Abstract: Cassette system with cassette (17, 27, 37, 47) and method for grouping a number of flexible packs (10). It is proposed that the cassette be produced from two parts which are hinged with respect to one another, one or more flexible packs being placed in each part. The parts of the cassette with the flexible pack or flexible packs placed thereon are then moved relative to one another, and more particularly are rotated, in order thus to obtain a group of packs where the packs lie close together. The group thus obtained is then placed in an outer pack such as a box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glove packing apparatus for packing gloves into a box, and to a method of packing gloves into a box, particularly to the packing of disposable medical gloves. A glove packing apparatus (1) for packing gloves into a box comprises a receptacle (26) for forming a stack of gloves to be packed, the receptacle having a perimeter wall (24, 25) for containing a stack of gloves, a floor (22) within the perimeter wall for supporting the stack of gloves, and an opening (27) opposite the floor into which additional gloves may be added to during stacking of gloves. The floor (22) is movable relative to the perimeter wall (24, 25), so that, in use, the floor may be moved relatively away from the receptacle opening (27) so that as gloves are added to said stack of gloves, the perimeter wall continues to contain the stack of gloves. The floor (22) may then be moved relatively toward the opening to remove the stack of gloves from the receptacle (26).

Abstract: A case loader for forming arrays of articles such as milk jugs carried by a relatively upper supply conveyor to the loading gate of a loading station and dropping the articles into cases delivered by conveyor to the loading station and raised by an elevator up under the loading gate. A conveyor article sensor is employed to ensure the presence of articles on the supply conveyor a sufficient distance upstream to develop sufficient line pressure force for reliable operation. A plurality of cases are loaded at the same time, and an array of case sensors are employed for reliable case position sensing and operation.

Abstract: An automated supply system stacks and releases a selected number of products. The products are deposited from a conveyor into an arranging member and formed into a stack of a selected number of products. The stack of products is released into packaging. A product discharged from the conveyor is supported by a sliding base, which lowers when the next product on the conveyor is detected by a sensor. Once the sensor detects a selected number of products deposited onto the sliding base, the sliding base is retracted, dropping the stack of products into packaging. A retractable member is extended to collect products subsequently released from the conveyor while the sliding base is in the retracted position. The retractable member is retracted when the sliding base has extended and returned to an initial position.

Abstract: A system and method for loading mail objects. The system includes a bucket assembly which holds variable sized mail holding containers. An actuator system moves the bucket assembly between at least an upright position, an intermediate tilt position and a fully tilt position. At least one sensor detects whether any of the variable sized mail holding containers has reached a fill capacity at each of the upright position, the intermediate tilt position and the fully tilt position. A feedback control system controls an indexing of the bucket assembly, via the actuator system, between the upright position, the intermediate tilt position and the fully tilt position. In the intermediate position, packages or other mail objects are permitted to settle within any of the variable sized mail holding containers such that additional packages or other mail objects can be introduced into the any of the variable sized mail holding containers in the intermediate position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for placing patterns of product holders, more in particular placing stacks of layers of the holders, into boxes or crates, using a supporting band, cords or strips, whereby the use of complex gripper heads is avoided. Thus, a considerably cheaper packing process is obtained.

Abstract: A packing system for articles. According to one embodiment of the invention, a receiving and dropping assembly comprising one or more doors that are displaceable between a holding configuration and a dropping configuration. The doors define a receptacle while in the holding configuration. The receptacle receives and holds an article, which is received by a leading edge of the article being guided by guide surfaces in the doors. The doors drop the article being held while in the dropping configuration. An output conveyor line receives the articles dropped by the receiving and dropping assembly. A controller controls the dropping and conveyance of the articles to convey the dropped articles along the output conveyor line in predetermined arrays. A pick-and-place robot system picks up the articles or arrays of articles from the output conveyor line and places the picked up articles in receptacles.

