Abstract: A web cutting system is provided for use with a single transfer insert placement mechanism having at least one puck for transferring a discrete web and a continuous web feeding mechanism for feeding a continuous web wherein first and second rollers having substantially parallel axes and being aligned with one another form a nip at their juncture, an anvil is attached to one roller, a die is attached to the other roller, a vacuum source is coupled to one of the rollers, a plurality of vacuum apertures is formed in the same roller. One of the rollers is positioned adjacent to the single transfer insert placement mechanism and to the continuous web feeding mechanism. The continuous web is applied to one roller and at least one discrete web is transferred from the puck to the same roller after which a die cutting process of the webs occurs at the nip.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for gripping a portion of a container may include a spindle configured to rotate about a vertical axis. The assembly may also include an actuating plate disposed on or about the spindle. The actuating plate may be configured to actuate toward a central shaft in response to a force applied to a first cam follower. The assembly may also include a gripper configured to at least one of open and close in response to the actuating plate being actuated toward the central shaft and a locking cam configured to contact the first cam follower and in at least one position to limit movement of the actuating plate toward the central shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for picking items. Item picking devices are operably positioned on a rotatable frame portion so that they move in a rotary motion to pick items from a conveyor belt or other area as required. By moving item picking devices in a rotary motion in proximity to a conveyor belt or other area, embodiments of the present invention can more efficiently pick and place items for packaging, processing, shipment, or for further use and without being limited by space constraints.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a component on a rotating machine part, in particular a balancing machine, having a basic body, having a clamping mandrel, which is arranged in an axially displaceable manner within the basic body, and having a plurality of clamping devices, which can be moved between a release position and a clamping position by axial displacement of the clamping mandrel. In order to make it possible for components to be clamped centrally with repeated accuracy, the clamping devices are designed as clamping segments which can be displaced radially in relation to the center axis of the basic body above the latter.

Abstract: An orienting apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the orienting apparatus is for orienting articles and for conveying the articles in a spaced apart relationship in a direction. The articles being conveyed have at least two opposing ends. The orienting apparatus includes a conveyor comprising at least a portion extending in the direction for assisting in conveying the articles in a spaced apart relationship. At least one rotatable platform is joined to the conveyor at a location. The rotatable platform is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the conveyor at the location. One end of an article may be placed in contact with the rotatable platform. A device in operational communication with the rotatable platform rotates at least one platform and the article in contact therewith. The device for rotating the platform does not directly contact the article.

Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame defining an input station, an output station, and first and second machining stations. Respective first and second workpiece holders in the first and second machining stations can retain a workpiece therein. A first pivotal turret is movable vertically and horizontally on the frame between the input station and the first machining station and carries at least one machining tool and a first grab, and a second pivotal turret is movable vertically and horizontally on the frame between the first and second machining stations and the output station and carries at least one machining tool and second and third grabs.

Abstract: In a device for feeding book blocks (2) into the infeed channel (11) of a subsequent processing arrangement with a book block feeder (30) that essentially feeds the book blocks (2) into the infeed channel (11) vertically from above transverse to the conveying direction of the infeed channel (11), at least one push-out unit (51) is driven separately of the at least one pusher (14) of the infeed channel (11) and provided in the infeed channel (11) in the region of the book block feeder (30). The separate drive makes it possible to define a push-off motion that allows a gentle start of the push-out unit (51) relative to the book block (2) to be pushed off on the one hand and a synchronous transfer to the continuously moving pusher (14) of the infeed channel (11) on the other hand.

