Abstract: Apparatus for separating articles supplied by a plurality of supply lines, into a plurality of groups and supplying these to a receiving line comprises a plurality of clamping devices at the outlet of the supply lines arranged to clamp the articles, a plurality of support elements arranged as a continuation of the supply lines lower than the outlets removable to release the groups, a plurality of faces reciprocatable between the outlets and an end position which reach the end position after the clamping devices have closed and are returned to the outlet on re-opening of the devices, a plurality of carriers movable between a raised position, immediately beneath the support elements and overlying the receiving line, and a lowered position beneath the line, arranged in their raised position, to receive groups of articles released by the support elements and to release them in their turn into the receiving line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting square articles including conveying a series of articles in a longitudinal direction, stopping the articles in front of a first pusher, transversely pushing a predetermined number of articles into a tapered second pusher, advancing the second pusher a distance equal to the length of the article, and retracting the second pusher. The tapered second pusher includes a stepped configuration of a plurality of stages, each stage having longitudinal and transverse sides which are respectively about the same size as the length and width of the article and at least one of the stages in the middle being omitted. A first stopper provided in front of the omitted stage prevents the articles from entering into the omitted stage and a second stopper provided in front of the first stopper prevents the articles in front of the omitted stage from being pushed out of the tapered second pusher.

Abstract: An accumulating magazine is provided for use with a conveyor system including an accumulation area for use alongside a conveyor system. There is a magazine including a plurality of channels generally aligned with and suspended above the conveyor system and accumulation area; the magazine is moved laterally of the conveyor system one channel at a time to move a channel from over the conveyor system to over the accumulation area and to move a channel from over the accumulation area to over the conveyor system. A gate controls the flow of product in and out of the conveyor system next to the accumulation area. Indication is provided when the magazine is full and when it is empty and the number of articles on the conveyor system next to the accumulation area is counted.

Abstract: A transfer system for use in machinery having stations for forming, filling and sealing cartons. The transfer system includes a turret having a hub and a number of spaced radial mandrels received by carton blanks, for use in forming the carton. A main conveyor conveys formed cartons to filling and sealing stations of the machinery. The transfer system includes a transfer conveyor, disposed between the turret and the main conveyor, which receives formed cartons one at a time, from the turret and holds at least one of the formed cartons in alignment with the main conveyor. The transfer system also includes mechanisms for stripping cartons, one at a time, from the mandrels and for transferring a plurality of cartons simultaneously to the main conveyor. A method of transferring cartons from an indexing turret to an indexing main conveyor using an indexing transfer conveyor, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for arranging cross-wound packages, wound on a spinning machine, upon an auxiliary transport belt which is aligned with a main transport belt extending longitudinally of the spinning machine and serving for carrying away the cross-wound packages. One end of the auxiliary transport belt adjoins one neighboring confronting end of the main transport belt. A detector is actuated by the cross-wound packages moved by the transport belt and initiates starting of the auxiliary transport belt upon the arrival of a cross-wound package. Also, there is provided a stopping device for the auxiliary transport belt, whereby the latter is stopped after it has moved through a distance at least approximately equal to the bobbin length. The currently known continuous sliding of the transport belt under the full cross-wound packages is thus avoided.

Abstract: A case feeder conveyor system is provided with an accumulation conveyor and a central conveyor which is located on an elevator, the accumulation conveyor, at a transfer station, is provided with a pusher bar that extends the length of the accumulation conveyor whereby a predetermined number of cases on this conveyor can be transferred to the central conveyor at one time.

Abstract: Selected products moving along an input path are diverted to one of a plurality of output paths for stacking. A rotating drum is positioned between the input path and the output paths, and a plurality of vacuum pucks are mounted on the drum for transverse sliding movement parallel to the axis of rotation. As the puck moves in an arcuate plane between the input path and the output paths, a cam moves the pucks transversely from alignment with an input path into alignment with one of a plurality of output paths.

Abstract: A method of grouping items comprises the steps of advancing the items in an edgewise supported, upright oriented, face-to-face series on a supply conveyor; and advancing the items from the supply conveyor on a receiving trough for forming thereon an item stack of a predetermined length measured parallel to the advance of articles on the receiving trough. Further, simultaneously with the last-named step, a collector slide is advanced on the receiving trough in engagement with a leading item of the article stack. The length of each item stack is determined jointly by first signals representing the length of travel of the collector slide on the receiving trough and by second signals representing the number of items on the receiving trough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combinatorial weighing apparatus for combining weight values of articles to-be-weighed respectively placed on a plurality of juxtaposed weighing machines, selecting a combination of the articles having a weight equal or closest to a target weight and delivering the selected articles. Such combinatorial weighing apparatus comprises pushing members which can move frontward and backward on respective bowls of the plurality of juxtaposed weighing machines, a driver unit which selectively moves the pushing members frontward and backward, these pushing members corresponding to the weighing machines with the selected batches of the articles placed thereon, and a conveyor which is disposed along the juxtaposed weighing machines and which conveys the batches delivered by the pushing members.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus, having a plurality of juxtaposed weighing machines each of which is provided with a scale, for weighing articles supplied to the weighing machine scales, selecting the combination of articles that gives a total weight equal or closest to a preset target weight, and discharging the articles so selected.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously transferring a plurality of stacks of sliced or bulk food product from a holding station, such as the output of a slicing and stacking machine, to a receiving station, or the like, for loading and packaging of the food product. The device includes a rapidly and continuously operating accumulating conveyor for transferring a plurality of stacks from the holding station to a transfer station, and a shuttle-like, product-engaging member mounted proximate the transfer station for rapid, reciprocating movement transverse to the conveyor for transferring the plurality of stacks from the transfer station to a loading station. The product-engaging member has a plurality of concave portions, each formed to receive one stack of the plurality of stacks of product.

