Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transferring articles from a pick-up area to a delivery area, wherein there is provided a guide element having a guide surface which moves along a closed path at a base speed, and wherein there are provided a plurality of transfer elements, each of which is provided with a gripping surface for holding an article and is movable with respect to the guide surface with a relative speed, so that, with respect to a stationary reference system, each of the transfer elements moves along the closed path with a compound speed given by an algebraic sum of the base speed and the respective relative speed.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path and an automated conveyor carrier (ACC) supported on the rail to be movable along the conveyor path. The ACC includes an on-board motor and an on-board electrical power source selectively powering the on-board motor to drive the ACC along the rail. The ACC may include a wireless sleep mode module operable to selectively shut off power to an on-board ACC controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for storing hanging goods (2) in an automated storage system (1), comprising a stationary storage rack (5) with storing regions for the hanging goods (2) in storage levels (13) lying one above the other, and at least one goods transport device (7) having a base frame (30), which is displaceable in a first direction in front of the storage rack (5), and at least one storage and removal device (33) having a goods displacement means (42) which is displaceable relative to the base frame in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The hanging goods are moved by the goods displacement means between a goods receiving carrier (12) associated with one storage region and a goods receiving carrier (34) associated with the goods transport device, the goods receiving carrier (12) remaining in the storage regions in the storage rack (5). The invention further relates to an automated storage system for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A device for turning over identification objects comprising a receiving device for holding an identification object, wherein the receiving device can be moved from an initial position along a guide, and a first rolling element, which is rotatably received in the receiving device, wherein the first rolling element comprises a blocking device, which permits rotation of the receiving device in a first direction. The first rolling element, during movement along the first bearing, performs a rotation in the first direction and the receiving device performs a rotation in the first direction via the first rolling element. During an opposite movement of the receiving device, the first rolling element performs a rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the blocking device prevents rotation of the receiving device.

Abstract: A holding device to hold a side portion of a conveyed workpiece; a running device to convey the holding device in a feeding direction along a rail; and a support mechanism to support the holding device at front portion and rear portions of the mechanism. Eccentric shafts are with the holding device at respective positions, at one position, one of front and rear portions is eccentric in the feeding direction by a predetermined amount relative to one drive shaft's axis included in the running device. At the other position, one of front and rear portions is eccentric crossing the workpiece feeding direction by a predetermined amount relative to one drive shaft's axis in the running device. The yawing occurring while the workpiece is conveyed, is corrected by rotating the axes of eccentric shafts axes such the holding device moves relative to the running device's position.

Abstract: In a spindle conveyor for conveying workpieces, in particular vehicle wheels, there is a rail system which includes at least one supporting rail. A plurality of transport carriages each have a chassis that is able to move on the supporting rail in a transporting direction and a carrying device for workpieces carried along by the chassis. The carrying device includes at least one workpiece spindle for receiving the workpiece and which is pivotable, at least in a particular section of the spindle conveyor, between a conveying position and a particular position different from the conveying position wherein the workpiece spindle is tilted in the particular position with respect to a vertical plane (V) which extends parallel to the transporting direction. Also, a plant for treating workpieces having such a spindle conveyor which conveys the workpieces through the plant.

Abstract: An assembly line for motor vehicles in which a overhead guide supports a plurality of conveying units, each of which has a longitudinal axis, is provided with a supporting element for a respective body to be assembled, and is mobile in a given direction of advance through one or more rotation stations, in each of which an drive assembly, carried by the rotation station, is designed to engage a driven transmission assembly, carried by the conveying unit, for rotating the supporting element about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Conveyor for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path, the conveyor including: a conveyor rail extending through a predefined conveying path; at least one carriage having a rotatable article support; and a turning block associated with the rotatable article support, to allow rotatable movement of the article support relative to the at least one carriage, wherein the conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position, wherein the turning block has first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour, and wherein the alignment station has means for engaging the second disk for rotatingly aligning the article support into the predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aligning apparatus for glass substrate to properly align the glass substrate during transfer along a conveyor. The aligning apparatus includes a plurality of rollers, at least a pair of directional beams, at least a pair of positioning devices, a piston, and a detecting device. The detecting device is used to detect whether there is an offset of the glass substrate during the transportation, and the piston will be triggered once an offset is found and determined. The piston will move the positioning device such that a portion of the positioning device which extends to the roller will push the offset glass substrate so as to bring the glass substrate back to the correct position. The present invention also discloses a method to conduct the alignment of the glass substrate. By the disclosure of the present invention, the glass substrate transferred on the rollers can be automatically adjusted and aligned once an offset is found.

