Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers includes a first track including a first plurality of lugs, each lug having a respective gripper coupled thereto configured to drive containers along the first track and a second track configured to move a second plurality of lugs wherein each of the lugs is coupled to a respective gripper configured to receive containers from the first track, and move the containers along the second track wherein the grippers of the second track contact the container while the gripper of the first track contacts the container.

Abstract: A drive system for a net cleaner to produce efficient propulsion without damage to the cage net. The drive system includes flexible engagement stumps protruding from a base of a driving belt with tips or studs mounted on an end of the stumps. The tips or studs engage the net and propel the net cleaner. The stumps flex to insure that. if excessive pressure is applied to a stud, the stump will bend and the net will release without damage. A guard prevents the stump from directly engaging a cage net. A track belt produces efficient propulsion without damage to the cage net. The track belt includes flexible engagement stumps protruding from a base of a driving belt with tips or studs mounted on an end of the stumps.

Abstract: A clamping device including a control cam and a control cam for controlling the position of clamping arms which are pivotable relative to one another, each with a holding portion in a clamping device, including a shaft portion for pivotable mounting of the control cam about a control cam pivot axis in a hub portion of a carrier plate of the clamping device, and at least one coupling element for coupling the control cam to a clamping arm of the clamping device, wherein the control cam is pivotable about the control cam pivot axis between a predefined open position and a predefined closed position, and the at least one coupling element is configured in the form of a slotted groove for receiving a control bolt arranged on a clamping arm, or in the form of a control bolt for penetration into a slotted groove arranged on a control arm.

Abstract: A composite fabric sheet loading and unloading machine and its method of operation is described for loading and unloading a composite fabric sheet into a computer controlled stitching and laser cutting machine. The composite fabric sheet is restrained on a rectangular contour support frame of a transport platform which is displaceably and guidingly transported into the stitching and laser cutting machine where programmed pattern fabric pieces are formed in the restrained fabric sheet. The transport platform is then unloaded and transferred back to its original position where the pattern pieces and trimmings are separated and a new composite sheet is positioned and restrained on the flat top surface to repeat the operation. A transport platform is provided on opposed sides of the computer controlled stitching and die cutting machine wherein after the unloading of the transport platform another transport platform is loaded into the stitching and laser cutting machine from the opposed side.

Abstract: A clamping device for holding a container in a container handling device, for example for holding a beverage container by a neck portion, includes a first clamping arm arranged on a support plate pivotably about a first pivot shaft and having a holding portion for contact against the container to be held, and a second clamping arm arranged on the support plate pivotably about a second pivot shaft and having a holding portion for contact against the container to be held. The first pivot shaft and the second pivot shaft respectively have a cylinder pin portion for forming a form closure, radially to the longitudinal direction of the pivot shaft, with a bore in a support of a container handling device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a rotating body having a recess in an outer peripheral surface thereof; a sprocket provided coaxially with the rotating body to rotate integrally with the rotating body; a chain having plural links, the chain being wound around the sprocket to circulate in a circulating direction so as to shift from a rotary movement in which the chain rotates in an arc shape conforming to an outer periphery of the sprocket along with the sprocket, to a linear movement; a holder fixed to at least one link of the links of the chain, the holder being configured to hold a leading end portion of a recording medium, the holder being configured to transport the recording medium by performing the rotary movement along with the rotating body and the chain in a state of (i) holding the leading end portion of the recording medium placed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body and (ii) being located in the recess, and then shifting to the linear movement along with the chain; and an imag

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for distributing and/or grouping containers in a container treatment system. The device (10) includes a supply conveyor (12), a discharge conveyor (16) and a transfer conveyor (14). The transfer conveyor (14) uses a guide path (28) and several movement devices (30) that can be driven individually, preferably by a long stator linear motor (32) and which are guided along the guide path (28). The several movement devices (30) include a conveyor device (34) that is designed to transfer several containers from the supply conveyor (12) to the discharge conveyor (16). The device (10) can preferably be used to reduce the risk of the containers tipping over when being transferred, to reduce the number of movement devices (30) and/or to enable the containers to be pre-grouped.

