Abstract: A stacking station for positioning between the output of machinery for forming folded cartons, and a strapping machine for applying a strap about the stack of the folded cartons to form a bundle. The stacking station includes an upstream conveyor receiving the cartons from the machinery with the upstream conveyor having an input end disposed at substantially the same level as the output of the machinery, and an output end which is vertically adjustable. The station further includes an intermediate conveyor for moving stacks of cartons toward the strapping machine and having a receiving end aligned to receive cartons from the upstream conveyor with the receiving end being disposed at a lower level than the output end of the upstream conveyor. The station also includes a gate associated with the intermediate conveyor and defining with the intermediate conveyor a pocket for forming a stack of the cartons. The gate is positioned to define the downstream end of the pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for aligning and joining individual blanks together along an overlapping portion thereof by a bonding agent. The individual blanks are conveyed within the apparatus, and at least a portion of one blank is displaced away from at least a portion of the other blank in order to allow the blanks to be arranged such that one blank is positioned overlapping the displaced portion of the other blank so that the blanks can be joined together by a bonding agent provided therebetween upon contact of the overlapping portions of the blanks.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding the trailing edge of paperboard blanks conveyed along a straight-line path includes a rotatable shaft disposed below and transverse to the conveyor and having arms with heads at their ends which extend upward through openings between conveyor belts. The shaft is rotated to cause the heads to contact the trailing panels or flaps of the blanks and fold them onto the blank body. To rotate the shaft intermittently it is momentarily connected to a continuously rotating drive by a clutch-brake which permits substantially instantaneous engagement and disengagement. The precise position of each blank is determined by a signal generated by a photodetector, and the rotational orientation of the shaft is determined by optical detectors associated therewith. A signal from the photodetector indicating position of the blank is received by a controller which also has input of the conveyor speed and which responds by actuating the clutch-brake at the proper time.

Abstract: A feeder has an endless belt conveyer which removes flat articles one-by-one from the bottom of a stack and transports them downstream to a delivery point. A chamber is connected to a vacuum source in timed sequence to apply a vacuum through apertures in the belt to pull the underside face of the lowermost article against the upper surface of the moving belt. Further, restraining chambers are connected to a vacuum source to engage the article next thereabove and prevent its premature downstream travel.