Abstract: An egg carrier including a gripper mechanism wherein the egg carrier operative to grip and release and egg at a predetermined orientation. Accordingly, the egg carrier includes a mechanism whereby the gripper mechanism can be rotated whereby an egg can be released at an angle greater or less than 90°. The gripper mechanism capable of gripping an egg in one orientation and then pivoting or changing the orientation of the egg such that the egg is released at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path. The conveyor includes a conveyor rail extending along the conveyor path and at least one carriage having a rotatable article support mounted for movement along the conveyor rail. A turning block associated with the rotatable article support facilitates rotatable movement of the article support when the turning block is rotated. The conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position when the turning block passes through the aligning station as the article support moves through the aligning station. The turning may be formed with a first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour. The alignment station has projections in the form of pins for engaging the second disk as needed for rotating the turning block and article support between indexed orientations until the article support is oriented in a predetermined desired orientation.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting products, for example pieces of luggage, including a removing mechanism moving the product to be sorted off the supporting surface at a desired sorting location, wherein the removing mechanism includes a pusher element and a moving mechanism moving the pusher element laterally at a sorting location so as to have the pusher element push the product to be sorted off the supporting surface. The removing mechanism further includes two guides each sorting unit for guiding two respective guide members of the pusher element during the lateral movement of the pusher element.

Abstract: An article transport facility includes an article transport vehicle and a rotatable member transporting device. The article transport vehicle is configured to travel along a predetermined travel path by obtaining propelling force by drivingly rotating a propelling rotatable member with the propelling rotatable member in contact with a contact portion. The propelling rotatable member can be in contact with the rotatable member transporting device. And the rotatable member transporting device transports, in an advancing direction, the propelling rotatable member in contact with the rotatable member transporting device, and is provided in place of the contact portion in a specific section included in the predetermined travel path. The propelling rotatable member is configured to be able to be drivingly rotated while in contact with the rotatable member transporting device.

Abstract: A device and method for applying elastic film sleeves to containers, where a plurality of stretching units for stretching the film sleeves and a plurality of removal units for removing the containers that have been provided with the film sleeves are mounted on a labeling carousel. Furthermore, a label dispenser is provided for equipping the stretching units with the film sleeves. Due to the fact that the removal units include gripping units that can be moved back and forth with respect to the labeling carousel between a gripping position for gripping the containers and an avoidance position for avoiding a collision with the label dispenser, the size and shape of the gripping units can be varied flexibly. Also, an evasion movement of the stretching units in the area of the label dispenser is dispensable.

Abstract: A transport device transports articles by using a plurality of holding devices, in particular flat mail items in storage pockets. The transport device transports the holding devices along a guide device. The guide device contains a first rotary section and a following second rotary section. A holding device is rotated around a first axis of rotation during transportation along the first rotary section, and is rotated around a second axis of rotation during transportation along the second rotary section. Both axes of rotation stand perpendicularly with respect to the current transportation direction in which a holding device is transported, and are not parallel to each other, but stand e.g. perpendicularly on each other. An article can be placed into a space which is enclosed by at least two delimiting elements of the holding device.

Abstract: The device for transferring and nesting blister packs comprises a transfer device, which transfers blister packs from a first transport or storage device to a second transport or storage device arranged under the first transport or storage device. The transfer device has a receiving section, which can hold at least two blister packs and which can rotate at least 180°. A first blister pack can be received in the receiving section of the transfer device in a receiving position; the receiving section with the first blister pack can be rotated 180°; and finally a second blister pack can be received in the receiving section in the receiving position and placed onto the first, rotated blister pack.

Abstract: Conveyor for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path, the conveyor including: a conveyor rail extending through a predefined conveying path; at least one carriage having a rotatable article support; and a turning block associated with the rotatable article support, to allow rotatable movement of the article support relative to the at least one carriage, wherein the conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position, wherein the turning block has first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour, and wherein the alignment station has means for engaging the second disk for rotatingly aligning the article support into the predetermined position.

Abstract: A rotating device includes a wind machine, a transmission mechanism, and a vane rotatably mounted to the transmission mechanism. The wind machine is adjacent to the transmission mechanism, used to rotate the vane.

