Abstract: An arrangement for conveying an anode plate from one location to another, whereby said arrangement comprises gripping elements attached to a conveyor for gripping a plate-like piece. Elements are attached to the gripping element connection for the correction, at least partial, of any possible positional error of the anode to be transferred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts to a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The method and apparatus utilizes transferring devices for transporting the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer for a decorating machine includes transport conveyors for carrying workpieces to the decorating machine and from the decorating machine. The conveyors support each of the workpieces such that an elongated longitudinal axis of each workpiece is vertically orientated. The decorating machine has a decorator conveyor with spaced workpiece carriers to support a workpiece for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the workpiece in a horizontal orientation. A plurality of workpiece grippers pivotally supported by a drive hub support the workpieces during movement of the longitudinal axis thereof between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. A drive shaft is secured to the drive hub to rotate about an axis forming acute angles with the longitudinal axis of a workpiece in each of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. The acute angles are preferably 45°.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for receiving a multiplicity of like circular articles, such as discs, rings, and lids, for example, presented in a known or random horizontal orientation, and for collecting them for subsequent conventional processing into a horizontal counted stack in which each of the circular articles of the stack has the same on-edge or vertical orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring articles such as absorbent cores or disposable diaper chassis components from a rotary mechanism, such as a pad turner, to a linear mechanism, such as a conveyor for further processing. The invention provides a device for picking an article from the outside of a toroidal surface, thence extending transversely under tension the article to be transferred so that at the point of deposition the article is held flat and at full length. The device is of particular benefit where an article to be transferred is subject to internally biasing elastic forces.

Abstract: An item handling system that sorts and packs items in a storage or shipping receptacle. The system is specifically designed to handle items such as sub-primal cuts of beef or pork or items of like size and weight. The system is adapted to sort items based on product type or based on system capacity. The packing mechanism is adapted to properly orient the item prior to placing the item in the storage or shipping receptacle. The system is specifically adapted to handle cardboard shipping boxes.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer for a decorating machine includes transport conveyors for carrying workpieces to the decorating machine and from the decorating machine. The conveyors support each of the workpieces such that an elongated longitudinal axis of each workpiece is vertically orientated. The decorating machine has a decorator conveyor with spaced workpiece carriers to support a workpiece for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the workpiece in a horizontal orientation. A plurality of workpiece grippers pivotally supported by a drive hub support the workpieces during movement of the longitudinal axis thereof between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. A drive shaft is secured to the drive hub to rotate about an axis forming acute angles with the longitudinal axis of a workpiece in each of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. The acute angles are preferably 45°.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for receiving a multiplicity of like circular articles, such as discs, rings, and lids, for example, presented in a known or random horizontal orientation, and for collecting them for subsequent conventional processing into a horizontal counted stack in which each of the circular articles of the stack has the same on-edge or vertical orientation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. Transferring devices transport the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes. The receiving and application operations may be performed at matched or mismatched surface speeds. The parts to be received and applied may be formed by a rotating knife, which may vary in speed. Adhesive may be used to hold the parts on the carrier web. In some embodiments, the transferring devices transfer the parts to a bonding anvil roll and the parts and a carrier web are compressed between the bonding anvil roll and a bonding pattern roll to bond the parts to the carrier web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts to a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The method and apparatus utilizes transferring devices for transporting the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes.

Abstract: Flat articles (13) are taken over from a supply device supplying the products e.g. in the form of an imbricated stream (21) and, for creating groups, are transferred to a conveying-away device (1). Thereby the supply direction (Z) and the conveying-away direction (1) are angled in the horizontal plan view. For the transfer of the articles (13) it is suggested to use devices (20) comprising a circulating conveying organ (11) with laterally protruding gripper arms (10) and grippers (12) arranged on the gripper arms (10). The circulation track of the conveying organ (11) extends in a take-over direction (3) through a take-over zone (A) and in a transfer direction (2) through a transfer zone (C) and comprises a deflection (B) between take-over and transfer zone.

