Abstract: A bin sweep auger unplugging system for unplugging a central unloading sump in a storage bin. The bin sweep auger unplugging system generally includes an auger having a driven shaft with auger fighting, a drive unit having a drive shaft, and a clutch connected between the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The clutch selectively transfers the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft of the auger. The drive shaft includes a clump breakup component that breaks up the clump of granular material above the unloading sump when the drive shaft is rotated. The clutch is disengaged when breaking up a clump of granular material to prevent the rotation of the auger.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and stacking slab-shaped elements has an inlet line; plural suction gripping units; a sorting carousel rotatable around an axis and including multiple carousel arms mutually solidly constrained and each bearing a respective one of the plurality suction gripping units; a plurality of seats for receiving the slab-shaped elements, forming stacks thereof; and a support crown solidly constrained to a frame. The carousel axis and an axis of the support crown coincide with one another. Each carousel arm is supported by the support crown at or in proximity of a respective free end. A first slab-shaped element from the inlet line can be gripped by a first one of the suction gripping units, rotated by a first one of the carousel arms which bears the first suction gripping unit, and released by the first suction gripping unit on a first of the seats.

Abstract: An installation for sorting containers, in particular medicine bottles, including a star wheel having a multiplicity of pockets. The pockets each accommodate a container, and therefore the container can be transported by virtue of the star wheel being rotated. The installation includes a first and a second exit, wherein the containers can be fed either to the first exit or to the second exit by retracting and extending of a first diverter and a second diverter, which are located opposite one another on a transporting path. The first and the second diverters are designed to be capable of extending and retracting with respect to a base region of the transporting path.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus suitable for sturdy articles, in particular flattened plastic bottles or the like, in a recycling plant, has an upwardly moving continuous conveyor that includes a horizontal conveyor and a vertical conveyor connected to the horizontal conveyor, both conveyors having a tubular housing in which a respective conveying screw is rotatably mounted. The inner wall of the tubular housing of the vertical conveyor and the associated conveying screw have a vertical driver bar disposed therebetween, projecting radially inward from the tubular housing and spaced from the conveying screw by a distance (a). The driver bar has cutting teeth on its longitudinal edge located at least facing the conveying screw. Preferably, the driver bar is fastened in an interchangeable manner on the vertical tubular housing and has cutting teeth on both longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus to feed bars is disclosed that comprises a feed device suitable to support a plurality of bars and to make them available to a transfer device. The transfer device is configured to transfer the bars, received from the feed device, toward a delivery zone, and comprises at least one gripping and holding element, configured to take at least one bar from the feed device and to transfer it, by means of rotation around an axis of rotation, toward the delivery zone. The axis of rotation is located, during use, substantially parallel to the longitudinal development of the bars.

Abstract: The invention provides novel pervious composite materials that possess excellent physical and performance characteristics of conventional pervious concretes, and methods of production and uses thereof. These composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production with improved energy consumption, desirable carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.

Abstract: A roller brush bed and drive system includes a motor, a motor drive shaft mechanically coupled to the motor, the motor drive shaft extending orthogonal to the roller brush, at least one gearbox mechanically coupled to the motor drive shaft, the at least one gearbox configured to mechanically couple to the roller brush and transmit torque from the motor drive shaft to the roller brush.

Abstract: A system for depositing one or more layers, particularly layers including organic materials therein, is described. The system includes a load lock chamber for loading a substrate to be processed, a transfer chamber for transporting the substrate, a vacuum swing module provided between the load lock chamber and the transfer chamber, at least one deposition apparatus for depositing material in a vacuum chamber of the at least one deposition chamber, wherein the at least one deposition apparatus is connected to the transfer chamber; a further load lock chamber for unloading the substrate that has been processed, a further transfer chamber for transporting the substrate, a further vacuum swing module provided between the further load lock chamber and the further transfer chamber, and a carrier return track from the further vacuum swing module to the vacuum swing module, wherein the carrier return track is configured to transport the carrier under vacuum conditions and/or under a controlled inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A transfer device comprising a mandrel wheel; and a transfer wheel, respectively driven to rotate about rotation axes that are parallel to one another and which respectively include supports in their peripheries for objects to be imprinted or processed otherwise, wherein a distance of the supports at the mandrel wheel from a rotation axis of the mandrel wheel is variable between a minimum distance and a maximum distance, and the mandrel wheel and the transfer wheel are arranged adjacent to one another so that objects are transferrable from a transport device through the transfer wheel to a respective support at the mandrel wheel or vice versa from the mandrel wheel through the transfer wheel to a transport device, wherein the supports are respectively attached to the transfer wheel through a transfer pivot arm so that they are pivotable about a pivot axis.

