Abstract: An article handling apparatus which operates in conjunction with a silk screen printer. The apparatus includes a support element defining an operation station for allowing articles to be placed thereon for printing by the silk screen printer, a cradle for picking an article from a supply location and placing same at the operation station, a bumper attached to the cradle for discharging another article from the operation station prior to placing the picked article, and a crank/rocker drive mechanism for cyclically operating the cradle/bumper in an eccentric orbit for picking an article, discharging another article and placing the picked article, as well as returning the cradle/bumper to a starting position in a repetitious automatic cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling oil filter components is disclosed. The components include a spring guide element which centers a filter element when assembled within a filter canister. Invention is based on the discovery that when the spring guide element is pushed horizontally into the canister by the filter element, the leading edge of the spring guide element automatically slides up the dome shaped bottom of the canister to its proper upright position without need for manual (individual) handling. An assembly machine is also disclosed which provides feed chutes for supplying the canisters, spring guide elements, and filter elements to troughs on a conveyor belt. A stationary bar cam is provided for effecting a force vector in a direction which pushes the filter element and, in turn, the spring guide element into the canister. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed wherein the components may be assembled by centrifugal force, gravity or direct plunger action.