Abstract: A conveying device for converting a serially transported piece goods stream into a parallelly transported piece goods stream. A feed belt conveyor serially feeds the piece goods stream, and a plurality of discharge belt conveyors parallelly discharge the fed piece goods stream. The discharge belt conveyors are assigned to a longitudinal side of the feed belt conveyor. The directions of transport of the discharge belt conveyors are oriented parallel to one another and transversely to the direction of transport of the feed belt conveyor. The discharge belt conveyors are configured as telescopic belt conveyors. The longitudinal side of the upper strand of the feed belt conveyor that is assigned to the discharge belt conveyors is arranged lower than the opposite longitudinal side of the upper strand of the feed belt conveyor.

Abstract: [Problem] To develop a device for diverting, to multiple conveyance paths, a plurality of cup-shaped containers conveyed in a single file on a manufacturing line, and consolidating a prescribed number of the containers as a group so as to be sequentially and continuously conveyed. [Solution] The method that has been found to be effective involves providing a plurality of adjacently arranged successive conveyance paths that branch out from a conveyance path of a conveyance device that continuously conveys cup-shaped containers having prescribed shapes in a single file, sequentially conveying the cup-shaped containers on the branch conveyance paths, stopping the movement of the cup-shaped containers and aligning the containers at the end point of the branch conveyance paths, consolidating the containers as a group at the end point in each of the conveyance paths, and transferring the cup-shaped containers to another conveyance path.

Abstract: A conveying system (1), comprising a modular conveyor belt (2) supported on a conveyor track (3) so that top surfaces (4) of the modules (5) of the conveyor belt present a conveying face (6) that in use moves along the track in a conveying direction, and at least one plastic bottle supported at its bottom on the conveying face via one or more textured surfaces at a bottom of the bottle. The disclosure also includes a method of conveying bottles, wherein plastic bottles are supported with their bottoms on a moving conveying face of a conveyor, and wherein the conveying face and the bottom of the bottle are conveyed via one or more textured surfaces (12) at a bottom of the bottle. The disclosure further includes use of at least one textured bottom surface of a plastic bottle for conveying, and a blow mold for blow molding a plastic bottle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying arrangement comprising at least one mover (20) which has at least one permanent magnet (19) connected to the mover (20), said permanent magnet (19) cooperating with at least one coil plane (18) of a drive surface (13) to drive the mover (20) particularly without contact, and further comprising at least one conveying system (30, 38), preferably conveying products (32), characterized in that the conveying system (30, 38), preferably a conveyor belt, is arranged between the drive surface (13) and the mover (20).

Abstract: An assembly for the sorted conveyance of substantially plate-like products, the assembly includes a stroke limiting shoulder, downstream of at least one supply line, a first pusher having a lateral surface that faces and is proximate to the stroke limiting shoulder, and at least one second pusher, which is adjacent to the other pusher. The pushers are substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the products and are independently movable from a first configuration, in which the respective end face faces and is proximate to the edge of the at least one supply line, to a second configuration, in which the end face faces and is proximate to the edge of the exit channel, surmounting the respective supply line. The exit channel includes consecutive receptacles for accommodating clusters of products.

Abstract: A device for aligning and transferring articles including: a counter 3 for aligning, at a gathering position P, an article set W composed of a predetermined number of uncompressed articles; a discharger 4 for discharging the article set W aligned at the gathering position P to a receiving position P0; and at least one transfer bed for supporting a bottom surface of the article set W and reciprocating between the receiving position P0 and a hand-over position P1, P2, thereby receiving the article set W at the receiving position P0, transferring the article set W to the hand-over position P1, P2, and returning to the receiving position P0. The transfer bed L1, R1 and the second support section 20 for compressing the article set W are driven by first and second motors, respectively.

Abstract: A batch conveying unit for a unit for conveying plate-like elements has at least two transport devices adjacent and parallel to one another (13, 14, 16) which are capable of transporting (L) the batches (3, 6) in a longitudinal direction, drive means for the transport devices (13), and an actuating device for coupling and decoupling a second transport device (14, 28) relative to a first transport device (14, 27), so as to transport (L) a first batch (6) of elements with the first transport device (14, 27) in the longitudinal direction and to leave a second batch (7) of plate-like elements with the second transport device (14, 28) substantially immobile longitudinally when the second transport device (14, 28) is decoupled from the first transport device (14, 27).

