Abstract: A method for packaging cans or tubes continuously delivered from a production installation to pick-up elements, which are moved in steps, of an intermediate station. A gripper device brings the cans or tubes in groups according to the desired number of pieces in a packaging layer to a delivery station. Each can or tube is deposited into a support element, after which the cans or tubes are pushed together out of the support elements into a loading station. The cans or tubes are placed at equal distances into the pick-up elements, wherein individual support elements are placed apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The cans or tubes are then deposited into the support elements at distances predetermined by the pick-up elements. The support elements are subsequently moved together until they touch each other, whereupon the cans or tubes are then pushed into the loading station. This method allows the use of the same apparatus for different can diameters with minimal changing effort.

Abstract: A continuous, multiline packaging apparatus for continuously conveying, turning, and loading non-round bottles includes infeed conveyors which convey non-round bottles to timing screw conveyors. The timing conveyors are operable to space the bottles a predetermined distance apart and to feed the lines of spaced bottles to turning conveyors. The turning conveyors are each comprised of high and low speed conveyor chains, and guide rails. The turning conveyors first turn the bottles to an intermediate angled position and thereafter further turn the bottles to a loading position. A grouping conveyor comprising a plurality of fights cooperates with the turning conveyors to cause the bottles to form groups which are transferred to a loading device. The loading device continuously shifts the grouped bottles laterally into cartons as the bottles are continuously moved in a downstream direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conveying, slicing and packaging half loaves, starting from whole bread loaves. The loaves, which are conveyed perpendicularly to their longitudinal direction, are sliced in halves by a band slicer arranged in the path of conveyance, and one half from each loaf is turned 180.degree. about an axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of conveyance of the loaves, and the halves of each loaf are positioned one behind the other, are sliced into slices and are packaged in bags. The half to be turned is accelerated in forward direction and is brought in front of the other half from the respective loaf during turning. The invention also relates to an apparatus including a turn table to turn said half.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates includes comprises means for forming a plurality of truss plates and means for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include means for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, aligning means for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, stacking means for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and interconnecting means for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for introducing compressible packs, especially bundles (10) or bundle groups (16, 17) comprised of small packs (11) of paper tissues into a carton (15). Articles or packs or pack groups of cellulose products are difficult to handle from the point of view of packaging technology. For the introduction into a carton (15) open at the top, bundle groups (16, 17) consisting of a multitude of small packs (11) of paper tissues are mechanically compressed, especially into a V-shaped form, then grasped on the top side by a lifting head (23) with suction holders (24 to 27) and held by suction. The lifting head (23) conveys a complete layer of bundle groups (16, 17) into the carton (15) from above, the compressed, reduced formation of the bundles (10) being maintained until they are deposited in the carton (15).

Abstract: A positioning apparatus operates to advance and rotationally orient a container during packaging of a product and broadly comprises a conveyor, a rotor assembly mounted to the conveyor, a rotary drive means and orientation sensing means. The rotor assembly includes a holder adapted to receive a container in a supported state with the supported container being aligned along the rotor axis such that the container may be rotated thereabout. The rotary drive means operates to selectively engage the rotor assembly and the supported container for rotatably orienting the supported container with respect to the rotor axis. The orientation sensing means monitors rotational orientation of the supported container, and the conveyor operates to advance the rotor assembly and the supported container during the packaging of the product.

Abstract: A method and machine whereby two rigid packets, traveling in a first direction parallel to the longer longitudinal axes of the packets, are transferred to the inputs of respective conveyors, one of the two packets being rotated 180.degree. about its longitudinal axis, and the other packet being rotated 180.degree. about an axis crosswise to its longitudinal axis; and the two packets are fed along the respective conveyors in a second direction crosswise to the respective longer longitudinal axes and to the crosswise axis into a position wherein the two packets present a common longitudinal axis, are oppositely oriented along the common longitudinal axis, are rotated 180.degree. in relation to each other about the common longitudinal axis, and are connectable to form a twin packet.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates includes comprises means for forming a plurality of truss plates and means for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include means for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, aligning means for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, stacking means for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and interconnecting means for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: A transport apparatus (C) for transporting products (X), supplied onto a lower transport path, successively to an upper transport path, and a loading apparatus for loading the products (X), which have been transported by the transport apparatus, into a receptacle (Y). The system includes a first transport mechanism (2) for transporting the products (X) towards a pick-up station (P2), a lifter mechanism (4) for holding the products (X), having been transported to the pick-up station (P2), and transferring the products (X) from the pick-up station (P2) towards a delivery station (P3) defined generally above the pick-up station (P2), and a second transport mechanism (5) for receiving the products (X), which have been transferred to the delivery station (P3) by the lifter mechanism (4), and transporting the products (X) towards a stand-by station (P4) defined above a loading station (P5) at which the bagged products are loaded into the receptacle (Y).

