Abstract: A tray dispenser and method for removing trays from the top of a stack of trays. The tray dispenser includes a tray delivery system that positions the top tray in a tray removal position, and a tray removal system that removes the top tray, moves it and releases it in a tray release location. The tray dispenser can include a rotary arm to which the tray removal system is coupled. The rotary arm can move the removal system from a first position where it removes the tray from the removal location to a second position where it releases the tray in the release location. The removal system can include a suction cup assembly that holds the tray when it is removed and moved, then releases the tray in the release location. The tray dispenser can include a limit switch that senses when the tray is in the removal position.

Abstract: A rotary coupling for communicating a pneumatic signal from a stationary pneumatic source to an apparatus. The rotary coupling has a housing and a rotating portion that rotates with respect thereto. The housing has at least two inlets in fluid communication with the pneumatic source. The rotating portion has at least two outlets in fluid communication with the apparatus. Inlet and outlet pairs are aligned radially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotating portion so that they are in fluid communication when the rotating portion is at an angular orientation at which the inlet and outlet pair are coincident. More than one inlet may be paired with an outlet, and vice versa. Channels can be formed to allow the inlet and outlet pairs to be in fluid communication when they are not coincident. Inlets and outlets can also be radially spaced different distances from the axis of rotation such that fluid communication between these inlets and outlets are blocked at all angular orientations of the rotating portion.

Abstract: A rotary coupling for communicating a pneumatic signal from a stationary pneumatic source to an apparatus. The rotary coupling has a housing and a rotating portion that rotates with respect thereto. The housing has at least two inlets in fluid communication with the pneumatic source. The rotating portion has at least two outlets in fluid communication with the apparatus. Inlet and outlet pairs are aligned radially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotating portion so that they are in fluid communication when the rotating portion is at an angular orientation at which the inlet and outlet pair are coincident. More than one inlet may be paired with an outlet, and vice versa. Channels can be formed to allow the inlet and outlet pairs to be in fluid communication when they are not coincident. Inlets and outlets can also be radially spaced different distances from the axis of rotation such that fluid communication between these inlets and outlets are blocked at all angular orientations of the rotating portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indexing and lifting items from a first conveyer in a first plane and transferring such items to a second conveyor in a second plane it a different level than the first plane. The apparatus includes a transfer assembly for moving the items longitudinally from the first conveyer to the second conveyer. The apparatus also includes at least two longitudinally spaced-apart posts, each post having a top surface. The top surfaces of the posts cooperate to support an item. Connectors connect the posts to the transfer assembly and frame members mount the transfer assembly between the first and second conveyers at an angle relative to at least one of the first and second planes. The posts are configured so that when the transfer assembly is mounted at the angle, the top surfaces are in a single plane which is parallel to at least one of the first and second planes of the first and second conveyors.

Abstract: A rotary coupling for communicating a pneumatic signal from a stationary pneumatic source to an apparatus. The rotary coupling has a housing and a rotating portion that rotates with respect thereto. The housing has at least two inlets in fluid communication with the pneumatic source. The rotating portion has at least two outlets in fluid communication with the apparatus. Inlet and outlet pairs are aligned radially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotating portion so that they are in fluid communication when the rotating portion is at an angular orientation at which the inlet and outlet pair are coincident. More than one inlet may be paired with an outlet, and vice versa. Channels can be formed to allow the inlet and outlet pairs to be in fluid communication when they are not coincident. Inlets and outlets can also be radially spaced different distances from the axis of rotation such that fluid communication between these inlets and outlets are blocked at all angular orientations of the rotating portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a covering material to an outer flange of a container includes a container carrier for aligning the covering material relative to the container so that a portion of the covering material is positioned over the outer flange of the container. The apparatus also includes a sealing assembly having a horn and a mechanism for applying pressure to the outer flange and to the covering material against the horn. The apparatus further includes a conveyor for moving the container carrier relative to the sealing assembly so that the outer flange of the container and the portion of the covering material positioned over the outer flange pass below the horn. In addition, the apparatus includes a mechanism for vibrating the horn at a predetermined frequency to cause friction between the outer flange of the container and the portion of the covering material positioned over the outer flange to seal the outer flange to the covering material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for spreading a material on an object. The apparatus includes a continuously moving conveyor for moving the object in a downstream direction, and a dispenser for applying the material to the object. The apparatus also includes a carriage located above the conveyor, and a spreader coupled to the carriage for engaging the material applied to the object by the dispenser to spread the material on the object. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the carriage in the downstream direction over the continuously moving object as the spreader engages the material, and another mechanism for providing movement of the spreader relative to the carriage from an first position in which the spreader engages the material to a second position in which the spreader disengages the material.

Abstract: A traveling bucket assembly is operable to dispense particulate product contained in a pair of food hoppers simultaneously onto target areas on an underlying conveyor. An outside gate is movable to open and close a dispensing outlet formed in the bottom of each of the food hoppers. An inside gate in the hoppers is movable independently of the outside gate to block further discharge of product from the hoppers even though the outside gate is retained in its opened position so that discharge of product can be regulated with greater precision.

Abstract: A control system and method are provided for controlling the timing of a dispenser including a valve which moves alternately between a product-loading position and a product-dispensing position in a repeated cycle. The dispenser also includes a mechanism for dispensing a product from the dispenser after each time the valve moves to its product-dispensing position. The control system includes a detector which detects the time of which the valve reaches its product-dispensing position and a mechanism for generating a control signal at a predetermined time to actuate the dispensing mechanism when the valve reaches its product-dispensing position. The control system also includes a sensor for sensing the time that the dispensing mechanism actually begins dispensing product. The control system further determines the time difference between the time the valve reaches its product-dispensing position and the time the dispensing mechanism actually begins dispensing the product.

