Abstract: The invention is related to a machine for the production and separation of packages, which packages are formed through deep-drawing from a foil strip transported through a forming station and a separating station of the machine and are then punched out. The foil strip is heated prior to deep-drawing and undergoes a cooling in its travel between the forming station and the separating station. When a transport interruption occurs, the still warm foil strip is stretched between the forming station and the separating station so much, and optionally the size of the elongation is controlled timewise in such a manner that, when the machine is restarted, the foil strip, in spite of the increased cooling which has taken place in the meantime, does maintain the same length as the still warm foil strip at the beginning of the machine interruption.

Abstract: A transfer conveyor for transporting an object from an intake location to an output location according to the invention has a frame adjacent the locations, a planet carrier rotatable on the frame about a carrier axis, a wheel rotatable on the frame adjacent the carrier about the carrier axis, and at least one planet gear carried on the carrier and rotatable thereon about a planet axis parallel to but offset from the carrier axis. A ring gear meshing with the planet gear is centered on but not rotatable relative to the carrier axis. The gears have respective pitch circles and the circumference of the ring-gear pitch circle is a whole-number multiple of the circumference of the planet-gear pitch circle. A support carried on the wheel is coupled to the planet gear offset from the planet axis so that the support orbits about the planet axis as the planet gear rotates. A suction gripper mounted on the support moves jointly therewith at least radial of the carrier axis.

Abstract: The apparatus for feeding and depositing small items, such as a tablet, capsule, pill or the like, in a deep drawn foil strip comprises a feed slider and a distributing slider. Above the foil strip the two sliders are positioned over each other. The upper slider movable transverse to the foil strip direction is the feed slider with a plurality of openings formed to receive and pass small items and positioned in the same pattern as the cups. The lower slider movable along the foil strip direction is the distributing slider with a plurality of holes allowing the passage of the small items from the openings into the cups. The sliders are slidable between a delivering position in which the openings cover the holes and the cups and a closed position in which the distributing slider secures the bottoms of the openings against a passage of the small items.

Abstract: The loading apparatus of our invention comprises a filling shoe for input of small products, particularly pharmaceutical products, into a plurality of receptacles of a package component moving by and below the filling shoe. The filling shoe is provided with at least one feed chamber for receiving and dispensing the product which has a mouth opening below to the package component. A product duct for feeding the products one after the other is connected to and ends in the feed chamber. Each feed chamber is connected to at least one vacuum passage which is connected to and communicates with a vacuum source. The front side of the feed chamber in the motion direction of the package component may be formed as a guide slope running slantedly downward toward the package component opening in or to a vacuum passage with the feed chamber and to the package component. Vacuum slots may be provided running in a wall of the product duct and ending in the feed chamber to augment the vacuum effect in the product duct.

Abstract: A housing having a base plate adapted to be used as part of a toy track is provided. A braking-bar is provided in one side wall, that is parallel to the base plate at the level of the upper area of the wheels of a car to be used on said track and is pivotable inwardly over the track at one part of its length against a spring tension at the level of the side wall. The braking bar will press against a drive wheel of the car and prevent it from moving. A locking member is mounted in the housing and movable between two positions, that releases the braking-bar in one position and that holds the braking-bar in place pivoting inwardly in the other position.