Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching surgical sutures to eyeless surgical needles. The apparatus includes a system for automatically presenting the surgical needles to a frame which positions and maintains the needle for subsequent swaging and a rotating die system which selectively impacts the needle to secure the suture thereto.

Abstract: A new and improved conveying system for lifting and orienting bottle caps comprising a conveyer belt which is formed of articulated sections and with guide rollers to support the belt with an upper lifting section having an essentially vertical path of travel and a lower loading section with an angled path of travel. Also included are sprockets on the guide rollers to effect movement of the belt in an upward path of travel through the lower section and then the upper section. Further included is a plurality of cleats secured to the exterior surface of the conveyer belts. The cleats have supporting surfaces which extend at right angles from the exterior surface of the conveyer belt for retaining bottle caps thereon in a proper orientation when the upper surface of the bottle cap is in contact with the conveyer belt and the lower edge thereof supported on the supporting surfaces of the cleats but to effect the dropping thereof when the bottle caps are not in the proper orientation.

Abstract: A continuous, automated method and apparatus for transporting and electrostatically coating articles including providing a plurality of articles in an unoriented bulk state, each article having a first end portion, orienting each article and transporting them into a desired position, transferring each article in succession to a moving conveyor, suspending each article from the conveyor by its end portion and conveying the articles for electrostatic coating and curing.

Abstract: An apparatus for agitating cylindrical articles in a bulk flow and removing non-aligned articles from the flow includes a plurality of parallel, spaced rotating pins having helical threads on an outer surface. The flow of articles is directed through the pins and non-aligned articles are conveyed out of the flow direction by the threads while aligned articles pass across the pins. Eccentric rotation of the pins agitates the articles to assist maintaining free flow of the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a plurality of irregularly shaped plastic eating utensils, particularly knives, sequentially from a hopper to a different location and introducing them to a feeding device that will move them in substantially parallel alignment onto a depositing device. The depositing device is a circular drum having a plurality of utensil-receiving slots along its outer periphery which moves proximate the depositing device to receive a singular utensil in each slot. Each utensil is sensed as it moves along the feeding device by a photocell which causes the feeding device to advance one drum slot and the drum to receive an advancing utensil. A selectively operable feed rate device is positioned near the discharge area of the drum to regulate the rate of release of utensils from the circular drum. A conveyor or other moving device is cooperatively positioned near the circular drum and feed rate device to sequentially receive a utensil released by the drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of filling plants for liquid containers, which containers can be closed with nebulizer pumps. The device which is object of the invention positions the pumps with their collecting tubes directed upwards by use of a conveyor belt at which unloading point is provided a motorized roller positioned in such a way as to create a slit which allows the pumps to pass through if positioned correctly, while the motorized roller acts only on the collecting tube of the pumps which are not correctly positioned.

Abstract: A strand preorienter is formed by a plurality of spaced parallel preorienter shafts each having a plurality of preorienter discs mounted thereon in axially spaced relationship. The preorienter discs on adjacent shafts overlap and form preorienter partition walls which defined opposite sides of preorienter passages through which the strands fall onto an orienter having orienter passages that align the strands as required. The preorienter passages are significantly wider than the orienter passages and have their outlets positioned immediately above the orienter.

Abstract: A vibratory feed device is described for producing a high-speed single-file stream of aligned food articles. The feed device comprises a vibratory guide trough extending longitudinally from a receiving end to a discharge end. The guide trough has inclined and transversely-opposed sidewalls. An endless feed belt travels longitudinally through the guide trough from the receiving end to the discharge end. The feed belt has outer portions which incline upwardly to form a concave conveyor surface for conveying food articles through the guide trough. The guide trough oscillates to singulate and align food articles within the concave conveyor surface. The feed device also includes a redirection sheave at the discharge end of the guide trough. The redirection sheave supports the feed belt along a redirection arc which extends at least partially about the redirection sheave. An endless hold-down belt faces the feed belt along the redirection arc to hold food articles against the feed belt.

