Abstract: A conveyance apparatus, a conveyance method and a food production method that enable to accurately place a conveyance object on a conveyance body while enabling the conveyance object to be conveyed at high speed by the conveyance body are provided. A catcher is moved to be arranged in a raised position where a placement surface is located above a conveyance surface, and in a lowered position where the placement surface is located at a same height as the conveyance surface or where the placement surface is located below the conveyance surface. A conveyance object supply unit places a first conveyance object onto the placement surface in such a manner that the first conveyance object is received by the placement surface above the conveyance surface. The catcher is moved from the raised position toward the lowered position so that the first conveyance object is conveyed downstream by the conveyance body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate an apparatus for inspecting and sorting a plurality of substrates. The apparatus includes a sorting unit, a first conveyor lane disposed within the sorting unit in a first direction and a first plane, and at least a second conveyor lane disposed within the sorting unit, the second conveyor lane positioned in a second direction at an angle of greater than about 45 degrees relative to the first direction, wherein the second conveyor lane is positioned in a second plane that is different than the first plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying a pitch between moving articles includes a phaser conveyor having a dosed-loop central belt and two closed-loop side belts including respective rows of stop elements configured to engage side portions of articles projecting laterally outside the central belt. As compared to rotary repitching devices, the apparatus according to the invention is much simpler and more energy-efficient, which has a positive impact on sustainability.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vacuum lifting arrangement comprising a vacuum pump, a valve arrangement, a support structure, and a flexible lifting tube comprising a suction foot. The vacuum pump is connected to the valve arrangement and to the flexible lifting tube. The valve arrangement is arranged to extend and retract the flexible lifting tube. The valve arrangement is arranged separate from the suction foot, between the vacuum pump and the suction foot. The disclosure also relates to a method of providing a vacuum lifting arrangement.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes a conveyor and a conveyed object receptor. The conveyor includes a conveyance surface facing downward and configured to convey a conveyed object having a sheet-like shape. The conveyed object receptor is arranged below the conveyor and configured to receive the conveyed object having fallen from the conveyor.

Abstract: A vacuum system for securing substrates is provided, having a suction line, the conveyor belt configured to receive and transport at least one substrate, wherein the conveyor belt is provided with a plurality of perforations, wherein the vacuum system is configured to produce fluid suction through the perforations towards the interior of the suction line, generating a securing force of the at least one substrate to the conveyor belt. The invention is characterized in that each perforation is equipped with a valve which allows the opening and closing of the perforation, allowing and impeding, respectively, the passage of a fluid flow through the perforation.

Abstract: A track shoe assembly includes a pad portion, and a grouser that extends from the pad portion along a direction that is perpendicular to the pad portion, terminating at a free end. A first cap is attached to the grouser, at least partially covering the free end of the grouser. The cap comprises a wear resistant material such as a white iron material or a carbide material.

Abstract: A centering device (1) for centering flat workpieces (700-706) comprises a centering station (100) having at least a first and a second gripping device (300, 301) for gripping the workpiece (700-706), and conveying means for conveying workpieces (700-706) in a conveying direction to the centering station (100). The first and the second gripping device (300, 301) can each be moved horizontally by a first and a second guiding device (200, 201), respectively, and the first and the second gripping device (300, 301) can rotate freely about an axis.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a masking system to apply a mask to a workpiece, comprising: a frame structure, an application head, an X-axis movement element, a Y-axis movement element, a Z-axis movement element, and a workpiece movement element. The frame structure comprising a workpiece support. The application head can be configured to apply film to a workpiece. The application head can comprise a vacuum roller comprising a rotatable cylindrical body with an outer surface; a film roll comprising film wrapped around a spool; a cutting element configured to cut the film to separate a portion of the film from a remainder of film on the film of the film roll, and a guide element disposed between the film roll and the vacuum roller. The guide element is moveable. The guide element is configured to contact an unwound portion of the film between the film roll and the vacuum roller.

Abstract: A medium transporting apparatus includes a transport belt that has a loop shaped, a cling mechanism that causes the medium to cling to the transport belt, a rotation mechanism that transports the medium by rotating the transport belt, a plurality of detection units that detect an transport direction end of the medium, a controller that corrects a skew of the medium, and a stacker on which the medium transported by the transport belt is stacked, in which the plurality of detection units are arranged at positions that are on an upstream side of the transport belt in the first transport direction and that are different from each other in a width direction, and the controller corrects, according to a result of the detection by the detection units, the skew of the medium in a state of being cling to the transport belt.

