US3051581A

US3051581A - Method and apparatus for packaging food

Info

Publication number: US3051581A
Application number: US784680A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bonami Ernest
Original assignee: Swift and Co Inc
Current assignee: JBS USA LLC
Priority date: 1959-01-02
Filing date: 1959-01-02
Publication date: 1962-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 1979-08-28

Description

E. BONAMI METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FOOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 28, 1962 Filed Jan. 2, 1959 EFPNEST BONA 1962 E. BONAMI 3,051,581

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FOOD Filed Jan. 2, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 EQNEST gg yl BY MW A TTOHNE'Y 1952 E. BONAMI 3,051,581

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FOOD Filed Jan. 2, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 h. 4 "HIL EQNEST 50mm IN VEN TOR.

BY mw Aug. 28, 1962 E. BONAMI METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FOOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 2, 1959 EQNEST BONAMI INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,051,581 METHOD AND APPARATUS FUR PACKAGING F001) Ernest Bonami, Chicago, 111., assignor to Swift 8: Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 784,680 12 Claims. (Cl. 99-171) The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for accurately placing units of product on a sheet of divider material. More specifically the invention is directed to a method and apparatus for delivering groups of shing-lcd slices of meat, such as bacon, directly and accurately to the paperboard divider cards used in packaging the meat.

Various types of bacon slicing and shingling machines are in use today. Many of these machines incorporate apparatus for dividing the shingled slices into groups on a conveyor. I have previously devised a method and apparatus for automatically advancing such groups along a conveyor, placing each unit on a separate divider, and folding the divider to enclose the product. An embodiment of that apparatus is illustrated and described in my copending US. patent application S.N. 629,531, filed December 20, 1956, now Patent No. 2,907,152, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention is an improvement in the method and apparatus of the aforementioned copending application.

I have found that as the groups of slices are formed and moved along a conveying means, both sides of each succeeding group are not always in line with the sides of preceding groups. That is, While all groups are carried in the same direction by the conveying means they may and do occupy a range of positions lateral to the centerline of the conveying means. This situation is due primarily to the variation in width of the bacon bellies that are sliced. When slicing, one edge of each belly is held against a guide as it is forced into the path of a blade. Thus, in general, one end of every succeeding slice will be in line regardless of the width of the belly. However, the opposite ends will not be in alignment where the width of succeeding bellies varies. Furthermore the apparatus for grouping the slices into drafts usually involves a system of conveyors operating at ditferent speeds. The action of this equipment often whips the groups of slices to one or the other side of the conveyors resulting in further non-alignment of the sides of succeeding groups. However, in the apparatus of my copending application each divider card is positioned at the same point with respect to the group feed conveyor. This situation is undesirable in that it is necessary to subsequently properly align the product within the folded divider after it leaves the packaging equipment.

Should the product be left unaligned with a side there of extending beyond the edge of a divider, it will be readily apparent that further packaging operations, where required, or other handling of the package may damage the product and render it unsalable. In any instance, if the product is not evenly positioned on the divider the resultant package will be unattractive with a consequent adverse efiect on the salability of such items.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for accurately placing a quantity of product on a divider card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for accurately positioning and enclosing a quantity of product within a divider member.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a novel method and apparatus for continuously and 3,5l,581 Patented Aug. 28, 1962 accurately placing a succession of shingled groups of bacon slices on -a series of dividers.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for continuously and accurately enclosing successive groups of shingled bacon slices evenly within the edges of a series of dividers.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the improved apparatus showing a movable take away conveyor and divider card positioning assembly;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 with the divider card magazines removed;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken at line 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view of a second embodiment of the improved apparatus showing a movable feed conveyor assembly;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken at line 66 in FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a simplified wiring diagram for the detection and control circuits found in both embodiments of the device.

