Abstract: For conveying piece goods, holding devices (2) are utilised for holding individual articles (1), which holding devices (2) are mounted on displaceable conveying devices (3) and are closed for the purpose of conveying the articles (1). For loading articles (1) onto essentially continuously conveyed, opened holding devices (2) and/or for unloading articles (1) from essentially continuously conveyed, opened holding devices (2), pairs of article guides (5) and article pushers (6) are conveyed through a loading zone (L) or unloading zone, in parallel to and in synchronism with the holding/conveying devices (2/3). The article guides are stationary relative to the holding/conveying devices and, in a displacement direction essentially transverse to the conveying direction (F), are aligned with the holding devices. For loading, articles (1) are pushed by the article pushers from the article guides (5) into the opened holding devices (2).

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: A conveying system for conveying items along a conveying line (1, 2) includes a guide device (3) extending along the conveying line and at least one conveying element (5) movable along the conveying line and guided by the guide device (3). The guide device (3) and conveying element (5) are designed for conveying the items substantially independent of gravity. For selectable connection of the conveying line to a plurality of connecting points (A.1-A.3) the conveying system includes, connected to a invariable conveying line region (1) with a fixedly mounted guide device, a variable conveying line region (2) in which the guide device (3) is reversibly bendable and twistable. For bending and/or twisting the guide device and for supporting the guide device in a bent and/or twisted position necessary for a specific connection, a drivable connector (8) is provided. The variable conveying line region (2) may be an end region of the conveying line.

Abstract: A star feeder (4) is arranged between a first and a second conveying device (1, 2) for conveying objects in series and it serves for transferring the objects (G) from the first conveying device (1) to the second conveying device (2). In order to make the star feeder adaptable to a wide range of different types of objects, the compartments (5) are all simultaneously adjustable regarding their form and/or their radial depth.

Abstract: Bodies (5) are driven along a predetermined path by being coupled by pairs of cooperating coupling elements to a hauling line (1) which is guided generally in parallel with the predetermined path. The hauling line can be an endless hauling tape guided around deflection rollers (2) and simultaneously serving as a first coupling element. For the coupling function, the hauling tape (1) is elastically deformable perpendicular to its length, e.g., compressible, and cooperates with a second coupling element on the body (5) to be driven. The second coupling element is a groove (6) matched to the hauling tape (1) having two open ends and extending in parallel to the predetermined path, into which groove a length of the hauling tape is positionable. For coupling, the body (5) and the hauling tape (1) are guided toward each other such that the hauling tape (1) is pressed into the groove (6), where a displacement perpendicular to the predetermined path is prevented by suitable guide means (2, U).

Abstract: The conveying method comprises a flying takeover of containers (1) being fed into a takeover area (U.1) in a container stream, hanging conveyance of the containers along a conveying path (FS) with a freely selectable course and delivery of the containers in a delivery area (U.2). For taking over the containers, a sequence of individual and equidistant holding means (5) is supplied to the takeover area (U.1) along a descending curved path (7′) joining a container feeding path (8) tangentially at the end of the takeover area (U.1) and the holding means (5) are introduced into the container stream each between two containers (1). At the beginning of this introduction, the holding means have a speed (v′) greater than the container speed (v) and during introduction they are decelerated to the container speed (v). Thereby, the feeding of containers and holding means is matched such that each holding means (5) reaches the container feeding speed (v) when it encircles the container downstream, i.e.

Abstract: A transmission system for transmitting pushing forces along straight and curved paths includes a guide channel (1) and a line of transmission members (10) arranged in the guide channel. The transmission members are acted on by a drive. The transmission members (10) are in contact with each other at end contact faces where the contact faces are formed with mating ring-shaped ridge (11) and a ring-shaped groove, respectively. The ridge (11) and groove (12) are matched to each other such that they are positioned inside each other when the members are arranged coaxially and contacting each other. The cross sections of the ridge (11) and groove (12) are such that ridge and groove are pivotable in relation to each other when engaged. A line of such transmission members arranged in a straight line and pressure loaded forms a buckling-resistant bar which does not exert forces on straight regions (1.2) of an enclosing guide channel (1). In curved guide channel parts (1.

Abstract: Wires (D.4 to D.9) or objects similar 10 wires are fixed in predetermined positions by a device with pairs of clamping jaws (3.4/4.4 to 3.9/4.9). The device has at least two flat jaw elements (3, 4) lying against each other and being at least restrictedly slewable against each other around a center (M) and it further has holders (20). Each of the jaw elements (3, 4) has one clamping jaw (3.4 to 3.9, 4.4 to 4.9) for each one of a plurality of fixing points arranged on a circle (K.3) around the center (M) which clamping jaws are designed for exerting tangential clamping forces directed tangentially to the circle (K.3) on wires (D.4 to D.9) fixed in the fixing points. Hereby, clockwise clamping forces are exertable with the one jaw element and counter-clockwise clamping forces are exertable with the other jaw element. By slewing the jaw elements (3, 4) against each other the pairs of jaws are opened and closed.

Abstract: The guidance means (20) according to the invention is used for guiding the rolling or sliding movement of objects (10) along a predetermined or preset path or route, whose course is freely selectable within wide limits in space. The guidance means (20) has a guiding means extending without interruption over the predetermined path in the form of a cage-like arrangement of a plurality of at least limitedly bendable guide rails (21) and a plurality of support or carrying elements (22), which are arranged in mutually spaced manner along the predetermined path and which hold the guide rails (21) in parallel and in an at least partly spaced manner in the predetermined, cage-like arrangement. The guide rails (21) advantageously comprise a limited flexible, continuously manufacturable metal or plastic profile. The support elements (22) can be installed on a fixedly laid base element (23), e.g. in a position adjustable with respect to the base element (23).

Abstract: An article transport assembly which is particularly designed for the conveyance of articles such as printing products, and which comprises a guide rail, and a plurality of article transport devices mounted for movement along the guide rail. Each transport device comprises a U-shaped transport body having a base leg and the two upright side legs, and with a gripper for engaging a printing product attached to the base leg. The two side legs each mount a pair of guide rail engaging members, with the two pairs of guide rail engaging members being positioned to engage both sides of the guide rail at two longitudinally spaced apart locations, and so as to permit the guide rail engaging members to move along the guide rail essentially free of play.