Abstract: Apparatus for automatically removing pasta nests from drying frames and introducing such nests into packaging containers are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for interspacing groups of the nests on the drying frames in a checkerboard pattern with respective interspaces between adjacent groups. Also incuded is a mechanism, entering into the mentioned interspaces, for translating the groups of nests in a plane of the groups to respective locations at which the groups respectively pass through an opening transverse to the plane and into packaging containers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact apparatus for loading bulk ammunition into cartridge boxes. The apparatus includes a manifold having side walls, a rear wall and a movable front gate. A bullet pan and a tray pan are indexed beneath guide holes in the manifold. The manifold is vibrated by an adjustable eccentric drive. Loose ammunition is poured onto the manifold and contained on there by the walls and gate. Once the manifold guide holes are substantially filled, the operator moves the front gate to clear off the excess ammunition. The bullet pan and tray pan are then released from spring detents to fill the boxes and remove the boxes from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing flexible packages, comprises separating and aligning the packages (5) transversely from a single feeding line (11) into plural lines (12), centralizing the packages so as to overlap each other partially (13), subsequently, lifting up the packages in centralizing state through vacuum pads (1), and placing them into an open top outer cartons without dropping the packages by gravity so that they are arranged in tiers as stacked in the cartons.

Abstract: To provide for simultaneous wrapping or packaging of products, particularly flat, and especially folded printed products (1), in pockets, a foil or web (29) is pulled from a supply roll in a predetermined path over a plurality of cutter rails (23, 118) associated with pairs of holder elements (42, 42'-50). The so-pulled foil is continuously fed, even after it is stretched over the cutter elements, and a deflection bar or rail is passed between the holder elements to deflect the foil into zig-zag shape, to form reception pockets. The products are introduced into the pockets, the zig-zag shaped pockets are severed along a connection line and welded shut at the sides, as well as along the connection lines, for example by heat welding.

Abstract: Method and device designed for arranging and packing plants and their respective root lumps. The method and device are employed in relation to plants which have grown in a seedling unit containing a large number of plants and soil lumps arranged in a plurality of rows and lines adjacent each other and in uniform rectilinear check pattern. After removal of void soil lumps containing no plants and soil lumps containing badly developed plants, the remaining healthy plants are gripped and placed in channels in the same pattern they were in in the seedling unit with a separate channel for each row. The plants are then conveyed in the channels from an input end towards an output end, and gaps between the plants are eliminated in the channels not later than upon reaching the output end. A certain number of plants so collected are then removed from the channels and placed in a transport container.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing individual containers, for example flower pots, from a nested stack of containers. The apparatus may be used to dispense rows of individual containers into a larger container, for example, a tray. The apparatus includes a first extendable arm for holding the stack of containers in an elevated position within a hollow column adapted to hold the stack of containers vertical, a second extendable arm for wedging the stack of containers, with the exception of the bottom container in the stack, against the side of the column and a third extendable arm for contacting the bottom container in the stack, thereby causing the bottom container to separate from the stack and fall into the tray. The apparatus also includes a wedge disposed within the column, opposite to the second extendable arm for facilitating the exposure of the lip of the bottom container.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for packaging items, for example herring, sardines or similar fishes in cans, is provided. The fish are conveyed at continuous speed lying on a conveyor with a predetermined longitudinal and transversal orientation. The foremost fish on the conveyor is moved while maintaining its orientation to a first compartment in a line of compartments adjacent the path of the conveyor. The next following fish on the conveyor is moved correspondingly to the next following compartment in the line, until the number of fishes in the compartments equals the number of fishes to be canned in one can. The line of compartments is then shifted away from the conveyor to a can, while the fishes are turned around their longitudinal axis within the compartments to a predefined position. Finally, the fishes are pressed out of the compartments and into the can.

Abstract: The invention comtemplates the automatic tagging of seedling transplants which have been or are about to be inserted in the prepared soil within individual cells of matrices (e.g. 3.times.4 matrices of cells). The tags are stacked and retained in individual vertically extending magazines which are above and in transversely spaced array, across the path of the row-by-row indexed conveyor advance of each successive matrix. The tags of each stack are retained by lateral side-edge lug formations of each magazine, at the otherwise open bottom end of the magazine. A tag-picker arm carries an elastomeric suction cup which is configurated, in its horizontal pick-off relation with the bottom face of the bottom tag, to engage and arcuately deform the tag, thus removing or decreasing magazine-lug restraint and affording an initial extracting displacement wherein the arched tag can be downwardly displaced, essentially without shear or other interaction with the next-adjacent and other remaining tags in the magazine.

