Abstract: A grouping system for a packaging line is provided with first and second pin conveyors adapted to group predetermined number of articles in a line without segregating the group from the line has the ability to feed the line of articles in timed relationship to a third pin conveyor which engages the leading group of articles from the line to accelerate it into a flight bar conveyor system provided in a continuous motion packer that is capable of packing the group of articles into a case fed into the load station in timed relationship with the progress of the article group through that load station.

Abstract: Tandem magazines store tray blanks of different size for loading product in different pack patterns. Each magazine has a depending cam device that engages unique lugs on the tray conveyor to allow the lowermost blank to be received on the tray conveyor, and then to be gripped by the unique lug for transport downstream toward the load station. Since only one magazine is used at one time these cam devices can be deactivated as desired. One of the two blank withdrawing means associated with each magazine is located under the tray blank conveyor and operates in timed relationship with it. The blank withdrawing means are also selectively deactivated for the same reason.

Abstract: Articles, such as small plastic bottles, or six packs consisting of such bottles, are moved by line pressure down an inclined ramp into a load station where plastic trays are continuously filled with these articles. The trays are indexed by a flight bar conveyor that raises each tray, to be in position to index the next tray, and driven separator discs above the articles have lugs that move between selected article rows to index groups of the articles as they are loaded into the tray.

Abstract: Articles, such as glass containers, are fed continuously in end-to-end relationship through a pin spacer adapted to provide a space between adjacent rows so that cross partitions can be fed therebetween. The articles are then grouped by s pin type grouper to provide predetermined members of article rows and columns in each group. The columns of articles are then spread slightly to allow longitudinal extending partitions to be fed between adjacent columns. At the same time flat tray blanks are withdrawn from a horizontally extending magazine and provided on a lug conveyor located below the path of the grouped articles and each blank is mated with a group of articles at a load station where the blank is formed around the articles by a pocket chain conveyor and article folding means operated in conjunction with an overhead flight bar conveyor which cooperates with the trailing portion of each pocket to fold all flaps provided on the tray blank.

Abstract: Articles, such as glass containers, are fed continuously in end-to-end relationship through a pin spacer adapted to provide a space between adjacent rows so that cross partitions can be fed therebetween. The articles are then grouped by a pin type grouper to provide predetermined members of article rows and columns in each group. The columns of articles are then spread slightly to allow longitudinal extending partitions to be fed between adjacent columns. At the same time flat tray blanks are withdrawn from a horizontally extending magazine and provided on a lug conveyor located below the path of the grouped articles and each blank is mated with a group of articles at a load station where the blank is formed around the articles by a pocket chain conveyor and article folding means operated in conjunction with an overhead flight bar conveyor which cooperates with the trailing portion of each pocket to fold all flaps provided on the tray blank.

Abstract: Three wheels rotate together to achieve sequential movement of the leading top flap of a conventional packing case such that the case has its top flaps out-folded prior to the arrival of the case at a load station in a continuous motion packer.

Abstract: Cardboard packing cases, which have been loaded with bottles or the like, are fed to apparatus for severing the top flap connecting tabs at diagonally opposite corners of the case. These tabs are provided to hold the top flaps of the case in place during loading, but must be severed prior to closing and/or gluing of the top flaps at a succeeding stage in the packing of the product. The apparatus includes an infeed station where the cases are separated, by slowing each case on a flight bar conveyor having its flight spaced less than the length of the case, and then accelerating the case on the infeed conveyor to match the speed of a pocket chain conveyor. The case has its forward end lifted, and opposite corners tilted, on this pocket chain conveyor to spread the top flaps at the two corners of the case without connecting tabs. Guide plates on either side of the pocket chain conveyor serve to guide the case so that fixed knives cut both tabs without necessity for turning the case through 90 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for determining the percentage of fat in a meat sample through the use of X-ray radiation techniques. An automatic calibration feature eliminates the need for manual potentiometer adjustments for accommodating interaction between X-ray attenuation by pairs of calibration standards of known fat percentage values for a given meat species. Protein and moisture percentages may be determined. Indicators for needed periodic recalibration also may be included, and adjustments may be incorporated for meat samples of high, normal or low moisture content, as well as for different species of meat.

