Abstract: On a conveyor for articles traveling from an upstream to a downstream end, an assembly for turning articles is integrated for changing the orientation of the article so that the article may be proper positioned within a stack of such products on a pallet layer. The turning assembly comprises an arm that is selectively extendible along a track to a plurality of extendable positions into an article path on the conveyor. The arm includes an upstream contact surface that is configured to contact a downstream surface of the article off-axis to a center of gravity of the article so that the article rotates about the upstream contact surface to a turned position and continues downstream on the conveyor in the turned position. A turn assist plate pivots into contact with an upstream portion of the article under computer control as needed to assist with turning boxes that are particularly long.

Abstract: A robotic system for arranging packages at a destination according to a stacking sequence. The robotic system uses a storage area for temporarily storing packages that arrive out-of-sequence until they are next-in-sequence for placement at the destination. The robotic system processes an incoming package, determines if it is next-in-sequence for placement at the destination, and if it is, places the package at the destination. On the other hand, if it is not next-in-sequence for placement at the destination, it stores the package in the storage area. A package in the storage area is transferred to the destination when it is next-in-sequence for placement at the destination. By using the temporary storage for storing out of sequence packages, the robotic system eliminates the need for receiving the packages in a stacking sequence, which also eliminates the need for sequencing machines.

Abstract: A method for changing the alignment of articles in a conveying flow, wherein, by a rotary projection projecting into the conveying path of a conveyor of a material handling system, the alignment of the article is achieved via the force of the conveying flow, and the conveying flow runs obliquely in front of the rotary projection in relation to the direction thereof, in order to ensure the contacting of the article on the rotary projection. The rotary projection is configured such that it can move in a transverse manner in relation to the conveying flow, in such a way that the extension thereof into the conveying flow is variable, wherein the scale of the extension of the rotary projection into the conveying flow is determined based on the respective article.

Abstract: An egg conveyor assembly is provided herein. The egg conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor extending in a first conveyor direction on a first height level, a second conveyor extending in a second conveyor direction perpendicular to the first height level. A transfer device adapted to transfer eggs from the first to the second conveyor includes an array of egg retainers. The egg retainers include pockets having a receiving opening at an upper end thereof to receive the eggs from above from the first conveyor, and are adapted to release the eggs at a lower end to drop the eggs in egg retainers of the second conveyor. The transfer device is movable in the first conveyor direction and in the second conveyor direction in a plane on a height level between the first height level and second height level.

Abstract: A transfer device (1) for the separated transfer of product carriers (2a-2e) with holders (21, 21a-21e) to an overhead conveyor is described, comprising a helical conveyor (11), which defines a conveying section (F) for the holders (21, 21a-21e) with a conveying portion (FF) and a transfer portion (FU), wherein the conveying section (F) in the conveying portion (FF) describes a linear path and in the transfer portion (FU) describes a transversely curved path superimposed on the linear path.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for heating objects. The apparatus may include two conveyer belts. Each conveyer belt may include a plurality of teeth. At least a portion of the two conveyer belts may be in parallel to each other. In the parallel portion, the conveyer belts may include opposite teeth that are symmetrical to each other and the object may be fitted in the opening of the symmetrical teeth and secured by the surrounding teeth.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus (1), using a sterilizing substance, for closures (2) for containers, including: a rotating unit (6); a plurality of longitudinal rails (7) able to house the closures (2) arranged by force of gravity, the rails (7) being solidly connected to the rotating unit (6) and being arranged such as to follow a circumferential extension of the rotating unit (6); dispensing apparatus (16) of the sterilizing substance, a variable-height support profile (15) located below the rails (7) and also having a circumferential extension such as to support the lines (8) of closures (2).

Abstract: A workpiece convey system comprising two conveyor devices which alternately convey workpieces from a source area to a destination area, wherein each of the two conveyor devices is provided with a workpiece holding part which can hold a workpiece, and a movement mechanism which moves the workpiece holding part back and forth between the source area and the destination area, the two conveyor devices being arranged so as to match the positions where their respective workpiece holding parts are stopped within the source area.

