Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the configuration of the pockets of a star wheel conveyor is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism may be in the form of a support and an adjustment element movably connected to the support. The adjustment element is movable to contact one or more of the rotatable elements of a star wheel conveyor in order to adjust the rotational position of the individual rotatable element(s) to set the dimensions of pockets for the articles to be conveyed. The adjustment mechanism can form part of a star wheel conveyor system comprising a star wheel and such mechanism(s).

Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational position of a rotatable element of a rotary device. The rotary device can be: a filler, capper, labeler, a star wheel conveyor, or other rotary device. The rotary device can be part of a system that includes an adjustment mechanism having at least a portion disposed radially outside the rotatable element. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment element positioned to engage the rotatable element. The method includes moving the adjustment element and/or rotating the rotatable element(s) so that the adjustment element engages a rotatable element to adjust the position of the rotatable element. In some cases, the same motor that rotates the rotary device about the axis to convey articles is used to assist in engaging the adjustment element and the rotatable element to adjust the position of the rotatable element.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational position of a rotatable element of a rotary device. The rotary device can be: a filler, capper, labeler, a star wheel conveyor, or other rotary device. The rotary device can be part of a system that includes an adjustment mechanism having at least a portion disposed radially outside the rotatable element. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment element positioned to engage the rotatable element. The method includes moving the adjustment element and/or rotating the rotatable element(s) so that the adjustment element engages a rotatable element to adjust the position of the rotatable element. In some cases, the same motor that rotates the rotary device about the axis to convey articles is used to assist in engaging the adjustment element and the rotatable element to adjust the position of the rotatable element.

Abstract: An elevation change mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the elevation of a rotatable element of a rotary device in a direction parallel to the axis about which the rotatable element rotates. The rotary device can be: a filler, capper, labeler, a star wheel conveyor, or other rotary device. In some cases, the same motor that rotates the rotary device about the axis is used to move the elevation change mechanism in a direction parallel to the axis.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the configuration of the pockets of a star wheel conveyor is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism may be in the form of a support and an adjustment element movably connected to the support. The adjustment element is movable to contact one or more of the rotatable elements of a star wheel conveyor in order to adjust the rotational position of the individual rotatable element(s) to set the dimensions of pockets for the articles to be conveyed. The adjustment mechanism can form part of a star wheel conveyor system comprising a star wheel and such mechanism(s).

Abstract: An elevation change mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the elevation of a rotatable element of a rotary device in a direction parallel to the axis about which the rotatable element rotates. The rotary device can be: a filler, capper, labeler, a star wheel conveyor, or other rotary device. In some cases, the same motor that rotates the rotary device about the axis is used to move the elevation change mechanism in a direction parallel to the axis.

Abstract: An orienting apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the orienting apparatus is for orienting articles and for conveying the articles in a spaced apart relationship in a direction. The articles being conveyed have at least two opposing ends. The orienting apparatus includes a conveyor comprising at least a portion extending in the direction for assisting in conveying the articles in a spaced apart relationship. At least one rotatable platform is joined to the conveyor at a location. The rotatable platform is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the conveyor at the location. One end of an article may be placed in contact with the rotatable platform. A device in operational communication with the rotatable platform rotates at least one platform and the article in contact therewith. The device for rotating the platform does not directly contact the article.

Abstract: A robotic unscrambler apparatus is provided that ensures articles that are delivered in an initial orientation are transported in a conveyable orientation for further treatment at one or more stations in a production line. The apparatus includes a conveyance apparatus and at least one picker. An uprighting device is provided with a series of guides. The picker removes articles from the conveyance apparatus, and places the articles onto one of the guides. The uprighting device moves the guides between article placement positions and article conveyance positions. Each guide may include a contoured article support surface that facilitates centering of an article placed thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials into a stream. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The minor materials are added using inlet tubes. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The apparatus and method utilize a control system which does not have flow control valves, flow control feedback loops or a dynamic mix tank. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides a time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides an instantaneous and time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides an instantaneous and time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.

Abstract: A robotic unscrambler apparatus is provided that ensures articles that are delivered in an initial orientation are transported in a conveyable orientation for further treatment at one or more stations in a production line. The apparatus includes a conveyance apparatus and at least one picker. An uprighting device is provided with a series of guides. The picker removes articles from the conveyance apparatus, and places the articles onto one of the guides. The uprighting device moves the guides between article placement positions and article conveyance positions. Each guide may include a contoured article support surface that facilitates centering of an article placed thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials into a stream. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The minor materials are added using inlet tubes. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The apparatus and method utilize a control system which does not have flow control valves, flow control feedback loops or a dynamic mix tank. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides a time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides an instantaneous and time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides an instantaneous and time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.