Abstract: A work station (40) for a packaging line having an apparatus (4) for executing a simultaneous action on packages (10) of an alignment of packages with a tool (46); and a transfer mechanism (31) for the simultaneous transport of an alignment of packages to be processed (10b) to the apparatus (4) and of an alignment of processed packages (10c) from the apparatus (4). The alignments are arranged parallel to each other and the transport direction of the packages are perpendicular to the alignments, the transfer mechanism (31) thus having a first and a second transport group (31a, 31b), one of which hangs from two movable parts (60) of the transfer mechanism (31) which are movable on respective parallel planes of movement and which do not interfere with the vertical projection of the tool (46). A packaging line (101, 102, 103) with modular construction having such work stations.

Abstract: A separating element operates a transport device, which is configured to pile a plurality of partial book blocks for forming a book block along a book channel associated with the transport device, the finished piled book block being feedible to a processing machine. The book channel includes at least one transfer portion. At least one first separating element is arranged within the transport device as a link between an upstream transfer portion and a downstream transfer portion. The first separating element is configured to be operated by at least one drive and is configured to: receive a partial book block fed horizontally from the upstream transfer portion, horizontally transport the partial book block onward via the conveying portion formed by the first separating element, and then horizontally hand the partial book block over to the downstream transfer portion in keeping with a cycle.

Abstract: An orienting apparatus configured to reorient an inventory item supplied to a packaging machine includes an inlet, an outlet having an aspect ratio less than one, a translation device, a vertically oriented guide, and an orienting guide. The translation guide drives the inventory item from the inlet towards the outlet. The vertically oriented guide is positioned between a first lateral side of the inlet and a first lateral side of the outlet. The orienting guide is positioned between a second lateral side of the inlet and a second lateral side the outlet. The vertically oriented guide and the orienting guide define a channel through which the inventory item is conveyed. The orienting guide interfaces with the inventory item to progressively reorient the inventory item as the inventory item is conveyed through the channel.

Abstract: A processing machine can include motors; at least one heater; first and second processing enclosures separated by a gap; an upper level conveyor that passes circuit assemblies through the first and second processing enclosures and the gap; a lower level conveyor that passes the circuit assemblies through the first and second processing enclosures and the gap; an elevator that transports the circuit assemblies between the upper level conveyor and the lower level conveyor; and a controller that includes circuitry operatively coupled to the motors and to the at least one heater.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the flush transfer of large-surface-area panels of different types of construction to a transporting vehicle, having the following features. At least one conveyor for supplying panels of at least one type of construction. At least one pivoting-stack apparatus, having a gripper frame and having adhesion elements fastened thereon. At least one stack framework on a mobile carriage, wherein the latter is connected to at least one transporting vehicle by a switchable coupling. The transporting vehicle is supplied with power, and controlled electronically and/or electrically, by a multiplicity of lines installed in the floor region. An electrically controlled parking brake on each transporting vehicle, for arresting purposes.

Abstract: A machine can include a first conveyor configured to receive and convey a circuit assembly; a second conveyor configured to receive and convey a circuit assembly; a first set of opposing side panels adjacent to opposing sides of the first conveyor; a second set of opposing side panels adjacent to opposing sides of the second conveyor; a first mechanism that selectively raises and lowers the first set of opposing side panels; and a second mechanism that selectively raises and lowers the second set of opposing side panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting goods includes a deformable transport unit, a unit for supplying a goods item to the deformable transport unit and a unit for impressing the goods item into the deformable transport unit so that a top of the goods item facing away from the transport unit has a predetermined height position d with respect to the unit for impressing. The deformable transport unit is implemented such that the predetermined height position of the goods item outside the effective area of the unit for impressing the goods item is at least temporarily maintained. The unit for impressing the goods item include an element arranged at a distance to the deformable transport unit and a goods item for impressing into the deformable transport unit is moved past the element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting a transportation rack (12) through a conveyor-type dishwasher which has a plurality of treatment zones by means of transportation catches (10) which are accommodated on transportation rails (5, 6). The transportation catches (10) transport transportation racks (12) in the conveying direction (1.1), with the transportation rails (5, 6) being driven by means of a rotary shaft (3). The transportation catches (10) pivot (11) about a shaft (8), which runs parallel to the conveying direction (1.1), during a forward stroke (VH) of the transportation rails (5, 6) and during the return stroke (RH) of said transportation rails. The invention also relates to a conveyor-type dishwasher comprising transportation rails (5, 6) on which transportation catches (10) are held. The transportation catches (10) are mounted such that they can pivot on shafts (8) which are oriented parallel to the conveying direction (1.1) of the transportation rack (12).

