Abstract: A loading system (e.g., in a warehouse or other item-fulfillment environment) can include a rotary hub that supports one or more chambers. In a first orientation of the rotary hub, one of the chambers may be in a first position aligned for item receipt (e.g., through an open top of the chamber by feeding from a conveyor belt or other feeding system). The rotary hub can rotate to a second orientation in which the chamber is in a second position aligned for item discharge (e.g., through an open end of the chamber and into a receiving zone of a packaging machine or other system).

Abstract: A bottle retaining assembly for a filler including a lifter coupling and a retaining structure. The lifter coupling has an upper support structure attachable to a base of a bottle lifter assembly. The retaining structure has an upstand structure that is positionable in engagement with the upper support structure. The upper support structure includes a releasable locking member structurally configured to releasably lock the upper support structure of the lifter coupling to the upstand structure. The releasable locking member is actuatable without the use of a tool.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an automatic container processing apparatus includes a tube socket, an operation part, and a control device. The tube socket has a container holding part for holding a container. The operation part is capable of operating the container holding part of the tube socket. The control device controls the operation part. The container held by the container holding part is dropped by operating the operation part.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for manufacturing absorbent articles. More particularly, the systems and methods for folding absorbent articles advancing in a converting line may be configured with tucker blades that prevent opposing end regions of absorbent articles from colliding directly with each other as the absorbent articles are being folded.

Abstract: A coating machine for applying a coating to screws is described. The coating machine has an operating space along which the screws to be coated are fed. A fixed surface is defined, which is fixed relative to the frame of the machine and is designed for abutment and positioning of the screws in the section upstream from said operating space and in said operating space.

Abstract: A wire singulating device includes a carrier member and a retention feature. The carrier member has a front edge and an opposite rear edge. The front edge defines an opening to a slot that extends at least partially towards the rear edge. The carrier member is configured to move relative to a wire bundle that includes plural wires such that the front edge engages the wire bundle. The slot is configured to receive one wire of the wire bundle therein. The retention feature is coupled to the carrier member and juxtaposed relative to the slot to retain the wire within the slot as the carrier member moves away from the wire bundle to separate the wire from the wire bundle.

Abstract: A rotary conveyor apparatus, for collecting, transferring and releasing containers, includes: a platform (9) rotating according to a rotation axis (AA); trolleys (3), supported by the platform, and slidable in a corresponding slit extending from the periphery (9B) to the center of rotation through an internal conduit (6), within the trolleys a certain degree of suction is created for a determined rotation angle of the platform through a suction box (4), arranged at the lower part and in contact with the platform, including a suction opening (7) extending along an angular section thereof. The trolleys are movable relative to the rotation of the platform, and are moved from the periphery to the center of rotation and vice versa during a complete rotation of the platform. The movement action is directed by a first guide closed loop-like on the box and a second radial guide integral with the platform.

Abstract: An article carrier includes a first supply wheel adjacent to a receiving wheel and a second supply wheel provided on the upstream side in the rotating direction of the receiving wheel from the first supply wheel. A switching device for switching a gripper of the first supply wheel between a use state so as to transfer a plastic bottle to a gripper of the receiving wheel and a retracted state so as not to interfere with the plastic bottle held by the gripper of the receiving wheel is also provided. When a first carrier path is used, the switching device brings the gripper of the first supply wheel into the use state, and when a second carrier path is used, the switching device brings the gripper of the first supply wheel into the retracted state.

Abstract: A system for handling objects in rotary machines, and, more particularly, a system for handling preforms in blowing machines. The system picks up a pre-heated preform from a transferring star of the preform and takes it to a mold of a stretch-blowing machine by using movements entailing reduced acceleration values, in particular of the tangential acceleration component, so as to prevent uncontrolled oscillatory movements of the softened preform. In the blowing machine, the preform is blown to obtain a bottle, and the bottle thus obtained is picked up from the stretch-blow molding position and transferred to an unloading position.

