Abstract: Case packer apparatus having an upper grid supplied with streams of rows of abutted articles for receipt for case packing action, a lower grid of corresponding size and article grouping as the upper grid is positioned directly thereunder and is operatively connected thereto by position control means, such control means secure the lower grid to the upper grid for vertical movement to and away from a position adjacent the upper grid, drop fingers depend from the lower grid and are engageable with a case on a case supply conveyor having a horizontal operative course positioned directly below the vertically aligned grids.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening the front flap of a container moving on a conveyor line toward a filling station. The invention includes a circular brush maintained above the conveyor line and rotatable by means of an air motor. The air motor is mounted upon a support member having rollers at the bottom thereof and movable between adjustable stops defining a track, the track running parallel to the conveyor. An air cylinder, pivotally mounted to a bracket at one end thereof, has an extendable rod connected to the top of the support member at another end thereof. Actuation of the air cylinder and air motor causes the rod to pass the rotating brush along the conveyor with the brush making lifting engagement with the front flap of the container. At the end of the track, the support member stops and the rod causes the brush to pass through an arc, assisting in the opening of the flap. A limit switch senses the arcuate motion of the brush and causes the rod to retract to an original position.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically lifting containers, especially bottles, from moving cases. A series of closely adjacent, self-operating, grippers are carried along an endless path above a moving case or cases to be emptied. The grippers are laterally aligned with the columns of containers in a case and randomly grip the containers in an aligned row as they are guided into engagement. The grippers yield upwardly if obstructed as they are guided toward engagement with containers thereby permitting full depth cases to be emptied without coordinating a longitudinal relationship between any particular group of grippers and the case.