Abstract: A system for filling nuggets transported along a conveyor utilizes a platform that is positioned above the conveyor in a generally parallel fashion. The platform alternatingly moves in either one of a direction substantially similar to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and a direction substantially opposite to the direction of motion of the conveyor. A coring device is mounted onto the platform and used for forming a cavity in the nuggets. A depositing device is mounted on the platform, and is used for introducing a filling into the cavity in the nuggets. The platform is moving, so that the nuggets can be transported by the conveyor, without having to vary the speed of transportation of the nuggets, while either one of a cavity is being formed and the cavity in the nugget is being filled.

Abstract: A system for filling nuggets transported along a conveyor utilizes a platform that is positioned above the conveyor in a generally parallel fashion. The platform alternatingly moves in either one of a direction substantially similar to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and a direction substantially opposite to the direction of motion of the conveyor. A coring device is mounted onto the platform and used for forming a cavity in the nuggets. A depositing device is mounted on the platform, and is used for introducing a filling into the cavity in the nuggets. The platform is moving, so that the nuggets can be transported by the conveyor, without having to vary the speed of transportation of the nuggets, while either one of a cavity is being formed and the cavity in the nugget is being filled.

Abstract: A system for filling nuggets transported along a conveyor utilizes a platform that is positioned above the conveyor in a generally parallel fashion. The platform alternatingly moves in either one of a direction substantially similar to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and a direction substantially opposite to the direction of motion of the conveyor. A coring device is mounted onto the platform and used for forming a cavity in the nuggets. A depositing device is mounted on the platform, and is used for introducing a filling into the cavity in the nuggets. The platform is moving, so that the nuggets can be transported by the conveyor, without having to vary the speed of transportation of the nuggets, while either one of a cavity is being formed and the cavity in the nugget is being filled.

Abstract: A rotary displacer is provided on a conveyor which carries food items in predefined lanes. The rotary displacer has a rotating member with spokes extending therefrom. The spokes serve to deflect the food items to one side or the other along a direction transverse to a direction of conveyance to offset the center of the items from the center of the lane. Subsequently, the offset items are directed into a sliding alignment device, or the like, to separate each lane of items into two separate lanes. The spokes can be positioned along the transverse direction to allow various deflection configurations. For example alternating spokes can be offset in opposite directions to deflect every other item in an alternate direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving, in an infeed section, a stream of distributed items deposited in rows of like position. A slide mechanism is is selectively movable between a slide position and a flip position. In the slide position, the item drops off the edge of the belt and slides across the primary slide surface and onto a second slide mechanism having a secondary slide surface that is positioned to be in substantially the same plane as the primary slide surface. The slide mechanism is moved into the flip position for every other row of items. The items to be flipped come off the conveyor belt and come into contact with an abutting surface. This surface changes the direction of the item as it moves towards the transport mechanism in conjunction with a reverse slide surface of the second slide mechanism. The item slides down the reverse slide surface on its top surface, thus flipping over approximately 180.degree. from its orientation on the infeed conveyor belt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for receiving, in an infeed section, a stream of distributed articles, such as food items deposited in rows of like position. A slide mechanism is used to retard the motion of the items as they drop off the infeed section. In particular, the slide mechanism is alternately moveable between a slide position and a flip position. In the slide position, the item drops off the edge of the belt and slides across the primary slide surface and onto a second slide mechanism having a secondary slide surface that is positioned to be in substantially the same plane as the primary slide surface. The slide mechanism is moved into the flip position for every other row of items. The items to be flipped come off the conveyor belt and come into contact with an abutting surface. This surface changes the direction of the item as it moves towards the transport mechanism in conjunction with a reverse slide surface of the second slide mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for receiving, in an infeed section, a stream of distributed articles, such as food items, deposited in rows of like position. A slide mechanism is used to retard the motion of the items as they drop off the infeed section. In particular, the slide mechanism is alternately moveable between a slide position and a flip position. In the slide position, the item drops off the edge of the belt and slides across the primary slide surface and onto a second slide mechanism having a secondary slide surface that is positioned to be in substantially the same plane as the primary slide surface. The slide mechanism is moved into the flip position for every other row of items. The items to be flipped come off the conveyor belt and come into contact with an abutting surface. This surface changes the direction of the item as it moves towards the transport mechanism in conjunction with a reverse slide surface of the second slide mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic packing system including a station at which a serial stream of articles are placed into stacks (one on top of another) or groups and discharged into a transversely moving tray-type package, or the like. The system includes a conveyor belt for transporting the articles, one by one, while they lie in a horizontal plane. The articles are transferred by another conveyor to a station at the end of the conveyor where the articles are stopped by protruding pins, picked up by a vacuum holding device, transferred by lever mechanisms and carried to a loading station where the articles are dropped one upon another in a stacked manner until an appropriate group has accumulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic tray packer system including a station at which a serial stream of incoming articles are stacked, separated into groups and discharged to a transversely moving tray-type package. The tray packer includes a conveyor belt for transporting the articles, one by one, while they lie substantially in a first plane, and a nose roller for decelerating the articles transported by the conveyor belt. The articles pass over the nose roller and partially rotate and drop along a slide. A flipper mechanism further rotates the articles and propels them one by one against a stack of previously propelled articles. A separator member first defines a downstream end of the stack, and then moves via cams, along an endless closed path, to define the upstream end of the stack and a downstream end of a next stack. A backup member replaces the separator member at the upstream end of the stack.

