Abstract: A machine and method for arranging objects comprising a first end with a protruding edge and a second end, on the opposite side of the protruding edge, in an alternate manner along single file rows. A guide guides objects in a single file row to a separator for receiving and separating the objects into a first and a second group and for alternately feeding the first and the second group to a collector and dropping device configured for rotating the objects of the first group and the second group according to a predetermined orientation and for stacking the objects one above the other in an alternate manner along single file rows.

Abstract: An inversion guide device is configured to guide tofu conveyed by a transfer conveyor and inverted by a turn-back portion at one end of the transfer conveyor. The inversion guide device includes an endless conveyor configured to support the tofu along a track of the turn-back portion and guide the tofu while being driven in a circulating manner.

Abstract: A mechanism (300) for transferring coil springs from a coil winding device (110) to a conveyor belt (210) of a pocketed coil assembly machine comprises a magnetic lift platform (310) for engaging a coil spring (10?) before being released at an output of the coil winding device (110). Further, the mechanism comprises a drive mechanism (315) for moving the lift platform (310) between the output of the coil winding device (110) and the conveyor belt (210).

Abstract: A method of changing article pitch. The method can comprise receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch, engaging the articles of the series of articles sequentially with a gripper wheel, moving the articles along a path of travel with the gripper wheel, and moving the articles relative to one another from the first pitch to a second pitch during the moving the articles along the path of travel with the gripper wheel.

Abstract: In described examples, a cushioning unit assembler includes first, second, third, and fourth rows of welding heads, a transport, and a feed module. The welding heads have a welding position and a retracted position. A main axis of the welding heads is oriented in a first dimension while in the welding position. The transport is disposed above the rows of welding heads. The transport has a main axis oriented in a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension. The feed module includes a pocketed spring intake and a pocketed spring outflow. The transport is mechanically coupled to enable the feed module to move in the second dimension along a scope of movement. An exit aperture of the outflow vertically aligns with welding heads of the first row that are in the welding position, and vertically aligns with welding heads of the second row that are in the welding position.

Abstract: An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation.

Abstract: A folding-diverter assembly is provided to: selectively divert a substrate-product combination advancing from a first direction in a predetermined path based upon the substrate-product combination weighing a predetermined weight; advance the substrate-product combination in a second direction, opposite from the first direction; and fold a flap of the substrate-product combination partially over a top surface of the substrate-product combination. A semi-circular conveyor assembly is configured to advance the substrate-product combination in the second direction at a first portion of the semi-circular conveyor assembly, and along a semi-circular advancing path such that the substrate-product combination is advanced in the first direction at a second portion of the semi-circular conveyor assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the flexible distribution of packages, comprising at least one conveyor belt for transporting the packages along a transport direction, and at least one distributing device for moving the packages relative to the conveyor belt, wherein the distributing device has a plurality of sliding elements which are mounted movably on the distributing device, and wherein the sliding elements can be driven independently of each other. In order to achieve a reliable movement of individual packages of different sizes at individual speeds, it is proposed that the sliding elements respectively have two contact surfaces which are arranged at an angle to each other.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes a dual-track loop including a first track loop and a second track loop, a single-track loop spaced apart from the dual-track loop, and a cross-track extending between the dual-track loop and the single-track loop. The system also includes a platform disposed on the cross-track. The platform is configured to translate between a position aligned with the first track loop and the second track loop of the dual-track loop and a position aligned with a first portion and a second portion of the single-track loop. The system further includes a turntable coupled to the platform and configured to rotate a ride vehicle positioned on the turntable and to change an orientation of the ride vehicle relative to a fixed portion of the platform.

Abstract: A tie plate straightener includes a plurality of rollers having varying cross-section and differing elevations. The tie plate straightener includes directional wheels between the rollers and disposed in alignment with the lower elevations of the rollers. The straightener receives tie plates at an input and rotates the tie plates when the tie plate engages the directional wheels. The tie plate is thereby oriented and/or positioned so that the tie plate is supported above the directional wheels.