Abstract: Batches of biscuits are fed to a wrapping machine by a continuously moving infeed conveyor including a series of pusher bars. The batches are fed simultaneously from a number of magazines, disposed alongside the conveyor and pitched closer together than the pusher bars, to a common carrier which then moves to a discharge position above the conveyor. The batches are dropped sequentially from the carrier onto the conveyor under the control of air valves.

Abstract: A grouping apparatus for articles, in which articles conveyed from plural wrapping machines or plural production equipment are respectively transferred through the feeding conveyors to grouping conveyors driven intermittently and grouped as a group in a row on the conveyor. The groups in rows are then grouped for loading a tray and conveyed to a tray loader.

Abstract: A load of filled containers to be cased is assembled into a caseload by moving the containers in a column to a loading station at one end of a normally stationary conveyor. A control device determines when a complete caseload row is accumulated at the loading station and causes a platen to sweep such row laterally onto the conveyor and to thereafter permit a second row to accumulate at such loading station. A second control device determines when an appropriate number of rows of containers have accumulated on the conveyor to form a caseload and then causes the conveyor to be driven to carry the completed caseload away from the loading station and in spaced-apart relation to other caseloads so that the operator may easily and quickly fit an open case over the caseload.

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: A takeoff-delivery mechanism for cup-like containers is provided with a pusher device that is operated repeatedly to remove stacks containing a predetermined number of containers from the front of a horizontal supply stack while containers are being fed to the rear thereof. Initially, each removed stack is fed to a horizontal delivery device which is then pivoted by moving its front end upward until the delivery device is generally vertical. The removed stack is discharged from the delivery device through the now downwardly facing rear thereof into a receiving device where the removed stack remains generally vertical.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a stream of individual product such as diapers into predetermined count stacks and including a closed chain loop accumulator having differing speed input and output drives.

Abstract: A can handling system for transporting cans with an open end through an oven for drying of printed material applied to the exterior of the can comprising, a plurality of free-standing can carriers, each having a base and an upstanding member centrally thereof to engage within a can and hold a can in inverted position and with the base and upstanding member being of a size to position a can to prevent contact between two cans when a pair of can-carrier bases are in contact, transport structure for advancing cans sequentially at uniformly spaced intervals to a loading station, conveying and synchronizing structure for advancing can carriers sequentially to said loading station to have the can engaging members of the can carriers at the same spacing as the cans arriving at the loading station whereby cans may be transferred sequentially to sequential can carriers, and conveyor structure for conveying the can carriers to an oven in single-file relation and thereafter moving the can carriers and cans through the o

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting filled bag-like containers into despatch or display boxes, cartons or the like, comprising the steps of feeding the containers to a conveying system which has a plurality of compartments for receiving the containers, each compartment extending transversely to the conveying direction conveying the containers to an ejector station, ejecting a preselected number of containers at the ejector station from said compartments to a buffer store where initially the containers are loosely arranged, subsequently pressing the containers in the buffer store closely against each other, moving the tightly packed containers into a position directly in front of the opening of a carton to be filled and loading the tightly packed containers into the opened carton.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for the formation of a single row of regularly spaced discrete modules of thin products such as biscuits stacked face to face, from several rows of continuously moving products. As each row of products enters the apparatus, a module of products having a predetermined length is separated from the leading end of the row and is transferred into a pair of carrier fingers which supports the module of products. A module is formed at the end of each row in a timed sequence and the modules of products are then moved through a set of delivery channels by the carrier fingers into a common outlet channel.

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: The production of blocks of rod-shaped articles such as cigarettes from a single row of such articles comprises forming the single row of articles into groups of articles, and each group of articles into sub-groups of articles. Each sub-group of each group of articles is disposed in a respective horizontal plane and in a stepped relationship, and then the sub-groups in each group is disposed in vertically overlying relationship to form a respective block of each group of articles. The sub-groups in each group may be disposed in vertically overlying relationship by means including a plurality of elements disposed above one another and each provided with a plurality of the apertures to receive the sub-groups. A cam member may be provided which upon rotation thereof causes the elements to dispose the sub-groups into blocks of articles. Instead of using such elements a plurality of conveyor belts each disposed in a respective horizontal plane may be employed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the packaging of comestibles and other materials in individual cup-shaped containers has a cup-discharge station at the end of a conveyor at which the filled cups are removed from respective receptacles in the conveyor. Individual lifting plates below the conveyor raise the cups into an array of grippers which are relatively displaceable in two mutually perpendicular directions so that, when the array is displaced from alignment with the lifter plates, the inter-cup spacing can be reduced.