The method of the present invention comprises taking the groups of shingled slices and moving the groups in spaced relationship in a given direction generally along a path toward a particular loading or terminal point. The divider cards on which the groups are to be placed are sequentially positioned at the terminal point with one portion of the divider extending rearwardly from the terminal point, that is generally in the reverse of the direction of movement of the groups, and below the path traveled by the groups. The remaining portion of the divider extends forwardly of this terminal point, and preferably extends upwardly above the level of the path of travel of the groups. During the movement of the groups toward the dividers any deviation of the next group approaching the terminal point, laterally of the positioned divider, is registered; and either the terminal point or the given direction of motion is adjusted to bring the side of the group in line with a point just inside the corresponding edge of the divider. Then as that group approaches the terminal point, and commences to move past that point, the divider is moved in the same direction at substantially the same rate of speed, with the group being deposited on the divider as each moves along. The forward portion of the divider is then folded back over the group that has been deposited on the divider. As soon as one divider has moved away from the terminal point a new divider is positioned at that point. Preferably this is done by moving the divider along a course transverse to the path of travel of the groups.

The basic features of the present invention are substantially the same as found in the apparatus described in my aforementioned copending application. With reference to the apparatus, a succession of groups of shingled slices 10 are carried along a group feed conveyor 12, consisting of a plurality of ribbons 14 trained about a pair of

pulley shafts

16 and 18 which are journaled in a subframe 20. The groups are intended to drop oil the end of conveyor 12 at pulley 16 onto a divider card 22 held therebeneath on a horizontally reciprocable table 24. The divider card is a transversely scored paperboard blank having a bottom face 26 and a top face 28. Preferably the bottom face 26 is disposed beneath the feed conveyor 12 to receive the groups 10, and the top face 28 extends forwardly and slightly upward from that point.

The divider card 22 is held in this position by some convenient means on the reciprocable table 24 at one of a pair of cutout portions 30 thereon. When the slices begin to fall on the bottom face 26 the card 22 will be partially lifted and carried forward beneath means to at least partially fold the top face 28 across the product, at substantially the same speed of movement as conveyor 12, by a takeaway conveyor 32. Conveyor 32 is also made up of a plurality of ribbons 34 which are trained about a first pulley shaft 36 journaled in a subframe 38 and a second pulley shaft 40 which is journaled in a pair of arms 42 pivotably mounted within the subframe 38. The pivotable arms 42 are magnetically actuated to move the conveyor 32 upwardly toward the cutout portion 30 of table 24 and into cont-act with the divider card 22 as the slices begin to fall from the feed conveyor 12.

A divider feed means generally 44 comprises a pair of

card magazines

46, 48 connected to the subframe 38 above each side of the takeaway conveyor 32. A pair of vertically reciprocable

vacuum withdrawing members

50, 52 operate beneath the

magazines

46, 48, respectively, alternating to withdraw a divider card 22 therefrom and place it above the corresponding cutout portion 30 of table 24. The table then reciprocates to properly position the card with respect to the takeaway conveyor 32.

Both

conveyors

12 and 32 may be continuously operated by

electric motors

54, 56, respectively, secured to the

corresponding subframes

20, 38. Furthermore, the

reciprocating parts including the table 24 and the

vacuum withdrawing members

50, 52, are actuated by suitable pneumatic means connected to a source of air pressure through a series of valves (not shown). The valves, in turn, are actuated by a suitable timing means such as that described in my copending application, or a suitable commercially available cam driven timer. A trip switch 62, hung between the

magazines

46, 48 contactable by groups of slices advancing to the end of conveyor 12, is connected to actuate the magnetically operated pivotable arms 42 and the timing means. Finally, both

subframes

20 and 38 are supported on a main frame 64.

The present improvement in the apparatus comprises a photoelectric detection'uuit generally 66, arranged near the end of feed conveyor 12 and connected to a suitable power means generally 68, which is secured to the main frame 64 and suitably connected to move, in a direction transverse to the motion of

conveyors

12 and 32, one of the

subframes

20 or 38.

With specific reference to the drawings, FIGURES 1, 2,

and 3 illustrate an embodiment of my improved invention wherein the subframe 38 and the components (including the trip switch 62, takeaway conveyor 32 and the divider feed means 44) mounted thereon are movable in a direction generally at right angles to the feed conveyor 12. Subframe 38 is supported on two pairs of casters 70 that are confined to movement along a pair of grooved tracks 72 secured to the frame 64. A pair of captive nuts 74 are fastened to the underside of subframe 38 about midway between the two pairs of casters 70. Nuts 74 are suitably threaded to receive a power feed screw 76 therethrough. The feed screw 76 extends .through a thrust bearing 78 and is connected directly to the armature of a reversible electric motor 80. It will have become apparent that by applying the proper voltage to the electric motor 80, subframe 38, and the comp nents mounted thereon can be quickly moved in either direction .lateral to the feed conveyor 12.

