Abstract: A system for performing a processing step on device parts of simulated smoking devices, such as electronic cigarettes, system comprising a processing station to perform the processing step on the device parts, product carriers to hold the device parts during the processing step, a first transport device and a second transport device to move the product carriers along at least part of a processing trajectory extending through the processing station.

Abstract: The method for handling primary containers (2) for pharmaceutical use transported along an automatic treatment line (1) operating in a controlled environment from a contamination point of view comprises the following steps: introducing into the line a secondary container (6) equipped with rows of positioning seats (18) housing the primary containers (2) separately from one another; extracting in succession the primary containers (2) maintaining the primary containers (2) separate and transferring the extracted primary containers (2) to the treatment station (10) in succession one at a time.

Abstract: A method and device for conveying and grouping products by supplying the products in a first conveying direction on a track by a first conveying device, wherein the products are located one behind another at arbitrary spacings; grouping the products on the track by a grouping device so that a defined number of products are arranged at defined spacings one behind another in a formed product group on the track behind the grouping device in the conveying direction; and transferring the formed product group to a second conveying device for forwarding in a second conveying direction so that the products maintain their relative alignment at the defined spacings with respect to one another in the formed product group and are essentially located side by side in a row. In a multiple-track embodiment, a product matrix is formed from several product groups which are located side by side.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transporting plastic-container preforms, the device including an endless circulating element having an outer surface and being capable of moving the preforms along a path by rubbing against the preforms, the device including a stationary mounting defining a planar bearing surface for the preforms, the circulating element having a series of brushes which extend projecting from the outer surface, capable of engaging with the preforms in order to move same by rubbing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transporting packagings from a packaging apparatus having two dropping channels to a transport container. A first transport element has compartments, the center-to-center distance of which corresponds to a center-to-center distance of the dropping channels, receives the packagings from the packaging producing apparatus. A second transport element has compartments for transporting the packagings to the transport container, wherein the center-to-center distance of the compartments of the second transport element corresponds to half of the center-to-center distance of the dropping channels. The apparatus has a transfer unit for transferring the packaging from the first transport element to the second transport element, and to which a positioning device is assigned for positioning the compartments of the first transport element relative to the compartments of the second transport element.

Abstract: An inline product feeder for a packaging line and related methods are disclosed. In one example, an inline product feeder includes a product input line configured to receive a contiguous supply of products and configured to guide the products in continuous motion along a path of travel. The inline product feeder also includes a packaging line configured to receive separated groups of the products from the product input line. The inline feeder further includes a feeder unit configured to separate groups of products from the contiguous supply of products in the product input line and move the group of products into the packaging line, each of the separated groups of products including a predetermined number of products from the product input line.

Abstract: A method and an automatic picking machine is provided for filling an order container by means of an ejector and conveyor belt. An ejector is provided configured as a revolving belt directly as a substantially horizontal product storage element. The stored products (3) to be picked are placed onto the conveyor belt (2) or directly into the order container (10) upon actuation of the revolving belt. The preferably bulky non-stackable products (3) are located preferably individually in product compartments (5) of the ejector and are ejected individually.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for creating a product flow according to a predefined sequence (S). The products (A, B, C) are fed from different feed flows of a grouping path (G) and there, according to the sequence (S), are deposited onto a conveyor (10, 10) with a closed revolving path (U). According to the invention a repair function is realised in which the products (A, B, C) are then only transferred from the conveyor to a further-processing station if the sequence (S) is correct and all products (A, B, C) are present with the desired quality. Otherwise, the products (A, B, C) are led by the continuously operated conveyors (A, B, C) back to the grouping path (G). Here, the error is corrected by way of the deposition of the missing product (A, B, C), whilst the deposition of new products (A, B, C) is interrupted. For error correction, one may previously provide a discharge of a defect or wrong product (A, B, C).

Abstract: A method and arrangement for producing print items. The arrangement includes a circulating first conveyor with conveying units uniformly spaced-apart to transport horizontally deposited print products that are gathered into loose book blocks and a second conveyor with conveying units uniformly spaced-apart which circulates with synchronized timing with respect to the first conveyor. The second conveyor is assigned to an adhesive-binding machine. The first and the second conveyors are arranged relative to each other so that they present a joint conveying section in which the book blocks are displaceable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The arrangement also includes a displacement device arranged to displace the book blocks in the direction transverse to the conveying direction such that the displacement device moves with synchronized timing relative to the first and second conveying units.

