Abstract: A cigarette packaging machine is provided with a mechanism for rejecting defective cigarette packs of a two pack stack of cigarette packs. A defective top pack of the stack is rejected at a first rejection station by a blast of pressurized air or a pusher bar and a defective bottom pack of the stack is rejected at a second rejection station downstream of the first rejection station by a movable arm which pivots away from a position supporting the stack and then pivots toward the stack to strike the bottom pack and eject it from the stack. A magazine filled with acceptable packs is located downstream of the second rejection station for replacing defective packs ejected from the stack.

Abstract: The invention provides package inspection systems which are capable of high speed sensing and evaluation of package integrity as packages are continuously conveyed in the manufacturing process. The systems are capable of measuring predetermined parameters of packages, e.g. cigarette packages, comparing the measured parameters with predetermined values, evaluating from the measured parameters the integrity of the packages and determining whether such packages are acceptable or, alternatively, should be rejected. The system can additionally obtain and store data on sensed package parameters for evaluating long-term and short-term manufacturing trends. In various embodiments of the invention, the system can inspect a single or plural package side(s), employing a single or plural line scan or area array camera(s) and may employ special optics to enable plural package side images to be obtained using a single camera.

Abstract: A shear lock keeper ring is shown for maintaining the shank of a bit in contact with the retaining shoulder in the shank receiving opening of a bit mounting block of the type found on earth working machinery. The keeper ring is formed from a resilient material and has a ring-shaped inner portion which is received about the bit shank within a retaining groove on the shank. The keeper has a resilient outer portion which overlays the inner portion and which is joined to the inner portion at a shearable junction. The outer portion is deformable inwardly toward the inner portion during assembly of the shaft into the block opening. The outer portion is shearable upon opposite relative movement of the shaft in the block opening to disassemble the shaft from the block.

Abstract: An automatic pipetting system for pipetting a measured micro-quantity of reagent into a reaction cup, in which the pipetter is lowered into a reagent bottle, a predetermined amount of reagent drawn in using a positive displacement pump, the pipetter withdrawn from the reagent bottle through an irrigated wiping sponge to accurately control the drop of reagent at its tip, rotated to a position over the cup and lowered thereinto after which the displacement pump expels a measured amount of reagent.