Abstract: Glass containers received on a machine conveyor which passes a plurality of forming machine sections and receives the ware from the sections is coordinated in its relationship to the machine sweepouts, such that a gap is provided periodically in the row of ware carried by the machine conveyor. A bottle-transfer device which transfers the ware from the machine conveyor to a cross-conveyor is operated so that it also will maintain the gap that is provided in the line of ware. The ware on the cross-conveyor moves in line across the open-receiving end of the lehr and is pushed from the cross-conveyor onto the moving lehr mat. By providing a gap in the line of ware, the lehr loader pusher bar may be operated more slowly than in the past and to thereby provide a more stable transfer of ware from the cross-conveyor to the lehr.

Abstract: A feed system for trays for rod-like articles such as cigarettes in which trays are removed from a conveyor (such as a trolley) at one level, moved to another level at which they are advanced to a loading (or unloading) position, and moved back to the first level (after loading or unloading) before being returned to the conveyor. Trays may be loaded or unloaded while moving stepwise between levels and may be removed from and returned to the conveyor along separate parallel paths.

Abstract: A continuous column of articles, which are individually non-uniform in weight, is divided into a series of column segments each of which has a uniform predetermined weight. The articles in the continuous column are fed by an infeed conveyor onto an intermediate conveyor one at a time. The belt of the intermediate conveyor is carried by the platform of a scale so that the cumulative weight of the articles on the intermediate conveyor is monitored. When the weight reaches a predetermined value, a pusher is activated to push the group onto an outflow conveyor which is parallel to the intermediate conveyor and is driven in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Coil core magazine assembly for conical or cylindrical coil cores disposed mutually adjacent one another includes a coil core magazine, means for loading the magazine with coil cores, and means for removing coil cores from the magazine, the magazine having a plurality of axially parallel coil core holders disposed in a given plane and loadable with coil cores in axial direction of the coil cores, and a coil core feeding device operatively connected to the coil core holders for feeding the coil cores loaded in the coil core holders to the coil core removing means in a direction transverse to the axial direction of the coil cores.

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 packing articles, particularly bottles, in units each consisting of a plurality of parallel rows of articles, each row comprising a plurality of articles, in side-by-side contact, and with the rows in contact, comprising means for collating articles into said units and sleeve-wrapping the units. Each unit of articles, as formed, is deposited on a conveyor and conveyed thereby through a sealing station, means being provided for supplying webs of heat-sealable wrapping material to lie under and over each unit, and for sealing the webs together at the sealing station to form a sleeve of the material around each unit. In collating cylindrical bottles (or other cylindrical articles), the rows are staggered for nesting of the bottles to reduce the voids in the units.

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: Switches in an electrical control circuit are disposed in the path of bales being loaded by a pair of conveyors, and these switches control the operation of the conveyors such that bales are loaded on a platform and selectively positioned with the leading end of a first bale flush with one end of the platform and the trailing end of a following bale flush with the other end of the platform. Relays and a solenoid-operated valve are also utilized in the electrical control circuit to control operation of the conveyors as well as a pusher mechanism that moves bales in a row laterally when a row has been loaded with their opposite ends flush with the ends of the platform. Since the ends of the bales are flush with the ends of the platform, a stack of bales can be formed with even ends.

Abstract: An improved lehr loading bar for loading newly formed glass containers into an annealing lehr. A series of relatively flat faced liner bars are loaded into a carrier bar having opposed dove tail slides. The liner bars are separated by spacers which also engage the dove tail slides. The space between adjacent spacers defines a pocket into which a glass container may fit for transfer to a lehr. Both liner bars and spacers are made of carbon or carbon graphite material to prevent thermal damage to the hot glass containers when they touch them.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for feeding different type items which are assembled for packaging as a single unit. A plurality of machines comprise the apparatus and each machine deposits items of one type in a row on a conveyor. The items are automatically fed from a trough in the machine and conveyed forward to the depositing position by vibrating V-grooved members. The members are designed to convey only items which are lined-up lengthwise and the thus aligned items are conveyed to a depositing means which properly positions the items in a given row across the conveyor.

Abstract: A live roll conveyor receives randomly supplied upstanding containers, such as cans, and arrests the leading cans with a pattern stop bar having pockets that arrange a transverse row of cans to receive a next assembled row of cans in nesting relation. When a backlog of alternately offset rows of cans extends upstream of an overhead clamp spaced from the pattern bar, the clamp locks two rows of containers to hold back the further upstream containers, and the pattern stop moves downstream so that one assembled charge of nested containers is moved unitarily downstream by the live rolls. A separator or retaining plate with downturned edge flanges is placed on the charge of cans, the pattern stop is further retracted to expose an underlying guide bar and allow the charge to seat against the guide bar, a gate is lowered to allow lateral discharge of the charge of cans, and a sweep arm pushes the charge to a laterally adjacent container basket of a containerized cooker.