The voltage placed on motor 80 is controlled by 'a photoelectric detection unit generally 66 which is located near the end of feed conveyor 12. The detection unit was devised to register the position of a group of slices 10 approaching the end of conveyor 12 relative to an edge of the normal position of a divider card 22. Should the group of slices register as being too far to one side or the other of that edge (or a line parallel thereto) the electric motor 80 will be energized to turn feed screw A 76 and move the subframe 38 in the proper direction to line up the divider 22 with the approaching group f slices 10.

The electric circuitry of the detection unit generally 66 will be later explained. However, for purposes of the present discussion it is suflicient to note that the control system includes three

photoelectric cells

82, 84 and 86.

Cells

82 and 84 are mounted in a single housing 88 secured to a bracket 90 on the movable subframe 38. The

tandem cells

82 and 84 are located above and substantially transversely of the conveyor 12 adjacent a side thereof. Secured to subframe 38 directly beneath the housing 88 and conveyor 12 is a lamp 92 for illuminating

cells

82, 84. Normally, photocells 82, 84 will be positioned to straddle a line extending from one edge of a divider card 22, or a line inwardly and parallel thereto.

The third photocell 86 may be connected to either the stationary subframe 20 or the movable subframe 38. Preferably cell 86 is mounted on the subframe 20 that supports conveyor 12. It should be located above the conveyor; and a corresponding lamp 34 below the conveyor. In the preferred arrangement photocell 86 and lamp 94 should be located so that the beam from the lamp passes between two of the ribbons 14 of conveyor 12.

In operation, as a group of sliced material is moved along conveyor 12 toward a divider 22 positioned below the end thereof on the reciprocable table 24, the group will pass between lamp 94 and photoelectric cell 86 causing the detection unit generally 66 to be energized. At the same time the group of product will normally intercept at least part of the beam between lamp 92 and

photoelectric cells

82, 84. If the product is properly lined up with the waiting divider 22, the inwardly disposed light cell 84 will be shadowed and the outward photocell 82 will be exposed to the light beam. In this condition voltage will not be placed on electric motor and the subframe 38 will retain its position. However, should the ends of product be inwardly of both

light cells

82, 84 exposing both to the beam from lamp 92, the motor 80 will be energized to turn feed screw 76 in a direction causing the subframe 38 to move forward (to the right as viewed in FIGURE 3). When movement of the subframe 38 has brought the divider 22 and group 10 in line, photocell 84 will be shadowed while cell 82 will be exposed to the beam from lamp 92 and the voltage will be removed from motor 80 and the movement will stop.

Should the position of an approaching group of slices 10 be too far to the left (as viewed in FIGURE 3) both

photocells

82 and 84 will be shadowed and the control circuit will cause a reversed voltage to be applied to motor 80 causing it to operate in the reverse direction and turn feed screw 76 to move the subframe 38 in the corresponding direction (to the left as seen in FIGURE 3).

, A second embodiment of the improved apparatus employs essentially the same detection unit and operative elements as found in the preceding embodiment. Similar parts in the second embodiment will be noted by like reference characters bearing an accent mark. As may be seen in FIGURES 4-6, however, in the second embodiment the takeaway conveyor 32' and subframe 38 are held stationary while the feed conveyor 12' and subframe 20 are movable lateradly. The ribbons 14' of the conveyor '12 extend across a relatively long run, as compared with the first embodiment, and are supported at intermediate points by idler rollers 96. Pulley shaft 16' of conveyor 12 is journaled in the movable subframe 20'; and the opposite pulley shaft 18' is journaled in a stationary part of the frame.

