Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes first and second conveyors for moving products from a receiving station to a first transfer station and a plurality of product-carrying elements mounted on the conveyors. The product-carrying elements of the first and second conveyors form respective first and second groups of product-carrying elements. The products are conveyable from the receiving station to the first transfer station alternatingly by the two conveyors. A first discharge mechanism at the first transfer station includes a plurality of product-pushing elements for displacing products transversely to the advancing direction. The product-pushing elements are spaced identically to the spacing of the product-carrying elements. A third conveyor extends from the first transfer station to a second transfer station.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus includes a conveyor for advancing items and a transfer apparatus for lifting the items off the conveyor and for depositing the items at a location externally of the conveyor. The transfer apparatus has hoisting devices spaced from one another in the conveying direction. Each hoisting device has first and second lifters spaced from one another in a direction transverse to the conveying direction and being situated bilaterally of the conveyor. A first drive moves the first and second lifters into raised and lowered positions; and a second drive moves the first and second lifters toward and away from one another to cause them to assume a normal position and a spread-out position. First and second tray parts of a tray forming part of each hoisting device are mounted on the first and second lifter, respectively. In the raised and lowered positions the trays are clear of a travel path of the items on the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming groups of superposed, flat items, includes a conveyor having a transporting device traveling in a conveying direction along a generally horizontal working flight; and a plurality of upstanding pusher fingers secured to the transporting device. A plurality of storage chutes are serially positioned above the working flight for holding items in a superposed stack therein. An item-retaining device is situated at a lower, item-discharging end of each chute. The item-retaining device includes a component defining an item-retaining surface for retaining the items in the chute by supporting a lowermost item of the stack. Each pusher finger is arranged for travel through the item-discharging end for pushing all items forming part of the stack in the chute and being situated in a path of travel of the pusher finger, off the item-retaining device and for advancing the items in the conveying direction along the working flight.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing articles in a selected, approximately horizontal conveying direction, includes a plurality of side-by-side disposed table elements each having an upper, approximately horizontal article-supporting surface. The article-supporting surfaces together form an approximately horizontal conveying table. A first drive oscillates each table element parallel to its article-supporting surface in a motion having two motion components oriented in perpendicular, horizontal directions and a second drive vertically oscillates each table element. A first synchronizing arrangement synchronizes the horizontal oscillations in the direction of the two motion components and a second synchronizing arrangement synchronizes the vertical oscillations with the horizontal oscillations.

Abstract: A process and device for packaging elongate products where a packaging material is drawn from a supply in a transportation direction includes sealing around the elongate products longitudinally and transversely. The packaging material is delivered in the form of a partial tube having one open longitudinal side and one closed longitudinal side, and a width between the open longitudinal side and the closed longitudinal side. A plurality of first transverse seals are made across the partial tube, extending less than the width of the partial tube, to form a plurality of transverse pockets in the tube and the elongate products are inserted into the pockets. A plurality of second transverse seals are made to form a transverse sealing seam across the full width of the tube. A seal is made on the open longitudinal side of the partial tube to form a longitudinal sealing seam.

Abstract: An apparatus for transversely sealing and severing a thermoplastic wrapper sleeve to obtain individual packages, includes a first welding and severing unit movable back and forth in a first direction and having a first holder; a heated rail and a first clamping mechanism, both supported by the first holder. The first clamping mechanism has first and second clamping components movable toward and away from one another in a second direction oriented transversely to the first direction. A second welding and severing unit is movable back and forth in the first direction and having a second holder; a spring-loaded counter holder mounted on the second holder for cooperating with the rail; and a second clamping mechanism supported by the second holder and having third and fourth clamping components movable toward and away from one another in the second direction.

Abstract: The products (12) are delivered in a plurality of columns (11) to a conveyor wheel (15) which has pivotably articulated carriers (26, 27). An axially stationary carrier (26) and an axially displaceable carrier (27) are alternately coordinated with every two input columns (11) in the direction of conveyance (A). Said two columns (11) are delivered at different heights according to the carrier distance. During conveyance into the output station (16), the displaceable carriers (27) are moved into the trajectory plane of the others with the result that common groups (18) of products (12) lying to be flat on each other are formed from two input columns (11). The device substantially avoids relative motion between products (12) and guides with the result that the products (12) are handled carefully.

Abstract: Boxes each having a plurality of relatively short side panels having upper edges three of which are free edges and one of which is connected to a cover panel itself having free edges and at least one flap projecting from one of the free edges are closed by first inserting the boxes one after the other into respective pockets formed between crosswise partitions on an endless conveyor belt spanned over a plurality of rollers. Each cover is folded onto the respective box by engagement with the partitions of the respective pocket on insertion of the respective box into the respective pocket. Then adhesive is applied to the flaps while the boxes are in the pockets and the adhesive-coated flaps are pressed against the boxes while the boxes are in the pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning flat, generally rectangular items includes a first conveyor for advancing the items in a conveying direction; a second conveyor for receiving the items from the first conveyor and for advancing the items in the same conveying direction; an endless conveyor chain having a length portion curved in a horizontal plane and being at a height level above the conveying plane of the second conveyor; a plurality of uniformly spaced carrier elements secured to the conveyor chain for catching items that have been advanced on the second conveyor and for guiding the items in a curvilinear path; and a third conveyor for receiving the items from the conveyor chain.