Abstract: A continuous molding machine (10) for forming two chains (55) of soil plugs (50) for use in germinating seeds or otherwise growing plants. A continuous sheet of paper (22) is corrugated to conform to a series of mold elements (14) and a reaction mixture (32) of polymerizing agent and soil slurry is added over the paper to conform to the mold element shape. Another sheet of paper (38) is added over the top of the mixture (32) and the entire assembly is then passed under a series of pressure belts (42, 44, 46) during which time the mixture (32) is cured. The chain of soil plugs (50) which emerges from the pressure belts (42, 44, 46) is encased on both sides by paper (22, 38) and may be cut to provide a pair of separate soil plug chains (55).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pill dispensing machine which can selectively dispense a plurality of different medications into preformed recesses in a plastic strip. The machine includes data entry means for entering the various types of medications to be dispensed and the time and date at which such medications are to be administered to the patient. The machine controls a plurality of dispensing devices to dispense into each of the recesses one or more pills associated with a particular time and date for administration. The machine also includes printing means for printing the date and time of administration onto a backing label adapted to cover the recesses to form a wholly contained pill container. The machine also includes a conveyor mechanism for moving the plastic strips past the dispensing means and the label applying area so that, at the output of the machine, completed packages of pills ready for administration at the specified printed time can be given to the patient.

Abstract: Small articles, particularly chocolate and candies, are placed in predetermined positions in a receiver, such as deep-drawn compartmented boxes. The articles (1) are assigned coordinate positions (90) in the receiver, in X-Y coordinate system. The receivers (2) are transported at a predetermined, preferably speed passed an insertion station, where the articles are moved in a predetermined insertion path (47) transversely to the X direction of movement of the receivers. The movement of the articles and the transport speed of the receivers are synchronized. To permit placement of the articles at selected X coordinate positions, a temporal phase shift is introduced between the movement of the articles in the insertion path and the transport speed of the receivers, for example by changing the position of a cross gear in a differential. The insertion path in the Y direction is predetermined by guide tracks (14, 15) which is shifted bodily in the Y direction by a positioning motor (60, 61).

Abstract: A machine and method for automatically cartoning fruit in the cells of a protective honeycomb, in which the method includes the steps of positioning a foldable carton blank at a first station, disposing an expanded honeycomb defining a plurality of open cells over the blank, depositing articles such as fruit in the cells to form a fruit-filled honeycomb on the blank, and forming the carton blank into a base portion and side and end portions closely embracing the periphery of the fruit filled honeycomb, thereby to form a self-supporting fruit containing carbon.

Abstract: X ray films are withdrawn from a drawer type magazine positioned above an X ray film cassette unloading station. The films drop down freely from the magazine through a hopper and towards the said X ray cassette. The hopper comprises two substantially U shaped guide elements, one placed opposite the other in such a way as to form two channels along which slide the edges of the two opposite sides of each individual film. One of the elements is fixed, while the other is supported in a sliding fashion by the frame of the machine. The sliding element is able to undergo, in the direction of the fixed guide element, a two way displacement, and is connected to a pusher device provided on the machine for positioning the X ray cassette inserted into the unloading station, up against an abutment member located on the same side of the machine as the fixed guide element.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing tape cassettes or the like together with supplements into hinged boxes including a turret which is arranged to rotate step-by-step about a horizontal axis and containing holding means for the hinged boxes. The hinged boxes are fed from below into one of the holding means in a hinged box insertion station which lies essentially vertically below the axis of rotation of the turret. In a cassette and supplement insertion station lying essentially horizontally in the plane of the axis of rotation of the turret, tape cassettes and supplements are supplied and inserted into an at least partially opened hinged box. An ejection station is positioned essentially horizontally in the plane of axis of rotation of the turret and is offset by approximately 180.degree. relative to the cassette and supplement insertion station. The holding means comprise two pivotal flaps which can be selectively brought into different positions in the various stations.

Abstract: Packing apparatus for packing layers of cylindrical articles in a container. The apparatus includes means for accumulating a layer of alternately staggered lines of cylindrical articles arranged end-to-end at a pickup position. The apparatus also includes means for making vacuum contact with each article and transferring the entire layer to the container where it is released and forms a tightly packed flat layer. The packing apparatus also includes means for folding back the top flaps of each empty container as it is conveyed to the loading station.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning inserts relative to a product on a product chain prior to packaging the product in a product container, the apparatus includes insert transport belts for conveying the inserts to an insert pincer chain adapted to position the inserts relative to the product prior to release of the inserts from the insert pincer chain. The insert pincer chain is positioned below the product chain. The insert pincer chain is directed along the side of the product chain in a transfer zone at which the inserts are transferred from the insert pincer chain to the product chain.