Abstract: A machine (M) and a method for arranging objects (T, T1, T2) comprising a first end (Te) and a projecting edge (Tb) arranged in proximity to the first end, in an alternate manner along single file rows (F). The objects are oriented so that they rest on the first end and are divided into a first group (A) and a second group (B). The first group are moved in an anti-clockwise direction along a first arc of circumference (C1) and, simultaneously, the second group are moved in a clockwise direction along a second arc of circumference (C2). The objects (T1) of the first group and the objects (T2) of the second group are dropped in turn along the same direction (Y). The objects (T, T1, T2) are stacked on top of one another in an alternate manner along single file rows (F).

Abstract: A palletizing device for a piling of layers from at least two rows of filled sacks to a sack stacking comprising a sliding device with a sliding area for the formation of a layer of filled sacks and a supply device with at least a conveyor belt for the supply of filled sacks in a feed position on the sliding area, wherein the sliding device comprises a sliding table beneath the sliding area and a slider for sliding of the filled sacks from a sliding position on the sliding area on the sliding table, wherein the conveyor belt is performed in a way that a supply distance between a feed position and the sliding position is smaller than a sliding distance between the sliding position and a frame of the sliding device at the supply edge of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: A case manipulator receives cases from an infeed conveyer and manipulates individual cases or groups of cases and transfers the manipulated cases to a row accumulator platform in a desired and pre-determined orientation and positioned on the accumulator platform to a desired and pre-determined location. The manipulation of individual cases, or groups of cases, is continued in a sequential operation until a complete row is formed on the accumulator platform according to a pre-determined build menu. The case manipulator includes a swing plate pivotal on a first axis and a paddle arm that is attached to the swing plate and pivotal on a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The invention allows the palletizer to have the next case in a row transferred from the infeed conveyer to the row-build staging area while the case manipulator is operating on an already-delivered case.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for loading a bound product, the device holding a product without the product sagging, which has been completed by punching various objects to be bound and then binding same by means of a coil spring, reversing the moving direction to a loading location and thereby enabling neat and stable stacking in a zigzag state without having the coil springs come in contact with one another.

Abstract: A machine for making and packing capsules (2) for extraction products in multi-capsule packs (27) includes a feeding station (11) for feeding rigid bodies (3) of the capsules, a dosing station (12) for dosing a dose of product within the rigid bodies, a closing station (13) for closing an upper aperture of the rigid bodies with a respective lid (7); a transport element (8) that features a plurality of seats (10) for housing and moving the capsules through the stations; an exit station (17) adapted to draw the capsules from the transport element; and a packing station (23) adapted to pack the capsules in multi-capsule packs where the capsules are arranged side by side and according to a head-to-tail orientation. The invention further provides for a method for making and packing capsules for extraction products in multi-capsule packs.

Abstract: A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: A method for storing and/or order-picking product units in a storage and/or order-picking installation (P1), in which incoming transporting units are stored on an interim basis in a store, are supplied, if required, to a depalletizing station (4) and are individually stored on an interim basis in a buffer store (6) for product units. Thereafter, branch-specific mixed pallets (16) are automatically set up, supplied to the delivery zone (11) and loaded onto lorries. The system solution is distinguished, in particular, in that it can dispense entirely with transporting aids such as shelves for product units, rows of product units or for entire layers of transporting units. The transport shuttles (8) provided and the rail installation (8a) perform largely the functions of transporting aids, storage means and conveying systems.

Abstract: Aspects of a turn conveyor system are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor, where the first conveyor includes a lateral displacement mechanism configured to displace an article laterally between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The system also includes a lateral conveyor extending between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, a sensor configured to sense a position of an article on the first conveyor, an arm positioner configured to position a turn arm to one of a plurality of locations, and control logic. The control arm can be configured to control an operation of the arm positioner to position the turn arm for rotation of the article, and control an operation of the lateral displacement mechanism based in part on the position of the article to displace the article onto the lateral conveyor and into the turn arm.

Abstract: A gripping head for a loading robot or manipulator of a cartoning machine capable of nesting articles arranged on two substantially parallel rows, the gripping head comprising a row of gripping members, wherein each of the gripping members comprises a gripping section adapted to receive two adjacent articles and on opposite sides with respect to a centerline plane, and wherein at least the gripping members having even index position or odd index position in the row rotate by about 180 degrees around an axis.

