Abstract: A storage conveyor that secures a number of stored workpieces while saving space is provided. When a sprocket on a driving side is driven to rotate in a forward/reverse direction by a chain drive motor, opposing bend suppression members between a pair of chains are successively engaged/disengaged, and an opposing portion between the pair of chains is extended/retracted with respect to a workpiece conveyance surface. Thus, workpieces are passed between the workpiece conveyance surface and workpiece receivers. Consequently, the workpieces can be stored in a vertical direction (up-down direction), making it possible to secure the number of stored workpieces while saving space.

Abstract: A buffer station provides potential improvement for the operation of a facility. By storing to-be-accessed workpieces in the buffer stations of an equipment, the operation of the facility is not interrupted when the equipment is down. The workpieces can be retrieved through emergency access port of the buffer station, thus ensure the continuous supply of workpieces for the workpiece flow of the facility. Algorithm for getting the needed workpieces to the buffer station is also provided through a controller or a computer mechanism. The buffer station can be incorporated in a stocker, such as wafer stocker or reticle stocker.

Abstract: A dynamic buffer is associated to two consecutive conveyor lines, respectively belonging to a first machine and a second machine and comprises: a storage conveyor, in which an operating station for inlet and outlet of articles is defined, situated in proximity of an unloading position of the first line; handling organs for transferring the articles from the unloading position to the second line, in a condition of normal functioning of the second machine, or to the operating station of the storage conveyor, in a halted condition of the second machine. On restarting, the second machine is accelerated and the handling organs pick up the articles stored in the storage conveyor from the operating station, in the same order of insertion and in alternation with the articles supplied towards the unloading position; this stage proceeds up to the emptying of the storage conveyor.

Abstract: A device for the accumulation and release of products (P) arranged in ranks, comprising an accumulation buffer (2) with corresponding openings (4, 6) for receiving and delivering products, a plurality of container elements (7) guided so as to move within the buffer between the receiving and delivery openings, each container element being provided with a plurality of supporting planes (9) for containing ranks of products, means (10, 11, 42, 50) for driving the container elements (7) to control movement of the containers in the accumulation buffer so as to present each container element which has to be filled at the receiving opening (4) in sequence in order to load ranks of products arriving on the corresponding supporting planes (9) in the container and conveying containers previously filled with products to the delivery opening (6) for release of the corresponding ranks of products out of the accumulation buffer.

Abstract: A transport device for a vacuum processing system, a drive unit for high temperature processes in vacuum processing systems, and a vacuum processing system employ a drive unit which operates without the polygonal effect, can be connected endlessly, is suitable for high temperatures, is insensitive to radiation heat, does not generate degassing and does not need a lubricant. The drive unit includes a traction element, guided around at least two deflecting rollers. The traction element is a continuous metal strip.

Abstract: An inventory control system includes a storage module having a continuous track and a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns or rows. Each storage unit is engaged with the track for selective movement along the track. An inventory control unit is associated with the storage module and has a user interface, a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for inputting object information, including storage unit placement. The processor receives the object information from the inputting mechanism, and stores the object information in the memory for user access therefrom via the user interface.

Abstract: A package temporary storage control mechanism is located between a feeding end and a discharge end of a cuboidal package conveying apparatus, and includes a temporary storage trough, which has two upright plates defining an upper supporting zone and a lower waiting zone therebetween. Two supporting mechanisms are driven to ascend and descend vertically in the supporting zone and each includes a plurality of supporting fingers that can be extended into the supporting zone to locate at a supporting position for receiving and supporting a plurality of cuboidal packages fed from the feeding end to the supporting zone. Two carrying mechanisms are driven to ascend and descend vertically in the waiting zone and each includes a plurality of carrier seats that can be extended into the waiting zone to locate at a carrying position for carrying the cuboidal packages moved downward from the supporting zone.

Abstract: In order to check hand luggage and other objects carried by persons, control stations are needed, which have a control unit, in particular an X-ray checking unit, a conveyor which extends through the control unit, a depositing point which is arranged ahead of the conveyor, and a removal point which is arranged behind the conveyor, for the objects and having transport tubs which can be placed onto the conveyor. Small objects and items of clothing are placed in the transport tubs and conveyed through the control unit for checking. A return conveyor for the transport tubs is arranged next to or below the conveyor which passes through the control unit, which return conveyor reaches from the removal point behind the conveyor at least as far as into the region of the depositing point ahead of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming piece goods batches, comprising a first transport device which transports the piece goods along a predefined transport path at a first transport speed, a second transport device which transports the piece goods along the predefined transport path at a second transport speed and which is arranged downstream of the first transport device along the transport path, and an assembling device which is arranged downstream of the second transport device along the transport path and forms batches from a plurality of piece goods. The apparatus may further comprise a buffer device which transports the piece goods along a variable buffer section and which is arranged between the first transport device and the second transport device, wherein the first transport speed and the second transport speed differ at least at times and the buffer device at least at times receives the piece goods streams brought about as a result of different speeds.

