Abstract: A system automatically loads a bin with a filled deformable container such as a sack of produce being conveyed along horizontal rollers. A movable support structure has a coupling end attachable to a robotic arm, and a lifting end supporting a plurality of parallel rods. By means of the robotic arm and a programmable logic controller, the plurality of parallel rods can be positioned between and parallel to the horizontal rollers, raised when the container is conveyed to a loading position above the parallel rods, moved to a predetermined position above the bin, and rotated to allow the container to slide downward along the parallel rods and into the bin under force of gravity. The loading sequence can be repeated a number of times, changing the predetermined position each time to stack a plurality of the containers in a desired configuration such as overlapping rows of offset sacks.

Abstract: A packaging system and method for receiving articles from a first location, such as a product delivery system, transporting the articles to a second location for unloading the articles such that they are placed in a desired orientation and number of columns, rows, and stacks.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing plastic bottles, including a blow molding machine, a labeler, at least one further treatment machine, and transfer starwheels provided and arranged for the machine-to-machine transportation of the bottles in such a way that the bottles are transported without buffers between the at least three machines.

Abstract: Device for automatic stacking of packages on a support in a predetermined spatial arrangement for formation of a stack, having at least one supply conveyor which provides the separated packages (W) in a predetermined succession, a lifting and lowering unit for lifting and lowering a support disposed in a stacking site in the Y direction and a displacement device which adjoin an output end of the supply conveyor and which receive packages (W) from the supply conveyor (2) and transport them to the predetermined position in the stack (S). The displacement device includes a positioning conveyor adjoining the output end of the supply conveyor and being disposed horizontally and longitudinally with respect to one side of the stacking site in order to position the packages (W) in the X direction, and at least one pushing plate and a pusher (14) in order to transport the packages (W) from the positioning conveyor in the Z direction to the predetermined position in the stack (S).

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding at least two substrates to each other comprises a plurality of substrate bonding machines arranged adjacent to one another and an input transporter extending adjacent to the plurality of substrate bonding machines which is operative to deliver the substrates to each of the substrate bonding machines. The input transporter is supplied with substrates by an onloading station. An output transporter extending adjacent to the plurality of substrate bonding machines is operative to receive bonded substrates from each of the substrate bonding machines and deliver the bonded substrates to an offloading station for removal from the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying system for conveying intended upright articles, for example vials, comprising an in-feed conveyor, an out-feed conveyor, and a single liner system placed between said in-feed conveyor and out-feed conveyor, wherein said single liner system comprising a series of co-planar conveyor belts, wherein said belts are placed side by side for defining a conveying surface and wherein said belts are movable in substantially the same driving direction at different velocities; a track guide placed above said conveying surface for guiding said articles from said in-feed conveyor to said out-feed conveyor along a guide direction, wherein said guide direction is arranged at an acute angle with respect to said driving direction; wherein said velocity of subsequent belts of said series of co-planar conveyor belts increases in the guide direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for resorting piece goods assortments comprises a supply device, which transports along a first predefined transport path a piece goods assortment containing a plurality of piece goods arranged in predefined geometric positions, and at least one redistribution unit arranged at least partially downstream of the supply device along the transport path of the piece goods assortment. The redistribution unit comprises at least one pick-up element for picking up an individual item of piece goods of the piece goods assortment or a group of piece goods of the piece goods assortment, and a discharge device which is arranged downstream of the redistribution unit along the transport path. The pick-up element of the redistribution unit is movable in at least two different directions. The pick-up element removes individual piece goods or groups of piece goods from the piece goods assortment and transfers said piece goods to the discharge device.