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor lane divider for dividing trays that are received in one lane from an infeed conveyor and are passed on to a two-lane production unit. The conveyor lane divider has a line motion control system that can be automatically initialized when starting.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying printed products, includes a first accumulating section and at least one second accumulating section to convey the printed products from at least one intake area to at least one discharge area. The apparatus includes a feeding device to supply the printed products to one of the first or second accumulating sections in the at least one intake area. The apparatus further includes a discharge device to remove the printed products from one of the first or second accumulating sections in the at least one discharge area.

Abstract: There is disclosed a unit for forming a layer with at least one first batch and one second batch of first groups and second groups of articles, comprising: a first conveying line which may be fed with a first row of first groups and which outputs first batch separated from the remaining first groups travelling parallel to a first direction; and one second conveying line which may be fed with a second row of second groups and which outputs second batch separated from the remaining second groups travelling parallel to first direction; unit further comprises control means configured for receiving a signal associated to a misalignment between first batch and second batch along a second direction transversal to first direction, and for generating a modified first speed profile for at least one conveyor of first conveying line or of second conveying line, so as to recover misalignment.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying printed products, includes a first accumulating section and at least one second accumulating section to convey the printed products from at least one intake area to at least one discharge area. The apparatus includes a feeding device to supply the printed products to one of the first or second accumulating sections in the at least one intake area. The apparatus further includes a discharge device to remove the printed products from one of the first or second accumulating sections in the at least one discharge area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for forming groups of products that arrive in a line, separated on a feeding conveyor (2), which includes vertically separated collectors (4) connected to chutes (8) that are arranged transversely relative to the feeding axis, said chutes (8) each comprising a mobile carriage (7) that supports a collector (4) by means of an actuator (11), said carriages (7) and actuators (11) being vertically adjacent and controlled by a programmable automaton (17) suitable for controlling the cyclic polygonal movement of each collector (4). The means for controlling the collectors (4) offer the possibility of organizing the capture of the products and, in particular, of selecting a number of collectors (4) suited to the group forming rates and/or the type of products (1) to be formed into groups.

Abstract: The present device is a collator and an infeed conveyor wherein the collator receives product from the infeed conveyor at an infeed point of the infeed conveyor. The product includes a flat side and an edge side and the collator and infeed conveyor are adapted to select between delivery of the product to the collator at an on flat load position and delivery of the product to the collator at an on edge load position. Preferably the collator includes an adjustment mechanism for urging the collator between a left position and a right position and the conveyor includes an height adjustment mechanism for urging the conveyor between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging plant and a method of operating a picker line for feeding products into packaging troughs of a packaging machine, comprising a first feed belt and a second feed belt, the speed of the second feed belt being reduced relative to the speed of the first feed belt so as to buffer the products which have not been gripped by the first picker and allow the last picker to grip all the products and to feed them in.

Abstract: A device for taking over, temporarily storing and passing on elongated, hollow-cylindrical product units, preferably tubes, sleeves or cans, which come from a production line, has a first supplying conveyor belt and a continuously delivering second conveyor belt. The first and the second conveyor belts are disposed horizontally lying one above the other in a transfer zone. An intermediate storage arrangement is designed as a high-rack storage arrangement or as a paternoster storage arrangement. At least one handling robot is also located in the region of the transfer zone between the conveyor belts and the intermediate storage arrangement. This handling robot is designed either (a) to take a number of product units from the first conveyor belt and to feed them to the second conveyor belt or the intermediate storage arrangement, or (b) to remove a number of product units from the intermediate storage arrangement and to feed them to the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) in the form of a thin piece of flexible material. The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a sweep bar (62a) which collects the product on the sweep conveyor (22). The metering and sweep bars (52ba, 62a) move independently in the same direction along the same endless path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for collecting products (2) arriving in line on a conveyor (1), using a collector device (4) provided transversally relative to the advancement direction. The collector (4) deposits and drops the products collected at a take-up station (10) located on the side of said supply conveyor (1) the collector (4) is capable of a loop movement that can divided into a transverse movement combined with a longitudinal movement upwards of the queue, i.e. a movement opposite to that of the product supply conveyor. The equipment for implementing the method includes a table (3) provided at and along the conveyor (1), a collector (4) carried by an appropriate structure for longitudinal and transverse movement above said conveyor (1) and said table (3). The table (3) includes two panels (31, 32) extending on either side of the supply conveyor (1) for depositing and dropping the products collected on either side of the conveyor (1) at the edge thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (1) having at least one inlet conveyor belt (3) for loose, un-grouped articles (5), and at least one grouping device (7) for the loose, un-grouped articles (5) for the orderly composing of articles. An outlet conveyor belt (9) is associated with the grouping device (7), said outlet conveyor belt (9) feeding the articles thereon grouped without containers to a packaging device (10). The invention also provides a method for composing packages for a packaging machine.

