Abstract: A device for transfer of items, in particular food items such as pieces of meat, with the device having a base part using a vacuum source, a conveyor belt having a plurality of openings formed in the conveyor belt, a driver for the conveyor belt and a support adapted for supporting the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is arranged in a path or course such that the conveyor belt is supported by the support. Further, the base part has a first part corresponding to a vacuum transport zone and a second part corresponding to a friction transport zone. The invention also relates to a method of transferring items, in particular food items such as pieces of meat.

Abstract: When the operation of an electronic component conveying apparatus is to be stopped, application of a negative pressure to through holes is stopped, and a compressed air blowing mechanism blows compressed air from an exhaust nozzle with a pressure greater than a pressure applied during the operation of the electronic component conveying apparatus. Accordingly, an air curtain is generated at opening portions of the through holes on the guide member side, and the air curtain prevents electronic components from entering the through holes. The electronic components remaining in the through holes located downstream of the position of the exhaust nozzle in a conveying direction are conveyed to a measurement section so as to enable measurement of the characteristics thereof, and then discharged by a discharging mechanism in a discharge section. Thereafter, rotation of a conveying member is stopped.

Abstract: A device for the turning of flat articles, particularly blanks of folded boxes, includes conveying elements which define at least two conveying sections that are permeable to air and on which the articles are conveyed lying substantially flat, the conveying elements being mounted in a frame, a suction device arranged below the conveying element and to extend through the conveying section to increase the friction between the conveying elements and the articles, and a separate drive for each of the conveying elements of the respective conveying sections. The frame is mounted such that it can swivel about a pivot in the exit region of the frame relative to a machine frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for picking up, displacing and placing a strip or band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, comprising: a frame, a conveyor belt which runs over at least a first and a second roller, and a retaining unit provided with retaining means for retaining the strip or band onto the conveyor belt, wherein the frame is provided with the first roller, the retaining unit is displaceably mounted on the frame and provided with the second roller, and the device is furthermore provided with tensioning means for keeping the conveyor belt tensioned during the displacement of the retaining unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating such as printing objects transports the objects through treatment stations along a transport path using at least one transport means. The transport means is in the form of an endless flexible belt which circulates in a vertical plane and which is provided at its outer surface with holding means for the objects to be decorated. The holding means are in the form of flexible portions of plastic material which are connected to the belt. The belt and the holding means are provided with at least one opening connectable to a reduced pressure source in such a way that the reduced pressure acts on an object in the respective holding means and fixes it in its position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for the controlled transfer of unit loads from a first conveyor onto a second conveyor which is partially projected over by the first conveyor, the transport directions of which conveyors run at an angle with respect to each other. In order to permit controlled transfer of the unit loads in a defined position from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor, it is proposed that a negative pressure which acts on the upper side of the conveyor belt of the second conveyor can be generated below the first conveyor in the transfer region onto the second conveyor.

Abstract: A vacuum deck for a mailpiece insertion module including a plurality of friction drive belts, a support plate slideably supporting the drive belts, a repositionable backstop assembly disposed along the feed path of the envelope for arresting the motion of the envelope when disposed in a first position and permitting the conveyance along the feed path when disposed in a second position, a means for developing a pressure differential across the envelope for urging the envelope into frictional engagement with the friction drive belts, and a breaker plate disposed over and across an upstream portion of the friction drive belts to reduce friction drive forces developed along an upstream end portion of the envelope. In another embodiment of the invention, the pressure differential means is bifurcated such that the pressure differential developed across the breaker plate is lower than the pressure differential developed along the support plate and downstream of the breaker plate.

Abstract: A conveyor belt construction includes a flexible conveyor belt defining inner and outer surfaces, and a series of clamp assemblies that are used to mount conveying members to the conveyor belt. One of the clamp members defines a convex engaging area that engages one of the surfaces of the conveyor belt, and the other of the clamp members defines a concave engaging area that engages the other surface of the conveyor belt. The clamp members are secured together and the belt is sandwiched between the concave and convex areas of the clamp members. The conveyor belt construction is engaged about a pair of rotatable members. The concave and convex areas of the clamp members take up a length of the conveyor belt, to tighten the conveyor belt onto the rotatable members without the use of a belt tensioner. The conveying members may be in the form of platens mounted to the outer clamp members.