Abstract: Flat bottom silo for storing and conveying light and empty containers in bulk, wherein the silo defines a transient storage housing having an upper loading mouth and a lower unloading bottom communicated with at least one engine powered conveying belt. Into said transient storage housing there are ordered groups of provisory elongated baffle plates, distributed as per horizontal rows provided at different heights, for avoiding the formation of excessive accumulation columns of containers; wherein said unloading bottom embraces a surface equivalent to the lower quadrangular base of the housing, in correspondence with which the engine powered belts are provided, extending as per a horizontal plane, to assist in exiting the containers being unloaded.

Abstract: A package temporary storage control mechanism is located between a feeding end and a discharge end of a cuboidal package conveying apparatus, and includes a temporary storage trough, which has two upright plates defining an upper supporting zone and a lower waiting zone therebetween. Two supporting mechanisms are driven to ascend and descend vertically in the supporting zone and each includes a plurality of supporting fingers that can be extended into the supporting zone to locate at a supporting position for receiving and supporting a plurality of cuboidal packages fed from the feeding end to the supporting zone. Two carrying mechanisms are driven to ascend and descend vertically in the waiting zone and each includes a plurality of carrier seats that can be extended into the waiting zone to locate at a carrying position for carrying the cuboidal packages moved downward from the supporting zone.

Abstract: A system and device for use in a security area, and more particularly, a rack system and holding device for placing various objects that are processed through a security area are taught.

Abstract: An item sorting system includes at least three modules for processing items requiring sorting, a conveyor line to transport the items in a first transport path from the first to the second and to the third module, and a bypass to transport items requiring sorting in a second transport path from the first to the third module thereby bypassing the second module. A control unit sets a spacing between the items in the conveyor line upstream of the bypass as a function of an activation of the bypass. The bypass is to mitigate stresses to which items are exposed when the item sorting system is used in a plurality of passes with different functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The system or method automatically sorts and conveys trays containing sorted articles from a discharge of at least one sorting assembly to an induct of the at least one sorting assembly. The conveying assembly may have a generally continuous conveying track and is operable to automatically provide the trays to the induct of the at least one sorting assembly in a sequenced manner.

Abstract: A system for loading articles into containers includes a first conveying mechanism for conveying containers to form a first stream of containers providing containers of a first type, a second conveying mechanism for conveying containers to form a second stream of containers providing containers of a second type, and a third conveying mechanism for conveying articles to form a stream of articles. The system further includes one or more articulated tools for selecting articles from the stream of articles and depositing those selected articles to load containers of the first stream of containers and a transfer mechanism for transferring loaded containers from the first stream of containers into containers from the second stream of containers.

Abstract: A method and device for controlled filling of a channel supplying tobacco articles, whereby a lead-in member is positioned inside the channel to completely cut off passage along the channel; a mass of tobacco articles is then fed into the channel so that the mass of tobacco articles is positioned contacting the lead-in member; and, finally, the lead-in member is eased along the channel, while keeping the mass of tobacco articles in contact with the lead-in member, to ease the mass of tobacco articles along the channel.

Abstract: A tray component supply apparatus comprises a main body side replenishment tray holding section 50 provided at an upper part over a tray stocker 40 of an apparatus main body 30 and a tray discharge section 60 provided at a lower part under the tray stocker 40 of the apparatus main body 30. The tray stocker 40 is provided with a tray stocker side replenishment tray holding section 80 on a top plate 44 thereof and empty tray holding members 85 on a bottom plate 43 thereof.

Abstract: A buffer conveyor (12) for conveying conformable work products (66) includes a collapsible conveyor belt (13) having an infeed section (14), a collapsible intermediate section (16) and an outfeed section (18). The infeed section (14) may be driven at a non-continuous speed, and the outfeed section may also be driven at a uniform, or non-continuous, speed, but the average speed of both the infeed and outfeed sections is the same. The intermediate section of the conveyor is driven at a non-uniform speed that is slower than, but proportional to, the speed of the infeed section.