Abstract: An infeed apparatus for the manufacture of containers such as can bodies, comprises a series of 3 or more infeed turrets (22, 30). The infeed turrets (22, 30) take a can body as linear pitch and convert this pitch to a circular pitch. By use of the series of turrets, the can passes to a machine such as a container processing machine not only at a desired linear pitch but also at the specified processing speed. The exchange ratio between individual turrets (22, 30) in the infeed turret series is variable and no greater than 2:1.

Abstract: A transferring device for transferring and/or receiving cans, can blanks, or other containers out of or into a transferring or respectively receiving axis (U) which extends at an angle to a transport path (T), with multiple suction elements (3), which can be moved along the transport path (T) during transfer, each of which has at least one suction opening (4), and which can be connected to a negative pressure source, in order to retain the cans, can blanks, or other containers by means of suction during transport along the transport path (T), wherein the suction elements (3) are designed and/or arranged in a movable manner between a retracted and an extended position at least along some sections of the transferring and/or receiving axis (U), characterized in that the suction elements (3) are designed and arranged so as to be reversibly deformable during the movement along the transferring and/or receiving axis (U) such that the movement of the suction openings (4) together with the suctioned cans, can blanks

Abstract: A handling device for handling workpieces including a rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis, a rotary drive for introducing a rotary motion into the rotor and at least one workholder assembly, the workholder assembly including at least two workholders which are mounted on the rotor and designed for an at least paired picking up of workpieces at a pickup position and for an at least paired delivery of workpieces at a delivery position during the rotary motion of the rotor, and further including adjusting means which are coupled to at least one workholder of the workholder assembly and which are designed for a cyclical adjustment of a spacing of workholders of the workholder assembly as a function of the rotary motion of the rotor.

Abstract: A transport arrangement (100) for bi-directionally transporting substrates towards and from a load lock (5) comprises a first substrate handler (1) swivelable about a first axis (A1) and with at least two first substrate carriers (1a, 1b). A second substrate handler (20) swivelable about a second axis (A20) comprises at least four second substrate carriers (20a to 20d). First and second substrate carriers are mutually aligned respectively in one position of their respective swiveling trajectory paths as one of the first substrate carriers is aligned with one of the second substrate carriers and the other of the first substrate carriers is aligned with the load lock (5). The first substrate carriers (1a, 1b) are movable towards and from the load lock (5) once aligned there with and thereby form respectively external valves of the load lock (5).

Abstract: A bin sweep comprising a first auger section configured to be movably mounted to a central support framework of a storage bin, and a second auger section operably engaged with the first auger frame such that the second auger section is moveable relative to the first section frame substantially along an axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a conveying apparatus for articles, provided with a first conveyor having an inlet section for articles to be conveyed and an outlet section for the articles, and with a second conveyor which can be selectively set in communication with a transfer section of the first conveyor; the first conveyor is selectively set in a first operative release configuration of the articles at the outlet section and in at least one second operative release configuration of the articles at its transfer section; the second conveyor is selectively set in a first operative withdrawal configuration of the articles from the first conveyor at its transfer section and at least in one second operative inhibition configuration of this withdrawal.

Abstract: Feeding device, for feeding bands having different lengths and bound in a direction transverse to the feeding direction, includes a driving roller and a rubber-covered pressure roller, both being activated by respective brushless motors. The feeding device is controlled by an electronic drive that allows the pressure roller to rotate at a greater speed than the driving roller, allowing the sliding of the overlapping band above the base band during feed motion, maintaining constant the required tension and eliminating the rolling up of the overlaying band in correspondence of the transversal bind with the base band.

