The Mead Corporation

Larry R Butcher

Gregory T Dubberly

Robert J McGowan

An apparatus for receiving and handling empty beverage containers. The empty containers may be received either individually or in cartons upon a moving conveyor. An alignment mechanism separates the containers and moves them to one side of the conveyor. A switch arrangement senses cartons, so that the system can process cartons of empty containers in a different manner than individual empty containers. The containers, whether individually or in cartons, pass through an illumination station wherein they interrupt illumination falling upon a row of photocells. Output signals from the photocells are transmitted to identification circuitry together with clock signals generated in synchronism with the movement of the conveyor. The identification circuitry generates registration signals, which are used to compute value of the containers being received. A paddle mechanism shifts the cartons to a separating station, which forwards properly filled cartons to a storage area. Improperly filled cartons are returned to a point near the receiving area.

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Xenia, OH, United States of America

Larry R Butcher