Abstract: As a plurality of rows of baked cookie halves, each having a flat side and a rounded side, leave the oven-cooler on a transfer conveyor belt they are allowed to fall off the end of the belt onto a lower conveyor belt. Every other row is allowed to free-fall with the result that they flip 180.degree. in mid air while the remaining rows are guided by a slide which is moved into position so that alternate rows of cookie halves on the lower conveyor belt are disposed with the flat side up and the flat side down, respectively. A filling is automatically deposited on the cookie halves having the flat side up and a vacuum pick-up device raises each row of cookie halves having the flat side down and deposits them on the filled cookie halves as they pass underneath.

Abstract: A vertical carton erecting machine of the stationary die-reciprocal plunger type in which the knife edges for opening the carton slots and receiving the tabs are fixedly mounted on the plunger. Cam-operated flippers press the top edges of the carton outwardly to cause the tabs and slots to interlock. Carton strippers stationarily mounted at the bottom of the die may then engage the carton and strip it from the plunger as the latter is withdrawn.

Abstract: As a plurality of rows of baked cookie halves, each having a flat side and a rounded side, leave the oven-cooler on a transfer conveyor belt they are allowed to fall off the end of the belt onto a lower conveyor belt. Every other row is allowed to free-fall with the result that they flip 180.degree. in mid air while the remaining rows are guided by a slide which is moved into position so that alternate rows of cookie halves on the lower conveyor belt are disposed with the flat side up and the flat side down, respectively. A filling is automatically deposited on the cookie halves having the flat side up and a vacuum pick-up device raises each row of cookie halves having the flat side down and deposits them on the filled cookie halves as they pass underneath.

Abstract: A textile traverse rod guide device particularly suited for the guiding of winding of yarns onto packages is described wherein the traverse guide substantially reduces the noise level of winding machine when in operation. The traverse guide is capable of reducing the noise level on the order of 5 to 8 decibels compared to previously used devices while at the same time providing better package build. The noted traverse guide is fabricated as a single piece from engineering plastics and operates utilizing torque-tension principles rather than mechanical guidance and swivel means.

Abstract: A rotary guide device is used in conjunction with a conveyor belt adapted to have a plurality of randomly positioned articles thereon which must be aligned with each other in a plurality of rows lengthwise of and spaced across the conveyor belt by a plurality of guide plates positioned in essentially parallel lanes across and suspended above the moving conveyor belt. The rotary guide device is comprised of a plurality of rotating spindles disposed directly in front of each guide plate adjacent the upstream end thereof relative to the direction of movement of the belt. Each spindle is motor driven so that when contacted by an article on the moving conveyor belt the rotating spindle will direct the article into an adjacent channel between the guide plates to prevent jamming of the articles at the entrance to the channel. Each rotating spindle may be provided with a suitable friction surface to assist in positively directing an article in engagement therewith.