Abstract: Automatically adjustable lane guide and grid packing systems which provide for automated accommodation of articles of different size in controlling the transport of rows of moving articles.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is custom constructed from standardized modules in order to reduce cost and standardize operational and maintenance procedures. The standardized modules include conveyor chain modules which may be ganged to maintain synchronization of operations. Various types of attached may be attached to the conveyor chain in order to mandrels adapt the machine to load different types of products. A cam pin guides and directs selective transfers of products when both box and product are present and to cancel transfer when one of said box or product is absent. One example of such a customized machine is a machine for loading golf balls.

Abstract: A packing machine for tomatoes or the like has a rear portion with a low backline pressure conveyor arranged into plural lanes divided by tapered walls. The rear portion of the machine is reciprocated sideways so that bulk tomatoes entering the rear of the machine are distributed among the several lanes. Tomatoes are transported to a station where a paddle wheel with flexible arms prevents the forward progress of tomatoes until sensing apparatus determines that a plurality of lane positions are filled by tomatoes. Then a row of tomatoes are discharged through a front chute into a single layer carton. An escrow lane has entry and exit control devices which are responsive to a manually operated switch to add further tomatoes to the carton. The carton is at an incline and reciprocates back-and-forth so that tomatoes nest in a single layer, and are packed more densely thereby. The machine can pack by weight or by count.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing two or more filled and sealed bags of product in a single box, comprising a shuttle embodying two or more chambers for successively receiving the filled and sealed bags from a filling and sealing machine for deposit of the filled and sealed bags into the box.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling cases with a plurality of articles while arranged in a predetermined pattern. The apparatus includes a pair of staging areas disposed on opposite sides of a first station. Each staging area accommodates a predetermined number of articles. Disposed in vertical alignment with and beneath the first station is a second station wherein a predetermined number of cases are disposed. Adjustably mounted above each staging area is a carrier having a plurality of article gripper members. When the predetermined number of articles are accommodated at the staging areas, the gripper members engage the articles and raise same to preliminary stations above the staging areas. While at each preliminary station the gripped articles are arranged in a row and a selected article is segregated from the row and moved relative thereto in a direction towards the other row of gripped articles.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for aligning elongated articles, such as french fried potatoes, includes a bucket for receiving a charge of the articles. Configured with the bucket is a conveyor having an endless belt with a plurality of spaced flights that each receive a portion of the charge. The articles are aligned by the conveyor and presented to a collector bucket configured to store the aligned charge portions prior to discharge to a bagging machine.

Abstract: The apparatus arranges in groups bags, dispensed by an automatic device, arranged one next to the other, and resting on a common same plane. The apparatus comprises a reception station for the bags dispensed by the device superimposed on one another. A conveyor with successive seats moves intermittently below the station, and a multiple expeller intersects the station to introduce the bags contained therein into corresponding housings of the conveyor. Selective control members for the control of said conveyor and of said expeller adapted to establish a correspondence between stepwise advancements of the conveyor seats thereof filled with groups of a preset number of bags.

Abstract: A machine for loading one or more layers of product into a case from the bottom. The machine loads a first layer of received product into a product arrangement area onto an elevator platen. The platen is lowered and a slip sheet is inserted to be the floor of the arrangement area. A subsequent layer of product is arranged on the slip sheet. The slip sheet is withdrawn and the product layer thereon drops onto the layer on the lowered platen. Subsequent layers can be added accordingly. When all of the layers are stacked on the platen, then the elevator platen is raised to insert the stacked product thereon into an open case above the arrangement area. The case may be closed and sealed.