Abstract: In a device for feeding book blocks (2) into the infeed channel (11) of a subsequent processing arrangement with an intermittently rotating star feeder (31) that features several block receptacles (34) that are arranged on a roller divided into disks (33) in a star-shaped fashion and respectively feature perpendicularly aligned first and second locating surfaces (34.1, 34.2), it is proposed that the star feeder (31) features several clamping jaws (36) that are respectively assigned to the block receptacles (34) and arranged parallel to the second locating surfaces (34.2), as well as movable relative to the latter. The star feeder (31) can be operated with a significantly higher angular acceleration and rotational speed without risking that the book blocks lose contact in the block receptacles (34). Even loosely gathered book blocks (2) can be flawlessly processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for handling a container product, in particular a container or a preform for producing a container, where the product is provided with an orientation mark and adapted to be rotated to a predetermined rotary angle position relative to a holder by an orienting means. To do so in a structurally simple and reliable manner, the orienting means are arranged at a transfer site between a holder of a first conveying unit and a holder of a second conveying unit, at which the holders move relative to one another in an accompanying movement, and the rotary movement of the product to the predetermined rotary angle position is derived from the relative movement of the holders.

Abstract: A chuck for actuating plastic material containers, in particular performs, along a conveying line, includes a structure, fixable to a link of a conveying chain, a body, defining a longitudinal axis, inserted into a longitudinal through-hole of the structure and adapted to axially slide and/or rotate about the longitudinal axis, provided with gripping means at a first end for gripping a container neck. The structure is provided with locking elements for locking the body in a predetermined angular position, with the body being provided with at least one indication element of the predetermined angular position.

Abstract: A retaining device for printed circuit boards is of a frame-like form, with transporting carriages arranged on the outer longitudinal sides and intended for transporting the retaining device, a retaining frame of the retaining device for the substrates being arranged between the transporting carriages. The retaining frame is mounted height-adjustably on the transporting carriages and so a substrate restrained in it can be lowered or raised during the treatment.

Abstract: A device for transferring articles between a first machine implementing intermittent movement of the articles at a first predetermined pitch, and a second machine implementing continuous movement of the articles at a second predetermined pitch, the device comprising a flexible conveyor extending around at least two pulleys so as to have at least one rectilinear segment facing a conveyor of the first machine and a rounded segment facing a conveyor of the second machine, the flexible conveyor of the device carrying laterally-projecting article-handling members arranged at regular intervals in such a manner that the handling members are at a pitch corresponding to the first pitch in said rectilinear segment, and said rounded segment has a radius such that the handling members are at a pitch corresponding to the second pitch in the rounded segment. A container-packaging installation including such a device.

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: Apparatus for transporting containers with a transport device, which transports a multiplicity of holding devices for the containers individually along a pre-specified transport path. At least one of these holding devices comprises at least two holding elements for gripping the containers. The holding device can be rotated in relation to the transport device about a pre-specified common rotary axis.

Abstract: A device (10) for loading containers (12), which are provided with a neck (20), on an transporting element (14) includes a member (28) for individually grasping the container by the neck thereof, wherein the grasping member is used for catching or releasing the neck of a preform by the vertical slide of the preform with respect to the grasping member during an operation for catching or releasing it, the loading device includes elements (42, 68) for selectively ejecting the container from the transporting element during the releasing operation. The elements for ejecting the container are provided with container receiving members (42) which are used for catching the container prior to the releasing operation and are mounted in a horizontally movable manner in such a way that the trajectory of the receiving members are vertically superimposed and synchronized with the trajectory of the grasping device.

Abstract: The device places filled and sealed collapsible containers. The device has a gripping unit with a number of finger pairs that correspond to the number of containers in a packing state. The gripping unit has a gripping state in which each finger is arranged to make a squeezing motion such that the contents of the container forms an inner counter-pressure structure to provide a well-defined grip.

Abstract: A transfer arrangement (10) for gripping articles (at 60) comprises a central wheel body with a multiplicity of arms (20), which can be pivoted about a first axis (23) in each case, articulated along its periphery. The arms (20) have a gripper (60) for receiving in each case one or more articles (15). Each gripper (60) can be rotated about a second axis (33) for predetermined positioning of the articles, while the connecting body (30) can be rotated about the first axis (23). The rotary movement of the gripper (60), then, can be transferred to the gripper (60), rotating about the second axis (33), via a shaft (28) arranged along the first axis (23), with the aid of a transfer element (25, 26, 27). Finally, a third axis (43) is arranged on the connecting body (30), between the first and second axes (23, 33).

