Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles from the first station to a second station wherein the articles are rotated through 90.degree. as they are transferred. The apparatus includes plural lifting heads, each lifting head having two plates carrying depending gripping devices for grasping a pattern of articles and transferring them from the first station to the second station. During the transfer, the plates are spread apart to split the pattern in half and the plates are rotated through an angle of 90.degree. before the articles are deposited at the second station.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing cases into an uncaser or the like having a case conveyor with upstanding lugs which space the cases apart by a predetermined distance as the cases move in end-to-end abutting relation toward the uncaser. The indexer includes an endless chain having outwardly-projecting lugs spaced along its length a distance less than the length of each case. Each lug moves into the rear portion of a case as the case moves toward the case conveyor and swings the rear portion of the case to one side whereby the lug engages the leading wall of the next succeeding case and times the entry of the case onto the case conveyor.