Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and separating successive batches of articles such as bottles, cans, etc. The invention includes a first driving system for receiving, at a feed station, articles driven by a first rotating transfer system. The speed of the first rotating transfer system is gradually accelerated so that, as articles arrive at an outlet station, the speed at the outlet station is equal to the outlet speed. The first driving system is then disengaged. A second driving system interfaces with a variable space defined by a control device between the first and second driving systems.

Abstract: A system for conveying objects (1), which comprises at least one endless transporter (2) able to route the objects (3) along a so-called transportation surface (S), the transporter (2) comprising a plurality of pushers (6) regularly spaced apart, fixed to a movable support (7) for the pushers (6), continuously travelling, in a single direction and periodically along a closed-loop path which extends substantially in a so-called conveying plane (P), perpendicular to the said transportation surface (S) the path being locally contiguous with the transportation surface (S), characterized in that each pusher (6) is mounted so as to be able to move between a so-called inactive position in which the pusher (6) is located at a distance from the transportation surface (S) and does not project therefrom, and a so-called active position in which it projects at least partially from the transportation surface (S) in order to come into engagement with an object (3) and push it along the said surface (S), so that it is possi

Abstract: A packaging installation for forming finished products, from batches of articles, including a conveyor, a feed track, an article transferring mechanism, and a conveyor drive mechanism. The conveyer is able to receive batches of articles to route them from an upstream location to a downstream location. The feed track routes articles to the conveyer. The article transferring mechanism that transfers articles from the feed track to the conveyer groups the articles to form spaced apart batches. The transporter routes cardboard blanks or equivalent to the conveyer, and disposes the blanks on the conveyer opposite batches of articles. The conveyor, transfer, and transport drive mechanism, is characterized in that it comprises a control and slaving device, that applies a speed profile to each drive mechanism to allow the adjustment of the pitch and/or number of articles per batch according to the pitch and/or type of batch required.

Abstract: A device for forming successive batches (4) of articles (2), which comprises: a supply track (8) along which the articles (2) are routed up to a supply station (9), at a substantially constant input speed; a discharge track (10) able to receive, at a discharge station (11), the successive batches (4) of articles (2) in order to route them at an output speed greater than the input speed; device (12) of transferring the articles (2) from the supply station (9) to the discharge station (11), able to group the articles (2) in order to form batches (4) spaced apart, and which comprise a succession of gripping members (13) arranged so as to engage the articles (2) at the supply station (9) and to disengage them at the discharge station (11).

Abstract: A mechanism for continuously transporting a variety of receptacles with predetermined adjacent spacing. The mechanism uses a first and a second chain driven by a common shaft around identical closed circuits, but vertically offset from one other. These closed circuits have opposed linear sides joined by identical opposed semicircular shaped ends, directed by grooves on opposite sides of a guide block. A vertical support, attached between the first and second chains, traverses the outside of the block. A third chain traverses a second circuit, which is centered and directly below the second chain, directed by a groove in the uppermost side of a horizontal frame positioned under the guide block. This second circuit is identical to the others in shape however it has a greater distance between the semicircular ends. Levers, each equal in length to one half of the third chain circuit elongation, are pivotably attached to the vertical support and to a plate.

Abstract: A device for displacing articles from a first substantially rectilinear feed track (23) to a second substantially rectilinear feed track (24) forming an angle with the first track (23), comprises apparatus (26) for grouping articles in batches of at least two articles; apparatus (27) for grasping the batches of articles formed; and apparatus for driving the grasping apparatus along a closed circuit (28). Along the closed circuit there is a station (29) where the batches of articles are seized batchwise by the grasping apparatus, at the end of the first feed track (23); and a station (30) where the batches of articles are released batchwise by the grasping apparatus, at the beginning of the second feed track (24). At the seizing station (29), the articles of each batch of articles are aligned in a first direction of alignment substantially parallel to the first feed track (23), and at the releasing station (30), the articles of each batch of articles are aligned perpendicular to the second feed track (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to a blank of card or the equivalent designed to form a tubular envelope surrounding two pots or juxtaposed series of pots such as pots for milk products or desserts, the blank being of the type comprising a plurality of juxtaposed panels connected to one another along mutually parallel longitudinal fold lines, namely a central panel, two side panels adjacent to the central panel, and two end panels adjacent to respective ones of the two side panels; cut lines and fold lines being provided on at least one of the panels to define fold-out wedging elements in the panel, the wedging elements being suitable for projecting from the panel to wedge or contribute to the wedging of the pots in the pack comprising the pots surrounded by the envelope.