Abstract: An automatic case packaging system having a conveyor and stacking assembly, a servo-powered elevator and a case positioning assembly. The conveyor and stacking assembly is provided to receive a plurality of articles and to form a stack of the articles. The conveyor has a flat, receiving portion and an arcuate portion that feeds the articles to the top of an incline where they are collated into a stack for loading. The case positioning assembly is located adjacent the servo-powered elevator and is provided to receive a case in a receiving position, to move the case to a loading position wherein an open end of the case is located adjacent the stack of articles that has been lowered on the elevator. An air-powered ram is provided to push the stack of articles into the open end of the case. When the stack is lowered to the case height, side guides open to guide the cartons into the case to prevent the cartons from hanging on the edge of the case.

Abstract: A stacking aid for stacking goods on a loading aid, such as a pallet, has wall parts surrounding the goods stacked on the loading aid. It is possible to alter the height of at least one of the wall parts and to remove the stacking aid from the loading aid after completion of the stacking procedure. A method for stacking goods on a loading aid, such as a pallet, with the aid of the stacking aid entails (a) obtaining a stacking aid which surrounds a stack of goods on the loading aid, (b) loading the loading aid with goods by using the stacking aid, and (c) lifting the loading aid relative to the stacking. The stack of goods lifted out of the stacking aid are wrapped for stabilization. The invention makes it possible to efficiently secure the stack of goods on the pallet during the commissioning through the removable stacking aid and during the subsequent transportation of the goods by the stabilizing the goods, for instance with a film.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of inserting insert or enclosure material into successive envelopes are disclosed. According to the envelope inserting method, the insert material is conveyed along a straight path successively to an envelope inserting position where the insert material is inserted into the envelope and the stuffed envelope is then conveyed out of the inserting position in the same direction as the above straight path. The method includes providing immediately above the envelope inserting position an envelope storage station where a plurality of envelopes are stored in a stack one above another with the front panel of each of the envelopes facing upward so that the envelopes in the storage station are fed successively to the envelope inserting position for insertion thereinto of insert material.

Abstract: In a station for forming stacks of layers of articles, a horizontal supporting surface has a window for allowing a layer to pass freely therethrough. First pushing bars drive the layers along the support surface. A stationary descending ramp starts from the initial part of the window and extends downstream. A horizontal lower surface is situated after the ramp and under a horizontal upper surface, and forms a part of the support surface situated downstream of the window. An additional conveyor is associated to the window to restore cyclically a continuity in the support surface in the region of the window for the odd layers, and consequently to direct each odd layer toward the upper surface, and to allow the even layers to pass cyclically through the window. The even layers are consequently directed, due to gravity, onto the ramp. Second pushing bars move each even layer to the ramp and convey the even layer to the lower surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for packaging goods from a continuous stack. A conveyor is arranged on a base to move the continuous stack in a conveying direction. A separator means separates a stack portion of a predetermined size from the continuous stack. The stack portion is pushed aside from the conveying direction to a position within reach of a gripper. The gripper is used to transfer the stack along a second direction to at least one packaging position in a box or on a packaging blank. The gripper comprises at least two jaws which compress and hold the stack during the transfer. The gripper is arranged parallel to the base so that the base supports the stack portion from below during the transfer. In the method of the present invention, the stack portion is moved onto a cover part of a packaging blank and the packaging blank is folded around the stack portion to form a box.

Abstract: A bag loading apparatus (26) of a packaging system (10) includes a platen (68) having a convex upper surface upon which layers of bags (16) are sequentially placed, with the platen (68) being lowered upon receipt of each layer, until a full stack is supported on the platen (68). The loading apparatus (26) also includes a pivotally mounted pusher plate (98) against which the layered bags (16) are arranged when supported on the platen (68). Furthermore, a shelf (58) is arranged above both the platen (68) and the pusher plate (98) and is preferably pivotally mounted about a common axis with the pusher plate (98). With a stack of bags (16) on the platen (68), the pusher plate (98) accelerates across the platen (68) to shift the bags (16) into an open container (28), with the bags (16) preferably assuming a generally wedge-shape to aid in the loading of the bags (16) into the container (28).