Abstract: A sorting device for sorting products, for example pieces of luggage, including a removing mechanism moving the product to be sorted off the supporting surface at a desired sorting location, wherein the removing mechanism includes a pusher element and a moving mechanism moving the pusher element laterally at a sorting location so as to have the pusher element push the product to be sorted off the supporting surface. The removing mechanism further includes two guides each sorting unit for guiding two respective guide members of the pusher element during the lateral movement of the pusher element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tray handling apparatus in which the conveyance and inversion of a tray can be performed simultaneously to thereby achieve a rapid inspecting operation and a simplified apparatus configuration, and a semiconductor device inspecting method using the tray handling apparatus. The tray handling apparatus includes an inverting unit to turn the tray, in which objects are received, upside down, and a transfer device to convey the object receiving tray from one conveyor to another conveyor while being reciprocally moved above a body of the apparatus. The inverting unit is integrally provided at a lower end of the transfer device, to allow the conveyance and inversion of the tray to be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path. The conveyor includes a conveyor rail extending along the conveyor path and at least one carriage having a rotatable article support mounted for movement along the conveyor rail. A turning block associated with the rotatable article support facilitates rotatable movement of the article support when the turning block is rotated. The conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position when the turning block passes through the aligning station as the article support moves through the aligning station. The turning may be formed with a first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour. The alignment station has projections in the form of pins for engaging the second disk as needed for rotating the turning block and article support between indexed orientations until the article support is oriented in a predetermined desired orientation.

Abstract: An article support assembly is disclosed for movement by a conveyor along a conveying path that has processing stations and turning stations therealong. The article support includes a carriage for riding along the conveyor and a holder depending from the carriage for supporting an article. The holder is rotatably mounted with respect to the carriage. A turning block is associated with and rotates with the holder to enable rotation of a supported article when the turning block is rotated. Rotation is effected in response to the article support, and particularly the turning block, being moved past a turning station along a conveying path. Position stops are operatively arranged between the turning block and the carriage for holding the turning block and thus the holder yieldably in at least one predetermined indexed orientation relative to the carriage.

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: The disclosure relates to an apparatus (10) comprising a turning mechanism which is adapted to change the orientation of a number of packaging containers (12) in motion in a filling machine, from a first orientation (20) to a second orientation (22), comprising a conveyor (26) provided with at least one carrier (28) to which at least one carrier unit is connected. According to the invention, the carrier unit is rotary in relation to the carrier (28) about a geometric axis of rotation and is adapted to carry the packaging container (12) in such a manner that the point of gravity of the packaging container during the change in orientation is substantially located on the geometric axis of rotation, and the point of gravity of the packaging container thereby maintains substantially the same direction and speed from the first to the second orientation (20, 22).

Abstract: Improved product handling and transfer apparatus includes rotatable product buckets for receiving product and re-orienting product for packaging in diverse configurations or containers. Buckets preferably include channels spanned by deposited product or receiving product therein, with bucket turning as appropriate to a packaging configuration. Flat bottom buckets and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method is used to automatically process the contents of a containers. The contents may be bulk materials used by a business or organization. The container enters the system via a tow assembly mechanism, a grasping mechanism clasps the container, a lid secures the contents, the container is lifted and rotated to allow the contents of the container to exit the container.

Abstract: A workpiece-transporting apparatus of in-line sputtering machine includes a conveyer unit and a carrying salver. The conveyer unit has a holder, and a transporting wheel group is arranged in the holder. A conveyer belt covers around the transporting wheel group. A driving wheel group is arranged in one side of the conveyer belt and located in the holder. The driving wheel group connects to a motor and surrounded by a connecting belt. The carrying salver is placed on the conveyer belt of the conveyer unit. The carrying salver has a base, a plurality of supporting shafts are assembled in the base and linked together for being driven together. A workpiece base is arranged on the supporting shafts. At least one of the supporting shafts is surrounded by a supporting wheel. The supporting wheel engages with the connecting belt for being driven by the connecting belt.

Abstract: A unit for grouping packages along a transfer path includes an input station receiving groups of packages arranged in longitudinal lines parallel to the transfer path; and an aligning mechanism which interacts with the packages of each group to align them in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path. The unit has a rotation device which, following interaction of the aligning mechanism with the packages in each group, is selectively activated to rotate the packages in each group by a predetermined angle about a direction crosswise to the transfer path.

