Abstract: A product selection and grouping system for the metering, selection, grouping and accumulation of varying size and/or configuration products into packs for packing in a substantially continuous motion operation is provided. The product selection and grouping system includes a metering station that receives the products in a substantially continuous line of flow from a product infeed, and meters the line of products to selectively form a series of spaces therebetween. The metered products are formed and fed to a product grouping conveyor in groups of sets a selected number of products, and are engaged by laning flights of a laning unit, which transfer the product groups to selected ones of a series of lanes defined along the product grouping conveyor. The groups of products are accumulated for transfer to a downstream packing machine.

Abstract: A method of transferring a plurality of articles onto an outfeed carrier is provided. The method includes: advancing a plurality of articles in a first direction; advancing an outfeed carrier surface of an outfeed carrier apparatus in a second direction at an outfeed carrier surface velocity; providing a transfer apparatus, wherein the transfer apparatus comprises a frame and an article stabilization member operatively connected with the frame; engaging the plurality of articles with the article stabilization member in the engaging location; accelerating the plurality of articles in the second direction to transfer the plurality of articles from the transport member to the outfeed carrier surface; decelerating the plurality of articles between the engaging zone and the discharge zone to substantially match the velocity of the plurality of articles and the outfeed carrier surface velocity; and disengaging the plurality of articles from the article stabilization member in the placement location.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing container packs from containers in a container stream or a plurality of transport lines includes guide elements, entraining elements, applicator elements, and a compartmentalizing and/or compressing unit configured for compartmentalizing and compressing a predetermined number of containers that are combined to form a container pack. The applicator elements apply an adhesive agent by spraying or sprinkling such that a bottle in the pack has adhesive a contact-or-touching surface thereof. The linear transporter transports containers that are to form a subsequent pack from an inlet to an outlet.

Abstract: An article grouping system capable of forming arrays of articles having a variable number of rows and lanes is included. The article grouping system includes an infeed carrier apparatus having an infeed carrier surface that is movable in a first direction and an outfeed carrier apparatus having an outfeed carrier surface that is movable in a second direction. A grouping apparatus comprising a plurality of carriages and a carriage drive mechanism operatively connected with each carriage. The carriage drive mechanism causes each carriage to independently move in a third direction from an article receiving zone adjacent to the infeed carrier apparatus to an article discharge zone adjacent to the outfeed carrier apparatus. A transfer apparatus includes a frame and an article stabilization member operatively connected with the frame. The article stabilization member moves from an engaging location in the article discharge zone to a disengaging location.

Abstract: A container-packer includes a compartment and/or compressor unit, applicators, a linear transporter for transporting along a direction, and displaceable head guides. The unit compartmentalizes and compresses containers into packs. The applicators apply adhesive to a container contact surface. The linear transporter comprises three sections. A first section has first through third part regions. In the first, transport surfaces are parallel. In the second, the transport surfaces are brought together to form respective part-packs. In the third, the part packs are transverse to the direction and transported in a direction of the second section of the linear transporter in whose first and second sections the applicators are provided. The displaceable head guides are for single-container transport in the first section. The second section comprises a turning-and-feeding section for the part-packs. The third section brings part packs together oriented in the direction to produce a complete pack.

Abstract: The invention proceeds from a separating device having at least one portioning unit (12a-f) which is provided for spacing main groups (14a-f) apart from at least one product column (18a-f) which is fed in a continuous feed movement (16a-f) and for forming the main groups (14a-f) from the at least one product column (18a-f) which is fed in, by an acceleration at least substantially in the direction of the feed movement (16a-f). It is proposed that the portioning unit (12a-f) is provided for returning into an initial position (20a-f) in order to form the next main group (14a-f), while the at least one product column (18a-f) which is fed in a feed movement (16a-f).

Abstract: A loading device of a robot includes a frame, a first pneumatic cylinder and a first pulley member mounted on a top face of the frame, a second pneumatic cylinder and a second pulley member mounted on a bottom face of the frame, first and second suction assemblies coupled to the first pneumatic cylinder and the first pulley member, third and fourth suction assemblies coupled to the second pneumatic cylinder and the second pulley member, and a fifth suction assembly secured to a middle of the frame. Interspaces among the first to fifth suction assemblies are adjustable by activating the first and second pneumatic cylinder to extend or retract pistons thereof.

Abstract: A conveyance device 1 for movement, within a strapping machine 100, of a succession of bundles 2 of flat objects. A first conveyor 10 moves each bundle 2 from an assembly zone to a transfer zone. A second conveyor 40 moves each bundle 2 from the transfer zone to a strapping zone. The first conveyor 10 longitudinally guides the stack of flat objects during the formation of each bundle 2 in the assembly zone, and longitudinally holds the bundle 2 during its movement from the assembly zone to the transfer zone.

