Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a quality of empties comprising pallets, boxes and bottles which are fed to an equipment for sorting the empties according to the quality and for controlling the equipment. The method comprises: Receiving a pallet that is palletized with boxes that can comprise bottles, assigning information about an origin of the pallet; feeding the pallet to a depalletizer, determining whether the pallet is depalletizable, and assigning information to depalletizability to the pallet, and if the pallet is depalletizable, depalletizing the pallet; assigning information about the origin to each of the depalletized pallets; feeding the boxes to an empties inspection system, determining whether the boxes are unloadable, and assigning information about unloadability to each of the boxes; if the boxes are unloadable, checking the fullness with bottles and assigning information about the fullness to each of the boxes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sorting device for separating buds or other product into groups by size. The device may be generally defined by two, spaced apart conveyor belts that operate in transverse directions such that items placed in the space between the two conveyor belts move in transverse directions depending on their size.

Abstract: An object processing system within a trailer for a tracker trailer is disclosed. The object processing system includes an input area of the trailer at which objects to be processed may be presented, a perception system for providing perception data regarding objects to be processed, and a primary transport system for providing transport of each object in one of at least two primary transport directions within the trailer based on the perception data.

Abstract: An object processing system within a trailer for a tractor trailer is disclosed. The object processing system includes an input area of the trailer at which objects to be processed may be presented, a perception system for providing perception data regarding objects to be processed, and a primary transport system for providing transport of each object in one of at least two primary transport directions within the trailer based on the perception data.

Abstract: A module or fitting for applying and controlling the application of a liquid, gas, vapor, or spray, in an embodiment for applying a lubricant to the neck guides of an air conveyance line configured to slidingly move containers supported on the neck guides, the modules comprising a housing section having a lubricant reservoir formed therein, and a container support section, and defining a slot for securing the fittings to a neck guide support rail in a position interspersed along the air conveyor rails with the neck guides, with the container support surface in alignment with the neck guide support surface, and channels formed in the modules for dispensing the on the container support surface in close proximity to the container support flanges which are slidingly supported.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an accumulation module for a product delivery system includes an input shaft configured to receive an external drive force. A transfer shaft reverses an operation of the external drive force to define a reversing drive force. An output shaft receives the reversing drive force. An accumulation belt is operated by the reversing drive force. The accumulation belt operates in opposition to the external drive force.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a device for aligning a number of packages including at least one bottom belt. In some embodiments, the at least one bottom belt may include a first end portion for receiving packages and a second end portion for exiting packages. In some embodiments, said at least one bottom belt may include a laterally declined portion facing a support surface arranged along a side of the at least one bottom belt, whereby in use, packages conveyed by the at least one bottom belt move laterally towards the support surface for alignment thereto due to the laterally declined portion and by means of gravity.

Abstract: A side-by-side reducer (SSR) conveyor has one lateral side of driven rollers operating at a different longitudinal running speed than another lateral side of driven rollers. The one lateral has an input section of driven rollers skewed away from the other lateral side followed by a converging zone of driven rollers skewed toward the other lateral side. The separation prevents frictional contact between side-by-side cartons so that one can be longitudinally moved a different velocity than the other to converge in a tandem arrangement.

Abstract: A mixed article sortation system and method of sorting the bulk flow of mixed articles being of various sizes and shapes to separate destinations includes at least two bulk flow singulators, each configured to receive a bulk flow of mixed articles and arrange the articles to respective first and second single-file flows. A first article induct arranges the first flow of articles from one of the singulators to a first flow of gapped articles and a first article sensor senses the identity and weight of each article. A second article induct arranges the single-file flow of articles from the other singulator to a second flow of gapped articles and a second article sensor senses the identity and weight of each article in said second single-file flow. A combiner combines the first and second single-file flow of articles into a third single-file flow of articles. A sorter receives the third single-file flow of mixed articles and sorts the articles to separate destinations.

Abstract: A singulating conveyor system that consists of conveyor sets comprising driven tapered rollers oriented in a herringbone pattern about the centerline of the conveying surface which is capable of sorting a continuous flow of randomly oriented and sorted packages into a single file line of packages along the centerline of the conveyor surface.