Abstract: A product transfer system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a rotatable transporter. The first conveyor conveys a series of products along a first axis. The second conveyor is oriented along a second axis. The second axis is spaced below the first axis. The rotatable transporter has a plurality of open compartments. The open compartments are positioned around the rotatable transporter. The rotatable transporter is adapted to move each of the open compartments along a first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein an open compartment of the plurality of open compartments is substantially aligned with the first axis to receive products from the first conveyor when located at the first position, and continues to move after the receiving the products to the second position, wherein the products are dropped on the second conveyor when said open compartment of the plurality of open compartments moves from the second position to the third position.

Abstract: A device for aligning and transferring articles including: a counter 3 for aligning, at a gathering position P, an article set W composed of a predetermined number of uncompressed articles; a discharger 4 for discharging the article set W aligned at the gathering position P to a receiving position P0; and at least one transfer bed for supporting a bottom surface of the article set W and reciprocating between the receiving position P0 and a hand-over position P1, P2, thereby receiving the article set W at the receiving position P0, transferring the article set W to the hand-over position P1, P2, and returning to the receiving position P0. The transfer bed L1, R1 and the second support section 20 for compressing the article set W are driven by first and second motors, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for forming groups of products that arrive in a line, separated on a feeding conveyor (2), which includes vertically separated collectors (4) connected to chutes (8) that are arranged transversely relative to the feeding axis, said chutes (8) each comprising a mobile carriage (7) that supports a collector (4) by means of an actuator (11), said carriages (7) and actuators (11) being vertically adjacent and controlled by a programmable automaton (17) suitable for controlling the cyclic polygonal movement of each collector (4). The means for controlling the collectors (4) offer the possibility of organizing the capture of the products and, in particular, of selecting a number of collectors (4) suited to the group forming rates and/or the type of products (1) to be formed into groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for forming batches of products to be loaded into receptacles, including: a conveyer (5) having housings, including two links supporting a plurality of pallets (53) defining housings (51) between same; a supply conveyer (2) arranged substantially perpendicular to the housing conveyer (5) and capable of transporting products (9) one behind the other and of supplying at least one product in each housing to a loading station via one open lateral side of said housings, the housing conveyer being provided with abutment means (70) arranged on the lateral side of the housing opposite the supply conveyer and used as an abutment for the product to be loaded into each housing; and unloading means capable of simultaneously unloading a batch of products from a series of housings of the housing conveyer at an unloading station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grouping together products that arrive in line and are spaced apart from each other on an infeed conveyor (2), consisting of: collecting the products on the fly by means of a pair of collectors (4) that move transversely relative to the products on said conveyor (2); moving the products collected by collector (4A) to a removal station (11) and, at the same time, replacing said collector (4A) with the second collector (4B) that, in turn, collects the products; and dropping off the products from collector (4A) to the removal station (11) and bringing said collector (4A) back to a collecting position while intersecting collector (4B).

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises immobilizing the queue on its entire length using flaps (10, 11) for creating a gap between two consecutive objects and for isolating downstream from said gap a group of objects defining the batch; inserting into the gap thus created a first cleat (39) having a longitudinal advance speed Vt lower than the running speed Va of the conveyor belt (3); releasing said immobilized queue and making the cleat in charge of it; starting a new temporary immobilization of said queue; and so on. The device for implementing the method comprises: on the one hand, means in the form of flaps (10, 11) for immobilizing the queue on the length thereof by clamping in order to define a gap between two consecutive objects in said queue, and on the other hand, a means in the form of cleats (39) that can be inserted in and take in charge the immobilized queue. Each cleat (39) is associated with a roller-shaped member (38) for maneuvering the flap (10).