Abstract: The present invention includes a sheet transmission system, comprising: a sheet stacking unit, a sheet position adjusting unit, a sheet processing unit, and a sheet collection unit, arranged in series along a transmission path of a sheet; and one or more independent transmission units, each transmission unit provided between two adjacent units among above units; wherein the sheet stacking unit is configured to store the sheet to be processed; the sheet position adjusting unit is configured to adjust the position of the sheet; the sheet processing unit is configured to conduct a predetermined process to the sheet transmitted therein; the sheet collection unit is configured to collect the processed sheet; wherein when a sheet is transmitted along the transmission path, the sheet is subjected to at least one transition between the first-direction transmission state and the second-direction transition state; and wherein the sheet will not deflect in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Aspects of a turn conveyor system are described. In one embodiment, the turn conveyor system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor adjacent to the first conveyor, a lateral conveyor extending between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and a turn arm. The turn arm may extend across the second conveyor and be coupled to the second conveyor at a position corresponding to an end of the lateral conveyor. In one embodiment, the turn arm includes an extension bar, a rolling bumper having an angular degree of freedom, and an extension down shaft. According to various aspects, the turn conveyor system may displace an article in a first direction with the first conveyor, laterally displace the article in a second direction onto the lateral conveyor, laterally convey the article toward the turn arm, and rotate the article from a first orientation to a second orientation using the turn arm.

Abstract: A method for suspending birds from an overhead conveyor, comprises the following sequence of steps: A) each bird is arranged in a holder with its legs and/or feet projecting from a first opening therein and its neck at a neck end, B) orientation of the feet is determined, C) the bird is rotated about an axis of rotation extending between the first opening and the neck end until a predetermined orientation of the legs and/or feet is reached, and D) the feet or legs of the bird are arranged in a shackle on the conveyor. The rotation may be achieved either by rotation the holder or by rotating the bird in the holder. In an apparatus according to the invention a monitoring station and a rotation station is provided for performing steps B) and C). The holders are preferably open-ended with a second opening at the neck end.

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: An absorbent article rotating apparatus includes a transporting section that transports an absorbent article along a transport direction with the absorbent article being sandwiched between a pair of belts, and a fixed member that rotates the absorbent article by coming into contact with a portion of an edge of the absorbent article, the portion being exposed from the belts, the edge being at a downstream side in the transport direction, the fixed member being fixed at a predetermined position in the transport direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of orienting and decorating container end closures is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to position container end closures in a predetermined orientation and then decorate a predetermined portion of the end closures.

Abstract: An infeed apparatus includes an item manipulator that orients items such as cases in a desired orientation as determined by a build menu, and a row build apparatus that is synchronized with the manipulator to space items pursuant to the build menu. The manipulator uses a pusher to push items across a friction belt to thereby orient the items, and includes sensors for determining when an item is in an incorrect orientation. The row build receives items from the pusher and is selectively advanced to locate items in a desired relative orientation so that rows of items are built correctly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning a sheet product conveyed on a conveying surface of a conveyor system in a direction of conveyance at a conveying velocity, which product has on its side facing away from the conveying surface an at least partially exposed surface. The apparatus has an alignment unit, which is arranged above the conveying surface and which is intended to change the situation of the product with respect to the conveying surface by means of a force acting upon the exposed surface. The alignment unit has a self-contained, flexible force transmission member, which, on that side of the alignment unit which is facing toward the conveying surface, forms a sagging strand, which latter is intended to rest with a portion on the at least partially exposed surface of the product and thus subject said product to the force.

Abstract: A singulator for use with fruit handling equipment including spaced fruit supports driven at a particular speed, the singulator causing the fruit to assume single file for transfer to the fruit supports, the singulator including a first pair of belts arranged in a V formation travelling at different speeds, wherein the first pair of belts merges into a second pair of belts arranged in a V formation and both travelling at about the speed of the fruit supports, and wherein the second pair of belts is adapted to be operated so as to transfer the fruits substantially at the same speed as the fruit supports, whereby fruit are transferred to the fruit supports in single file whilst moving at the same speed as the fruit supports.