Abstract: A method for operating a processing system, in which product units of different formats are processed. The processing system contains a plurality of processing devices that are arranged one after the other in a processing line. In the event of a format changeover, certain component arrangements arranged in the processing system must be adapted to the new product format. In the event of an upcoming format change, a gap in the conveyed goods is generated while the conveying operation is maintained, wherein the gap in the conveyed goods runs through the processing system along the processing devices. As soon as the gap in the conveyed goods runs through a component arrangement to be adapted to the new format, the format is changed over at the component arrangement while the gap in the conveyed goods runs through the component arrangement.

Abstract: A product selection and grouping system for the metering, selection, grouping and accumulation of varying size and/or configuration products into packs for packing in a substantially continuous motion operation is provided. The product selection and grouping system includes a metering station that receives the products in a substantially continuous line of flow from a product infeed, and meters the line of products to selectively form a series of spaces therebetween. The metered products are formed and fed to a product grouping conveyor in groups of sets a selected number of products, and are engaged by laning flights of a laning unit, which transfer the product groups to selected ones of a series of lanes defined along the product grouping conveyor. The groups of products are accumulated for transfer to a downstream packing machine.

Abstract: A method for handling bags (10), in particular wicketed bags, combined into bundles (13) and for feeding the bags (10) to a packaging machine (11), and a corresponding apparatus. In the method and apparatus, the bags (10) are supplied in a plurality of bundles (13) in a magazine (14) arranged upstream of the packaging machine (11); the bundles (13) are arranged on bag carriers (15) in each case such that the bag carriers (15) extend through suspension holes (12) of the bags (10); the bag carriers (15) with the bags (10) located thereon are fed from the magazine (14) to the packaging machine (11); and the bundles (13) are transferred from the bag carriers (15) directly to appropriately arranged receiving pins (28) of a cyclically driven conveying device (29) of the packaging machine (11) and are then filled in the packaging machine (11).

Abstract: A system for palletizing a multi-row pattern of articles includes a pattern-forming apparatus that includes a pair of fingers movable towards and away from each other to constrain rows of articles that impact one another to form a multi-row pattern of articles. The fingers can be either be fixed along the conveyor path or move with the containers along a portion of the conveyor path.

Abstract: An apparatus for spacing and aligning triangular-like shaped pieces of food dough in one direction, which pieces are arranged so that they form a plurality of columns, wherein the directions of the pieces of the adjacent columns are alternately opposite each other, by rotating the pieces clockwise and counterclockwise at 90 degrees. The apparatus continues to alternately rotate the pieces 9 clockwise and counterclockwise at 90 degrees, which pieces 9 are cut and separated from a sheet 7 of food dough and are carried sequentially downstream from upstream by conveyors 3, 5, comprising pin-holding members 67 fixed to rotating rods 63, which rods 63 can move vertically and rotate clockwise and counterclockwise at 90 degrees, wherein the pieces 9 can be aligned so that one of the apexes of the triangular-like-shaped pieces 9 is oriented toward the upstream side of the direction for carrying the pieces 9.

Abstract: A device for the elimination of trimmings of rolls or logs of ribbon-like material associated downstream with a shearing machine of at least one roll or log (11), fed by a feeding plane (13) of rolls (10) and head and/or tail rolls (24), consecutively. The device comprises a conveyor group (14) for carrying the rolls (10) and eliminating the head and/or tail rolls (24,24?), wherein the feeding plane (13) comprises rests (15) and the conveyor group (14) comprises flaps (21), both shaped, facing each other and spaced between each other to define central longitudinal openings (16 and 22) for the passage of pushers (17) which allow at least one roll or log (11) to advance; the conveyor group (14) having chains (20) on which flaps (21) are positioned, and having a length of chains (20) without flaps (21) that define a movable opening (23) between adjacent chains.

