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: A method for producing a packed article of a plurality of box-like packages having the same dimension is provided. The method comprising the steps of: forming a first layer of packages by arranging a plurality of box-like packages in a predetermined pattern; forming upper layers of packages, each upper layers including the same number of the packages as that of said first package and having the same pattern as that of said first layer; forming an intermediate layer of packages, said intermediate layer including number of packages less than that of said first layer or said upper layers; and disposing said intermediate layer between said first layer and the upper layer adjacent to said first layer so as to form spaces on opposite sides of said intermediate layer.

Abstract: A set of drinking cups is provided with a series of individual identifying indicia, which serve to distinguish one cup of the set from another. The indicia may be printed or otherwise applied to the cups. The indicia may also be hidden as the cups are supplied, to be revealed when a mask is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A pack for cigarettes or the like and a process and apparatus for the production thereof is described. Due to several reasons (cigarette) packs quite often have greater (inner) dimensions than the pack contents (cigarette block 23). In order to fill a cavity formed hereby within the pack, a filling piece (39) is provided which is formed from a flat blank (40) by means of folding up outer blank portions. The filling piece is formed to have a three-dimensional shape by means of being displaced in a folding shaft (57) with laterally arranged folding means. The filling pieces (39) produced in this way are conveyed along a filling piece track (78) and are introduced into a block track (79) in transverse direction so they can each be united with a cigarette block (23).

Abstract: Method to package sections either in normal layers or in alternate right-side-up/overturned layers, the layers being fed from determined layers, whereby two already butted layers, one having a number N of sections and the other having a number N-1 of sections, or viceversa, reach the packaging machine by moving axially at one end the same time, the layers having been distanced apart laterally beforehand by a required value linked to the features of the packaging machine, the first layer (30) of "N" sections arriving and being positioned directly on a package (29) being formed, whereas the second layer (31) of "N-1" sections arrives between a plurality of pairs of clamping arms (24) able to rotate about an axis located in a central position between the two layers (30-31), the pairs of clamping arms (24) positioning the second layer (31) on the package (29) being formed.

Abstract: A portable loader may be brought up to and selectively positioned to deliver product into mandrels carried by an automatic packaging machine. The loader may receive product on an asynchronous and on-demand basis and delivers product on a time basis coordinated with operation of the automatic packaging machine. The loader has two bins which are opened and closed in sequence to receive and deliver product with a buffer time storage in a second of the two bins in order to accommodate the timing of the packaging machine. The loader handles pouches and similarly irregularly shaped product, having a geometry which may vary at random. The pouches are gently shaped to fit into a box as they are transferred from a source of product into a loading position of the packaging machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for continuously accumulating, screening, stacking and packaging disks such as hamburger patties automatically and without the use of personnel in contact with the patties. This includes weighing the patties by optical comparison means so that the finished package is within the tolerances permitted for weight of goods.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing unfolded files comprising a tray which has side walls, a bottom, and an open top is provided. The tray is adapted to store a stack of the unfolded files thereon. A plastic film is wrapped around the tray and unfolded files contained therein to retain the unfolded files in a tray and to form a package. Upon removal of the plastic film, the unfolded files may be removed from within the tray. Methods for storing and dispensing the unfolded files are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward providing a method of separating newsprint and other sheet material prior to recycling the newsprint, apparatus for carrying out the method and a wrapper, formed of material which may be recycled with the newsprint, to be used in the method and apparatus of the invention. The invention is used by the individual householder and will serve to eliminate many intermediate steps in the recycling of newsprint.

Abstract: The system comprises at least one conveyor for carrying the bundles with equipment for checking bundle integrity and verifying correct addresses. Equipment can be included to remove unacceptable bundles and to divert each bundle to the predetermined conveyor and align the bundles properly. The bundles are rotated and held in position until a uniformed, and/or predetermined dimension log is achieved and then moved into position for strapping the log, identifying it and attaching the label. Conveyors are used to place each log in position to be palletized in conjunction with other logs. The logs can be rotated to create cross stacking of the logs and equipment can be used to raise or lower each layer of the logs. When the complete pallet is created an address and information label is prepared and attached.