Abstract: A transport device for an agricultural utility machine is provided, having a first pipe section in which a first conveyor auger is rotatably situated and a second pipe section in which a second conveyor auger is rotatably situated, and a joint and/or plug device to connect the first pipe section to the second pipe section. A friction clutch is provided between the first and the second conveyor auger to transfer torque from the first conveyor auger to the second conveyor auger. An agricultural utility machine having such a transport device is also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a series of article-handling machines, comprising: a common first rotating element rotatable about an axis; characterized in that each article-handling machine comprises a carousel for conveying a plurality of articles along a path and a first connecting element which is angularly integral with carousel and is releasably connected to first rotating element.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a pinch roller lifting mechanism. The pinch roller lifting mechanism includes drive rollers for holding and transferring a medium, the drive rollers arranged adjacent to each other along a first axis, pinch rollers for holding the medium with the drive rollers, a plate-like member extending along the first axis, wherein the plate-like member includes an opening, a support member having a first end section on which the pinch rollers are provided, a cam slidably provided on the plate-like member, the cam comprising a guide section that abuts against a second end section of the support member and engages the opening of the plate-like member, a pulley operationally connected to a drive motor for pulling the plate-like member in a first direction, and a spring that biases the plate-like member in a direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: It is disclosed a matrix conveyor (10) comprising: a plurality of individual roller modules (28), wherein respectively one roller module (28) is arranged at each point of intersection of a regular grid-shaped structure (68), and wherein the roller modules (28) commonly define a conveying plane (30), which is substantially planar, for transporting a conveying good (72) thereon; and a superordinated control device (12) being adapted to individually control each of the individual roller modules (28) so that the conveying good (72) can be transported along a path (74), which can be planned in advance, wherein a shape of the path (74) is defined by a plurality of overlaps of at least two basic conveying directions (60, 62) of the conveying plane (30); wherein the at least two basic conveying directions (60, 62) geometrically span the conveying plane (30), and wherein each of the roller modules (64) is drivable in only one of the at least two basic conveying directions (60), wherein directly adjacent roller modules

Abstract: A transport device and a transport method for a container treatment plant as well as a blow molding machine is provided. The transport device comprises at least one transport star for transporting receptacles to or away from a treatment station of the container treatment plant, wherein the at least one transport star is arranged obliquely to the treatment station.

Abstract: There is disclosed a conveying apparatus for articles, provided with a first conveyor having an inlet section for articles to be conveyed and an outlet section for the articles, and with a second conveyor which can be selectively set in communication with a transfer section of the first conveyor; the first conveyor is selectively set in a first operative release configuration of the articles at the outlet section and in at least one second operative release configuration of the articles at its transfer section; the second conveyor is selectively set in a first operative withdrawal configuration of the articles from the first conveyor at its transfer section and at least in one second operative inhibition configuration of this withdrawal.

Abstract: An agricultural device for controlled unloading of grain including an unloader conveyor including an enclosed housing having an inlet end including an opening for receiving grain, and an opposite outlet end including a discharge opening through which the grain can be discharged. An unloader conveyor element extends through the housing between the ends and operable for conveying the grain through the housing from the inlet end and discharging the grain through the discharge opening. The unloader conveyor element includes a substantially vertical unloader conveyor segment connected to a substantially horizontal unloader conveyor segment. An unloader drive selectably operates a portion of the conveyor element associated with the substantially vertical unloader conveyor segment in a disengaged mode in response to a sensed cumulative loading condition of the substantially vertical unloader conveyor segment and the substantially horizontal unloader conveyor segment exceeding a predetermined value.

Abstract: A transfer device comprising a mandrel wheel; and a transfer wheel, respectively driven to rotate about rotation axes that are parallel to one another and which respectively include supports in their peripheries for objects to be imprinted or processed otherwise, wherein a distance of the supports at the mandrel wheel from a rotation axis of the mandrel wheel is variable between a minimum distance and a maximum distance, and the mandrel wheel and the transfer wheel are arranged adjacent to one another so that objects are transferrable from a transport device through the transfer wheel to a respective support at the mandrel wheel or vice versa from the mandrel wheel through the transfer wheel to a transport device, wherein the supports are respectively attached to the transfer wheel through a transfer pivot arm so that they are pivotable about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a series of rollers for conveying a product to one or more product operations. A pair of spaced apart side frames support the series of rollers spanning between said the frames. A drive system is associated with one or more rollers of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder, an elastomeric sleeve and a moving belt, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the moving belt against one or more of the rollers for their rotation. A brake system is associated with one or more of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder and a fixed elastomeric band, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the fixed elastomeric band against one or more of the rollers for stopping its rotation.

