Abstract: A device for loading and distribution of articles or material to be packaged in a packaging machine comprising an upper hopper for receiving the articles, a series of radial channels for conveying the articles towards peripheral points of collection of portions of articles a unit for distribution of the articles received via the hopper means to the conveying channels placed above said conveying channels, and drive means, provided for rotating the distribution unit around a vertical axis in order to consent the transfer of the articles to the conveying channels. In the device the distribution unit further comprises at least a first and a second distribution element extending radially and connected to each other in order to rotate together.

Abstract: An automated system for individual dosage medication distribution 10 is provided. The system 10 includes a medium rate dispenser 20, a fast rate dispenser 30, a low rate dispenser 40, a conveyor 50, a diverter 60, a bagger 70, and collection bins 80 and 85. The dispensers 20, 30, and 40 are arranged to be able to deliver individual dosage packages of drugs to the conveyor 50. The conveyor 50, in turn, is configured to transport individual dosage packages to the bagger 70 or the collection bin 85. A programmable controller 12 receives patient prescription order information from health care providers and directs the dispensers 20, 30, and 40, conveyor 50, diverter 60, and bagger 70 to automatically pick the prescribed medication dosage unit, place it in a transportable package, and label the package for the health care personnel.

Abstract: A medication filling apparatus which is capable of preventing medications from being over-dispensed so as to enable accurate filling operation. The medication filling apparatus is equipped with: a tablet case for holding medications; a dispenser drum for dispensing the medications one at a time from the tablet case as it rotates; a motor for driving and rotating the dispenser drum; a sensor for detecting the medications which have been dispensed; and a controller which starts the motor, counts the dispensed medications according to an output of the sensor, and stops the motor when a predetermined count value is reached. The controller drops the voltage applied to the motor before the predetermined count value is reached and then short-circuits the terminals of the motor when the predetermined count value is reached.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced grooves (24) each formed as a continuous depression arranged in a serpentine and non-intersecting manner. Food (14) is simultaneously fed by a saddle (36, 36') between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). In a preferred form, the saddle (36') is in the form of a block having first and second lower surfaces (118, 120) corresponding to the shape and located adjacent the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20) in their mating side (32).

Abstract: A protective foam cushion-making apparatus dispenses reactive foam components into an interior space between two panels of plastic film to form protective foam cushions. The apparatus includes a supply of plastic film and a film a driving assembly, such as two pliable rollers. A foam component dispensing assembly is interposed between the film panels and injects reactive foam components into the interior space where they are mixed together to form a mass of expandable foam. The plastic film forms a flexible mixing chamber in the area between the two pliable rollers in which the reactive foam components are mixed together after they are dispensed from the foam dispensing assembly.

Abstract: An order selection system is disclosed together with a method of operating the system for retrieving multiple types of items stored in preselected storage locations and delivering retrieved items in an orderly sequence to a plurality of packing stations in accordance with the specific requirements of different orders. The order selection system comprises: a dispenser; a conveyor; a dispensing control system; a sorter; a plurality of stacking devices; and identifying means to identify the end of each order.

Abstract: A device and a method for continuously packing tablets in which the refilling of tablets can be done without stopping the device. The tablet packing machine has a case housing a plurality of tablet feeders. The case is also provided with backup tablet feeders and backup discharge channels through which tablets discharged from the backup tablet feeders are dropped into a hopper in the tablet packing machine. The backup tablet feeders are filled with tablets beforehand. When the stock of tablets in one or some of the tablet feeders decreases to a predetermined level, the backup tablet feeders containing the same kind or kinds of tablets are activated to discharge tablets from these backup feeders. Thus, it is possible to continuously discharge tablets and thus to pack tablets continuously without interruption.

Abstract: A drug packing apparatus capable of packing drug efficiently irrespective of the distances between a drug packing position and drug storage positions. Drugs dropped from one of a plurality of feeders in one of a plurality of feeder units are stopped by a first intermediate impeller. The drugs are then dropped onto a second intermediate impeller, and then into a discharge hole in a hopper and stopped by a hopper cover. By opening the hopper cover, the drugs on the hopper cover drop into the folded packing sheet. By rotating heater rollers by 180.degree., a pouch is formed with the drugs packed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are providing for shredding and loading pre-portioned quantities of products, typically food products such as cheeses. The food product or the like is shredded at an on-line location which is a component of a filling and sealing line by which a plurality of pockets of packaging components are filled and then sealed under vacuum or gas-flushed conditions. The resulting pre-portioned shredded or grated product is moved into one of the pockets of the packaging component prior to the sealing operation. This movement is coordinated and in timed sequence with a conveyor assembly which properly positions the pocket under the fixture through which the grated product flows. Tamping equipment can be provided by which the grated product is leveled off while it is within the pocket and prior to sealing. Multiple pocket filling is also addressed.