Abstract: A plurality of tape cassettes fed in succession from a conveyor are oriented vertically on an end stretch of the conveyor itself terminating at a position in side by side relation with a tiltable collection element. The cassettes are pushed laterally from the end stretch of the feed conveyor for being loaded onto the collection element until they form thereon a row comprised of a given number of cassettes. The collection element is then tilted to let the cassette row fall onto a tray previously positioned under the collection element.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterilization and secondary packaging into cartons storing arrays of blister packages, each of which contains at least one hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, disclosed in an apparatus adapted to provide for arrays of blister packages which are transported within trays supported on racks. These racks are transported to a sterilization chamber for sterilizing the arrays of blister packages, and from which the sterilized arrays of blister packages are then transported to a locale for implementing the pairing thereof and the secondary packaging into sealable cartons. Also disclosed is a method of sterilizing and implementing the secondary packaging into cartons of predetermined quantities of arrays of blister packages, each of which contains a hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution, so as to provide a sterile environment for the arrays of blister packages.

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 collator and stacking apparatus, system and method for the collation and stacking of asymmetric plastic blister packages having a blister at or toward one end on a flat card, which comprises package-receiving inverter and sliding trays each with a tray surface, upwardly extending sides and a one and other end, for receiving each a package thereon, the received package being in the same orientation on each tray surface. The inverter trays have stops to position the received package on the tray surface as it moves between a package receiving position and an inverted package discharge position, wherein the package is inverted and placed within a collation track perpendicular to the trays, the track having a first and second end for receiving periodically an inverted package from the inverter tray and a slidable package from the sliding tray in a spaced-apart alternating arrangement within the track rails.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking preforms for blow molded containers wherein the preforms are generally tubular in shape having a closed end and a threaded end. The preforms are arranged so that they are in an array of predetermined size and shape. The preforms in the array are arranged in a plurality of side-by-side horizontally extending rows in which the preforms are upright and in a "threads up" orientation. Alternate rows of the preforms are picked up and inverted so that they are in a "threads down" orientation. The remaining rows are then picked up and positioned in an alternating relationship with the "threads down" rows of preforms, so that multiple layers of preforms can be stacked in a container so as to fully use all of the space in the container for storage and transfer of the preforms.

Abstract: A package rectifying apparatus designed to prevent a rearmost one of packages (3) from being toppled rearwardly to fall down even though the packages have been rectified so as to partially overlap with each other and also to enable the amount of overlap between each neighboring packages to be adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterilization and secondary packaging into cartons of arrays of blister packages, each of which contains at least one hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, disclosed is an apparatus adapted to provide for the assembly of paired arrays of blister packages which are suitably interleaved and transported in batches of predetermined quantities within one or more trays. These trays are transported to a sterilization chamber for sterilizing the arrays of blister packages, and from which the sterilized arrays of blister packages in which at least the contents thereof are maintained in a sterile condition, and which are then transported to a locale for implementing the secondary packaging thereof into sealable cartons.

Abstract: An improved packaging machine is provided for vacuum packing elongated products such as french fries into a succession of sealed bags. The packaging machine includes a weigh station for dropping pre-weighed product charges through a vertical column for product free-fall into a bag at a fill station, with the bag being formed from a sheet of film material drawn downwardly about the column. A divider vane subdivides the vertical column and the fill station into a pair of passages of elongated cross section, whereby the products falling through the column passages are substantially aligned as they fall into the bag. The bag is transferred from the fill station to a settling station, preferably by displacement of the divider vane and fill station. The settling station includes vibratory members to achieve substantial product settling. The bag film material may also be retracted a short stroke through a seal jaw assembly, resulting in stripping and squaring of an open end of the bag.

Abstract: Empty tubes are received in a pallet with the tubes oriented with their central axes substantially perpendicular to a conveyor plane and at a predetermined spacing along first and second axes that are perpendicular to each other and parallel to the conveyor plane. All the empty tubes are simultaneously removed from the pallet, and the tubes are moved mutually apart along the first axis and are subsequently moved mutually apart along the second axis, and the tubes are then filled and sealed. The tubes are moved mutually together to a spacing that is substantially the same as the predetermined spacing and the filled tubes are placed in a pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a predetermined quantity of objects and a counting device therefor is disclosed. The counting device includes a feed tray for singularizing objects, and the tray has at least one guide path including segments defining a direction of movement along the path oriented at an angle with respect to the drive axis of the tray. The packaging apparatus includes the counting device and associated components and controls for the automatic, high speed filling of containers.

