Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and processing a plurality of articles includes a transport loop including a plurality of carrier bars and a plurality of pockets formed between adjacent ones of the carrier bars. The articles are laterally, longitudinally and rotationally positioned within the pockets at a predetermined position. The articles may be pharmaceutical tablets or capsules. The carrier bars may follow a curvilinear path including a non-linear path portion and a substantially linear path portion. The pockets between adjacent carrier bars are open and able to receive the articles when the adjacent carrier bars are at the non-linear path portion, and are closed and tightly grasp the articles when the adjacent carrier bars are at the substantially linear path portion. The apparatus can be used to manufacture shaped edible articles having a non-planar portion that receive serially registered component images from first and second printers.

Abstract: A pellet-shaped article inspection unit is structured for use with a conveyer mechanism having a plurality of carrier bars, each carrier bar being structured to convey a plurality of pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The article inspection unit includes a first camera unit positioned adjacent a first side of the conveyer mechanism. The first camera unit is configured to sense a first predetermined characteristic, e.g., laser holes, of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles. A removal mechanism, downstream from the first camera unit, is structured to remove or maintain at least a selected one of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles from at least a selected one of the plurality of carrier bars depending on whether the first predetermined characteristic is sensed by the first camera unit. A laser unit may be provided to create unique holes in the pellet-shaped articles, e.g., those by a larger exposed surface to improve time-release characteristics of the pellet-shaped articles.

Abstract: Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Abstract: Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Abstract: Multicolor image, formed from at least two component images, are printed on non-planar surfaces of edible pieces by maintaining registration of the pieces from one printing station to another. The registration is maintained by firmly securing the pieces to the transporting surface by applying a pressure differential, by a combination of a pressure differential with a resilient surface, or by trapping the pieces between a retaining member and a recess portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus orient, position and spin print indicia on pellet shaped articles, such as pharmaceutical capsules and the like. More specifically, the method and apparatus use a rotating pick-up drum that receives and transports the pellet shaped articles to a rotating positioning drum that is synchronized with the pick-up drum. The positioning drum receives the pellet shaped articles from the pick-up drum and properly aligns the pellet shaped articles so that they may be transferred to a rotating printing drum which is also synchronized with the positioning drum. The printing drum contains a vacuum source that maintains the pellet shaped articles within pockets as the pellet shaped articles are passed through a printing station. The printing station contains a movable printing roller capable of being moved toward and away from the printing drum such that the printing roller accurately spin prints indicia onto the pellet shaped articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus orient, position and spin print indicia on pellet shaped articles, such as pharmaceutical capsules and the like. More specifically, the method and apparatus use a rotating pick-up drum that receives and transports the pellet shaped articles to a rotating positioning drum that is synchronized with the pick-up drum. The positioning drum receives the pellet shaped articles from the pick-up drum and properly aligns the pellet shaped articles so that they may be transferred to a rotating printing drum which is also synchronized with the positioning drum. The printing drum contains a vacuum source that maintains the pellet shaped articles within pockets as the pellet shaped articles are passed through a printing station. The printing station contains a movable printing roller capable of being moved toward and away from the printing drum such that the printing roller accurately spin prints indicia onto the pellet shaped articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for printing indicia on confectionery products such as chewing gum. A mass of confectionery product is formed into a thin, flat sheet. The sheet may be divided into individual sheets for cooling. Next, the sheet or sheets of confectionery are passed through the printing machine to print indicia thereon. Printed confectionery products and packages thereof are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and processing a plurality of articles includes a transport loop including a plurality of carrier bars and a plurality of pockets formed between adjacent ones of the carrier bars. The articles are laterally, longitudinally and rotationally positioned within the pockets at a predetermined position. The articles may be pharmaceutical tablets or capsules. The carrier bars may follow a curvilinear path including a non-linear path portion and a substantially linear path portion. The pockets between adjacent carrier bars are open and able to receive the articles when the adjacent carrier bars are at the non-linear path portion, and are closed and tightly grasp the articles when the adjacent carrier bars are at the substantially linear path portion. The apparatus can be used to manufacture shaped edible articles having a non-planar portion that receive serially registered component images from first and second printers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus orient, position and spin print indicia on pellet shaped articles, such as pharmaceutical capsules and the like. More specifically, the method and apparatus use a rotating pick-up drum that receives and transports the pellet shaped articles to a rotating positioning drum that is synchronized with the pick-up drum. The positioning drum receives the pellet shaped articles from the pick-up drum and properly aligns the pellet shaped articles so that they may be transferred to a rotating printing drum which is also synchronized with the positioning drum. The printing drum contains a vacuum source that maintains the pellet shaped articles within pockets as the pellet shaped articles are passed through a printing station. The printing station contains a movable printing roller capable of being moved toward and away from the printing drum such that the printing roller accurately spin prints indicia onto the pellet shaped articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus orient, position and spin print indicia on pellet shaped articles, such as pharmaceutical capsules and the like. More specifically, the method and apparatus use a rotating pick-up drum that receives and transports the pellet shaped articles to a rotating positioning drum that is synchronized with the pick-up drum. The positioning drum receives the pellet shaped articles from the pick-up drum and properly aligns the pellet shaped articles so that they may be transferred to a rotating printing drum which is also synchronized with the positioning drum. The printing drum contains a vacuum source that maintains the pellet shaped articles within pockets as the pellet shaped articles are passed through a printing station. The printing station contains a movable printing roller capable of being moved toward and away from the printing drum such that the printing roller accurately spin prints indicia onto the pellet shaped articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and processing a plurality of articles includes a transport loop including a plurality of carrier bars and a plurality of pockets formed between adjacent ones of the carrier bars. The articles are laterally, longitudinally and rotationally positioned within the pockets at a predetermined position, and at least a first processing station at a first position along the transport loop performs a first operation on the articles while within the pocket in the predetermined position. The articles may be pharmaceutical tablets or capsules and the first processing station may be a drill that drills a series of holes on the pharmaceuticals to create a mechanical time-release mechanism. A second processing station coordinated with the first processing station may perform a second operation on the articles. The first and second processing stations may be first and second printers that print first and second component images in registration with another to form a composite image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus orient, position and spin print indicia on pellet shaped articles, such as pharmaceutical capsules and the like. More specifically, the method and apparatus use a rotating pick-up drum that receives and transports the pellet shaped articles to a rotating positioning drum that is synchronized with the pick-up drum. The positioning drum receives the pellet shaped articles from the pick-up drum and properly aligns the pellet shaped articles so that they may be transferred to a rotating printing drum which is also synchronized with the positioning drum. The printing drum contains a vacuum source that maintains the pellet shaped articles within pockets as the pellet shaped articles are passed through a printing station. The printing station contains a movable printing roller capable of being moved toward and away from the printing drum such that the printing roller accurately spin prints indicia onto the pellet shaped articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for printing indicia on confectionery products such as chewing gum. A mass of confectionery product is formed into a thin, flat sheet. The sheet may be divided into individual sheets for cooling. Next, the sheet or sheets of confectionery are passed through the printing machine to print indicia thereon. Printed confectionery products and packages thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A dispenser dispenses pellet shaped articles onto a conveyer. The conveyer conveys the pellet shaped articles past a video sensor that senses any pellet shaped articles needing rotation so that they are uniformly oriented. The sensor provides a signal to a manipulating device which manipulates certain pellet shaped articles so that all of the articles are uniformly oriented. The conveyer transports the pellet shaped articles to a first pellet shaped article modifying device that, for example, prints indicia on the pellet shaped articles. A rectifying drum reorients all of the pellet shaped articles in order for printing to be performed on a reverse side. A second sensor and a second manipulating device may also be provided. An inspection system to determine whether a pellet shaped article is defective after a performed modification is also provided.