Abstract: A case feeding apparatus moves open cases onto a lift table where each case is moved upwardly onto the funnel portion of a shifting grid structure so that a slug of articles can be deposited therein. Line pressure advances the cases toward a retractable stop and side belts move the cases individually into an intermittently operated pair of case conveyors capable of handling cases of different size. Arrival of a case at the lift table triggers both the raising and lowering of the lift table and an indexing device controls the case conveyor cycle. The cases have their side flaps folded down by side guides to maintain the case in laterally centered positioned on the lift table and each case conveyor has either pusher lugs or leading lugs to control case position longitudinally.

Abstract: A plurality of grids are mounted individually on spokes of a wheel so that each grid moves through an article infeed station where groups of articles are fed into the grids without interrupting their forward speed. The orbit of the grids is such that each grid also moves through a discharge station where the article groups are dropped into packing cases again without interrupting the motion of the articles in the direction of a packing case conveyor.

Abstract: Cardboard packing cases, which have been loaded with bottles or the like, are fed to apparatus for severing the top flap connecting tabs at diagonally opposite corners of the case. These tabs are provided to hold the top flaps of the case in place during loading, but must be severed prior to closing and/or gluing of the top flaps at a succeeding stage in the packaging of the product. The apparatus includes an infeed station where the cases are separated, by slowing each case on a flight bar conveyor having its flights spaced less than the length of the case, and side belts accelerate the case to match the speed of a pocket chain conveyor. The case has its forward end lifted, and opposite corners tilted, on this pocket chain conveyor to spread the top flaps at the two corners of the case without connecting tabs. Guide plates on either side of the pocket chain conveyor serve to guide the case so that fixed knives cut both tabs without necessity for turning the case through 90 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and clearing a jam of articles at the entrance to an article lane divider is provided which includes a plurality of parallel guides defining lanes for articles and conveyor means operative to advance articles toward the entrance to the lanes and to move the articles in the lanes. Detecting means are also included for detecting a jam of articles at the entrance to the lanes along with means for moving at least one of the parallel guides transversely to the direction of travel of the articles in response to the detection of a jam of articles at the entrance to the lanes by the detecting means, thereby breaking up the jam and permitting the articles to proceed into the lane divider.

Abstract: A finger assembly for use in a packer grid wherein the finger assembly comprises a body having an upper frustoconical section having at least one flat thereon. At least one flexible finger extends downwardly and outwardly from the body. The finger includes an upper portion which is positioned against the flat. The upper portion also includes at least one ear. A cap is attached to the upper portion of the body and holds the upper portion of the finger against the flat. The cap also includes a circumferential groove in its interior surface into which the ear extends to prevent withdrawal of the finger when the cap is tightened.

Abstract: Articles are fed in a plurality of lanes from an infeed conveyor, across a deadplate, and into a grid which has lane defining structure adapted to expand and to hold the articles while the grid is inverted. After a charge is formed in the grid, means is provided for holding back articles on the deadplate and for retracting the grid slightly to separate articles in the grid from those on the deadplate. Riding strips, or rails, support the articles in the grid, and latch means provided in part on a vertically reciprocable yoke, and in part on these rails is latched by rotation of the grid and unlatched in response to reset or return motion of the retractable grid. After rotation and retraction of the grid, the articles are released, and the yoke and the rails push the articles out of the grid. The rails and grid are then reset, the unlatched yoke raised, and the holdback releases the articles for loading a succeeding charge without the necessity for return rotational motion of the rails and grid.

Abstract: Erected cartons are fed downstream on a dead plate by the various flight bars of a flight bar conveyor system, and between upper and lower pairs of side guides which are adjustable both laterally to accommodate cartons of various widths. Plows associated with the side guides preposition the closure flaps of the cartons so that each of these flaps is received in a slot of an adhesive applying head so that bands or strips of adhesive are applied to these flaps. The adhesive applying heads are uniquely mounted in that they are conveniently prepositioned for accommodating the flaps when the side guides are adjusted to the width of the carton. Two such heads are pivotally mounted in a block provided on the longitudinal center line of the machine, with a link being provided between each adhesive applying head and the side guide structure.