Abstract: An agricultural device for unloading of grain including an unloader conveyor includes a first enclosed housing having an inlet end including an opening for receiving grain. A second enclosed housing having an opposite outlet end includes a discharge opening through which the grain can be discharged. An unloader conveyor element extends through the housing between the ends and is operable for conveying the grain through the housing from the inlet end and discharging the grain through the discharge opening. The unloader conveyor element has a first unloader conveyor segment in operative association with a second unloader conveyor segment downstream of the first unloader conveyor segment. A directional transition region is positioned between the first unloader conveyor segment and the second unloader conveyor segment. At least a portion of the second housing near the directional transition region includes a region having reduced cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A belt conveyor (100) for an agricultural harvester comprises first and second conveyors that include side rails (102, 104, 120, 122) made of extrusions in which the side rails (102, 104) of the first conveyor have extruded profiles that engage extruded profiles of the side rails (120, 122) of the second conveyor (130), wherein the mating extruded profiles permit relative sliding movement between the first and second conveyors. The two mating pairs of side rails (102, 120 and 104, 122) may be driven in parallel by a common motor (706).

Abstract: An article singulating conveyor assembly and method of singulating articles includes providing a conveying surface defining a plurality of tandem zones. The conveying surface travels in a longitudinal direction. Each of the zones includes a pair of laterally spaced side frame members and a plurality of generally parallel elongated driven rollers that are supported at the side frame members. The driven rollers are adapted to provide lateral variation in the longitudinal speed of the conveying surface. Each of the zones includes at least one drive motor that is adapted to drive the driven rollers in that zone. At least one article sensor is provided that is adapted to sensing articles in the zones. The driven rollers may be divided into a plurality of segmented rollers that are separately rotatable with a separate drive motor to drive corresponding segments for a zone. The drive motors for adjacent zones may be activated in a manner that creates a longitudinal gap between longitudinally adjacent articles.

Abstract: This invention provides a roller assembly including a rotary member including a driving shaft portion and a convey roller portion provided with the driving shaft portion, a driving wheel including a hole portion and attached to the driving shaft portion, the driving wheel being driven to rotate, a transmission receiving portion radially extending outward from the driving shaft portion and rotated together with the driving shaft portion, a friction transmission member clamped between the transmission receiving portion and a side surface of the driving wheel and frictionally transmitting a rotational force of the driving wheel to a rotary member, and a biasing portion applying a clamping force between the transmission receiving portion and the side surface of the driving wheel.

Abstract: An electronic-component conveying apparatus that conveys an electronic component by holding the electronic component in a through hole provided in a conveying table of the apparatus, in which the electronic component can be quickly and reliably dismounted from the through hole by using compressed gas, and undesired popout of the electronic component due to a residual pressure infrequently occurs, whereby the efficiency in the conveying process can be increased.

Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying flat objects on edge, which device comprises at least two wheels having elastically deformable treads and disposed facing each other so as to move a flat object on edge by pinching and friction. The two wheels are arranged in such a manner as to exert a pinching force on the flat object on edge that varies progressively as the flat object is driven forwards.

Abstract: A roller drive and system of roller drives, which includes a roller component driven by an electric motor, the electric motor being supplied from an electronic circuit, which is connected to a secondary coil, which is inductively coupled to a primary conductor installed in the external environment of the roller component, the electric motor, the electronic circuit, and the secondary coil being at least partially surrounded by the roller component so as to form a housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling articles (4) through a multi-stage process, the apparatus comprising at least one rotatable process turret (2) having a number of pockets (3), wherein each pocket (3) is adapted to support an article (4). The pockets (3) are arranged in groups and each group of pockets (3A, 3B, 3C) has associated tooling (5A, 5B, 5C), which carries out one stage of the process. The articles (4) are initially fed into one group of pockets (3A) only. A re-phase means (6) is provided to transfer the article (4) from one group of pockets (3A, 3B) to another (3B, 3C).

