Abstract: A screw denester for isolated dispensing of trays, comprising a frame for arrangement on a motor-driven transport device and multiple force-driven dispensing screws for isolating and dropping of trays. The screw denester is characterized in that it has a trigger plate that is provided loosely on the frame below the dispensing screws, wherein at least one sensor is provided that records a position change of the trigger plate in relation to the frame.

Abstract: A screw denester for isolated dispensing of trays, comprising a frame for arrangement on a motor-driven transport device and multiple force-driven dispensing screws for isolating and dropping of trays. The screw denester is characterized in that it has a trigger plate that is provided loosely on the frame below the dispensing screws, wherein at least one sensor is provided that records a position change of the trigger plate in relation to the frame.

Abstract: A destacking device comprising at least two destacking screws for singulating and destacking trays from a tray stack. Each destacking screw comprises a helix that may be a helical recess in an outer surface of the screw. The two destacking screws may have an identical direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the helix of each of the at least two destacking screws may grip and guide a respective side of a tray flange of the tray at a first contact point at the outer edge of the helix's upper side, and a second contact point at the outer edge of the helix's lower side. The destacking device may include guiding devices positioned on opposing the non-gripped and/or the gripped sides of the tray to guide the path of the tray in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A transport unit that comprises a de-stacking device which is configured to drop trays from a stack of trays individually or in groups into a drop area, and a transport belt unit with a transport surface passing through the drop area for receiving and transporting away the dropped trays. The transport surface may comprise at least one opening. A negative pressure device may be provided to generate a suction force in the drop area through one or more of the openings of the transport surface, wherein the suction force sucks the dropped trays in the drop area in a direction towards the transport surface. This configuration reduces the rebound of the trays when they impact the transport surface as they are dropped. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for transporting trays.