Abstract: A machine including a single power source for asynchronously operating dual indexing conveyors. The single power source is a reversible servo unit operatively connected to gear sets and one-way clutches to drive the conveyors. Alternately, the power source is a uni-directional rotating driver with linkage means to reciprocally move a rack operatively connected to gear sets with one-way clutches or ratchets and pawls.

Abstract: A feeding and loading mechanism for use in pulling carton side-seam-sealed blanks from a magazine, opening same into tubes, and loading the latter onto mandrels of an indexing turret on a liquid-carrying container forming, filling, and sealing machine. The feeding and loading mechanism includes a slidably mounted carrier having at least one vacuum cup mounted at each end thereof aligned with oppositely disposed magazines, a forming shoe fixedly secured between each magazine and adjacent mandrel for opening each tubular flat side-seam-sealed blank into a tube as the blank moves therepast, a loading finger for loading each tube onto the respective mandrel, and a drive assembly operatively connected to the carrier for reciprocally moving same to alternately remove blanks from the oppositely disposed magazines to alternately process same.

Abstract: A variable stroke lifter system for lifting a container so as to surround a filler nozzle for "bottom-up" filling thereof. The lifter system includes a pivotally mounted slide arm, a lift arm operatively connected to the slide arm for movement therewith, a plurality of different size cams, a follower secured to the slide arm for cooperation with the plurality of cams for raising the lift arm. The lift arm engages a container to lift same. A series of suitable actuator devices, such as air cylinders, serve to position the slide arm and follower to engage selected cams for raising particular size containers through the desired stroke length.

Abstract: A conveyor chain guide rail system for a conveyor chain having compartments formed therein for carrying square or rectangular cross-section cartons to be filled with still liquid products. The chain guide rail system includes a polymer Z-shaped elongated segment wherein one leg thereof serves as a wear surface supporting the chain and the associated lugs forming the compartments, and the other leg thereof is slidably confined between stainless steel strips, one of which is supported by support posts on the machine base. The resultant arrangement precludes longitudinal deformation or buckling of the polymer segments.

Abstract: A reciprocating device for spray painting an object includes a plurality of mounting arms each having one end releasably retaining a spray painting device and an opposite end releasably coupled to one of a pair of spaced apart generally parallel vertically extending posts. The posts are attached to a driving mechanism which includes a servomotor coupled to one end of a crank arm having its other end rotatably coupled to a sliding block engaging a generally horizontally extending rod to convert the rotary motion of the motor to vertical motion of the rod. The rod is coupled to the ends of the posts and the motor is controlled as to its direction of rotation, speed of rotation and degree of rotation to define the excursion of the reciprocating movement and the speed of the movement. The assembly is mounted on rails for movement toward and away from the object to be painted by another driving mechanism.