Abstract: A re-stacker assembly used to stack container closures that are output by a can liner system includes at least one offloading assembly having a receiving portion, at least one loading device coupled to the offloading assembly, and a motion control system for detecting motion of the container closures and, in response to detecting such motion, driving the loading device to stack, or re-stack, the container closures in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A unit for forming one or more layers of individual flat supports, taken from at least a first conveyor device, conveying the supports from upstream to downstream at a first speed, that includes a second conveyor device, conveying the supports from upstream to downstream at a second speed lower than the first speed, positioned downstream of the first conveyor device, equipped with a receiving zone for receiving the supports arriving from the first conveyor device, and having a curved portion, and means for forming the layer positioned above the second conveyor device, situated downstream of the curved portion, and driven at the second speed.

Abstract: A clutch/brake unit for an accumulating conveyor. The clutch/brake unit is driven continuously during operation via an endless drive traction mechanism on a driving roller and is configured, in an engaged operating state, for transmitting the rotational movement of the driving roller about an axis to a driven roller and, in a braking operating state, for slowing down the driven roller on a housing of the clutch/brake unit. The driven roller is connected to the roller via the endless traction mechanism. A first actuating mechanism is configured for displacing the driven roller along the axis in the direction of the housing in order to shift the clutch/brake unit into its braking operating state, and a second actuating mechanism is configured for displacing the driven roller along the axis in the direction of the driving roller in order to shift the clutch/brake unit into its engaged operating state.

Abstract: Zones of an accumulation conveyor are controlled using a look ahead approach. The speed and article presence conditions of downstream and upstream zones are used to assess the condition of article flow in the neighborhood of a particular zone. The respective speeds of individual zones are then selected and implemented based on the assessment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an accumulation device (4) comprising a first linear conveyor belt (5) and a second linear conveyor belt (6), a third conveyor belt (7) forming a semi-circle and configured for transferring items from the first to the second conveyor belt and translation means (10, 11) of the third belt relative to the first and second belt. The accumulation device comprises two ramp systems (23, 24) attached respectively to the two ends (7a, 7b) of the third belt. The first ramp system (23) deforms the first belt to constitute a first slope ensuring that items rise from the first belt to the third belt. The second ramp system (24) deforms the second belt to constitute a second slope ensuring that items descend from the third belt to the second belt. Displacement of the third conveyor belt at the same time enables displacement of the first and second slopes formed on the first and second belt. The invention also relates to an installation equipped with such an accumulation device.

Abstract: With a simple structure, an accumulation conveyor can reduce the distance between articles to be conveyed, so as to improve its efficiency and conveyance efficiency. The accumulation conveyor in accordance with the present invention comprises a motor, provided for each zone, for driving a carrier roller constituting the zone to rotate; a sensor, provided for each zone, for detecting passing of an article to be conveyed; and control means for estimating according to detection information of two articles adjacent to each other detected by the sensor distance information concerning the distance between the articles and switching, when the estimated distance information falls within a predetermined range, a control input to a motor of a zone conveying the article at the back on the upstream side or a motor of a zone adjacent downstream thereto such that the zone has conveying speed faster than that of the zone.

Abstract: An accumulation conveyor system and method of accumulating articles includes providing an accumulation assembly that is adapted to accumulating a plurality of articles into a slug of articles. Slugs of articles are discharged to a transport line which transports the slugs and accumulates the slugs as required. The accumulation assembly is made up of a slug forming section which forms slug portions and discharges slug portions into slugs. The accumulation assembly accumulates articles in zones and reduces gaps between articles in sequence from upstream gaps to downstream gaps.

Abstract: A device for correcting uneven spacing of successive articles includes a first conveyor belt having a plurality of articles spaced thereon. At least one article is unevenly spaced. A second conveyor belt is located downstream of the first conveyor belt upon which the plurality of articles are evenly spaced or shingled. A controller moves forwards and backwards, thereby extending or retracting a discharge end of the first conveyor belt and allowing uniform spacing or stacking of the articles on the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: In order to be able to change in a simple manner the distance d between two transverse walls (8) of the compartmented belt (6) during a rotative movement of the compartmented belt (6) about plural guide rollers, it is suggested to change both an angle a, which lies between a transverse wall (8) and a vertical (9) of an element (10) which holds the transverse wall (8), and also an angle &bgr;which lies between a straight line (11) connecting two of the axes of rotation (12, 13) of guide rollers (4, 5) and a straight line (14) extending through one of the axes of rotation (12).

Abstract: Flat objects, conveyed in succession, are deposited on a slower forwarding conveyor in shingle formation so that a decelerating unit settles from the top on the deposited objects. To guarantee a flawless deposit of the workpieces in shingle formation, the decelerating unit comprises a group of bands or belts, which rotate parallel to each other over deflecting rolls and which are driven at the same speed as the forwarding conveyor and which are forced against the self-forming workpiece shingle, by means of the wheels or rolls, mounted on swivelable levers.

Abstract: A paper handling system includes first and second inclined conveyors. The first inclined conveyor operates at a first speed and has an output end. The second inclined conveyor operates at a second speed and is operably positioned to receive paper output from the first inclined conveyor. The second speed is greater than the first speed. The inclined conveyors are preferably inclined at an angle in the range from 15° to 35°. By transporting the paper up the inclined conveyors, upper layers of paper are allowed to slide down over lower layers of paper thereby creating a thinner stream of paper.