Abstract: Flat articles (3) each held by a feeding-in gripper (5) on a leading first edge are fed-in to a hold changing station (1) one after the other, are pulled onto a changing support situated in the changing station (1) and are deposited on it by opening the feeding-in gripper (5). Each deposited article is then pushed across the changing support (10) by a conveying-away gripper (6) and while being pushed is grasped by closing the conveying-away gripper (6) and is conveyed away held gripped on a second edge. Advantageously the feeding-in direction (Z) and the conveying-away direction (W) intersect above the changing support (10) under the one angle (&agr;), which is also constituted by the first and the second edge. For the hold change of rectangular printed products, the angle (&agr;) amounts to 90°. For pushing the articles, the conveying-away grippers (6) move in the plane of the surface of the changing support and are driven from below.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting and reorienting one or more items is provided. The system includes a first transport apparatus that can transport and reorient an item from a loading location to a first unloading location. For example, a first carder is movably secured to a frame of the first transport apparatus such that it can move at least about 180 degrees about the frame to the first unloading location. Moreover, the first carrier can also move about 90 degrees to a first transfer location. At the first transfer location, the items contained within the first carrier can, in some instances, also be pushed to a second carrier at a second transfer location. The second carrier is movably secured to a frame of a second transport apparatus such that it can move at least about 90 degrees to a second unloading location. The reoriented item(s) can be unloaded from a carrier at the first or second unloading locations.

Abstract: A tipping device for reorienting vertical containers in a horizontal orientation which includes, a lift structured to lift a container, a transfer assembly having two transfer members and a gap there between. The transfer members each have a generally convex portion and an elongated, generally horizontal portion. the generally convex portion is disposed at an elevation that is lower than the generally horizontal portion. The lift slides a container over the generally convex portion onto the generally horizontal portion causing the orientation of the container to change from vertical to generally horizontal.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically taking out packaged articles housed in a large-sized tray onto a conveyer line. A tray housing a multiplicity of packaged articles is conveyed onto a support conveyer bridging between a pair of side plates, the packaged articles are pressed inside the tray by lowering a support plate, then the side plates are rotated for 180 degrees around a main shaft with the packaged articles kept in the same pressed condition, the support plate is lowered integrally with the packaged articles at a determined position, and the emptied upside-down tray is discharged outside along rails attached to the inner surfaces of the side plates. Thereafter, while being pressed to the upper support conveyer, the packaged articles are returned to an original lower position by rotating the side plates and discharged outside by rotating the support conveyer.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling bags that are conveyed on a first conveyor in an upright position and on a second conveyor in a lying position, particularly for the gentle handling of bags and adapted to the handling of stand up bags, by providing a transfer device between the first and second conveyor, the first conveyor comprising a transfer portion in which the bags are oriented in a substantially horizontal direction in space, and the transfer device comprising a depositing surface for forming a row of lying bags, alone with a gripper for pulling the bags from the first conveyor onto the depositing surface in a substantially straight movement, and a delivery means for delivering the row of bags to the second conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for semiconductor device handling. In one aspect, the invention relates to a rotary flipper including a wheel having a plurality of stations. A semiconductor device is placed within a first station in a first orientation. While the semiconductor device is held, the wheel portion of the rotary flipper rotates and the next station receives another semiconductor device. When the first station is in an unloading position, the semiconductor device is released. At this point, the semiconductor device is oriented in a second position. In one aspect, the semiconductor device is released into a cavity of a tape and reel. In another aspect, vacuum pressure is applied to hold the die. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a semiconductor device handling apparatus and apparatus that includes of a rotary semiconductor device flipper.