Abstract: A conveying and raising apparatus includes a conveying mechanism and a raising mechanism. The conveying mechanism includes a roller for conveying a first object while rotating, and a motor for rotating the roller. The raising mechanism includes a frame installed beside the roller, a plurality of pins fixed on the frame, and an actuator connected to the frame for raising a second object above the plurality of pins from a first height to a second height. The frame has an opening capable of allowing the first object to pass through.

Abstract: A medicine supply system of the present invention comprising: a cart supply line 48 on which a plurality of carts 8 are disposed and aligned; a first transport unit for transporting the plurality of carts 8 on the cart supply line 48; a tray discharge unit 2 for storing the trays 7 in the plurality of carts 7; a second transport unit for transporting the plurality of carts 8 with the trays 7 stored in the tray discharge unit 2; a cart discharge line 49 on which the plurality of carts 8 transported by the second transport unit are aligned; a tray supply lifter 1 for supplying the trays 7; a tray transport line 3 for transporting the trays 7 supplied by the tray supply lifter 1 to the tray discharge unit 2; a medicine dispensing unit 4 for dispensing the medicine to the tray 7, the medicine dispensing unit being disposed on the midway of the tray transport line 3; and a control unit 10 for supplying the tray 7 from the tray supplying lifter 1 based on a prescription data, dispensing the medicine into the tray 7

Abstract: A receive device of a conveyor unit, an apparatus including the receive device and a method for transporting rod-like articles for tobacco-processing. The receive device includes a deceleration device to decelerate the rod-like articles and an acceleration device to accelerate the rod-like articles. The acceleration device is arranged downstream from the deceleration device. A conveyor speed limit device is located between the deceleration device and the acceleration device. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A device for buffering products comprises a plurality of accumulating conveyors (1), each having a supplying place (2) for receiving products and a discharging place (3) for discharging products. The device further comprises an adjustable diverter (4) which is connectable to a supplying conveyor (S) for supplying the products in at least one flow. The diverter (4) is connected to a selected one of the supplying places (2) of the accumulating conveyors (1) for conveying the flow of products to the corresponding accumulating conveyor (1). The device further comprises a merging member (5) which is connectable to a discharging conveyor (D) for conveying the products in at least one flow. The merging member (5) is connected to a selected one of the discharging places (3) of the accumulating conveyors (1) for conveying the products from the corresponding accumulating conveyor (1) to the discharging conveyor (D). The accumulating conveyors (1) form at least a helical path, which results in a compact device.

Abstract: A dynamic temporary storing device for articles like syringes and similar articles is situated between an outlet of a first machine and an inlet of a second machine. In the dynamic temporary storing device, two pairs of side-by-side belts transfer articles from an outlet of said first machine downstream to an inlet section of an article conveying path. The articles are gathered, one after another, to form groups of articles in the inlet section. The conveying path ends with an article outlet section situated near the inlet of the second machine. Driving means are associated to the conveying path and pass at adjustable time intervals through the inlet section so as to pick up said groups of articles and move them along the conveying path up to the outlet section. Then the groups of articles are transferred them to the inlet of said second machine. Changes in operation rate of the second machine are compensated by changing the number of articles in each group or by changing the length of the conveying path.

Abstract: An accumulation table is disclosed. The accumulation table includes a frame, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and an adjustable discharge chute. Each conveyor has a U-shaped product carrying section on the top of the frame and an arcuate return section located on the bottom of the frame. Some embodiments further include non-linear tracks located between two conveyor chains to direct one of the conveyor chains towards the adjustable discharge chute. The accumulation table can be formed with three or more aligned modular sections, two arcuate sections, and one or more intermediate, straight center sections. Tracks located on each section are aligned to form the complete accumulation table.

Abstract: In a transfer conveyer wherein a pair of guide rails respectively provided with guide surfaces for guiding both side surfaces of a transferred article in a transfer direction are extended in the transfer direction and wherein flexible endless belts are provided for supporting lower surfaces at both sides of the transferred article, whose both side surfaces are guided on the guide surfaces, to transfer the transferred article in the transfer direction, a stretching mechanism is provided on one end portion of each guide rail to be stretchable in the transfer direction, a stretchable guide surface for defining a flat surface continuous and even with the guide surface regardless of any stretched position is formed at a facing surface of each stretching mechanism, and plural pulleys for circulatably supporting a part of the endless belt are provided on the facing surface of the stretching mechanism.