Abstract: A rotary conveyor apparatus, for collecting, transferring and releasing containers, includes: a platform (9) rotating according to a rotation axis (AA); trolleys (3), supported by the platform, and slidable in a corresponding slit extending from the periphery (9B) to the center of rotation through an internal conduit (6), within the trolleys a certain degree of suction is created for a determined rotation angle of the platform through a suction box (4), arranged at the lower part and in contact with the platform, including a suction opening (7) extending along an angular section thereof. The trolleys are movable relative to the rotation of the platform, and are moved from the periphery to the center of rotation and vice versa during a complete rotation of the platform. The movement action is directed by a first guide closed loop-like on the box and a second radial guide integral with the platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic transfer system (100) having a preferably closed carrier path (20), along which a multiplicity of individually activatable induction coils (25) are arranged, and having conveying elements (30, 30a to 30e), which are arranged in a movable manner on the carrier path (20) and each have a driver element (38), which serves for conveying in each case at least one article (1) from a first conveying arrangement (11), along a conveying route (18) in the region of the transfer system (100), into a second conveying arrangement (12) arranged downstream, wherein the driver elements (38) are in abutting contact with the at least one article (1) at least along the conveying route (18), and wherein the conveying element (30, 30a to 30e) has, as drive element, at least one permanent-magnet element (31) arranged in operative connection with the induction coils (25).

Abstract: The invention relates to the conveyance and preferably also to the electrical contacting of an item to be treated (1), for example in the form of a printed circuit board or a conductor foil, in an electrolysis system. A device according to the invention comprises a large number of clamps (10) able to move along a conveyance path (4) and driven by a continuously revolving drive means (20). The device is configured in such a way that the clamps (10) at the start (4a) of the conveyance path (4) are brought from an open state into a closed state in order to grip and preferably also electrically to contact the item to be treated, and that the clamps (10) respectively at the end (4b) of the conveyance path (4) are brought from the closed into the open state in order to re-release the item to be treated (1).

Abstract: A machine for treating containers including a turntable rotatably mounted on a frame and holding devices for containers mounted peripherally on the turntable. Each holding device includes a support mechanically connected to the turntable, at least two arms, rotatably connected to the support, with at least one holding body for grasping the container, an actuator mechanically connected to the arms to rotate them around the first rotation axis between an open position, in which the holding bodies are separated to receive or release the container, and a closed position, in which the holding bodies are close to one another to hold therebetween the container. Each holding body is connected to a support body of the respective arm through an articulation suitable for allowing the holding body to rotate around a second rotation axis lying on a plane substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the arms and passing therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing spaced boards is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a receiving section, a spacing section and a delivery section. The apparatus is characterized by the presence of overlapping providing means and conveying means, releasable stopping means and vertical pushing means which are operatively connected for releasing one board at a time. Repeated stopping and releasing of boards result in a continuous and regular flow of evenly spaced boards.

Abstract: In a bottle filling installation, an apparatus for gripping PET bottles when transferring bottles from a spider element to a spider element/ filling element/rinsing element includes a thrust body that opens and closes grippers; a guide, which is vertical in the operational position, that engages the thrust body; a first spring for exerting a force on the body in a lifting and lowering direction; and a roller for moving the thrust body around a control curve.

Abstract: A conveying means (1) is described having running rollers (7) which can be supported on a guide (2). At least one running roller (7) is mounted on a roller lever (12a) which can be pivoted between a first and a second position with the aid of a pivoting mechanism (13, 33) and can be locked in a position. In order to make a conveying means of this type simpler in structural terms and less susceptible to wear, it is proposed to equip the pivoting mechanism (13, 33) with a toggle lever (14) which is connected to an actuating element (21), wherein the toggle lever comprises a first and a second lever element (14a, 14b) which are connected to one another via a joint (15).

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring an article from a first carrier moving at a first speed to a second carrier moving at a second speed is provided. The apparatus comprises a support member comprising a track comprising an arcuate portion, and a carrier member configured to be moved relative to the track. The carrier member comprises a surface configured to receive the article from the first carrier in a receiving zone and deposit the article onto the second carrier in an application zone, an aperture in the surface, and a passage in fluid communication with the aperture. The apparatus further comprises a vacuum manifold in fluid communication with the passage. The carrier member is configured to be moved relative to the vacuum manifold. The apparatus also comprises a linear motor operably engaged with the carrier member and configured to move the carrier member relative to the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a container between stations, for example, from a rotary machine to a conveyor is provided having a rotary apparatus having a plurality of grippers constructed and arranged to receive and retain containers, a mechanism for rotating the grippers by about 90°. For example, the containers can be in a vertical position when received by the grippers and in a horizontal position when released by the grippers. A method for transporting a container between stations is provided. For example, the method can include receiving and retaining containers proximate a rotary machine and rotating the container to by about 90° proximate a conveyor and releasing the container to fall by gravity onto the conveyor.

