Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing discrete elements on a support element. The discrete elements may be separated from each other or joined to form a continuous web. The discrete elements are fed into a pick-up station defined at a rotor which includes circumferentially adjacent pick-up members. Each discrete element is associated with a respective pick-up member having a first orientation with respect to a respective second axis of rotation. Each pick-up member is moved along the rotation direction towards a release position downstream with an at least partially accelerated or decelerated motion. Each pick-up member is rotated about the respective second axis of rotation until it takes, at the release position, a second orientation. Each discrete element is released on a support element at the release position. Each pick-up member is subsequently moved towards the pick-up station with an at least partially decelerated or accelerated motion.

Abstract: A method for grouping elongated products (4) wherein products (4) are delivered by a delivering conveyor device (5) and deposited onto a conveyor belt (3) with no gaps between lateral surfaces, and conveyed along a conveyor direction (F). multiple products (4) which form a product group and adjoin one another without gaps are removed from the conveyor belt (3) simultaneously using a transfer assembly (7). During removal, the transfer assembly (7) is moved along the conveyor section (S) from a starting position (24) to a removal position in the conveyor direction (F) synchronized with the conveyor belt (3) and the product group which is to be removed and which is being conveyed on the conveyor belt, and the products (4) of the product group are then aligned perpendicularly to the conveyor direction (F) simultaneously by a pivoting movement and are deposited on a shelf as a row extending along the conveyor direction (F) without gaps.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor (1) for a continuous baking oven (10), wherein the conveyor (1) is of the closed-ring type and comprises an outer surface (2) and an inner surface (3), and wherein the conveyor (1) is equipped with a plurality of seats (4) intended to receive a food product to be cooked, wherein the seats of the plurality of seats have respective mouths (5) essentially open at the level of the outer surface (2) of the conveyor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a liquid membrane conveying apparatus for preparing a porous membrane includes a transmission unit and a carrier unit. The carrier unit conveys a liquid membrane into a gelling solution by the entrainment of the transmission unit. The carrier unit includes a first carrier and a second carrier. The first carrier and the second carrier respectively contact with opposite edges of the liquid membrane along a conveying direction of the liquid membrane. The consistency of the pores on the two surfaces of the porous membrane is improved by using the liquid membrane conveying apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacking station for a thermoforming installation, to a method for producing cup-shaped products in a thermoforming installation and to a thermoforming installation equipped therewith. Ejecting products out of a film plane onto an additional conveyor belt using a pusher is known. The additional conveyor belt first brings the products to a tilting device. After actuation of the tilting device, the products lie on their side and are conveyed onward from there. The present invention provides first pre-stacking the products coming from the ejector, to then tilt them, preferably by way of their own weight, and to stack them only once they are lying.

Abstract: A printed unit block aligning device includes a supporting element and an alignment transfer rail. The supporting element is opened and closed between a supporting position and a releasing position. The alignment transfer rail receives the group of the printed unit blocks dropped in response to move of the supporting element to the releasing position, aligns the printed unit blocks in each line unit block in a vertical direction, and feeds the printed unit blocks vertically at a constant speed using alignment transferring element. An electrical controlling element is provided that electrically controls timing of dropping the printed unit blocks from the supporting element onto the alignment transfer rail.

Abstract: A loading device (10) for continuously loading receiving units (4.1-4.8) with transport goods (T), wherein the loading device (10) comprises a plurality of receiving units (4.1-4.8), a conveyor device (2), in which the receiving units (4.1-4.8) can be conveyed, a supply device (3) for supplying transport goods (T) and a transfer device (1), which is designed to acquire the transport goods (T) from the supply device (3), as well as to convey and transfer the transport goods to the receiving units (4.1-4.8), wherein the transfer device (1) and the receiving units (4.1-4.8) can be moved in the same direction during the transfer of the transport goods (T).