Abstract: A method of changing a transporting configuration of a workpiece of an absorbent article includes: for the workpiece having a shape in which a longitudinal central section is narrower in the lateral direction than longitudinal end sections, transporting a plurality of workpieces in longitudinal-direction flowing, the plurality of workpieces being transported in a state where the longitudinal end sections of each workpiece are adjacent to the central section of another workpiece and the plurality of workpieces form N workpiece lines (N is an integer of 2 or more) arranged in a lateral direction; forming each workpiece group including N workpieces by correlating, based on a predetermined correlation pattern; and changing a transporting configuration of the workpieces of the workpiece group from the longitudinal-direction flowing to the lateral-direction flowing. The forming of the workpiece group is performed by correlating workpieces arranged side by side in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting bodies, which are delivered in an irregular sequence, on a collecting belt, with the following features: a) the bodies which are delivered are moved more rapidly than predetermined by the running speed of the collecting belt (7), b) a pimpled belt (8) having ridges (12) is located in the end region of the collecting belt (7) and can be raised over the upper edge of the collecting belt (7) by means of a lifting device (5), c) the pimpled belt (8) is raised and accelerated as a function of being completely covered with bodies, and also a control program for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A paper handling apparatus including: feeder stations for feeding documents to a conveyer; a collator for collating documents into packs, and collating packs into groups of documents; an inserter module for inserting each group into an envelope; a monitor which monitors the cycling and working times of sections of the inserter module; sensors for determining at least one of: a first desired gap being the minimum gap between trailing edges of consecutive groups, a second desired gap being the minimum gap between the trailing edge of one pack and the leading edge of the following pack a third desired gap being the minimum gap between the trailing edge of one group to the leading edge of the following group; and a controller for controlling the feeder stations to achieve at least one of the desired gaps.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises immobilizing the queue on its entire length using flaps (10, 11) for creating a gap between two consecutive objects and for isolating downstream from said gap a group of objects defining the batch; inserting into the gap thus created a first cleat (39) having a longitudinal advance speed Vt lower than the running speed Va of the conveyor belt (3); releasing said immobilized queue and making the cleat in charge of it; starting a new temporary immobilization of said queue; and so on. The device for implementing the method comprises: on the one hand, means in the form of flaps (10, 11) for immobilizing the queue on the length thereof by clamping in order to define a gap between two consecutive objects in said queue, and on the other hand, a means in the form of cleats (39) that can be inserted in and take in charge the immobilized queue. Each cleat (39) is associated with a roller-shaped member (38) for maneuvering the flap (10).

Abstract: A machine for forming a stream of articles into spaced groups of articles, which machine has a working reach and a metering element for being brought into contact with an article passing in a stream, into the working reach, which metering element is driven by a drive means, wherein a speed at which the metering element is driven, is retarded as the metering element enters the working reach without retarding the drive means.

Abstract: A system (1) for transferring and grouping articles (A), in particular food articles (A) having a mainly flat extension, comprises: a feed line (LB), designed to feed a flow of articles (A); a station (20) for picking up the articles (A) from the feed line (LB) and for grouping the articles (A) picked up, designed to group a predetermined number of articles (A) and to form groups (G); a transfer unit (24) which picks up and transfers the groups (G) from the pickup and grouping station (20) to a station (22) for releasing the groups (G) to an outfeed line (LU) and which comprises first pickup means (49) for the groups (G), the outfeed line (LU) comprising second pickup means (50) for transferring sequences of the groups (G) of articles (A) to a packaging station (46); a control and actuator unit (51) designed to receive as input a signal (S1) from the outfeed line (LU) indicating a cyclical sequence of the positions for picking up the groups (G) of articles (A) which are gradually reached by the second pickup

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for marshalling objects into groups on a single, driven conveyor. The conveyor has two end rollers and at least one deflector roller positioned at the lower part of the conveyor. The apparatus also includes an end stop positioned at the one end roller of the conveyor as well as a stop plate disposed to move up and down, at 90° in relation to the conveyor. The conveyor further has a deflection point placed at the upper part of the conveyor. The conveyor is disposed to be slanted downwards from this deflection point in that the end roller is moved downwards.

Abstract: A conveyance device for accumulating and aligning a plurality of articles and conveying a batch of the articles includes a conveyance unit, first, second and third support members, and a drive unit. The conveyance unit is configured to convey the batch of the articles in a conveying direction. The first and second support members are configured to move along the conveyance unit so as to support an article disposed at a front end or a back end among the articles constituting the batch of the articles. The third support member is arranged on the conveyance unit and configured to move with respect to the conveyance unit so as to sandwich the batch of the articles between the third support member and at least one of the first support member and the second support member. The drive unit is configured to independently drive the first, second and third support members.

Abstract: An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganisation of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.