Abstract: The invention comprises a flexible parts feeding system which can feed a large number of different types of parts to a manipulator. The system comprises a vibrating platform, a conveyor belt, a series of guides to assist in positioning and orienting parts, a vision based system for determining the orientation of a part in the staging area, and computer programming for instructing the manipulator to grasp the part if it is properly oriented in the staging area. The vibratory amplitude and speed, the speed of the conveyor belts, the positioning of the guides and the part signature of the vision system are all programmable responsive to the part which is to be fed.

Abstract: An apparatus for unscrambling sealed cylindrical containers, the apparatus having an upright open top vessel substantially filled with water, an elongated inclined unscrambler bed having an intake end submersed in the water and a discharge end which extends above the water surface, a plurality of sets of belts arranged in paralleled spaced apart vertical planes and supported by the unscrambler bed, each of the belts passing upwardly over the bed upper surface and downwardly below the bed lower surface, the containers to be unscrambled being dumped within the water to settle downwardly through the water and onto the unscrambler bed intake end, the belts serving to move the containers as they engage the belts upwardly and above the water surface onto a traveling take away belt for further processing. In the preferred arrangement some of the belts in each set of belts travel at different speeds so that containers moving on each set of belts tend to assume the lengthwise position.

Abstract: Device for controlling and regulating the spacing of parcels, packages or similar objects and, more particularly, of postal parcels, mounted at the outlet of a separation apparatus that includes a truncated cone-shaped rotating drum with its axis inclined towards the horizontal and having internal helical fins designed to deliver the packages one by one to the outlet of the drum. The device further includes a conveyor belt driven at constant speed and onto which the packages are tipped at the outlet of the drum, a barrier of detection cells, the beam of which extends in perpendicular to the line of travel of the conveyor in order to identify the moment of each package's passage into this beam and to measure, between two successive interruptions of the cells, the relative spacing of two consecutive packages intersecting, each in turn, the beam of the cells.

Abstract: A centrifugal feeder for supplying objects includes a bowl for receiving objects to be fed therefrom and a rim mounted adjacent to an upper surface of the bowl. A disc is disposed within the bowl and extends at an incline from an area adjacent to a lower portion of the bowl upwardly to a point adjacent to the rim for delivering objects from the lower portion of the bowl upwardly to the rim. The disc is spaced a predetermined distance from an interior surface of the bowl to form a gap between the disc and the interior surface of the bowl. A drive member is provided for rotating the bowl and the disc at predetermined speeds and in a predetermined direction. A member is operatively connected to the disc for spanning the gap between the disc and the interior surface of the bowl for ensuring the delivery of objects from within the bowl to the rim and for preventing objects from falling or lodging within the gap.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sorting and transporting cylindrical articles from a jumbled mass into a continuous stream of uniformly spaced articles aligned end-to-end. The methods include the steps of sorting, spacing and incorporating the spaced apart articles into component assemblies. The invention apparatus comprises a bowl feeder, a series of frictional, suction and lugged belt conveyors and a plurality of vacuum transfer and assembly drums. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors, a control system and transmission systems for regulating the sorting and transfer of the articles, for synchronizing transfer of the articles between apparatus subsystems, and for incorporating the articles into component assemblies.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor apparatus is provided for conveying and orienting articles. The apparatus includes a hopper having an inlet and an outlet. The hopper is vibrated to convey articles in the hopper in a predetermined direction from the inlet toward the outlet. The apparatus also includes a plurality of lane dividers for dividing the hopper into a plurality of article-receiving lanes arranged to conduct articles disposed therein toward the outlet. The apparatus further includes barriers coupled to the lane dividers for disengaging an article riding on the lane dividers as the article is conveyed in the predetermined direction to cause the article to fall into a single article-receiving lane and assume a predetermined orientation therein prior to discharge of the article from the hopper through the outlet.