Abstract: A movable rack system for storing carts or other suitable transports for storing rolls of synthetic turf. Alternatively, the rolls of synthetic turf may be stored directly on the rack systems. A first row of rack systems contains N rack systems. An adjacent row contains N?1 rack systems. The rack systems in the adjacent row can be moved laterally so that access to the first row is available for loading and unloading rack systems contained in that row. In a second moveable rack system, a plurality of satellite hubs rotate about a central hub such that support structures on the satellite hubs are capable of rotating into a loading position and then rotating away from the loading position to a storage position.

Abstract: To store sensor devices in a sensor storage system, the sensor devices are hanged on hangers in the sensor storage system. The sensor devices are transported through stations of the sensor storage system.

Abstract: A capsule rupture testing system includes a positioning channel configured to receive one or more smoking article filters therein. The smoking article filters include a filter material and a capsule object disposed therein. The system includes a smoking article positioning device configured to position the smoking article filter elements at a testing position within the positioning channel. The system includes a rupturing device that includes an actuating element configured to operably engage at least one smoking article filter element at the testing position. The testing position aligns the actuating element with an expected position of the capsule object. The rupturing device also includes a measuring element configured to determine a deformation measurement associated with deforming the filter element. The system also includes an analysis unit configured to analyze the deformation measurement and configured to determine a rupture point of the capsule object. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method as well as to an apparatus for manufacturing packaging units in a tubular bag forming, filling and sealing machine. Separated products (46, 47) are transferred to a portioning device (20) by means of a horizontal conveyor (18) in order to manufacture portion units (21) with a defined arrangement and number of products, and the portion units, which are enveloped by a film web (34), are subsequently conveyed to a separating device with the help of a vertical conveyor (22) in order to separate the packaging units. The portioning device is used both to manufacture the portion units and to synchronize the portioning device with the horizontal conveyor and the vertical conveyor.

Abstract: A printed unit block aligning device includes a supporting element and an alignment transfer rail. The supporting element is opened and closed between a supporting position and a releasing position. The alignment transfer rail receives the group of the printed unit blocks dropped in response to move of the supporting element to the releasing position, aligns the printed unit blocks in each line unit block in a vertical direction, and feeds the printed unit blocks vertically at a constant speed using alignment transferring element. An electrical controlling element is provided that electrically controls timing of dropping the printed unit blocks from the supporting element onto the alignment transfer rail.

Abstract: An inspection system configured to inspect a plurality of capsule objects is provided. The system includes an imaging device for capturing an image of the capsule object's exterior and a weighing device for measuring the capsule object's weight. The system also includes an analysis unit configured to analyze the captured images and the measured weights of the capsule objects. The analysis unit is configured to execute an edge detection tool that determines the capsule object's dimensions and whether the capsule object is defective based at least in part on the measured dimensions. The analysis unit is also configured to execute a weight analysis tool configured to determine whether the capsule object is defective based on the capsule object's weight. An associated method and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein that are executable by a processor are also provided.

Abstract: Presently disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and methods for bundling smaller stacks of bank notes into larger sized bundles that are efficient for transportation. The system may include an in-line bundler disposed along pockets of a currency processor for receiving stacks of bank notes directly from the pocket. That way, the smaller stacks of bank notes do not have to be removed from the currency processor and transported to a separate bundler machine. Instead, the currency processor features a desired number of bundler machines disposed in-line with the corresponding pockets where the bank notes are initially received and stacked. This arrangement may enable efficient stacking and bundling of bank notes sorted via the currency processor.

Abstract: A method and system for packaging products provides for initially, vertically stacking a plurality of products during production in a transfer canister, simultaneously removing a stack of the products from the transfer canister, reorienting the stack and horizontally loading the stack into a final product package cavity. The invention has applicability to a wide range of products, particularly food products, such as refrigerated dough products. In one embodiment of the invention, the product package cavity is thermoformed as part as an overall horizontal form, fill and seal system.