Abstract: The system for removably blocking a drawing-abutting element to a cogged belt comprises: a drawing-abutting element (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) of an article (3) in turn comprising a base (13) and an upper portion (14) which develops starting from the base (13) and is conformed for drawing or abutting the article (3); a coupling element (10) fixable to a cogged belt (4) at a first surface (23) of the cogged belt (4) located opposite a side (22) in which cogs (5) are arranged, in order to project with respect to the first surface (23); the base (13) of the drawing-abutting element (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) affords a seating (11) for receiving the coupling element (10), the seating (11) and the coupling element (10) being conformed such as to joint-couple to one another; the base (13) affords at least a through-hole (17) opening in the first seating (11); the system further comprising first removable fastening means (12) for engaging in the at least a through-hole (17) and blocking the drawing-abutting elements (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) to

Abstract: Embodiments include a method or a device for a cartoning machine for transferring a leaflet from a first transportation device to a leaflet holder in a second transportation device. Embodiments include a transferring device which is arranged to straighten up and position the leaflets in such a way that the leaflet holders can take hold of the leaflets. The transferring device has a base surface with one or more carriers placed in a line at right angels to the direction of transportation, so that the leaflet, as a result of being able to slide against the base surface, is pressed back against the carriers as a result of air resistance friction against an adjacent cover plate and/or centripetal forces. The base surface of the transferring device is preferably provided with several lines of carriers which are adjusted to match the distance between the leaflet holders on the second transportation device.

Abstract: The present invention includes a first supply wheel 11 adjacent to a receiving wheel 13, and a second supply wheel 12 provided on the upstream side in the rotating direction of the receiving wheel from the first supply wheel. Switching means 17 for switching a gripper A of the first supply wheel between a use state so as to transfer a plastic bottle 1 to a gripper C of the receiving wheel and a retracted state so as not to interfere with the plastic bottle held by the gripper of the receiving wheel is also provided. When a first carrier path is used, the switching means brings the gripper of the first supply wheel into the use state, and when a second carrier path is used, the switching means brings the gripper of the first supply wheel into the retracted state, to thereby prevent the gripper of the first supply wheel from interfering with the article held by the gripper of the receiving wheel from the second supply wheel. The carrier paths can be thereby quickly switched.

Abstract: A packaging system utilizes two sides of a loading carousel, which reduces both the height and footprint of the packaging system. Mass and inertia are also reduced, allowing higher operational speeds. The loading carousel receives opened cartons on a first side and lowers them over product groups on a second side.

Abstract: The invention describes a turntable (10) with a transfer means (17) for guiding and transmitting a driving force to a parts carrier (1) which can be displaced along guide tracks between a first conveying section (15) and a second conveying section (16) (5), and the transfer means (17) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (19) oriented perpendicular to a transport plane (20). The parts carrier (2) is provided with guide elements (7) by means of which the parts carrier (2) is guided along the guide tracks (5) and the transfer means (17) has a guide track along which the parts carrier (2) is guided by one of the guide elements (7). The invention further relates to a transport system (1) and a method of handling parts carriers (2) by means of a transfer apparatus (14) incorporating the described turntable (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying vessels of the bottle type, characterised in that it comprises: a primary wheel for conveying the bottles including a plurality of transfer arms; at least two secondary conveying wheels respectively capable of conveying the bottles fed by the primary wheel; the conveying path of the bottles grasped by the clamps of the transfer arms of each secondary wheel being at one point tangential to the conveying path of the bottles grasped by the transfer arms of the primary wheel, whereby the main flow of bottles conveyed by the primary wheel is divided into at least two secondary flows of bottles respectively conveyed by the secondary conveying wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfect binding of unbound print products to form bound print products comprises at least one processing station arranged along a circulating path between a feed station for the unbound print products and a delivery station for the bound print products, and a plurality of clamping devices arranged successively along the circulating path and driven jointly. Each of the clamping devices is adapted to hold at least two of the unbound print products such that the unbound print products face the processing station with overhangs that freely project from the clamping device and form spines of the unbound print products.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for transferring a stream of a components (28, 84, 100, 100?), either as individual components (28, 84, 100?) or as a continuous strip (100) or band from which individual components are cut, from a component feeder (62a) to a component receiver (92, 108), e.g., in a processing machine, with controlled, e.g., continuous, motion escapement of the individual components (28, 84, 100, 100?) from the feeder (62a).

