Abstract: A blast gate for a vacuum system includes a chassis connectable to a duct and defining a flow passage therethrough, and a gate connected to the chassis and rotatable about a central axis. The gate includes a first portion, an intermediate portion and a second portion spaced apart circumferentially about the central axis. The first portion defines a flow aperture, the intermediate portion defines an auxiliary flow aperture, and the second portion includes a partition. Each of the first portion, second portion and third portion is selectively rotatable into fluid alignment with the flow passage. The blast gate further includes a motor connected to the gate and selectively operable to rotate the gate about the central axis.

Abstract: A blast gate for a vacuum system includes a chassis connectable to a duct and defining a flow passage therethrough, and a gate connected to the chassis and rotatable about a central axis. The gate includes a first portion, an intermediate portion and a second portion spaced apart circumferentially about the central axis. The first portion defines a flow aperture, the intermediate portion defines an auxiliary flow aperture, and the second portion includes a partition. Each of the first portion, second portion and third portion is selectively rotatable into fluid alignment with the flow passage. The blast gate further includes a motor connected to the gate and selectively operable to rotate the gate about the central axis.

Abstract: A grid finger for use in a grid structure for delivering articles from an article supply source to compartments and containers. The finger is a readily removable flexible finger that has a substantially flat main body portion, a right angle flange portion adjacent the top of the main body portion, and a flexible elongated flat article engaging section. A compressible resilient member is carried by the right angle flange portion so that it can be readily secured to and released from an elongated slot provided in the grid.

Abstract: A carton loading apparatus for loading delicately covered articles into a carton having dividers therein arranged to define spaces for the articles is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a reciprocal grid structure to transport the articles from a separation station to a loading station. The grid structure includes guide surfaces which guide the articles away from the sharp edges of the grid structure as the articles are moved therein thereby preventing damage to the articles. Other guide elements associated with the grid guide the articles in moving from the grid to the carton so as to avoid the sharp edges of the dividers.

Abstract: In a case packing machine, an article transport apparatus for transporting groups of containers from a continuously-running infeed conveyor of the case packing machine to a case loading station is disclosed. The article transport apparatus includes a reciprocating carriage having longitudinally extending bladders which are inflatable for gripping a group of containers to the carriage. The reciprocating carriage moves upstream to encompass a group of containers, and upon inflation of the bladders, the bladders grip the group of containers to the carriage. The carriage then moves downstream, and upon deflation of the bladders, deposits the group of containers at the loading station.

Abstract: A grid finger is disclosed which is attachable to a grid structure for guiding articles delivered to the grid structure from an article supply source into containers. The grid finger includes a compressible resilient member projecting from the upper end thereof. A grid finger receiving member defining a receiving recess receiving the upper end of the grid finger and the compressible resilient member is provided. The grid finger receiving member has portions defining an aperture for receiving the compressible resilient member such that the grid finger may be inserted into the receiving member in a correct orientation only. Also disclosed are grid structure guide members having oppositely angled upper portions which contact the lower surfaces of articles delivered to the grid structure for both separating articles and for guiding the articles into passages provided in the grid structure.

Abstract: A grid finger attachment assembly attachable to a grid structure for guiding articles delivered to the grid structure from an article supply source into containers. The grid finger attachment assembly comprises an elongated grid finger, a compressible resilient member projecting from the upper end of the grid finger receiving member defines a receiving recess for receiving the upper end of the grid finger and the compressible resilient member. The grid finger receiving member has portions defining an aperture for receiving the compressible resilient member, such that upon receipt by the receiving recess of the upper end of the grid finger and the compressible resilient member, the compressible resilient member is projectable through the aperture and engageable with portions of the grid finger receiving member adjacent the aperture, for fixedly retaining the grid finger to the grid finger receiving member.

Abstract: In a case packing machine, an article transport apparatus for transporting groups of containers from a continuously-running infeed conveyor of the case packing machine to a case loading station. The article transport apparatus includes a reciprocating carriage having longitudinally extending bladders which are inflatable for gripping a group of containers to the carriage. The reciprocating carriage moves upstream to encompass a group of containers, and upon inflation of the bladders, the bladders grip the group of containers to the carriage. The carriage then moves downstream, and upon deflation of the bladders, deposits the group of containers at the loading station.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically aligning and feeding articles upright on an article loading machine between spacer rails to form lanes of articles such as bottles aligned in a row is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pivoting chute (A) which pivots to and fro across a conveyor (32) to feed articles (34) intermittently into the parallel lanes (24, 26, 28, 30) defined by spacer rails (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) over the conveyor. The pivoting guide chute includes an inlet (38) which receives bottles already conveyed in a single row. The guide chute includes an outlet (39) where a releasable feed mechanism (C) holds the bottle as the chute mechanism swings from one lane to the next and then releases a predetermined number of bottles at the entrance end (24a, 26a, 28a, 30a) of each lane. Serially connected air cylinders (120, 122, 124) provide a stepwise indexing of the chute means fron one lane to the next for dispensing of the bottles.