Abstract: Transporting installation for containers, such as bottles, having a first transporting device, which can transport containers by neck-handling, and a second transporting device, which can transport containers by base-handling, wherein the first transporting device transports the containers at a different height from the second transporting device, wherein, in a transfer region in which the containers can be transferred from the first transporting device to the second transporting device, the second transporting device runs linearly and a linear guide device is provided, said guide device running parallel to the second transporting device and being adapted such that it can guide a container as the container is being lowered from the first transporting device to the second transporting device.

Abstract: A gripping device for the gripping, holding and guiding of in particular bottle-like containers includes at least one gripper arm pair of a first gripper arm as well as a second gripper arm of complementary form to the first gripper arm, wherein the gripper arms each include a respective base body and gripping section; at least one spring for closing the gripper arm pair from an open position into a gripping position as well as at least one cam for opening the gripper arm pair from the gripping position into the open position. The at least one spring or the at least one cam is thereby arranged on the gripping device so as to be replaceable.

Abstract: A method for format adaptation of carriages for the transportation of bottles on a linear motor system and a corresponding linear motor system are described. According thereto, container guides provided on the carriages are adapted to the body cross-section of the bottles by adjusting a guide width in an automated manner between guide jaws of the container guides which in relation to the direction of travel are the leading and trailing ones. There is then no need to replace component parts at the container guides, and the production in filling systems is optimised in terms of staff requirements, resultant production stoppages, and error sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing and retrieving products is provided. A system may include: a grasping head; first and second grasping members, each grasping member comprising: a top member; a post member; and first and second grasping fingers, where the first and second grasping fingers extend from the post member and are spaced apart from the top member by a predetermined distance, where the first and second grasping members are connected to the grasping head, where at least one of the first and second grasping members is movably connected to the grasping head, where the at least one of the first and second grasping members is movable relative to the other of the first and second grasping members.

Abstract: A fully-automatic transplanting combined machine includes a traction apparatus, operation apparatus and a control system. The operation apparatus is mounted on the traction apparatus with a main body frame and is towed behind the traction apparatus. The operation apparatus includes a rotary tillage furrowing system, a system for slightly preparing soil and opening narrow furrows, a planting system, and a soil covering compacting system which are arranged successively from front to back. The planting system includes more than one planting unit. The fully-automatic transplanting combined machine is capable of orderly performing rotary tillage, cleaning stubble, leveling a border check, opening a furrow, cutting narrow slits, transplanting, covering soil, compacting soil in untilled soil at one process, so as to create the soil requirements for high-speed transplanting of blanket seedlings such as rape and other crops.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for gripping a container preform having a base, a spindle which is mounted on the base, and an ejector at least partially surrounding the spindle. The spinner includes a spindle mounted such that it pivots in a sliding manner in relation to the base and a spinner tip removably fixed to the spindle. The ejector partially surrounds the spinner and is able to occupy a working position in which it is secured to the base. The spinner tip and the ejector are respectively provided with an imprint and a complementary counter-imprint. The ejector can be removed from the base and can occupy a tooling position in which the counterpart thereof cooperates with the cavity of the spinner tip so that they rotate together.

Abstract: A conveying system for simultaneously transporting workpieces and workers having a plurality of vehicles, which each have a workpiece receptacle, an assembly platform for workers to move around on, and a separate drive, with which each vehicle can be driven independently of other vehicles of the conveying system. Furthermore, the conveying system includes a plurality of workstations, which are set up for carrying out different work steps. A control device is configured to control the vehicles such that they can pass individually through a different succession of workstations depending on the transported workpiece.

Abstract: A device for holding a container in a container treatment device, for example for holding a bottle at the bottle neck thereof, includes a first clasp arm, which is arranged on a clasp carrier so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis, and a second clasp arm, which is arranged on the clasp carrier so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis. The first clasp arm is of longer design than the second clasp arm. The first clasp arm and the second clasp arm are pivotally coupled to one another via a coupling arrangement, wherein the clasp arms are magnetically preloaded into a closed position, and the clasp arms can be opened to receive a container passively by inserting the container. A treatment device for treating a container is also described.

Abstract: An assembly for manufacturing containers by thermoforming, which includes a magazine of thermoplastic sheet-like blanks, a feeding station for feeding the blanks, a heating station for heating the blanks, and a station for thermoforming containers starting from the blanks. The feeding station includes a closed-loop path and at least two conveyor elements, which move, following each other, along the path between a loading position, in which the conveyor element faces the blank magazine, and an unloading position, in which the conveyor element faces the heating station. The heating station includes a heating carousel, wherein, in the active condition, the conveyor element in the unloading position moves with a substantially linear motion with a speed that is substantially equal to a peripheral speed of the heating carousel.