Abstract: A method and device for producing cartons of cigarettes from respective groups of equioriented packets forming a first and second row arranged one on top of and contacting the other, whereby the two rows of packets in each group are parted to enable the first row to be rotated substantially 180.degree. in relation to the second prior to restoring the first row to the superimposed mutually contacting position.

Abstract: Tubular packs, which contain a wound scale formation of flat products, particularly printed products, are conveyed over predeterminable conveying paths from at least one pack-producing apparatus (W.multidot.1, W.multidot.2) to at least one forwarding or intermediate storage station (A). For this purpose the packs are conveyed away from the pack-producing apparatus (W.multidot.1, W.multidot.2) with axes oriented in the conveying direction in a longitudinal conveying direction (FP.sub.1). Then in a distributing station (VU) or a deflecting station (U) for distributing the packs to different despatch units and/or for combining the packs into identical despatch units the conveying direction of at least part of the packs, for a constant axial position, is modified by substantially 90.degree. into a transverse conveying direction (FP.sub.q). Combined packs can be compressed in a combining station (ZU) and bound together to form double or multiple packs (PP) using a wrapping means.

Abstract: A method and machine whereby a first and second rigid packet are fed in a first direction parallel to the longer longitudinal axes of the packets; are transferred to the input of respective feed channels, the second packet being rotated 180.degree. in relation to the first; are fed at different speeds along the respective channels, in a second direction perpendicular to their longer longitudinal axes, until they are positioned coaxial but axially spaced in relation to each other; the end wall of one of the two packets is gummed; and the packets are brought together so that the end walls adhere to each other, thus forming a double packet.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and packing bundles (46) of boxes produced by a folding-glueing or stitching machine, in which a station (28) for conveying and possibly overturning at least one stack (24) of boxes which comprises substantially as many boxes as a half of those forming a bundle (46) of boxes, feeds a station (44) for matching the bundles (46) of boxes with a first and a second stack (24) of boxes whereby said two stacks (24) of boxes overlap to each other. In the matching station (44), the bundle (46) of boxes is moved along a plane inclined in the direction of movement by a pushing means (52) acting on the rear side of the bundle (46) of boxes while this is laterally guided by stationary walls (54).

Abstract: An article handling device for handling identical articles having one end that is thicker than the other end entering the device along a supply path containing a plurality of identically aligned articles wherein the leading end of each article is of the same thickness. The article handling device effects a dividing of a specified number of articles entering a transfer section into two groups, a first group being transferred directly to an exit section, a second group being transferred directly to a reversing section while a still further third group, previously transferred to the reversing section and reversed in orientation relative to the first and second groups, is transferred from the reversing section to the exit section. The first and third groups of articles are thereafter united as the orientation of the second group is reversed. The united first and third groups form a solid rectangular volume which can be easily packaged with no wasted space.

Abstract: An egg packer apparatus is disclosed having baskets mounted on a transport moveable in a continuous path. The baskets have side-by-side compartments and move from an upright loading position to an inverted position at an unloading station. In the inverted position, the eggs roll along a cover to provide lateral movement of each egg in the direction of its pointed end. The unloading station has chutes to receive only the blunt end half of the egg as it rolls along. The egg drops into the chute blunt end first and then topples forwardly down the chute and drops pointed end downwardly into the egg flat.

Abstract: Copies (22) of preferably folded or stitched printed matter are transferred by means of a loading device (20) from a preceding station to a stacking device (30). The copies (22) are stacked in the stacking means (30) into stacks (120), positioned on a bottom (96). The bottom (96) can be lowered together with the stack (120) lying thereon. During this movement, the bottom is lowered simultaneously into a banding means (106) which applies itself to the bottom and the side walls of the stack. Thereafter the banding means (106) is closed tightly on top of the lowered stack (120), by means of sealing rams (118). The stack (120), with the loop wrapped around it, is then carried off, and the lowered bottom (96) or its partial bottoms (98, 100) return to their upper position.

Abstract: A product orienting and loading system includes a powered disk conveyor which receives product to be oriented from an infeed conveyor. A turntable is parallel to the support plane of the disk conveyor and is movable between a lowered position below the support plane and a raised position above the support plane and accommodating rotation of the turntable to orient the product. The turntable has cruciform slots for respectively receiving the disks to allow the turntable to pass to its lowered position in any of several rotational orientations spaced 90.degree. apart. The reoriented product is transferred to an endless window conveyor overlying a container supported at a loading level of a loading station. A counter-rotating pusher shifts the product through the window of the window conveyor into the container while the window conveyor moves the container in a discharge direction.

