Abstract: A surveillance system and method of use thereof is disclosed. The surveillance system provides a continuous presence and may be operated by remote control. The system may automatically record video and audio when certain audio, such as a gun shot, is detected. The system may automatically contact the authorities, or other remotely located devices upon the occurrence of an undesirable event.

Abstract: A spacer-tray loading machine loads cans or other containers into nestable spacer trays. The spacer trays are shaped with a plurality of container-bottom receptacles in a row-column array and nest together when empty to form a stack. The spacer-tray loading machine comprises a multiple-lane container feeder for supplying containers arranged in parallel rows to a tray loading area of the machine. The number of lanes equals the number of columns of container-bottom receptacles in the spacer tray. The spacer-tray loading machine further comprises a stacked-tray supply conveyor for advancing a horizontal stack of trays towards a tray-withdrawal end of the stack.

Abstract: A plastic carrier is deposited on a set of bottles which are moved beneath a reciprocating platen. The platen carries a set of long fingers and a set of short fingers. Each long finger is positioned to align with a different one of the lower peripheral surface sections of the carrier. Each short finger is aligned with the upper surface of the carrier, which has a bottle engaging opening for each bottle. Between the upper and lower surfaces of the carrier is an inclined side surface. As the platen is moved downwardly, the long fingers first engage and cooperate with the inclined side surface to correct any misalignment between the carrier and the bottles. Further movement causes the long fingers to contact the peripheral surface sections, respectively, and the short fingers to contact the upper surface, seating the carrier.

Abstract: A reciprocating platen automatically aligns and seats the carriers. Extending downwardly from the surface of the platen is a pair of spaced, conically shaped projections. As the platen is lowered, the inclined surface of each projection engages and cooperates with the edge of one of the circular finger-grip openings in the upper surface of the carrier. The carrier moves in a plane parallel to the platen surface until the base of each projection is received within a different one of the openings, thereby correcting any misalignment. Further movement of the platen causes the platen surface to exert a downward force on the carrier. This results in the container engaging openings being received over the closures of the respective containers. The platen is provided with recesses, each aligned with a different container engaging opening. The closures are received in the respective recesses to permit the platen to move to an extreme downward position.