Abstract: The device includes a feed path for the products, along which the products move forward, divided into single packs with the interposition of at least one separator finger between one pack and the next; an oscillating support to receive packs of products and tip them onto a conveyor below; a front retaining element, which can be inserted and removed with respect to the feed path of the products to frontally retain the pile of products while the oscillating support performs an oscillation movement and deposits a pack on the conveyor below. The front retaining element is inserted in a space formed between the first and the second pack of the pile. The space is obtained by oscillating the support downwards. The oscillating support moves downwards by a first downwards angular movement and a second angular movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for marshalling objects into groups on a single, driven conveyor. The conveyor has two end rollers and at least one deflector roller positioned at the lower part of the conveyor. The apparatus also includes an end stop positioned at the one end roller of the conveyor as well as a stop plate disposed to move up and down, at 90° in relation to the conveyor. The conveyor further has a deflection point placed at the upper part of the conveyor. The conveyor is disposed to be slanted downwards from this deflection point in that the end roller is moved downwards.

Abstract: A conveyance device for accumulating and aligning a plurality of articles and conveying a batch of the articles includes a conveyance unit, first, second and third support members, and a drive unit. The conveyance unit is configured to convey the batch of the articles in a conveying direction. The first and second support members are configured to move along the conveyance unit so as to support an article disposed at a front end or a back end among the articles constituting the batch of the articles. The third support member is arranged on the conveyance unit and configured to move with respect to the conveyance unit so as to sandwich the batch of the articles between the third support member and at least one of the first support member and the second support member. The drive unit is configured to independently drive the first, second and third support members.

Abstract: An arrangement for the distribution of products (Pn) includes a distribution device consisting of a phaser (23) that includes two belts (50, 52) driven independently and each comprising at least one cam (60) driven at a deflecting speed and selectively controlled in an operation mode for, according to a predetermined distribution sequence, contacting at least one product (Pn) of a first queue (F1) in order to deflect laterally the product (Pn) from an initial position to a determined final position which is transversally offset relative to the initial position so as to form at least a second queue of products (Pn) parallel or orthogonal to the first queue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for collecting products (2) arriving in line on a conveyor (1), using a collector device (4) provided transversally relative to the advancement direction. The collector (4) deposits and drops the products collected at a take-up station (10) located on the side of said supply conveyor (1) the collector (4) is capable of a loop movement that can divided into a transverse movement combined with a longitudinal movement upwards of the queue, i.e. a movement opposite to that of the product supply conveyor. The equipment for implementing the method includes a table (3) provided at and along the conveyor (1), a collector (4) carried by an appropriate structure for longitudinal and transverse movement above said conveyor (1) and said table (3). The table (3) includes two panels (31, 32) extending on either side of the supply conveyor (1) for depositing and dropping the products collected on either side of the conveyor (1) at the edge thereof.

Abstract: A packaging device for grouping product items, especially semi-soft tissue paper packs (7), to a bundle of layered rows (L1, L2, L3) of said product items (7) having a supply line (1) including a main conveyor belt (5) constituently carrying and supplying a stream of product items (7) in a defined orientation along an infeed main path (6) to a transfer position (18), an elevator means (2) having a plurality of stack-forming receptacles (23) each receiving a grouped row (L1, L2, L3) of a specified number of said product items (7) in a chopped manner from the transfer position of said supply line (1) at an input end of the elevator means (2), wherein the elevator means (2) is adapted to successively displace the stacked grouped rows of product items (7) in a side-by-side relationship orthogonally to the infeed main path (6) to an output end of the elevator means (2), and an outfeed unit (3) engaging with the elevator means (2), commonly removing a specified number stacked grouped rows (L1, L2, L3) of said pr

Abstract: A sorting plant and method for sorting articles, especially flat mail consignments, include a conveying device, a transfer mechanism and at least one reception device. A conveying transport mechanism of the conveying device transports an article along a conveyor track. The reception device has a plurality of reception components for at least one respective article and a reception transport mechanism. The reception transport mechanism moves the reception components along a reception component track and simultaneously brings one respective reception component of the reception device into a transfer position. The reception component track has a reception segment proceeding vertically or obliquely from the top downward. The transfer mechanism brings an article from the conveying device into one of the reception devices when the article is located at a transfer point on the conveyor track and when this reception component is located in a transfer position with respect to the transfer point.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming a stable arrangement of bottles so they can be moved on an inline conveyor system. This is accomplished by an apparatus for nesting bottles comprising a first conveyor having lanes of bottles, and a second conveyor, wherein a fixed number of bottles from each lane is released from each lane in a staggered arrangement to facilitate nesting of the released bottles and then pushing and guiding the released bottles from the first conveyor onto a second conveyor so that the bottles form a nested bundle.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided for conveying and buffering articles (G) and the like along a vertically extending, substantially helical path. A conveying assembly such as a conveyor belt or conveyor rollers is supported by a frame and driven by a drive unit and extends along said helical path and conveys articles along said path. The substantially helical path is divided into zones (Z), each zone being provided with switch members, in such a manner that the conveyor can be switched in each zone between a conveying position, in which the conveying assembly conveys the articles, and a buffering position, in which the articles present in said zone are stationary. Buffering devices distributed over the length of the conveyor and being present in each zone support the articles in the buffering position.