Abstract: The substrate transportation apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of transportation rollers 22A-22D disposed at a predetermined spacing for transporting the substrate 40 in response to rotation of the transportation rollers 22. Each of the transportation rollers 22 is generally hollow cylindrical member formed with a plurality of slit nozzles 24 in the circumference. Alternating rows of the transportation rollers 22 are designed to blow and suck air to and from the bottom surface of the substrate 40 under transportation while preventing dust or any other foreign materials from collecting on the bottom surface of the substrate 40.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus includes a platen having a flat supporting surface that supports a conveyor belt, from its inside, being stretched between first and second rollers. The apparatus further includes an encoder roller disposed between the first roller and the platen so as to be in contact with the conveyor belt from its inside, and a rotary encoder that follows the encoder roller to rotate. The belt is inclined between the first roller and the platen so as to form an obtuse angle with the supporting surface. A contact position between the encoder roller and the belt is in between a first imaginary plane including the supporting surface, and a second imaginary plane spreading through the nearer one, to the first roller, of both ends of the supporting surface in a direction of conveyance by the belt on the supporting surface.

Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor for transferring a web threading tail in a web manufacturing machine has a frame construction (15) and an air permeable belt loop (20), which is arranged around rolls (16, 17). The vacuum belt conveyor also has a first vacuum means (22) for creating a vacuum effect for the part of the belt loop (20) that transports the web threading tail (14) and a second vacuum means (23) for creating a vacuum effect in connection with the first roll (16). The second vacuum means (23) is arranged in the frame construction (15) for creating a vacuum to be introduced to the first roll (16) inside the belt loop (20).

Abstract: A system and method for conveying and for accurately handling a generally flat object employing a plurality of support elements. The system comprises: a plurality of vacuum preload drive wheels arranged in one or more drive units, each drive unit comprising at least one vacuum preload drive wheel; one or more vacuum ports located on one or more counter plates adjacent each of the vacuum preload drive wheels, for applying induced holding down forces on the object. The vacuum ports of each drive unit are fluidically connected to a main vacuum pipe with controllable valve to a vacuum source. When the main vacuum pipe is connected to a vacuum source the normal force between the object and the vacuum preload drive wheels is increased and accordingly the lateral drive force is increased.

Abstract: A device for transfer of items, in particular food items such as pieces of meat, which device comprises a base part (4) having vacuum communication means, a conveyor belt (6) having a plurality of openings (7) formed in the conveyor belt (6), drive means (8) for said conveyor belt (6) and support means adapted for supporting said conveyor belt (6). The conveyor belt (6) is arranged in a path or course wherein the conveyor belt (6) is supported by said support means. Further, the base part (4) comprises a first part (22) corresponding to a vacuum transport zone (30) and a second part (18) corresponding to a friction transport zone (32). The invention also relates to a method of transferring items, in particular food items such as pieces of meat.

Abstract: A device for optionally or selectively drawing in a cutout from a stack of several cutouts, or taking over a cutout from a separating cutting device, which separates the cutout from a material web, includes a vacuum guide roller in which the cutout coming from the stack or the cutout that has been taken over can be passed to a subsequent work station for processing of the cutout in a work cycle, at a cycle speed. This device reduces both production costs and machine maintenance costs, reduces the amount of space required for the machine and generates less noise. The vacuum guide roller is configured as a segment roller in which optionally or selectively the cutout can be drawn in from the stack and accelerated to the cycle speed, or the cutout taken over from the separating cutting device can be accelerated to the cycle speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating such as printing objects transports the objects through treatment stations along a transport path using at least one transport means. The transport means is in the form of an endless flexible belt which circulates in a vertical plane and which is provided at its outer surface with holding means for the objects to be decorated. The holding means are in the form of flexible portions of plastic material which are connected to the belt. The belt and the holding means are provided with at least one opening connectable to a reduced pressure source in such a way that the reduced pressure acts on an object in the respective holding means and fixes it in its position.