Abstract: A conveying system for plastic material container preforms (30), for conveying said preforms to a blow molding machine, comprising angular orientation systems for the containers with respect to a predetermined reference system, capable of orienting said preforms from the step of loading onto a conveying line to the step of blowing the containers in a blowing machine. A corresponding method of orienting the containers is further described, which may be implemented in this system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for loading (10) or unloading (58) preforms (12) comprising a neck (20) on a transporting element (14) which includes a device (28) for individually gripping one preform (12) by its neck, the loading or unloading device comprising: means for dispensing (32, 42) preforms which include means for individually receiving (42) each preform, the trajectory of the receiving means and the trajectory of the gripping means, in planar projection, being tangent in at least one intersecting point (P3, P4) wherein the preform (12) being in a gripping position, the neck (20) of the preform (12) is vertically arranged opposite the gripping member; means for synchronizing the movement of the receiving means relative to the movement of the gripping member. The invention is characterized in that the trajectory of the receiving means and the trajectory of the gripping member are superimposed along at least one intersecting line (P3-P1, P2-P4).

Abstract: An arrangement to turn print products transported in a conveyed flow along a conveying path in a conveying direction that includes a first conveyor having a traction device guided over a reversing wheel. First clamps are attached to the traction device to clamp the respective print products. A second conveyor is arranged downstream the first conveyor includes second clamps arranged to receive the print products from the first conveyor. A curved turning section connects the first conveyor with the second conveyor along which the print products are turned upside down. The transfer device assists to transfer the print products from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and to turn the print products in the turning section prior to being clamped by the second clamps. The transfer device includes transfer tongs to turn the respective print products around an axis transverse to the conveying direction.

Abstract: [Problems] To decrease the area for installing a container conveyer passage that has container hand-over devices on the way of the conveyer passage. [Means for Solution] A container conveyer device including a conveyer passage that has a container feed position d where containers are received and a container discharge position i where the containers are handed over, and for conveying the containers from the container feed position d up to the container discharge position i, the container conveyer device, further, having container hand-over positions f, h where the containers that are once taken out from the conveyer passage are returned back again to the conveyer passage on the way of the container conveyer passage.

Abstract: A device for receiving and transporting articles, in particular syringes and the like, of a type comprising a transfer carousel destined to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis peripherally bearing a series of seatings for receiving single articles from a supply station and for transferring the articles to a receiving station. The seatings are fashioned from respective shaped and recessed surfaces realized on respective appendages peripherally associated to the carousel and elastically deformable such as to absorb any variations in size of the articles.

Abstract: A process and a device for picking up, transferring and handling plastic container preforms molded by a special molding machine, wherein gripper pick up and transfers the preforms from the mold or from an ejector to a conveyor device. The preforms are deposited and carried on the conveyor in a standing position. The conveyor device (2) holds the preform in a stable position during handling.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.

Abstract: An inverting transfer mechanism of a blow molding apparatus for receiving preforms or blow-molded products that are upright or inverted and are transported along a first circular transportation passage, inverting a posture of the preforms or blow-molded products while transporting the preforms or blow-molded products along a second circular transportation passage, and transferring the preforms or blow-molded products to a third circular transportation passage.

Abstract: A blow molding apparatus that includes a preform supplying station for supplying preforms in an upright state, a heating station for heating the preforms to a suitable temperature condition for blow-molding while transporting the preforms, a blow station for blowing the heated preforms to form blow-molded products, and a collection station for collecting the blow-molded products.

Abstract: A conveying device is disclosed that changes the order of containers during conveyance in order to speed up processes, such as a discharging process performed by a combination weighing device and a rank-order sorting process performed by a quality inspection device. With a combination weighing device, a plurality of containers placed on a rotary table are moved by rotatably driving the rotary table. While the containers are being moved, a container arrangement mechanism changes the sequential order of the containers that are specified by a control unit.