Abstract: A conveyor system has a plurality of infeed staging conveyors configured to selectively feed batches of article arranged in a side by side configuration to a downstream merging conveyor. The merging conveyor is configured to merge batches of articles arranged in a side-by-side configuration and to singulate the individual articles of each batch while merging the batches as the articles are singulated while being advanced downstream as a flow of in-line separated articles. The merging conveyor includes a plurality of laterally spaced lanes of conveying surfaces which having a respective speed and each imparting an inward lateral force on the articles. A descrambling conveyor is disposed downstream of the merging conveyor.

Abstract: The problem of singulating products that are provided in a pallet layer is solved by breaking up the pallet layer so that each product can be handled separately by a robot tool and outputted in at least one line according to a predetermined orientation. The singulator includes a layer drop zone that receives a pallet layer of products, a break-up system that separates the products by creating gaps therebetween, yielding separated products, a vision system that determines characteristics and position of each separated product; and a robot equipped with a tool that receives information indicative of the characteristics and position of said each separated product to grip and position each separated product onto an output station within at least one line.

Abstract: In the present method, which includes use of an operating head, groups of articles are intermittently picked up from a plurality of identical flanked channels (10, 20, 30) which bear articles (3) equidistanced from one another. The articles are ordered in groups in identical flanked lines (F1, F2, F3) and in a number that is equal to the number of channels. In the method, each group of articles is transferred above a supply line (40) provided with equidistanced compartments corresponding to the articles arranged on the channels. Each line of articles is unloaded into underlying compartments (4) of a series of compartments in the line. It is thus possible to insert into the compartments of a series of compartments an equal, smaller or greater number of articles than the number of channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for the transportation and synchronous distribution of packaging units, wherein the packaging units are continuously supplied on a transportation apparatus and distributed to two further transportation apparatuses (16, 16?). The packaging units are centered on the first transportation apparatus by means of two flaps (20a, 20b) wherein, according to the present invention, the movement of the flaps is mechanically coupled.

Abstract: An accumulation and conveyor integrations system is provided which incorporates at least two separated conveying apparatus to convey, accumulate, and meter the output of product onto a downstream line. When a downstream apparatus goes offline, a method of controlling reentry or integration of upstream and downstream lines is provided. The system and method can maximize product output from the downstream line by enabling continued loading of an upstream conveyor at a given rate and subsequent downloading at a temporary increased rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor system and a method for merging or crossing of at least two conveyor lines (22, 24, 58) on which transport units (48, 50), particularly containers, are conveyed in an upstream direction (28), wherein the conveyor lines (22, 24) meet each other in an intersection point (26), wherein each of the conveyor lines (22, 24, 58) respectively comprises, upstream relative to the intersection point (26), one group (30, 34) of conveyor-line segments (32, 34), wherein the conveyor-line segments are respectively operable with a variable conveying velocity, the method comprising the following steps: conveying transport units (48, 50) towards the intersection point (26); detecting and determining a traffic density of the transport units (48, 50) on the conveyor lines (22, 24, 58), particularly at the conveyor-line segments (32-1, 34-1) which are located upstream; determining conveying velocities for the conveyor-line segments (32, 34) so that transport units (48, 50) which are conv

Abstract: Images are printed on surfaces of discrete objects that are loaded onto an upstream end of a production path passing through a plurality of treatment stations and taken off a downstream end the path. The path passes through a plurality of treatment stations and is split at least one of the stations into a plurality of generally parallel lanes each having a respective treatment device or printer. At the one treatment station the objects are split up and fed to the lanes from the path, the images are printed on the objects in the lanes with the respective printers, and all the objects are returned to the path after printing. The objects move single-file downstream along the path upstream and downstream of the one station. Instead of printers, each lane can have some other type of treatment machine and the operations performed by these treatment machines in the lanes can be the same or different.

Abstract: An automated case order preparation system including a crane for transporting groups of depalletized product cases to temporary storage on shelving, and to a plurality of gravity-powered case guides, for accumulating and dispensing cases to fulfill client order pallets.

Abstract: A conveying arrangement for conveying packages or groups of beverage bottles or containers, and a method of operation thereof. 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: Systems and methods for accumulating articles on transport conveyors, for efficiently merging articles, and for automatically controlling sortation speed are disclosed. Transport conveyor beds upstream of an accumulation conveyor bed may be controlled to more densely pack articles, as well as to more timely deliver articles to the downstream subsystem when accumulation terminates. Slugs of articles in a merge subsystem may be released based on a prioritization scheme that heavily weighs the ability of the slug to attach to the next-most downstream slug. A combination of closed and open-looped control of the slug's movement may be used to accurately position slugs on the merge bed. A downstream sortation speed may be automatically adjusted based on the amount of merge traffic.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for conveying containers (2) with non circular cross section comprises at least two linear input conveyors (3a, 3b) through which at least two distinct conveyance flows reach the apparatus and a plurality of star conveyors (4a, 4b, 6) for receiving the containers (2) from the linear input conveyors (3a, 3b) and release them in output on a single conveyor (5), with a single output flow. The apparatus comprises at least an oscillating blade (9) and/or a fixed guide (14) in order to guide the containers (2), at an area where multiple flows merge into a single conveyance flow, such as to assure a correct conveyance and orientation of the containers towards the single flow.

