Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orienter device for orienting a container in a desired rotational position prior to placement in a container carrier. The orienter device includes a reader for determining an initial orientation of the container; a control system for determining a shortest rotational distance from the initial orientation to the desired rotational position between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; and a chuck engaged with the container and in communication with the control system for rotating the container the shortest rotational distance to the desired rotational position.

Abstract: A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orienter device for orienting a container in a desired rotational position prior to placement in a container carrier. The orienter device includes a reader for determining an initial orientation of the container; a control system for determining a shortest rotational distance from the initial orientation to the desired rotational position between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; and a chuck engaged with the container and in communication with the control system for rotating the container the shortest rotational distance to the desired rotational position.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adapting a machine employing a wheel assembly to apply a carrier stock to two rows of containers, such as beverage bottles, so that the machine can employ a carrier stock with each carrier having two container-engaging portions and a handle portion joined to the container-engaging portions at a longitudinally extending junction. A camming member for reconfiguring the carrier stock from a flattened condition into a reconfigured condition is positioned so that the carrier stock is drawn past the camming member before the carrier stock is received by the wheel assembly and is arranged to spread the container-engaging portions of the carriers laterally so that the handle portions of the carriers tend to be downwardly turned about the longitudinally extending junction of the carrier stock.

Abstract: An apparatus for high-speed transfer of plants from an array arranged in ranks and rows to a transplanting location. The apparatus incorporates structure which positively locates and stabilizes the individual plants during their path of travel from the array to their predetermined transplanting location as well as structure which permits each rank of the array to be removed as a unit for transfer to the path of travel. The apparatus is also designed to eliminate the top growth of each plant from interfering with individual placement and movement of the plants.

Abstract: A high-speed planting method and machine in which a plurality of plants are provided in a plurality of webs. The webs are flexible and each web carries a plurality of plants fixed in an array of a plurality of adjacent rows and substantially perpendicular ranks. In the method and machine, each web is bent in a curve about an axis parallel to the ranks of plants, and during the bending operation each leading rank of plants is ejected from the web as a group. Concurrently with that operation, each removed rank of plants is conveyed toward the ground, and each plant in each conveyed rank is successively set into the ground in spaced relation along a line.