Abstract: A method of packing empty collapsible tubes for shipment to the filler and sealer of the tubes, wherein the ten usually used diameter tubes can be packed into one of two standard size boxes.

Abstract: The invention comprises a package comprising 50 shirred essentially cylindrically shaped shirred food casing strands. The strands are oriented in the package such that longitudinal axes of the strands are parallel. Within the package external surfaces of the strands contact external surfaces of adjacent strands and ends of the strands terminate in approximately the same plane. In a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the strands, lines passing through the central axes of strands located proximate the external surface of the package intersect to form a hexagon. Strands internally within the package, i.e., which would not have an exteriorly exposed surface if a wrap for the package were removed, contact six adjacent strands. The package consists of nine strand rows. The first row contains four strands. The second row contains five strands. The third row contains six strands and the fourth row contains seven strands. The fifth row is the center row and contains six strands.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compiling deformable, substantially cylindrical bodies and for packing them, comprising vibrating said bodies being positioned at pile delivery substantially parallel adjacent and superposed to each other and being aligned in at least one row of parallelly positioned bodies adjacent to each other, whereafter this row is loaded into a substantially parallelepipedic magazine (6) that is substantially spaceless charged with bodies and thereafter transferred to a magazine discharge station (E) and positioned below a substantially similar transfer magazine (12), into which the bodies are transferred and which is thereafter transversely shifted above a reception space (14) for said bodies into which the bodies enter by gravity and are divided into streams moving downwardly into the area of two or more adjacent discharge devices (17) from which the bodies being compiled to predetermined groups are conveyed at the same time into cups of a cup conveyer (FIG. 4).

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a plurality of nested plastic bags for use in lining containers such as garbage cans or waste paper baskets. The assembly is manufactured by placing successive plastic bags over a jig. The upper edges of the plastic bags are adhered to each other, for example, by conventional heat sealing means. The adherence between individual bags is such that the innermost bag can be separated readily from the remaining bags after the assembly is placed within a container.

Abstract: Cookies (30) of uniform but irregularly shaped perimeter are received from the cookie oven in a horizontal as-baked attitude onto a first surface conveyor (19). As the cookies are passed to successive surface conveyors 920) and (21) operating at successively decreased velocities, the cookies are raised to an edge standing attitude abutting one another. Laser detecting means (24-26) are positioned above the conveyors (19-21), and measure the height of the edge stacked cookies and adjust this height by varying the speed of the successive conveyors (19, 20 and 21). A counting means (28) at the discharge end of conveyor (21) counts out a predetermined number of cookies to be placed upon the loader (16) for loading into a cookie tray (104), and a pair of separator blades (42, 43) separates these cookies on the loader from the cookies remaining on surface conveyor (21). A cookie tray (104) is positioned under the loader (16) by a cookie tray conveyor (18).

Abstract: A process for increasing the shipping efficiency of an interleaved or herringbone rick of tires includes the steps of forming a herringbone rick within a container or enclosed restraint, then compressing the rick with a horizontal wedge or plate. Typical compression percentages range up past 30 percent reduction in height. The space above the compressed rick is then filled with an additional rick, or the compressed rick is banded or fastened to an underlying pallet. The compressing plate is withdrawn from the rick. The resulting compressed rick increases the efficiency of shipping tires, with no resulting damage.

Abstract: A method of unitizing a cargo of multiple substantially identical high density hay bales into a non-palletized unit capable of being handled by a fork lift truck or the like comprises the steps of selecting a plurality of substantially identical high density bales of hay, arranging the plurality of bales of hay into at least one layer of multiple horizontal rows, and wrapping multiple layers of an elongated continuous sheet of pre-stretched polymeric film having a memory horizontally around the plurality of bales of hay.