Abstract: In a transfer unit for transferring glass articles from a supporting surface to a carry-off conveyor, a pickup member, for engaging the articles for transfer, is moved between a pickup position and a release position by an actuating device having a single articulated arm, and two electric motors activated independently to move the pickup member with respect to the articulated arm, and to move different portions of the articulated arm with respect to one another.

Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring glass articles from a supporting surface to a carry-off conveyor, the transfer unit includes a pickup member for engaging the articles for transfer and is hinged to one end of an actuating arm to rotate with respect to the actuating arm about a movable hinge axis under the control of a control unit for adjusting the position of the pickup member independently of the position of the actuating arm.

Abstract: According to a method for transferring articles, the articles, in particular blister packs, are transferred to a feeding line of a packaging machine, moving continuously and longitudinally with respect to an outlet line of a machine producing the articles, on which the articles to be transferred are carried in line in a continuous way. According to the method, the articles leaving said outlet line, aligned and regularly spaced apart, are transferred onto support elements carried by a distributing unit aligned with the outlet line, above the feeding line. The support elements are selectively operated to release one by one said articles into respective holding pockets defined by the feeding line.

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 conveyor system for transport of containers, in particular an airport baggage handling system, includes a conveyor having a curved transport path with one end defining an entry zone and another end defining an exit zone. The containers are moved by a container propulsion mechanism along the curved transport path between the entry and exit zones, wherein the curved transport path is constructed for movement of the containers in an inwardly inclined disposition for reducing centrifugal forces.

Abstract: The apparatus is formed of two identical devices (A, A?) installed mirror image-fashion, each of which is equipped with a pressure bar (19, 19?) fitted to overhang the relevant lateral toothed conveyor belts (T, T?) which move and recircle the sai bars, and which are in their turn activated by relevant motors (8, 8?) with electronic speed and phase control governed by one programmable processing unit (26). When the length of the products (P) is less than the length of the straight branches of the conveyors moving the said bars, the two devices are installed mirror-image fashion, with the axles of the pulleys of one conveyor aligned with those of the corresponding pulleys of the other conveyor. In this position, the bars (19, 19?) of the two devices alternate in taking, moving foward by pushing and the final placing of the product in the workstation (K).

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus has a first lane that includes a drive mechanism that employs at least one movable vertical finger or tab. The apparatus also includes a second lane which includes a second drive mechanism that employs at least one movable vertical finger or tab. The first and second lanes are connected by a shuttle.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the transport of plates from a plate transport device to a plate storage rack or similar device, including a robotic arm having at its free end a plate engagement structure, the plate transport device is provided with a recess over which the plate can be centered and into which the plate engagement structure can be moved to engage the plate from the bottom side thereof and lift an remove the plate from the plate transport device.

Abstract: An apparatus for repositioning a workpiece on a lugged conveyor, where the conveyor has lugs for carrying the workpiece spaced apart by a lug space in a downstream direction. The apparatus includes a sensor for detecting the position of the workpiece on the conveyor and relaying position information to a processor, at least one running element mountable in cooperation with the conveyor, a selectively actuable actuator cooperating with the processor for the selective actuation of the running element.

Abstract: An inductor station for a sortation conveying system is able to accommodate an assortment of substantially rectangular items which in general each have unique dimensions. A worker loads the inductor station with a charge of items each standing upright on edge and side-by-side. The charges are loaded in sequence to a feeder tray, and a programmably controlled feeding assembly feeds the charges along the feeder tray to a loading mechanism. The loading mechanism loads the endmost item from a discharge end of the feeder tray onto a takeaway conveyor. The items are loaded on the takeaway standing upright and on edge. An indexing motion stripping conveyor is used to time the loading of the items onto the takeaway conveyor so that the items are conveyed to an appropriate pocket on the core conveyor for the sortation conveying system.

Abstract: A feeder system for feeding objects to object-carriers of a machine for processing the objects, in particular a printing machine, includes a reciprocating finger for pushing each object directly towards an object-carrier to place the object on the object-carrier; the finger being carried by a reciprocating carriage slidably mounted on a chassis and rotatably mounted on the carriage so that it can occupy at least an operational position in which it can push an object when it is moved and a retracted position in which it can avoid an object when it is moved.