Abstract: An inverter for reversing the orientation of a pharmaceutical dosage form at a discontinuity in a path of travel is described. The inverter receives dosage forms from an input path and delivers rectified dosage forms to an output path. In addition, a dosage form rectifier comprising an inverter is described. The dosage form rectifier receives randomly oriented dosage forms and delivers uniformly oriented dosage forms without recycling any of the dosage forms. In a repeating cycle for each dosage form supplied to the rectifier, the orientation of the dosage form is determined and dosage forms having a desired orientation are maintained in the desired orientation and delivered from the dosage form rectifier while dosage forms having an inverted orientation have their orientation rectified at the inverter before being delivered from the dosage form rectifier.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly and method for rotating a strip of material via one or more transfer elements angularly disposed relative to the initial orientation of the strip of material and placing the rotated strip of material toward a continuously moving surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a continuous flow transfer system designed to transfer the contents of a mail tray into a cartridge for subsequent processing and then, after processing, to transfer the contents of the cartridge back into a mail tray without disrupting the facing or orientation of each piece of mail. The continuous flow transfer system comprises both a cartridge loader and a cartridge unloader, both of which have a tray section, a transfer conveyor and a cartridge section. The tray section, or infeed section, of the cartridge loader is designed to deliver filled mail trays to the transfer section of the loader. At the transfer section, the contents of each mail tray are deposited into an intermediate container that is affixed to the transfer section. The transfer section then delivers the contents of the intermediate container into empty cartridges being fed onto the cartridge section, or discharge section, of the loader.

Abstract: A method and unit for combined transfer-turnover of packets of cigarettes, whereby the packets are fed successively by a first conveyor in a first direction perpendicular to a front first face of each packet and along a portion of a path extending through a transfer station, to which each packet is supplied in time with a respective suction seat carried by a second conveyor, which engages the first face of the packet by suction, and removes the packet from the transfer station in a second direction parallel to the first face.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for transporting and reorienting items between two locations. The apparatus includes first and second upstanding members each having a first end and a second end. The first and second upstanding members are joined together at the first ends by a third member to form a frame. A track is formed in the first, second and third members which defines a path which spans at least 180 degrees and a set of four sprockets interact with the track. A movable member is positioned within the track and is looped around the set of four sprockets. An integral carrier is secured to the movable member. The integral carrier includes first and second members each having a first end, and a third member affixed to the first ends of the first and second members to form a nonadjustable, approximately C-shaped configuration wherein the first and second members are permanently spaced apart from one another and aligned in a parallel relationship.

Abstract: A unit (1) for feeding a succession of sealed packages (2) containing pourable food products along a first path (P) from a supply station (4) to an output station (5), and for simultaneously tipping the packages (2) from a supply position in which the packages (2) are positioned with a respective axis (A) oriented in a first direction (B), to an output position in which the respective axis (A) is oriented in a second direction (C) perpendicular to the first direction (B); the unit (1) having a number of push arms (15) for feeding respective packages (2) along the first path (P), an actuating member (14) for moving the arms (15) along an endless second path (S) having a portion (S.sub.

Abstract: A tube filling machine, including a conveying device rotating about a pair of axes defining a plane and having a plurality of holding elements in each of which a tube can be inserted. The tubes can be conveyed through individual works stations. In order to permit a simple modification and adaptation of the orientation of the tubes during their passage through the tube filling machine, the plane defined by the axes is inclined at an angle .alpha. to the horizontal, and each tube is so held in its holding element that its longitudinal axis is inclined at an angle .beta. relative to the defined plane. The angle .alpha. and the angle .beta. are preferably in the range 20 to 70.degree..

Abstract: A method and unit for conveying packets of cigarettes, whereby packets of cigarettes, supplied successively to an input of a guide, are transferred to an output of the guide by means of a screw device rotating about a respective axis of rotation; the guide winds 180.degree. about the axis, and has two conducting elements located inside and outside the screw device to orient the packets with respect to the screw device.