Abstract: A transfer device, for transferring components at high speed and inspecting the components, includes a first transfer mechanism including a first transfer section including a first transfer surface that moves along a first transfer path connecting a loading position to a delivery position, and a second transfer mechanism including a second transfer section that moves along a second transfer path connecting a receiving position spaced from the delivery position by a first distance to a discharging position. The second transfer section includes a second transfer surface that continuously rotates about a rotation axis along the second transfer path. A moving direction of the first transfer surface at the delivery position intersects a moving direction of the second transfer surface at the receiving position in a plan view of the first transfer surface. The second transfer mechanism includes a generator that generates an attraction force toward the second transfer surface.

Abstract: A star conveyor for containers which includes at least one supporting body which can move rotatably about a rotation axis, and supports peripherally a plurality of gripping devices, which are distributed around its rotation axis and are each adapted to retain a respective container to be conveyed; each one of the gripping devices includes at least one respective pair of gripping arms; at least one gripping arm of such pair of gripping arms includes a main body and at least one adapter element which is detachably attached to the main body and is interchangeable with at least one other adapter element of a different type, in order to vary the configuration of the at least one gripping arm according to the type of container to be conveyed.

Abstract: The application discloses a beverage bottle holding and transport device for holding and transporting beverage bottles and similar containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing device for foil pouches, comprising a plurality of pouch receiving elements arranged side by side, each of them being configured to receive and transport one foil pouch, a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed ramps arranged successively in the direction of transport, the pouch receiving elements being transported in a guided manner along said ramps when in operation, the distance of oppositely disposed ramps defining the width of the pouch receiving elements, and an adjusting element configured to automatically adjust the distance transversely to the direction of transport between oppositely disposed ramps.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting containers along a transport route includes first and second transport elements, at least one of which comprises grippers that are radially movable in relation to a vertical machine axis about which said first transport element rotates. The said first and second transport elements define a transport route that comprises first and second transport-route sections defined by circular arcs and a third transport-route section disposed between them. The third transport-route section comprises a transport-route region that defines a course having a kink-free transition-curve section having a curvature that either only increases or only decreases.

Abstract: A gripper arm for a device for gripping, holding and guiding bottle-like containers having a bore to support a bearing pin to pivotably fix the gripper arm in the device and including an energy store for moving a gripping section of the gripper arm by a control cam from an open position into a gripping position and vice versa, wherein the energy store is spring tongue integrally formed on the gripper arm and elastically deflectable so as to operatively engage the spring tongue of another gripper arm of the device in a mirror-inverted configuration. The gripper arms produced from a fiber-reinforced plastic, so as to remain sufficiently free of contaminants and germs, and be easily cleaned as well as being faster and easier to produce.

Abstract: A transport pocket for the suspended transport of a transport item along a conveying direction via a suspended conveying device includes a pocket rear wall and a pouch wall that, together with the pocket rear wall, form a receiving compartment for the transport item. The receiving compartment forms a receiving opening for the transport item and is designed to assume an open position and a space-saving compact position. A fastener connects the transport pocket to a conveying member of the suspended conveying device. A cam element, which can interact with an activation device of the suspended conveying device, which is designed as a cam guide, and via which cam guide the receiving compartment can be moved into the open position or be held in this. The at least one cam element is arranged on the pouch wall of the transport pocket.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for transporting preforms (2) made of a thermoplastic material in the region of a blow-molding (10), having a transport wheel (12) which is mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis and which comprises multiple receiving recess (18) distributed in the circumferential direction over the circumference of the transport wheel for receiving and conveying preforms (20). A hook element (14) is arranged on the transport wheel (12) in the region of each receiving recess (18), said hook element being mounted on the transport wheel (12) in a pivotal manner between an open position and a closed position, and in the closed position, the hook element (14) secures a preform (20) to be transported in the respective receiving recess (18) from falling out of the receiving recess (18).

