Abstract: A docking apparatus includes a first docking mechanism. The first docking mechanism includes a first base, a first flipping assembly, and a first gripper assembly, where the first flipping assembly is configured to be capable of driving the first gripper assembly to flip over to a first attitude or a second attitude.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using a continuous conveyor belt. One of the systems includes a conveyor belt adapted to move a plurality of comestibles and having i) a first edge, ii) a second edge opposite the first edge, iii) a first row of apertures that is substantially parallel to the first edge, and iv) a second row of apertures that is substantially parallel to the second edge.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment relates to an installation and a method for processing ophthalmic lenses, with several processing devices for processing the lenses. The embodiment includes a conveying device connecting the processing devices for transporting lens carriers to and from the processing devices, and with a transfer device for changing transport tracks as required. According to the embodiment, it is provided that the processing devices are arranged in front of the first transport track and that the transfer device is designed as a pushing device with a fork-shaped guide device which guides the lens carriers laterally and in the direction of conveyance.

Abstract: A conveyor belt module (20) includes a movable hinge rod retainer (220) that can be opened and closed without tools. The movable hinge rod retainer facilitates opening and rejoining of the conveyor belt (100) at one or more dedicated locations. In a first position, the hinge rod retainer locks a hinge rod (130) withing a hinge rod passageway. A user can easily move the hinge rod retainer to a second position in which the hinge rod passageway is open to allow removal of the hinge rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bellows protection connecting adjacent trolleys of a conveyor belt along an object transport line, where the conveyor belt includes trolleys movable along tracks and connected to one another by connectors allowing their reciprocal rotation at least around a vertical or horizontal axis. The device includes: a pleated covering positioned between two adjacent trolleys and connected thereto; a beam supporting the covering transversely to the direction of advancement of the transport line; and a base structure resisting vertically directed forces and supporting the beam. The base structure includes a reinforcing element binding in at least one point the beam. The reinforcing element includes: a first punctiform binder connecting it to at least one of the two trolleys; and a second punctiform binder connecting it to the at least one beam and adapted to avoid reciprocal transversal sliding between it and the at least one beam.

Abstract: There is presented a conveyor belt module (10) with first and second sets of eye parts for allowing connecting the conveyor belt module to a like conveyor belt module (10II) via a rod (41), said conveyor belt module being suitable for a side flexing modular conveyor belt (100), wherein in a cross-sectional plane intersecting an outermost eye part and being orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt module the conveyor belt module comprises portions of material having positions which on both sides of a plane comprising the longitudinal axis and intersecting both first and second eye parts are present on both sides of axis through both of the first and second eye parts.

Abstract: A sheet metal processing cell has a stacker with a stack forming portion for receiving a length of sheet metal and positioning the sheet metal to be received in the stack. A part capture table is movable between an inserted position where the part capture table is positionable within the frame of the stacker below the stack forming portion and above the exit conveyor, and a withdrawn area where the part capture table is positioned outside of the frame of the stacker. When the part capture table is in the inserted position, the part capture table can receive a captured length of sheet metal from the stack forming portion and/or transfer the captured length of sheet metal from the part capture table to the stack. The part capture table has a conveyor for conveying the captured length of the sheet metal off the part capture table onto the stack.

Abstract: A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.

Abstract: A fastener for a rod belt having one or more rods includes a support area, at least one intermediate area, and a fastening area. The support area extends in a longitudinal direction and includes a support side. The at least one intermediate area and the support area are made as one piece. The fastening area projects away from the intermediate area in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Extendable conveyor system and operating processes for the same. An extendable conveyor system that includes a plurality of conveyor segments, a conveyor extension/retraction system, and a control system. The plurality of conveyor segments are interlocked in a telescoping configuration with individual conveyor segments at least partially overlapping one another. The conveyor extension/retraction system is operatively coupled to at least one of the conveyor segments and configured to control the extension and retraction of the extendable conveyor system by controlling movement of the conveyor segments relative to one another. The control system is in electrical communication with the conveyor extension/retraction system and configured to perform operations that include adjusting a position of one or more conveyor segments responsive to data received from a package handling robot in electronic communication with the control system.

Abstract: A workpiece conveyance device includes: a plurality of holding heads that include a holding part and a vacuum pump; and a conveyance track. The vacuum pump includes a pump unit and a shaft part that is rotated to activate the pump unit. The shaft part includes a first magnet. The conveyance track includes a second magnet extending in a conveyance direction of the holding head and being arranged to generate a magnetic force between the second magnet and the first magnet. By alternately switching a magnetic pole of a portion in the second magnet applying a magnetic force to the first magnet, the shaft part is rotated, which causes the pump unit to generate a holding force.