Abstract: An automatic packing device for the filling of containers with superimposed layers of products, in particular fruits such as oranges, comprises a transport device capable of dividing the flow of citrus fruits into two separate streams, two separate feed stations suited to arrange each stream of citrus fruits according to a predetermined distribution, a packing station, and gripping elements capable of gripping alternately a layer of citrus fruits square with each feed station, and of effecting their transfer towards the packing station. Each feed station comprises a conveyor belt (8, 9) extending along a descending slope, which is constructed to run in a longitudinal direction opposite to that in which the products are fed, and an interchangeable cradle (10, 11) whose form is suited to ensure that the products endowed with a rotating movement take up position inside the cradle.

Abstract: A goods accommodation method and apparatus in which a container is set such that its opening is directed horizontally, and box-shaped goods are stacked on a slide such that their surfaces facing the opening of the container are aligned with each other. The goods are transferred into the container while they are held in the stacked state by inserting the slide together with the goods stacked thereon into the container and then quickly pulling the slide out of the container at a speed higher than the speed of insertion such that the stacked goods remain in the container. The container is then turned up such that its opening is directed upward.

Abstract: A plurality of different materials which are required for use in a process and which are to be kept separate up to a predetermined stage in the process are supplied with each different material being encapsulated within a plurality of discrete shells, the shells serving to keep the different materials separate from each other. The shells for the different materials are distinguishable from each other so as to permit subsequent sorting of the shells into batches of shells all containing the same material.

Abstract: A more easily useable means for providing dispersed flowable colorant in a coating composition contained in a liddable container which means may have none of several alternative heights. The means comprises dispenser 18 at which a dose of flowable colorant 1 can be introduced into a container 20 which contains a base paint 2. A shaker 24 is provided and is laterally spaced from the dispenser 18. A surface 14 extends from the dispenser 18 to the shaker 24 along which the container can be moved making transfer to the mixing station particularly easy. The means can also include labelling and lidding stations 22, 23 between the dispenser and shaker 18, 24. FIG. 1 .

Abstract: A tablet packing device is proposed which accommodates a plurality of types of tablets and selectively discharges them from feeders for packing. A tablet is discharged from one of the feeders into a hole formed in a pocket plate. Since a shutter plate covers the hole, the tablet bounces on the shutter plate and settles down after a while. Thereafter, the shutter plate is rotated to open the hole to drop the tablet to a hopper. The tablet is then slid down along the inner wall of the hopper and, when a hopper cover provided at the bottom of the hopper is opened, it is dropped further therethrough. After the tablet has reached inside of the packing sheet which is folded into two, it is sealed in one packing bag as the heater rollers rotate. It is possible to save the time required to pack the tablets according to the tablet types by presetting the time required for each type of tablet to settle down from landing and discharging the tablet after lapse of the preset time.

Abstract: A device is provided to combine printed products that are supplied to a folded envelope. A rotating conveying member is equipped with receiving pockets that are distributed over its circumference and can be closed and opened. The receiving pockets have an associated charging station for the envelopes and a supplying station for the enclosures on the opposite side of the conveying member as well as a subsequently connected removal station, with the charging station and the supplying station being connected by means of an undercut conveying region of the conveying member.