Abstract: An instant powder conveyor device of a drinks preparing machine including a rotatable wire conveyor spindle disposed substantially horizontally in a bottom area of the instant powder container. At the wire conveyor spindle, an outflow opening is provided. In the instant powder container, above the wire conveyor spindle at least one back feed conveyor screw is arranged. Its back feed conveyor track starts near the end of the wire conveyor spindle, or conveyor track, and is shorter than the conveyor track of the wire conveyor spindle.

Abstract: An article singulating conveyor assembly and method of singulating articles includes providing a conveying surface defining a plurality of tandem zones. The conveying surface travels in a longitudinal direction. Each of the zones includes a pair of laterally spaced side frame members and a plurality of generally parallel elongated driven rollers that are supported at the side frame members. The driven rollers are adapted to provide lateral variation in the longitudinal speed of the conveying surface. Each of the zones includes at least one drive motor that is adapted to drive the driven rollers in that zone. At least one article sensor is provided that is adapted to sensing articles in the zones. The driven rollers may be divided into a plurality of segmented rollers that are separately rotatable with a separate drive motor to drive corresponding segments for a zone. The drive motors for adjacent zones may be activated in a manner that creates a longitudinal gap between longitudinally adjacent articles.

Abstract: A transport system for container processing machines, particularly for bottle fillers, with inlet and outlet stars, which can be driven and are arranged on columnar support housings, and define a star configuration, in which the inlet and outlet stars define container transport paths which are linked with the machine. Each support housing presents at least one, preferably lateral, connection interface, to which a joining end of a connection strut is attached, in a removable manner. The other joining end of the connection strut is connected, in a detachable manner, to a connection interface of an additional support housing or of a machine substructure. In each case, in such manner, the star configuration can be changed as desired in a modular manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for conveying a stack of flat objects, in particular a stack of mail items, in a conveyance direction. The conveyor device comprises a base face, a side wall, which is perpendicular to the base face, a base face conveyor facility let into the base face and a side wall conveyor facility let into the side wall. The side wall is divided into two partial side walls. The rear partial side wall—viewed in the conveyance direction—is offset outward in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in relation to the front partial side wall. The side wall conveyor facility is let into the rear partial side wall. The base face conveyor facility is embodied to exert a force on the objects, which moves the objects toward the side wall conveyor facility.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism is adapted for use with a woodworking machine. The feeding mechanism includes a rail unit adapted to be disposed on two sides of a worktable, a feeding unit, and a press roller unit. The feeding unit includes a slidable body adapted to extend across the worktable and disposed slidably on the rail unit, two spaced apart rollers disposed on the slidable body, a belt component trained on the rollers, and a driving component for driving the rollers to rotate along with the belt component. The press roller unit is adapted to extend slidably across the worktable and includes a slidable seat disposed slidably on the rail unit, a press roller connected pivotally to the slidable seat, and a resilient component adapted for biasing the press roller to press the workpiece against the feeding unit.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a conveying device provided with seat elements arranged for receiving objects, the seat elements being movable along a curved path, and a further conveying device provided with a transferring arrangement arranged for delivering the objects to, and/or removing the objects from, the conveying device, wherein the transferring arrangement comprises coupling elements arranged for engaging the seat elements in such a way that the seat elements and the transferring arrangement are maintained mutually coupled along a portion of the curved path.

Abstract: Packets of cigarettes are conveyed from a packer to a cellophaner by a unit utilizing a first pocket conveyor connected to the infeed of the cellophaner, and a second pocket conveyor by which packets are directed onto the first conveyor at a transfer point; the unit is also equipped with a sensor that will check whether or not each pocket of the second conveyor is occupied by a packet, and a placement mechanism, interlocked to the sensor, of which the function is to fill any empty pockets of the first conveyor with packets recycled from the cellophaner.

Abstract: A coin separating unit of a compact configuration for separating coins of different thicknesses from a bulk supply includes a coin transporting unit such as a rotating belt having a support surface of a predetermined flexibility and friction characteristic. A separating roller unit is positioned above a support surface and rotates in a direction opposite to the movement of the belt. A supporter unit is operatively located upstream of the separating roller unit and can displace coins that are overlaid with each other. The belt has sufficient flexibility so that a gap between the surface of the belt and a separating roller unit can be increased to accommodate a particular thickness of coin as it passes beneath the separating roller unit.