Abstract: A protractible and retractable mast system for an autonomous mobile robot includes an elongate flexible member including a first lateral end and a second lateral end, and a fastener having a first portion extending along a length of the first lateral end and a second portion extending along a length of the second lateral end. The flexible member is configured to be at least partially coiled within a body of the robot, and a portion of the flexible member is vertically movable away from the body when the flexible member is being uncoiled. The fastener is configured to connect the first lateral end to the second lateral end when the flexible member is being uncoiled, and disconnect the first lateral end from the second lateral end when the flexible member is being coiled.

Abstract: To reduce mechanical loading due to guidance of the transport unit of a conveyor installation in the form of a long stator linear motor and nevertheless ensure safe retention of the transport unit on the conveyor track of the conveyor installation in all operating conditions, the normal force (FNn) is controlled with a controller (Rk) for controlling the normal force (FNn). The controller (Rk) determines a normal-force-forming current component (iAnd) of the drive current (iAn) of the drive coils interacting with the transport unit (Tn) so that a resulting normal force (F?Nn) acting on the transport unit (Tn) as the sum of the normal force (FNn), a magnetic force (FMn) in the normal direction (N) caused by the drive magnets, and an external force (FEn) in the normal direction (N) acting on the transport unit (Tn) corresponds at least to a specified retaining force (FNnmin) in the normal direction (N).

Abstract: A feeding unit for receiving sealed packs of pourable food products from a forming unit arranged to form the packs and feed the packs to a folding unit arranged to fold the packs so as to obtain folded packages, the feeding unit comprising a feeding conveyor to carry the packs towards the folding unit, wherein the feeding unit further comprises a driving arrangement interacting with the packs so as to pull the packs from the forming unit and push the packs towards the feeding conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for producing containers filled with a liquid product from preforms made from a thermoplastic material that includes a heating section (1) for thermal conditioning of the preforms in a drying region (2) of the machine, a molding and filling section (3) for simultaneous molding and filling of the containers within a mold by a filled product inserted into the preform under pressure in a wet region (4) of the machine and transport wheels (5, 6, 7, 8, 10) for transporting the preforms or the molded containers through the machine. A distance of adjacent preforms is smaller in the heating section (1) than in the molding and filling section (3). An enlarging of the distance of adjacent preforms between the heating section (1) and the molding and filling section (3) is performed by a transfer wheel (11) and the drying region (2) is separated from the wet region (4) by a lock (13) having a lock chamber (14).

Abstract: A form-filling machine for molding and filling a plastic preform with a liquid in a treatment station, including a slop-over protection device to prevent a liquid from slopping out of the container, including during the transition of the container filled with the liquid out of the treatment station of form-filling machine into a discharge unit, such as a discharge star wheel.

Abstract: A transfer arrangement for transfer of packaging containers from a first conveyor arrangement to a second conveyor arrangement, wherein the transfer arrangement comprises at least one gripper arranged to engage the packaging containers frictionally.

Abstract: The device used to hold workpieces is designed in a manner of tongs and is provided with two tong arms (45, 46). The tong arms are held by a tong base (47) and can be arranged at least in an open position and in a closed position. The tong base is held by a base element (48). The tong base is arranged on a transfer wheel, an opening movement of the tong arms being carried out by means of a movement component transverse to a radial direction of the transfer wheel. The first tong arm (45) extends on both sides of a central line of the tong base at least in some regions, said central line being oriented in a radial direction of the transfer wheel. A workpiece holding recess, which is spanned by the tong arms at least in some regions, is delimited by the second tong arm (46) only in a holding recess (68) region arranged on the outside in a radial direction of the transfer wheel relative to a holding recess transverse central line that runs transverse to the central line of the tong base.

Abstract: A method of transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member using a transfer assembly is provided. The transfer assembly includes a frame defining a rotation axis and a transfer member including a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method includes rotating the transfer member about the rotation axis and maintaining a substantially constant pressure between the substantially flat transfer surface and the rotating carrier member throughout a zone of discrete article transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a substrate, wherein the apparatus comprises a rail-like track section having a longitudinal extension and a moving unit, which is configured to perform a movement relative to the track section along the longitudinal extension of the track section, wherein the track section and the moving unit are configured to interact such that the movement of the moving unit is effected by magnetic interaction between the track section and the moving unit, and wherein the moving unit comprises a holding unit which is configured to assume an opened and a closed state, wherein, in the opened state, a section of the substrate can be inserted into the holding unit and, in the closed state, the section is held by the holding unit. Further, a system for printing on a substrate with a previously described apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for transporting plastic preforms to a stretch blow molding machine comprising a feeder device, which transports the plastic preforms to a separating device, which is arranged in transport direction upstream of the stretch blow molding machine, wherein the feeder device comprises a pneumatically actuable blocking device, which in a first position deblocks the path of transport for the preforms and in a second position blocks the path of transport for the plastic preforms, and wherein the blocking device is actuable by means of a cylinder. According to the invention, the valve for controlling the cylinder is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the cylinder.

