Abstract: An apparatus for distributing articles supplied in one line amongst a plurality of conveying tracks comprises guides pivotable about a vertical axis and defining a pivotable passage for said articles. A starwheel which is rotatable about a vertical axis is mounted on one of the guides and has its teeth successively projecting into the passage so that the starwheel is advanced by one tooth by the articles passing through said passage. A steering member is pivoted by one end to a crank driven by the starwheel, the other end being pivotable about a vertical axis so that an outlet end of said pivotable passage swings between said conveying tracks upon rotation of said starwheel. The starwheel is operatively connected to said crank by way of gearing.

Abstract: In a machine for enveloping an article with plastics film, the leading end of the film is held fast and a pusher moves the article in a path between the leading end of the film and a supply roll therefor so that a loop of film becomes partially slung about the article, whereupon a movable beam completes the loop prior to welding the loop ends together. A knife on a pivotable lever severs the loop and co-operates with a clamping lever to hold fast the new leading end of film for enveloping a successive article.

Abstract: A guiding device is defined by lateral guides which are pivotally movable about a vertical axis disposed in the entrance portion of the guiding device. A star-shaped stepping wheel is connected to one of the guides to meter the articles passing therethrough. The stepping wheel has a crank arm eccentrically connected thereto which in turn is pivotally connected to the stationary frame. As the articles rotate the stepping wheel, the crank incrementally oscillates the guides such that they are essentially aligned with each of the two paths for one-half revolution of the wheel. A tongue member is pivotally mounted adjacent the entrance of the two paths and connected to the guides by a linkage which causes the tongue to pivot in a direction opposite that of the guides.

Abstract: Articles that arrive in a row midway between first and second intercoupled counter-rotary star wheels at an inlet side thereof are regularly distributed among three tracks disposed at an outlet side of the star wheels. The number of teeth on each star wheel is divisible by three and the teeth of one point towards the gaps of the other and are spaced from the roots thereof to allow the arriving articles to be received in the gaps presented alternately by the wheels at the inlet side as they rotate in unison. Alternate teeth of each wheel are provided with retractable pushers for the articles, the other teeth being plain, and alternate pushers of each wheel are equipped with guide tongues.

Abstract: An assembly of articles are received in a receptacle having a removable base and loaded into a tray disposed beneath the base when the base is removed, the loaded tray being also received on vertically movable support means at an upper position following which the support means are moved selectively into either one lower position for single-stage operation or into two vertically spaced, lower positions successively for a two-stage operation. In the single-stage operation, the support means carrying a single loaded tray is moved into one of the lower positions at which the loaded tray is removed, and in the two-stage operation, the support means carrying a single loaded tray is moved into the other of the lower positions at which a second loaded tray is stacked on the first tray following which the support means is moved into the one lowest position and the two stacked trays are pushed off together.