Abstract: There is described a machine for forming groups of ordered products, each group including products disposed according to superposed layers. The machine includes a succession of conveyors aligned according to a principal direction of alignment, with a feed conveyor and a delivery conveyor. The feed conveyor receives single layers of products aligned with and spaced from one another; and the conveyors are disposed and controlled so as to distribute layers of products on a predetermined number of levels at different heights, and to unload onto the delivery conveyor a predetermined number of layers, superposed on one another, equal to the predetermined number of the levels at different heights.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for diverting product from a single lane to one of a plurality of lanes includes a wall having an upstream portion positioned proximate the single lane and a downstream portion positioned proximate the plurality of lanes. The upstream portion is stationary relative to the single lane and the downstream portion is configured to be movable relative to the plurality of lanes. A length of the wall is configured to vary in response to movement of the downstream portion.

Abstract: The conveyor system (11) is used for transferring rows or large cycles (66) of sheet stacks (12) from the stacking station (20) of a paper converting machine, e.g. a small format cross-cutter to several parallel-running discharge conveyor belts (24, 25). For this purpose grippers or tongs (48) are provided, which are guided on gripper supports (39) and which can draw the stacks (12) from stacking station (20) via conveyor belts (24, 25). For each stacking position (21) there are two grippers (48, 48a), which in each case alternatively grip and transfer a stack, whilst the other gripper performs the return movement and passes into its waiting position upstream of the stacking station.

Abstract: The packaging machine includes: a plurality of lane guides, the plurality of lane guides being spaced apart to form a plurality of lanes; a moveable conveyor belt having a first end and second end, the first end located beneath one of the plurality of lanes, the movable conveyor belt delivers the product to each of the plurality of lanes; a support device located at the plurality of lanes; and a shifting assembly attached to the plurality of lane guides. The method for packaging a case with a product includes: conveying a first plurality of the product to a first lane; supporting the first plurality of the product within the first lane; conveying a second plurality of the product to a second lane; shifting the first lane and the second lane in a first direction; and dropping the first plurality of the products into the case.

Abstract: A collator includes a first conveyor having a discharge end and a second receiving conveyor positioned below the discharge end of the first conveyor. As each product bag falls toward the second conveyor, an air blast assists in uprighting the bag. The second conveyor may be temporarily operated at a high speed to separate the product bags into groups. A deflector may be mounted at the discharge end of the second conveyor for directing product bags into containers. A diverter may be used to direct incoming product bags between parallel conveyors.

Abstract: A palletizer for bottles having loader carriage with a plurality of horizontal corridors (11) formed by pairs of laterally adjustable guides (21), which suspend the collars (92) of the bottles, and pairs of laterally adjustable side walls (31), which can move toward each other to lock the bottle bodies from movement along the corridors. During loading of the carriage, the guides are moved to engage the bottle collars and the side walls are moved apart. During unloading of the carriage, the side walls are moved inward to lock the bottles and the guides are moved apart so that the gripper (52) can enter the carriage from above.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for diverting articles from a single lane to one of a plurality of lanes wherein the articles in the single lane are moving on a conveyor along a travel path, the apparatus comprising a pair of spaced apart flexible rails suspended above the conveyor where the flexible rails define a guide channel therebetween. The guide channel can have an upstream portion configured to receive the articles in the single lane and a downstream portion configured to distribute the articles to one of the lanes. The flexible rails are movable in a direction substantially parallel to the travel path. The downstream portion of the guide channel is configured to be selectively movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel path in order to selectively distribute the articles to one of the lanes.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus of forming a row of sliced product, which has a lateral dimension when aligned in a row. The apparatus 10 includes a row former, generally indicated at 13 and a pattern former generally indicated at 14. The row former forms rows of, for example, tomato slices 16, which are delivered onto a receiving surface, formed by the belt of a conveyor 17. The conveyor 17 is driven intermittently to deliver slices 16 in their row 15 onto the first conveyor 18 of the pattern former 14. The row former 13 includes an inclined conveyor belt 31, which has slats 32 spaced along its length, the spacing being dictated by the lateral dimension of the sliced product to be handled. A series of wiper blades 33 are spaced along the conveyor 31, along the direction of travel. As the belt 31 is driven intermittently the slices are elevated and wiped into the spaces between the slats until rows are formed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conveying items (P), comprising a line for transporting said items (P) from a machine (12) for working said items situated upstream, which advances and transfers to the line (15) said items (P) at a predetermined speed (V0), to a utilization situated downstream. At least in the initial part (15′) of said conveying line downstream of said working machine (12), the speed of advance (V1) of said items is maintained substantially equal to the speed of advance and transfer (V0) of said working machine situated upstream (12). It is further provided that, in order to carry longitudinally said items from said upstream machine to said downstream machine, said items are advanced in longitudinal groups or trains of items, such that, in each group or train of items, said items are longitudinally approached to each other.

