Abstract: The invention relates to a container-positioning device and a positioning machine supporting same. The device can be used with containers that have a neck and a mouth. It comprises a funnel (4) whose edges are made up of: A first curved, stationary plate (5), the center of which is oriented towards the inside of the funnel (4). A second plate (6), opposite the former and movable in the horizontal direction, and which has an upper section (61), with a retractable orienting device (11). The upper section (61) is movable relative to a lower section (62), between: a first end at which it is aligned with the lower section (62) or closer to the first plate (5) than the lower section (62); and a second end at which the upper section (61) is farther from the first plate (5); a third flat plate (9) movable in a direction perpendicular to the opening (1).

Abstract: A token sorting apparatus is arranged to supplement a game using gaming tokens, the game having a plurality of stages. The sorting apparatus includes an entry aperture arranged to accept gaming tokens; a sorting mechanism arranged to sort gaming tokens according to a predetermined characteristic of the gaming tokens; a displacement member arranged to urge gaming tokens accepted by the entry aperture to the sorting mechanism; a camera arranged to obtain an image of the sorting mechanism and the displacement member; a display member in digital communication with the camera, the display member arranged to display the image to a user; and a signaling member arranged to provide a signal to the user, the signal being arranged to indicate a stage of the game or a status of the game.

Abstract: An article feeder assembly having a pocketed separator and a discharge tube configured to deliver articles to the pocketed separator. Some embodiments include an initial feeder assembly in overlying relation with a track extending from the initial feeder assembly to the discharge tube. Articles are oriented in end-to-end orientation in the initial feeder assembly and delivered to the pocketed separator in vertical end-to-end orientation. As pocketed separator rotates with respect to discharge tube, vertical retention members pass through a tunnel in the discharge tube and rotate articles out of the discharge tube. The discharged articles are secured in pockets delineated by the retention members. Some embodiments use one or more cam mechanisms to properly orient the discharged articles as the pocketed separator rotates. Properly oriented articles are then delivered to an advancing mechanism, such as a conveyor system.

Abstract: A primer collator useful with primer tubes includes a funnel, sorting assembly, output ramp assembly, and counting assembly. The funnel rotates and directs primers to a sorting assembly, which defines slots formed by a priming disc and timing disc that cooperate and rotate within a disc housing. In each slot, a lower ramp and ridge section and upper tooth section are configured to interact with primers to stop improperly oriented primers. Properly oriented primers travel through the slots to an outer groove formed by the disc housing to be transported to the output ramp. The counting assembly counts primers as they travel on the output ramp and powers off the collator after a preset number of primers are counted. Additional features include a magnetic tube attachment assembly and a timing assembly that meters the dispensing of primers into the tube while also stabilizing them to prevent errors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reorienting device for reorienting simulated cigarette parts which are carried by a product carrier, wherein the device comprises: a main vertical rotation axis; a first cam track extending at least partially around the main vertical rotation axis; a rotary carrousel configured to rotate about the main vertical rotation axis, the rotary carrousel comprising: a rotary support frame, a plurality of reorienting units connected to the rotary support frame, each reorienting unit comprising an engagement member, wherein each engagement member is configured to engage the simulated cigarette part and to reorient it about a vertical product axis, a plurality of transmission mechanisms connected to the rotary support frame, each transmission mechanism being associated with a respective reorienting unit, each transmission mechanism comprising a cam which moves along the first cam track during the rotation of the rotary support frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting piece goods may include a receiving surface which can rotate about a predefined rotation axis and is designed to receive the piece goods. The apparatus may include a first guide rail for guiding the piece goods, wherein this guide rail has a gap through which one region of the piece goods passes and by means of which another region of the piece goods is held. The apparatus may include a turning device which pivots the piece goods with respect to a longitudinal direction of the piece goods. The apparatus may include a separating device which separates out some of the sorted piece goods which are not guided in a predefined manner by the first guide rail or by the turning device. The turning device may be arranged upstream of the separating device in the movement direction of the piece goods.

Abstract: The invention includes a machine for handling and unscrambling empty containers provided with a bottom and with an opening. The machine comprises a carousel rotating about an axis of rotation and is provided with a plurality of pockets. Each of the pockets is provided with a respective channel for descent of the containers through gravity towards a handling area below. The machine further comprises a carousel feeding device equipped with a detecting system which detects the orientation of the containers before the containers are unscrambled. A respective unscrambling station of the containers is provided for each pocket which is controlled on the basis of information supplied by the detecting system and designed to arrange said containers correctly unscrambled with said opening facing upwards.

Abstract: A method and a system for stabilizing the sight line of a chip component being carried on two discs, for stabilizing delivery of the chip component between the two discs, and improving and stabilizing the inspection accuracy in the visual check of the chip component. This is achieved by employing a mechanism for carrying the chip component while supporting it on the horizontal plane of the first rotary disc and then carrying the chip component while suction-holding it on the vertical plane of the second rotary disc. When the chip component is carried on the first rotary disc, the upper surface and one side face of the chip component are imaged by first and second cameras. When the chip component is carried on the second rotary disc, the lower surface and the other side face of the chip component are imaged by third and fourth cameras.