Abstract: A number of glass sheets of given size are stacked flatwise on a tray having on its upper surface dampers for preventing the glass sheets from slipping. The stacked glass sheets are fixed relatively to each other, and the fixed glass sheets are transferred with the tray to a storage location. The transferred glass sheets and the tray are stored in the storage location.

Abstract: Method to package sections either in normal layers or in alternate right-side-up/overturned layers, the layers being fed from determined layers, whereby two already butted layers, one having a number N of sections and the other having a number N-1 of sections, or viceversa, reach the packaging machine by moving axially at one and the same time, the layers having been distanced apart laterally beforehand by a required value linked to the features of the packaging machine, the first layer (30) of "N" sections arriving and being positioned directly on a package (29) being formed, whereas the second layer (31) of "N-1" sections arrives between a plurality of pairs of clamping arms (24) able to rotate about an axis located in a central position between the two layers (30-31), the pairs of clamping arms (24) positioning the second layer (31) on the package (29) being formed.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly beverage pack is described in which beverage cans are stacked in axially aligned groups of three or more. A sealant is adhered around the rim at the bottom of each can before stacking, and each group is then subjected to a vacuum to evacuate the space between the top and bottom of adjacent cans defined by the upper and lower rims around each can. The vacuum holds adjacent cans together and they can be separated by a snapping wrist action for use. If desired, groups may be paired and secured in parallel relationship by hot melt adhesive and handle means may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for cutting a long roll of photographic prints into individual sheets, and for collating and packaging of those sheets. An automatic print cutter separates a long roll of photographic paper into sheets based on the location of a series of registration marks on the roll. Those photographs which are to be packaged together are collected and are transported by conveyor to a collating station where additional printed materials and packaging may be added to the batch. The batch of photographs and other materials is then conveyed to a packaging station, where the batch is inserted into a flexible bag for further handling. A printer associated with the packaging station prints information regarding the batch on the exterior of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying, classifying, and packing goods is disclosed. The goods move on a plurality of lanes to containers for packing. The goods move on conveyors to classifiers where goods outside a predetermined specification are discarded. Goods which meet the specifications move to a counter and retainer. A predetermined number of goods moves to a stacker in a cycle. The stacker moves within a set of spindles configured to receive the goods there between. A controller counts the number of goods stacked in the set of spindles. When a full count is reached the spindles rotate and the goods are placed into a box which is positioned proximate the spindles.

Abstract: A stacking packaging machine and a process for stacking and packaging resilient workpieces. The workpieces are usually rolled paper products. The machine is comprised of an input conveyor, an elevator, cams, workpiece holders, a packaging film feeder and an output conveyor. A first group of workpieces is placed upon the elevator by the input conveyor and the elevator is lowered. The workpiece holders are brought into place. A second group of workpieces are fed into the holders and held above the first group. The elevator begins to rise and the second group of workpieces are released. The stacked workpieces rise on the elevator toward the output conveyor. Packaging film is fed over the stacked workpieces. The film drapes over the workpieces as they rise preventing any workpieces from falling off the stack. The workpieces enter the output conveyor and are moved to final processing. The timing of the whole sequence is controlled by the cams.

Abstract: A method of supplying stacks of flat articles to a packing machine comprises the following steps: charging receptacles in a dosing device with articles to obtain in each receptacle an article stack shorter and lighter than a predetermined weight and length; advancing some of the charged receptacles to a standby station and some of the charged receptacles to a fine dosing device; and charging the receptacles in the fine dosing device with articles until the predetermined weight and length are substantially reached. The charging step in the fine dosing device includes the step of transferring articles from a receptacle dwelling in the standby station to a receptacle dwelling in the fine dosing device. Thereafter, the receptacles are advanced from the fine dosing device to the packing machine. The empty receptacles are advanced from the packing machine and the standby station to the dosing device.

