Abstract: The invention relates to a system comprising at least one slicing apparatus, in particular a high-performance slicer, for slicing food products; a conveying apparatus for moving portions that each comprise at least one slice cut off from a food product; and at least one packaging apparatus for packaging the portions, wherein the conveying apparatus comprises a plurality of individually movable transport movers for the transport of portions; a path system for the transport movers in which the transport movers are movable along at least a predefined path in a direction of transport; and a control device for controlling the movements of the transport movers in the path system; wherein the transport movers each comprise at least one rotor cooperating with the path system and at least one carrier for portions attached to the rotor; and wherein the conveying apparatus is configured for moving the portions from the slicing apparatus to the packaging apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel transportable silo systems for storage of materials. The invention relates to self-erecting silo storage systems for use in the oil and natural gas mining and drilling industries. The silo storage systems of embodiments of the instant invention are uniquely designed to improve storage capabilities and mobility while at the same time reducing space requirements at well sites.

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding at least two substrates to each other comprises a plurality of substrate bonding machines arranged adjacent to one another and an input transporter extending adjacent to the plurality of substrate bonding machines which is operative to deliver the substrates to each of the substrate bonding machines. The input transporter is supplied with substrates by an onloading station. An output transporter extending adjacent to the plurality of substrate bonding machines is operative to receive bonded substrates from each of the substrate bonding machines and deliver the bonded substrates to an offloading station for removal from the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a material distribution system and method thereof, comprising first, second and third conveyors, first, second, third and fourth material distribution paths, first and second material distribution rockers, and a movable material-distributing guide plate. Material conveyed on the second conveyor is delivered to the first or second material distribution rocker by switching the movable material-distributing guide plate, material conveyed on the first or second conveyor is delivered to the first or second material distribution path by switching the first material distribution rocker, and material conveyed on the second or third conveyor is delivered to the third or fourth material distribution path by switching the second material distribution rocker.

Abstract: A device for loading a transporting unit provided for transporting piece goods, in particular mail deliveries, includes a first conveying unit which can be moved into the transporting unit and is provided for conveying and unloading a first stream of piece goods in the transporting unit. At least one second conveying unit is provided for conveying and unloading a second stream of piece goods in the transporting unit in order to optimize loading with respect to a transport filling density of the transporting unit, along with an increased loading throughput and increased working convenience. The piece goods are distributed among the streams of piece goods according to at least one sorting criterion.

Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatus, and assemblies for converting fanfold material into packaging templates are disclosed. A converting system includes a converting machine that performs various conversion functions on the fanfold material. An infeed guide system directs the fanfold material from one or more stacks into the converting machine without folding, creasing, or otherwise compromising the fanfold material. The infeed guide system includes infeed guides with substantially S-shaped segments. The infeed guide system also includes a frame structure that substantially maintains the curvature of the substantially S-shaped segments within a desired range to prevent damage to or jamming of the fanfold material in the infeed guide system.

Abstract: An automatic supply apparatus for an elongate supply target member having elasticity and including both end portions includes a stock mechanism wherein a plurality of supply target members are stocked such that the plurality of supply target members are suspended in an inverted U shape and top portions of the plurality of supply target members are arranged side by side in a row direction, and an extraction mechanism to operate the top portions of the supply target members to extract one supply target member from the plurality of supply target members stocked in the stock mechanism.

Abstract: A method for forming a pack sequence, particularly packs of one or a plurality of articles, particularly beverage articles, including a sequence forming device, with a pack storing device for storing packs being connected to the sequence forming device via at least one transport path, the method including: transporting a pack along the at least one transport path from the pack storing device to the sequence forming device, wherein the transport of the pack is controlled such that the pack is introduced into the sequence forming device at a predetermined time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molded article conveyance apparatus (MACA) configured to convey a plurality of molded articles away a molding machine. The MACA includes a collection of row-dedicated queuing conveyors, wherein each row-dedicated queuing conveyor is configured to convey a portion of the plurality of molded articles away from the molding machine. The MACA also includes a sequential shunting conveyor configured to selectively move from one row-dedicated conveyor to another. The sequential shunting conveyor is also configured to receive and convey molded articles away from successively selected row-dedicated queuing conveyors.

