Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers. Chutes may be used to direct incoming product bags between parallel conveyors.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a rotatable drum positioned at its discharge end. The rotatable drum is comprised of a plurality of disks. Two pairs of air nozzles are positioned between the rotating disks of the rotatable drum. A second receiving conveyor is positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. Bagged products move along the first conveyor and are discharged over the rotating drum of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. A sensor indicates that the product bag is properly positioned for uprighting by the air blast. A programmable logic controller ("PLC") which controls the operation of the collator in accordance with the size of the product bags.