Abstract: An article stack unifying device having article stacking elements is provided to stack a plurality of articles on a surface on or of a rotatable surface. While the articles are being stacked on the selected surface a quantity of wrapping film is wrapped around the stack of articles at intervals during the stacking process and at the completion of the stack.

Abstract: A queing means transfers surface mount components randomly stored in a detachable hopper into a plurality of parallel lines formed by grooves in a track plate. Vibrator means translate the components along the grooves in the downwardly extending track plate toward a shuttle assembly. With respect to pairs of such track grooves, the shuttle assembly alternately transports a chip from each groove comprising the pair into a plunger assembly. A tube magazine carrying a plurality of carrier tubes to be loaded with components is releasably disposed adjacent the plunger assembly whereby periodic downward movement of plungers simultaneously forces a component from each line of components in the plunger assembly formed by the shuttle mechanism into a respective one of the tubes, and the process is repeated until the tubes are filled with components as desired. Pneumatic means are provided for urging the components backwards from the plunger assembly along the grooves toward and into the hopper.

Abstract: An article processing machine is provided and comprises a conveyor device for moving articles and a stacking device for stacking the articles in pairs during movement through the machine and wherein the stacking device comprises a pivoted ramp assembly adapted to be pivoted to scoop thereon articles from the moving device and a pivoting mechanism for pivoting the ramp assembly to engage and scoop thereon in a serial manner alternate articles from the moving device and elevate same thereabove and a structure carried by the moving device for sliding each elevated article from the ramp assembly onto an associated alternate article carried by the moving device to define a stacked pair of articles.

Abstract: The process according to the invention relates to the packaging of lids cut out in a press combined with a stacker. According to the process, the guide rods of a delivery magazine are covered by a substantially cylindrical casing which simultaneously surrounds the stacked lids while at the same time immobilizing the stack transversely to itself with a slight clearance therebetween, the casing comprising support means for resting on the moving supports at the bottom of the stack of lids and stop means for retaining the bottom of the stack borne by the casing. The retaining means are optionally completed by one or more associated retaining means. The stack of lids covered in this way is then removed from the delivery magazine and the casing is sealed with caps which offer an added measure of protection.

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: A method for producing a mass distributable printed packet is disclosed wherein a web of paper has printed thereon a format of successive rectangular pieces in a plurality of longitudinal lines extending parallel to the edges of the web, the web is cut longitudinally between the print patterns and the thus-formed strips are superposed in vertical registry of the printed patterns. The superposed strips are then cut to form sets of printed pieces which sets are each placed within an individual outer container.

Abstract: Packets of cigarettes are delivered from a packing machine to a cartoner in the form of arrays each of which contains a predetermined number of packets. The packing machine discharges discrete packets which are advanced to a gathering station where the packets are assembled into arrays in successive compartments of a stepwise operated first endless conveyor. The first conveyor delivers freshly accumulated arrays into the pockets of a stepwise operated second endless conveyor which delivers a series of arrays to a second station adjacent the cartoner. The second conveyor is set in motion during a first stage of each cycle of the cartoner, and a pusher transfers successive arrays from the respective pockets of the second conveyor during second stages of certain cycles of the cartoner. The frequency of cycles of the cartoner at least equals but normally exceeds of the frequency at which arrays of packets are assembled in the compartments of the first conveyor.

Abstract: Discrete cigarette packets which are supplied by a packing machine are assembled into arrays in successive compartments of a first endless conveyor at a first station, and the pockets of a second conveyor accept arrays from successive filled compartments for stepwise transport to a second station where the arrays are draped into blanks in a wrapping machine to form cartons. The second conveyor is moved stepwise during successive intervals of idleness of the first conveyor, and the first conveyor is normally moved stepwise when the second conveyor is idle. The two conveyors cross each other at the first station. The arrays in the compartments extend transversely of the first conveyor, and the arrays in the pockets extend longitudinally of the second conveyor.