Abstract: An automatic baler for bundling together small, individual food bags that have been previously formed and filled in automatic packers, designed to be arranged in line with the outlet of a packer machine with individual bags sequentially transferred by a moveable piston onto the top of a stacking hopper and arranged firstly in layers of several bags disposed side by side, and secondly to be stacked by superimposing every layer over another, and finally to introduce, again by way of a moveable piston, the stack of layers thus made into a larger bag or box attached to an open mouth of the stacking hopper, allowing in this way a plurality of individual packages to be placed in a condition for ease of handling.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing two or more filled and sealed bags of product in a single box, comprising a shuttle embodying two or more chambers for successively receiving the filled and sealed bags from a filling and sealing machine for deposit of the filled and sealed bags into the box.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packing vials into a case wherein vials are supplied through an infeed system and are organized into longitudinally extending rows defined between guide members. The guide rows or guide channels are adapted to grasp the vial below the neck for suspending it therebelow. The guide shoulders extending below the necks of the vials are not movable with respect to the guide members themselves. The guide assembly includes an inlet end through which vials enter for ordering into rows and the vial output end through which vials are removed upon placement into a case therebelow. The guide assembly is movable between an upper position and a lower position. In the lower position the vials extend to an intermediate position within the case such that removal of the case by the case pusher device will remove the vials from the guide channels and allow them to gently drop into the case as it is removed.

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: To load products, particularly lipsticks or glue sticks, delivered upright from a packing unit, into a plurality of receiving trays, the products are grouped in at least two rows in a segregating station, conveyed in spaced groups to a transfer station, and moved to a filling station into a prepared tray by means of a handling unit equipped with a gripper means. Each tray, filled with products, is removed from the filling station by an output conveyor and is replaced with a similar empty tray while another group of products is formed and moved into the transfer station.

Abstract: The process includes an initial phase in which pieces of fruit in a line are lifted by suction and the line of fruit is then transferred to the packing case with one piece of fruit situated in the central zone of the line being displaced angularly and the remainder of the fruit either side of this central piece being displaced towards the center of the line prior to the entry of the line of fruit into the case. After entry, the pieces of fruit resume their initial position and are deposited in the case and the suction is discontinued. The machinery includes a mechanism having a plurality of vacuum operated suction pads of which the central suction pad can be moved angularly and the remainder have the means to be displaced laterally.

Abstract: In a boxing plant for cones and/or conoids which at its inlet are disposed in groups of a certain number each, an apparatus for feeding groups of cones in an orientated and ordered arrangement to boxes comprises a first section (A) in which groups of cones (11) positioned on a container tray (12) in an essentially horizontal plane are orientated in a predetermined manner on opposite sides so that they all lie with their tails pointing towards the center, and a second section (B) in which they are discharged from the container trays (12) onto racks (15) and the cones (11) on one side are offset relative to the cones on the other side, and then moved while offset onto a central region (16) which can be opened in the manner of a sliding door above boxes (17) and in which the cones (11) disposed side by side in a head-tail arrangement are compacted (18) into matrices (44) having the same dimensions as the boxes and are then allowed to fall into the boxes by opening the sliding door.

Abstract: Reusable plastic trays of the type adapted to transport large plastic soda bottles generally have cylindrical pockets for receiving the base of the bottle, and these pockets are uniformly spaced with respect to one another in each tray, and also with respect to adjacent bottles in adjacent trays at least when the trays are oriented in end-to-end relationship with respect to one another. This feature is one the present invention takes peculiar advantage of providing for orienting the bottles in two columns, and synchronizing bottle and tray movements so that the bottles can be lowered by their neck rings into the upwardly open pockets of the tray without necessity for periodically interrupting forward movement of the containers and of the trays in an improved continuous motion bottle packer especially suited for use with such reusable plastic trays.

Abstract: An improved filling and casing system is disclosed herein, which comprises a case conveying device for conveying cases, a carrier conveying device disposed adjacent to and in parallel to the case conveying device for conveying carriers capable of accommodating and holding containers, an uncasing station including a container gripper movable between the case and the carrier for taking out the containers from the case and accommodating them in the carrier, a filling station including a filling head for performing a filling operation for the containers accommodated and held in the carrier, and a capping station including a capping head for performing a capping operation for the filled containers. The uncasing station, the filling station and the capping station are disposed in succession along the case conveying device and the carrier conveying device.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning nuclear fuel pellets includes an endless belt for advancing nuclear fuel pellets along a generally linear path in a direction generally coincident with their axes and a stopper element disposed in the linear path for stopping advancement of the pellets therealong for assembling pellets in a row. A detector device senses when advancement of a prescribed number of the pellets in a row have been stopped by the stopper element. A feed mechanism is operable for successively feeding pellet holding trays one at a time to a pellet receiving position along the linear path. A panel defines an inclined path extending from the linear path downward to the one tray disposed at the receiving position. An ejector mechanism disposed along the linear path is responsive to the detector device for pushing the assembled row of pellets sidewise from the linear path along the inclined path of the panel to a groove defined in the one tray.