Abstract: A unit for transferring and up-ending at least one sealed package containing a pourable food product and having a first axis, comprising: at least one push member which cooperates with package to feed it along a first path from an in-feed station to an out-feed station; the path extending about a second axis; the unit further comprising a guide cooperating with a first side of package along first path to up-end it from an in-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a first direction, to an out-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a second direction crosswise to first direction; and an anti-rotating mechanism cooperating with package along path to prevent package from rotating about first axis; an anti-rotating mechanism comprising a pressure element rotatable about second axis and adapted to cooperate, in use, with package.

Abstract: In a device for feeding book blocks (2) into the infeed channel (11) of a subsequent processing arrangement with a book block feeder (30) that essentially feeds the book blocks (2) into the infeed channel (11) vertically from above transverse to the conveying direction of the infeed channel (11), at least one push-out unit (51) is driven separately of the at least one pusher (14) of the infeed channel (11) and provided in the infeed channel (11) in the region of the book block feeder (30). The separate drive makes it possible to define a push-off motion that allows a gentle start of the push-out unit (51) relative to the book block (2) to be pushed off on the one hand and a synchronous transfer to the continuously moving pusher (14) of the infeed channel (11) on the other hand.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of applying a fluid pressure to a portion of a transfer member of a transfer assembly. The transfer member rotates about a first rotation axis and comprises leading and trailing portions. The portion of the transfer member is rotatable about a second rotation axis between a first position and a second position. The method comprises providing a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the leading or trailing portion of the portion of the transfer member when the portion of the transfer member is in the first position, rotating the portion of transfer member between the first position and the second position, and maintaining the fluid conduit in fluid communication with the same of the leading or trailing portion of the portion of the transfer member after the portion of the transfer member is moved into the second position.

Abstract: In a device for feeding book blocks (2) into the infeed channel (11) of a subsequent processing arrangement with an intermittently rotating star feeder (31) that features several block receptacles (34) that are arranged on a roller divided into disks (33) in a star-shaped fashion and respectively feature perpendicularly aligned first and second locating surfaces (34.1, 34.2), it is proposed that the star feeder (31) features several clamping jaws (36) that are respectively assigned to the block receptacles (34) and arranged parallel to the second locating surfaces (34.2), as well as movable relative to the latter. The star feeder (31) can be operated with a significantly higher angular acceleration and rotational speed without risking that the book blocks lose contact in the block receptacles (34). Even loosely gathered book blocks (2) can be flawlessly processed.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus of a line end of a folder-gluer for cardboard boxes includes a transfer bed (1) with a double, opposite array of transmission belts (C1a, C1b, C2a, C2b) which define a transfer track for the displacement of flattened, folded boxes, wherein the transfer bed (1) is oscillatingly mounted about a horizontal axis (a-a?) on a U-shaped support structure (21, 22, 24) which is in turn rotatingly mounted according to a vertical axis (b-b?) on a base frame (26), the rotation according to the horizontal axis (a-a?) and according to the vertical axis (b-b?) occurring through a first (M1) and a second (M2 M2?) motor, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing open-ended objects such as pharmaceutical vials includes: a housing having an internal cavity configured to house open-ended objects, the housing including a guide and a floor; a pick-up unit mounted to the housing, the pick-up unit including an endless member and at least one pick-up member attached to the endless member; and a drive unit. The endless member engages the drive unit and the guide for movement relative thereto. As the drive unit drives the endless member, the at least one pick-up member travels on a pick-up path, at least a portion of which is within the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking sticks of split-firewood has a drum with interior flights as well as a ramp and chute which do not rotate with the drum. The flights partition the inside wall of the drum into a procession of shelves and pockets. Each shelf extends radially between the drum sidewall and an inner edge. The ramp is mounted inside the drum and has an axially extending upper edge disposed to be spaced by a small gap from the shelf edges at about 9 o'clock relative clockwise rotation of the drum. The chute is also mounted partly inside the drum slopes from a top to a discharge end. The chute is mounted relative to the ramp to form a catch zone for sticks sliding off the ramp inside the drum. The chute furthermore extends outside the drum to discharge sticks of split firewood in neat stacks there.