Abstract: A drive belt for use in a roller assembly includes a main body having a radially inwardly extending arcuate portion, a first flanged portion projecting axially from a first end of the arcuate portion, and a second flanged portion projecting axially from a second end of the arcuate portion. At least one reinforcement is embedded within the main body. The first and second flanged portions of the main body are configured to prevent a rolling of the main body during operation of the drive belt when received within a groove of a rotary component.

Abstract: A belt device includes a belt wound around support rotators, to travel as the support rotators rotate; a belt contact member on a rotation shaft of one of the support rotators, to contact an end of the belt and move in an axial direction of the rotation shaft with the belt; a displacement member on the rotation shaft and including an inclined face to move the one support rotator, to move in the axial direction as the belt contact member moves; a guide to contact the inclined face and restrict a moving direction of the displacement member; a shaft support rotatably supporting the one support rotator and the rotation shaft; a restriction member to restrict movement of the one support rotator and the rotation shaft; and an elastically deformable intermediate member between the shaft support and the restriction member, to prevent the shaft support from contacting the restriction member.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and/or the like are provided. An example multi-shaft transport apparatus includes a first shaft assembly. The first shaft assembly includes a first plurality of shafts aligned in a first direction, wherein one or more shafts of the first plurality of shafts are rotatable shafts. The first shaft assembly also includes a first plurality of wheel assemblies operably connected to the first plurality of shafts and configured to rotate with the one or more shafts of the first plurality of shafts; a set of pulleys comprising one or more pulleys operably connected to the one or more shafts of the first plurality of shafts; and a first driver operably connected to the set of pulleys and configured to drive the one or more pulleys such that the one or more pulleys cause the one or more shafts of the first plurality of shafts to rotate.

Abstract: A conveyor boom assembly includes a main boom section and a distal boom section that is coupled to the distal end of the main boom section. Both the main boom section and distal boom sections have conveyor belts to move material along the respective boom section. The distal boom section is moveable in a direction to extend forward of the main boom section, and it can also be moved to retract under the main boom section. Further, the conveyor belt of the distal boom section can be selectively driven in either direction, forward or reverse.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system is provided including a conveyor that moves an item downstream and/or upstream, a shelf positioned above the conveyor, a defined zone below the shelf and a shield positioned between the conveyor and the shelf. The shield deters the item from moving to the defined zone when the conveyor is moving the item upstream. A method of conveying an item and methods of retrofitting a point-of-sale system are also provided.

Abstract: A system and a method for conveying a tire component includes a conveyor and a measuring unit, wherein the measuring unit has a field of view, wherein the measuring unit is positioned relative to the conveyor such that the field of view overlaps with a measuring slot in the conveyor for measuring height values in said field of view. The system further includes a control unit that is configured for: monitoring the height values measured by the measuring unit in the field of view; and detecting a step in the height values at the measuring slot from a first height level below the plane of conveyance to a second height level above the plane of conveyance.

Abstract: A transfer device to transfer articles by removing the articles from a removal zone and depositing the articles in a discharge zone, wherein a support plane and a deposit direction substantially perpendicular to the support plane are defined at the discharge zone. The transfer device includes a gripping head with retention elements, each for retaining a respective article, and a movement mechanism configured to move at least one retention element with respect to at least one other retention element in a staggering direction having a non-null component parallel with the deposit direction.

Abstract: Provided is a conveyor belt including at least two parallel chains each including a plurality of consecutive links; and a plurality of rods extending between the at least two parallel chains for linking the consecutive links. Each rod extends with each end through the corresponding chain linking two consecutive links to each other. One of the two consecutive links is at least axially locked to the rod to avoid movement of the link relative to the rod. The other of the two consecutive links is rotatably arranged around the respective rod. Also provided is at least one device for providing the lock between a rod and a respective link of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: In one aspect, a gap blocker is provided for a roller conveyor having rollers for conveying an object in a downstream longitudinal direction. The rollers include adjacent rollers having a longitudinally extending gap therebetween and at least one of the rollers has an annular groove for receiving a drive member. The gap blocker includes a body configured to be supported in the gap by the adjacent rollers and an upper blocking portion of the body to extend across the gap. The body further includes a locating member configured to extend into the annular groove and inhibit lateral movement of the body in the gap.