Abstract: An element arranging apparatus includes a supply portion a feed portion, a first holding portion, and a second holding portion. The supply portion includes a first lane and a second lane. First CVT elements and second CVT elements are respectively arranged in the first lane and the second lane in a width direction of the CVT elements. A thickness of the first CVT elements is different from that of the second CVT elements. The feed portion simultaneously feeds one of the first CVT elements and one of the second CVT elements. The CVT elements fed by the feed portion and arranged in a thickness direction of the CVT elements constitute a CVT element set. The first holding portion holds and delivers the CVT element set. The second holding portion sequentially stacks the delivered CVT element sets in the thickness direction, and hold the stacked CVT element sets.

Abstract: A positioning device (1) for positioning products (2) simultaneously with their conveyance one after the other in a plane of conveyance (3) and along a direction of conveyance (4). The device has at least one orientation mechanism (5), itself having at least one pusher (6) movable along an action movement between an inactive position and an active position. The effect of the action movement is to act on a product (2) by pushing it to make it pivot by a predetermined angle around an axis perpendicular to the plane of conveyance (3), the at least one pusher (6) being movable also in the direction of conveyance (4). Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an electric lug loader system. An electric lug loader may include a shaft assembly rotatably mounted to a frame that extends across a flow path. The shaft assembly may have shafts arranged radially around, and parallel to, the rotational axis of the shaft assembly, clamp members arranged along each of the shafts, support members arranged radially around the rotational axis and across the flow path, and electric drives coupled to the shafts. Conveyors may be coupled with the frame and spaced apart across the flow path upstream and/or downstream of the shaft assembly. Additional drives may be coupled with the shaft assembly and the conveyors. A controller may be configured to synchronize the drives to engage successive workpieces between the clamp members and the support members and deposit the workpieces onto a lugged conveyor. Other embodiments provide related methods and systems.

Abstract: A depalletization device (1) that is able to disassemble a pallet (2) that is made up of at least a number of layers (3), includes: a loading/unloading device (6), which is able to separate and extract a layer (3) from the pallet (2); a first conveyor (7) that can be supplied with the layer (3) that is separated from the pallet (2) and is able to move the layer (3) forward; the depalletization device (1) also includes: a second conveyor (10), which can be fed from the first conveyor (7) with an entire layer (3); a pair of third conveyors (11a, 11b) that are able to receive, one or the other alternatingly, the entire layer (3); and actuator elements (14) that can be controlled to transfer the entire layer (3) from the second conveyor (10) to either of the third conveyors (11a, 11b).

Abstract: The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein operate to change the orientation of an absorbent article. The apparatus includes a transfer apparatus having a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The method includes advancing an absorbent article in a machine direction. The absorbent article is defined by a longitudinal centerline intersected by a lateral centerline at a center. The method includes rotating the absorbent article from a first orientation where the longitudinal centerline extends in a cross direction to a second orientation where the longitudinal centerline extends in the machine direction. The method includes shifting the absorbent article such that the center of the absorbent article shifts from a first cross-directional position to a second cross-directional position. The steps of rotating the absorbent article and shifting the absorbent article may occur concurrently.

Abstract: Techniques that palletize bundles at high-speed. A robotic controller includes a vision system that determines a location and orientation of incoming bundles, a tracking system that communicates between the controller and a conveyor, and a robot that coordinates its movement with the bundles. The tracking system identifies the location and orientation of each bundle, informs the controller, and causes the robot to track its location and orientation with incoming bundles. The controller receives information on the location and orientation of each bundle. The controller instructs the robot to move in coordination with each incoming bundle, instructs the robot where and at what orientation to pick up the bundle, and instructs the robot how to move the bundle to a tier-and-stacking position. The controller can instruct the robot how to pick up each bundle on the fly as the bundle moves into range on the incoming conveyor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a product orientor include a turner conveyor that defines conveying plan and direction for a product received thereon and that has an initial orientation relative to the conveying direction. The initial orientation is determined by a vision system that is positioned upstream from the turner conveyor. The turner conveyor is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the conveying plan between a conveying orientation, wherein the product is in the initial orientation, and a rectifying orientation, wherein the product is in a predetermined orientation relative to the conveying orientation. The product orientor further includes pressure plates that are movable between a retracted configuration and a holding configuration wherein the product is maintained in the predetermined orientation while the turner conveyor is moved from the rectifying orientation to the initial conveying orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing arrays of absorbent articles with varying orientations, and a methods for forming alternating arrays of absorbent articles, suitable to be operated at a high speed, are provided.