Abstract: A self-valving vacuum distribution system for a belt-driven sheet conveyor utilizes the sheets to automatically open vacuum control valves sequentially in a downstream direction as the sheet is carried on the belts. The system also automatically adjusts for varying sheet widths to automatically apply vacuum holding force only to the belt conveyor area covered by the sheet.

Abstract: A device for transporting sheets to a sheet processing machine includes a feed table, and at least one suction belt endlessly revolvable over the feed table. The suction belt is subjectible to vacuum from suction regions of different pressure levels disposed behind one another in a direction of sheet transport and the suction regions are producible by a single vacuum source. The suction belt is formed with through openings, and the feed table is formed with suction openings and ventilation openings, both of which correspond with the through openings formed in the suction belt.

Abstract: According to a method and a device for heating a strip-shaped carrier in an oven, a carrier is passed through the oven in a direction of conveyance. The carrier is supported by a heatable plate, which together with the carrier is moved through the oven stepwise with a predetermined step size from a starting position to an end position.

Abstract: The invention refers to the field of systems for conveying empty plastics bottles and more precisely to a star-shaped conveyor adapted to feed or discharge empty bottles to or from an operative machine. Preferably, but not exclusively, the machine which the star-shaped conveyor is connected to, is a machine for orienting and aligning empty plastics bottles or containers. The star-shaped conveyor is provided with a plurality of recesses (4), a negative pressure is established in each recess for an arc between 90° and 180°, the arc starts in correspondence of a machine and ends in correspondence of a conveyor (7) for transferring the bottles to a filling apparatus or to feed a bottle processing machine.

Abstract: A feeding device of chocolates and similar products for a wrapping machine includes: a first belt means which has a continuous advance motion, supports and moves a plurality of products, aligned and arranged in a single line at mutual contact; a second belt means aligned downstream the first belt means, having an alternate advance motion and associated to holding means of the product; a positioning wheel rotating, facing the second belt means immediately downstream the holding means and having a plurality of angularly equidistant pliers means for gripping the product.

Abstract: A device for conveying sheets through a printing machine, in particular through an ink jet printing apparatus, permits adaptation to different printing material thicknesses and ensures reliable transport. The conveying device has a conveyor belt which runs over deflection rollers and guide elements and to which sheets can be fed individually one after another. An apparatus enables setting the distance between the surface to be printed of a sheet and a print head. At least three conveying segments are arranged one after another, the print head being fastened to a holding device opposite a central conveying segment. Each conveying segment is assigned at least one guide element and it is possible to adjust the height of the guide element opposite the print head in accordance with the thickness of the sheets.

Abstract: A conveyor 1 for holding glass plates 2 in position during grinding and drilling operations comprising one or more than one belt 3, 3? 3? having a rotating surface and a suction generator 6 for generating a vacuum on the surface.

Abstract: A vacuum conveyor has a toothed belt with opposed sets of teeth along the sides of the belt inner surface; the belt is driven by a synchronous motor giving very precise delivery, the motor driving a toothed roll located in the conveyor center section within the loop of the belt. The oncoming and offgoing belt guidance rolls have replaceable bearing inserts; two rolls control the wrap and load transfer between the belt and the driving roll; the top reach of the perforated belt slides on plastic vacuum blocks, having through air passages in corresponding patterned relation at the surfaces of the blocks, bounded by air-sealing shoulder portions of the blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor apparatus, and more specifically to a conveyor apparatus that is capable of accepting a web of material having little to no inherent structural integrity from a first direction, inverting the material, and dispatching said material in a second direction. A conveyor apparatus for handling and inverting a web of material in accordance with the present invention comprises a receiving conveyor having an upper run for receiving the web of material after inversion. The present apparatus further includes an inversion conveyor having first and second legs arranged at an angle to each other, with the second leg of the conversion conveyor being positioned above the upper run of the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus is provided with a rotary disc portion with a suction means which forms a slit on an outer peripheral surface and sucks through the slit so as to convey a conveyed article in a state of holding the conveyed article by suction to both sides of the slit, and a linear conveying portion with a suction means which sucks the conveyed article riding over a pair of parallel conveying belts through a gap between the conveying belts so as to convey the conveyed article in a state of holding the conveyed article by suction to the conveying belt, and has one end opposing to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary disc portion so as to be capable of transfer the conveyed article. The conveying apparatus of the invention, the inspecting apparatus and an aligning and supplying apparatus allow for execution of a side surface inspection of a small article stably without requiring a lot of space.