Abstract: A lettuce packing machine for the packing of heads of lettuce in corrugated, carboard cartons is disclosed. A lettuce head holding tray is loaded with lettuce. Thereafter, the tray is utilized to pack cartons. The lettuce head holding trays has discrete lettuce receiving cells upwardly exposed. Each tray contains four columns of cells, each column of cells being three wide for a capacity of 12 heads of lettuce. Each discrete lettuce receiving cell in the tray is defined by four semirigid, flexible sides, which sides extend downwardly and inwardly, are elastically biased and form an inverted pyramid-like profile truncated at an open bottom. The lettuce head holding tray is loaded at a picking station and conveyed to a packing station. When the lettuce head holding tray arrives at the packing station, a packing apparatus having discrete plungers--one for each cell--unloads the tray overlying a box to be packed.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for transporting, lining-up and stowing cylindrical fragile bodies. It promotes efficiency of the stowing operation and ensures sanitation during stowing. Furthermore it disposes cylindrical fragile bodies within receptacles in a compact manner.

Abstract: In the process of packaging letter envelopes and mailing wallets, the packaging batch is counted in the end region of the production machine, and the individual article of the packaging batch corresponding to the specific batch size is at least identified or optionally pushed a certain distance sideways out of the path of movement of the packaging batch in one direction or the other as a counting article. The packaging batch is deposited on a conveyor belt and conveyed away. A stack support keeps the stack approximately vertical on its end face. The stack support is advanced in front of the stack at the conveying speed of the conveyor belt. As soon as the counting article at the end of a stack has arrived at a transfer point which is at a relatively long distance from the production machine, a separating device is introduced into the stack, with the result that the following portion of the packaging batch is temporarily halted.

Abstract: A carton loading machine for use in loading items into a carton of the type which has two load storage compartments which are separated from one another by a divider wall and which has an end wall located opposite the divider wall. The carton loading machine has first and second loading stations arranged in a side-by-side relationship in which a carton is located with its divider wall separating the station. The loading machine has first and second gates mounted above the loading station for movement between a first position in which they are remote from loading station and a second position in which they extend into the first and second loading station respectively, one on either side of a divider wall of a carton to support the divider wall and guide load items into the load storage compartments.

Abstract: The side walls (6, 7) adjacent a vertically reciprocable platform (3) are moved towards each other to compress compressible products (1), such as kitchen paper towels, toliet paper and the like, for introducing them into a plastic bab (B) upon vertical movement of the platform (3). The side walls are coupled through cam follower rollers (6b, 7b) to inclined guide tracks on guide track elements (9, 10), and slidably coupled to move with the platform on a guide rod (8). The angle of inclination of the guide tracks is adjustable, as well as the separation of the guide tracks from each other, so that the degree of compression, as well as the size of the compressed package, can be readily controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically collecting and packing a selected number of units of product in flexible bags into a carton in a vertical orientation. The apparatus includes a collecting assembly for receiving and positioning a row of such units in an inclined position. An assembly is provided to transport the inclined row of units from the collecting assembly to a loading station. The loading station is operable to raise one or more rows transported thereto from their inclined position to a substantially vertical position, then plunge the vertically positioned units into a carton. A controller is provided for synchronizing the relative operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for loading groups of articles into containers includes an infeed conveyor which groups the articles into subgroups which are then selectively reoriented by a turntable-type orienting device. The oriented subgroups are then conveyed to a transfer area where they are accumulated into elements of a predetermined pattern of articles. A pusher sequentially pushes the pattern elements onto the lower reach of a window conveyor disposed at a loading station. A container conveyor runs beneath the window conveyor to deliver an empty container to the loading station, a lifter assembly then raising the empty container to a loading position immediately beneath the support reach. The window conveyor is then operated to drop the pattern of articles through the window thereof into the container.