Abstract: A transfer apparatus has a first conveying device for holding and conveying a transferring-work to be transferred; a second conveying device for holding and conveying a carrier work on which the transferring-work is placed; and a transfer device to receive the transferring-work from the first conveying device and transfer the transferring-work to the carrier work of the second conveying device. The transfer device has two or more end-effectors that revolve along the same circumference to convey the transferring-work, and each of the end-effectors revolves independently of the other end-effectors. Each of the end-effectors has a holding surface that holds the transferring-work, and the holding surface is able to advance and retract along a revolution axis of each of the end-effectors.

Abstract: In a device for relocating a product, in particular a blister, in a packaging machine and with an associated method, the product is received at a supply location and deposited at a deposition location. The relocating device has a first pivotable relocating arm and a second pivotable relocating arm which each have a holding mechanism for the product. The relocating arms can be adjusted along different trajectories between a transfer position at the common supply location and a deposition position at the common deposition location, and pass each other during their adjustment motion.

Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring elongated articles, wherein a uniform succession of articles is fed by an input drum to a first transfer station, where the articles are picked up successively by a number of pickup heads of a transfer drum for supply, through a second transfer station, to an output drum in a uniform succession of pairs of side by side articles; some of the pickup heads are fixed, and some oscillate with respect to the transfer drum; the fixed pickup heads alternate with the oscillating pickup heads; and each oscillating pickup head oscillates to and from a position contiguous to one of the two adjacent fixed pickup heads.

Abstract: A slide assembly for use on a forming turret in a machine line that forms articles, such as cans, comprises a fixed rail, a slide block configured to slide in the rail, and an adaptor that is mounted to the rail. The slide assembly is configured to provide at least a 4.0 inch or more stroke that is stable and minimizes shaking or other movement. The slide assembly is designed such that ends of at least one of the adaptor and rail remain rigid during the stroke operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing spaced boards is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a receiving section, a spacing section and a delivery section. The apparatus is characterized by the presence of overlapping providing means and conveying means, releasable stopping means and vertical pushing means which are operatively connected for releasing one board at a time. Repeated stopping and releasing of boards result in a continuous and regular flow of evenly spaced boards.

Abstract: Device for conveying objects, includes a rotating support having a transfer arm which consists of a plate and a gripper head which can bear at least one object and which is slidingly mounted in relation to the plate according to a direction. The gripper head (20) is coupled to a slider sliding in a slide rail fixed to the plate, and including a first and second cam system in order to respectively slidingly drive the gripper head and to pivotingly drive the plate, according to the angular position of the arm around the axis of rotation of the support. The slider is constructed as a single part which has an overall rail shape, and the profile of the slider is complementary with respect to the profile of the slide rail. The gripper head is fixed such that it overhangs on the distal end section of the slider.

Abstract: Rotary device for transferring containers, with a base (21) rotating about an axis (23) and supporting a mobile assembly (25) comprising: a main arm (26) pivoting (27) on the base, a gripping pincer (30) at the free end of the main arm, and a rotary roller (32) which is solidly connected to the main arm and interacts with a fixed curvilinear cam (33) with a closed contour; the pivot shaft (27) and the free end of the main arm define a line (L) which extends approximately tangentially to the circular trajectory of the pivot axis, which precedes the free end of the arm in the direction (F) of rotation of the base; the cam is such that, when the base rotates, the end of the main arm is moved approximately radially; and the gripping pincer mounted on the free end of the main arm follows a predetermined circular path, having inverse convexity with respect to the trajectory of the rotary base, within a fixed angular range (a) of rotation of the base.