Abstract: An article alignment device aligns articles having first end portions and second end portions that have a shape different from the shape of the first end portions. The article alignment device includes a first conveyance device, a second conveyance device, and a control device. The first conveyance device has conveyance units that carry and convey the articles. The first conveyance device conveys the articles in a first orientation. In the first orientation the first end portions are positioned on a downstream side with respect to a first conveyance direction of the articles. The second conveyance device is placed downstream of the first conveyance device. The control device controls the first and second conveyance devices such that the orientation of first articles conveyed by the second conveyance device are changed to a second orientation where the second end portions are positioned on the downstream side.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for conveying packages (10), comprising a first conveying device (4) which conveys the packages (10) in a predefined conveying direction (r), and a rotating device (6) which rotates at least some of the packages (10) by a predefined angle of rotation with respect to a predefined axis of rotation, wherein the rotating device (6) comprises at least one gripping device (12) which grips the packages (10) for the rotation process. According to the invention, the conveying speed of the first conveying device (4) is synchronised with a movement speed of the gripping device (12).

Abstract: A method for forming a number of side by side lying rows of objects such as for producing sandwich biscuits. Firstly the products being supplied to the even channels are turned over and, as well as the not turned over products are brought on a conveyor belt. In a second step by means of a continuous rotatable first roller positioned above the conveyor belt and being provided with pins a product can be released from each channel and the next product can be stopped for the formation of rows of turned over and not turned over products running in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. Thereupon by means of rollers at least one of which is movable in axial direction, the turned over and not turned over products are moved in longitudinal and transverse direction to obtain alternate transverse rows of turned over and not turned over products.

Abstract: A web product sorting machine includes a first conveyor unit, a second conveyor unit set adjacent to the first conveyor unit, and a screening unit. A gap is defined between the first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit. The first conveyor unit is adapted for delivering web products and tail wastes and for enabling web products to be sent to the second conveyor unit. The screening unit is set above the first conveyor unit for screening the web products and the tail wastes to cause each passed tail waste to fall onto the first conveyor unit from a standing position and then to fall out of the first conveyor unit through the gap.

Abstract: A bag feeding device for a palletizing system includes a conveyor, bag turning assemblies, and a rotation device. The conveyor moves bags to a staging area. Each of the bags extends between opposite ends along a longitudinal axis. The bag turning assemblies are configured to individually move toward and away from the conveyor independent of one another to engage and avoid engagement, respectively, with the bags as the bags move toward the palletizing staging area. The rotation device is operatively coupled to the bag turning assembles and is configured to rotate the bag turning assemblies and the bags engaged by the bag turning assemblies about a rotational axis. The bag turning assemblies avoid engagement with at least one of the bags in a first set and engage and rotate at least one of the bags in a second set to arrange the bags in first and second rows, respectively, in the palletizing staging area.

Abstract: A method and device to form packing units (12) consisting of at least two packs (10, 11). To this end, the successively conveyed packs (10, 11) are tilted by 90° in the region of a turning line (20) in such a way that the associated packs (10, 11) are oriented towards each other in the correct relative position for the packing unit (12). Every second pack (11) is delayed during the turning process so that it can be oriented towards the associated pack (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for sorting packages, comprising means (2) for supplying the packages to at least a station (3) for their manipulation and orientation, which is characterised in that the manipulating station (3) comprises at least a manipulator head (7) having at least two degrees of freedom of motion. In particular, the manipulator head (7) is movable by translation according to the axis of an orthogonal Cartesian triad and is movable by rotation about a substantially vertical axis. A method for putting in step packages conveyed by conveyor belts set side by side including varying the speed of said belts.