Abstract: Relatively flexible cookie trays are supported on a rotatable mount. The cookie trays are not solidly supported, but rather are supported along portions beneath, and in between, regions where cookies are to be received. As the trays are relatively flexible, it is important that, for soft cookies, no rigid or hard surface be encountered during the relatively high speed loading operation. In connection with this invention, a cookie separating device is used which includes a pair of fingers holding cookies back and releasing them individually at time intervals. Also included is a conveyor belt feeding directly and selectively to one of two conveyor belts, each conveyor belt being fed having a far end which directly loads empty cookie trays by moving upward or downward relative to the cookie tray as well as extending toward and away from the tray.

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: In a case packing machine, an article transport apparatus for transporting groups of containers from a continuously-running infeed conveyor of the case packing machine to a case loading station is disclosed. The article transport apparatus includes a reciprocating carriage having longitudinally extending bladders which are inflatable for gripping a group of containers to the carriage. The reciprocating carriage moves upstream to encompass a group of containers, and upon inflation of the bladders, the bladders grip the group of containers to the carriage. The carriage then moves downstream, and upon deflation of the bladders, deposits the group of containers at the loading station.

Abstract: A tire handling system capable of automatically performing a series of tire handling operations including sorting of the tires from a production/inspection line according to types and sizes, stacking the sorted tires, and shelving the stacks of tires in frame pallets. The tire handling system incorporates a novel tire supplying device which supplies the sorted tire to the tire stacking device in one-by-one fashion, a tire inverting device disposed between the tire supplying device and the tire stacking device and adapted for selectively inverting tires conveyed along the sorting line, and an automatic tire shelving device for shelving the stacks of tires. These devices have simple constructions but yet are capable of performing the supplying, inverting and shelving operations with a high degree of reliability.

Abstract: Mechanism for taking stacks of hamburger patties from a bottom-fed stacker and depositing them within a container in stacked alignment.

Abstract: A packing machine for American boxes comprising apparatus for supplying empty boxes, apparatus for supplying the contents of the box in batches, apparatus for transferring the batches and placing them in open boxes, and apparatus for discharging the boxes. The apparatus for supplying the empty boxes bears a magazine of folded box blanks and apparatus for opening and erecting the box and forming the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A packing machine for pouches or other flexible container is provided having an indexable conveyor, a feed means which discharges pouches onto said indexable conveyor, a sensing means for indexing the conveyor, a variable stroke vacuum head assembly with a vacuum shroud for transporting and packing the pouches, and means to vary the length of stroke of the vacuum head assembly.

Abstract: Firstly, elongated tape-like articles from a finishing machine are received one by one on a horizontal first pallet above a tray in a bundling or packing station and are then released therefrom the individual article to fall upon receipt. Secondly, the successive articles from the first pallet are received on a horizontal second pallet between the first pallet and the tray to store the articles in stack, and are then released all of the stored articles from the second pallet to fall as a set onto the tray when the number of the stored articles reaches a first predetermined value. When the number of sets of the articles stacked on the tray reaches a second predetermined value, the entire stack of the articles are bundled or packed and are then removed from the tray.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for facilitating the rapid hand packing of fragile ingredients such as used in salads. Mechanisms are provided to transport empty containers to a filling station, introducing the ingredients by a hard raking procedure into the container and then further moving the containers to a weighing station and finally passing them for sealing and packaging. Facilities are included so that containers of a number of different sizes can be accommodated.

Abstract: For packing filled bags into boxes an apparatus is provided which includes a receiving plate for collecting bags in a row, and a pusher plate for pushing the row to a position above a box to allow the row to fall into the box. To achieve an accurate positioning of the rows of bags in a box and a high degree of filling of the box a movable cassette is positioned above a waiting box. In order to bridge over the varying distance between the cassette and the receiving plate, a bridging plate extends between the cassette and the receiving plate. Preferably the bridging plate is in the form of a slide plate which is joined to the cassette.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for the automated accumulation and loading of parts wherein an automated part transfer apparatus is utilized to successively pick up predetermined arrangements of spaced parts from a shuttle at a pair of unloading stations. The part transfer apparatus preferably includes a gantry robot which places the parts in predetermined positions in a container located in the work envelope of the robot. The robot continues to load the parts until the container is full. In the disclosed embodiment, the method and system are utilized for racking automotive parts after they exit a sheet metal processing machine. Preferably, the parts are vertically accumulated in spaced relationship at an accumulator station in which the shuttle aids in the stacking process. A part indexing mechanism also aids in the stacking process at the accumulator station.