Abstract: A conveyor device (1) for conveying substantially round products (11), for example eggs, comprises a support track (4) along which the products (11) can move in a conveying direction during use. Furthermore, the conveyor device (1) comprises a first substantially cylindrical engagement member (5), which extends transversely over the support track (4) with respect to the conveying direction. The engagement member (5) is designed to be flexible at least at the circumference, in order to engage on the products (11) on the support track (4), and can rotate about its axial axis (6) in order to advance the products (11) along the support track (4). The support track (4), downstream of the first engagement member (5) as seen in the conveying direction, has a elevated portion (8) which is located at a distance from the first engagement member (5) which is such that the latter engages on the products (11) on the upward part of the elevated portion (8).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing onto vials. The vials may be connected in a series, the vials having an open end and a closed end. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for moving the vials, the conveyor having a mandrel for receiving the open end of the vials. The mandrel may contain a plurality of receiving post, for capturing the vials. The apparatus may further include a vial depressor for depressing the vials onto the receiving post of the mandrel, a first offset inking transfer device for printing a first ink pattern onto the vials, and a first ultra violet dryer positioned to receive the vials from the first offset inking transfer device and provide for curing of the ink pattern from the first offset inking transfer device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveying mechanism capable of accurately detecting a conveyance amount of an object to be conveyed with a simple configuration. A magnetic sensor is fixed to a casing along a locus of a contact point between a sheet and a conveying roller on the basis of a play between the conveying roller and an opening. With the configuration, the contact point and the magnetic sensor are disposed relatively close to each other. Consequently, the pure conveyance amount according to the rotation amount of a magnetic recording medium using the contact point as a reference can be detected by the magnetic sensor. Moreover, the movement amount of the contact point relative to the center axis of the opening as a reference position in association with the play can be also detected with high sensitivity. Thus, the conveyance amount of the sheet can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: The rotary disc conveyor system is formed of a series of units or pans linked together to form a continuous conveyor run. Each of the pans preferably includes a pair of rotary discs thereon, with all of the discs of the system rotating simultaneously and unidirectionally to convey material along the conveyor run. Each disc includes a series of generally radially disposed vanes thereon, to assist in sweeping the material along the conveyor. Guides may be installed along either side of the system, between each disc, to facilitate material flow and restrict return flow. Mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical power may be used to provide rotation of the discs. The rotary disc conveyor is particularly well suited for use in longwall coal mining for removing loose coal from the mining head and conveying it along the face of the wall to another transport system for removal from the mine.

Abstract: For automatic transportation and lifting and lowering of specimens in an automatic stainer, a drive system comprises a motor (16) and a side wall assembly (40), the motor (16) being coupled on the drive side to a first (12) and a second (14) crank system. The first (12) and second (14) crank systems are respectively coupled to the side wall assembly (40).

Abstract: A conveyor system, such as an induction subsystem for supplying articles to a sortation subsystem, and method of conveying articles includes providing a conveying surface for conveying a series of articles and at least one sensor for sensing the articles on the conveying surface. A control is provided which establishes at least one parameter for each of the articles and controls the conveying surface as a function of the at least one parameter of each of the articles. The control includes a computer and a program for the computer. The program includes at least one probability estimator. The control determines the at least one parameter of each of the articles at least in part by the at least one probability estimator. The control controls gaps between articles or synchronizes arrival of articles at the sortation system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing onto vials. The vials may be connected in a series, the vials having an open end and a closed end. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for moving the vials, the conveyor having a mandrel for receiving the open end of the vials. The mandrel may contain a plurality of receiving post, for capturing the vials. The apparatus may further include a vial depressor for depressing the vials onto the receiving post of the mandrel, a first offset inking transfer device for printing a first ink pattern onto the vials, and a first ultra violet dryer positioned to receive the vials from the first offset inking transfer device and provide for curing of the ink pattern from the first offset inking transfer device.

Abstract: A system for reducing torque disturbance includes a motor mechanically coupled to an endless belt. The motor is operable to drive the belt, and the belt has a seam that causes a torque disturbance to the system. The system includes a data structure having a set of values that indicates an amount of compensation for reducing the torque disturbance and a controller electrically coupled with the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor and reduce the torque disturbance based on the set of values in the data structure.