Abstract: A temporary storage system (1) of belt type for lightweight hollow bodies (C), said system being particularly suitable for use with empty plastic containers (C) and of the type comprising a storage buffer vessel (2) provided with a feed entry opening (3) in its upper part and a discharge exit (4) in its lower part, said exit (4) being situated above conveyor means (5) for removal from the buffer vessel (2), said system comprising at least one movable storage belt (6a, 6b, 6c) positioned substantially horizontally in the interior of said buffer vessel (2), said storage belt (6a, 6b, 6c) being arranged to receive a falling plurality of desired volumes (D) of said hollow bodies (C), while advancing during the fall of said hollow bodies (C) by a distance sufficient to maintain said volumes (D) separate, said volumes (D) being made to advance towards the discharge exit (4) and allowed to fall onto the removal conveyor means (5) when said stored hollow bodies (C) are required to be withdrawn.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for automatic transfer of textile articles (4) consisting of socks for men, women and children, from a linking machine (2) to a boarding machine characterised in that it comprises automatic transfer means (30) operatively active on the linking machine (2) to pick up at least one textile article (4) from the linking machine (2) and transfer it to the boarding machine according to a predetermined orientation, and loading means (31) to automatically load the textile article (4) onto the boarding machine. A method of automatically transferring textile articles (4) from a inking machine (2) to a boarding machine characterised in that it comprises the step of automatically picking up at least one textile article (4) from the linking machine (2) and the step of loading said textile article (4) onto the boarding machine.

Abstract: An adjustable positioning apparatus for positioning containers on a shelf tray assembly of a vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus has a container abutting portion and engagement structure for securing the container abutting portion on a portion of the shelf tray assembly so as to position the container on the shelf tray. A vertically accumulating storage and retrieval apparatus having adjustable container positioning structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveying system is provided wherein a conveying member rotates about a plurality of rollers, wherein one roller is pivotally displaceable with respect to another roller. Preferably, the displaceable roller can be urged toward or away from the conveying member to adjust the tension of the conveying member.

Abstract: A new and improved mail sorting system, which is able to dramatically increase the throughput sorting volume of mail pieces or articles, comprises the incorporation of a plurality of cross-circulation path (CCP) conveyors within a conventional looped or folded conveyor belt system whereby, in effect, mail pieces or articles can be effectively removed from primary conveyor flow path sections so as to create gaps or spaces upon the primary conveyor flow path sections into which additional mail pieces or articles can be introduced through means of a second input or infeed port. In addition, a plurality of the new and improved mail sorting systems can be integrated together into a multi-system mail sorting system wherein off-shoot or auxiliary outfeed conveyor belt sections can feed pieces or articles of mail from any particular one of the mail sorting systems to the second input or infeed ports of the other mail sorting systems so as to render the overall system still more efficient.

Abstract: A device for dynamic storage of objects along a conveying section between an input station and an output station with an endless, flexible conveying means, which is variably subdivided into a conveying strand and an idle strand, with at least one carriage, which can be moved in the plane of conveyance, for changing the storage capacity, which carriage presents a first deflection for the conveying strand and a second deflection for the idle strand, as well as with a first drive device for the conveying means in the area of the input station and a second drive device for the conveying means in the area of the output station. The conveying means is provided over its entire length at identical intervals with grippers for the objects and the conveying means has a link chain, equipped with rotatable guide rollers, which runs at least in some areas in at least one stationary guide rail, where at least one guide roller is arranged on the respective chain link in a movable manner.

Abstract: An automated supply system stacks and releases a selected number of products. The products are deposited from a conveyor into an arranging member and formed into a stack of a selected number of products. The stack of products is released into packaging. A product discharged from the conveyor is supported by a sliding base, which lowers when the next product on the conveyor is detected by a sensor. Once the sensor detects a selected number of products deposited onto the sliding base, the sliding base is retracted, dropping the stack of products into packaging. A retractable member is extended to collect products subsequently released from the conveyor while the sliding base is in the retracted position. The retractable member is retracted when the sliding base has extended and returned to an initial position.

Abstract: Glass substrates are transported to a plurality of processing devices to be processed. Certain of the processing devices have associated storage shelf for storing glass substrates and a transfer device. The transfer device is adapted to move the glass substrate between the processing device and the storage shelf and between the storage shelf and the transporting device.

Abstract: A device for controlling a mass of cigarettes, and having a conveyor system for feeding the cigarettes in bulk along a path from a cigarette manufacturing machine to a cigarette packing machine; and an operating unit for both determining and at least partly compensating differences between the cigarette production and packing rates; the operating unit having an arm with a number of articulated segments.