Abstract: A utensil dispensing tray that cooperates with a dispenser. The tray includes at least one feature that causes the utensil, such as a knife, fork, spork, or spoon, to rotate from a first orientation to a second orientation for presentation as the utensil drops into the tray. The tray also includes one or more features that result in the utensil being consistently positioned in its second orientation within a dispensing area of the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting goods includes a deformable transport unit, a unit for supplying a goods item to the deformable transport unit and a unit for impressing the goods item into the deformable transport unit so that a top of the goods item facing away from the transport unit has a predetermined height position d with respect to the unit for impressing. The deformable transport unit is implemented such that the predetermined height position of the goods item outside the effective area of the unit for impressing the goods item is at least temporarily maintained. The unit for impressing the goods item include an element arranged at a distance to the deformable transport unit and a goods item for impressing into the deformable transport unit is moved past the element.

Abstract: An absorbent article rotating apparatus includes a transporting section that transports an absorbent article along a transport direction with the absorbent article being sandwiched between a pair of belts, and a fixed member that rotates the absorbent article by coming into contact with a portion of an edge of the absorbent article, the portion being exposed from the belts, the edge being at a downstream side in the transport direction, the fixed member being fixed at a predetermined position in the transport direction.

Abstract: A direction change device for conveyance of dough includes a material conveyance platform that includes a table that is covered by a conveyance belt. Guide slots are formed in the table and are not completely covered by the conveyance belt. A swivel unit is provided under the material conveyance platform and includes two power sources that respectively provide reciprocal rotation of a predetermined angle and upward extension and backward contraction. The power source for extension and contraction has an end to which push bars are mounted to correspond to the guide slots of the table. A press plate is arranged above the guide slots. A dough sheet, when moved through the table, can be pushed upward by the push bars of the swivel unit and clamped and held by the press plate for subsequent rotation by an angle and then further proceeding forward for a subsequent operation of stuffing.

Abstract: A conveyor line (10) for the transport of articles (20, 24) in an article stream (18) from a first processing line (50) to a second processing line (52). The conveyor line (10) includes a first conveyor section (11) and a second conveyor section (12). On the first conveyor section (11) the article stream (18) is formed by at least two articles (20, 24) arranged mostly side by side, whereby the second conveyor section (12) includes at least one lane dividing plate (30) for the separation of the articles (20, 24) into at least two lanes (31). A third conveyor section (13) is arranged between the first conveyor section (11) and the second conveyor section (12), the third conveyor section (13) including multiple deflections of the articles (20, 24) along a path with multiple curves.

Abstract: A method for channeling upright containers, which are loosely queued in a row, into a transport device is performed by a rotatable separating device, which has the purpose of separating the loosely queued containers, and a stationary accumulating device for the containers downstream of the separating device. The accumulating device has a plurality of stoppers arranged in a row in the transport direction, which can be extended individually in the direction transverse to the transport direction and, in the extended state, define holding positions for the containers. The stoppers are extended one-by-one based on sensor results to sequentially fill the holding positions of the accumulating device starting from the holding position arranged farthest from the separating device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system, apparatus and method for preparing wood blocks. The embodiments disclosed may comprise paddle designs, trimming unit designs and methods, scanner unit designs and methods, for use in the trimming of wood blocks. The blocks may be used for finger jointing.

Abstract: Provided is a positioning fence for use in lumber sawmills and method of using the positioning fence that facilitates automated positioning of lumber for cutting and a method of positioning lumber for cutting. Also provided is a retrofit position fence table and a method of using the retrofit position fence table. A continuous moving track loop has a plurality of paddles laterally positionable across the width of the track. A track moving device is used to adjust the final locked position of the paddles if the paddles are not locked in the desired position.

