Abstract: A plastic cutlery feeder for receiving a backlog of cutlery items from a source and for feeding individual items in proper orientation and proper phase to a flighted conveyor of a wrapping machine. The backlogged items are received in a vertically oriented position by the cutlery feeder which changes the items to a horizontal orientation with a single item supplied to each flight of the wrapping machine conveyor.

Abstract: A non-contact article feeder takes randomly spaced articles and places these articles in proper spacing and timing for transfer to a wrapping machine without the use of tie downs or guide rails. A plurality of flat belt conveyors connected in series open or close gaps between adjacent articles and deliver the articles at proper phase and proper velocity to flights of a conveyor of a wrapping machine. A computer monitors the articles to provide synchronization of individual conveyor belts and between the feeder and the wrapping machine.

Abstract: The horizontal wrapping machine of the type wherein a succession of articles are fed into a traveling tube of web material which is sealed longitudinally and severed and sealed between the articles to produce individual hermetically sealed packages. A variable speed motor drives a conveyor which may be provided with article feeding flights and a switch, actuated once each revolution of a timing shaft, provides a pulse corresponding to each flight on the article feeding conveyor. In addition an encoder driven by the variable speed drive motor shaft provides a digital velocity signal used as a reference signal for servo motors that may be coupled, in combination or individually, to drive web feed rolls, longitudinal sealing wheels and one or more sealing and severing heads. A delivery conveyor transporting individual packages may, through a suitable drive train, be driven by the variable speed drive motor.

Abstract: A multi-function magnetic jack control drive mechanism for controlling a nuclear reactor is provided. The mechanism includes an elongate pressure housing in which a plurality of closely spaced drive rods are located. Each drive rod is connected to a rod which is insertable in the reactor core. An electromechanical stationary latch device is provided which is actuatable to hold each drive rod stationary with respect to the pressure housing. An electromechanical movable latch device is also provided for each one of the drive rods. Each movable latch device is provided with a base and is actuatable to hold a respective drive rod stationary with respect to the base. An electromechanical lift device is further provided for each base which is actuatable for moving a respective base longitudinally along the pressure housing. In this manner, one or more drive rods can be moved in the pressure housing by sequentially and repetitively operating the electromechanical devices.

Abstract: An article backlog control system for a processing machine such as a wrapper maintains a backlog count within a preselected range. Articles being randomly supplied to the backlog are continuously counted as are articles being removed from the backlog for processing, the difference between article counts is continuously determined and the speed of the processing machine is controlled by the system on the basis of the count difference in order to maintain the backlog within the preselected range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for producing handle bags made of thermoplastic web material by transporting segments of gusseted web to a cutting device that removes a generally rectangular portion of material to produce at least one style of a bag with handle portions that can be either gripped by hand or receive a forearm of a user. Moreover, there is disclosed apparatus for folding and collecting the bags so produced.

Abstract: Aligned conveyors support and supply a single file of articles to the infeed lug conveyor of a horizontal form, fill and seal wrapping machine. The aligned conveyors are oriented to intersect the infeed conveyor at an angle which can range from 90 to 135 degrees. The chosen angle of intersection is dependent upon article size and geometry. One of the aligned conveyors functions to organize the articles in abutting relation and yet maintains crowding forces or backlog pressure to a minimum. As the leading article of the row of abutting articles arrives at the intersection of the aligned conveyors and the infeed conveyor, it is controllably propelled to the infeed lug conveyor of the wrapping machine.

Abstract: This application discloses methods and apparatus that advance, from a single longitudinal file of abutting articles, a portion of the file containing a desired number of articles which, for convenience, will sometimes be referred to as a sub-group. The first and subsequent sub-groups are sequentially further advanced to a magazine or collection station preferably constructed with overlying vertically spaced compartments. On each compartment containing a sub-group of articles, and for purposes of this description bringing together the sub-groups will be referred to as a group, the group is advanced to the forming box of a horizontal form, fill and seal wrapping machine which essentially produces, from a flat strip of thermoplastic material, a tube having its edges welded and which is thereafter transversely severed and sealed between groups of articles. In advancing the accumulated individual articles of each sub-group in the formation of a group the articles rest upon the lower article aligned therewith.

Abstract: A bag machine and method includes a continuously driven rotary drum for making articles such as bags from a folded web of thermosealing material. A bag stripping and accumulating mechanism is driven in timed relation with the bag making drum for removing each bag from the drum and accumulating a predetermined plurality of bags in groups before depositing the groups of bags at a location such as on the pins of a wicket conveyor when the pins are stationary, or in shingled stacks on a takeaway conveyor. Several embodiments of the bag machine are disclosed.

Abstract: Feeding a longitudinally extending lane of regularly spaced articles to a horizontal form, fill and seal wrapping machine is disclosed. To insure regularity of spacing and that no gaps are created, in-line operatively integrated storage and transferring conveyors and an infeed wrapper lug conveyor are provided. Articles in abutting relation on the storage and transferring conveyors are dispensed to the lug conveyor so that each successive article is engaged and fed by each successive lug of the infeed conveyor. In being transferred to the infeed lug conveyor longitudinal spacing of the articles is effected. Also according to the disclosed concept more than one article may be simultaneously transferred to the infeed lug conveyor.

Abstract: This application discloses an improved device for reducing the velocity at which thermoplastic bags, as they are produced by a bag machine, are directed to a table, or other suitable support, for accumulation in even-edged stacks.

Abstract: An article wrapping machine has superposed shafts geared together that mount opposed rotary crimping heads for crimping the wrapping between the articles. A knife blade is radially movable in a slot in the upper crimping head and is projected into a recess in the lower crimping head for severing the wrapping between a string of articles. The blade actuating mechanism comprises a rod axially movable in a bore in the shaft that mounts the upper crimping head. A pair of bell cranks is provided for projecting and retracting the blade. An intermediate portion of each bell crank is pivoted to the crimping head. An outer or free end portion of each crank is pivoted to the blade and the inner ends are pivoted to the rod. The bell cranks are disposed so that the pivotal connections to the blade pass "over center" and the geometry of the arrangement is such that there is virtually no axial or slicing motion of the blade during its radial movement.