Abstract: There are provided a conveying device capable of detecting a driving state of a conveying member with a simplified structure not requiring an encoder and the like, and an image-recording apparatus having the conveying device. A detector for detecting a surface aspect of a placing section of the conveying member is provided so as to recognize an operating state of the conveying member corresponding to the result detected by the detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying work pieces, especially suspended plate-shaped work pieces such as metal sheets or plates. The device includes at least one driven belt (1) that revolves around a retaining device (3) and that conveys work pieces (W) adhering thereto. A controllable device (6) for generating a negative pressure is provided on the belt (1) for the purpose of retaining the work pieces on the belt (1). An opening plane (22) defined by suction ports (7) of the control device is recessed in relation to a plane of conveyance (F) defined by the exterior of the belt (1) towards the retaining device (3) by a distance (A) so that a gap (Z) is formed between a work piece (W) adhering to the belt (1) and the opening plane (22) and the work piece (W) is retained on the belt (1) by the negative pressure produced in the gap (Z).

Abstract: A unit for supplying packets of cigarettes has a first and a second belt conveyor, which respectively define a first and a second path having a common portion; and a routing device extending about the first and second belt conveyor at the common portion, and cooperating with the belts of the first and second belt conveyor.

Abstract: In the case of a plant for transporting textile fabrics (1), with at least one permeable and suctioned conveyor belt (4) for the transport of a textile fabric (1) delivered by a textile machine onto the conveyor belt (4) at a delivery point (5), it is provided that on the side of the conveyor belt (4) facing away from the textile fabric (1), several air guiding means (6) extending transversely to the conveyor belt (4) are arranged, said air guiding means deflecting the air entrained by the conveyor belt (4) on the side facing away from the textile fabric (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying work pieces, especially suspended plate-shaped work pieces such as metal sheets or plates. The device comprises includes at least one driven belt (1) that revolves around a retaining device (3) and that conveys work pieces (W) adhering thereto. A control device or controllable device (6) for generating a negative pressure is provided on the belt (1) for the purpose of retaining the work pieces on the belt (1). An opening plane (22) defined by suction ports (7) of thesaid control device is recessed in relation tovis-à-vis a plane of conveyance (F) defined by the exterior of the belt (1) towards the retaining device (3) by a distance (A) so that a gap (Z) is formed between a work piece (W) adhering to the belt (1) and the opening plane (22) and the work piece (W) is retained on the belt (1) by the negative pressure produced in the gap (Z).

Abstract: The invention concerns an air permeable paper sheet as support element for a layer of fabrics (mat) on a production line in particular during the cutting phase. The invention is characterized in that said sheet has in its thickness pores or fine perforations distributed over the whole surface thereof, said sheet having a bulkiness or hand more than 2.5 cm3/g, enabling it to allow air to pass through by the suction effect produced from beneath its lower surface.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for a continuously operated conveyor-type thermal treatment of a material bed includes metal conveyor belt elements that are connected to each other. Each conveyor belt element is formed with perforations in order to allow gas to flow through the conveyor belt. The perforations are distributed non-uniformly over the conveyor belt element and are located in at least two perforation zones. The perforation zones are separated from each other by perforation-free zones.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for conveying and folding flexible packaging material, comprising a conveyor (1) with a conveyor belt (3) which is provided with through-going holes and which, for a part of its length, extends substantially rectilinearly and with constant orientation along a suction box (9). By connecting the suction box (9) to a source of partial vacuum, a partial vacuum is created at the side of the belt facing towards the packaging material, which ensures that the packaging material is well-fixed and can thereby pass closely adjacent and be heated by a heating device (15) extending along the belt. The apparatus makes for concentrated, energy-efficient and well-defined heating of an edge region of the packaging material intended for thermosealing.