Abstract: In a device for feeding book blocks (2) into the infeed channel (11) of a subsequent processing arrangement with a book block feeder (30) that essentially feeds the book blocks (2) into the infeed channel (11) vertically from above transverse to the conveying direction of the infeed channel (11), at least one push-out unit (51) is driven separately of the at least one pusher (14) of the infeed channel (11) and provided in the infeed channel (11) in the region of the book block feeder (30). The separate drive makes it possible to define a push-off motion that allows a gentle start of the push-out unit (51) relative to the book block (2) to be pushed off on the one hand and a synchronous transfer to the continuously moving pusher (14) of the infeed channel (11) on the other hand.

Abstract: An apparatus for buffering products comprises at least three buffer conveyors arranged in series, which can be driven independently of each other, a first buffer conveyor which can be connected to supply device for supplying products and a last buffer conveyor which can be connected to discharge device for discharging the products, wherein the buffer conveyors are so arranged that each of the products follows the same conveying path and that at least one of the buffer conveyors comprises a spiral path.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing open-ended objects such as pharmaceutical vials includes: a housing having an internal cavity configured to house open-ended objects, the housing including a guide and a floor; a pick-up unit mounted to the housing, the pick-up unit including an endless member and at least one pick-up member attached to the endless member; and a drive unit. The endless member engages the drive unit and the guide for movement relative thereto. As the drive unit drives the endless member, the at least one pick-up member travels on a pick-up path, at least a portion of which is within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus or device is described for forming a continuous and cadenced flow of groups of rolls of paper or other products, coming from the production line or from pre-packaging lines, and rotated by a carousel with horizontal shaft of rotation. The carousel is provided with the blades of L-shaped stalls which pass cyclically and in the right phase between and underneath pairs of supports, to raise the products positioned thereon and set them on a horizontal conveyor. The stalls are controlled to rotate with respect to the carousel in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the carousel to avoid interference with the products once the products are placed on the horizontal conveyor.

Abstract: A method for sorting and/or orienting caps using an automated capping line can comprise providing a single cap to a cap-receiving cavity defined in a body of a puck. In various embodiments, the body can be vibrated to settle and/or orient the cap to a properly oriented position within the cap-receiving cavity. In at least one embodiment, the vibrating can include applying horizontal vibration and/or vertical vibration to the body. As a result, the properly oriented caps can be conveyed to a capping machine configured to apply each cap to a cap-receiving portion of a container.

Abstract: Centrifugal feeder device having an outer enclosure (2) which accommodates a ring (3) mounted rotatably in the enclosure (2) and lying in an approximately horizontal plane, and a disc (4) rotatable in the ring (3). The axis (5) of rotation of the disc (4) is inclined with respect to the axis (6) of rotation of the ring (3), the disc (4) and the ring (3) approximately tangent to each other in a transfer area (10) and distant from each other in a loading area (8). The ring (3) is surrounded by a lateral guide (15). The ring (3) supplies an outlet channel (13) whose inlet is situated above a part of useful width of the ring, the ring (3) is provided with approximately radial notches (3a), and the device includes a mechanism for adjusting the useable width of the ring (3).

Abstract: A device for transferring objects from a printing machine chuck to a support and distancing pin, the chuck and the pin being moved on two independent paths, at a point of which paths they are parallel to one another and at a predetermined reciprocal distance, the device comprising a carriage which is mobile in a parallel direction to the chuck and to the pin, between a distant position from the chuck and the pin to a close position to the chuck and the pin, means for gripping and releasing the objects being provided on the carriage, which means for gripping and releasing are mobile along a trajectory in a perpendicular plane to the carriage in order to be placed alternatively in front of the chuck and the pin, the trajectory including at least a tract in which it is parallel to the path of the pins.