Abstract: A system and method is used to automatically process the contents of a containers. The contents may be bulk materials used by a business or organization. The container enters the system via a tow assembly mechanism, a grasping mechanism clasps the container, a lid secures the contents, the container is lifted and rotated to allow the contents of the container to exit the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing generally elongate curved products having two ends and having a longitudinal axis extending in the elongate direction, in particular vegetables or fruit, for instance cucumbers, the processing comprising in succession at least: conveying the products with an endless conveyor in a conveying direction T in a substantially horizontal plane, the products positioned with their longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction T; orienting these products with an orienting unit, and taking up the oriented products with a take-up unit for a further handling; wherein the orienting unit comprises two supporting points for each product, with at least one supporting point situated at some distance from an end of the product, wherein the orienting unit is configured for orienting during conveying, and wherein the products upon orienting rotate substantially about their longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a crank arm having a base end portion rotatably supported by a second support axle and a free end portion rotatably supporting a suspended supporting apparatus, and a swinging arm having a base end portion fixed to a first support axle and a front end portion coupled to an intermediate position of the crank arm. A movable bearing stand supporting the second support axle is provided to be movable toward and away from a fixed bearing stand supporting the first support axle. Further, a suspended section parallel link mechanism of a suspended supporting apparatus is so configured that a free end support axle is located above a line connecting suspension pins at both ends of an upper frame.

Abstract: An assembling apparatus and method easily applicable to an existing production line and capable of improving assembling quality and reducing equipment cost. The assembling apparatus performs processing such as part assembling or the like to a processed part which is free-flow conveyed by a processed part conveyor. The processing is performed by a robot which is conveyed in the same direction as the processed part by a robot conveyor having its own motor. The processed part conveyor is provided with a removable pallet for supporting the processed part. The robot conveyor comprises a turntable which mounts and rotationally positions the robots thereon, a pallet support provided on the turntable so that the removed pallet from the processed part conveyor is supported thereon, and a connector for connecting with the processed part conveyor to synchronously convey the same.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers, and a flight. The rollers have lower surfaces configured to engage a roller-engagement surface, and upper surfaces that substantially form a plane, such that the rollers engage the roller-engagement surface and rotate to move an object supported by the rollers over the plane. The flight includes a cam configured to engage a cam surface below the conveyor belt to impart a moment on the flight, and a projection that responds to the moment by rotating from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a turnaround device (18) for a transfer line of products P, in particular pharmaceutical products, comprising at least one turnaround wheel (20) that uses a guide surface Sint, whereby said wheel (20) is mounted so as to rotate around a so-called turnaround axis (30) and at least two belts clamp the products P that are to be turned around, at least one input belt (22) guided by the surface Sint and moving at a speed Vint and at least one output belt (24) moving at a speed Vext, whereby Vint is different from Vext, characterized in that said turnaround device uses guide means (38) that comprise at least one guide surface Sext at the speed Vext of the output belt (24).

Abstract: A method for grouping boxes, after stopping the head box of a train line, includes transversally displacing a last box of the train line with respect to the first box of the upstream line waiting for grouping and introducing a stop motion unit for holding the upstream line into the space cleared by the last box. The conveyor device includes an endless lateral rail which is used for guiding boxes and is laterally shifted at a length corresponding to at least the box longitudinal dimension and forms something like a funnel at the location of the last box of the train and a device, which is used for transversally displacing the last box by pushing it into the funnel and includes the stop motion unit holding the first box of the upstream line.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for receiving, conveying in a conveying direction and delivering rotation-symmetrical products. The conveyor is provided with at least a single endless transport element, as well as with a number of transverse elements extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction. At least a single hourglass-shaped roller is provided on each transverse element, wherein the rollers form a corresponding at least single row and wherein between each two successive rollers in a row there is a conveying position for a product. The conveyor includes a lay-on portion and a successive downstream portion which are situated in different planes, the angle between these planes being greater than 180° as measured from above.

Abstract: In an apparatus for transferring products from a first conveying line to a second line conveying line operated stepwise in a feeding direction and particularly for feeding a boxing machine a plurality of compartments are aligned along the feeding direction. Each compartment has a bottom and a pair of lateral boards. The compartments receive products released by a manipulator and taken from the first conveying line. An actuator rotates the compartments from a loading configuration for receiving the products, to an overturned configuration, in which the compartments face corresponding, dwelling seats of the second, feeding line. A holding element closes the upper part of the compartments, moving from the loading configuration up to the overturned configuration. A pusher moves into the compartments in the overturned configuration, to push the products into the facing seats of the second, feeding line.