Abstract: A container carrier for supporting a container having an outer flange including first regions which have a first predetermined thickness, second regions which have a second predetermined thickness, and a top surface. The container carrier includes a carrier body having upper and lower surfaces and being formed to include an aperture for receiving the container therethrough, a portion of the upper surface of the carrier body adjacent the aperture being configured to abut the flange of the container to support the container, the portion of the upper surface also having a first depth in first sections which underlie the first regions of the flange and having a second depth in second sections which underlie the second regions of the flange, the second depth being greater than the first depth so that the top surface of the flange lies substantially in a single plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for "forming" (reshaping) plural dough balls on a conveyor including means for arranging the balls in a desired order on the conveyor. Included is a transfer conveyor with reciprocative end portion and funnel type means cooperating with ring means above a second conveyor for facilitating arranging the balls on the second conveyor and controls for the apparatus.

Abstract: A heat seal carrier assembly is provided for mating a covering material with a deformable sealing portion of a product-filled container to seal the container. The carrier assembly has an upstanding wall including a top surface having a raised ridge thereon. The container is situated on the carrier assembly to properly align the container sealing portion with the top surface of the upstanding wall of the carrier assembly. A heat seal head moves downwardly to press the covering material and the sealing portion of the container against the raised ridge and the top surface of the upstanding wall of the carrier assembly to seal the covering material and the sealing portion of the container together.

Abstract: An aseptic food handling system for filling containers with presterilized food which includes a first cylinder, having an inlet and an outlet, where food products to be packaged are received in the inlet and where the cylinder contains a piston operable from first position to receive product through the inlet to a second position to emit the food product from the outlet wherein the cylinder includes sterilizing fluid passageway to selectively admit sterilizing fluid to the cylinder to expose the internal surfaces of the cylinder and the piston to the sterilizing fluid and can be operated by an adjustable two position motive cylinder. A second dispensing cylinder can also be provided to receive the food product from the first cylinder and direct it to a food coainer.

Abstract: An aseptic food handling system for filling containers with presterilized food. A first cylinder is provided having an inlet and an outlet, and located so food products to be packaged are received in the inlet. The cylinder contains a piston operable from first position to receive product through the inlet to a second position to emit the food product from the outlet. At least one sterilizing fluid passageway is provided in the cylinder to selectively admit sterilizing fluid to the cylinder to expose the internal surfaces of the cylinder and the poston to the sterilizing fluid where the cylinder can be operated by an adjustable two position motive cylinder. A second dispensing cylinder can also be provided to receive the food product from the first cylinder and direct it to a food container.

Abstract: An apportioning apparatus for depositing a selected amount of a particulate product onto a series of moving receptacles is provided. At least one bucket is mounted in a reciprocating carriage for receiving a selected amount of the product. The bucket includes a closure for the outlet end that selectively opens to deposite a selected amount of the product onto a moving receptacle, with the speed of movement of the carriage and bucket substantially matched to the speed of movement of the receptacle during the filling operation.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a conveying and filling device where a conveyor is provided which travels along a linear path in a selected direction to carry articles, for example, recepticles to be filled. A dispensing device is carried by a mounting arm located in spaced relation from the conveyor and is carried by crank means to travel in an orbital path where the orbit carries the mounting arm in the direction of movement of the conveyor for the first portion of the orbit at the termination of which the orbital path returns the mounting arm to a second position relative to the conveyor for a second cycle over the conveyor, including a height adjusting arrangement to adjust the clearance between the mounting arm and the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve arrangement including an elongate housing means defining a cylindrical valve chamber having a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet where the fluid outlet is in longitudinal alignment with the housing and where the fluid inlet communicates with the side of the housing, slide valve means slidable within the housing from a first open position wherein the valve housing inlet communicates with the valve housing outlet, to a second, closed, position where the valve member is located to close off the valve inlet and one end of the valve member is disposed adjacent the outlet of the valve and where in some instances, the portion of the valve can extend through the outlet, valve operator means to operate the valve means between the first and second positions, and fluid supply means to supply a selected fluid to be metered to the valve inlet for emission from the valve outlet when the valve member is in the first position.

Abstract: A pizza topping device to apply ingredients to a pastry shell including first apertured conveyer means to receive a pre-formed pastry shell and convey the shell in a selected direction, applicator spray means including nozzle means disposed at a selected location above the first conveyer means to spray a selected, fluid, sauce-like material onto the pastry shells traveling on the first conveyer where the sauce-like material which oversprays the pastry shell flows through the apertures of the conveyer to sauce accumulator means, hopper means disposed above the first conveyer means to receive selected particulate topping substances to be applied to the sauce carried on the pastry shell where the hopper means includes a second conveyer means which is imperforate and is disposed in the bottom of the hopper where the topping material is carried on the second conveyer means in the same direction of travel as the direction of travel of the first conveyer, topping retention and mixing means disposed in the hopper to

Abstract: A high speed article feeding system for forming a single lane input of articles into a multiple lane output delivered in a controlled sequence regardless of occasional missisng articles in the input lane. The apparatus includes an endless conveyor with a continuous series of laterally movable article support plates or bars, a plurality of which form one group supporting a single article. Alternate groups of support plates are mechanically separated to follow to the left and right sides of the longitudinal centerline of the conveyor. Then, the separated left and right side groups are each diverted to one or the other of two output lanes by electro-mechanical means including two switching gates.