Abstract: A device for transferring continuous cast slabs arranged parallel to and equidistant from one another to an individual production line arranged in extension of one of the continuous casting strands, wherein the cycle time for transferring and conveying the slabs is to be reduced. This is achieved by a ferry which is movable transversely by steps between the ends of the continuous casting strands and the start of the production line and which has berths serving for receiving and delivering the slabs substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: conveying arrangement for conveying packages or groups of beverage bottles or containers, and a method of operation thereof. 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 an apparatus for the conveying of homogenized products having an n-track conveying section and a single-track conveying section adjoining it, wherein at least n+1 individual conveyors extending parallel to one another in a conveying plane adjoin the end of the n-track conveying section.

Abstract: In a packaging system for packing cases with product, a product metering system is provided. The product metering system includes a first product lane along which a first product travels and a second product lane along which a second product travels. The second product is different from the first product. A first movable barrier has a first position that obstructs progress of the first product along the first product lane and a second position that allows progress of the first product along the first product lane past the first movable barrier. The first product lane and second product lane merge into a first common lane downstream of the first movable barrier, wherein when the first movable barrier is in the first position only the second product is metered to the first common lane.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for combining overlapping flows (S1, S2) of flat products (10, 20), particularly of printed products, to common product flows (P3). The products (10, 20) from the first or second overlapping flows (S1, S2) are received by an intermediate conveyor (50), and transported to a first product flow (P1), or a second product flow (P2), by means of the intermediate conveyor (50). The distance (d) of the product flows (P1, P2) is successively reduced so that the product flows (P1, P2) form the common product flow (P3). The products (10, 20) are conveyed at least directly before combining the product flows (P1, P2) such that a space (12, 22) is located at least between the groups of products (10, 20) within the first, or within the second product flow (P1, P2).

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. The invention is useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for directing a conveyed product on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a filing channel that includes the ability to adjust the location of at least one end of the filing channel. In one embodiment, the filing apparatus includes a plurality of cards successively arranged wherein the cards are supported by a support member. The cards define the filing channel and the shape of the channel is maintained despite repositioning at least one end of the filing channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking over singulated objects, in particular at least slightly elongated objects, wherein the objects are supplied on an endless feed conveyor (1) which is formed by two endless conveyor strips forming a V-channel, and wherein the objects are subsequently transferred to a following endless sorting conveyor (3) with transport positions at fixed mutual intermediate distances or pitch distances, wherein the apparatus further comprises an endless positioning conveyor (2), immediately following the feed conveyor, as well as a control, which controls the speed of the conveyor (1) and of the positioning conveyor (2), and hence the transfer of the objects onto the positioning conveyor (2), wherein the intermediate distances of the transferred objects on the positioning conveyor correspond to values previously entered in the control, and wherein the objects are taken over from the positioning conveyor by the sorting conveyor (3) by means of grippers (4).