Abstract: This present invention relates to an automatic recycling machine and automatic waste disposal system for plural types of household and commercial waste materials which automatically sorts, processes, shreds, crushes, compacts, rinses by cleaning liquid for removal of contamination and dirt from certain washable waste types, packages the waste material, and identifying the package with waste type and waste source by barcode marking.The automatic recycling machine is constructed as an appliance and includes separate fluid power actuation means for each type of recyclable material and non-recyclable waste, and control system to control the recycling process for each waste material type separately. The automatic recycling machine also comprises an operator control panel which includes warning indicators to inform on filled waste package of certain waste material type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging, mixing and delivering bone cement. The apparatus may include a bone cement gun having a flexible container which is able to store at least two components of the bone cement. In this regard, the flexible container includes a first compartment that is able to store one component of the bone cement as well as a second compartment that is able to store the second component of the bone cement. A sealing member temporarily seals the first compartment with the second compartment, the removal of which permits the first and second components to be mixed so as to form the bone cement.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a container with a fluid comprising a fluid supply source having a pump fluidly coupled thereto and electrically interfaced to a controller. Fluidly coupled to the pump is a nozzle valve which is also electrically interfaced to the controller. During the operation of the apparatus, the container is positioned under the nozzle valve, with the controller being operable to fill the container with the first volume of the fluid from the supply source at a first flow rate, and fill the container with the second volume of the fluid at a second flow rate which is lower than the first flow rate.

Abstract: A system for transferring articles between containers to vary the mix of articles in the containers. A plurality of containers are moved to a mixing station and apparatus including a robot removes selected articles from the containers and places them into other of the containers to provide the desired mix of articles. In the arrangement disclosed, the articles are cups and the system is employed to change the color mix of the cups in the containers.

Abstract: A finisher operable with an image forming apparatus for discharging paper sheets coming out of the apparatus and each carrying an image thereon to a plurality of bins while sorting the paper sheets and, if desired, packaging the paper sheets in an envelope. When a pack mode is selected, the size of paper sheets and the sizes of envelopes which are to be fed from a paper cassette or a tray each are sensed by size sensors. Envelopes sizes capable of accommodating the paper sheets of the sensed size are determined and compared with the sensed envelope sizes. Among the determined envelope sizes, the envelope size capable of accommodating the paper sheets of the size sensed by the size sensor in a desired number inputted. When the desired number is too great to be packaged in the envelope, such an occurrence is displayed and/or the pack mode is cancelled.

Abstract: A cartoner assembly loading article groups into open carton sleeves. The cartoner assembly comprises an article infeed mechanism supplying at least one stream of articles, an article selecting mechanism intersecting the article infeed mechanism to form and move a stream of article groups of a predetermined pattern, a carton supply mechanism synchronized and moving parallel with said article selecting mechanism to provide cartons with open ends facing the moving article groups, and an article group transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to move article groups into the open ends of the carton sleeves.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically packaging small cloth articles, such as nylon stockings, in bags. The packaging machine comprises two or more loading conduits each having a loading end and a discharge end. A vacuum system is associated with the conduits for conveying the cloth articles therein. A retention housing is provided at the discharge end of each of the loading conduits to retain the cloth article introduced at the loading end. A piston head is displaced in the conduit at the discharge end to transfer the cloth articles in the retention housings of all of the conduits simultaneously and into an associated discharge container. The containers are mounted on a turret and are displaced, serially, to a discharge position where a predetermined number of articles contained within the containers are transferred into a bag.

Abstract: In a method of packaging freeze dried vaccine in a bypass syringe sterilized syringes are disposed in rows in an aseptic dispensing machine. Doses of a solution or suspension to be freeze dried are introduced into the syringes. A temporary plug is inserted in the same machine into the mouth of the syringe body in a position allowing communication between the interior of the syringe body and the exterior. The syringes are introduced into a freeze drying machine. The vaccine is freeze dried. At the end of the freeze drying cycle the temporary plug is depressed in a controlled atmosphere in the freeze drying machine into a hermetic sealing position. The syringes are transferred into an aseptic dispensing machine. The temporary plug is removed. An intermediate piston-plug is fitted. The dose of solvent is introduced and an end piston-plug is fitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling an open top carton with a liquid product and liquidating the foam generated during the filling of the carton. A plurality of dispensers sequentially fill the carton with the liquid product. A defoamer introduces a spray of high velocity particles into the foam in the container to break down and liquidate the foam. After the foam is dissipated, the top of the carton is sealed.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing sealed postal mails or other sealed envelope assemblies using a discrete envelope blanks split from an envelope-forming continuous sheet, an intermediate element split from an intermediate element-forming continuous sheet and additional inserting elements, both having sizes adapted to be enclosed within the envelope blank. The apparatus includes a reader for reading an encoded data preliminarily printed on the intermediate elements that produces an output signal corresponding to the number of insert sheet elements to be enclosed together with the intermediate elements. A grouping station is provided for stacking the insert sheets successively supplied to be enclosed together with the intermediate elements. The grouping station is activated in response to the output signal from the reader. A feeder is provided for feeding a selective collection of inserting elements and intermediate elements from the grouping station to an envelope folding.