Abstract: An article turning-round apparatus includes a rotary table rotated by a first shaft, load-carrying tables mounted on the rotary table along a peripheral zone thereof, a first conveyor serving to convey articles to a first station and a second conveyor serving to convey the articles away from a second station. Each load-carrying table is either a first load-carrying table adapted to rotate counterclockwise or a second load-carrying table adapted to rotate clockwise around its own axis as it moves along with the peripheral zone of the rotary table. The articles are successively loaded, at the first station, on these load-carrying tables. The first load-carrying table is turned counterclockwise approximately by 90° and the second load-carrying table is turned clockwise approximately by 90° in the course of traveling from the first station to the second station.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for unloading and binding brick or other components include an infeed conveyor that delivers layers of brick to a transfer distribution carriage. The distribution carriage repositions the brick layers on either an outfeed conveyor or a tine conveyor. The layers of bricks carried by the outfeed conveyor are moved to where a tine layer is positioned on their upper surface. The tine conveyor divides the bricks into an arrangement of rows spaced apart to define openings for receiving a lifting or moving member, so that when the tine layer is positioned in a completed stack, enables movement of the stack by a forklift or other suitable moving means. Additional layer or layers are then positioned on the tine row on a packaging conveyor so that completed stacks are delivered to a package station that binds the stack of bricks or other components into an integrated structure.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first conveyor and a second conveyor, the first and the second conveyor being arranged in line with each other, having the same conveying direction and, in use, having substantially the same conveying speed, while between the first and the second conveyor a pattern former is arranged which is adapted to pick up products supplied by the first conveyor and, while maintaining the forward conveying speed, to place the products on the second conveyor, the pattern former being provided with steering means to displace each product in a direction transverse to the conveying direction, and optionally reorient it, between the pickup and placement of the product.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an article turning-round apparatus improved so that a series of articles can be successively turned round at a high velocity and there is no restriction imposed on the positions at which the articles are loaded and unloaded.

Abstract: Non-symmetrical molded articles, such as large preforms, are handled by a handling system into which an array of molded articles are transferred from a mold having a pitch separation The handling system has an arranging station configured to receive and align a first set of molded articles, which arranging station is further configured to receive and align a second set of molded articles in an opposingly orientated direction to the first set. To reduce the pitch separation, the arranging station includes a closure mechanism that brings together the first and second sets of molded articles in a substantially linear array. Once in the linear array, a handling device operates to pick up and crate the linear array of preforms. Transfer and pick-up of the preforms can be accomplished using a multi-function, multi-axis robot that supports take-out tubes and suction pads.

Abstract: For the horizontal positioning of serially supplied, flat objects (1) to be conveyed onward, the objects (1) are supplied suspended, one of their main surfaces (10) facing downstream and the other main surface (11) facing upstream. Prior to positioning, lower edge zones (13) of the objects (1) are selectively accelerated or retarded relative to the upper edge zones (12), so that the objects (1) are brought into a position inclined relative to the vertical. Thereafter, the upper edge zones (12) are released and the objects (1), under the influence of gravity, are positioned on an onward conveying device, selectively either the downstream or the upstream main surface (10 or 11) facing upwards. For retarding or accelerating the lower edge zones (13), for example, a conveyor belt or two conveyor belts adjoining one another are utilized. The speed (v.3) of the conveyor belts is adjustable to convert from accelerating operation to retarding operation.

Abstract: A fastening element 30 is fed from a feed track 64 through a feed chamber, formed by interfacing closed channels 132 and 160, to a junction point located in a feed passage 84, formed by two communicating feed openings 86 and 88. An inclined surface 82, located between the feed chamber and the junction point, is inclined downward from the feed chamber to the junction point. A ram 105, located movably in the feed chamber, transfers the fastening element 30 from the feed track 64 to the inclined surface 82, where the fastening element moves down the inclined surface to the junction point. Upon the application of a pressure medium into the feed passage 84, selectively in either of two directions, the fastening element 30 can be directed toward a fastening device 104.

Abstract: A conveying-in stream in which flat articles (4) are conveyed held gripped individually is transformed into a conveying-away stream in which the articles (4) are loosely lying overlapping one another in an imbricated manner and in alternating groups oriented rotated relative to each other. The conveying-in track intersects with the conveying away track at two track intersections (A and B) and the articles (4) are transferred from the conveying-in track to the conveying-away track in alternating groups (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B . . . ) at the first track intersection (A) or at the second track intersection (B). In the conveying-away stream, the articles (4) are arranged in imbricated stream sections (1A/1B) with each section including one or two groups (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B . . . ) of articles (4) and being separated from neighboring sections by a stream gap (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor and packaging apparatus, as well as packaging conveyance and packaging methods for irregularly shaped articles and packages, such as for packaged food products as in the case of conical packages for ice cream confections and the like. In the present invention, pairs of manufactured articles having irregular profiles are moved along a conveyor system. Each of a given pair of articles moves along an independent conveyor path toward a predetermined destination. Each article may undergo a change in alignment along its path such that it is in a preferred orientation upon leaving the conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, pairs of conical articles are oriented with the narrow ends in opposing directions (interlaced) upon leaving the system so as to minimize the amount of space required for packaging of the two articles when placed adjacent one another.