Abstract: A conveying device for conveying substantially round objects, such as eggs or fruit. The conveyor device has a roller conveyor with an endless transport element and successive rows of one or more rollers An object receiving space for receiving an object is delimited by two successive rollers. The roller conveyor has a discharge end where said objects are discharged by falling from said roller conveyor. The conveyor device furthermore has a second conveyor with an endless element and successive rows of one or more object holders, each object holder having an opening allowing to receive an object therein The second conveyor has a receiving end which is positioned in line with the discharge end of the roller conveyor so as to receive objects discharged by falling from the roller conveyor in the object holders of the second conveyor.

Abstract: In a mail processing machine, a fixed mounting of an envelope turning station relative to an upstream stuffing station, and therefore a simple construction of the drive for the envelope turning station, can be achieved in that the items of goods for despatch to be turned through 180° are drawn by grippers of a gripper chain into the region of horizontally opening tongs of the envelope turning cylinder of the envelope turning station, in such a way that, in each case irrespective of the longitudinal format of the items of goods for despatch, the latter are gripped by the turning cylinder tongs over their entire length, for which purpose the gripper chain, together with the stuffing table supporting it, is designed to be displaceable with respect to the turning station in the conveying direction of the goods for despatch, in a manner dependent on the envelope format.

Abstract: A method of operating a transfer station in a container filling plant. The transfer station comprises a plurality of spaced apart webs between which containers are to be conveyed. A plurality of vertical directing elements are disposed upstream of and adjacent to the webs. The directing elements contact and deflect containers into the receiving spaces in between the webs to minimize backing up or jams of the containers, to thus minimize interruptions in the container handling process.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting objects in a preset direction, in particular objects that have a cavity having an opening at one of the ends of the objects, comprises a conveying device for the objects comprising a conveying surface tilted by an angle with respect to a horizontal plane, on the conveying surface there are arranged hooking elements that are suitable for interacting with the cavities, the conveying surface being movable in an advancing direction oriented from a lower end of the conveying device to an upper end of the conveying device.

Abstract: A rotating cylinder is used to orient wood material, such as but not limited to blocks (e.g., finger joint blocks), preparatory to further processing. The rotating cylinder uses gravity and a tumbling action of the blocks to orient the blocks and move them through the cylinder. Unlike known apparatus such as vibrating conveyors, embodiments of the invention are relatively simple, vibration free, not prone to mechanical stress failures, are quiet, and use minimal horsepower to operate. Furthermore, embodiments of invention may advantageously reduce noise-caused fatigue amongst lumber workers, as well as reduce maintenance and power costs. The rotating cylinder may be part of a larger system for orienting wood material, such as blocks, for further lumber processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for timed processing of book blocks for perfect binding includes a feed element to supply respective book blocks horizontally positioned with a spine facing in a feed direction of movement. A lifting device is arranged to receive the respective horizontally positioned book blocks from the feed element. The lifting device is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has an adjustably driven limit stop that forms a conveying end of the feed element. A gripper circulates on a traction element above the lifting device. The lifting device is pivoted about the horizontal axis into an upright position and operates synchronized with the movement of the gripper to lift the respective book blocks with the adjustably driven limit stop to transfer each respective book block to the gripper when the gripper is positioned over the book block in the lifting device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collating nails wherein round head nails are fed by gravity along an inclined rail to a periphery of a rotating indexing and feed wheel. The nails are deposited into circumferentially spaced grooves formed in the periphery of the feed wheel in a vertical orientation. The feed wheel is inclined at an angle of approximately 45° and upon 180° rotation of the feed wheel the nails assume a horizontal orientation. A conveyor has a plurality of spaced segments attached to a pair of moving belts. Each segment is formed with spaced notches for receiving the nails in a horizontal spaced relationship from the feed wheel and then transporting the horizontally spaced nails to a collator for forming into a continuous strip. Rotation of the feed wheel is synchronized with movement of the conveyor by a motor, a gear train and drive shafts extending between the feed wheel and conveyor.