Abstract: A spring apparatus turns a spring to be in a position suitable for delivery to a spring-transporting apparatus. The spring apparatus has a cassette wheel which can be rotated about an axis and has at least one cassette compartment for holding the spring in a first rotational position. Furthermore, there is a transfer element for delivering the spring to the spring-transporting apparatus in a second rotational position.

Abstract: A loaf end trimming station for a high speed food loaf slicing machine, includes a frame, a first knife and a second knife spaced apart along the frame and oriented in positions corresponding to a lead end trimming location and a trailing end trimming location of a food loaf. The trimming station includes a loaf cutting support for receiving the loaf, and a motive mechanism to move the loaf cutting support toward the knives to trim ends off of the loaf. The trimming station includes a loaf staging support, wherein the loaf cutting support deposits the loaves on the loaf staging support after being trimmed by the knives. The loaf staging support is tiltable between a staging position to collect trimmed loaves and a loading position to deliver trimmed loaves to the high speed food loaf slicing machine.

Abstract: A product conveying and accumulation system and method employs a primary product transporting conveyor with accumulation and re-circulating sections. The conveyor is configured to receive products from an upstream destination and discharge products to a downstream destination. A second conveyor, operable at a considerable slower speed than the first conveyor, is located in the same transverse plane as and is aligned adjacent to the first conveyor. Both conveyors travel in the same direction at the adjacent alignment. As products are discharged from the system, a wall of product is formed on the slower moving conveyor. As a result, products on the inner lane of the faster moving conveyor which would otherwise tend to move inward towards the discharge point, causing product turbulence and disruption, are urged back onto the inner lane by the product wall and then smoothly discharged from the system to the downstream destination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rack serving device (1) with a load-bearing means (4) displaceable in the height direction of a mast (2), the mast (2) being guided by means of bogie assemblies (7, 8) on bottom and top guide tracks and mounted so as to be displaceable along the guide tracks by means of a bottom and top friction-locking displacement drive (13, 14). The bottom and the top adjusting mechanisms are guided by means of height and lateral guide elements on the guide track and are designed to be displaceable relative to the guide tracks by means of a drive system (33).

Abstract: A unit for feeding filters to a filter assembly machine, wherein at least one deflecting device receives a respective succession of filter portions in an axial direction, and feeds the filter portions to the filter assembly machine in a transverse direction crosswise to the filter portions; the deflecting device being defined by a fixed frame supporting an input and an output, and by an extractable box fitted movably to the fixed frame and supporting a first conveying device for conveying the filter portions in the axial direction, a second conveying device for conveying the filter portions in the transverse direction, and a deflecting member for diverting the filter portions to the transverse direction.

Abstract: A transferring apparatus is provided between a plurality of carrying apparatuses, each carrying apparatus comprising support means for supporting carried products Wf, guide means for controlling the moving direction of the support means, the guide means being provided along processing apparatuses for processing the carried products Wf, and moving means for moving the support means along the guide means. The transferring apparatus includes synchronization control means for synchronizing the moving means of the one carrying apparatus with the moving means of the other carrying apparatus; and at least one hand-over means for receiving the carried products Wf from the support means of the one carrying apparatus and handing over the carried products Wf to the support means of the other carrying apparatus.

Abstract: A device for the accumulation and release of products disposed in ranks, comprises a storage unit with respective receiving and delivery openings for the products, a plurality of container elements movably guided within the storage unit between the receiving and delivery openings along a predetermined path, each container element being provided with a plurality of support surfaces for containing ranks of products, actuating means for controlling the movement of the container elements in the storage unit so as to present each container element to be filled in sequence at the receiving opening, for loading incoming ranks of products onto the respective support surfaces of the container and to conduct the previously filled containers to the delivery opening for the release of respective ranks of products leaving the storage units.