Abstract: A pouch making machine has a pin conveyor which receives finished pouches from a knife and transfers them to a cartoner where they are stacked in a carton in a continuous motion. The cartoner indexes the carton after entry of each pouch, or group of pouches, so that an empty portion of the carton is aligned with the pin conveyor's discharge path to receive the next pouches released from the conveyor. When a carton is full the cartoner executes a long move to discharge the filled carton and position a succeeding carton for receipt of the next pouches. The cartons are held with the bottom wall angled or tilted from both the horizontal and vertical so that during filling pouches in the carton are neither standing on edge nor piled in a vertical stack.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for loading items, such as fruit, into a container such as a fruit bin with an open top face. The bin is transported on rollers to a tiltable cradle that grasps the cradle and tilts it to a loading orientation in which the bin face opens sideways. A wide endless belt conveyor positioned adjacent the cradle has a leading edge of the belt that shifts from a retracted position outside the container to an extended position projecting through the open face into the bin. The leading edge of the conveyor is retracted from the bin as the conveyor belt is running to deliver a horizontal layer of fruit from the conveyor surface into the bin. A height adjuster moves the cradle down (in the loading orientation) after the layer of items is delivered into the container, to provide clearance for delivering a subsequent layer of items from the conveyor.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is adapted to insert a plurality of layers of product into a carton. In a preferred embodiment, the product is carried in an X-Y tray which is able to expand or to contract in width and to raise or lower, thereby giving two dimensional geometrical adjustments. A first layer of product is loaded into the X-Y tray. Then the tray is lowered and a second layer is placed over the first layer. The process is repeated for any number of layers. Thereafter, the stack of layers is pushed into a carton.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus is provided for placing pills into a series of pill receptacles moved under the apparatus at a predetermined speed by a conveyor. The packaging apparatus includes an escapement mechanism positioned above at least one drop chute and a vertical positioner for moving the drop chute adjacent to the pill receptacles so that pills may be sequentially placed into the pill receptacles. The apparatus includes a first horizontal positioner for moving the drop chute in a horizontal direction parallel to the path of travel of the pill receptacles and at a speed independent of the speed of the pill receptacles so that the lower end of the drop chute can be moved horizontally with respect to a pill receptacle while a pill is being placed therein. The apparatus may also further include a second horizontal positioner for moving the drop chute in horizontal directions transverse to the path of travel.

Abstract: A tape roll in-series package machine for neatly packing a plurality of tape rolls into a paper box. In includes (a) a conveying device, (b) an in-series filling device, and (c) a paper box elevating device. The in-series filling device contains first, second, and third pneumatic cylinder each of which is connected to a receiving plate to cooperatively pack a row of the tape rolls into a paper box.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging and wrapping a load, and a method for using the same, having an infeed conveyor for receiving bundles from an assembly or production line, positioning conveyors located downstream of the infeed conveyor for arranging the bundles into load layers, and stripper plates downstream of the positioning conveyor for receiving and discharging the load layers. A pair of lifts are located below the stripper plates for raising and lowering a pallet. The second lift is mounted on the first lift, so that the two lifts combine to raise a pallet to receive successive load layers from the stripper plates. A wrap ring including a film dispenser is mounted below the stripper plates, so that the dispenser may orbit and dispense a plastic film material about the load. The second lift raises the pallet above the first lift to position the load adjacent the dispenser for wrapping. Guide plates are mounted above the wrap ring to stabilize the load prior to wrapping.

Abstract: A machine and method for loading a product (5), particularly a food product, to a packaging position (6), for example a receiving pouch. A pair of end-to-end conveyors (1,2) overlie the packaging position (6). The end-to-end conveyors (1,2) are driven in the same direction to convey the product (5) to overlie the packaging position (6). The inner ends of the end-to-end conveyors (1,2) are then moved to allow the product (5) to be dropped to the packaging Position (6).