Abstract: A cutting system including a cutting table and a first cutting material belt movably supported about the cutting table and a second cutting material removably supported above the first cutting material, the laser cutting material having a metal material having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a tablet printing apparatus includes: a first rotator having an inner space; a duct configured to communicate with the inner space of the first rotator; a suction pipe configured to suck inside the duct; a second rotator arranged to face the first rotator across the duct; a conveyor belt wrapped around the first rotator and the second rotator; and a print head that performs printing on a tablet held on the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of suction holes which communicate with the inner space of the first rotator and that of the duct, and are arranged in the rotation direction of the first rotator. The first rotator and the duct constitutes a suction chamber that applies a suction force to those of the suction holes of the conveyor belt located around the outer periphery of the first rotator and the duct.

Abstract: The invention presented and described comprises an apparatus for mounting flat data carriers (1) on a continuous carrier web (2), having a data carrier supply device (3), a data carrier transfer device (4) and a carrier web positioning device (5), wherein the supply device (3) has a drive roller (6), a deflector (7) arranged substantially horizontally spaced apart from the drive roller (6) and at least one carrying belt (8) which runs around the drive roller (6) and deflector (7), wherein the carrying belt (8) has an upper run (9) which runs substantially horizontally in the feed direction of the data carriers (1), and a lower run (10) which runs in the opposite direction below said upper run, wherein the upper run (9) forms a transport path (11) for the data carrier (1) and is hydraulically connected to a suction box (12) which is arranged beneath in such a way that data carriers (1) which are located on the upper run (9) can be drawn by suction onto the carrying belt (8) by negative pressure, wherein the tr

Abstract: A conveyor device for the suspended conveyance of conveyable goods using negative pressure, comprising a continuous conveyor belt guided along a negative-pressure chamber with a rearward side facing towards the negative-pressure chamber. A contact side of the conveyor belt is provided with suction openings formed between the rearward side and the contact side of the conveyor belt. A recess extending in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt and limited by longitudinal edges of the conveyor belt is formed on the contact side such that a suction duct sealed by the longitudinal edges and arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt with respect to the contact side of the conveyable goods is formed between the contact side of the conveyor belt and the contact side of the conveyable goods.

Abstract: A belt-driven linear module includes a tensioning assembly and a drive belt. The tensioning assembly includes a support shaft and a bearing. The support shaft is configured to be installed at a driven end of the linear module. The bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring is positioned on the support shaft, and the outer ring is configured to be wrapped by the drive belt of the linear module so as to tension the drive belt of the linear module.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a discharge portion that discharges liquid to a medium to be transported in a transporting direction, and a supporting portion that has a supporting surface supporting the medium, in which the supporting surface does not have unevenness in a width direction intersecting the transporting direction, but has groove portions formed continuously along the width direction, and the groove portions are formed with suction holes which suck the medium.

Abstract: A direct-to-object printer includes an object rotating subsystem. The object rotating subsystem includes an actuator with an output shaft, a holder mounted to the output shaft, the holder being configured to grip a portion of the object, and a controller operatively connected to the actuator. The controller is configured to operate the actuator to rotate the holder and the object gripped by the holder to enable at least one of the printheads in a printer to print a portion of a circumference of the object that is longer than a width of the at least one printhead.

Abstract: A media transport system includes a vacuum plenum and a belt positioned over the vacuum plenum. The belt includes at least one member having a first region and a second region that both include holes that enable the vacuum plenum to apply a force to hold print media against the belt. The belt also includes slots formed through the at least one member in an inter-copy gap positioned between the first region and the second region. Each slot is formed with a larger area than an area of each hole.

Abstract: A printing method of a printing apparatus which includes a transport unit, a transport position output unit, a mark detecting unit, a steering unit, and a storage unit, the method including first processing in which the medium is transported by a first distance in the second direction, and positions the first mark on the downstream side of the detecting region in the second direction; second processing in which arriving at a predetermined position of the first mark is detected based on the output value of the drum encoder and a reference value; and third processing in which printing is started based on a detecting timing of the first mark, in which the first distance is a first stable transport distance or more which converges a deviation amount in the third direction into a predetermined first deviation amount until the first mark reaches the first predetermined position.