Abstract: An article rotating assembly and process for rotating articles to a predetermined orientation on a moving conveyor. The assembly comprises movable article control structures and cooperating vertical motion and rotational motion assemblies which are synchronized with the conveyor. Each article control structure is constructed and arranged for vertical and rotational movement above the moving conveyor and is controlled by cam follower and guide track structures to engage and rotate articles on the moving conveyor to a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A device for the packing of rigid or flexible receptacles, especially filled plastic bags, which are triangularly or teardrop-shaped in section, comprises a conveying belt for conveying the receptacles one behind the other, a discharge unit for discharging the receptacles one behind the other into a reception case located thereunder, the reception case being rotatable about 180.degree. and being located below the discharge unit. After a first receptacle is discharged into the reception case, it is rotated by 180.degree. and a layer consisting of oppositely directed receptacles in which the pointed end portions overlap is formed. Thereafter, the so-formed layers are deposited in a final packing case located below the reception case. An optimum utilization of space in the final packing case is attained by the receptacles due to the overlapping of their pointed end portions.

Abstract: The method of packing into boxes ice cream cones comprises the following operative steps: positioning of at least one basket (C) with the ice creams G, in position with at least one empty box (S) which is open upwards; lifting and removal of two parallel rows of ice creams from their seats in the basket; composite rotation of the two rows of ice creams, upwards and in opposite directions through 90.degree.

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 hand-carryable package of metal railroad spikes and method of making the same, wherein the spikes are stacked in layers with the spikes in alternate layers at right angles to each other, providing an interlocking package contents, and a package container comprising a flexible material in a central portion of which the contents are placed and opposed edge portions of the container material are folded upwardly and inwardly to form container top and side walls, a terminal portion of a pair of opposed, inwardly folded edge portions being twisted and connected together to form a bail-like handle for lifting and carrying the package.

Abstract: Groups of articles are received from a conventional drop packer grid, into one side of a rotatable carrier that defines pockets for receiving the articles. Each pocket is defined by upright fingers that form funnels for each article. These fingers are resiliently deformed by a star shaped cam located alongside each pocket so as to close around each article and hold it securely while the carrier is inverted. A second set of pockets accepts a second charge of articles while the first charge is dropped into a case lifted into place below the carrier. This case can be so positioned while the fingers are closed to reduce the verticle height through which the articles are dropped.

Abstract: Unit (10) to feed and stack layer of sections, which is located downstream of a layer-forming platform (11) and upstream of a packaging assembly (32), the layer-forming platform (11) comprising a plurality of conveyors (29), the unit (10) consisting of a plurality of first manipulator arms (40) and a plurality of second manipulator arms (41) able to rotate about an axis (42) parallel to the lengthwise axis of the sections to be packaged, the manipulator arms (40-41) bearing layer manipulators (35-36) able to move lengthwise along the manipulator arms (40-41) in the transient state of rotation of the movable manipulator arms (40-41), the layer manipulators (35-36) having an engagement position (45) arranged substantially at the front of and external to their relative manipulator arms (40-41).

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 packing device for articles having directionality that includes imaging means for taking an image of the articles, means for recognizing the direction of the articles, first memory means for storing the direction of the articles, second memory means for storing the direction of the articles to be packed into a container, and means for calculating the difference in angle between the directions stored in the first and second memory means. The direction of the robot hand for grasping the articles is controlled by the output of the calculating means.

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: 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: This invention relates to an improved starwheel (20) for use in continuous packaging, filling or labelling lines for articles such as cans and bottles which has a plurality of spaced orienting devices (18) around its periphery. The improvement resides in that the orienting devices (18) comprise moveable fingers (26) which can readily assume the contour of the outer periphery of such articles and be releasably locked in place after the contour of the article is captured in the orienting device. As a result, starwheel (20) does not have to be removed from the operating line to accommodate a new size or shape of article, the line can be quickly restarted using the new article and a large inventory of starwheels for various sizes and shapes of articles is unnecessary.

Abstract: A vinyl siding panel package system is disclosed that prefolds corrugated paper blanks and then forms panel containers that are packed with a pre-specified number of panels. The panel packer receives a plurality of panels from a panel extrusion operator, re-orients panels into desired combinations and packs each combination, up to the limit, in a waiting container. The loaded container is sent to a container closing operation whereby the lid is sealed around the container body, and the container is weighed. A palletizer transports a loaded container from the closer to a waiting pallet.

