Abstract: A conveyor system for the mass transport and handling of articles or containers through any packaging and/or processing cycle (for example, uncasing, filling, cooling, sorting, recasing) wherein the individual articles or containers are, at some point in the handling cycle, surrounded or encased by a removable cylindrical ring, enabling the containers for items to be efficiently moved and treated in the packaging and/or processing cycle; the system also includes a mechanism for removal and recycling of the removed rings.

Abstract: A conveyor system with cooling means is provided and comprises an elongated frame defining a conveyor track. An elongated conveyor is mounted within the frame so that a portion of the conveyor extends longitudinally along the conveyor track while a suitable motor longitudinally drives the conveyor along the conveyor track in a first direction. A plurality of cooling stations are also secured at longitudinally spaced positions along the frame so that the cooling stations are longitudinally adjacent each other. Each cooling station further includes a fluid reservoir beneath the conveyor track and a spray head positioned to spray fluid down onto the conveyor track. A pump is also provided for each cooling station and has its inlet connected to the fluid reservoir for that station while its outlet is connected to the spray head at the cooling station.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for heating a continuing series of articles, such as canned or bottled potable goods, to substantially room temperature in order to prevent condensation from forming on the containers. The apparatus comprises an elongated housing having an interior housing chamber and open on each longitudinal end. An endless conveyor transports the articles from one open end of the housing and to the other end of the housing along a substantially horizontal plane. An elongated trough is disposed under the conveyor and is partially filled with heating water so that the articles are partially submerged in the water as they are transported through the housing. A recirculation system is also provided for continuously reheating the heating water.

Abstract: A conveyor system with cooling means is provided and comprises an elongated frame defining a conveyor track. An elongated conveyor is mounted within the frame so that a portion of the conveyor extends longitudinally along the conveyor track while a suitable motor longitudinally drives the conveyor along the conveyor track in a first direction. A plurality of cooling stations are also secured at longitudinally spaced positions along the frame so that the cooling stations are longitudinally adjacent each other. Each cooling station further includes a fluid reservoir beneath the conveyor track and a spray head positioned to spray fluid down onto the conveyor track. A pump is also provided for each cooling station and has its inlet connected to the fluid reservoir for that station while its outlet is connected to the spray head at the cooling station.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically opening and emptying a carton for reuse by folding the outer flaps of the carton away from the opening into the carton as the carton moves linearly in a first direction, folding the inner flaps of the carton away from the opening in the carton as the carton moves linearly in a second direction and separating the carton from the contents while the contents continue to move in a second direction. Upon separation, the carton is automatically transported to a remote location for reuse.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically opening and emptying a carton for reuse by folding the outer flaps of the carton away from the opening into the carton as the carton moves linearly in a first direction, folding the inner flaps of the carton away from the opening in the carton as the carton moves linearly in a second direction and separating the carton from the contents while the contents continue to move in a second direction. Upon separation, the carton is automatically transported to a remote location for reuse.