A pair of bearings 78' are fastened to the frame 64', and a reversible electric motor 80 is also fastened to this frame with its shaft in iine with the bearings 78'. A power feed screw 76' is supported between the bearings and connected directly to the shaft of the electric motor 80'. Two captive nuts 74' forming part of the subframe 20' engage the threads on feed screw 76' so that the screw and bearings 78 both support subframe 20' and move it to either side in accordance with the voltage applied to the motor 80'. However, the direction in which the subframe 20' must be moved in response to the position of a group of slices with respect to the photocells 82', 84' is opposite to that of the first embodiment. For instance, in the first embodiment where the group 10 allows light to strike both

cells

82 and 84 the subfrarne 38 was moved to the right (as seen in FIGURE 3), while in the second embodiment, to correct the same situation, subframe 20 must be moved to the left (as seen in FIGURE 6).

The physical structure of the detection unit generally 66' is essentially the same as in the previous embodiment.

Cells

82 and 84 are secured above conveyor 12' to a bracket 90' which is fixed to the now stationary subframe 38. A lamp 92' is attached to subfrarne 38 beneath the conveyor in line with the photocell housing 88. The third photocell 86 and its corresponding lamp 94' may be attached to the movable subframe 20 so that the light beam from lamp 94' will always pass between two adjacent ribbons 14 of the group feed conveyor '12.

Referring to FIGURE 7, a simplified wiring diagram for the detection and control unit generally 66 may be seen. The electrical circuit forms no part of my invention and is given merely to completely describe a working embodiment thereof. A primary coil of a transformer gen erally :100 is connected across a 120 volt AC. power supply. The transformer has two secondary windings 102 and 104. Winding 162 is connected to continuously energized

lamps

92 and 94 which are connected thereto in parallel. Winding 104 provides half wave rectification of the current passing to the photocells and control circuit through a pair of selenium rectifiers 106 connected to the end terminals of the winding. The rectifiers 106 in turn are connected to a common terminal 108 which, when taken with a center tap terminal 110 on winding 104, provides substantially D.C. power.

Connected to

terminals

108, 110 i a filter circuit, generally 112, including a gas filled voltage regulator tube 114 which operates to provide a constant voltage to a fixed resistance 116 and a pair of variable resistances 118 and 120. One side of photocell 86 is connected to the fixed resistance 116. Also one side of each of

photocells

82 and 84 is connected to the variable resistances 118 and 120 respectively. In this manner, a fraction of the voltage in the filter circuit 112 will be impressed on one side of the photocells. The other side of cell 86 is connected to one end of the coil of a relay 122, the other end of which isconnected to a buss 124 return to the terminal 110 of the D.C. power supply. Photocels 82 and 84, in turn, are connected in parallel to one end of the coil of a three-way relay switch 126 by wire 128. The other end of the coil of relay 126 is also connected to the buss 124. The common pole of relay 126 is connected in series through the switch of relay 122 to the terminal 108 of the DC. power supply.

At this point it may be seen that so long as lamp 86 is exposed to light, relay 122 will be energized and DC. power will not be directed to the switch of relay 126. The coil of relay 126, however, may be exposed to a range of currents depending upon the combination of

photocells

82 and 84 energized and the settings of variable resistances 118, 120. A minimum current will always fiow through the coil of relay 126 when neither of the

photocells

82 and 84 are exposed to light :from lamp 92. Medium current will flow when only one photocell (cell 82) is lighted, and maximum current will flow when both photocells are exposed to light. Resistances 118 and 120 may be adjusted so that these three ranges of current supplied to the coil of relay 126 will be suflicient to move the switch of relay 126 into contact with three separate poles. Maximum current will draw the switch to the fall down position connecting a relay 130 across the DC. power suply (when photocell 86 is dark and relay 122 is closed). Medium current will place the switch of relay 6 126 in contact with a blank pole. Minimum current will allow the switch to make contact with a pole connecting (under the previously noted conditions) a relay 13 2 across the DC power supply.

When either relay 130 or 132 is connected to the DC. power supply, a third relay 134 will also be connected thereto through one of a pair of selenium rectifiers 136. In this system the rectifiers 136 act to pass current in only one direction. Thus current will pass to the coil of relay 134 from the line to an energized

coil

130 or 132; but current will be blocked from passing on to the nonenergized coil.