Abstract: A system for aligning items, such as bottles, includes a rotating plate and a diverter arm that extends outward over a top surface of the plate towards the plate edge. A rotating channel may surround the plate. In operation, bottles are dropped onto the plate and rotated by the plate against the arm. The distance between the top surface of the arm and the plate surface is such that the arm generally diverts the bottles outward and guides them into free gaps within the channel. The distance is also configured such that as bottles back-up, waiting for free channel gaps, the arm allows any buckling bottles to pass over and back onto the plate, rather than into the channel. The distance may also be configured such that the arm acts like a scoop. As bottles back-up behind the arm, the arm presses under the bottles along the arm and passes them over, relieving the pressure.

Abstract: A component loader orients a component along its long-axis for transfer from a rotatable load plate. The load plate has an outer peripheral edge and an upper surface inclined from a horizontal plane. Slots on the upper surface terminate at the outer edge of the load plate and are sized to receive at least one elongate chip lying with its long axis perpendicular to the axis of the load plate and in parallel with radius of the load plate. An outer wall conforms to the curvature of the outer edge and is mounted adjacent thereto. A transfer slot extends axially from and into the upper surface of the load plate on outer ends of the slots and terminates at the outer edge of the load plate. Each transfer slot is shaped so that a chip descending therein from a slot has a ninety degree rotation about the long axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for positioning articles, comprising multiple unloading operations per cycle. The inventive apparatus comprises means for placing articles in housings that move along the length of a closed circuit provided with at least first and second drop sites through which the correctly oriented articles fall from each housing into a corresponding alignment conduit placed under and moving together with each housing. In addition compartments are positioned between the alignment conduits. According to the invention, transfer means transfer each article from a conduit to a compartment after said article has fallen through the first drop site, but before it has reached the second drop site. Subsequently, extraction means extract the correctly oriented and aligned articles from said conduits and compartments and transfer same to an outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: A method and a system for stabilizing the sight line of a chip component being carried on two discs, for stabilizing delivery of the chip component between the two discs, and improving and stabilizing the inspection accuracy in the visual check of the chip component. This is achieved by employing a mechanism for carrying the chip component while supporting it on the horizontal plane of the first rotary disc and then carrying the chip component while suction-holding it on the vertical plane of the second rotary disc. When the chip component is carried on the first rotary disc, the upper surface and one side face of the chip component are imaged by first and second cameras. When the chip component is carried on the second rotary disc, the lower surface and the other side face of the chip component are imaged by third and fourth cameras.

Abstract: There is provided an article alignment apparatus 10 including an article alignment device for aligning orientations of articles by arranging two aligners 21, 21 having cylindrical surfaces, rotating each of the aligners 21 while keeping it at a predetermined inclination with respect to a horizontal direction, placing the articles on cylindrical outer surfaces of the two aligners 21, and carrying the articles from one side to the other side, in which protrusions 22 are provided on the surfaces of the aligners 21.

Abstract: A component loader for orienting a component along its long-axis for transfer to transmission means such as a carrier belt. The loader includes a rotatable load plate having an outer peripheral edge and an upper surface where the upper surface is inclined from a horizontal plane. A plurality of slots is on the upper surface, and each is located about the outer edge of the load plate. Each of the plurality of slots is sized to receive at least one chip, preferably lying with its long axis perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable load plate. An outer wall conforms to the curvature of the outer peripheral edge and is mounted adjacent thereabout. A transfer slot extends axially into the upper surface of the load plate. Preferably, each transfer slot is shaped so that a chip descending into each transfer slot from a respective slot has a ninety degree rotation about the long axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting a pill. The apparatus has a curved member having a point of tangency at which the pill is positioned on the curved member and a portion for positioning the pill skewed from a tangent at the point of tangency.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting random oriented lightweight articles. The apparatus includes a wheel which rotates on an axis which is substantially horizontal. A plurality of alignment troughs is mounted on the interior of the wheel. Each of the alignment troughs has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the wheels horizontal axis. Each trough has a plurality of openings to allow air to pass through the trough and out of the wheel to hold lightweight articles in the troughs against the force of gravity. Each of the articles has a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the troughs longitudinal axis. Rotation of the wheel selectively positions the troughs with a source of air under pressure to move the articles to the end of the respective trough. Each article at the end of its respective trough moves into an external receiver where the article is transferred to a vertical attitude having the bottom up. The article is rotated to a bottom down attitude.

Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: A bailing apparatus includes a bailer feeder and a bailer. The bailer feeder is arranged to feed handles to the bailer. The bailer is adapted to couple the handles to containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting random oriented lightweight articles. The apparatus includes a wheel which rotates on an axis which is substantially horizontal. A plurality of alignment troughs is mounted on the interior of the wheel. Each of the alignment troughs has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the wheels horizontal axis. Each trough has a plurality of openings to allow air to pass through the trough and out of the wheel to hold lightweight articles in the troughs against the force of gravity. Each of the articles has a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the troughs longitudinal axis. Rotation of the wheel selectively positions the troughs with a source of air under pressure to move the articles to the end of the respective trough. Each article at the end of its respective trough moves into an external receiver where the article is transferred to a vertical attitude.

Abstract: An electronic chip attitude changing device includes a rotor having, on the outer periphery, cavities that are formed at equal pitch to respectively contain and hold electronic chips with a part thereof projecting out; an air suction path for drawing and holding the electronic chips in the cavities of the rotor; a driving device for rotationally driving the rotor in a predetermined direction; and a chip guide placed at a fixed position close to the outer periphery of the rotor and having a guide face for making sliding contact with the projecting portions of the electronic chips held in the cavities so as to turn the attitudes of the electronic chips by 90°.