Abstract: An apparatus having several stations that receive, apply adhesive to, crowd, press and cure the wood pieces into a continuous wood panel. A singulation station engages an individual one of the wood pieces oriented in a cross-machine direction from an infeed station, presents the wood piece to an adhesive station for adhesive application and releases the wood piece for crowding at a crowding station into a batch of the wood pieces. A press station downwardly presses the batch with an upper platen and presses the batch in a downstream direction onto the continuous wood panel with a clamping device. A radio frequency device applies radio waves to cure the adhesive between the wood pieces of the batch so as to adhere the wood pieces together and so as to adhere the batch to the continuous wood panel. A cutting station cuts individual wood panels from the continuous wood panel.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for use within a die feeder associated with a circuit board assembly machines and includes, among other aspects and features, a cavity to capture and maintain the position of the die within a vacuum gripper. The invention also includes the interaction of a pair of nozzles whereas one moves within the nozzle tip containing the die cavity and has the ability to compensate for any offset between the nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting articles of the tobacco-processing industry including a rotationally driven conveying element, a support and, a clamping device. The clamping device has at least one drive element and at least two holding elements. The rotationally driven conveying element is detachably connected by the clamping device to the support so that a movement of the at least one drive element of the clamping device causes the at least two holding elements to change their position relative to each other, in a direction crosswise to the direction of movement the drive element. Depending on the direction of movement of the at least one drive element, the movement causes the at least two holding elements to either hold or release the rotationally driven conveying element and the support.

Abstract: A transfer unit is configured for use with a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The transfer unit receives a partially erected carton from a first station in a tubular form, conveys the carton to a second station, and conveys the carton from the second station to a third station. The transfer unit includes a hub defining a longitudinal hub axis and configured for rotational movement about the hub axis. A plurality of car pairs are mounted to the hub for longitudinal movement along the hub. Each of the car pairs includes first and second cars, each of which has first and second mandrels mounted thereto. The mandrels are configured to receive a partially erected carton. Each mandrel has a mandrel axis and is rotational about its respective axis. The mandrel axes are perpendicular and tangential to the hub axis.

Abstract: A transfer unit is configured for use with a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The transfer unit receives a partially erected carton from a first station in a tubular form, conveys the carton to a second station, and conveys the carton from the second station to a third station. The transfer unit includes a hub defining a longitudinal hub axis and configured for rotational movement about the hub axis. A plurality of car pairs are mounted to the hub for longitudinal movement along the hub. Each of the car pairs includes first and second cars, each of which has first and second mandrels mounted thereto. The mandrels are configured to receive a partially erected carton. Each mandrel has a mandrel axis and is rotational about its respective axis. The mandrel axes are perpendicular and tangential to the hub axis.

Abstract: A transfer unit is configured for use with a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The transfer unit receives a partially erected carton from a first station in a tubular form, conveys the carton to a second station, and conveys the carton from the second station to a third station. The transfer unit includes a hub defining a longitudinal hub axis and configured for rotational movement about the hub axis. A plurality of car pairs are mounted to the hub for longitudinal movement along the hub. Each of the car pairs includes first and second cars, each of which has first and second mandrels mounted thereto. The mandrels are configured to receive a partially erected carton. Each mandrel has a mandrel axis and is rotational about its respective axis. The mandrel axes are perpendicular and tangential to the hub axis.

Abstract: Various conveyor designs are disclosed, along with related link designs, suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The conveyor may include a plurality of connected links. Each link may have a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link may have a body, a slider, at least one gripping member, and a gear drive mechanism interconnecting the slider and gripping member. The slider is slidable along the length of the body to selectively move the gripping member between a first position and a second position via the gear drive mechanism. The gripping member when in first position is disposed in an open position, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed in a gripping position for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for spacing boards of lumber in transverse parallel contacting relation on an infeed conveyor comprising: (i) a rotatable lifting means adapted to receive said boards from said infeed conveyor, said rotatable lifting means including at least one arcuate camming element adapted to individually lift said boards at uniform intervals to a raised position by slidingly rotating beneath said boards; (ii) an outfeed conveyor for receiving said boards from said rotatable lifting system; and (iii) a rotatable advancing means located above said rotatable lifting means adapted to frictionally engage said boards when said boards are in said raised position and advance said boards onto said outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: An automatic machine for processing articles, and having a conveyor which feeds the articles along a path in a given feed direction and has a movable member; and a reading device for determining the position of the movable member; the reading device cooperates with a permanent magnet housed inside the movable member and positioned with its polar axis perpendicular to the feed direction, and has two linear Hall-effect sensors arranged side by side parallel to the feed direction so as to have zero sensitivity in a direction parallel to the feed direction; and the instant in which the movable member is in a definite detection position with respect to the reading device is detected by determining the instant in which the output signal of the Hall-effect sensor downstream with respect to the travelling direction of the movable member inverts.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer for a decorating machine includes transport conveyors for carrying workpieces to the decorating machine and from the decorating machine. The conveyors support each of the workpieces such that an elongated longitudinal axis of each workpiece is vertically orientated. The decorating machine has a decorator conveyor with spaced workpiece carriers to support a workpiece for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the workpiece in a horizontal orientation. A plurality of workpiece grippers pivotally supported by a drive hub support the workpieces during movement of the longitudinal axis thereof between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. A drive shaft is secured to the drive hub to rotate about an axis forming acute angles with the longitudinal axis of a workpiece in each of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. The acute angles are preferably 45°.