Abstract: A device for grouping individually packaged goods which are fed in a substantially closed stream by the means of conveyance along a transport plane, and grouped by at least one divider finger which can be introduced from below transversely to the transport plane into the stream along the conveyance direction, where, for the at least one divider finger, a motor drive provided which is capable of carrying out in a free and adjustable manner a movement of the at least one divider finger transversely to the transport plane (z-direction) independently of the movement along the conveyance direction (y-direction) and vise versa.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting bodies, which are delivered in an irregular sequence, on a collecting belt, with the following features: a) the bodies which are delivered are moved more rapidly than predetermined by the running speed of the collecting belt (7), b) a pimpled belt (8) having ridges (12) is located in the end region of the collecting belt (7) and can be raised over the upper edge of the collecting belt (7) by means of a lifting device (5), c) the pimpled belt (8) is raised and accelerated as a function of being completely covered with bodies, and also a control program for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and a unit for the formation of groups of products in a machine for continuous packaging of products, according to which at least two continuous rows of products are fed via two conveyor devices set in series with respect to one another along a first given path and in contact with at least one alignment element, which is set transverse to the first path and in front of the rows of products to align the rows themselves with respect to one another, and is displaced along a second, loop-like, path defined by two portions, along which the alignment element is set on the inside and on the outside, respectively, of the first path.

Abstract: A unit for grouping packages along a transfer path includes an input station receiving the packages arranged in longitudinal lines parallel to the transfer path; an output station for groups defined by a given number of packages from respective longitudinal lines and aligned in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path. A movable conveying surface is supplied at predetermined time intervals with a number of packages equal to that in each group, and which feeds the packages along the transfer path. At least one aligning member is moved cyclically along a first path having a work portion parallel to the transfer path, and at least one push member is moved cyclically along a second path having a work portion parallel to the transfer path. The aligning member and the push member are moved respectively by independent first and second conveying mechanisms.

Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processing chamber for processing a food product, such as meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, poultry, fish, and other food items. A high speed serial to parallel loading station delivery system is provided. The food product is loaded onto a conveyor in the processing chamber having a plurality of two-piece food product cradles having openings receiving the food product at the loading station and discharging the food product at the unloading station and having gaps between food product carriers distally oppositely spaced from the openings and defining food product cavities therebetween, the width of the openings varying during traversal of the conveyor through the chamber from the loading to the unloading stations.

Abstract: A unit for grouping packages along a transfer path includes an input station receiving the packages arranged in longitudinal lines parallel to the transfer path; an output station for groups defined by a given number of packages from respective longitudinal lines and aligned in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path; a movable conveying surface, which is fed at predetermined time intervals with a number of packages equal to that of each group, and feeds the packages along the transfer path; and at least one movable member, which is fed cyclically along an operating path having at least one portion parallel to the transfer path, and has an aligning surface, against which, at each cycle, the packages in each group upstream from the movable member come to rest and are aligned in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path; the movable member also has a push surface which, at each cycle, acts on each group of packages downstream from the movable member to push the group out of the unit.

Abstract: A metering system for handling product through a packaging operation comprising: a mechanism for transporting individual product units in discrete lanes to a staging area ahead of a subsequent processing operation; a stop for restraining the flow of product before it enters the subsequent processing operation; a mechanism for detecting when a predetermined quantity of product has accumulated in each lane of the staging area against the stop; and a mechanism for restraining by individual lane further quantities of product before they enter the staging area.

Abstract: A machining system and unit, especially a welding cell, is provided for use for the machining of workpieces (2), especially body parts of vehicles. The machining system has one or more machining stations (15, 16) with robots (18, 19, 20) and at least one rotation or turning station (5), which has at least two work stations (6, 7) for carrying out different operations simultaneously. The turning station (5) has at least two multiaxially movable turning units (8, 9) arranged next to one another with said gripping tools (11, 12, 13). The working areas (10) intersect each other at the work stations (6, 7).

Abstract: A device for forming groups of products in conveying systems, in particular for automatic packaging machinery, includes a path of conveyance in which, in operation, an array of products advances along a direction of conveyance with the products in contact with each other. A separator element is able to be inserted in a predetermined area of the conveyance path to separate a group of products downstream of the separator element with a predetermined dimension in the direction of advance. At least one nozzle is arranged to emit at least one jet of gas, such as air, on the array of products to distance the products at least partially from each other in the predetermined area before inserting the separator element.

Abstract: A conveyance path for conveying articles though an accumulation conveyor, then through a carry-out conveyor, and then through a joining station is disclosed. After a flow of articles and at a time when there are no articles present on a portion of the conveyance path, an article spacing control of the carry-out conveyor and the carry-out of an article to the joining station are stopped. In the conveyance path where an article is present on a portion of the conveyance path, the speed control of an article in the accumulation conveyor is conducted at a speed higher than a constant speed, the speed control of the carry-out conveyor is conducted at a speed higher than the constant speed, and the article spacing control is conducted at a spacing narrower than a prescribed spacing.