Abstract: The apparatus has a distributor (11) with a straight conveying section (12), on which the N bundles of notes originating from a stack of sheets of notes are advanced one behind the other up to N predetermined bundle positions. Fitted underneath the conveying section (12), having an adjustable base (13), are N magazines in the form of vertical compartments which are located vertically underneath the bundle positions. Once all N bundle positions on the conveying section (12) are occupied by bundles, the base (13) is swung down, so that all N bundles can drop simultaneously into the N magazine compartments. After closing of the base, the next N bundles pass on the conveying section (12) into their bundle positions and, after opening of the base, can drop into the magazines as the second layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging and wrapping a load, and a method for using the same, having an infeed conveyor for receiving bundles from an assembly or production line, positioning conveyors located downstream of the infeed conveyor for arranging the bundles into load layers, and stripper plates downstream of the positioning conveyor for receiving and discharging the load layers. A pair of lifts are located below the stripper plates for raising and lowering a pallet. The second lift is mounted on the first lift, so that the two lifts combine to raise a pallet to receive successive load layers from the stripper plates. A wrap ring including a film dispenser is mounted below the stripper plates, so that the dispenser may orbit and dispense a plastic film material about the load. The second lift raises the pallet above the first lift to position the load adjacent the dispenser for wrapping. Guide plates are mounted above the wrap ring to stabilize the load prior to wrapping.

Abstract: A cigarette packing machine comprises a series of individual cigarette hoppers (18) carried by an endless band (16), the hoppers receiving cigarettes from an input conveyor (15) in a receiving region and supplying groups of cigarettes to a pocketed bundle conveyor (22) in a delivery region. Each hopper (18) may be vertically movable, with its position controlled so that it occupies an upper position in the receiving region and a lower position in the delivery region. The hoppers may be vibrated during movement by the endless band, so as to promote downward movement of the cigarettes. Preferably each hopper has an associated transfer plunger (46) which is extended to deliver cigarettes in the delivery region, the hopper being lifted when the plunger is in its extended position and lowered when the plunger is in its retracted position.

Abstract: Equipment 10 for packing cylindrical articles includes a receiving station 18 for receiving articles to be packed. A displacing device is arranged in the receiving station 18 in proximity to a conveyor 16 for displacing articles from the conveyor 16. An accumulating station 22 is mountable relative to the conveyor 16 to receive articles displaced from the conveyor 16. The accumulating station 22 is displaceably arranged relative to the receiving station 18 to facilitate formation of a predetermined close packed array in the accumulating station 22.

Abstract: A dry fruit bin filler for rapidly filling fruit bins, including a continuous fruit infeed belt and a fruit distribution belt mounted below the infeed belt which reciprocates under the infeed belt to receive and distribute the fruit layer-by-layer in the bin. The distribution belt is coupled to a sensor which controls intermittent activity of the belt based on the position of a discharge end of the belt relative to the bottom of the bin. The distribution belt is activated when the discharge end reaches the bottom of the bin, and lays down a layer of fruit as the belt retracts from the bin. To facilitate the layer-by-layer loading, the bin is held in a rotatable bin holder. The bin holder incrementally rotates during loading, so that the bin is lowered incrementally by a distance corresponding to a height of the layer of fruit.

Abstract: Grouped individual packages of prepackaged foodstuffs like butter, margarine, cheese and the like are packed in boxes by disposing a box blank at a receiving station aligned with a chamber and a turntable and mounting the layers of individual packages upon grouping on the blank. A hold-down and folding unit then displaces the layers and the blank into the chamber through a folding frame. The turntable and the folding frame can be displaced stepwise to accommodate two or more layers.

Abstract: An automatic fruit container filler machine. Such comprises a structure (1) supporting an electric motor (3) which drives a carriage lift (2) carrying an endless belt (6) having rotary and conveyor movement to form a horizontal belt surface (6b) which can be positioned coplanar with a feeder (16) for a fruit layer (18c) and can then be positioned at a lower level namely at the bottom of the container (17) or the preceding fruit layer. At this position, the belt is retracted, and the fruit layer (18) is deposited at a position (18a) without the layer being hocked or changed.The machine is applicable for filling containers with delicate fruit being extremely sensitive to hocking, such as apples, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peaches and the like.

Abstract: Grouped individual packages of prepackaged foodstuffs like butter, margarine, cheese and the like are packed in boxes by disposing a box blank at a receiving station aligned with a chamber and a turntable and mounting the layers of individual packages upon grouping on the blank. A hold-down and folding unit then displaces the layers and the blank into the chamber through a folding frame. The turntable and the folding frame can be displaced stepwise to accommodate two or more layers.