Abstract: In order to convey articles in a conveying device incorporated, for example, within an automatic packaging plant, a first conveyor and a second conveyor are used, the first one being arranged upstream of the second one in the direction of feeding of the articles conveyed. The conveyors have respective conveying directions forming between them an angle equal, for example, to 90°. The articles are received on the second conveyor in a positive and unconfined conveying condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking slices of food products such as wrapped cheese slices and the like at high speeds. The apparatus comprises a vacuum conveyor for supporting slices from above, and at least one transfer bridge for mechanically peeling the slices sequentially from the conveyor and directing them downward into one or more stacking locations. The transfer bridge preferably comprises a plurality of downwardly sloping surfaces disposed beside the belts. To assist the transfer bridge in separating the slices from the belts, and to control slice position after separation, fluid pressure is applied to the slices during and after separation from the belts.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating the spine, cover portion, and pages of a book utilizing a holding structure for supporting the book in a certain position. While supported by the holding structure, the book is transported to a cutter where the cutter severs the spine from the remainder of the book. The cover and pages are then conveyed from contact with the cutter and the cover is separated from the pages.

Abstract: A multistage printing machine is disclosed with a vacuum conveyor between stages, and in which supplemental air is provided adjacent at least one printing cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the transport of workpieces (W), in particular of suspended, panel-shaped workpieces (W), such as sheets or plates. This apparatus has at least one rotationally driven conveyor belt (1, 2) for the workpieces (W) to be laid onto the latter and a holding device (3), past which the conveyor belt (1, 2) is led. The holding device (3) retains the workpieces (W) on the conveyor belt (1, 2) by means of a magnetic field passing through the latter (1, 2) and/or by generating a vacuum at suction orifices (4) of the conveyor belt (1, 2). The holding device (3) possesses at least one magnetic device (3a), with a magnetic conveyor belt (1), and at least one vacuum device (3b) separated from this and having a vacuum conveyor belt (2). The magnetic device (3a) and/or the vacuum device (3b) can be displaced with their respective conveyor belt (1, 2) relative to a common reference member (5) and can be brought into contact with the workpieces (W) to be transported.

Abstract: In a suction roller for the movement of sheet-shaped workpieces, particularly for their acceleration or braking, economical production and a design advantageous for flow technology are achieved by providing a wheel body having channels starting at one face, which are open on at least one side and which rotate in sequence past a fixed suction nozzle positioned on one face, as well as a surrounding band (toothed belt) applied to the external circumference of the wheel body with protrusions (teeth) extending outward and indentations between them, with each indentation connected by means of at least one connection boring with a channel.

Abstract: A transition between two sections of belt conveyors transfers a series of objects conveyed on the ending section of one conveyor through a pair of guide rails laterally over to a beginning section of the second conveyor. A source of vacuum is positioned between the ending section of the one conveyor and the beginning section of the second conveyor and holds the conveyed objects to the two conveyor surfaces as the objects are transferred between the two surfaces and thereby eliminates the problem of one or more conveyed objects falling over as they are transferred from the one conveyor surface to the second conveyor surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the transport of workpieces (W), in particular of suspended, panel-shaped workpieces (W), such as sheets or plates. This apparatus has at least one rotationally driven conveyor belt (1, 2) for the workpieces (W) to be laid onto the latter and a holding device (3), past which the conveyor belt (1, 2) is led. The holding device (3) retains the workpieces (W) on the conveyor belt (1, 2) by means of a magnetic field passing through the latter (1, 2) and/or by generating a vacuum at suction orifices (4) of the conveyor belt (1, 2). The holding device (3) possesses at least one magnetic device (3a), with a magnetic conveyor belt (1), and at least one vacuum device (3b) separated from this and having a vacuum conveyor belt (2). The magnetic device (3a) and/or the vacuum device (3b) can be displaced with their respective conveyor belt (1, 2) relative to a common reference member (5) and can be brought into contact with the workpieces (W) to be transported.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted multiple position walking beam apparatus (10), which has products (20) placed thereon.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a diverter positioned between an upstream conveyor and a pair of downstream conveyors and splits or switches a procession of objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor to one of the two downstream conveyors where both downstream conveyors are provided with a plurality of sensors along their lengths that detect the presence or absence of objects on the downstream conveyors at different positions along their lengths and supply signals to the diverter to control the diverter to switch between the two downstream conveyors to direct the objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor to the one of the two downstream conveyors having fewer objects being conveyed by the conveyor and also controls the speed of the upstream conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor vacuum system for transporting objects while applying vacuum to their undersides has a series of self-contained suction transfer blocks, each with a sensor low pressure air jet for detecting the presence of an article upon the conveyor belt, which sensor directly controls the application of high vacuum from an air driven ejector through the conveyor belt, to draw-down and secure the overlying object to the belt. A position encoder driven off the conveyor end pulley gives accurate stop/start operation of the conveyor (including reversal) for multiple work stations. Side by side conveyors can be clutch-driven from a common drive shaft. Return air has oily contaminants removed. The transfer blocks may also be “blown” to help support a load on the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor mechanism for transferring an article from a primary conveyor to a secondary conveyor that extends in a direction normal to the direction of the primary conveyor. The secondary conveyor has a receiving location at which it receives articles from the first conveyor. The second conveyor has a flat support surface over which a perforated continuous conveyor belt extends. A vacuum plenum is inlayed into the flat support surface and has openings in its upper plate that are located at the receiving location. A vacuum source is connected to the vacuum plenum for creating a vacuum in the vacuum plenum that pulls air through the perforated continuous conveyor belt which causes objects that are deposited on the secondary conveyor at the receiving location to be pulled to and held against the upper surface of the perforated continuous conveyor belt.