Abstract: A bun laner sorts buns into a predetermined number of lanes, for providing buns to a packaging unit. The bun laner detects when some lanes are filling faster than other and closes those lanes while the other lanes fill. A vacuum may be used to hold buns in a filled lane in order to close the lane. An optical detection unit may be used to determine when a bun has been stationary at a certain position in the lane for a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A machine and a method for carrying out portioning of products in stacks having a pre-set length. One or more portioning stations are provided, in which there are present at least two elements for supporting the stack, the supporting elements being mobile in translation, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stack, between an initial position of separation of the stack from the respective row and a final position distant from the initial position at a distance greater than or equal to the pre-set length of the stack.

Abstract: A method and device for forming groups of products, whereby a substantially continuous input succession of products is fed to an input of an endless conveyor, which has a conveying branch and a return branch extending between the input and an output, and which has a variable speed drive member operated to impart a variable speed to the conveyor at the input, and to generate, along the conveying branch, a succession of equally spaced on-line gaps defining a succession of groups of products; the conveying and return branches are both engaged by a powered compensating device for varying the lengths of the conveying and return branches in complementary manner, so as to maintain a constant speed of the conveyor at the output and compensate for any gaps in the input succession. (FIG.

Abstract: A device for grouping articles to be loaded into a carton and delivered to the device from an infeed stream at an infeed end of a packaging machine. The device comprises a leading and trailing spacer elements arranged to move along a first path, each spacer element being adapted to engage at least one article from the infeed stream and to convey the articles through a working reach of the device. The device further comprises adjustment means to adjust the device between a first mode in which each spacer element follows the first path to successively engage an article group; and a second mode in which the trailing spacer element follows the first path and the leading spacer element becomes transferred from the first path to follow a second path connected to the first path before rejoining the first path, whereby the leading and trailing spacer elements engage an article group simultaneously.

Abstract: The device for removing front and end trimmings in a series of aligned rolls comprises: at least one continuous flexible suction conveyor (13); a suction system (3) associated with the conveyor so as to generate a suction through openings (13A) in the conveyor; a device for eliminating trimmings along a roll transfer path; a device receiving rolls from the conveyor. The receiver comprises at least two alternate paths for the rolls, which are arranged in sequence along the conveyor (13) and onto which the rolls may be alternately sorted.

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

Abstract: Bottles fed continuously to a wrapping line are ordered into groups by a device comprising a conveyor belt positioned downstream of a feed station from which the bottles emerge, and a separating system, operating in conjunction with the conveyor belt, by which the advancing bottles are divided into groups before passing forward to the wrapping stations. The separating action is performed by first and second flexible bands looped around respective pulleys within vertical planes, using sets of first and second locating elements anchored respectively to the first and to the second flexible band, which are brought to bear alongside and at right angles to the conveyor belt so as to engage in contact with the bottles.

Abstract: The device for individually transferring flat objects from an entry conveyor (2) on which the objects travel in series edge-on in a first direction (A), into buckets (6) of an exit conveyor (5), comprises an intermediate conveyor (7) arranged in the continuation of the entry conveyor above the exit conveyor and equipped with receptacles (9) which, over at least part of their path, can move in a second direction (B) perpendicular to said first direction, each flat object leaving the entry conveyor being injected edge-on into a receptacle of the intermediate conveyor which comes up to face the exit of the entry conveyor so as to be transferred edge-on into a bucket of the exit conveyor. It further comprises an injection system (14) comprising elastically deformable wheels (15) at the exit end of the entry conveyor and designed to accelerate and then retard the movement of each flat object in said first direction before injecting it into a receptacle of the intermediate conveyor.

Abstract: In a conveying system with rail-like guide means (2) and conveying means (1) movable along the guide means (2) independently of one another, a displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is provided for a changeover from serial to parallel conveyance. The displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) connects in a first position with an essentially stationary rail element (3). In this first position it is filled with conveying means (1) being supplied in series along the stationary rail element (3). The conveying means (1) are then blocked on the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) and the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is displaced in essence transverse to its length, thereby conveying the conveying means in parallel. For a changeover from parallel to serial conveyance, the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.

Abstract: An in line feed method and apparatus for forming slugs of incoming items, which are standing on edge and aligned front-to-back is disclosed. The process uses a conveyor belt and a vacuum chamber aligned end to end for separating the flow of items and creating slugs. The items introduced to the system are on a conveyor belt. The belt is periodically stopped and the items blocked from being sucked into the vacuum chamber. While the product is blocked from entering the vacuum chamber a moving finger which travels through the chamber is introduced at the mouth of the vacuum chamber and the items are released from the conveyor belt such that they are sucked into the vacuum chamber but are limited by and stack up against the finger. In this manner slugs are formed.