Abstract: Articles from various sources are arranged in assorted combinations by feeding the articles in individual feed lines according to source to a rotor with outward opening pockets each capable of retaining one full combination. The feed lines meet the rotor periphery along a series of spaced entry points, and a contoured stationary barrier extending into the pockets of the rotor effectively shortens the pockets to a varying degree which recedes in the direction of rotation of the rotor. The result is that each pocket adds only a preselected number (generally one) of articles as it passes each entry point. Upon passing the last entry point, each pocket contains a full assortment of articles which are subsequently ejected from the pocket as a group.

Abstract: A baby bottle top assembler automatically assembles nipple, collar and hood cap components into a unitary structure. Nipple, collar and hood feeders serially supply the cap components to pickup points. The feeders each include a hopper for holding the cap components, a conveyor for removing the cap components from the hopper and a magazine assembly for serially feeding the cap components to the pickup points adjacent the assembly wheel. Pickup pins pass the pickup points and first engage a nipple, then a collar and finally a hood. The components are snapped together into a unitary structure by a pinch roller. The unitary nipple/collar/hood assembly is removed from the pickup pin by an assembly stripper having fingers which engage under the nipple/collar/hood assembly forcing it off the pickup pin.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting glass fragments within closed filled jars on a production line. A plurality of jars is conveyed in serial fashion past an inspection station. Prior to arrival at the inspection station the jars are tilted by an acute angle of approximately 45.degree. to define a lowermost portion of the jar bottom into which glass fragments and the like settle. A light source illuminates this lowermost portion at the inspection station, and a television camera is precisely focused on the lowermost portion. The camera relays a signal for producing a magnified image on a monitor so that an operator can divert jars containing foreign matter out of the line.