Abstract: On a machine for grinding sheets of glass, a sheet of glass for grinding is fed along a grinding path by a belt conveyor having a supporting structure, and a single powered toothed belt defined by a continuous supporting surface for supporting the sheet of glass; the belt having a retaining device which acts on the surface of the sheet of glass facing the supporting surface to keep the sheet of glass in contact with the supporting surface.

Abstract: A band conveyor device used for the suspended transport of plate-like workpieces, metal sheets or the like and has a conveyor belt which is moved along a holding track. A vacuum device holds the goods to be conveyed by suction against a transport side of the conveyor belt. The vacuum device has a multiplicity of suction nozzles which are disposed on the holding track at the transport side of the conveyor belt, so that their nozzle edges which point towards the transported goods to be conveyed are situated at a short distance from the goods. The air necessary for holding the goods is drawn through local, separate invariable vacuum zones, through which the goods pass in succession along the transport path.

Abstract: On a machine for grinding sheets of glass, a sheet of glass for grinding is fed to a grinding head by one or more slat conveyors, each of which has a supporting structure, and a number of powered pads having respective surfaces for supporting the sheet of glass; each pad having a respective vacuum retaining device movable between a retaining condition and a release condition respectively retaining and releasing the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A hopper is connected with a machine for manufacture of tobacco industry products including a tangential separator sequentially feeding an entry stock of the hopper. The distribution between portions of tobacco streams including a large proportion of short tobacco fibers and portions including a large proportion of long tobacco fibers of the tobacco stream set apart in advance in the entry stock is essentially longitudinal when the stream arrives on a transfer belt of the hopper. By imposing a change of direction on the tobacco stream as well as a reduction of speed of displacement of this stream, this longitudinal distribution is transformed into a transverse distribution. A spiked or barbed roller, placed at a right angle to this latter stream, homogenizes the distribution, making it possible for the distribution to be regular between short fibers and long fibers in the tobacco stream arriving through the chimney for the manufacture of the tobacco rod.

Abstract: Lightweight moulded pulp trays or the like are attracted upward from transport on the upper side of a first conveyor to contact with the underside of the lower run of the perforated conveyor belt of a vacuum transfer mechanism by means of vacuum conditions transmitted through groups of perforations in said perforated belt, the location of said perforations in each group, and the timing of vacuum conditions transmitted through each perforation in each group being arranged to lift the forward and rearward proportions of each said product simultaneously with continuous support during transport to a selected location for simultaneous release of vacuum support for said forward and rearward portions of each said product, whereby to provide a level lift and drop-off for each product.