Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring discrete articles at a receiving and packing station from a randomly supplied conveyor having articles with a plurality of characteristics to a take away conveyor having articles with only certain selected characteristics out of the plurality of characteristics. At each receiving and packing station, the articles having the selected characteristics are transferred from the supply conveyor to a collecting device to form therein a completed row of a certain number of articles. An endless transfer conveyor has a plurality of rows of article holders, each of which, at one point in its travel, is positioned to receive a completed row of articles from the collecting device. The collecting device will deliver a complete row of articles only into an empty row of holders in the transfer conveyor. The transfer conveyor then transfers a completed row of articles to containers on a take away conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for releasing articles from holders mounted on a conveyor travelling at varying speeds, the varying ballistic trajectory of the released articles being automatically compensated for, depending on the speed of the conveyor, by shifting the discharge locations of the article holders. One or more adjacent ones of the releasing members for each delivery station, arranged side by side in the direction of travel of the conveyor, are fixed against movement in the direction of movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transferring objects from a first conveyor to a second conveyor which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the first conveyor, the objects being transferred in parallel relationship to themselves. The first conveyor travels at a higher speed than the second conveyor. The transfer may be effected by means of one or more transfer members adapted to make an oblique movement in such a way that the component of velocity in the direction of travel of the first conveyor is approximately the same as the speed of the first conveyor and the component of velocity in the direction of travel of the second conveyor is approximately the same as the speed of the second conveyor.

Abstract: A device for activating the one or the other of two movement transfer devices, both driving the same output shaft, at least one of said movement transfer devices having a cam disc to create a desired velocity characteristic, control means controlled by said output shaft being present to activate or disable the connection between a command member and means for controlling clutches in said movement transfer devices and a step regulating means connected to said output shaft.