Abstract: A row former of a conveying system is provided with a plurality of protrusions projecting from a side of a row forming arm that engage with portions of objects arranged in a row and pushed before the arm across a row forming table surface and prevent relative movement of the objects in the row.

Abstract: A sod-collecting apparatus, comprising a collecting platform for supporting juxtaposed rows of coiled sods, a feed conveyor for feeding coiled sods, and a conveyor belt downstream of the feed conveyor, the conveyor belt extending along the collecting platform, wherein the feed conveyor and the conveyor belt are arranged for displacing the coiled sods on the conveyor belt along the collecting platform in a direction parallel to an axial body axis of coiled sods located on the conveyor belt, with a positioning structure for stopping each individual sod on the conveyor belt in at least one predetermined position along the collecting platform.

Abstract: In order to increase the throughput rate of conveyors with a conveyor star, it is proposed that groups consisting of several bulk items be fed essentially radially to said star (13) and that in the process the mutual positions of bulk items (1) be adapted to the curved mutual positions of transport recesses (23) on conveyor star (13) and/or to the intervals between them.

Abstract: A catalog stacker and loader having a conveyor, a cage assembly associated with the conveyor, and a loader for unloading catalogs from the cage assembly and loading them into shipping containers. The cage assembly has a first cage and a second cage, each of which is movable between a loading position adjacent the conveyor and an unloading position adjacent the loader. Each cage is dimensioned to receive two stacks of catalogs and comprises means for holding the two stacks in a first relative orientation when the cage is in a first position and for holding the two stacks in a second relative orientation when the cage is in a second position.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes, comprising a housing rotatably mounted to a fixed main shaft with a plurality of cooperating crank arms and article holders rotatably mounted to the housing by crank arm shafts and holder shafts. The crank arms and article holders are rotated in response to rotation of the housing by means of a plurality of endless toothed belts cooperating between toothed pulleys on the main shaft and the crank arm shafts and a plurality of endless toothed belts cooperating between toothed pulleys on the main shaft and on the holder shafts.

Abstract: During the transfer into the weighing unit (K), the bottle (F) is held in the compartment (S1) of the transfer container (C), preferably by suction. An elevating comb (4) which receives the bottle extracted from the micro-feeder and which with a subsequent lowering movement deposits it on the underlying grid-shaped platform (8) of the balance (9) operates in the weighing unit. This platform is provided, for each transfer container (C), with a shallow recess (10), ideally in the form of a horizontal downward-converging truncated cone, in which the bottle centers itself under the effect of gravity, moving away from the walls of the container and from the fixed lateral guides in order not to distort the action of the balance.

Abstract: A package transfer apparatus comprising flappers which are juxtaposed at a travel start position of a package changing robot having attaching arms for supporting and attaching bobbin ends of packages to pegs of a creel, and are circulated while putting thereon packages supplied from a package supply section, and a tilting mechanism for tilting the flappers to transfer the package to the attaching arms.

Abstract: For transferring cuboid (cigarette) packs (10, 11) from a (rectilinear) pack track (12) to a drying turret (13) or the like, there is a transfer turret (17) which is designed for the reception, further transport and transfer of two packs (10, 11) at a time simultaneously. For this purpose, pocket units (20, 21, etc.) with two pockets (18, 19; 18a, 19a, etc.) arranged next to one another and fed simultaneously are mounted on the transfer turret (17). Their pocket walls (outer walls 29, 30 and inner walls 31, 32) are actuated for opening and closing via main levers (36, 37) and supporting levers (38, 39), these being supported on a rotatable cam disc (42, 43).