Abstract: An installation comprising a first platform having a first holder device comprising a first pair of jaws, and a second platform having a second holder device comprising a second pair of jaws. Each pair of jaws comprising a stationary jaw and a movable jaw mounted on the stationary jaw to be movable between a closed position and an open position. A resilient element connecting the two jaws together urges the movable jaw towards the closed position. The two pairs of jaws are provided with co-operation devices enabling them to transfer a container from one platform to another by co-operation between the pairs of jaws.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating containers (10), comprising a first movable transport unit (2) for transporting the containers (10) along a predetermined transport path (P), on which unit a plurality of clamp-like gripping elements (4) are arranged, wherein said gripping elements (4) can be switched between a closed state in which the gripping element (4) grips the container (10) and an open state in which the grip of the container (10) by the gripping element (4) is at least loosened. According to the invention, the transport unit (2) comprises a plurality of holding units (6) in addition to the gripping elements (4), which holding units can be brought into engagement with a mouth section of the container or which holding units support the bottom section of the container, wherein both a gripping element (4) and a holding unit (6) are assigned at least at intervals to at least one container (10) during the transport thereof by means of the device for the purpose of transporting said container.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member using a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a rotation axis and a transfer member comprising a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method comprises rotating the transfer member about the rotation axis and maintaining the transfer surface at a substantially constant minimum distance away from the moving carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer.

Abstract: A rotary-type bag transfer device including a plurality of pairs of left and right grippers (2) provided around an intermittently rotating table (1). A first support shaft (8) and a second support shaft (9) are provided on the base portion of each of the arms (5) of the grippers. A first link (14) linked at its one end to the table and pivotable horizontally is linked at another end thereof to the center of a second link (15), the second link is linked at one end thereof to the first support shaft, and a sliding member (21) installed at the other end of the second link is provided to slide in a slot (22) formed in the table. The slot is parallel to a reference plane (N). A restricting link (24) linked at one end to the table is linked at another end to the second support shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier link of a conveyor chain intended to convey hanging product carriers, which comprises two parallel walls connected by a partition wall and an opening in which a chain lock is positioned, where the chain lock can assume an open state and a closed state, and where the chain lock comprises two locking arms, each with a locking lug, where the locking lugs are intended to secure an object in the central opening such that the product carrier bears against the two locking lugs when the product carrier is conveyed hanging from the carrier link. The invention further relates to a conveyor chain comprising a plurality of carrier links. The aim of the invention is to obtain a more secure carrier link which permits a controlled and traceable flow and which additionally has a higher loading capacity.

Abstract: A magnet conveyance positioning device including a conveyance unit and an attachment device attached to the conveyance unit to move integrally with the conveyance unit. The attachment device includes a support unit abutting on a object and supporting the conveyance unit from the object, a holding unit provided movably relative to the support unit to detachably hold the magnet, and a driving unit moving the holding unit so that the magnet approaches the object in a state where the support unit is abutted on the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing electronic devices includes a rotary turret having first device concentric around the rotary turret, which transfer the electronic devices; a rotary wheel having second device holders concentric around the rotary wheel, which receive the electronic devices and a processing device to process the electronic devices. The rotary turret rotates the first device holders along a first circular path, and the rotary wheel rotates the second device holders along a second circular path. The first axis of the rotary turret is perpendicular to the second axis of the rotary wheel, and that a projection of the second circular path of the second device holders in a direction perpendicular to the second axis of the rotary wheel onto the first circular path of the first device holders defines a line from the inside to the outside of the first circular path of the first device holders.