Abstract: An inductor station for a sortation conveying system is able to accommodate an assortment of substantially rectangular items which in general each have unique dimensions. A worker loads the inductor station with a charge of items each standing upright on edge and side-by-side. The charges are loaded in sequence to a feeder tray, and a programmably controlled feeding assembly feeds the charges along the feeder tray to a loading mechanism. The loading mechanism loads the endmost item from a discharge end of the feeder tray onto a takeaway conveyor. The items are loaded on the takeaway standing upright and on edge. An indexing motion stripping conveyor is used to time the loading of the items onto the takeaway conveyor so that the items are conveyed to an appropriate pocket on the core conveyor for the sortation conveying system.

Abstract: The apparatus serves for pushing at least one of two hollow glass articles from a dead plate of a glass forming machine onto a conveyor belt. A pusher serves for this purpose, and includes a base portion and, for each glass article which is to be pushed, at least one thrust finger extending transversely to the base portion. Each thrust finger defines with the base portion a pocket for receiving the glass article. A nozzle is arranged in the region of a corner of the associated pocket. From each nozzle compressed air can be blown such that a pressure below atmospheric pressure which draws the glass article into the pocket is created between the pusher and the glass article. The compressed air is blown from the corner out between the base portion and the glass article.

Abstract: Apparatus or gear mechanism for producing linear movements for pushers, carry-along elements and similar elements, in particular during reciprocating movement. The pushers (24, 25) are connected to a gear mechanism (33), in the case of which use is made exclusively of rotating or circulating elements. Each pusher (24, 25) is connected to a lever (37) which is moved by the gear mechanism such that the connection of the lever (37) to the pusher (24, 25) is moved exclusively on a rectilinear path.

Abstract: A product transferring device transfers a product onto a conveyor from the side of the conveyor. During transfer, a first device moves the product along the direction of conveyance of the conveyor at about the same speed as the speed of conveyance of conveyor. A second device, operating simultaneously with said first device, moves the product in a direction roughly perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the conveyor. The product moves in a diagonal path onto the conveyor. The speed match between the first device and the conveyor permits smooth transfer of the product onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A transfer device for a linear conveyor (1) comprising means for displacing objects (2) along a direction different of the conveying direction (XX′) of the conveyor, whereby a pendulum lever (5) is capable of exerting selectively onto the objects a thrust load (E), whereas the pendulum lever is controlled by a rod (11) brought into rotation by a driving assembly (8), whereby the cinematic link between the rod and the lever is a sliding link, in order to enable pivotless evacuation of the objects (2) outside the conveyor.

Abstract: Device to separate rolled bars (12) advancing on a carrier plane (11) with a direction substantially orthogonal to their axis towards a tying and/or packing zone, the carrier plane (11) comprising a plurality of movement elements (14) arranged in the direction of advance of the bars (12) and longitudinally separated, there being included a counter/spacer device (13) suitable to separate the bars (12) from each other in correspondence with a leading end segment, the device comprising a plurality of separator assemblies (10) arranged in alignment along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bars (12) and each arranged in the space between two adjacent movement elements (14), each separator assembly (10) comprising separator elements having a first inactive position arranged retracted below the carrier plane (11) of the bars (12) and a second active position wherein they are taken progressively above the carrier plane (11) and, inserting themselves between two adjacent bars (12), cause the progress

Abstract: A unit (1) for transferring groups (2) of cigarette packets (3) from a conveyor (4) to an input device (5) of a cartoning machine is provided with a transfer member (18) and an epicyclic gear train (25) for moving the transfer member (18) back and forth along an annular trajectory (T). The cigarette packets (3) are fed along a path (P) by the conveyor (4) and the annular trajectory (T) has a forward portion and a return portion partially overlapping the path (P) of the packet (3) on the conveyor (4). The epicyclic gear train (25) has two gears (48, 49) having a variable transmission ratio (W) for varying the speed of the transfer member (18) along the forward movement of the transfer member (18).

Abstract: An inductor station for a sortation conveying system is able to accommodate an assortment of substantially rectangular items which in general each have unique dimensions. A worker loads the inductor station with a charge of items each standing upright on edge and side-by-side. The charges are loaded in sequence to a feeder tray, and a programmably controlled feeding assembly feeds the charges along the feeder tray to a loading mechanism. The loading mechanism loads the endmost item from a discharge end of the feeder tray onto a takeaway conveyor. The items are loaded on the takeaway standing upright and on edge. An indexing motion stripping conveyor is used to time the loading of the items onto the takeaway conveyor so that the items are conveyed to an appropriate pocket on the core conveyor for the sortation conveying system.