Abstract: A method for preparing a quantity of ice for transportation to a remote location consisting of bagging a plurality of bags of ice, then stacking the frozen bags of ice vertically on a pallet to a predetermined height. The pallet is wrapped with a material to form a first assembled unit. The unit is then placed in a freezer having a temperature at or below 20.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to set the product. Once "set", the unit is boxed in a rigid container having sidewalls and a lid. The sidewalls are banded to form a rigid second assembly and the second assembly which is returned to the freezer for storage until it is transported to a remote location.

Abstract: An envelope handling system for removing envelopes from an upper level conveyor, placing them in stacks on a lower level bucket conveyor, removing the stacks from the bucket, conveyor and side-loading them into cartons, sealing the cartons, conveying the cartons to a packing area, and forming the cartons into a horizontal column for placement into shipping containers. The system includes a spider feeder for removing the envelopes from an upper level conveyor and discharging them downwardly in a vertical direction, pivoting bottom fingers for receiving envelopes from the feeder and collecting them into a stack, hold back fingers for intercepting envelopes in a second stack above the bottom fingers, and transfer fingers for compressing a stack collected on the bottom fingers and urging the bottom fingers downwardly to place the stack onto the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a bulk package and including bottom tray placement means for placing a bottom tray on a support, stacking means for stacking layers of objects on the bottom tray, top cap positioning means for positioning a top cap over the upper-most layer of stacked objects, and post member positioning means for positioning post members at preselected spaced locations between the bottom tray and top cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for packing envelopes o cartons, cardboard boxes, and the like. The apparatus has a machine frame, a laying-down apparatus for individually arriving envelopes, a stacking stage, a filling station for filling the envelopes into the cartons or cardboard boxes, as well as invention is seen in that a table a forward and reverse slideable front stack support for envelopes placed successively one behind the other to be stacked, and a pusher member for pushing the stack with the stack support are provided. The stack support is arranged to detour around the envelopes to be boxed respectively during the return stroke, and the pusher member is arranged to detour around the stack being formed similarly respectively during the return stroke.

Abstract: A packing case for sheet material consisting of a container having walls that may be lowered and are kept together in a raised condition by a cover member, whereby the removal of the cover member causes the box to open and to give full accessibility to the contents of the package.

Abstract: This invention deals with a method for stabilizing stacked loads against shifting during transport and means for carrying out such method comprising a flexible wrapping member and rubber like fastening means for said wrapping member.

Abstract: A method for making a reel-pressure spring for a magnetic tape cassette begins by feeding a strip of spring material from a traverse-wound coil into a first work station of a punch press. The strip material has a width equal to the width of the finished spring. A die pierces the strip material to form mounting holes. The strip material is then fed into a shaping die of a second work station. A cutoff punch severs a blank from the end of the strip material by cutting across the full width of the strip. A shaping die at the second work station shapes the blank into a finished spring, which is then ejected from the second work station to a discharge chute. Finished springs are stacked in the discharge chute in the order in which they are made in the second work station. The stack is packaged so as to maintain the stack intact until such time as the springs are assembled into a cassette.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously processing and packing elongated articles such as coherent pairs of chopsticks include continuously advancing the articles in the longitudinal direction in a track and centrally aligning the same during the continued advancement. The alignment is performed during the processing by means of one or more processing implements by means of uniform centering rolls operating from their respective sides of the plane of symmetry of the articles. These centering rolls are biased by a uniform spring tension. Subsequently the articles are continuously advanced in the transverse direction by means of transverse conveyor means to a bundling device. In the bundling device the articles are situated in layers and collected in a bundle of articles subsequently wrapped in a sheet material in a wrapping device.