Abstract: An improved belt for use in a belt separation apparatus and an improved method to separate a particle mixture based on tribo-electric charging of particles is disclosed. The improved belt is particularly suitable for tribo-electric separation of particles that tend to accumulate on the edges of the belt separation apparatus and/or tend to compound, or blend, with the belt material. The improved belt comprises impermeable longitudinal edges, apertures interior to the longitudinal edges of the belt, and periodic notches formed in the longitudinal edges of the belt at periodic locations in the edge of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying good. According to one embodiment the conveyor includes a holding unit for holding or releasing the goods with respect to a conveyor belt. The holding unit includes vacuum holding means and magnetic holding means. The magnetic holding means includes at least one movable element that comprises at least one magnet or has a magnet attached thereto. The movable element is able to deactivate the magnetic holding means by distancing the magnet from the conveyor belt, and is also able to be arrange in a closed position in which the movable element blocks a vacuum conduit extending through the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A first score line camera captures an image of one sides of a plurality of tablets being conveyed by a conveyor drum. During transfer from the conveyor drum to a first conveyor belt, all the tablets are turned upside down while their directional properties are maintained. A second score line camera captures an image of opposite side of the tablets being conveyed by the first conveyor belt. Based on image data about both the front sides and back sides of the tablets acquired by the first and second score line cameras, a first ink-jet head performs front-side printing process on a front side of a tablet to conform to a predetermined direction relative to a score line in this front side. The second ink-jet head performs back-side printing process on a back side of a tablet to conform to a direction on the back side same as the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A transmission for driving articles can drive the articles in any direction up to nearly 360 degrees from a first direction of motion of the article while maintaining the input constant. The transmissions can be used in connection with material handling systems to convey articles to desired locations. Conveyor sections may have a plurality of such transmissions whose orientations are controlled as a group or individually.

Abstract: As an electronic component conveyance device that aligns a stack direction of internal electrodes in an electronic component in a highly reliable manner. An interval between a first sidewall and a second sidewall in a midstream part is larger than an interval P3 between the first sidewall and the second sidewall in a downstream part. A first magnetic force generation unit is provided lateral to the first sidewall in the midstream part. The height of a center of the first magnetic force generation unit with respect to a bottom surface is larger than P3/2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets. The conveyor mechanism comprises a movable conveyor body, a drive mechanism, and an adjustment system configured to detect and correct skewing of the conveyor body, comprising one or more markers provided on or in the conveyor body, a sensor arrangement for detecting each marker at two or more discrete positions, and a processor to determine the skewing of the conveyor body. The conveyor body and the drive mechanism of the conveyor mechanism are mounted on a movable conveyor frame, and the adjustment system includes a frame shifting device comprising one or one or more actuator for shifting or moving the conveyor frame relative to a fixed framework. The invention also provides a related method of correcting skewing in a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets along a transport path.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting veneer sheets, where the veneer sheets each have an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of edges connecting the upper surface to the lower surface. The apparatus includes a vacuum source and a conveyor for transporting individual sheets of veneer along a direction of travel to a predetermined location. The conveyor includes a belt running in the direction of travel. A vacuum opening adjacent the belt is in communication with the vacuum source to draw respective sheets of veneer to the belt by suction applied to the upper surface or the lower surface of the veneer sheets via the vacuum opening. The position of the conveyor is adjustable in a direction transverse the direction of travel to accommodate veneer sheets having different lengths.

Abstract: A printer includes a vacuum belt assembly for moving print media in a media feed direction along a media path. The vacuum belt assembly includes: a plurality of endless belts tensioned between first and second pulleys, the first and second pulleys having respective first and second axes of rotation perpendicular with the media feed direction; and a vacuum chamber for drawing print media onto an upper surface of the belts. Each belt is independently laterally slidable along one of the first and second axes.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor employs suction to stabilize products on a conveyor belt. The sorting conveyor comprises a conveyor belt including a plurality of embedded rollers for moving conveyed objects relative to the conveyor belt. A vacuum chamber below the conveyor belt houses activators for the rollers and selectively creates a vacuum zone above the conveyor belt for pulling objects on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: System and methods of treating or handling cardboard sheets.

Abstract: The invention is related to a transport system for sheet material including a conveyor belt charged with a vacuum. The transport system includes a vacuum chamber providing the vacuum to charge the conveyor belt while moving along the vacuum chamber in a transport direction, wherein the conveyor belt is permeable to air by recesses having specified distances from each other, and air nozzles arranged at a deflection position inside the vacuum chamber. The specified distances from each other correlate with the distances of the recesses in the conveyor belt to allow pressurized air charged to the air nozzles to pass through the recesses in the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and processing a plurality of articles includes a conveyer structured to convey a plurality of articles along a conveyer path and at least one processing station provided along the conveyer path to perform at least one processing operation. The conveyer path includes at least one loop or festoon.