The switches of

relays

130, 132, and 134 are all normally open. One side of the 120 Volt AC. power supply is connected to the switch of relay 134. That switch in turn is connected through the switch of relay 130 to the forward power terminal of the motor 80. The switch of relay 134 is also connected, through the switch of relay 132, to the reverse power terminal of motor 80. A direct connection is also provided between motor and the other side of the Volt AC. power supply. Thus when a group of slices 10 passes between the photocells and their respective lamps, cell 86 will be shadowed, deenergizing relay 122, and thus connecting the switch of relay 126 to the DC. power supply. Concurrently the lighted or shadowed condition of

cells

82, 84 will establish a current in the coil of relay 126 causing the switch thereof to connect (if any) the coils of either of relays or 132 and the coil of relay 134 to the D.C. power. The affected relay switches will close to connect the AC. power and the motor 30 to operate it in the forward or reverse direction as previously described. A pair of limit switches '138, 140 may be placed at either side of the stationary main frame 64 in the path of

movable subframe

20 or 38 to insure that the AC. power to motor 8% will be interrupted when the subframe has moved to its furthest limit.

The foregoing detailed description is only for clearness of understanding and for the purpose of complying with 35 U.S.C. 112, and I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the 'art.

I claim:

1. A method for accurately depositing non-aligned groups of food product on divider cards comprising the steps of sequentially positioning divider cards at a given location; moving a plurality of serially spaced non-aligned groups of food product along a path generally toward said location; registering the relative lateral position of a side of each group successively as it approaches said location on said path with respect to an edge of a divider card at said location; moving one of said path and said location laterally with respect to the other in response to the relative positions to bring said group and said divider card into proper lateral alignment; and moving said divider card with said group of product from said location as said product is deposited thereon.

2. A method for accurately depositing non-aligned groups of food product on divider cards comprising the steps of sequentially positioning divider cards at a given location, moving a plurality of serially spaced nonaligned groups of food product along a path in a given direction generally toward said location; registering the relative lateral position of a side of each group successively as it approaches said location on said path with respect to an edge of a divider card at said location; moving said location and said divider card laterally with respect to said group on said path in response to their relative positions until said group and said divider card are properly aligned; and moving said divider card with said group of product generally in said given direction from said location as said product is deposited thereon.

3. A method for accurately depositing non-fligned groups of food product on divider cards comprising the steps of sequentially positioning divider cards at a given location; moving a plurality of serially spaced nonaligned groups of food product along a path in a given direction generally toward said location; registering the relative lateral position of a side of each group successively as it approaches said location on said path with respect to an edge of a divider card at said location; moving said path and said group of product laterally with respect to said location and said divider in response to their relative positions until said group and said divider card are properly aligned; and moving said divider card with said group of product generally in said given direction from said location as said product is deposited thereon.

4. A device for accurately depositing non-aligned groups of food product on divider cards comprising positioning means for sequentially placing divider cards at a prescribed location; conveying means trained to move the groups of food product serially along a path ending above said location; said conveying means having a substantial dimension lateral of said path across which succeeding groups are positioned; detecting means positioned along said conveying means to sense the presence of a group of product thereon, said detecting means also being operative to register the relative position of a side of said group laterally with respect to an edge of said divider card; power means controlled by said detecting means to cause one of said positioning means and said conveying means to move with respect to the other to bring said divider card and said group into alignment; and means to remove said divider card from said location as a group of product is deposited thereon.

5. A device for accurately depositing non-aligned groups of food product on divider cards comprising positioning means for sequentially placing divider cards at a given location; conveying means trained to move the groups of food product serially along a path ending above said location, said conveying means having a substantial dimension lateral of said path across which succeeding groups are positioned; detecting means positioned along said conveying means to sense the presence of a group of product thereon, said detecting means also being operative to register the relative position of a side of said group laterally with respect to an edge of said divider card; power means controlled by said detecting means and connected to move said location and a divider card thereon with respect to said conveying means to bring said card and said group into alignment; and means to remove said divider card from said location as a group of product is deposited thereon.