Abstract: A compact machine for automatically loading racks with bottled water containers, includes an in feed conveyor for delivering upright bottles, a pin wheel mechanism with spaced apart spokes for receiving each individual bottle from the in feed conveyor that is operable through its rotation to convert a bottle's vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, a bottle loading magazine operable to transfer bottles from the pin wheel mechanism to a elevator magazine, a bottle elevator in the loading magazine operable to raise bottles loaded therein in a vertically stacked relationship, and a ram operable to push the bottles stacked in the elevator magazine into a rack positioned next to the elevator magazine, plus controls for sequencing these operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding, stacking, and/or upending products includes a pair of indexing star wheels. A conveyor advances a row of products toward an upstream star wheel. One or more products are metered into one of the notches in the upstream star wheel, and the upstream star wheel indexes to transfer the products to the downstream star wheel. The upstream star wheel can stack products by indexing twice before the downstream star wheel indexes. The downstream star wheel indexes to upend the products, and the upended products are moved away from the downstream star wheel.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a rotatable drum positioned at its discharge end. The rotatable drum is comprised of a plurality of disks. Two pairs of air nozzles are positioned between the rotating disks of the rotatable drum. A second receiving conveyor is positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. Bagged products move along the first conveyor and are discharged over the rotating drum of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. A sensor indicates that the product bag is properly positioned for uprighting by the air blast. A programmable logic controller ("PLC") which controls the operation of the collator in accordance with the size of the product bags.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting a flexible article, longer than it is wider, in a predetermined orientation which has an orientation for tumbling the article generally about one direction while retaining the article so that it can rotate about another direction while it is being tumbled. The retention mechanism on the apparatus includes a retention face and is moveable between a first position in which the retention face is disposed to receive the article generally downwardly from the orientation head while it is being tumbled thereby, and a second position displaced from the first. Additionally, when the article is received on the retention face, it can be detected if it is correctly orientated on the retention face. In response to this detection, the retention mechanism moves to the second position and the article is received in a predetermined orientation from the retention face at the second position of the retention mechanism.

Abstract: A vacuum conveyor made up of a plenum and a moving plastic chain with attached buckets shaped to guide and accept and emerging molded article which travelling at zero relative velocity operates as a picker device for a blow molding machine of the type having a rotating mold wheel.

Abstract: This innovation describes a slice stacker, designed in particular for cheese slices and other slice-shaped objects, consisting of a brush belt with resting overhead or lower shot belts, which register slices from the top or from the bottom.

Abstract: Articles, having a cylindrical shape, such as cans, are rotated from a horizontal position to a vertical position as they are transported between a pair of contact cables. The contact cables are set to diverge above a take away conveyor and at this point the cans will rotate. A magnetic assist device is positioned proximate the take away conveyor to assist can rotation and stabilize the cans on the take away conveyor.

Abstract: A method and device for tip-up conveying packets of cigarettes, whereby packets of cigarettes, fed successively to an input of a guide, are transferred to an output of the guide by a screw transferring member rotating about a respective axis; the screw defining at least one substantially helical channel along which the packets slide as the screw rotates, and which winds by an angle of 90.degree. about its own longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An inserter device and method for feeding products from an input conveyor to moving carriers on a conveyor system is provided. The inserter device receives incoming products and deposits the products on the carriers such that the products come to rest in a controlled area of the carrier and with a controlled orientation. A linear inserter device is provided which uses a series of rollers operating in a first direction to receive the product and a belt removes the products from the rollers onto carriers or other conveying devices. The belt moves in a rotational direction substantially ninety degrees (90.degree.) displaced from the direction of rotation of the rollers. A rotary inserter device is also provided in which the products are received in a compartmented rotor such that rotation of the rotor allows dropping of the product, by gravity, onto a carrier in a manner synchronized with the speed of the rotation of the carrier.

Abstract: A compact quick articles feeding and arranging machine readily mounted to two crossly disposed conveyors. The feeding and arranging machine has a feeding unit and an arranging unit. The feeding unit has a motor driven chain on which are disposed a plurality of T-shaped pushing members. The circulating pushing members can push fed articles delivered by an upper conveyor off therefrom into a lower conveyor via the arranging unit. The arranging unit has two curvely contoured guide board and a wedge-shaped central partition board; the articles falling off the upper conveyor are led through the room between the guide boards and the central partition board of the arranging unit and are turned into a vertical position quickly for easy packing and counting on an assembly line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor that ensures the orientation of an item in a prone position when the item is fed onto a main conveyor. By ensuring the orientation of an item in a prone position, the invention can be used to transport luggage or equipment, such as wheeled luggage or golf bags, to an end distribution area. The conveyor provides for an in-feed section, an intermediate section and a discharge section of a conveyor. The in-feed and discharge sections both run parallel to the main support frame of the conveyor and provide a flat area to receive and discharge the material to be transported. The intermediate section extends between the receiving and delivery section and discharge section of the conveyor and has a V-shaped contour so as to tip the item being transported into a prone position.