Abstract: Collating apparatus for stacking generally flat articles comprises a chute on opposite sides of which are two pairs of conveyor bands carrying supports for the articles. The conveyor bands are driven as two diagonally opposite pairs so that the stack builds on the supports of one pair of bands while a preceding stack built on the supports of the other pair of bands is discharged from the chute. The supports carried by the bands also comprise members which act on the completed stack to compress it before it is discharged.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles having a conveyor; means associated with the conveyor for forming groups of articles and moving the groups independently of other articles on the conveyor; means for moving the groups of articles transversely to the conveyor; an elevator for receiving said groups of articles in stacked groupings; and means for moving the stacked groupings into a carton. Means are also provided for assembling and closing the carton upon receipt of the stacked groupings.

Abstract: The device for cutting and stacking products is based upon product slices which are packed in the form of a chain in a foil tube whereby the individual product slices are separated from one another by sealing seams which run perpendicular to the width of the foil tube. The cutting device cuts the individual interlinked product slices in the area of the sealing seam and the cut product slices are placed onto a stacking device in which product stacks are built which are taken to a subsequent packing machine. At the exit of the cutting device is a stacking chamber of which two vertical opposing walls are formed by two belts having spaced fins or projections which form take-up spaces into which the product slices can be introduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for grouping cookies, cracker, or other planar objects, and dispensing a group of said objects into a receptacle. A conveyor is provided which dispenses such planar objects into a substantially vertically-oriented stack. The height of the stack is controlled by providing a combination of a pressure sensor, which, through conventional circuitry, causes an object-supporting carriage to be indexed, depending upon the height of the object stack held by the carriage. Upon receiving a preset number of objects within the carriage, or upon a preset height of objects stacked being accomplished, the carriage is pivoted from a substantially vertical position into a substantially horizontal position, whereupon the group of objects is dispensed into a tray or other conventional receptacle. A dual-stack configuration is also contemplated.

Abstract: A device for bundling a plurality of flat flexible structures received serially from a feed conveyor, applying top and bottom protective sheets, and strapping the structure together. The device includes a support conveyor adjacent to the feed conveyor and movable in a downstream direction along a path, a first conveyor movable in the downstream direction adjacent and substantially parallel to said support conveyor, at least one first blade on the first conveyor movable in a perpendicular direction toward the support conveyor to a support position. The first blade acts as a rest for the structures, and is movable away from the support conveyor to an inoperative position out of the path. When in the support position, this first blade advances in the downstream direction as the structures are deposited on edge onto the support conveyor, whereby a bundle of structures is formed.

Abstract: The invention provides a high speed baling machine having a multi part chute which can be adjusted horizontally in both width and depth to accommodate packages of various lengths and widths with the packages falling sidways in the chute.

Abstract: A device for stacking and packaging a series of articles includes a rotating wheel having a multiple number of dividers thereon. The dividers being selectably projected from the periphery of the wheel in various space relationships for defining the size of a stack. The size of the stack is adjusted by varying the distance between adjacent dividers. The stacking wheel moves a stack to a packaging device that includes elements to align the stack for positioning into a 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: Cylindrical-shaped objects coming from a conveyor belt of a production line are transferred to a compensator. The compensator continuously receives the manufactured cylindrical-shaped objects and transfers them intermittently. Transfer of the cylindrical-shaped objects is made to a carriage guided on rails. A plate with compartments is disposed on the carriage. A quantity of cylindrical-shaped objects corresponding to a layer in a box are placed on the carriage. The carriage is moved in steps by means of a spindle by a step motor. Once the plate on the carriage is filled, the carriage is moved to the side and all the cylindrical-shaped objects lying on it are pushed into the waiting box by a cross slide. Subsequently, the carriage returns to its initial position. This method and apparatus permit extraordinary cycle times, assure gently treatment of the cylindrical-shaped objects and are very adaptable.

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 device for filling outers with filled bags comprises a cassette (1) for the accommodation of a number of bags or rows of bags stacked on each other, feed apparatus (10, 11) for filling the cassette with bags from the top, and discharge apparatus (4, 5) for sliding the stack laterally out of the cassette into a tilted outer. For the purpose of simplification and for making the structure less susceptible to faults, the cassette has a fixed position, and a sliding cover plate or deposit plate (8) is placed at the top side of the cassette for supporting a row of bags. Structure (9) is present for sliding the cover plate (8) to and fro between a covering position in which the top side of the cassette is covered and a free position in which the bags can fall into the cassette.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for arranging articles in a container, wherein the articles are stacked within the container. In one embodiment, a container is fed in a substantially horizontal upper position and transferred to a nonhorizontal position. Articles are horizontally fed to the container while the container is in the nonhorizontal position, and the articles are stacked in rows within the container. The articles are arranged such that the container can be used to display the articles for sale.