Abstract: Unit for automated container recovery machines, such as for receiving returnable bottles and cans, includes a conveyor device for transporting the returnable containers horizontally in the direction of their longitudinal axes and for rotating the containers about their longitudinal axes. The aim is to provide an additional unit of this type. To achieve this, the conveyor device includes one or more continuous conveyer chains which are adjacent to one another and include support elements and conveyor members which are situated on the support elements. The conveyor members can be rotated about an axis that extends in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor device.

Abstract: A supply station of articles to a plurality of channels opening above a continuous blister strip, of a type comprising supply organs for containing the articles and for dispensing the articles towards conveying means located downstream, which conveying means select and direct the articles in an ordered fashion in an advancement direction towards mouths afforded in the plurality of channels; collection and transfer means, functionally associated to the mouths and receiving and collecting excess articles which accumulate at the mouths, and transferring the excess articles upstream of the mouths, in proximity of a predetermined first zone of the conveying means.

Abstract: A transfer station in a container filling plant comprising an input, an output, a conveyor for feeding containers, a plurality of spaced apart webs disposed upstream of the input of the transfer station, and vertically oriented rotatable directing elements, each rotatable about its vertical rotational axis and disposed upstream of the webs for contacting the bodies of the containers to steer the containers into the receiving spaces between the webs.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of applying the hydrocarbon barrier inside plastic fuel tanks. The plastic fuel tanks are supported on a carrier in an upright position for movement in a loop through inverted positions. While upright, hot and dry air treats the inside of the plastic fuel tanks followed by injecting SO3 inside the plastic fuel tanks through the nozzles. The SO3 is extracted from the plastic fuel tanks followed by injecting ammonia into the tanks through a second nozzle. After extracting ammonia from the plastic fuel tanks, the tanks are inverted and drained followed by a rinsing with a high pressured water and drying with hot air.

Abstract: In an apparatus for transferring products from a first conveying line to a second line conveying line operated stepwise in a feeding direction and particularly for feeding a boxing machine a plurality of compartments are aligned along the feeding direction. Each compartment has a bottom and a pair of lateral boards. The compartments receive products released by a manipulator and taken from the first conveying line. An actuator rotates the compartments from a loading configuration for receiving the products, to an overturned configuration, in which the compartments face corresponding, dwelling seats of the second, feeding line. A holding element closes the upper part of the compartments, moving from the loading configuration up to the overturned configuration. A pusher moves into the compartments in the overturned configuration, to push the products into the facing seats of the second, feeding line.

Abstract: Installation for assembling tube components, particularly bodies (1) with shoulders, comprising the following elements arranged in succession: a linear body conveyor (4), a transfer system (7) designed to apply a change in orientation to the bodies (1) of about 90°, an assembly unit (8) for fixing the shoulders to the bodies (1), characterized in that the transfer system (7) consists of a device (9) for gripping the bodies and of a device (17) for changing the orientation of the bodies, the orientation-change device comprising a rotary conveyor (17), of the conveyor belt type, which is arranged at right angles to the direction of the linear conveyor (4), the said rotary conveyor (17) comprising a belt (18, 19) rotating about a direction that makes an angle of about 45° with the direction of the linear conveyor (4), the belt (18, 19) comprising elements (15) for grasping the bodies, the shape of which is designed so that the bodies (1) are initially grasped on one of the sides of the rotary conveyor (17), in a

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting identical flat-bottomed objects has a vibratory conveyor defining a generally horizontal support surface. A plurality of the objects are supplied to an upstream end of the surface standing on their flat bottoms and the objects travel along the surface while standing on their bottoms. A sorting drum rotatable about a horizontal axis at a downstream end of the conveyor is formed with at least one row of radially outwardly open seats generally complementary to the objects and each having a flat floor. The drum is rotated between a pickup position in which the flat floors of the one row of seats are aligned and generally coplanar with the support surface and closely juxtaposed with the downstream end and a handoff position with the one row of seats raised up above the support surface. The objects are taken out of the seats in the takeoff position.