Abstract: The store arranged between production and packaging having an endless, circulating pair of chains on which the product-carrying gondolas are suspended for swinging action. The pair of chains, which are guided on a vertical section and on a horizontal section, are guided over an upper deflecting arrangement and a lower deflecting arrangement. Each deflecting arrangement is mounted so it can be displaced in a linear guide. A tensioning cable has its ends fastened on the two deflecting arrangements and keeps the pair of chains tensioned in each operating position. As they pass through the upper deflecting region, the filled gondolas are deflected radially by crank-like suspension mechanisms arranged on both sides, so adjacent gondolas can be operated with spacing between them, which in the vertical regions of the gondola path, corresponds to the spacing between two adjacent shelves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting articles to a delivery point sequence includes at least one article sorter adapted to sort articles and a conveying system operable to arrange and convey containers of articles sorted in a first sort pass to an induct of the article sorter for a second sort pass or process of the articles. The conveying system may include at least one transport conveyor and a plurality of zone conveyors or staging zones. The transport conveyor conveys trays from the discharge of the article sorter to the induct of the article sorter, and the zone conveyors are positioned along the transport conveyor. The conveying system is operable to arrange and accumulate trays in a sequenced manner on the transport conveyor. The transport conveyor is operable to discharge the sequenced trays to the induct of the article sorter.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns. Each storage unit includes wheels which engage a track for selective movement along the track. Vertical and horizontal actuators are used to move the storage units in sequence. Preferably, the actuators are power-driven, and control circuitry is used to coordinate the movement of the actuators.

Abstract: Storage device with variable storage capacity. The storage device includes an input area, an output area, a continuous conveying element connecting the input area to the output area. The continuous conveying element is guided by guide elements in a looping manner from the input area to the output area, whereby the continuous conveying element defines a multi-layered storage area adapted to store products and a multi-layered return area adapted to be free of products. The multi-layered storage and return areas are arranged side by side and change in length depending on a state of fullness of the storage device while an overall length of the continuous conveying element remains generally constant. At least one storage layer of the multi-layered storage area and at least one storage layer of the multi-layered return area is arranged on a common horizontal plane. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A variable-capacity FIFO store having a powered endless conveyor belt defining a conveying branch for transferring a mass of articles from an input station to an output station, and a return branch extending from the output station to the input station; and an adjusting assembly for adjusting the lengths of the conveying and return branches in complementary manner, so as to adjust the storage capacity of the store; an expulsion station is located along an output conveyor, downstream from the output station, to expel a given mass of articles from the output conveyor, and is controlled by a control unit for identifying the location of a mass of articles in the store, and for activating the expulsion station when the previously identified mass of articles travels through the expulsion station.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking incoming items includes a receiving mechanism for receiving incoming items, a stacking mechanism for receiving items from the receiving mechanism and stacking the items in a stacking area, a buffering mechanism for receiving incoming items when the stacking mechanism is full, and a stack unloading mechanism. Methods of operation include receiving an item in an item receiving mechanism, moving the item receiving mechanism to track the motion of a stacking mechanism, transferring the item from the receiving mechanism to the stacking mechanism, stacking the item in a stacking area, and unloading the stacking area when the stacking area is full of items.

Abstract: A variable-capacity store (1) for objects (2), wherein an endless powered flexible conveyor belt (12) defines a conveying branch (6) for transferring a mass of objects (2) from an input station (S1) to an output station (S2), and defines a return branch (9) extending from the output station (S2) to the input station (S1); the conveying branch (6) is located entirely above a horizontal storage plane (13), and the store (1) is connected to at least one vertical conveyor (14) located at the input station (S1) and/or the output station (S2) to lift/lower the mass of objects (2) to/from the horizontal storage plane (13), and which is at least partly defined by an up/down branch (16) of the flexible belt (12).

Abstract: A component mounting machine is arranged to perform a method for handling boards in a component mounting machine includes the steps of moving a plurality of boards substantially simultaneously from a first plurality of cassettes, arranged in parallel at the machine, onto a board carrier; processing said plurality of boards by mounting components thereon; moving said plurality of boards substantially simultaneously and in parallel from the board carrier into a second plurality of board cassettes arranged in parallel at the machine and moving a next plurality of boards from said first plurality of cassettes onto the board carrier; repeating the steps of processing and moving the plurality of boards until said first plurality of cassettes are empty; and exchanging cassettes and repeating the method from step a.

Abstract: A conveying unit with accumulation of containers (6), especially of bottles, includes an accumulation table (2) equipped laterally with guide rails (12, 13) and composed of a juxtaposition of at least one feed conveyor (9) and one accumulation conveyor (10), the containers (6) being routed onto this table (2) at its upstream end via at least one feed transporter, and being discharged on the downstream end via at least one discharge transporter. The unit is characterized in that at least one of the guide rails (12, 13) is equipped with a transverse offset (12a, 13a), composed of a segment of the guide rail (12, 13), with an amplitude (14) of between 0.2 and 0.8 times the diameter D of a container (6) and offset relative to the longitudinal axis (15) of the guide rail (12, 13) by a distance corresponding to the amplitude (14).