Abstract: A system for automatically distributing and supplying parts includes a parts distributing device for delivering an array of parts, and a parts supplying device for feeding the parts to a parts installing device at spaced intervals corresponding to parts installing positions. The parts supplying device has a first positioning member for receiving the delivered array of parts, a second positioning member connected to the first positioning member through flexible tubular members for spacing the parts at the spaced intervals, and a parts feed mechanism movable selectively into confronting relation to the second positioning member and the parts installing device for receiving the parts from the second positioning member and feeding the parts to the parts installing device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for conveying articles from at least one magazine to several depositing areas includes a continuous, endless conveyor by which the articles are transported from the magazine to predetermined positions which extends on the conveyor below the depositing areas at equal distance b to each other. The number of positions corresponds to the number of depositing areas. Moreover lifting units are provided of a number corresponding to the number of predetermined positions for transporting the articles from the positions to the depositing areas. The conveyor is moved step-by-step at a step length s=b/(n-1) wherein b is the distance between two adjacent positions and n is the number of positions or the number of steps. The magazine has a distance a=s.multidot.x from the one position closest in conveying direction wherein x is an integer.

Abstract: A turret journalled on a vertical axis has a plurality of vertically spaced pockets open at their upper and lower ends and spaced circumferentially around its outer periphery. A workpiece hopper has a downwardly extending outlet lying on the circle defined by the upper ends of the pockets so when a pocket registers with the outlet, a workpiece gravitates into the pocket. A motor driven worm gear which rotates about a horizontal axis is disposed adjacent the outer periphery of the pocket such that a workpiece deposited into the pocket registering with the hopper outlet is engaged by and between a pair of adjacent convolutions of the worm gear thread. That workpiece thus forms a driving connection between the worm gear and the turret to index the turret in a work-advancing direction to a position where the next upstream pocket on the turret registers with the hopper outlet to receive another workpiece and again index the turret in the work-advancing direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transferring articles between adjacent conveyors. The apparatus includes a first conveyor for conveying articles therealong. A pushing device includes a pair of spaced plates that are disposed in the same plane. The plates move transversely relative to the articles supported by the first conveyor. A pair of gripping arms move to a first position to grasp the laterally pushed articles. The gripping arms together with the grasped articles are moved laterally and away from the direction of movement of the articles along the first conveyor. The gripping arms are moved to a second position in which the articles are released onto a second conveyor disposed adjacent to and laterally relative the first conveyor. The apparatus has particular utility relative to the stabilization of packaged articles during transit through a wrapping and sealing station prior to heat shrinkage.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and quickly directing into a plurality of container conveying channels a single file of containers, even irregularly shaped ones, comprising a feeding conveyor on which the single file of containers is caused to travel in a guided manner; a screw feeder for controlling the flow of the containers on the conveyor, and for suitably spacing them; a further conveyor with equispaced fingers for keeping a given number of containers in the spaced position; and deflecting blades for diverting the containers into sorting channels leading to the container conveying channels.

Abstract: An indexing conveyor system wherein a feed conveyor section receives items, which are rapidly dispensed from a source thereof, and transports the items, one behind the other, on a plurality of endless belts to a pivotal conveyor section. A counter counts the items moving on the pivotal conveyor section and effects rapid pivotal movement of the pivotal conveyor section when a predetermined number of items have been counted. The distal end of the pivotal conveyor section pivots between positions aligned first with one and then the other of a pair of elongated receiving conveyor sections arranged in tiers and each having a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced endless belts. A guard conveyor section closely overlies the pivotal conveyor section, is movable in unison therewith, and prevents items from being thrown off of the pivotal conveyor section when the latter pivots between its respective positions.