Abstract: An automatic teller machine (ATM) including a medium receiving portion to receive a paper medium, a medium transfer portion to transfer the paper medium received through the medium receiving portion to a cassette as a storage space, and a medium alignment portion disposed on a transfer path of the medium transfer portion to align the paper medium. The medium alignment portion includes a drum-type alignment body including a transfer path connected to the transfer path of the medium transfer portion so that the paper medium passes through the transfer path in a rotating manner, and including an alignment reference surface to align the paper medium; driving rollers disposed in the alignment body to drive the paper medium forward along the transfer path; and inclined rollers disposed outside of the alignment body corresponding to the driving rollers, and selectively inclined from a transfer direction of the paper medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for orienting thin glass plates (11) in a contamination-free manner. Said method and apparatus have the following features: a) in order to orient the glass plate (11), a lifting frame (1) is raised from below through the free space between the rolls (13) along with an orienting frame (2) which rests on the lifting frame (1) and is fitted with struts (7) that are connected in a rotatably hinged fashion to the orienting frame (2) and are provided with supporting elements (8) which penetrate the free space between the rolls (13), project beyond the supporting level of the rolls (13), and support the glass plate (11); b) the glass plate (11) is placed in a shock-free manner by means of sliding elements (3) that are actuated by individually controllable drive units (4), the movement of the sliding elements (3) being transmitted to the two longitudinal cross beams of the orienting frame (2) by means of pivot joints (6) which are fastened to the sliding elements (3).

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 conveyor system to singulate and sort bulk articles. The system comprises a first counter-current conveyor belt with a first machine direction, a second counter-current conveyor belt with a second machine direction and a transverse width, a first guide means, and a second guide means. The first counter-current conveyor belt slopes upward in the first machine direction relative to the second conveyor belt. The second counter-current conveyor belt slopes downward in a transverse direction away from the first conveyor belt. The first guide means urges articles conveyed on the first conveyor belt onto the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: A moving conveying device is provided which extends in a planar manner, such as a conveyor belt or a mat top conveyor, for conveying piece goods or bulk goods and which lies in a conveying apparatus. A rolling element including a plurality of rollers is arranged between the conveying device and a support element. The conveying device moves relative to the rolling element, wherein the rollers roll on the conveying means and on the support element, and the rollers are interconnected at a distance from each other by way of a flexible connecting element.

Abstract: Provided is a positioning fence for use in lumber sawmills and method of using the positioning fence that facilitates automated positioning of lumber for cutting and a method of positioning lumber for cutting. Also provided is a retrofit position fence table and a method of using the retrofit position fence table. A continuous moving track loop has a plurality of paddles laterally positionable across the width of the track. A track moving device is used to adjust the final locked position of the paddles if the paddles are not locked in the desired position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bundle orienting device in-line with a conveyor configured for transporting bundles in a conveying direction. The bundle orienting device can include a plurality of selectively actuatable orientation elements that, collectively, laterally and/or angularly displace a bundle as it travels in the conveying direction through the bundle orienting device. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a method for rotating bundles traveling in a conveying direction along a conveyor system. The method includes conveying a bundle along a conveyor to pass through a bundle orienting device, thus described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning a sheet product conveyed on a conveying surface of a conveyor system in a direction of conveyance at a conveying velocity, which product has on its side facing away from the conveying surface an at least partially exposed surface. The apparatus has an alignment unit, which is arranged above the conveying surface and which is intended to change the situation of the product with respect to the conveying surface by means of a force acting upon the exposed surface. The alignment unit has a self-contained, flexible force transmission member, which, on that side of the alignment unit which is facing toward the conveying surface, forms a sagging strand, which latter is intended to rest with a portion on the at least partially exposed surface of the product and thus subject said product to the force.