Abstract: Device for the storage and feed of small parts including a storage container (10, 10a), an ascending conveying track (38) and an oscillating drive (14) for the storage container (10, 10a). The base (24, 24a) of the storage container (10, 10a) is inclined in the oscillating direction and the conveying track (38) extends parallel to the base (24, 24a) and ascends in the oscillating direction in the same direction as the latter. The base (24, 24a) is provided with shoulders (34, 34a) arranged transversely relative to the oscillating direction, which shoulders (34, 34a) ensure that the stored small parts arrive in the input area (32) of the ascending conveying track (38) in an orderly manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting articles with a head and a shank such as bolts or screws with an inclined track on which articles are dumped adjacent its upper end by an elevator with a hopper. Some of the dumped articles fall off the track and are returned to the hopper by a chute while others remain on the track improperly oriented and some properly oriented with their heads bearing on rails of the track and their shanks depending between the rails. The improperly oriented articles are removed or kicked off the track by an overlying finger which is reciprocated generally longitudinally of the track. The properly oriented articles pass through a gate in the finger even when it is reciprocating and are accumulated on the track downstream of the finger. As needed, properly oriented articles are supplied from the lower end of the track to a feeder which propels them to a power screw driver or other driving device.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning work objects having a frame adopted to receive the work objects and to direct them along a course, a plurality of work members mounted on the frame in position for engagement by the work objects in the course, and a drive mechanism for rotating the work members while in engagement with the work objects to propel the work objects along the course and substantially into single file with the longitudinal axes thereof disposed in substantially coaxial alignment.

Abstract: A device for the separation and alignment of objects of the packages, parcels or similar kind, including a conveyor for the parcels brought in bulk to the inlet and for discharging the same parcels separated and aligned at the outlet, which includes at least one truncated cone opened at its ends, driven continuously in rotation about its axis which is inclined with respect to the horizontal and which includes in its inner surface a set of helical wings, axially offset with respect to one another and extending when taken together over at least one complete turn of the truncated cone, the parcels introduced at the upper end of smaller diameter at the inlet of the truncated cone being discharged at its lower end of larger diameter at its outlet.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus is disclosed for aligning weighed batches or elongated objects, such as French-Fried potato strips. The batch of objects is weighed in a scale and discharged onto a moving conveyor belt which separates the objects and projects such objects from the conveyor into a vibrated alignment container including a first container means having a curved deflector wall and a second container means with a gated discharge outlet. The objects impact a vertically-curved rear deflector wall of the first alignment container means in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto and may fall into contact with a straight front deflector wall so that they are aligned substantially parallel to such rear wall when they fall into the supply inlet of a second container means. The second container means if a rectangular tube having a gate at its discharge outlet which is normally closed.

Abstract: In a device for automatically supplying mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets and the like, there is provided a conveyance passage for conveying the fasteners in a crowded manner, a conveyance plate downwardly receiving the fasteners dropped out of the conveyance passage at the delivering end and conveying the same to a delivery position, holes provided through the conveyance plate for receiving the fasteners in mutual alignment, a device for removing fasteners not inserted in the holes of the conveyance plate, and a device for delivering fasteners inserted in the holes out of these holes at the delivery position.

Abstract: A distinguishing feature of the device for orienting piece products resides in its being provided with a vertical feed screw, a guide and a restrictor aimed at assigning a required transit position to the products being oriented as well as a device for removal of the properly oriented products located in close proximity to the feed screw, a curvilinear restrictor being interposed between the device for removal of the properly oriented products and the feed screw, said curvilinear restrictor having at least one opening aimed at kicking out correctly and wrongly oriented products therethrough, the former products being free to pass to the device for removal of properly oriented products, whereas the latter products get in engagement with the side face of the opening, become oriented in a correct position and then are free to pass to the device.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for aligning and transporting containers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hopper having dividers with the dividers having top surfaces which decline from one end wall of the hopper at different angles. A conveyor is provided and positioned underneath at least a portion of the hopper for transporting containers aligned by the hopper. The containers are transported along the conveyor toward a movable deflector means for deflecting any containers which are not properly aligned. Containers which are in proper alignment pass underneath and drop away from the deflector means in uniform alignment and are further processed by a detecting or scanning device.