Abstract: On a wrapping machine, the products for wrapping are transferred along a portion of a wrapping line by a transfer wheel, which has a number of radially projecting gripper-type peripheral seats, and rotates in steps about an axis of rotation to feed the peripheral seats in a given direction through a loading station, where each peripheral seat receives a relative product by means of a first transfer assembly, and through an unloading station where each product is expelled from the relative peripheral seat and fed through a wrapping assembly by means of a second transfer assembly; each peripheral seat having a first and a second jaw, of which the second jaw, located behind the first, is movable between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor in which a pair of front hanger arms (2a, 2a) for loading the bottom of a front part of a vehicle body and a pair of rear hanger arms (2b, 2b) for loading the bottom of a rear part of a vehicle body are arranged at a hanger body (2d) which moves along with a running rail established in the ceiling. The pair of front hanger arms (2a, 2a) and the pair of rear hanger arms 2b, 2b are movably attached to the hanger body 2d, the hanger body 2d having an engaging groove (13) for engaging the movably attached pair of hanger arms at each engaging position of the vehicle body through each an engaging lever (14), having an actuator (16) to control the engaging-and-disengaging movement of the engaging lever.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying flat objects (46), especially products of a printing works, which comprises successively arranged conveying elements that are moved along a continuous track (16) in a direction of conveyance (F). Individually controllable conveying clamps (22) are mounted on each conveying element (12) and are configured for laterally holding, with the clamp jaw thereof that is arranged in the plane of conveyance extending in the direction of conveyance (F), at least two objects (46), which are arranged in the plane of conveyance and in the direction of conveyance (F) while overlapping one another in an offset manner. The conveying clamps are mounted on the conveying elements in the plane of conveyance and in a direction of displacement (30), which is perpendicular to the continuous track (16), in a manner that permits them to be displaced to and fro between two positions (50, 50′).

Abstract: A conveyor chain has lower pins and is displaced in steps through a station. Respective pairs of plates have holes fitted to the pins and confronting cutouts together forming seats shaped to fit complementarily around necks of bottles. Horizontally displaceable supports in the station above the chain carry downwardly projecting upper pins. An actuator raises the plates in the station and thereby slides the holes of the plates in the station from the lower pins onto the upper pins. The arms and upper pins are moved apart when the plates are on the upper pins to open up the seat so that a bottle can be fitted to or taken out of the seat. The arms and upper pins are moved together when the plates are on the upper pins to close the cutouts around a bottle positioned between them, and then lowered back down onto the lower pins.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring articles from a first conveying device to a second conveying device. The device has a central body and a plurality of transfer element sets attached to the central body. Each transfer element set comprises a plurality of pivoting transfer elements, and each transfer element has a receptacle for receiving an article. The plurality of transfer element sets are arranged around a perimeter of the central body. A first pivoting transfer element and a second pivoting transfer element within one of the transfer element sets are axially offset relative to each other along a common axis.

Abstract: A vehicle body transfer apparatus (1) that hangs and transfers a vehicle body (F) of every vehicle type is provided. The apparatus (1) includes a hanger (20) that supports the vehicle body (F) in a hanging condition, and moves along a transfer path (25), and vehicle body support parts (32, 32) that adjust supporting positions on the vehicle body (F) in the hanger (20) based upon a center of gravity of the vehicle body (F) of each vehicle type. The hanger (20) includes center-of-gravity management plates (22, 22, 23, 23) having a plurality of vehicle body support parts that support the vehicle body (F) according to the vehicle type of the vehicle body.