Abstract: Elongate workpieces with enlarged heads to be distributed in groups to different destinations, such as plastic parisons to be delivered to respective mold cavities of a four-cavity blow-molding unit, are fed--partly by gravity--over a pair of sloping, counterrotating spindles to a tilted turntable, the spindles being separated by a gap letting the bodies of the workpieces hang down between them. The workpieces are successively inserted into peripheral recesses of the turntable along a raised edge thereof for rotary entrainment to respective guide channels confronting its opposite, depressed peripheral edge. Four workpieces at a time are dislodged from their recesses, after retraction of a barrier, by air jets driving them into the guide channels assigned to them. Fresh workpieces are deposited upon the upstream end of the spindle track by an elevating conveyor controlled by a monitoring device such as a photosensor which stops the conveyor upon detecting a backup of workpieces along the track.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic checkweighing of containers during the process of their manufacture, and particularly relates to the checkweighing of hot glass bottles during their transmit from a molding machine to a lehr where they are annealed.

Abstract: Apparatus for modifying a drive system for a lehr loader in which a rotating cam functions to raise and lower a pusher bar for moving ware from a cross-conveyor onto a lehr belt, with a crank arm being connected to the rotating cam and the pusher bar to effect forward and reverse movement of the loader bar. In this arrangement, the effective length of the crank arm which is moving the loader bar forward and backward in response to rotation of the rotating cam, is changed by having its connection to the rotating cam shiftable in response to the rotational position of the rotating cam. This changing position is accomplished by having the crank connected to the rotating cam through a radially extending slot, with the position of the crank connection in the slot being regulated by a stationary box cam that circumscribes the path of rotation of the rotating cam.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine and method of applying cigarette tax stamps to cigarette packages in cartons. The machine includes an input platform or table that receives cartons from an infeed conveyor, and three incoming cartons are fed to three parallel channels. In each of the channels, the flaps of a carton are opened and folded upwardly and outwardly, thereby exposing the ends of the packages. Tax stamps are applied to the ends of the packages, glue is then applied to the outturned flaps, and the flaps are folded in again and resealed. The three channels are spaced laterally apart of the direction of movement of the cartons as they move through the channels. The cartons are pushed onto the input platform with their long dimension extending parallel to the channels. The carton movement is stopped by an end stop that is located to position the first, third and fifth cartons generally in line with the input ends of the three channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading tiles into firing ovens comprises, in combination with each firing oven chamber, a device for feeding the tiles, means for forming on such device a file of tiles which must be loaded concurrently, and means for taking up from such device the tile file and forwarding it in the direction of the oven and transferring the tiles onto a terminal conveyor which conveys the tiles to the oven inlet. Preferably the tile take-up means are constituted by a support device which vertically displaceable between a lowermost and an uppermost position and adapted to lift up the tiles as it passes from the first to the second positions. Preferably also the tiles are forwarded in the direction of the oven by a thruster actuatable by suitable means in the desired direction and adapted to engage and to forward the tile file which has formed on the feeding device. An auxiliary static support organ is preferably provided to support the tiles in an intermediate phase of the forward progress.