Abstract: A filler pipe for a packing machine for consecutively filling a traveling and continuous series of connected packing container blanks, with a liquid product such as yogurt, and a separate jam product, without mixing the two types of product. This filler pipe is used in conjunction with blanks formed of two joined webs and provides sealing of the filled packing containers. The invention utilizes a nozzle with multiple filling paths each of which passes product to at least one of the packing container blanks. The nozzle receives the liquid product from a flat shaped larger delivery pipe, and the jam product from a smaller delivery pipe parallel to the larger pipe. The smaller pipe, which may be located inside or on the outer wall of the large pipe, is placed at a predetermined distance above the junction of the larger delivery pipe and the nozzle. In this way each container is first filled with its share of jam product and then with the liquid (yogurt) product with no mixing of the two products.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing discrete articles such as pieces of fruit for a fruit cocktail in a continuously moving line of containers including a circular receptacle having a bottom and a confining rim, the bottom being formed with circular openings adjacent the rim, a plate underlying the receptacle which is imperforate except for a hole in a delivery position and on the circle of said openings to release one or more of such articles to a container, and container transport means including a helical transport underlying the receptacle and moving the containers in a straight line such that each container aligns with the hole in the plate and an opening in the receptacle for receiving one or more articles. Such apparatus preferably is modular with driving means for the receptacle and driving means for the containers which are connectable to and disconnectable from like driving means of other modules. Preferably also a means is provided to adjust the level of the receptacle during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: The process has a first phase of temporary subdivision of a container in a plurality of sectors, each assigned to contain a powder of different characteristics, through means of temporary subdivision, a second phase of filling such sectors, a third phase of partial pressing operation of such powders, a fourth phase for removing said means of temporary subdivision and a fifth phase of final pressing. The above process is executed with an apparatus including a frame which, by means of tubular cells, defines said subdivision sectors of the container. Said cells are connected to means for the feed and the controlled delivery of said powders and pressing pistons translate in them.

Abstract: Segmented cosmetic articles are made by positioning an empty pan at the bottom of a sleeve having interior partitions forming separate compartments or chambers extending longitudinally the full extent of the sleeve, with each compartment being adapted to receive a corresponding charge of loose powder (each preferably of different color) through the end of the sleeve distal with respect to the pan. A ram or piston assembly havin solid segments conforming in shape to each separate chamber then is slidably received within the sleeve through the opening through which loose powder is admitted, and telescopically advanced relative to the sleeve toward the pan at other end thereof sufficient to pre-press or partially compress the powder charge into the pan. By this action, all segments of powder corresponding to the charge in each chamber of each sleeve, respectively, are partially compressed simultaneously.

Abstract: A pellet collating system includes a tray positioning station located adjacent a pellet collating line with a tray transfer robot located therebetween. The tray positioning station has mobile carts lodged thereat, some supporting pellet supply trays and others supporting pellet storage trays. Pellets on one supply tray and later placed on one storage tray are of the same enrichment. Pellet enrichments on some trays are different from on others. The collating line includes pellet input, work and output stations arranged in tandem. The robot is operable to transfer supply and storage trays one at a time to and from the positioning station and the respective input and output stations. An input sweep head is operable for sweeping pellets onto the work station from a supply tray on the input station. A gripping and measuring head is operable for measuring a desired length of pellets on the work station and then separating the measured desired length of pellets from the remaining pellets, if any.

Abstract: A production apparatus comprises a step-wise driven conveyor adapted to receive articles to be subjected to different operations. Along the conveyor operative devices are arranged for carrying out the different operations to which the articles are to be subjected. The operative devices having comparatively short operation periods are stationarily arranged along the conveyor, whereas at least two operative devices having comparatively long operation periods, are movably arranged along the conveyor so as to follow the conveyor while the conveyor makes at least one step and then to be moved one such step opposite to the direction of movement of the conveyor. By such doubling of the operative device or devices having long operation periods, an increased capacity of the production apparatus is achieved. The production apparatus can be used in producing ice cream coronets.