Abstract: Device (10) for forming packs of bags (P) for moving from a first area (S1), where an already produced bag (P) is arranged, to a second area (S2) for collecting the bags in packs, comprising at least one rotor (14) carrying a pair of supports (17) for the bag (P) and suction means to fix the bag (P) to the support while the rotor (14) rotates. The device advantageously comprises means (18) designed to maintain said support (17) in a position parallel to itself during the movement between the first area (S1) and the second area (S2).

Abstract: A powered draw belt of a belt conveyor for conveying glass sheets has a main supporting surface, and is fitted with a suction retaining device for securing a glass sheet to the draw belt; the retaining device having at least one hollow body at least partly covering the main supporting surface; the hollow body defining a supporting surface for the glass sheet, and having at least one elastically deformable portion spaced apart from the main supporting surface to define, with the main supporting surface, a variable-volume chamber connectable to a suction source.

Abstract: An ink jet printer for printing on an at least partially cylindrical objects comprises one or more printheads positioned above a line of travel and a carriage assembly configured to hold an at least partially cylindrical object axially aligned along the line of travel and to position said object relative to the printheads, and then rotate the object relative to said one or more printheads. The printer also includes a curing device located along the line of travel and configured to emit an energy suitable to cure the deposited fluid.

Abstract: A conveyor that is disposed at a printing unit of a box making machine and conveys a corrugated sheet 10a that is to undergo printing, includes: a conveyor belt 23 having a conveying face that conveys the corrugated sheet; a suction box 24a that is disposed at a side of a back 23b of the conveying face of the conveyor belt and that suctions the corrugated sheet onto the conveying face with negative pressure; a plurality of guide rolls that guide or drive the conveyor belt. Air blowing means is disposed on the back side of the conveyor belt within a region from an outlet roll to an inlet roll of the guide rolls and blows air to an outside.

Abstract: A vacuum roll includes an inner rotor, an intermediate stator, and an outer shell roll. The inner rotor has open and closed portions and is adapted to rotate within the intermediate stator which is rotationally fixed and also has open and closed portions. The outer shell roll has open and closed portions and is adapted to move around the intermediate stator. Together the inner rotor and the intermediate stator define an internal rotary valve interface adapted to control fluid communication between the interior chamber and the outer shell.

Abstract: A system for conveying an article along a transfer path includes at least a first and a second vortex suction unit disposed in sequence in a direction of the transfer path. A conveyor is configured to support the article relative to at least one of the suction units and a main controller is configured to separately control the vortex suction units so as to convey the article along the transfer path using the conveyor.

Abstract: Provided are vacuum transport systems, methods of making them and methods of transporting one or more objects. In accordance with various embodiments, there is a vacuum transport system including a vacuum plenum and one or more transport members configured to rotate around the vacuum plenum and wherein at least one of the one or more transport members can include a substrate, the substrate including a plurality of holes extending from a first side proximate to the vacuum plenum to a second side proximate to an object, wherein a surface of the second side comprises a textured surface having an average roughness Ra of about 2 ?m to about 100 ?m.

Abstract: A cylinder for conveying printed sheets along a UV or electron beam drier has inert-gas openings to which an inert gas is supplied at least temporarily during operation. A method for conveying printed sheets is also provided.

Abstract: A machine for processing sheets of different formats includes a pneumatic drum having an outer sleeve with pneumatic nozzle channels and an inner sleeve with a covering segment for covering the nozzle channels in a format-dependent way. A motor is provided to rotate the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve while the machine is running to carry out a flying format change of the pneumatic drum.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming (e.g. die necking) open ends of open-ended metal container bodies. An exemplary embodiment provides a number of movable holders for container bodies that move the container bodies along a path extending through the apparatus. A motor advances the holders and container bodies along the path in steps with pauses between each step. Each step advances one or more container bodies (and preferably two or more). One or more groups of work stations positioned adjacent to the path provides tool sets for carrying out a forming operation on one (and preferably two or more) container bodies simultaneously. Individual container bodies, or more preferably groups of two or more, are subjected to one or more forming operations during passage along the path (preferably the periphery of one or more star wheels).

