Abstract: The thrust bars (11), which are placed behind the product in the transfer phase from one transport line (L1) to one downstream (L2), have an adjustable stop (12) resting against the right side of the direction of travel of this product. By means of ball joints or articulated joints (10, 10′), the ends of the aforesaid bars are connected to the same points of the upper branch or the lower one of a parallel pair of toothed belt conveyors (T, T′) fed on pulleys with horizontal axles, placed inclined at the right angle and bridging the area following the two transport lines and which with their own branch, e.g. with a lower branch, work in the direction running from the upstream line to the downstream line at an identical speed such as to be able to effect, with the above-mentioned bars, the conveyance transfer of products from one to the other conveyor belt by rear and side thrust.

Abstract: The method and apparatus are for controlling a longitudinal shifting of an elongated piece along a predetermined length SL as said piece moves transversely within a plane at a given speed PS. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal arm having a given length PL pivotable within the plane to shift the piece; a flexible link operatively mounted around the arm to contact the piece as the arm is pivoted to shift the piece; a controllable pivoting means for pivoting the arm according to an angle &thgr; determined in relation to the predetermined length SL and the given length PL; and a controllable driving means for driving the flexible link around the arm according to a speed SS determined in relation to the speed PS of the piece and the angle &thgr; so that the longitudinal shifting is controlled.

Abstract: An intelligent deck apparatus and method for serially moving workpieces moving side-by-side on a conveyor system to a processing system. The intelligent deck is comprised of an edge detector system having at least one sensor, a shift mechanism, and a lift arm system having at least one lift arm. The intelligent deck apparatus also has a computer system operatively connected to the working parts of the intelligent deck and the processing system. The intelligent deck distinguishes between workpieces by shifting the leading workpiece to distinguish it from subsequent workpieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and method for transporting test tubes (1) automatically between different processing stages and equipment in laboratories. In the method, the test tubes (1) are placed on transport bases (3) for transportation within the system and the identification data of the test tube (1) is read to identify the sample, after which the transport bases (3) can be moved within the transportation system with the aid of conveyors (15-18)to operation stations, for operations to be carried out on the test tube (1) or sample. The data.

Abstract: A conveyor, for feeding articles along a given path and in a vertical direction, has a guide parallel to the aforementioned direction and having a succession of first supports defining a succession of first seats, each for housing an article; and a slide movable back and forth in the aforementioned direction and having a succession of second supports defining a succession of second seats, each for housing an article and for transferring an article between two adjacent first seats.

Abstract: A conveyor mechanism for transferring an article from a primary conveyor to a secondary conveyor that extends in a direction normal to the direction of the primary conveyor. The secondary conveyor has a receiving location at which it receives articles from the first conveyor. The second conveyor has a flat support surface over which a perforated continuous conveyor belt extends. A vacuum plenum is inlayed into the flat support surface and has openings in its upper plate that are located at the receiving location. A vacuum source is connected to the vacuum plenum for creating a vacuum in the vacuum plenum that pulls air through the perforated continuous conveyor belt which causes objects that are deposited on the secondary conveyor at the receiving location to be pulled to and held against the upper surface of the perforated continuous conveyor belt.

Abstract: A sorting machine at the end of a sheet metal slitting and shearing line receives side-by-side stacks of sheet metal panels and separates and rearranges those stacks so that they are more easily wrapped, banded, or otherwise processed. The machine includes a roller conveyor which receives the side-by-side stacks and a platform located to one side of the conveyor. The platform has support beams which align with the rollers of the conveyor such that spaces exist between the succession of aligned rollers and support beams. Beneath the conveyor and platform a transfer carriage moves on tracks that extend transversely with respect to the conveyor. The carriage has transfer beams which occupy the spaces between successive aligned rollers and support beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming arrays of containers supplied by a feeder belt. Receiver supports are provided for receiving the containers, which are integral with associated support elements. The support elements displaced from a receiving zone to a zone for releasing the rows of containers by means of associated actuating devices.