Abstract: Disclosed is a sorting device for elements of the cap or stopper type, used to close a bottle or vial, or of the plastic preform type. The device includes a continuous conveyor arranged to travel in a conveying direction and equipped with successive transverse stop members between which the elements can rest in transverse alignment. The sorting device includes an ejector for ejecting the elements from the conveyor by moving the elements essentially along the length of the transverse stop members, the ejector include at least one push member which can move at least transversely to the conveying direction so as to push the elements towards the exit zone. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering sorted elements of the cap, stopper or other type, in order to feed a downstream work station, the device including a unit for lifting elements, in which a first sorting operation is performed, and, mounted downstream, a unit for treating the elements in which the elements are treated individually. Also disclosed is a delivery device including a conveyor mounted downstream from the treatment unit in order to direct the elements towards the work station, the conveyor moving the elements singly. Further disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveying device including an upstream conveying unit for receiving products from at least one upstream station, an accumulation surface along which the upstream conveying unit circulates, a loading unit for moving the products from the upstream conveying unit to the accumulation surface, a downstream conveying unit for clearing the products, and an unloading unit for moving the products from the accumulation surface to the downstream conveying unit. The downstream conveying unit includes a plurality of independent moving unit receiving the products in receiving zones which are successively distributed from the edge of the accumulation surface opposite the edge along which the upstream conveying unit extends. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor device for conveying along a conveyor plane, in order to transform a wide flow of products into a downstream single-file flow, including an intake conveyor, suitable for conveying the wide flow, an output conveyor suitable for conveying the single-file flow, an acceleration conveyor positioned between the intake conveyor and the outlet conveyor and including a plurality of conveyor units with a speed gradient, and also including a guide for guiding the products transversely from the intake conveyor to the outlet conveyor and positioned downstream from the flow of products so that the products are moved against same under the effect of the consecutive conveyors. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: A device (1) for conveying products, has a first conveying portion (2), referred to as a quick portion (2), and a second conveying portion (3), referred to as a slow portion (3), in which the products then circulate in a linear fashion in a longitudinal conveying direction (4), normally slower than in the quick portion (2). The products circulate from the quick portion (2) towards the slow portion (3), in which they are then organized into a flow that is wider than in the quick portion (2), the quick portion (2) and the slow portion (3) being placed next to one another. Upstream from the slow portion (3), the quick portion (2) has an upstream guide (5) which is directed angularly towards the slow portion (3). A method for implementing the device is also described.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding at least one receiving surface between two consecutive stations in a production line for handling products on an assembly line, the device having a pick-up zone from where the products are transferred to the surface, and including an input conveyor to receive and maintain a compact flow of products received from an upstream station, a receiving conveyor, extending along a conveying direction in the pick-up zone to receive and then stop the flow of products there delivered by the input conveyor, an a transfer unit, to move, transversely to the conveying direction, toward the receiving surface, the products stopped in the pick-up zone. The device further includes at least one buffer conveying element, able to receive the compact flow of products from the input conveyor when the products are stopped on the receiving conveyor for their transfer, and maintain the compactness of the flow.

Abstract: A method for transferring at least one object (7) from a conveying surface (9) of a supply conveyor (6) onto a surface (15), the method including the following steps: —conveying the object (7) in a conveying direction, the object (7) including a base (7a) that rests on the conveying surface (9), —bringing the object (7) into contact with a guide (16) placed in the conveying direction at a distance from the downstream end line (12) of the supply conveyor (6), —ending the contact between the base (7a) of the object and the conveying surface (9), —dropping the object (7) onto the receiving surface (15), the step of ending the contact between the base (7a) of the object (7) and the conveying surface (9) only taking place after the step of bringing the object (7) into contact with the guide (16).

Abstract: A device (2) for accumulating and transferring objects includes: a feed conveyor (6), a discharge conveyor (8), an accumulation surface (27), a first transfer element (18) for moving at least one batch of objects from the feed conveyor to the accumulation surface, a second transfer element (7) for moving at least one batch of objects from the accumulation surface to the output conveyor. At least one of the first and second transfer element includes a robotic handling device (18) provided with a handling head (17) for at least one batch of objects. The accumulation surface (27) is a conveyor (7) which forms the second transfer element and the direction of which is inclined and preferably perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the input conveyor (6).

Abstract: A method for transferring at least one object (7) from a conveying surface (9) of a supply conveyor (6) onto a surface (15), the method including the following steps: conveying the object (7) in a conveying direction, the object (7) including a base (7a) that rests on the conveying surface (9), bringing the object (7) into contact with a guide (16) placed in the conveying direction at a distance from the downstream end line (12) of the supply conveyor (6), ending the contact between the base (7a) of the object and the conveying surface (9), dropping the object (7) onto the receiving surface (15), the step of ending the contact between the base (7a) of the object (7) and the conveying surface (9) only taking place after the step of bringing the object (7) into contact with the guide (16).

Abstract: A device (2) for accumulating and transferring objects includes: a feed conveyor (6), a discharge conveyor (8), an accumulation surface (27), a first transfer element (18) for moving at least one batch of objects from the feed conveyor to the accumulation surface, a second transfer element (7) for moving at least one batch of objects from the accumulation surface to the output conveyor. At least one of the first and second transfer element includes a robotic handling device (18) provided with a handling head (17) for at least one batch of objects. The accumulation surface (27) is a conveyor (7) which forms the second transfer element and the direction of which is inclined and preferably perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the input conveyor (6).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for handling articles (2), including an endless infeed drive member (3) moving in an infeed direction (ID); an endless outfeed drive member (4) moving in a second, outfeed direction (OD); and an endless carrier conveyor (33) having. The carrier conveyor includes an infeed section (34) overlying the infeed drive member (3), whereby the infeed drive member (3) drives the infeed section (34) in the infeed direction (ID); an outfeed section (35) overlying the outfeed drive member (4), whereby the outfeed drive member (4) drives the outfeed section (35) in the outfeed direction (OD); and an arcuate intermediate section (36) bridging the infeed section (34) and the outfeed section (35) along a transfer path (37) between a diverting point (DIV) where the carrier conveyor (33) disconnects from the infeed drive member (3), and an inverting point (INV) where the carrier conveyor (33) connects the outfeed drive member (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a selecting and screening device (15) for sealing elements or for hollow stoppers intended for a sealing station (4), the device being provided in the form of a chute consisting of two portions: a feed portion (17) and an outlet portion (18), and, between said two portions, a transit channel (20) forming an arc and comprising an ejection window (33), wherein said outlet portion (18) is to be connected to the sealing station (4), said channel (20) partially encloses a wheel (21) provided with notches (22) that match the size of said stoppers (2), and the wheel (21) is associated with pins (30), characterized in that the function of said pins (30) is to support the stoppers (2) in the respective notch (22) thereof as the former pass in front of said ejection window (33), if said stoppers are correctly oriented and not defective, and in that said outlet portion (18) is intended to convey said properly oriented and non-defective stoppers.

Abstract: An article (2) accumulation conveyor (1) having an endless conveying belt (9), characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of accumulation modules (14) having adjustable capacity, comprising independent frames (16), a device (53) for transferring the articles (2) from one accumulation module (14) to another (14), said device (53) being interposed between said modules (14); an endless conveying belt (9) common to the accumulation modules (14) and to the transfer device (53).