Abstract: A product feed apparatus for transferring a plurality of products such as cookies from a single holder to a corresponding plurality of transversely spaced apart conveyor lines. The apparatus includes a shuttle guide extending across the conveyor lines and including a gate opening normally covered by a gate. The product holder carries a stack of the products and terminates in a feed opening at one extremity of the gate opening. A shuttle is supported on the shuttle guide for movement past the feed opening to a discharge position. The shuttle includes a number of product openings which come into successive alignment with the feed opening on movement of the shuttle toward its discharge position so that on location of the shuttle in its discharge position the products are located in the product openings in overlying relation to the gate. The products are then transferred to the conveyor lines on opening of the gate.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a single line of containers and grouping them so that a plurality of containers can be delivered to an exit line. The apparatus contains a starwheel arrangement wherein the starwheel is comprised of a plurality of sectors each moveable with respect to each other. Each sector transports a plurality of containers at a constant velocity around an arcuate extent. The sectors and their containers accelerate for a portion of their travel, then stop, whereupon the containers are moved in a radially outward direction to a delivery point upon an adjacent conveyor. The method of receiving containers on a starwheel arrangement and simultaneously ejecting a plurality of containers from the starwheel to an adjacent conveyor is set forth in detail. The containers enter the starwheel in usual singular line fashion and are delivered from the starwheel in groups.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the continuous and automatic manufacture of both glazed and unglazed split tiles by accepting automatically produced uncured newly cut and/or stamped split tile and thereafter automatically glazing and/or hacking same for kiln firing. A first conveyor system is provided where previously cut unglazed split tiles are placed on a conveying system in a spaced-apart fashion, and moved to a transfer position. Thereafter, a whole row of the unglazed spaced-apart split tiles are transferred to a grouping table where layers for a hack are formed by a plurality of adjacent transferred rows. Each layer is subsequently transferred to a kiln car and oriented 90.degree. with respect to the just previously deposited layer so as to maintain the desired spaced relationship in the final hack. A second alternative conveying system is also provided in the preferred exemplary embodiment which moves unglazed split tiles individually through a glazing area where both sides are glazed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for precision placement of a workpiece onto a transport member. A plurality of workpieces are aligned in a predetermined spacial relationship upon an infeed conveyor. The workpieces are then moved transversely off the conveyor and dropped through a pair of counter-rotating lubricating rollers. An arcuate chute directs the workpieces from the lubricating rollers to a horizontally disposed planar surface where they are realigned by a cooperating scraper positioned intimately above. Relative movement between the scraper and the planar surface causes the workpieces to be discharged from the surface and precisely deposited upon the transport member.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting containers to and from a working station comprises at least one intermittently rotatable transporting disc provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced cutouts, which preferably extend in radial direction from the periphery of the transporting disc into the latter, and having each a length to receive two containers, while providing a clearance space for moving the containers in radial direction away from each other. The apparatus includes further means for feeding the containers into the cutouts, means, spaced in circumferential direction of the transporting disc from the feeding means, to discharge the containers from the cutouts, a working station between the feeding and the discharging means, and guide means for moving the containers in each cutout, during their movement from the feeding means to the working station, to space the containers at a predetermined distance from each other necessary for an operation to be performed thereon at the working station.

Abstract: Apparatus for pushing a row of glass containers from a cross-conveyor onto a lehr mat in which containers being pushed have their finish portions stabilized by both a forward and rearward positioned angle iron movable with the pushing member and mounted to the pusher mechanism that reciprocates during operation.A cam member contacts the rear portion of the spring-biased stabilizing member-mounting arms causing the bar to stop moving rearwardly as the pushing member is retracted so that the stabilizing member does not enter or cross the path of the next row of containers.

Abstract: A system for conveying molded bricks known as briquettes from a press to a bed plate wherein the briquettes are each conveyed by a plurality of spaced parallel belts to above a conveyor which carries the bed plates under the briquettes supported by the conveyor belts. An inclined substantially coplanar conveyance track which includes elongated rollers has its after portion periodically raised whereby the rollers located in the after portion penetrate upwardly between the belts carrying the briquettes thus lifting the briquettes from the belt. A removal mechanism pushes the briquettes down the rollers of the conveyance track onto a removal plate which pivots with the conveyance track and extends therefrom at a slight incline, the briquettes being received by the main conveyor carrying the bed plates whereby the briquettes are pushed over the conveyance track and onto the bed plate.

Abstract: A novel and improved brick setting machine as disclosed, which is operable to automatically produce stacks of green brick suitable for firing and which have a high degree of stability to permit their being transported from one location to another by fork lift trucks or the like. The stack includes a plurality of grids of brick, some of which consist of lengthwise aligned rows of brick spaced from each other by longitudinal lanes and crosswise rows of aligned brick, extending perpendicular to the lengthwise rows wherein at least some of the brick in the crosswise rows are spaced from each other to form lateral lanes. The patterns within the grids are arranged so that the lateral and lengthwise lanes are superimposed so that the patterns of lengthwise brick and crosswise brick can be consolidated into the desired grids by automatic means including grippers which extend along the longitudinal and lateral lanes.