Abstract: A bag packing center accepts either open mouth bags or valve bags, particulate material to be contained in such bags and pallets upon which filled bags are to be stacked in planned layer configurations and automatically produces full pallets of filled bags stacked in such layer configurations. The packing center utilizes a novel unitary frame structure suitable for transport on a flatbed truck or rail car without any substantial disassembly to permit portability and virtually immediate operation at the user's facility without the usual specialized design, engineering and structural interface problems of the prior art. Bag placing, filling, flattening, turning, layer forming and palletizing are all accomplished automatically in a unitary, two-level integrated structure uniquely designed to occupy a minimum amount of floor space.

Abstract: A system for loading friable nuclear fuel pellets into sintering boats from a pellet press which ejects newly made pellets. A chute receives the ejected pellets and discharges them into an upright bowl at a location towards the top of the bowl near its inner surface with a tangential horizontal component of velocity. The bowl, which has an open smaller diameter bottom, is rotated such that the bowl near the pellet-discharge location has a velocity which generally matches the magnitude and direction of the horizontal component of the velocity of the pellets at the discharge location. A conveyor moves a line of adjacently positioned boats horizontally beneath the bottom of the bowl. A flexible strap which cushions the pellets as they enter a sintering boat also acts as a seal between boats.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bottle packing apparatus wherein bottles are packed by simultaneous movement together of the array of bottles and the case. The bottles are packed from a conventional infeed conveyor and are divided into rows by the use of lane dividers. Bottle guiding plates define guiding channels which compress the rows of bottles toward the center of line of a conveyor. This compressed grouping of rows are then urged into a neck holding means which includes a suspension carriage carrying a first and second bar movable with respect thereto and defining bottle suspension slots for retaining the bottles in the neck area thereof.

Abstract: A case packing apparatus comprising a stacking assembling, a case positioning assembly, and a pusher assembly. The stacking assembly is provided to form a stack of articles; the case positioning assembly is provided to receive a case in a receiving position and to move the case to a loading position, wherein an open end of the case is located adjacent that stack of articles; and the pusher assembly is provided to push the stack of articles into the case. The case positioning assembly includes an engagement member and a pivot arm that is spaced from the engagement member when the case is in the receiving position; and, as the case is moved toward the loading position, the pivot arm engages the engagement member and pivots the case about an upwardly moving axis to move the case into its loading position.

Abstract: An egg packing apparatus includes an endless conveyor including a plurality of rotatable parallel rollers each provided with a plurality of abutments in the form of annular flanges. The flanges of any one roller are aligned with flanges on other rollers to form a plurality of transport channels or feed paths extending to respective guide chutes. The guide chutes are each defined by a pair of opposing side walls, a pivotably mounted plate member and an additional wall opposite the plate member 36, the additional wall being provided with a V-shaped portion extending inwardly towards the plate member so that the guide chute has a decreased width in a central region. Upon the deposition of an egg on the plate member with the narrow end of the egg is contact with one of the side walls of the guide chute, the plate member is pivoted and the large end of the egg is temporarily held between the additional wall and the plate member, allowing the narrow end of the egg to swing downwardly.

Abstract: A case packing head for the packing of rectangular containers into cases. In a first embodiment of the invention, the containers are passed through arcuate paths on skid blades such that the containers fan apart above the top edges of the cross fingers of the packing head, avoiding the cross fingers upon shifting of the skid blades. In another embodiment, the skid blades are angled downwardly and the stop blocks are adapted to withdraw a sufficient amount to allow the containers to tilt on the skide blades and separate. A separating grid is then driven between the containers to space them apart with the spaces positioned above the top edges of the cross fingers. In yet another embodiment, the skid blade assembly comprises a pair of blades, one slidable upon the other. The stop block is connected to the sliding blade which has teeth thereon for contacting the containers.