Abstract: A device for transferring objects, such as filled bags, from a conveyor to a collection device, such as a box, placed below the conveyor comprises two conveyor belts (1, 2) placed adjacent to each other. In the conveying position, the top parts of said conveyor belts together form one conveying face. Each of the conveyor belts (1, 2) is disposed on a tiltable frame (4). In order to make the drive of the conveyor belts (1, 2) extremely simple and to make it possible to adjust the conveyor belts at right angles to their direction of conveyance, the drive comprises a drive pulley (3) acting upon the top part of the belts (1, 2) in the conveying position thereof.

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 apparatus for grouping packages, composed of a horizontal delivery device for conveying individual packages in sequence, and a vertical conveyor device disposed for receiving the individual packages from the horizontal delivery device, conveying the individual packages vertically and arranging the individual packages in groups for transfer to a horizontal output device. The vertical conveyor device is composed of two parallel-extending endless belts and a plurality of parallel rows of brushes carried by each belt and disposed for engaging each individual package received by the vertical conveyor device from below and supporting each individual package as it is being conveyed vertically.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus and method that includes a container support movable on a frame so as to raise and lower a container mounted thereon. A conveyor discharge section is also movably mounted on the frame so as to raise and lower the conveyor discharge end. The container support is coupled to the conveyor discharge section by a linkage that provides the container filling apparatus with the ability to initially lower the container support through an initial filling phase while maintaining the conveyor discharge section in a lowered condition, and thereafter simultaneously lower the container support while raising the conveyor discharge section. The linkage preferably includes a slotted bracket pivotally couple to the container support, a joining bracket pivotally mounted on the frame and having a follower mating with the slotted bracket, and a conveyor bracket pivotally mounted to the joining bracket and to the conveyor.

Abstract: A case packing apparatus having a conveyor for moving a plurality of articles seriatim in a first direction to a location where means substantially perpendicular to the conveyor move a predetermined number of articles in the perpendicular direction into a case to form a layer within the case.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging articles having a conveyor; means associated with the conveyor for forming groups of articles and moving the groups independently of other articles on the conveyor; means for moving the groups of articles transversely to the conveyor; an elevator for receiving said groups of articles in stacked groupings; and means for moving the stacked groupings into a carton. Means are also provided for assembling and closing the carton upon receipt of the stacked groupings.

Abstract: A machine for filling a container with cigarettes comprises a supply hopper for holding the cigarettes, a discharge section arranged in the lower portion of the supply hopper and through which the cigarettes are discharged into the container. The discharge section includes a plurality of partition walls vertically arranged in at intervals, thereby defining discharge passages, a plurality of freely rotatable stop rollers each arranged directly under its corresponding partition wall and oblate in shape. When the stop rollers are at a first rotational position, their paired flat surface extending from both sides of their corresponding partition walls. When the stop rollers are at a second rotational position, the paired arc surface portions into their corresponding discharge passages.

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: An installation for handling parts between a container in which they are placed in layers and piles and a table which cooperates with a chute joining the installation to a service machine. The installation comprises a table mobile horizontally relative to the frame, structure for displacing in a controlled manner the table so that its free end protrudes with respect to the frame free end, and at least one container formed of at least one bottom and three fixed vertical side walls. The face of the container without a vertical wall has a width slightly greater than the width of the table free end. An elevator is placed opposite the frame in the direction of mobility of the table and is adapted to move vertically in a controlled manner. A container with its face without a vertical wall is in register with the table so that the end of said table can be introduced in the container.

Abstract: A case packing apparatus having a conveyor for moving a plurality of articles seriatim in a first direction to a location where means substantially perpendicular to the conveyor move a predetermined number of articles in the perpendicular direction into a case to form a layer within the case.