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: A system for handling objects in rotary machines, and, more particularly, a system for handling preforms in blowing machines. The system picks up a pre-heated preform from a transferring star of the preform and takes it to a mold of a stretch-blowing machine by using movements entailing reduced acceleration values, in particular of the tangential acceleration component, so as to prevent uncontrolled oscillatory movements of the softened preform. In the blowing machine, the preform is blown to obtain a bottle, and the bottle thus obtained is picked up from the stretch-blow molding position and transferred to an unloading position.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotation assembly for a transfer member of a transfer assembly. The rotation assembly comprises a torque transmitting assembly comprising input and output members, a link comprising a first end operably coupled to the input member and a second end comprising a follower member, a shaft comprising a first end operably coupled to the output member and a second end engaged with a portion of the transfer member, and a track. The follower is movably engaged with the track and circumnavigates about a path in correspondence with the track. The follower member is moved radially relative to a first rotation axis by the track as it circumnavigates about the path to transmit torque through the torque transmitting assembly and to the shaft. The torque causes a portion of the transfer member to rotate between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A device for transferring objects, in particular parisons (3) or bottles (2), has a carousel (10) able to rotate about a predetermined axis (X), an object (2, 3) pick up element (14), a supporting arm (16) for the pick up element (14) connected to the carousel (10), the pick up element (14) having at least three degrees of freedom relative to the carousel (10), a cam (12) for guiding the arm (16) and the pick up element (14), having a predetermined number of tracks (22, 23, 24), for moving the pick up element (14) along a predetermined path (P); the cam (12) has a fixed portion (25) and at least one removable portion (26) connected to the fixed portion (25), the removable portion (26) having a predetermined profile and there being the possibility of substituting it with other removable portions having a different profile to the portion (26).

Abstract: An apparatus for treating containers includes an annularly closed guiding-and-carrying element, a chain of container carriers, and a central drive. Each container carrier receives a container and has a holding-and-centering unit, an individual drive, and guide unit. The drive is configured to turn the container about its axis. The guide unit circulates the container carriers on the guiding-and-carrying element. A vertical axis of the holding-and-centering unit and that of the drive are congruent with the container axis. The guiding-and-carrying element has straight sections and curved sections. Each holding-and-centering units is connected by connecting elements that are mounted or secured on it in a manner flush with its vertical axis or concentrically to the rotational axis of the holding-and-centering unit. As a result, all endlessly circulating axes of rotation of the holding-and-centering units and containers located therein move at a common speed in every section of the guiding-and-carrying element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a transport device (10) which has a number of identical transport means arranged one after another in a transport direction, which are able to transport product along an intrinsically closed transport path (33) between stations (28) arranged on the transport path (33). To identify the individual transport means, use is made of selected transport means (RK) which can be detected by means of first sensors (24) arranged or on the transport path (33) as the said transport means pass the first sensors (24), which are distributed over the transport path (33) and subdivide the transport path (33) into individual segments. The transport means may be assigned individually consecutive fixed serial numbers, which are counted from a single starting point (34), and in that the starting point (34) is defined by a specific arrangement of a plurality of detectable transport means (DRK).

Abstract: In apparatuses and methods for treating a plate-shaped process item including a bottom side, a top side and edges between the bottom side and the top side with a process medium, a transport unit is used, which includes an endless unit with support elements projecting from the same. A bottom side of the plate-shaped process item is supported on support elements of the transport unit and the transport unit is driven to move the support elements together with the supported plate-shaped process item in parallel to a process media level of a process medium. In a first operating mode, during a movement of the plate-shaped process item in parallel to the process media level, no parts of the transport unit engage the edges of the plate-shaped process item.

Abstract: A camera is used to take an image of an end surface of a honeycomb structure gripped by a hand. Based on the image, an initial rotation angle of the honeycomb structure around a vertical axis at a reference position where the image has been taken is recognized. An arm turning section is driven to convey the honeycomb structure gripped by the hand from the reference position to above a plugging mask. A rotation angle required to adjust the rotation angle of the honeycomb structure on the plugging mask to a desired final rotation angle is acquired based on the initial rotation angle recognized at the reference position and a rotation angle of the honeycomb structure around the vertical axis associated with the driving of the arm turning section from the reference position to above the plugging mask. The honeycomb structure is rotated based on the required rotation angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transport member for transporting strip-like elements to be treated in a bath. The transport member is provided with a horizontally oriented endless carrier belt with resilient wire-like clamping members attached thereto by means of their own resilience for the purpose of clamping the strip-like elements at the position of wire ends of the clamping members. Wire ends of adjacent clamping members are provided opposite each other for clamping the strip-like elements therebetween.