend downwardly and laterally outwardly from the holder and are clamped thereto by a retaining member, positioned below the holder, and a single clamping screw, extending upwardly through the retaining member and engaged with and secured to the holder. Different size retaining members may be used to vary the lateral pitch of the fingers. A single finger may be removed from the holder for repair or replacement by loosening the clamping screw which is accessible from the position below the holder.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and clearing a jam of articles at the entrance to an article lane divider is provided which includes a plurality of parallel guides defining lanes for articles and conveyor means operative to advance articles toward the entrance to the lanes and to move the articles in the lanes. Detecting means are also included for detecting a jam of articles at the entrance to the lanes along with means for moving at least one of the parallel guides transversely to the direction of travel of the articles in response to the detection of a jam of articles at the entrance to the lanes by the detecting means, thereby breaking up the jam and permitting the articles to proceed into the lane divider.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions within a carton or the like is provided by a mandrel in a partition straightening station having cones disposed thereon which project towards the open top of the carton. The mandrel is moved towards the carton and the cones enter the carton; at least one of the cones is longer than the other cones and is adapted to enter an inner cell formed by the partition; the shorter cones then enter the outermost cells formed by the partition. The partitions are thus aligned to receive products in the cells formed thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening cell-forming partitions within a carton or the like is provided by a mandrel in a partition straightening station having cones disposed thereon which project towards the open top of the carton. The mandrel is moved towards the carton and the cones enter the carton; at least one of the cones is longer than the other cones and is adapted to enter an inner cell formed by the partition; the shorter cones then enter the outermost cells formed by the partition. The partitions are thus aligned to receive products in the cells formed thereby.