Abstract: On a main line (2), when an empty space (cutting-out space s) equal to or greater than a predetermined length is detected between lots of articles (1) or between articles (1) being conveyed, this detected empty space is reserved for an article arrival line (3) on which articles (1) are stored. When this empty space approaches a junction with the article arrival line (3) for which the empty space is reserved, articles (1) corresponding to the length of the reserved empty space are cut out from this article arrival line (3) to the main line (2). This method allows it to reduce empty spaces in which articles (1) are not conveyed on the main line (2), increase the joining efficiency, reduce the frequency of storage of articles (1) on the article arrival line (3), and reduce the waiting time for loading articles (1) to the article arrival line (3), thereby increasing the efficiency of the loading of articles (1).

Abstract: An automated container handling and processing system includes a metal container handling subsystem and a plastic container handling subsystem. Each container subsystem includes a roller conveyor for conveying a plurality of large bins carrying crushed containers derived from reverse vending machines. An automated dumping station receives and inverts the bins sequentially to dump the crushed containers into a central hopper, then sends the bins to a washer which cleans the bins for reuse. A separate belt conveyor receives containers which do not require identification or accounting and conveys them to the central hopper. A second belt conveyor which also leads to the central hopper receives containers from one or more sorting machines which process non-crushed containers from non-RV machine return centers.

Abstract: A hopper receives upper and lower articles delivered simultaneously from a mobile transport device having superimposed transport platforms. Disposed within the hopper are independently movable diverters for diverting the articles to proper outlets of the hopper. The diverters comprise rotatable plates able to divert both of the upper and lower articles to either a first outlet or a second outlet, or to divert one of the articles to the first outlet, and the other article to the second outlet.

Abstract: A hop vine transfer system (10) includes a plurality of magazines (14a, 14b, 14c) each fed by an associated unloader mechanism (12). Once a magazine has been filled with hope vines (V), it is unloaded by a pivoting transfer conveyor (16) having an entrance end (50) alignable with the exit end portion (48) of the magazine. The opposite exit end (91) of the transfer conveyor is disposed in operable engagement with a picking machine conveyor (18) that moves the hop vines, with their stub ends upwardly, through a picking machine (22) to remove the hops from the vines.

Abstract: A system for producing and packing tobacco items, particularly cigarettes, wherein two packing machines are supplied with items by at least as many production machines, and wherein the outputs of the production machines are connected to one another by a conveyor channel for conveying the items and from which extend input channels connecting the conveyor channel to the individual packing machines; the items being fed along the conveyor channel by means of reversible conveyors.

Abstract: The tube carrier apparatus is composed of carrier rails, at least a pair of rollers provided so as to pinch a flexible tube therebetween, and a driving section for rotating the rollers. The carrier falls are formed with a groove as a passage for the tube through which the tube is to be carried in the longitudinal direction thereof. When the motor is driven, both the rollers are rotated in two different rotative directions, so that the tube is pinched between the rotating rollers and the tube is then carried in accordance with the rotation of the rollers. The tube carrier apparatus is simple in structure and small in size.

Abstract: In a system for making and packing cigarettes, cigarette making and packing machines are arranged in units each including a making machine, a packing machine and a reservoir, each unit being slightly mis-matched as to its making and packing outputs so as to have, on average, a surplus or deficit of cigarettes which is fed away or made up by a transfer conveyor linked to an additional packing or making machine which absorbs the surplus or makes up the deficit of all the units as the case may be.

Abstract: A ship loading system for loading bulk cargo, e.g. iron ore, at a ship's berth is proposed which has two shiploaders spaced apart along the berth and each shiftable along the berth. The shiploaders are both fed by an endless main conveyor which has trippers at its respective delivery points to the shiploaders, the trippers being shiftable along the berth with the respective shiploaders. At the first tripper, the flow on the main conveyor is switchable without interruption from delivery to the first shiploader and delivery back onto the main conveyor to the second tripper. A system which is highly flexible in operation, and can load a ship continuously without interruption of the flow is thus provided.