Abstract: A product conveying and accumulation system and method employs a primary product transporting conveyor with accumulation and re-circulating sections. The conveyor is configured to receive products from an upstream destination and discharge products to a downstream destination. A second conveyor, operable at a considerable slower speed than the first conveyor, is located in the same transverse plane as and is aligned adjacent to the first conveyor. Both conveyors travel in the same direction at the adjacent alignment. As products are discharged from the system, a wall of product is formed on the slower moving conveyor. As a result, products on the inner lane of the faster moving conveyor which would otherwise tend to move inward towards the discharge point, causing product turbulence and disruption, are urged back onto the inner lane by the product wall and then smoothly discharged from the system to the downstream destination.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transport and placement of articles in single file order includes dual parallel infeed conveyors each having an elevating portion for discharging articles onto transverse conveyors whose discharge ends are disposed over elevated discharge conveyors traversing in the opposite direction from the direction of movement of the infeed conveyors. The discharge conveyors include horizontal conveyor runs over which are disposed elongated article guide fences operable to guide articles into single file order but to also force articles not in proper order off of the conveyors into bottomless bins which guide the articles onto the inlet portions of the infeed conveyors for recycling through the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for singulating substantially round products. The apparatus includes an endless feed conveyor belt on which the products are supplied in a conveying direction T, and a singulator conveyor comprising two sections V1, V2, forming a V-channel. The sections are located in substantially two planes which, each section is at an angle to a horizontal plane, which intersect along an intersecting line parallel to the conveying direction T. At least one additional endless belt B1, B2, . . . , B(n?1) is provided on one side of the two sections V1, V2. Each additional belt is to a side of the intersecting line and parallel to the one section, and is in substantially the same plane as the one section. The speed of the additional belt is greater than the speed of the one section V1, V2 belt. Advantageously, the speed of belts situated further outwards is less, and the V-channels preferably have an angle curvature of 0° at the upstream end to, minimally, 5° at the downstream end.

Abstract: A material handling system and method of use for increasing throughput at security checkpoints. The material handling system includes a dual input conveyor with a merge conveyor leading to a detection system. At the output of the detection system is a diverting mechanism which will divert the items leaving the detection system to one of two output conveyors, corresponding to the input conveyors. A reject mechanism and accompanying conveyor may be provided, in addition to a bin return and control system.

Abstract: This apparatus automatically lines up and forwards in a single line lengthwise objects supplied at random and in many lines and yet automatically returns objects overflowed from a line-up line to upstream. This apparatus includes: a cantilever type main conveying conveyor (A1) constructed from a plurality of conveying roller rollers of an oblique arrangement drivingly rotated by a non-contact transmission system, a return conveying conveyor (A2) having a conveying direction formed of drivingly opposite to the conveying direction of the main conveying-conveyor, and a delivery conveying conveyor (A3) for transferring objects conveyed by the return conveying conveyor to an upstream end of the main conveyor. The return conveying conveyor (A2) has been with an open end side of the conveying roller placed close to a side portion on the open side alongside a downstream side portion of the main conveying conveyor (A1).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming groups of battery plates includes at least first and second plate supply lines each including a separation station and a downstream plate supply. The apparatus further includes a first common plate feed line for the envelopers and a second common plate feed line for the downstream plate supplys.

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 article sortation system includes a plurality of transport units which are movable along a conveying path between induction stations and discharge stations along each side of the conveying path. Each transport unit has side by side loading and support capability and is operable to receive packages from induction stations and discharge the packages at an appropriate discharge station. The system includes a control which determines the destination of articles and resolves blocking conditions between articles at the induction stations or at the transport units. The system may include a reinduction station for receiving an article from a transport unit and reinducting the article onto a transport unit, in order to resolve a blocking condition between a pair of articles on the respective transport unit.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: Assembly and method for collecting together different goods to form a pack and to pack these in an outer packaging. Streams of goods are always fed to a collection conveyor with feed conveyors. Each stream consists of the same goods and these are buffered at the discharge end of the feed conveyor. At a suitable point in time these are placed on the collection conveyor using an ejection device. The collection conveyor consists of a number of track compartments that move past the conveyor. A group of goods placed one after the other is arranged in each track compartment, which group is ultimately compacted to give a pack.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A conveying device with a diverter having a curved path for conveying lightweight unstable articles, such as plastic bottles having a neck portion with a neck ring thereon. The unstable articles are conveyed along a first path to different ones of plural second paths through a third path at the diverter with the third path having first and second ends alignable with the first path and different ones of the plural second paths and a middle portion maintained in a curved configuration that is varied during aligning movement of the second end. A controller controls the aligning movement of the second end, preferably along a straight path, and the unstable articles are supported by engaging members in actuating guides to urge the unstable articles along the article paths.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for singulating products, such as apples, which, floating along in water in a channel in the transport direction, are supplied and, after singulation in the water, are thereupon fed out of the water to a transport device, for instance a roller conveyor. The apparatus includes a submerging device for submerging products supplied in the channel, a singulating channel, of a width equal to the singulating width, intended for collecting the products released after submersion, in a continuous row, and a releasing device for releasing the products after the submersion and for thereupon feeding the products to the singulating channel. With such an apparatus, a high degree of filling for the following transport device, generally functioning as a first part of a sorting device, can be obtained.