Abstract: A printing plate delivery system for a multi-stage printing press, in which a plurality of printing stages are arranged in vertical direction, comprises a vertical transporting device having a carrier movable in vertical direction between a loading position where a printing plate set along the height direction of the printing press being loaded and a printing plate transfer positions at the corresponding height positions to the printing stages for transferring the printing plate, and receiving device provided corresponding to each of the printing stages and cooperated with the vertical transporting device for receiving the printing plate from the carrier at the corresponding transfer position.

Abstract: An apparatus for unscrambling a population of containers. The apparatus comprises an in-feed guide supplying containers in a random neck-leading and neck-trailing orientations to a carousel rotating about a horizontal axis. The carousel supports a plurality of container handling stations that transport individual containers from the in-feed guide to an output station, typically a conveyor belt. During the transport between the in-feed guide and the conveyor belt the container handling stations alter the longitudinal orientation of selected containers so that all the containers dispensed on the conveyor belt acquire a uniform longitudinal orientation.

Abstract: A printing plates lifting apparatus having storing function in a rotary press having upper and lower printing units arranged in tiers and upper and lower work floors corresponding to the printing units. The printing plates lifting apparatus comprises upper and lower rotating bodies, opposed endless flexible bodies which are engaged with vertically opposed upper and lower rotating bodies, driving means for rotating the rotating bodies to run the endless flexible bodies, and printing plate hanging members arranged along and between the endless flexible bodies.

Abstract: Device for conveying sheets from a printing press to a sheet pile includes revolving endless conveyor members looped about at least two rotating members having respective horizontal axes of rotation disposed parallel to one another, one of the rotating members being disposed at a location remote from the printing press, mechanical grippers carried by the endless conveyor members for gripping only respective leading edges of sheets, the endless conveyor members having respective upper sides moving along a conveying path in a given conveying direction for carrying thereon sheets conveyable away from the printing press, revolving endless guiding members disposed over part of the conveying path along and adjacent the upper side of the endless conveyor members and along a part of the endless conveyor members looped about the one of the rotating members disposed at the location of the endless conveyor members remote from the printing press, and pneumatic equipment disposed along the endless guiding members for exer

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing wooden I-beams wherein a pair of grooved flanges are conveyed along opposite sides of a train of web members and converged so that the web longitudinal edges are inserted into the chord grooves is disclosed. The flanges are each sequentially fed into left and right hand sides of the assembly line through a cam type flange feeder and a resiliently mounted hold-down member automatically orienting the flanges with the flange grooves facing inwardly. A lugged web feeder engages a longitudinal edge of each web to laterally convey same, or random web lengths, into the upstream end of the assembly machine. A web bottom drive engages the web undersides to convey same into contact with the flanges while eliminating overhead clutter to enable easy access to the web and flange members for manual intervention.

Abstract: A rack packer for loading containers onto a rack comprises a loading station, a transfer station, an elevator, and a rack positioning means. The loading station receives and supports successive incoming rows of vertically oriented identical containers. The transfer station is positioned adjacent to the loading station. A starwheel at the transfer station is rotatably mounted about a transfer axis parallel to the successive rows of containers at the loading station. The starwheel has multiple sets of radial arms extending from the transfer axis to support individual containers of each row. The starwheel moves successive rows of containers from their vertical positions at the loading station upwardly to horizontal positions above the loading station. The elevator is located adjacent to the starwheel to receive multiple rows of horizontally oriented containers from the starwheel.