Abstract: A motor has its rotating shaft fixed by a fixing member so as to be inclined at an angle of ? to the horizontal direction. A supporting member is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor. A plurality of accommodating units are distributed at equal spacing along the circumference, centered on the rotating shaft of the motor, of the supporting member. A pair of peripheral surface members in each of the accommodating units is attached to the fixing member so as to be capable of freely opening and closing by a supporting shaft, and has an approximately square columnar shape in its closed state. An opening at one end of the pair of peripheral surface members having the approximately square columnar shape is opened, and a bottom surface member is arranged on an opening at the other end thereof. Each of the accommodating units is attached to the supporting member such that the supporting shaft is inclined at an angle of ? to the rotating shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer for a decorating machine includes transport conveyors for carrying workpieces to the decorating machine and from the decorating machine. The conveyors support each of the workpieces such that an elongated longitudinal axis of each workpiece is vertically orientated. The decorating machine has a decorator conveyor with spaced workpiece carriers to support a workpiece for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the workpiece in a horizontal orientation. A plurality of workpiece grippers pivotally supported by a drive hub support the workpieces during movement of the longitudinal axis thereof between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. A drive shaft is secured to the drive hub to rotate about an axis forming acute angles with the longitudinal axis of a workpiece in each of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. The acute angles are preferably 45°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor apparatus, and more specifically to a conveyor apparatus that is capable of accepting a web of material having little to no inherent structural integrity from a first direction, inverting the material, and dispatching said material in a second direction. A conveyor apparatus for handling and inverting a web of material in accordance with the present invention comprises a receiving conveyor having an upper run for receiving the web of material after inversion. The present apparatus further includes an inversion conveyor having first and second legs arranged at an angle to each other, with the second leg of the conversion conveyor being positioned above the upper run of the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A turn-around device for packets, in particular packets of cigarettes, wherein the packets are fed successively, with a first surface facing forwards, to a turn-around station, from which they are extracted, with a second surface facing forwards, by a gripper conveyor, which travels through the turn-around station perpendicularly to the second surface, and has a number of grippers, each of which defines a pocket for a relative packet, and closes gradually onto the packet to control its position as it is extracted from the turn-around station with the second surface facing forwards.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. Transferring devices transport the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes. The receiving and application operations may be performed at matched or mismatched surface speeds. The parts to be received and applied may be formed by a rotating knife, which may vary in speed. Adhesive may be used to hold the parts on the carrier web. In some embodiments, the transferring devices transfer the parts to a bonding anvil roll and the parts and a carrier web are compressed between the bonding anvil roll and a bonding pattern roll to bond the parts to the carrier web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a material web traveling at a first speed in a receiving zone, forming discrete parts from the material web, and applying the discrete parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The apparatus has a cutting device for severing the material web to form the discrete parts. At least two shells for receiving the discrete parts in the receiving zone and applying the discrete parts in the application zone are used. The shells may be coupled to programmable motors for moving said shell in an orbital path. A roll may be positioned interior to said shells. The cutting device may be used to sever the material web between said shells and against said roll. The roll may be a vacuum roll that provides vacuum in order to hold the discrete parts against said shells.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a printing plate to an external drum platesetter includes: a plate traversing table for displacing a printing plate into a staging position; and a plate angling table, nested within the plate traversing table, for rotating the printing plate between the staging position and a loading position. The plate traversing table includes: a first shaft; a second driven shaft including a plurality of nip rollers; a plurality of pulleys mounted to the first and second shafts; a plurality of rotatable belts, extending between corresponding sets of the pulleys on the first and second shafts; and a drive system for rotating the driven shaft.