Abstract: An apparatus vertically realigns pallets in a stack of pallets. The apparatus has left and right panels with upper portions that are angled outwardly, and lower portions that are substantially vertical. Misaligned pallets in a stack placed in the apparatus engage the upper portions of the panels and are moved toward vertical alignment as the stack is lowered into the apparatus. The apparatus also includes compression plates that are movable between first and second positions relative to the apparatus. In the first positions, the compression plates have surfaces that angle toward each other and engage with misaligned pallets in the stack of pallets as the stack is moved from the apparatus toward a pallet dispenser. In the second position, the compression plates pivot toward the rear of the stack of pallets exiting the apparatus and push the stack into the pallet dispenser, thereby achieving additional vertical alignment of the stack.

Abstract: A transport device for a system for finger jointing pieces of wood, by packets, has a support. Transport means are provided, which are set up for moving the pieces of wood sliding along the support to the system for finger jointing. The transport means have a gripping device for holding the pieces of wood in place by packets, aligned flush at a first end, which is situated upstream, while the pieces are being pulled to a work station by way of the support.

Abstract: A conveyor line (10) for the transport of articles (20, 24) in an article stream (18) from a first processing line (50) to a second processing line (52). The conveyor line (10) includes a first conveyor section (11) and a second conveyor section (12). On the first conveyor section (11) the article stream (18) is formed by at least two articles (20, 24) arranged mostly side by side, whereby the second conveyor section (12) includes at least one lane dividing plate (30) for the separation of the articles (20, 24) into at least two lanes (31). A third conveyor section (13) is arranged between the first conveyor section (11) and the second conveyor section (12), the third conveyor section (13) including multiple deflections of the articles (20, 24) along a path with multiple curves.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting flat products and for orienting such products for applying printed indicia while the products are transported, comprises a conveyor system which transports flat products in a first direction while holding the products in a first orientation generally orthogonal to the first direction, and, during transport, orients at least a peripheral portion of the product in a direction opposite the first direction, in an orientation and position for applying printed indicia on the peripheral portion of the product. The apparatus and method are particularly applicable for use in applying address information to the upper right corner of newspapers.

Abstract: A container carrier turning device for a specimen container provided with an ID barcode and inserted into a carrier made advancing by a conveyor belt. The turning device includes a carrier stopping arrangement for rotatably engaging a lateral surface of the carrier to stop the advancing movement of the carrier while leaving it free to rotate around the container axis, and a carrier pressing arrangement for rotatably engaging an upper surface of the carrier. An elastic arrangement forces the carrier pressing arrangement to a carrier engaging position. An idle bearing, opposite to the carrier stopping arrangement, facilitates the carrier rotation. An RFID antenna is associated with the carrier turning device to identify a container carrier tag.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) loads product in the form of bags into a carton held at a tilt angle. The leading ends of the bags on an adjustment conveyor (20) are abutted by a bumper (30) to reorient the bags 90° on the adjustment conveyor (20). The downstream roller (44) of a twist conveyor (40) is tilted to collate bags on a decline conveyor (70). The collated bags are moved on an orientation conveyor (74) to engage a product scoop (110) extending at an inclined position and moved to a vertical position to vertically orient the bags. The orientation conveyor (74) is moved to an offset position to allow the bags to drop onto a lowerator (92) of an accumulator (86) where they can be sandwiched between retainer plates (88, 90). A pusher plate (94) pushes the bags off the lowerator (92) into the carton and is tilted to correspond to the tilt angle of the carton.

Abstract: A case turner comprising a powered roller conveyor with a bump turn and a tapered roller just downstream of the bump turn to assist in turning cases completely 90°. The larger diameter of the tapered roller is on the opposite side of the conveyor from the bump turn.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning disordered sheet material. The apparatus according to the invention in particular has the advantage, that disordered sheet material is fast and reliably aligned, so that the sheet material can be formed into bundles. Since the alignment of the sheet material can be carried out automatically by the apparatus, i.e. in particular has not to be carried out by an operator, moreover, a cost-effective alignment of the disordered sheet material is permitted.