Abstract: The invention relates to an object turner or a turning apparatus (4) for end-turning of e.g. ice-cream cones (22) after selective deflection of the objects (22) from an object conveyor (2) on which the objects are placed lying in horizontal trays (6). The novelty of the turning apparatus (4) according to the invention is that the turning apparatus (4) has selection means, which makes the turning process selective, and means ensuring that the process operates in parallel and synchronously with the object conveyor (2). The selected objects (22) are forwarded into a turning unit (8), where the object (22) is end-turned around a horizontal axis (38), and returned onto the object conveyor (2) in the same tray (6) previously occupied by the object. Such a turning apparatus (4) makes it possible for objects (22) to be end-turned in a predetermined pattern of e.g. all objects, every second or third object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device which is used to transport work-pieces, especially the work-pieces of motor vehicle bodies, through a processing area for surface treatment of said work-pieces, comprising a conveyor which brings the work-pieces which are respectively maintained by a holder into the processing area; transports them through said area and removes them therefrom. The inventive conveyor device requires less maintenance in comparison with known conveyor devices. The holders respectively comprise a base part which moves in a translatory movement along a conveyor device and a rotating part on which the work-piece is arranged and which is held in such a way that it is rotatable on the base part. The conveyor comprises at least one drive device enabling at least one directly driven respective holder to be driven directly in a movement along the conveyor device.

Abstract: A transfer device has an undercarriage with two or more carriage portions which are movable along a travel path between a first location and a second location. The carriage portions carrying at least one work piece support. A linkage extending between the carriage portions, where the linkage is operable to change the position of the work piece support when one carriage portion moves relative to another along the travel path.

Abstract: A wafer carrying apparatus 20 for carrying intermediate products comprises: a conveyer 40 for carrying the intermediate products in the carrying direction; and a plurality of platforms 41 arranged in the conveyer 40 along the carrying direction of the intermediate products on the conveyer 40, each platform 41 being capable of mounting at least one intermediate product at a position in a direction crossing the carrying direction of the intermediate products on the conveyer 40.

Abstract: An operating arm (12) supported on a movable body (3) is operated to move downwards, and a supporting body (14) located on the front end section of the operating arm (12) is rotated about an axis in the lateral direction of a processing line (L), whereby a conveyance object (M) supported on the supporting body (14) is immersed in a processing liquid in a processing liquid tank (1) and processed by the same. Furthermore, the conveyance object (M) is removed from the processing liquid, during which operation the supporting member (14) is rotated in accordance with the shape of the conveyance object (M), thereby controlling the angle of the conveyance object (M) upon introduction into the processing liquid, the angle of the conveyance object (M) during immersion in the processing liquid, and the angle of the conveyance object (M) upon removal from the processing liquid.

Abstract: A controlled material transport system (MTS) for carrying materials to and from workstations, test equipment, and processing and assembly tools in a common facility. The present invention includes a rigid robot vehicle mountable to a passive track system, which can be routed to service all processing tools on the factory floor. The robot vehicle includes a hoist assembly and gripper assembly, which together perform such functions as picking up magazines, placing magazines, and loading magazines into the processing tools. The hoist assembly is capable of functioning in an operational envelope, which includes any target location within a 3-axis Cartesian coordinate system, to the extent of the range of motion of the hoist assembly. The hoist assembly also provides rigid and controlled z-axis travel, while being compact when retracted. The gripper assembly facilitates loading of the magazines, especially chute style magazines, which are commonly found on many existing processing tools.

Abstract: A carrier 3 that is moveably supported on the side of a conveyor 2 is provided with a rotational shaft 4 projecting laterally therefrom. A workpiece 1 is mounted on the rotational shaft 4 in an upright condition, wherein the workpiece 1 is arranged to vertically rotate 360° in the same plane by rotating the rotational shaft 4 360° around its axis. With this construction, the workpiece position can be continuously changed to a floor conveyor position, an overhead conveyor position and to the floor conveyor position without transfer of the workpiece 1.

Abstract: A transfer device has an undercarriage with two or more carriage portions which are movable along a travel path between a first location and a second location. The carriage portions carrying at least one work piece support. A linkage extending between the carriage portions, where the linkage is operable to change the position of the work piece support when one carriage portion moves relative to another along the travel path.

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: 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 patterning apparatus for advancing packaged baked goods such as loaves of bread, and positioning the packages for precise loading into delivery containers includes an endless conveyor having a horizontally disposed upper flight and a series of turner assemblies spaced along the conveyor. Each turner assembly, when on the upper flight, receives one or more packages, which rest by gravity effect on the turner assembly. The turner assemblies are adapted to rotate the received package in a horizontal plane while also achieving longitudinal conveyance in the direction of motion of the upper flight, and lateral movement transversely to the longitudinal direction.

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.