Abstract: A grid set for use on an article loading machine for guiding cartons of articles such as drinks into a case carried therebelow. A plurality of guide arms are pivotally carried in a rectangular frame directly below a drop assembly for guiding the cartons of drinks into a cardboard case ensuring that the corners of the case are extended fully. Cam means cooperate with the guide arms for holding the cartons of drinks as the entire frame is lowered to the case for gently depositing the cartons of drinks into the case.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the feeding of cases into an article handling machine from a moving conveyor which feeds a continuous line of cases thereto. The apparatus includes an abutment carried in the path of flow of the cases. The abutment extends above the conveyor for engaging a front end of a first case of said line of cases stopping the forward movement of the cases on the conveyor. A movable post is carried below the front end of the case and is selectively raised for lifting the front end of the case over the abutment so that the case can be indexed forwardly on the conveyor and into the article handling machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles being fed to a case packer in rows on a transporting surface by separating a predetermined number or charge of articles loaded on the case packer from the incoming articles. The apparatus includes a plurality of divider plates which separate the articles into rows and a plurality of fluid operated cylinders which are carried above the rows. The cylinders have pistons extending downwardly therefrom upon which an elongated abutment is carried. These cylinders are selectively activated for raising and lowering the abutments into and out of the path of the incoming articles for stopping the flow of articles to the case packer. This is to enable the articles to be loaded into a case without being adversely affected by the pressure of the incoming articles bearing thereagainst. The cylinders are carried on a plate whose longitudinal position can be adjusted for loading articles of different sizes.

Abstract: A bottle centering and sealing device for use on a bottle filling machine which includes a centering cup having a nonmetallic housing with a conical shaped recess in the bottom thereof. A cylindrical seal is carried adjacent the top of the recess which provides a seal between the top of the bottle and the bottom of a filling tank when the bottle is raised for filling liquid therein. The centering cup is supported on a horizontally extending arm which rides up vertically on a guide rail. The centering cup is loosely carried within the horizontal arm for aiding in aligning the bottle relative to the filling spout and vent tube forming part of the filling mechanism. A bearing is interposed between said arm and said guide rail for producing a retarding force against the raising of said centering cup when a bottle strikes said centering cup off center.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles being fed to a case packer in rows upon a conveyor. The case packer has an article supporting member which is shifted laterally for depositing a predetermined number of articles into the case. The apparatus includes a plurality of vertically extending abutments which are carried below the path of travel of the articles between the conveyor and the case packer. The vertically extending abutments are selectively raised into the path of travel of the articles for preventing the articles from being fed from the conveyor onto the article supporting member when articles are being deposited into the case.

Abstract: A device for aiding in separating a comingled mass of containers being transported on a pair of conveyor belts. The device includes a cam means which is reciprocally moved up and down for raising and lowering the inner edge of the conveyor belts from a horizontal to a tilted position. This vibrates the containers preventing them from becoming wedged against vertical divider plates which are used for separating the containers into rows.

Abstract: This invention relates to guide apparatus for use in article conveying machines such as bottle handling machines wherein bottles are conveyed on a conveyor in a co-mingled mass to guide apparatus for aligning the bottles in parallel rows to be conveyed in rows. The guide apparatus comprises a pair of outside guide rails and at least one intermediate guide rail having an inclined leading edge for positioning tilted bottles to an upright position while being moved by the conveyor, and a wedging device carried by the intermediate guide rail for separating the bottles into parallel aligned rows between the guide rails.

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for properly positioning an empty case on an elevator platform of an article loading machine having a conveyor for moving the empty case onto the elevator platform to be raised thereby to a loading position beneath a loading mechanism, a clutch and brake arrangement for intermittently controlling the conveyor, and hydraulic or pneumatic means for raising and lowering the elevator wherein the control apparatus comprises a cam means having a first position abutting a front end of the case when transported onto the elevator platform for physically stopping the case and for sequentially de-actuating the clutch, and actuating the brake for stopping the conveyor and for actuating the hydraulic means for raising the elevator platform. The cam means has a second position below a bottom surface of the case when loaded and lowered to an original position for actuating the means for starting the conveyor while providing a roller surface over which the loaded case is moved.