Abstract: A conveying device is adapted to receive a plurality of articles, to accumulate the articles so as to form a batch of the articles, and to convey the batch of the articles. The conveying device includes a delivery unit, a placing unit and a control unit. The delivery unit is configured and arranged to turn the articles to orient the articles in a standing position after receiving the articles while delivering the articles to a downstream side at a delivery position. The placing unit is configured and arranged to accumulate the articles sequentially delivered from the delivery unit to form the batch of the articles in a prescribed accumulation form. The control unit is configured to change a delivery interval in which each of the articles is sequentially delivered to the placing unit according to the prescribed accumulation form.

Abstract: Products (6) are fed in an ordered succession by a unit (100) comprising a conveyor unit (1) equipped with pockets (43, 53), an outfeed conveyor (3) on which products (6) advance in succession at a given pitch (p2), also a transfer unit (2) operating between the conveyor unit (1) and the outfeed conveyor (3). The conveyor unit (1) presents a first belt (4) and a second belt (5) placed one beside the other and equipped with independent motors (M1, M2), whilst the pockets (43, 53) are arranged in first and second groups, each comprising a given number (n) of pockets ordered at constant pitch (p1) and associated respectively with the first belt (4) and the second belt (5), so that the groups are alternated one with another along a predetermined path (P).

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of mixed packages and device for carrying out said method. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer method and an apparatus (1) for transferring articles (2) between a line conveyor (25), on which the articles (2) are transported continuously in one or more lines (21), and a stationary or movable tray (7) for accommodating one or more rows (10) of articles. The transfer apparatus (1) has a row-transfer mechanism (11) with a gripping device (12) for one or more rows (10) of articles, and with a manipulator (15). The transfer apparatus (1) also has an accumulating device (27) for temporarily forming and delimiting accumulated groups (28) of articles and gaps (29) in the continuous line (21) on the line conveyor (25) and for independently transporting the group (28) of articles along the line conveyor (25).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for transferring elongate food products (2), comprising: a carrier (3) with a carrying surface for supporting a row of elongate food products (2), and a displaceable transfer means (4) positioned at least partially above the carrier (3) and provided with a least one contact surface (6) for urging at least one elongate food product (2) from the carrier (3). The invention also relates to a method for transferring at least one elongate food product (2) supplied on the carrying surface of a carrier (3).

Abstract: A machining system and unit, especially a welding cell, is provided for use for the machining of workpieces (2), especially body parts of vehicles. The machining system has one or more machining stations (15, 16) with robots (18, 19, 20) and at least one rotation or turning station (5), which has at least two work stations (6, 7) for carrying out different operations simultaneously. The turning station (5) has at least two multiaxially movable turning units (8, 9) arranged next to one another with said gripping tools (11, 12, 13). The working areas (10) intersect each other at the work stations (6, 7).

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting articles includes a first transporter (e.g. a conveyor) for transporting articles in a line and a member that separates the articles in the line into groups and also removes the groups from the line while the articles continue to be transported.

Abstract: A continuous feeding device for a single layer color film packaging machine includes a pair of chains mounted at two sides above a conveyor belt, the chains being engaged with a plurality of gears, a plurality of a linking rods equidistantly mounted between the two chains, two first sensors disposed close to an outer side of one of the chains for detecting the linking rods, a platform installed at an end of the conveyor belt, an electric motor mounted beside the conveyor belt and being drivingly connected with an axle on which are fixedly mounted two of the gears engaged with the chains, and two second sensors each mounted close to an outer side of a respective one of the chains, the two second sensors being aligned with each other, whereby the articles can be continuously packaged thus increasing the efficiency.