Abstract: A conveyor system which receives products in random order at its infeed end and delivers product in a serial aligned order at its outlet end. The conveyor system comprises first and second endless belt conveyors which are longitudinally aligned and positioned such that the product exiting the first conveyor is received on the second conveyor. The first conveyor is of a greater width than the second and at the location where they meet is a third endless belt conveyor moving in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal flow direction of the other two. The machine that feeds products to the first conveyor is set at a desired product flow rate in terms of products-per-minute and the speed of the first conveyor is set to handle that capacity. The second belt is driven at a speed equal to or greater than the product-per-minute rate times the product length.

Abstract: Device for storing small articles and conveying them in an orientated manner, includes a storage container (10), a slope conveyor (12), and an orientation conveyor (20) which is arranged parallel to the slope conveyor and is provided with a defined segment (68) for returning excessive small articles or those which are not orientated to the feed area (32) of the slope conveyor (12). The slope conveyor is provided with the actual conveying segment (50), a deflecting segment (52) for receiving small articles which are forced out of the conveying segment (50) laterally, the small articles arriving back in the feed area (32) of the slope conveyor (12) on the deflecting segment (52). A pile-up of small articles arrives in the output area (40) of the slope conveyor (12) and a localized circulation is formed in this location which prevents the small articles from entering the orientation segment (64).

Abstract: An installation for processing of photograph envelopes intended to equip a large photography processing laboratory. The installation includes a picking station, a bar code reading station, a thickness detection station, a station for recognition of shapes and characters, a manual input and introduction station, a marking station, and finally a station for feeding a traditional sorting machine.

Abstract: Sorting and orienting structure and method. The structure includes a frame, a hopper supported by the frame, conveyor structure extending vertically through the hopper for feeding work pieces from the hopper onto the sorting and orienting table with random orientation, a drive shaft extending through the hopper mounting the table for rotation, a drive motor connected to the drive shaft for directly driving the drive shaft to rotate the table, and sorting and orienting structure surrounding the table for sorting and orienting the work pieces on rotation of the table by returning work pieces having an undersirable orientation back to the hopper and feeding work pieces having a desired orientation away from the sorting and orienting structure.

Abstract: A rotating ring orienting feeder including a hopper for containing a supply of articles. A ring is positioned above the hopper. A support member is provided for retaining the ring in a substantially horizontal position. The supports also provide rotation for the ring. A conveyor is provided within the hopper for supplying articles to the ring. A drive mechanism is provided for imparting rotation to the ring and to the conveyor. A plurality of articles are supplied to the ring by the conveyor and are qualified on either side of the ring. Articles not being disposed in a predetermined orientation are returned to the hopper for resupply. In another embodiment, the articles positioned on the ring may also turn from one position into another position in order to qualify the articles directly on the ring.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for orienting and aligning light weight articles, such as, empty light weight plastic bottles. The apparatus includes a hopper for receiving and holding randomly positioned light weight plastic bottles. The hopper is substantially symmetrical about a vertical center axis and includes a conical wall having a center axis coincidental with the center axis of the hopper. The conical wall has its smaller end at the bottom. An upwardly inclined track is fixed to the inside surface of the conical wall. A plurality of pusher bars is mounted within the conical wall and adapted for engagement with light weight plastic bottles on the inclined track for moving the plastic bottles upward along the track. A chute is positionable adjacent to the track for receiving a light weight plastic bottle from the track for orienting the light weight plastic bottle to a position wherein the plastic bottle is in a substantially vertical attitude.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding parts, which comprises a storage bin for the parts, a conveyor for moving the parts from the storage bin in a feeding direction, apparatus for orienting the moving parts arranged rearwardly of the conveyor in the feeding direction and comprising different conveyor paths, and a distributor associated with the orienting apparatus, the distributor including a transfer device capable of assuming respective positions cooperating with respective ones of the conveyor paths, a drive for imparting the respective transfer positions to the transfer device, a control for the drive, and a monitor ascertaining characteristic data of the parts and transmitting the data to the control whereby the transfer device is driven into a respective one of the transfer positions in response to the data.