Abstract: To fill a container and produce and package portions of spreadable food products in multiple layers, such as differing types of processed cheeses, an apparatus is provided which has means for metering the spreadable food products, compartments for the separate and alternate shaping of layers of differing products and means for ejecting and guiding the layers into a container. Units are also provided for preparing the container upstream of the filling apparatus and for applying a tear strip to the container, and units are provided for applying lids and for sealing the filled container downstream of the filling apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for feeding beverage cans to open-ended carrier sleeves of varying capacities. When loading relatively small carrier sleeves, inboard conveyors and associated metering screws feed groups of cans to a flight bar conveyor which moves the groups through the open ends of the carrier sleeves. When loading relatively large carrier sleeves, outboard conveyors and associated metering screws are also operated after first replacing the inboard screws with screws able to separate cans into larger groups, the same size as those formed by the outboard screws. This arrangement feeds larger groups of cans which are then fed to the larger carrier sleeves. In one embodiment each conveyor comprises a longer upstream conveyor and a shorter downstream conveyor spaced a short distance therefrom to allow the flight bars to travel through the space between the conveyors when moving from the end of their upward run to the beginning of their horizontal downstream run.

Abstract: A container filling machine having a parallel series of elongated slats for movement in a closed path in a direction generally transverse to their length. The slats have cavities carrying articles such as capsules, tablets, caplets, etc. and deliver the same to a first set of horizontally extending chutes which in turn deliver the same to a second set of chutes there beneath. The first set of chutes is fixed with the second set of chutes being adapted for a "shuttle" or reciprocating movement so as to alternately deliver the articles to first and second rows of containers therebeneath. An associated conveyor has single and double container sections with a gate which alternately directs the containers to the first and second rows of containers in the double row section. Similarly, a pair of lead screws at the container filling station alternately assist in delivery, hold the containers in position for filling and thereafter discharge the filled containers.

Abstract: To produce and package portions of spreadable food products, for example differing types of processed cheese, in multiple layers, the layers are shaped individually in shaping compartments by keeping them separate and, while being ejected, they are guided individually to the bottom of a pre-shaped shell and substantially all traces of spread are eliminated from the shaping compartments.The apparatus comprises a unit for the separate metering of each group of layers of the same nature (7), for the separate and alternate shaping of the layers, for the ejection and guidance of the layers into the shell (5, 6); units for applying a tear strip for quick opening (2, 3) and for stamping a shell (4) upstream of the metering unit (5) and, downstream thereof, units for applying lids (11), for following back the edges (12), for fixing the edges (13) and for removing the packaged portion (14).

Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus for cutting out discs or another shape of material in fibre form, for example cotton, and for cutting out and closing small bags filled with said discs, by a cover of the same shape, the apparatus being provided with a punch member co-operating with a die receiving a first sheet of cotton to be cut out, which is entrained with a translatory stepping movement.

Abstract: An automatic X-ray film unloading and loading apparatus is actuated by sensing indicia on the cassette to perform various operations on the cassette and/or the film therein.

Abstract: A load orienting receptacle for a carton loading machine for use in loading lightbulbs into an open end of a carton. The receptacle has a trough in which a slipway extends to an open discharge end. The slipway has an open upper end for admitting a lightbulb to a load orienting portion thereof spaced inwardly from the discharge end. The load orienting portion has opposite sides which converge downwardly to form a downwardly directed laterally inclined chute. The opposite sides are spaced from one another a sufficient distance to support the bulbous end of a light bulb above the bottom of the trough while permitting the narrow end thereof to be laterally deflected as it passes downwardly along the chute to come to rest in the trough thereby to laterally offset the narrow end with respect to the bulbous end of the bulb prior to discharge through the open discharge end of the trough.

Abstract: A carton filling system is provided for continuously and substantially uniformly filling a succession of cartons with a product for shipping. The system is uniquely adapted for handling irregular-shaped products, such as frozen parfried potato strips, for filling the cartons to have a maximum bulk density, and thereby maximize the quantity of product which can be contained in the cartons. The system is embodied in apparatus and method for orienting the product prior to and during filling of the cartons.

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.