The present invention is directed to an apparatus for loading stacks of container lids into an associated lid-applying apparatus, as typically found in a container filling facility. The apparatus includes a reciprocably movable carriage which is positioned generally above the lid-applying apparatus. The carriage can be positioned in a first, loading position, which is generally offset from the apparatus for convenient placement of the lid stacks by operators. The carriage can then be moved over the lid-applying apparatus to a second, unloading position. The carriage includes movable lid supports, which then open to release the lid stacks downwardly onto the lid-applying apparatus. In the preferred form, vertically movable lid cradles extend upwardly from the lid-applying apparatus, and receive the lid stacks from beneath carriage. The cradles then move downwardly, carrying the lid stacks downwardly, for transfer of the stacks onto the lid-applying apparatus.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for loading stacks of container lids into an associated lid-applying apparatus, as typically found in a container filling facility. The apparatus includes a reciprocably movable carriage which is positioned generally above the lid-applying apparatus. The carriage can be positioned in a first, loading position, which is generally offset from the apparatus for convenient placement of the lid stacks by operators. The carriage can then be moved over the lid-applying apparatus to a second, unloading position. The carriage includes movable lid supports, which then open to release the lid stacks downwardly onto the lid-applying apparatus. In the preferred form, vertically movable lid cradles extend upwardly from the lid-applying apparatus, and receive the lid stacks from beneath carriage. The cradles then move downwardly, carrying the lid stacks downwardly, for transfer of the stacks onto the lid-applying apparatus.

A method for operating a production and packaging installation for hygiene products, wherein the hygiene products are produced by a production machine, and the hygiene products produced are packaged by at least two packaging machines which are assigned to the production machine and are intended for packaging the hygiene products in particular so that they are ready for dispatch. At least two packaging machines assigned to a grouping conveyor form a machine group, wherein the performance of the packaging machines of the machine group are adapted automatically in accordance with the performance of the production machine and/or the individual performances available for the packaging machines of the machine group, and/or wherein the number of hygiene products with which the holders of the grouping conveyor are filled is selected automatically for each holder in dependence on which of the packaging machines the hygiene product of the respective holder is intended.

A packing method and unit to pack articles, includes: moving first seats by a first conveyor and second seats by a second conveyor along first and second paths at first and second moving speeds, respectively; and cyclically transferring an article from a first seat to a second seat in a transfer station. The first seats and second seats each designed to house an article. During normal operation with no rejected articles, the first moving speed is functionally equal to the second moving speed, and the same number of first and second seats pass through the transfer station in a given time interval. Where at least one article is rejected in a first seat, the second moving speed is functionally decreased relative to the first moving speed so that two first seats (one containing the rejected article) passes through the transfer station in the time interval as one second seat.

A packing method and unit to pack articles, includes: moving first seats by a first conveyor and second seats by a second conveyor along first and second paths at first and second moving speeds, respectively; and cyclically transferring an article from a first seat to a second seat in a transfer station. The first seats and second seats each designed to house an article. During normal operation with no rejected articles, the first moving speed is functionally equal to the second moving speed, and the same number of first and second seats pass through the transfer station in a given time interval. Where at least one article is rejected in a first seat, the second moving speed is functionally decreased relative to the first moving speed so that two first seats (one containing the rejected article) passes through the transfer station in the time interval as one second seat.

Singling equipment for an apparatus for packaging lollipops, each lollipop having a head and a stick, the singling equipment includes: a horizontally rotating sorting disc with a plurality of pockets, each of the pockets accommodating the head of the lollipop; a vertically rotating first transfer wheel with a plurality of indentations for the stick of the lollipop; and a vertically rotating second transfer wheel with a plurality of holding means, each of the holding means gripping the stick of the lollipop, the horizontally rotating sorting disc and the vertically rotating first transfer wheel are each driven by a servomotor, whose speed of rotation and/or torque is controlled independently.

Singling equipment for an apparatus for packaging lollipops, each lollipop having a head and a stick, the singling equipment includes: a horizontally rotating sorting disc with a plurality of pockets, each of the pockets accommodating the head of the lollipop; a vertically rotating first transfer wheel with a plurality of indentations for the stick of the lollipop; and a vertically rotating second transfer wheel with a plurality of holding means, each of the holding means gripping the stick of the lollipop, the horizontally rotating sorting disc and the vertically rotating first transfer wheel are each driven by a servomotor, whose speed of rotation and/or torque is controlled independently.

A prescription handling system that takes filled prescription containers in an automated pharmacy and places them into a package for shipment is described. The handling system includes an inflow to feed containers to a turntable and a robot moves containers from the turntable to a container placement section, which places the containers in a pocket of a package for shipping. Each container for a prescription order is tracked to ensure that only associated containers are packaged together.

A prescription handling system that takes filled prescription containers in an automated pharmacy and places them into a package for shipment is described. The handling system includes an inflow to feed containers to a turntable and a robot moves containers from the turntable to a container placement section, which places the containers in a pocket of a package for shipping. Each container for a prescription order is tracked to ensure that only associated containers are packaged together.

A centrifugal bowl parts feeder system for various relatively heavy parts feeding including automotive bearings, gears, castings and other small, rugged and heavy part1 to 6 inches in diameter and to 5 pounds apiece. The components for this heavy duty centrifugal parts feeder system embraces a feeder bowl system with a durable, high impact bowl and surface, a drive assembly and a shaft connected to an inner disk, a set of selection tooling to separate and organize the parts, and a heavy support structure contiguous and beneath the inner disk. The system also contains both an input and output parts conveyor. All the components permit the heavy duty centrifugal bowl parts feeder system to feed and orient the relatively heavy, rugged and small.