Abstract: A device is used to handle small-sized semiconductor chips, such as ultra-high frequency chips delivered loose. In order to lift up these chips one by one at a precise point by means of a pipette, the device uses the charges of static electricity which make the chips adhere to an endless tape made of plastic. In a first, vertical part, the tape is loaded with chips in passing through a feeder bin. A stop retains all the chips on one side of the tape, and another stop lets through only those chips that are flat on the other side of the tape. In a second, horizontal part the tape passes through a tunnel in which the chips are oriented and then stored and taken up by a suction pipette. The invention can be applied to the assembly of semi-conductor chips in packages or on substrates.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement for assembly parts, which comprises a rectilinear vibratory conveyor track comprising at least two detachably mounted conveyor track parts arranged in different planes and constituting guide members for the assembly parts, a device separate from the conveyor track for feeding the assembly parts thereto, and a vibrating drive for the conveyor track.

Abstract: The invention specifies a method and a device for supplying assembly parts which adhere to or entangle with each other. Individual assembly parts are extracted from an unsorted quantity of assembly parts in a separating or singling operation. These are aligned in a predetermined position and delivered to a delivery point. A partial quantity of separated or singled assembly parts aligned in a predetermined position is formed during a scooping operation. The assembly parts of this partial quantity are extracted singly and in aligned form.

Abstract: An apparatus for the even alignment of objects essentially uniform among each other comprises at least one conveyor belt moving in a plane in a particular direction, on which the objects are placed. A first and a second conveyor belt, which converge downwards with their conveyor planes to a funnel which randomly receives the objects to be aligned, are provided. In the area of the funnel the first conveyor belt rotates from the bottom toward the top and the second conveyor belt rotates transversely hereto, thus due to the interaction of both conveyor belts the objects are aligned and are subsequently conveyed out of the funnel in this condition by the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: A dispenser and component feeder for integration with automated assembly equipment is adapted for the high speed placement of self-orienting components of varying sizes and includes, a linear vibratory chute for transferring the self-orienting components from the storage hopper to an adjustable single roller feed assembly where the self-orienting components are conveyed to a pick-up position, the single roller feed assembly having a roller to facilitate in conveying the self-orienting components, and alternately reciprocating rod members to segregate a self-orienting component at the pick-up position. A pick-up and placement assembly is operative to pick-up the segregated self-orienting component from the pick-up position and move the same to a position for placement on an associated conveyor on the automated assembly equipment.

Abstract: A machine for automatically setting in place products into receiver alveoli comprises essentially an alignment device (10) for aligning the products (11), which device is designed to arrange the products in lines in a plurality of columns, a device (12) for depositing aligned products into the receiver alveoli (14) and a device (13) for transporting said alveoli. The deposition device comprises a dispenser member (17) comprising a feed pin wheel comprised of a drum (19) provided with pins (20) radially arranged at the periphery of said drum. A control mechanism comprising a drive wheel (24) fitted with a roller (23) drives the feed pin wheel via rollers (22) mounted on a disc (21) which is integral with the drum (19). The device for transporting the receiver alveoli (14) comprises essentially a chain (35) provided with levers (37 ) arranged to pivot about an axis (38) due to the existence of a guide (40) which cooperates with follower members (39) integral with the levers (37).

Abstract: The invention deals with an appliance with which onions or other vegetable bulbs can be oriented with their axial direction in a particular position necessary to present the onions to a processing machine for instance for the removal of top and root ends, the removal of the outermost skins and the cutting of the onions into slices. In a first embodiment the alignment appliance comprises a cylinder 2, 3 with a helical groove in the outer surface thereof, a roller 1 provided next to said cylinder and a means of driving 8 to rotate the groove cylinder and the roller, both the width of the groove and the minimum distance between the groove cylinder 2, 3 and the roller 1 being less than the diameter and axial length of the onions to be aligned. In a second embodiment the appliance comprises a cylinder 2, 3 with a helical groove in the inside surface thereof and means for rotating the grooved cylinder, the width of the groove being less than the diameter and axial length of the onions to be aligned.