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: Packager for rolled sections with a duplicate cycle comprising a conveyor (2) of rolled sections, means (4-6) designed to form the layers (3', 3") of rolled sections each having a predetermined number of rolled sections, means (10) designed to pick up a layer (3) of sections from said conveyor (2) and transfer said layer (3) to means (26, 35) of forming packages of sections working with package-removal means (36), said means (10) designed to pick up a layer (3) of sections comprising means (16) of hoisting a layer and means (12) of traversing a layer as well as means (14) designed to pick up and overturn a layer coming from said conveyor (2), said means (10) designed to pick up a layer (3") working transiently with a fixed layer support structure (11), the layers (3) coming from said conveyor (2) being picked up alternately by said traversing means (12) and by said layer overturning means (14), and each layer (3') picked up by said traversing means (12) being deposited on said fixed structure (11) and thereon

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: Packaging machine to package sections in alternate layers with one single set of magnetic heads, which comprises a conveyor bench (11), an oscillatory arm (12) with a magnetic head (13) and an area (15) for the formation of packages (14), the conveyor bench (11) bearing alternate first and second layers (16-17) of sections wherein one layer comprises "N" sections whereas the next layer comprises "N minus 1" sections, each layer being defined by a pin (18), whereby the magnetic head (13) takes an upstream second layer (17) first, overturns it and places it on a previous first layer (16) located downstream and transfers both layers (16-17) onto a package (14) being formed after a relative vertical displacement as between the conveyor bench (11) and the oscillatory arm (12) at least during the step of transfer of the layers (16-17) onto the package (14) being formed, the packaging machine (10) being positioned below the conveyor bench (11) and at the side of the package (14) formation area (15).

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: A shifting apparatus for objects such as eggs comprises a plurality of holders slidably carried on a substantially horizontal holder guide which is vertically movable. When the holder guide assumes an upper position, the holders are maximally spaced from each other for receiving a corresponding number of objects from above. A pitch changing mechanism causes the holders to slide on the holder guide, so that the holders are minimally spaced from each other when the holder guide assumes a lower position. In the lower position of the holder guide, a discharging mechanism causes the holders to discharge the received objects into a container located below.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus is disclosed for aligning weighed batches or elongated objects, such as French-Fried potato strips. The batch of objects is weighed in a scale and discharged onto a moving conveyor belt which separates the objects and projects such objects from the conveyor into a vibrated alignment container including a first container means having a curved deflector wall and a second container means with a gated discharge outlet. The objects impact a vertically-curved rear deflector wall of the first alignment container means in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto and may fall into contact with a straight front deflector wall so that they are aligned substantially parallel to such rear wall when they fall into the supply inlet of a second container means. The second container means if a rectangular tube having a gate at its discharge outlet which is normally closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a preselected number of unsymmetrical objects into a package has a vibratory transporter for feeding a predetermined number of objects to be packaged into a collector and a photoelectric device for releasing the objects from the collector into a package when the predetermined number of objects are in the collector. The transporter includes a discharge trough which is slopped to one side and has a fixed siderail and a resiliently yieldable siderail which prevent jamming of unsymmetrical objects within the trough. Tracks which feed objects from an object storage unit to the trough are arranged one above the other so that the unsymmetrical objects cannot enter the trough on edge or in stacked relation to each other.

Abstract: A vinyl siding panel package system is disclosed that prefolds corrugated paper blanks and then forms panel containers that are packed with a pre-specified number of panels. The panel packer receives a plurality of panels from a panel extrusion operator, re-orients panels into desired combinations and packs each combination, up to the limit, in a waiting container. The loaded container is sent to a container closing operation whereby the lid is sealed around the container body, and the container is weighed. A palletizer transports a loaded container from the closer to a waiting pallet.

Abstract: A machine for packing tablets into tubes, the machine comprising a filling station (6), a conveyor (2) with pushers to feed tubes intermittently to the filling station and, after filling, to carry the filled tubes away from the station. The filling station (6) includes at least three parallel, rotating rollers (7) arranged to be brought into contact with and rotate at least two tubes closed at one end, the rotating rollers having a specified inclination to the horizontal plane so that the open end of the tube is at a higher level than the closed end, at least two inclined chutes to transfer tablets from a tablet-making machine to the empty tubes, and one supply magazine connected to each supply chute, to raise the tablets to an upright position and transfer them from chute to tube.