Abstract: A production installation comprises a loading transport means with a transport rail connecting processing machines. It also comprises workpiece grippers for supplying the processing machines with workpieces to be processed and for removing processed workpieces from the processing machines. The workpiece grippers can be pivoted about only one pivot axis between a lowered transfer position and a pivoted-up transport position. The processing machines also comprise a workpiece carriage which can be displaced transversely with respect to the direction of the transport rail for transport between the workpiece gripper and processing position on the processing machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus providing a tool turret for a machine tool with at least one motor-driven tool that is suitable for machining of wavy or tubular workpieces. The transport of the workpieces from one machining station to the next is effected in a simpler, more reliable, and less expensive fashion, because the machine tool has a tool turret that includes a gripping element for taking hold of, transporting, and positioning workpieces, rather than using an additional tool.

Abstract: A board turner (1, 31) is intended for use on a conveyor (3) for transporting large volumes of boards. The conveyor (3) defines a plane for carrying boards (14) and the board turner (1, 31) has a rotation unit (4) and a gripping unit (7) mounted on the rotation unit (4). The gripping unit (7) has an open position and a closed position and is switchable between these positions in response to a signal from a sensor. In the open position, the gripping unit (7) rotates past the carrying plane without making contact with the synchronously arriving board (14). A signal from the sensor switches the gripping unit (7) between the open position and the closed position while the gripping unit (7) grips two opposite surfaces of a sideways extending part of the board (14) and continues to rotate above the belt conveyor (3) in order to turn the board (14) in this way.

Abstract: In an apparatus (S) for coating bottles (F), comprising a coating station (A) which contains at least one section of a conveyor track (G) for bottle conveying bodies (T), comprising a bottle holder (H) in each conveying body (T), comprising covering elements (E) which are associated with the conveying bodies and which can be moved between passive and covering positions, and comprising a bottle detector (P) which cooperates with a covering element displacement apparatus (V), the covering elements (E) are disposed directly on the conveying bodies (T) and are aligned towards the bottle holders (H).

Abstract: A device for transferring blister packs to the feeding line of a packaging machine includes a pick-up member capable of picking-up a series of blister packs disposed in reciprocal alignment at the blister packs cutting station and releasing this series of blister packs in alignment with a conveyor situated adjacent to the cutting station. A blister packs selective releasing device is situated above the conveyor and is equipped with support elements for receiving in support the blister packs picked-up by the pick-up member and operated selectively to release the blister packs, disposed in reciprocal alignment and orderly spaced apart, onto the conveyor. A stepwise rotating carrousel is situated at the outlet of said conveyor and is equipped with gripping members capable of picking-up the blister packs from the conveyor and transferring the blister packs, one by one, to a feeding line arranged perpendicular with respect to the conveyor.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus 10 includes crank arms 22 each of which is pivotally attached to a driving wheel 21, link levers 23 each of which has its one end pin-linked to the tip of the crank arm 22, and revolving sections 30 each of which is pin-linked to the other end of the link lever 23 and held at a distance from the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, wherein: the crank arm 22 is provided with a velocity-changing cam roller 223 protruding therefrom at a position spaced apart from the pivot center thereof; the velocity-changing cam roller 223 is guided while being engaged with the velocity-changing cam groove 44 which is formed to be eccentric to the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, whereby the tip of the crank arm 22 swings during one complete rotation of the driving wheel 21; and, as a result, the angular velocity of the link lever 23 linked to the tip of the crank arm 22 and the revolving section 30 periodically increases/decreases with respect to the angular velocity of the driving wheel 2