6. A device for accurately depositing non-aligned groups of food product on divider cards comprising; positioning means for sequentially placing divider cards at a given location; conveying means trained to move the groups of food product serially along a path ending above said location, said conveying means having a substantial dimension lateral of said path across which succeeding groups are positioned; detecting means positioned along said conveying means to sense the presence of a group of product thereon, said detecting means also being operative to register the relative position of a side of said group laterally with respect to an edge of said divider card; power means controlled by said detecting means and connected to move said conveying means and said group thereon with respect to said location and said card to bring said card and said group into alignment; and means to remove said divider card from said location as a group of product is deposited thereon,

'8 7. A device for accurately depositing non-aligned groups of food product on divider cards comprising: a

first frame; card holding means supported on said first frame; means to sequentially place cards on said holding means; a second frame; a conveyor for serially advancing non-aligned groups of product to a point above said card holding means, said conveyor being supported on said second frame; a detection member capable of registering the location of a side of agroup of food product on said conveyor, said detection member being secured to said first frame; means to move said first frame laterally of said conveyor, said means being connected to said detection member and controlled thereby to move said first frame in a direction to bring a divider card into alignment with said group of food product; and means to remove the divider card and group of food product from said card holding means.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the means to move said first frame comprises a power feed screw, and a motor connected thereto, wherein the threads thereof are engaged by suitably threaded portions of said first frame.

9. The device ofclaim 8 wherein the detection member comprises a pair of photoelectric cells disposed generally transversely of an edge of said endless conveyor, and a source of light positioned opposite to said photoelectric cells whereby an edge of said group of product may partially intercept the light from said source.

10. A device for accurately depositing non-aligned groups of product on divider cards comprising: a first frame; card holding means supported on said first frame; means to sequentially place cards on said holding means; a second frame; an endless conveyor for serially advancing non-aligned groups of product to a point above said card holding means, said conveyor being supported on said second frame; a detection member capable of registering the location of a side of a group of product on said conveyor, said detection member being secured to said first frame; means to move said second frame laterally of said first frame, said means being connected to said detection member and controlled thereby to move said second frame in a direction to bring said group of product-into alignment with a divider on said holding means; and means to remove the divider card and group of product from said card holding means.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the means to move said second frame comprises a power feed screw, and a motor connected thereto, wherein the threads thereof are engaged by suitably threaded portions of said second frame.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the detection membre comprises a pair of photoelectric cells disposed generally transversely of an edge of said endless conveyor, and a source of light positioned opposite said photoelectric cells whereby an edge of said group of product may partially intercept the light from said source.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,259,502 Topham et a1 Oct. 21, 1941 2,296,142 Campbell Sept. 15, 1942 2,452,376 Holstebroe et a1 Oct. 26, 1948 2,639,567 Murdock et a1 May 26, 1953 2,717,729 Page et al Sept. 13, 1955 2,813,798 Toby Nov. 19,1957 2,877,014 Meyer Mar. 10, 1959 2,907,152 Hensgen et a1. Oct. 6, 1959

Claims

1. A METHOD FOR ACCURATELY DEPOSITING NON-ALIGNED GROUPS OF FOOD PRODUCT ON DIVIDER CARDS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF SEQUENTIALLY POSITIONING DIVIDER CARDS AT A GIVEN LOCATION; MOVING A PLURALITY OF SERIALLY SPACED NON-ALIGNED GROUPS OF FOOD PRODUCT ALONG A PATH GENERALLY TOWARD SAID LOCATION; REGISTERING THE RELATIVE LATERAL POSITION OF A SIDE OF EACH GROUP SUCCESSIVELY AS IT APPROACHES SAID LOCATION ON SAID PATH WITH RESPECT TO AN EDGE OF A DIVIDER CARD AT SAID LOCATION; MOVING ONE OF SAID PATH AND SAID LOCATION LATERALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER IN RESPONSE TO THE RELATIVE POSITIONS TO BRING SAID GROUP AND SAID DIVIDER CARD INTO PROPER LATERAL ALIGNMENT; AND MOVING SAID DIVIDER CARD BOTH WITH SAID GROUP OF PRODUCT FROM SAID LOCATION AS SAID PRODUCT IS DEPOSITED THEREON.