Abstract: A system for conveying an article along a transfer path includes at least a first and a second vortex suction unit disposed in sequence in a direction of the transfer path. A conveyor is configured to support the article relative to at least one of the suction units and a main controller is configured to separately control the vortex suction units so as to convey the article along the transfer path using the conveyor.

Abstract: A method for transporting articles (2) to a station, in particular preforms to a blow-molding apparatus, wherein each article has a protrusion (10) and is moved along a guide (16) by a drive means (18), the article (2), along at least part of the guide (16), should be retained on an abutment (19, 21, 23), and advanced along this abutment, by an air stream.

Abstract: A vertical closed loop link chain vacuum conveyor is provided. A conveying frame extends along a lane-like longitudinal conveying path. The frame has a vertical and longitudinally offset closed loop section. The closed loop section has a change in elevation including a decline and an incline, change in direction, and a central vacuum plenum. A multi-flex link chain is in guided support and travel in the conveying frame while running in trained contact about a link chain drive assembly. The multi-flex link chain is in evacuated communication with a suction generator is in ducted communication with the vacuum plenum.

Abstract: Provided are media vacuum transport systems including media vacuum transport members, methods of making media vacuum transport members, and method of transporting media. In accordance with various embodiments, there is a media vacuum transport system including a vacuum plenum one or more transport members configured to rotate around the vacuum plenum and wherein at least one of the one or more transport members can include a substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of holes extending from a first side proximate to the vacuum plenum to a second side proximate to the media, and a top coat layer disposed over the substrate, wherein the top coat layer can include a plurality of particles dispersed in a resin to provide an average surface roughness Ra of about 2 ?m to about 100 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are media vacuum transport systems including media vacuum transport members, methods of making media vacuum transport members, and method of transporting media. In accordance with various embodiments, there is a media vacuum transport system including a vacuum plenum one or more transport members configured to rotate around the vacuum plenum and wherein at least one of the one or more transport members can include a substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of holes extending from a first side proximate to the vacuum plenum to a second side opposite the first side, and a top coat layer disposed over the substrate, wherein the top coat layer can include a plurality of particles dispersed in a polymer blend to provide an average surface roughness Ra of about 2 ?m to about 100 ?m.

Abstract: A substrate sheet transporting device is provided. The device includes a first transfer cylinder defining a first axis, a circumferential direction and a transverse direction and a transfer belt (74) extending around the first transfer cylinder. The first transfer cylinder includes first openings for the passage of a gas and the transfer belt includes second openings for the passage of a gas. The transfer belt and the first transfer cylinder define an alignment position in which the second passage openings are aligned with the first passage openings. The transfer device includes a device for adjusting the position of the transfer belt relative to the first transfer cylinder by bringing the transfer belt toward the alignment position. The invention is applicable to cutting devices of rotary printing presses.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus has a conveying track for electronic devices in a row, two vacuum passages to create vacuum forces to hold electronic devices against the conveying track at first and second positions respectively preventing overlapping of electronic devices; and sensors arranged with respect to the conveying track, the first sensor detects presence or absence of the leading electronic device at the first position for removal of the leading electronic device from the conveying track, and the second sensor detects presence or absence of the leading electronic device at a sensor position between the first and second positions as the leading electronic device is conveyed along the conveying track from the second to the first vacuum passage.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line. This includes a pick up and release unit generally indicated at 16. The unit includes a central metal hollow body 17, which is divided into a number of side-by-side vacuum chambers, some of which have a perforate floor 19. A vacuum course 21 can be selectively connected to those, which have a perforate floor, while it is perpendicularly connected to a second set of chambers. Plates can be picked up from elevators 11 and 12 by use of the intermittent vacuum and then held against an endless belt 25 by the constant vacuum until they arrive at a release chamber, having a perforate floor, where upon interruption of the vacuum allows for release of the battery plate.

Abstract: A conveyor has drive and driven shafts mounted to undergo rotation, a transmitting member transmitting a rotational drive of the drive shaft to the driven shaft in synchronization relative one another, an elastic conveying member looped around the drive and driven shafts for conveying an object, and a guide portion arranged between the drive and driven shafts. The guide portion has rotators, receiving portions receiving respective ones of the rotators, openings communicating with through-holes of the conveying member, communication portions communicating with the openings and positioned so that each of the rotators is arranged between respective adjacent pairs of the communication portions, and connection members communicating with the openings via the communication portions. The connection members are configured for connection to a suction device for drawing air from the openings through the respective communication portions to draw by suction the conveyance object toward the conveying member.