Abstract: A machine for feeding injection molded plastic lids from a gathering area to which they have been delivered in either scrambled or stacked relationship to a delivery point where the lids are oriented for subsequent delivery to a lid stacking machine or to a point of use. The lid feeding machine comprises a first driven belt in a generally horizontal plane but slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal on its longitudinal axis and a second driven belt in a generally vertical plane but also slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal on its longitudinal axis, the belts being juxtaposed in approximately 90.degree.

Abstract: A closure handling apparatus includes a cup-shaped receptacle having an opening in a cylindrical sidewall thereof, a rotary conical member within the receptacle and cooperative with a peripheral shelf member vertically spaced from the conical member to form a moving column of closures randomly oriented with their open ends up or down, a discriminating mechanism positioned within the receptacle for successively receiving the lead closure in the column and including an upstream and a downstream plate separated by a gap which is oriented transversely to the path of movement of the received closures, and a guide means downstream of the discriminating mechanism and outside of the receptacle for receiving from the discriminating mechanism closures having their open ends up. Closures having their open ends down are rejected by being deflected into the gap of the discriminating means and being cammed by the downstream plate back to the rotary conical member.

Abstract: A system for manipulating articles, such as irregular mailpieces in the U.S. Postal Service mail processing system, receives an agglomeration of parcels into a first subsystem where the parcels are separated and are passed to a second subsystem where each parcel is manipulated until its addressee label is directed upward. The first subsystem includes a plurality of individually rotatable cylindrical rollers which form a support surface for the parcels. The rollers produce translation of a parcel by cooperative motion or separation of parts of a pile of parcels by differential motion. The second subsystem includes a high-friction, flexible conveyor belt which in a first mode supports a parcel and in a second mode forms a downward loop in which a parcel can be rotated and inverted. The parcels in both subsystems are manipulated by a five-axis robotic arm which is responsive to a machine vision system measuring the position and physical characteristics of each parcel.

Abstract: The charging-and-conveying device includes screws (5 and 6) effecting the removal of piece articles (3) from a bulk pile (2) and positioned relative to each other with their turns mutually overlapping, the screws rotating towards each other. Positioned in the overlap zone is a member (16) orienting the articles (3) being conveyed. The device further includes screws (8 and 9) having an area for accumulation of the latter. Guides (21 and 21a) are arranged along the screws (8 and 9).

Abstract: Belt conveyor comprises first and second endless belts in side-by-side relationship which move in opposite directions. Articles such as connector housings are loaded onto the first belt at its first end and carried towards the second end of the first belt. The articles may be in either of two stable attitudes. A sorting guide extends transversely across the first belt and separates the articles in the second stable attitude from those in the first attitude, the articles in the second attitude being pushed onto the second belt. The articles pushed onto the second belt are carried to the first end of the second belt and transferred laterally to the first end of the first belt. The attitudes of the articles transferred are changed during transfer so that they are then in the first stable attitude.

Abstract: A hopper tray for receiving a bulk array for articles, all the same oblong shape and size, is disposed on one side of an elongated conveyer. The tray is angularly movable between an up position at which articles on the tray are discharged onto the conveyer and a down position. The articles are transported one at a time, to a zone at which they are stopped by their contact with a stop plate and their arrival is indicated by a signal fed from a photodetector to a controller. A failure of an article to timely arrive at the zone indicates a probable jamming upstream of articles, and the controller responds to cause a temporary reverse movement of the conveyer tending to relieve the jam. The article stopped by the plate is, if at an angle, reoriented to bear flush against the plate, either lengthwise or widthwise to the conveyer, by the force exerted on the articles by the continuing movement of the conveyer. A probe senses whether the articles have been oriented lengthwise or widthwise.