Abstract: A fastening element 30 is fed from a feed track 64 through a feed chamber, formed by interfacing closed channels 132 and 160, to a junction point located in a feed passage 84, formed by two communicating feed openings 86 and 88. An inclined surface 82, located between the feed chamber and the junction point, is inclined downward from the feed chamber to the junction point. A ram 105, located movably in the feed chamber, transfers the fastening element 30 from the feed track 64 to the inclined surface 82, where the fastening element moves down the inclined surface to the junction point. Upon the application of a pressure medium into the feed passage 84, selectively in either of two directions, the fastening element 30 can be directed toward a fastening device 104.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety arrangement in a package turning device. The package turning device is of the type which turns selected packages which are conveyed on a conveyor path through the package turning device. The package turning device essentially comprises a piston and cylinder assembly whose piston rod is disposed to move parallel with the conveyor path, a turning member and a gripping member. The safety arrangement includes an anchorage disposed on the piston rod of the piston and cylinder assembly, and a bracket. The bracket is disposed to support the turning member and the gripping member. The anchorage and the bracket are united in spring-biased fashion and enclose between them a cavity. An incoming air conduit and an outgoing air conduit are connected to the cavity. A pressure guard is disposed on the outgoing air conduit. The cavity is closed in the normal operation of the package turning device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor and packaging apparatus, as well as packaging conveyance and packaging methods for irregularly shaped articles and packages, such as for packaged food products as in the case of conical packages for ice cream confections and the like. In the present invention, pairs of manufactured articles having irregular profiles are moved along a conveyor system. Each of a given pair of articles moves along an independent conveyor path toward a predetermined destination. Each article may undergo a change in alignment along its path such that it is in a preferred orientation upon leaving the conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, pairs of conical articles are oriented with the narrow ends in opposing directions (interlaced) upon leaving the system so as to minimize the amount of space required for packaging of the two articles when placed adjacent one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety arrangement in a package turning device. The package turning device is of the type which turns selected packages which are conveyed on a conveyor path through the package turning device. The package turning device essentially comprises a piston and cylinder assembly whose piston rod is disposed to move parallel with the conveyor path, a turning member and a gripping member. The safety arrangement includes an anchorage disposed on the piston rod of the piston and cylinder assembly, and a bracket. The bracket is disposed to support the turning member and the gripping member. The anchorage and the bracket are united in spring-biased fashion and enclose between them a cavity. An incoming air conduit and an outgoing air conduit are connected to the cavity. A pressure guard is disposed on the outgoing air conduit. The cavity is closed in the normal operation of the package turning device.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding articles to an accumulation area (4) is provided to have a conveyor path with a curved section (7) interconnecting a first conveyor path section (8) in the feeding direction upstream of the curved section (7) and a second conveyor path section (9) downstream thereof and extending substantially in parallel with each other. The apparatus further provides for transferring (10) the articles from the first section transversely to the feeding direction and over to the second section, by-passing the curved section, and a control arrangement (28) for controlling transfer to optionally transfer articles from the first to the second conveyor path section by-passing the curved section, or allowing the articles to pass through the curved section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor and packaging apparatus, as well as packaging conveyance and packaging methods for irregularly shaped articles and packages, such as for packaged food products as in the case of conical packages for ice cream confections and the like. In the present invention, pairs of manufactured articles having irregular profiles are moved along a conveyor system. Each of a given pair of articles moves along an independent conveyor path toward a predetermined destination. Each article may undergo a change in alignment along its path such that it is in a preferred orientation upon leaving the conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, pairs of conical articles are oriented with the narrow ends in opposing directions (interlaced) upon leaving the system so as to minimize the amount of space required for packaging of the two articles when placed adjacent one another.