Abstract: A unit for transferring food products such as chocolates, whereby a conveyor feeds a compact sequence of mutually contacting products in a given direction to a transfer device by which the products are fed one by one, still in one direction, into respective peripheral seats on a conveyor wheel rotating about an axis perpendicular to the aforementioned direction; the transfer device being defined by a counter-rotating lobed wheel located on either side of the conveyor and defining a movable pocket for conveying each product.

Abstract: A device for uprighting containers from a position with their axis horizontal to a position with their axis vertical comprises a circular plate (3) fixed to the end of a shaft (5) of horizontal axis by a support structure (4) arranged to undergo stepwise rotations of 180.degree. in synchronism with a container feed line (1); two parallel shafts (14, 15) symmetrically arranged about a diameter of the plate (3) and each carrying, at that end facing away from the plate, a receptacle (18) for seizing the containers, said shafts being connected mechanically such as to undergo equal rotations in the same direction, and carrying the receptacles (18) thereon with their axes mutually perpendicular; and a fixed positive-acting cam (25) within which there engages the end of a rocker arm (23) pivoted on the plate (3), its opposite end rotating one of the shafts (14 or 15) by a mechanism comprising a connecting rod-crank unit (21, 22).

Abstract: A device for movably positioning in a plurality of positions a magazine for automatically changing printing plates in a printing machine for changing the printing plate of the plate cylinder, replacing the printing plates of the magazine, servicing the printing machine and normal operation, includes a device for mounting the magazine, including a vertical guide wherein the magazine is displaceable, and a horizontal shaft about which the magazine is swivelable, and drive devices for displacing and swiveling the magazine.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for laminating patches to a base web accurately, and as efficiently as possible, are provided. Two webs are fed at speeds which are related as the ratio of the width of each patch to the separation distance between patches, the patch web moving more slowly. Patches are cut from the patch web and transferred to the other web while being accelerated to the higher speed.

Abstract: For sorting cut glass sheets (3) in accordance with arbitrary order criteria, rack-type carts (20) are provided exhibiting several racks (21) for the accommodation of cut glass sheets (3). The cut glass sheets (3) are righted by a lifting device into an essentially vertical position and then inserted by a conveyor arranged at the lifting device in the respectively desired rack (21) of the first rack-type cart (20). Each rack (21) exhibits on one side freely rotatable supporting rollers for the cut glass sheet. These supporting rollers can also be mounted to a holder adjustable relative to the rack-type cart (20). The rack-type carts (20) are displaceable (double arrow 30) so that the respectively desired rack (21) can be aligned with respect to the lifting device and/or the cut glass sheet (3) held by the latter.

Abstract: A hydrostatic cooker discharge apparatus includes a flight conveyor, a first belt conveyor and a second belt conveyor. The flight conveyor sequentially receives horizontally oriented sticks of containers from a cooker. The first belt conveyor in conjunction with the flight conveyor transports the stick containers to a waterfall structure whereat the containers are reoriented to an upright position and are individually placed on the second belt conveyor for removal from the cooker area.

Abstract: Equipment for the manufacture of hollow plastic bottles from preforms (16) having a closed end and an open end forming a neck, includes a conveyor equipped with supports (11) for the preforms which are driven in a predetermined path (T). The supports are arranged one after the other and are capable of pivoting over a given angular range when acted upon by a cam guide and follower arrangement (17, 18) such that the preforms may be inverted from their initial position. The cam guide may be an elongated, stationary rod (17) in the shape of a spiral section coiled around the path (T) followed by the swivel pins (13) of the supports, having a length determined according to the pitch of the spiral and to the angular swing amplitude required for the preforms. Follower rollers (18) are mounted on each support and flank the rod (17) such that, during the displacement of the supports along their path, the supports and preforms carried thereby are swung through 180.degree..

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding an electrical connector to a connector termination press includes a slotted rotary drum that receives the leading connector from a ribbon of taped connectors carried on a reel, rotates the connector ninety degrees to reorient the connector and places it in a connector positioning track, and a push rod assembly that advances the connector into an aligned position underneath the ram of a connector termination press.