Abstract: A loading assembly for a packaging system includes a carriage coupled and reciprocally moveable relative to a support structure. The carriage is moveable relative to the support structure along a longitudinal axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite said first direction. A continuous loop configured with a plurality of spaced apart receptacles is moveably supported by the carriage. The loop includes a first portion that is moved at a continuous speed relative to the support structure, and a second portion that is alternatively moved and stopped relative to the support structure. Various methods of loading a receptacle are also provided.

Abstract: A loading assembly for a packaging system includes a carriage coupled and reciprocally moveable relative to a support structure. The carriage is moveable relative to the support structure along a longitudinal axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite said first direction. A continuous loop configured with a plurality of spaced apart receptacles is moveably supported by the carriage. The loop includes a first portion that is moved at a continuous speed relative to the support structure, and a second portion that is alternatively moved and stopped relative to the support structure. Various methods of loading a receptacle are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus to enable products to be evenly spaced so that they can be loaded onto a collator or other receiving device on a packaging machine. The packages are caused to be placed on a chain conveyor belt which has a multiplicity of spinning rollers to cause linear movement of the package along the chain conveyor belt. A multiplicity of sensors which actuate a respective air driven cylinder to cause a friction plate to come in contact with a selected portion of rollers at a location of the package will cause the linear movement of the package to stop for a given period of time so that the package can be appropriately spaced from the packages ahead of it and the packages behind it on the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention is a automatic carton opening and feeding apparatus with improved breaking and supporting mechanism. It is used in the packaging industry which automatically removes a folded carton blank from a rack or magazine of such folded carton blanks and causes the carton blank to be opened while it is being transferred to a conveyor assembly. The present invention automatic carton opening and feeding apparatus utilizes a pivoted transverse member which can swing between an open position and a closed position to break open large carton blanks more effectively. The pivoted transverse member can be activated by a simple cam follower mechanism or an air cylinder, or any suitable mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic processing machine used in the packaging industry which automatically removes a folded cardboard box or carton from a rack or magazine of such folded boxes or cartons and causes the box or carton to be opened such that the four walls and base or bottom are in the opened position while the top is not closed, and simultaneously causing the opened box to be placed on a moving conveyor assembly which then moves the opened box to a loading station where goods can be placed into the opened box or carton. The machine is in the form of a rotating carousel having operating stations which rotate with the carousel but also rotate in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the carousel to enable the linear velocity of the attachment members to be zero when they attach to the stationary box or carton to assure that the attachment will be secure and the carton will not fly off.