Abstract: A pellet-shaped article marking system marks two sides of a pellet-shaped article. A hopper is disposed over a ramp-type conveyor and feeds pellet-shaped articles onto the conveyor. A first marking device marks a first side of the pellet-shaped articles. A pickup drum receives the pellet-shaped articles from the conveyor and transports them to a second marking device so that a non-marked side of the articles faces the second marking device. The second marking device marks the non-marked side of the articles. The pickup drum then discharges the pellet-shaped articles into a bin.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying pellet shaped articles includes an endless conveyor made up of a plurality of carrier bars each having a surface defining a plurality of pockets. The pockets of one of the carrier bars may be staggered with respect to the adjacent pockets of an adjacent carrier bar, or the pockets of one carrier bar can be interlaced in overlapping relationship with the pockets of an adjacent carrier bar. In addition, the carrier bars may have adjacent scalloped edges that mate to form a substantially continuous conveying surface.

Abstract: A pellet marking device which includes a ramp-type carrier system for receiving pellet-shaped articles to be imprinted from a feed hopper of improved efficiency, and for conveying the received pellet-shaped articles to a printing device which is combined with the carrier system and which is appropriate for applying desired indicia to the particular product which is to be handled. This may include the more traditional contact-type printing systems which are useful in conjunction with the majority of pellet-shaped articles to be handled, as well as non-contacting ink-jet systems for applying indicia to pellet-shaped articles which do not lend themselves to contact-type printing procedures. An improved feed hopper is provided which not only contributes to the foregoing, but which also operates to significantly improve the efficiency of the system by ensuring that the pellet-receiving pockets of the pellet-conveying system are filled to the greatest extent possible while maintaining an effective production rate.

Abstract: A pellet marking device which includes a ramp-type carrier system for receiving pellet-shaped articles to be imprinted from a feed hopper of improved efficiency, and for conveying the received pellet-shaped articles to a printing device which is combined with the carrier system and which is appropriate for applying desired indicia to the particular product which is to be handled. This may include the more traditional contact-type printing systems which are useful in conjunction with the majority of pellet-shaped articles to be handled, as well as non-contacting ink-jet systems for applying indicia to pellet-shaped articles which do not lend themselves to contact-type printing procedures. An improved feed hopper is provided which not only contributes to the foregoing, but which also operates to significantly improve the efficiency of the system by ensuring that the pellet-receiving pockets of the pellet-conveying system are filled to the greatest extent possible while maintaining an effective production rate.

Abstract: A pellet marking device which includes a ramp-type carrier system for receiving pellet-shaped articles to be imprinted from a feed hopper of improved efficiency, and for conveying the received pellet-shaped articles to a printing device which is combined with the carrier system and which is appropriate for applying desired indicia to the particular product which is to be handled. This may include the more traditional contact-type printing systems which are useful in conjunction with the majority of pellet-shaped articles to be handled, as well as non-contacting ink-jet systems for applying indicia to pellet-shaped articles which do not lend themselves to contact-type printing procedures. An improved feed hopper is provided which not only contributes to the foregoing, but which also operates to significantly improve the efficiency of the system by ensuring that the pellet-receiving pockets of the pellet-conveying system are filled to the greatest extent possible while maintaining an effective production rate.