Abstract: Collection assembly for collecting and stacking articles. The articles are first moved adjacent to one another with the aid of positioning elements. The positioning elements comprise the conveyor belt that extends obliquely with respect to the distribution conveyor and that can be moved over the distribution conveyor to a greater or lesser extent. After bringing the articles into a row on a discharge plate, these are stacked, optionally via a buffer plate, on a lift plate and after the stack has been compressed to some extent this stack is slid into the box in such a way that the products concerned are placed vertically in the box.

Abstract: A method for transferring blister packs to a step-less moving feeding line of a packaging machine, according to which a gripping member of a three-axes robot device picks up at least one group of blister packs from an outlet line of a blistering machine. The robot device moves in a direction as the outlet line, so as to follow the movement thereof. The group of blister packs is transferred to the feeding line, following the movement thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for collating and cartonning product units comprising: product infeed means adapted to dispense a succession of discrete product units; one or more servo-trains, the or each servo-train comprising a plurality of buckets in which each bucket is adapted to receive a predetermined number of product units from the product infeed means to form a product group; first conveying means for conveying said one or more servo-trains between a loading station juxtaposed said product infeed means and a dispensing station; cartonning means comprising second conveying means adapted for transporting a succession of cartons juxtaposed said dispensing station; driving means associated with said first conveying means; controlling means for controlling operation of the driving means such that when a servo-train is positioned at the loading station, said servo-train is moved intermittently in synchronisation with the product infeed means for collating product units into the buckets, and after loading of the servo-train is

Abstract: Groups of individual shingled items such as graham crackers or cookies are stacked in vertical stacks of predetermined heights and/or number of items using a stacking apparatus having at least one set of lowering arms. A stacking conveyor belt continuously delivers groups of shingled items to the end of the conveyor where the items come into contact with the lowering arms. The lowering arms then gently lower shingled items to a lower stacking level while forming a vertical stack. The items in the stack remain in substantially horizontal position while being lowered from the stacking conveyor to the lower stacking level. The apparatus is substantially jam-free and is highly tolerant to irregular placement of the shingled items on the stacking conveyor. The stacking apparatus can be used for stacking of groups of shingled items of different size and/or weight with little or no modification.

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming batches in predetermined count or length of laminar articles standing on edge for transfer from multiple supply lines/chutes to a common delivery line is disclosed. The common delivery line is located operatively below the supply lines/chutes. The axis of movement of the common delivery line is perpendicular to the axes of movement of the supply lines/chutes. The apparatus includes a horizontal platform on which the laminar articles, such as biscuits are led from the supply lines/chutes, pusher bars operating simultaneously for each of the arrays of laminar articles emanating from the supply lines/chutes on to the platform. The batch of articles displaced from the arrays are pushed towards striker plates adjacent to hatches in the platform. The batch of laminar articles strike the striker plate, align themselves and rebound from the striker plate without deformation and drop through the hatches in the platform to pockets in the common delivery line below.

Abstract: Cooling tunnel for flexible packages filled with hot liquid products. The cooling tunnel is applicable to automatic packaging installations and comprises a main conveyor belt (1) adapted for the transport of packages (2) filled with hot liquid products through a cooling device (3), loading means (4) of packages (2) onto the main conveyor belt (1), unloading means (5) of packages (2) from the conveyor belt (1) and emptying means (6) of the packages (2). The loading means (4) are adapted for loading the packages (2) onto the main conveyor belt (1) forming successive sets (15), in which the packages (2) form an arrangement of orthogonal rows and columns, whereas the unloading means (5) are adapted for the simultaneous unloading of the packages (2) from each row of the sets (15) of packages (2).

Abstract: In an apparatus for packaging piece goods, a piece-goods article of a first type (A) and a plurality of piece goods of a second type (B) are introduced into a common pack. The apparatus has a first conveyor (1), for feeding piece goods of the first type (A), a second conveyor (3), for feeding piece goods of a second type (B), and a packing station (7), for forming a flexible tube (72). It also has at least one feed station (2), from which the piece goods of the second type (B) are deposited by means of the second conveyor (3) such that the piece goods of the second type (B) are located one above the other at least in part and form first groups. In each case one of these first groups is deposited on a piece-goods article of the first type (A) from the second conveyor (3) by conveying means (4, 10), this resulting in the formation of a second group, which is introduced into the flexible tube (72).