Abstract: A semi-automated apparatus and method for filling a basket with loose, fresh spinach and ice, compacting the spinach into the volume of the basket and retaining the spinach within the basket until a cover is secured thereon. The spinach and ice are gravity fed through a hopper and hollow, cylindrical guide, and a plunger is lowered through the guide to compress the spinach into an open basket directly below. The plunger face is grooved to accommodate a plurality of rods which are axially (longitudinally) advanced through the grooves and serve to hold the spinach in the basket as the plunger is retracted. The filled basket, with the retaining rods in place, is moved to a position laterally of the guide and a cover is secured in the usual manner by placing the wire basket handles over tabs extending from the circular cover. The rods are then axially retracted from between the spinach and basket cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for enumerative display and disposal of surgical sponges comprising a circular one piece molded plastic article adapted to be fit over the rim of a standard surgical kick bucket and a bag placed in the kick bucket. The article bears a predetermined number of notches in its upper portion for display of sponges draped over the notches, so that when each notch bears a sponge, the number of used sponges on the article is known. The article contains a number of other features including a circumferential fluid receiving portion, shoulder portions, and a tapered annular channel portion to receive a bucket handle, and tapered projections in the notch portions to improve retaining engagement of the sponges. The article is designed to be nestable for easy packaging, sterilizable, inexpensive, and disposable.

Abstract: A machine and method which serves to introduce measured amounts of different items (e.g., pieces of different fruits) into containers such as cans or jars. Features of the machine and method include high filling speed, straight-line movement of means carrying separate measured amounts of the items, volumetric measuring pockets that are adjustable, and simplicity of construction and operation. Preferably the machine also incorporates means for orienting, slicing, and depositing a predetermined number of cherry halves into the containers.

Abstract: A box packing machine and process for packing a shipping box such as a carton with a group of containers such as bottles and cans smoothly without interference between separators and containers. Separators are placed at predetermined positions inside an intermediate box, and a group of containers transported in a matrix form with certain raws and columns and lying on a conveyor are loaded into the intermediate box. Then the containers and separators thus loaded in the intermediate box are transferred into a shipping box such as a carton as a unit and without changing their relative positional relationship. Containers are originally transported upright and in a single line, and they are laid down onto another conveyor every predetermined number whereby containers being laid down are supported on both sides.

Abstract: Device for inserting tape cassette or the like and enclosures particularly into hinged boxes, having devices for feeding the boxes, for opening the boxes, for feeding and inserting the cassettes and enclosures into the open boxes and for closing and pushing out the filled boxes and having a revolving head with holding devices for the boxes. The holding devices for the boxes are arranged at the periphery of the horizontally revolving head and the holding devices hold the boxes tangentially to the periphery of the revolving head. The axis of rotation extends horizontally from the cover and bottom of the boxes and is directed tangentially to the periphery of the revolving head. The holding devices have non-stationary devices rotating together with the revolving head for opening and closing the boxes during the rotation of the revolving head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a casing loaded with a plurality of articles such as small-sized electronic parts for use in the electronic industries, which ensures that the stored parts will be positively and stably aligned in the casing without the possibility of any play or disorientation from their regular positioning within the casing. The casing is provided with a single piece resilient element which is inserted into the casing, the resilient element being designed to resiliently expand against the inner wall surface of the casing to frictionally engage therewith. Thereafter, a plurality of parts are inserted one after another into the casing so that they become stacked in a serially aligned manner inside the casing against the resilient force of the resilient element, thus preparing a casing loaded with a plurality of parts therein stacked in a serially end-to-end resting state.

Abstract: A machine and method which serves to introduce measured amounts of different items (e.g., pieces of different fruits) into containers such as cans or jars. Features of the machine and method include high filing speed, straight-line movement of means carrying separate measured amounts of the items, volumetric measuring pockets that are adjustable, and simplicity of construction and operation. Preferably the machine also incorporates means for orienting, slicing, and depositing a predetermined number of cherry halves into the containers.