Abstract: An order merging system includes two first case guides with a pair of twisted lanes. The case guides are downwardly sloped and guide a product case along in each case guide. Two raisable guides are connected downstream of the case guides and are in communication with them. Two other case guides in communication with the raisable guides, which are lowered to allow the product cases from the first case guides to merge onto the other case guides.

Abstract: The machine for merging batches of objects, in particular batches (L1, L2) of mail items (A) previously ordered according to their order of distribution in the mailman's round, so as to constitute a single batch of mail items which is ordered according to the mailman's round comprises: a) destacking units (D1, D2), b) linked to the exit of each destacking unit, one or more dynamic-storage magazines (M11-M22) in each of which the items are moved in series around a storage loop, and interposed between each destacking unit and a dynamic-storage magazine, a device (DL1, DL2) for reading a classifying cue on each destacked object; c) a conveyor (CS) in which the mail items are moved in series and to which the dynamic-storage magazines are linked in parallel, d) a control/command unit (U) for the destacking units and for the dynamic-storage magazines which, on the basis of the classifying cues read by the reading devices, controls the transferring of the mail items from the destacking units to the dynamic

Abstract: In order to transfer articles, such as edible ice products of different characters delivered from several parallel production or packing lines, into packable groups of such articles it is known to convey the articles on respective accumulation conveyors and to collectively transfer the items from the respective end positions on these conveyors to a common conveyor system for bringing each set of articles thus transferred to be fed to a cartonizer line. According to the invention, it is advantageous to use but a single accumulation conveyor, to which the articles are supplied in respective feeding stations arranged longitudinally interspaced along a rear feeding stretch of the conveyor, and to control the article supply in such a manner that each set of different articles is built up serially at a delivery end of the conveyor. The collective article transfer may then be effected set-by-set in order to isolate successive groups of articles for cartonizing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing system comprising a plurality of cell conveyers being supplied with a variety of pallets and products through an input section thereof, on which the products are firstly assembled; a main conveyer whereto the firstly assembled products are conveyed from said cell conveyers in a state that the firstly assembled products are loaded on the pallet, on which the products are finally assembled; and a return conveyer for returning the pallets to the input section of the cell conveyers after assembly process of the product is completed on the main conveyer. The pallets are supplied into the input section of the cell conveyers and then returned to the input section of the cell conveyers through the main conveyer and the return conveyer. The variety of products are firstly assembled on the cell conveyers respectively and then conveyed to the main conveyer to be finally assembled. The variety of products are output through an output section of the main conveyer.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: Flat articles are taken over from a supply device supplying the products e.g. in the form of an imbricated stream and, for creating groups, are transferred to a conveying-away device. Thereby the supply direction and the conveying-away direction are angled in the horizontal plan view. For the transfer of the articles devices are used having a circulating conveying organ with laterally protruding gripper arms and grippers arranged on the gripper arms. The circulation track of the conveying organ extends in a take-over direction through a take-over zone and in a transfer direction through a transfer zone and represents a deflection between take-over and transfer zone.

Abstract: A device for singulating surgical needles from a bulk supply of needles including a vibratory bowl assembly for receiving said bulk supply of needles. The bowl assembly having a floor to receive the needles, a track extending from the floor to a needle discharge point and a selectively vibrating motor to vibrate the surgical needles into a single file along the track; a discharge device having first and second needle receiving pockets, the device positioning the first and the second needle receiving pockets below said needle discharge point; a controller for selectively vibrating the vibratory bowl and selectively positioning the first and second needle pockets below the needle discharge point, the controller singulating individual needles from the single file of needles into the first and second needle receiving pockets; a discharger for discharging the singulated needles in the first and second needle pockets in a spaced relationship on a conveyor for subsequent imaging at an inspection station.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing system comprising a plurality of cell conveyers being supplied with a variety of pallets and products through an input section thereof, on which the products are firstly assembled; a main conveyer whereto the firstly assembled products are conveyed from said cell conveyers in a state that the firstly assembled products are loaded on the pallet, on which the products are finally assembled; and a return conveyer for returning the pallets to the input section of the cell conveyers after assembly process of the product is completed on the main conveyer. The pallets are supplied into the input section of the cell conveyers and then returned to the input section of the cell conveyers through the main conveyer and the return conveyer. The variety of products are firstly assembled on the cell conveyers respectively and then conveyed to the main conveyer to be finally assembled. The variety of products are output through an output section of the main conveyer.