Abstract: A machine is shown which assembles a barrel, spring, piece of lead, lead plunger, barrel tip and eraser into an automatic pencil. The steps of assembly include: Pressing the lead plunger onto the lead. Placing the plunger and lead into the spring and tapping the plunger to turn its extending tabs into the coils of the spring. Placing the plunger, lead and spring into the barrel. Extending the spring from the barrel and pressing the barrel tip onto the spring and then pressing the tip into the barrel. Pressing the eraser into the barrel.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is disclosed for receiving a supply of randomly oriented articles and for continuously feeding the articles into a single file line in a feed chute. The mechanism includes a rotating disc within a hopper with a series of air vents positioned around the disc edge for directing streams of air over the disc top to engage the articles and to cause the articles to move with the moving disc surface towards and into a single line feed chute.

Abstract: An automatic bottle handling machine comprises a storage hopper for bottles in random orientation, a plurality of conveyor channels having conveyors extending between the hopper and a corresponding plurality of drop chutes and selective reversing devices for turning around neck first bottles before reaching the drop chutes. A sensor in each drop chute detects the prolonged presence of a bottle therein to stop the corresponding conveyor. A yoke member below each sensor indefinitely arrests the downward movement of an incorrectly oriented bottle or a defective bottle having a spur or flash on the bottom thereof to stop traffic in the corresponding drop chute and thereby stop the supply of bottles by the corresponding conveyor until the offending bottle has been removed by the operator. Another sensor for detecting a crushed bottle may be provided at the upper end of each drop chute for similarly stopping the corresponding conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for the alignment of bottles, which apparatus has no moving parts, and includes an assembly of trough and slide surface. The trough is substantially parallel to the major axis of the bottles. The bottles descend the assembly under the influence of gravity. Bottles which are aligned proceed as directed by the trough whereas non-aligned bottles are diverted away from the trough.

Abstract: Products such as small chocolate bars, intended to be uniformly aligned on other products passing on a conveyor, such as pieces of dough in the manufacture of chocolate-filled cookies, are placed in a hopper having resiliently mounted walls. Beneath the hopper is a feeder comprising a cylindrical-sector-shaped feeder part. The feeder part includes a slot through which the chocolate bars can be disposed on the pieces of dough. By means of a motor-driven main crank assembly and a supplementary crank assembly, a perturbed sinusoidal motion is imparted to the feeder part, thus ensuring that the chocolate bars are consistently introduced into the feed slot, particularly in the vicinity of the walls of the hopper. A blocking and release mechanism, connected to the feeder and controlled by a sensor unit, ensures that only one chocolate bar drops on each piece of dough.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and feeding the elongated objects comprising a vibrating bowl for receiving elongated objects, the bowl having a base portion, a side wall, and a ramp spiralling around the inner perimeter of the side wall such that the elongated objects are conveyed from the bottom end of the ramp adjacent the base portion along the upper surface of the ramp to the top end of the ramp, first and second sorting stations positioned along the ramp within the bowl for removing bent objects and limiting the number of elongated objects conveying along the ramp in side-by-side relationship and an escape chute for feeding the elongated objects sequentially from the top end of the ramp. The bent objects are removed and the number of objects passing along the ramp reduced by the first and second sorting station having narrowed ramp widths and associated inclines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for stand-up orientation of bottles, which apparatus has a minimum of moving parts, and includes an assembly of side gripping belts substantially parallel to a stand-up chute. The belts are driven at speeds commensurate with the bottles speed while coming from an alignment chute under the influence of gravity. In order to accomplish the stand-up orientation of the bottles, the assembly of belts is adjustable relative to the stand-up chute. The apparatus further consists of means to deliver bottles to the alignment chute and means to remove bottles which have been stood up.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying headed parts from a hopper to a chute has a pickup or scooper blade movable by an actuator mechanism between a first position in which a second groove in the pickup blade is out of alignment with a first groove in the chute and a second position in which the first and second grooves are aligned with each other to allow headed parts as scooped from the hopper by the pickup blade to be fed in a row from the pickup blade to the chute. A rejector in the form of a bent wire is operatively connected to the hopper or chute and slidable along the second groove as the pickup blade approaches the second position to remove off-the-groove headed parts from the pickup blade to permit smooth supply of neatly arranged headed parts from the pickup blade to the chute.