Abstract: A conveyor and a method for depalletizing and singulating packages. The conveyor comprises, in one version, a set-down conveyor on which pallet layers are deposited and conveyed, a row-separation conveyor that separates the pallet layer into spaced rows, a row-extraction conveyor that extracts a leading row of packages from the trailing rows and conveys the packages of the extracted row in a transverse direction, and a singulating conveyor that arranges the articles in a single file. The conveyor system operates by first pulling a gap in the leading row of a pallet layer when the packages cross into the row-separation conveyor. Then the row is extracted from the other rows on the row-extraction conveyor. Finally, as the packages travel on and along the singulating conveyor, they are aligned to the conveyor's outer edge and rotated, if necessary, to be properly singulated.

Abstract: A bottle orienting device for orienting bottles including a neck with an opening on one end thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a first belt operable to advance a bottle in a first direction, a stationary kicker extending upward relative to a lower surface of the bottle as it moves in the first direction and positioned in a path of travel of the bottle such that the bottle will rotate around the kicker as it passes the kicker, and a rotation deflector positioned above the kicker and upstream from the kicker, the rotation deflector positioned such that it prevents rotation of the bottle when desired.

Abstract: A conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate on oblique axes to urge articles toward a side guide. The conveyor includes an oblique-roller belt supported on a carryway for running in a direction of belt travel. Rollers extend above an outer conveying surface of the belt without contact with the carryway. Each roller rotates on an axis oblique to the direction of belt travel and intersects the side guide downstream of the roller's position. A retractable stop is movable to and from a blocking position along the carryway. In the blocking position, the stop blocks the conveyed articles from advancing in the direction of belt travel. The rollers underlying the blocked articles rotate as the belt runs by contact with the articles. The rotating rollers provide a component of force to the blocked articles directed toward the side guide to push the articles against the side guide or other articles as they accumulate under low pressure upstream of the stop.

Abstract: Trays are indexed at predetermined pitch on a tray conveyor. As the trays are conveyed, a turning guide engages a leading tray portion, turning the tray and urging it transversely downward and/or into buckets on an adjacent bucket conveyor or cartons on an adjacent carton conveyor. A cam is disposed rearward of each tray on the tray conveyors and the turning trays pivot about that cam. A hold-down prevents trays climbing over the turning guide. Pressure relief and tray indexing are provided upstream of the tray conveyor. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transfer system and method for aligning articles. The transfer system comprises a transfer member adapted to transfer the articles along a designated path, an orientation-adjustment portion having an orienter that is adapted to rotate at least a first portion of the articles, and a receiving portion that is adapted to restrict movement of at least a second portion of the articles along the designated path Each of the articles has a surface configuration that allows the articles to compress along an axial direction when at least two of the surface configurations of a respective adjacent two of the articles are aligned, and the receiving portion and the orienter cooperate to align the first portion and the second portion and compress a length of the first portion and the second portion along an axial direction of the articles.

Abstract: To orient groups of products to be packaged in a plastic film the groups (G) are wrapped in lengths of film and fed between two series of opposite conveyor belts (211, 212). Each series of belts comprises several parallel belts controlled at proportionally variable speeds to cause the group (G) to rotate through approximately 90° about an axis orthogonal to the direction of feed.

Abstract: A case positioner system for orienting a case from an upended position to a corrected position has a frame, a conveyor translatably arranged relative to said frame, a bottom projection positioned below said conveyor, an abutment member interconnected to said frame and positioned above said conveyor, and a translator connected to the bottom projection. The bottom projection is movable between an upward position and a downward position. The abutment member is movable between an upper position and a lower position. The translator moves the bottom projection upstream on said conveyor when said abutment member is in said lower position.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.

Abstract: The system and a method are for lengthwise positioning of transversally-oriented elongated articles as they are being longitudinally conveyed, the system and method comprising sliding a laterally extending end of the elongated article against a fence oriented in a converging angle relative to the conveyor, to thereby displace the elongated article lengthwisely. The fence is comprised of a plurality of adjacent gates which can be individually moved out of interference with the elongated article once the elongated article has been lengthwisely displaced to the desired transversal position. The fence can be provided as a fence assembly having the plurality of gates mounted to a common base, and having a plurality of actuators each connected between the base and a respective gate for moving the gate.