Abstract: A preformed wire spacer for spacing nested formed galvanized metal material pieces having a nestable profile and wherein at least two stacks of the nested material pieces are disposed and secured in side-by-side relationship to form a bundle. The spacer comprises a metal wire treated with a corrosive resistant coating and formed of similar profile as the cross-section of at least part of the profile of two of the material pieces when positioned in side-by-side relationship. The spacer has a cross-section to provide reduced contact with the surface of opposed nested ones of the pieces when positioned therebetween whereby to provide air flow and minimum water retention between the nested material pieces to substantially reduce the formation of white rust.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modular promotional display for blister card battery packages. The blister card packages are loaded into a multicompartmented module at the manufacturing point. The filled modules are shipped to the promotional display assembly point where a plurality of modules are placed into a display tray. Thus, the modules serve as both a shipping container and a display container for the batteries.

Abstract: A method of packaging components (4) for shipping comprising: loading the components in rails (2); assembling a plurality of the rails into a composite structure (20); and wrapping the composite structure in an anti-static envelope (40) so as to form a quasi-rigid anti-static package (46). The method may further comprise the step of securing the composite structure, e.g. by fixing a strap (18) at each end, immediately before the wrapping step.A material for use in packaging components for shipping comprising a sandwich material (40) having: a first layer (42) of conductive material and a second layer (44) of static-dissipative material, the first and second layers being bonded together. The outer layer may be made of conductive paper to provide adequate snag- and tear-resistance and the inner layer may be made of an anti-static plastics material.

Abstract: The process according to the invention consists of superposing a plurality of panels (1), of providing the pile thus produced with at least one enclosure (2) of shrinkable plastic material, of subjecting the pile to a first compression in a direction normal to its wide surface, of causing the shrinking of the enclosure (2) on the compressed pile to provide a package, of superposing in order of thickness a plurality of identical packages of compressed panels, of applying a flat rigid element (12) against each of the terminal surfaces of the pile of packages thus produced, of subjecting the said pile to a second compression, perpendicular to the flat elements (12) and of joining the pile of packages (5) thus compressed with the aid of assembly means.The invention is applied to the packaging of panels of compressible materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a machine for manufacturing and handling tea bags, wherein the tea bags are produced by laminating together two webs with individual quantities for tea therebetween. Two rows of tea bags, formed in the webs, and the tea in the bags is biased upwardly of the webs. This is followed by severing of the webs into two individual single tea bag row webs, and this is followed by transverse severing of the web to produce individual tea bags. The tea bags are held into magazines so as to form two stacks therein and stacks of tea bags are moved laterally of the magazine into the inserting device and the inserting device places the two stacks of tea bags into a carton. The two stacks of tea bags are placed together prior to insertion of the carton and extra conversion is given to the stacks to compensate for revising the tea.

Abstract: A container for a portable automobile ramp, the ramp including a platform having opposite ends and an upper surface for supporting an automobile tire, a leg extending downwardly from one end of the platform, and a ramp extending at an incline downwardly from the other end of the platform, and the container comprising a body portion for enclosing the platform of the automobile ramp, the body portion including opposite ends, a leg portion for enclosing the leg of the automobile ramp, the leg portion being integrally connected to the body portion and extending generally perpendicularly from one end of the body portion, and a ramp portion for enclosing the ramp of the automobile ramp, the ramp portion being integrally connected to the body portion and extending obliquely from the opposite end of the body portion.

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: Disclosed is a method for packaging a number of disc-like information recording media each having a hole at its center portion. The disc-like information recording media are collected with the holes thereof being aligned with each other to form a cylindrical assembly with a through-hole, and an elongated member is inserted into the through-hole and a pair of collars are set on the elongated member from both ends thereof so as to fix the cylindrical assembly with respect to the elongated member. Thereafter, the cylindrical assembly is wrapped by a shrinkable material and encased in a container comprising upper and lower halves each having at least one assembly-receiving portion with a configuration substantially equal in dimension to the semicylindrical half portion of the cylindrical assembly. The container has an engaging arrangement comprising L-shaped extending portions and L-shaped shelf portions so that the upper and lower halves are stably coupled to each other.

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 wrapped roll of coins in which the wrapper comprises a flexible substrate. The wrapper has pressure sensitive adhesive on its inner surface which can be selectively cleanly released from the coins. And a process for applying and removing the wrapper.