Package collator machine

Abstract

A package collator machine adapted to translate two successive in-line packages into face-to-face paired orientation, particularly where the faces of those packages present plural curved surfaces, e.g., shrink wrapped sausages. The machine includes first and second package conveyors, one having a transfer section of a lesser length and the other having a transfer section of a greater length, that are juxtaposed to define common entry and exit points. The difference between the lesser and greater conveyor lengths is at least equal to the length of the trailing package of each package pair. A series of active package seats is preferably connected with one of the first and second conveyors, and a series of inactive package seats is connected with the other of those conveyors. The active package seats are connected with a vacuum system that holds packages in place while the packages are moved between entry and exit points when the active seat conveyor is oriented above the inactive seat conveyor during use of the machine. The first and second package conveyors preferably are operated at the same line speeds as packages move through their transverse sections between entry and exit points. Accordingly, two in-line packages at the conveyors' entry point are re-oriented into face-to-face paired orientation at the conveyors' exit point because of the difference in conveyor length and the sameness of the conveyor line speed.