Abstract: Containers are transferred from a first conveyor operating at a first height to a second conveyor operating at a second height by a rotary unit equipped with a plurality of grippers designed to take up and support each successive container by the neck. The grippers are carried by respective slides mounted to corresponding vertical guide elements making up the main frame of the unit, on which they are made to move up and down cyclically by a first roller following a first track that extends around a fixed C-shaped tubular element, and by a second roller running on a second track presented by the top surface of a sector rail placed with the concave side directed toward the lateral opening in the C-shaped tubular element. The tubular element is easily replaced in the event of a size changeover.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for spouts or bags with spouts thereon, including: a circular rotating body which is driven rotationally, a guide rail disposed around the circumference of the rotating body with a predetermined spacing in between, and a plurality of grippers disposed on the rotating body and rotated with the rotating body. The rotating body has an outer circumferential edge that supports the flanges of the spouts, and the guide rail has on its inner edge an arc-shaped guide portion that also supports the flanges of the spouts. During the rotation of the rotating body, the grippers close to hold the spouts at the flanges and then opens to release the spouts. A rotational force is imparted by the rotating body to the spouts while spouts are held at the flanges by the grippers.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer for a decorating machine includes transport conveyors for carrying workpieces to the decorating machine and from the decorating machine. The conveyors support each of the workpieces such that an elongated longitudinal axis of each workpiece is vertically orientated. The decorating machine has a decorator conveyor with spaced workpiece carriers to support a workpiece for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the workpiece in a horizontal orientation. A plurality of workpiece grippers pivotally supported by a drive hub support the workpieces during movement of the longitudinal axis thereof between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. A drive shaft is secured to the drive hub to rotate about an axis forming acute angles with the longitudinal axis of a workpiece in each of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. The acute angles are preferably 45°.

Abstract: For conveying flat articles (10) in dense conveying streams, grippers (3) conveyed one behind the other by conveying elements (1) are used, each gripper (3) holding one of the articles gripped in an edge zone. For increasing the possibilities for changing the orientation of the flat articles (10) during such conveyance, the grippers (3) are attached to the conveying elements (1) by asymmetrically-projecting gripper arms (2) and the grippers (3) are designed to be rotated through 360° around the gripper arm axis. The device can be used universally, particularly for held conveyance of printed products and it is very easily adjustable for differing applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting non-round containers includes a pair of carriages coupled to associated motors for rotation independently of each other on a common axis. Each carriage carries a corresponding plurality of semi-circular gripping fingers, which may be moved toward and away from each other by controlled rotation of the carriages. The fingers are widely separated from each other to accept non-round containers at an in-feed station, and to permit removal of the containers at out-feed and reject stations. For transporting the containers between stations, the finger are brought closely together to grip the containers for indexing, and springs on one of the carriages resiliently urge the associated fingers toward the fingers on the opposing carriage for accommodating size variations among the containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for overturning containers such as bottles having a bottom which is not flat. The machine has a fixed base which supports rotational movement of devices for gripping/releasing, raising/lowering, and overturning the containers. Sensors are used for controlling and actuating the corresponding operating sequences associated with each device.

Abstract: An as molded thermoplastic container (10) having a body portion (12) and a moil (16) extending outwardly from a rim (14) of the container, the moil and the body portion being molded integrally with one another. The moil has an opposed pair of outwardly projecting shoulders (18, 20) by which the container is supported from a spaced apart pair of rails (22, 24) as the container moves along a path of travel (A). The lateral extent of the moil along the path of travel is substantially equal to and aligned with the lateral extent of the body portion along the path of travel, whereby a plurality of like containers will move along the path of travel with the longitudinal central axes of the containers parallel with one another.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for conveying printed products of the type having a main surface and a side edge, wherein each product is retained in the region of its side edge by an individual gripper, and wherein each gripper and its retained product are conveyed along a conveying path. The printed products are initially oriented such that their side edges run essentially perpendicularly to the conveying direction, and the grippers and products are then rotated about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the side edge of the product and perpendicular to the conveying direction. The spacing of the grippers may also be changed during such rotation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for inverting selected ones of a plurality of PTPs being conveyed very easily and simply are disclosed. An inverting device 20 is disposed above a conveying passage along which a plurality of PTPs 1 are conveyed in a standing position. The inverting device 20 has rotary units 22 each provided with a plurality of pairs of pinching fingers 13. The inverting device 20 is reciprocated in directions parallel to the conveying passage by a longitudinal shifting mechanism 40 and is moved vertically in directions perpendicular to the conveying passage by a lifting mechanism 30.