Abstract: A system for combining groups of flat objects includes a matrix-like arrangement of a plurality of group conveyors and a plurality of feed conveyors disposed above the group conveyors, wherein all conveyors are operated continuously and the operation of all group conveyors and all feed conveyors is rigidly coupled. At feed points, which are regions in which a feed conveyor crosses over a group conveyor, group conveyors and feed conveyors are rectified. Both the group conveyors and the feed conveyors can be returned, and the steps for receiving objects by the feed conveyors, for transferring the objects to the group conveyors, and for transferring groups to a removing conveyor or further processing station are strictly synchronized and are selectively performed or suppressed in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus is provided for collating or inserting inserts. The sheet handling apparatus has a raceway adapted to transport sets of inserts at a raceway transport rate. An insert feed line is provided adapted to feed individual inserts to the sets of inserts on the raceway at the raceway transport rate. The insert feed line has a Singulater adapted to separate the individual inserts from bundles of inserts at a separation rate. The separation rate may be varied to allow the insert feed line to feed the individual inserts to the sets of inserts on the raceway at the raceway transport rate.

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) includes a lane assembly (12) that includes one or more lanes (L) which guide cylindrical articles (B), such as cans or bottles, across a series of substantially parallel conveyors. The lane assembly (12) includes an adjustable guide bar (34) which defines an adjustable portion (V) of the lane (L) that can be adjusted to adapt to the diameter of articles (B). The lane assembly (12) also includes lane extensions (70) that can be adjusted to control the position of rows or articles (B) as the articles (B) exit the lanes (L) onto a conveyor (20).

Abstract: A conveyor system and associated method for conveying tires received from a multiplicity of tire presses. The conveyor system shown comprises a main, or trench, conveyor flanked on opposite sides by opposing groups of tire presses. Discharge conveyors deliver tires from the tire presses to the main conveyor at multiple positions along the length of the main conveyor. The tires are delivered from both sides of the main conveyor, which conveys them downstream. An open-loop sequencer activates each discharge conveyor to deliver tires to the main conveyor according to a schedule including the sequence of activating each of the discharge conveyors so as to avoid collisions between tires on the main conveyor.

Abstract: An novel apparatus and technique may be used to induct articles onto a conveyor comprising at least one conveyor belt that moves articles along a first path that extends in a first direction. The apparatus may be used to move an article along a second path that extends in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, to a first position above but not in contact with the at least one conveyor belt. After the article has been moved to the first position above but not in contact with the at least one conveyor belt, the apparatus may be used to move the article onto the at least one conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing an end cap on a cylindrical workpiece includes a stationary support base, a guide member, a push bar, and an applicator device. The guide member is affixed to the stationary support base, and includes a ramp, disposed at an angle to the horizontal. The push bar is slidably movable in relation to the support base. The applicator includes a back plate which is operatively pivotally attached to the push bar at a pivot connection. The lower part of the applicator has a post attached thereto, which rides along the ramp of the guide member. Linear inward movement of the push bar, from a first position to a second position thereof, moves the applicator post up the ramp of the guide member, pivoting the applicator around the pivot connection, and causing the back plate to move from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation thereof.

Abstract: A method for selecting random length boards for nesting into a single row of predetermined lengths includes the initial step of arranging a plurality of random length boards on an accumulating rack. A plurality of the boards are then conveyed to channels in an adjacent storage rack. The length of each board is determined as the board is conveyed from the accumulating rack to the storage rack, and this information is transmitted to a central processor. The processor calculates combinations of board lengths in the storage rack which will form a single stock row having a combined board length within a predetermined target range. The processor then selects a preferred combination of boards from the possible combinations, and activates gates in the channels to drop the boards to a conveyor and move the selected boards to a stock row accumulating location. The processor then activates gates on the accumulating rack tracks to convey additional boards to empty channels in the storage rack, and repeats the process.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring rod-like articles such as cigarettes comprising a series of hoppers (2, 4, 6) which deliver rows of cigarettes to fluted planetary wheels (8, 10, 12) which are mounted on a rotating carrier and driven around a central drum (20), by gearing between the planet wheels and the drum. The drum is provided with pockets (22, 24) etc each of which is three rows deep so as to accommodate the output from three of the planet wheels. In this way the cigarettes are grouped into bundles for subsequent packaging.