Abstract: An object pick-up, transfer and placement apparatus which does not employ a source of negative pressure. A flexible bellow defines a collapsible interior chamber and a top through-bore in communication with atmospheric or greater pressure via a valve. The bellow collapses when contacting an object, and the valve is closed, preventing air from entering the interior chamber. When the apparatus is used to lift the object, the bellow expands, causing reduced pressure in the interior chamber, securing the object to the apparatus. To release the object, the valve is opened, allowing entry of air to the interior chamber, and release of the object. This invention prevents contamination on egg shell surfaces to become air-born and cross-contaminate the entire egg pack, equipment surfaces, floors and other facility surfaces which in turn creates a hazardous working environment.

Abstract: A system for forming and moving an article array including a consolidation area having a support surface for receiving and arranging rows of articles to form an article array from an article row delivery device while the consolidation area continuously stabilizingly supports the periphery of the article rows positioned on the support surface as the article rows are arranged to form the article array.

Abstract: A complete cutting station for separatingly cutting out packaging units from a film composite, the cutting station having a movable complete cutting tool configured for severing the film composite. The complete cutting station further comprises a conveying system having a plurality of conveyor elements for conveying a respective separated packaging unit, wherein each conveyor element in turn comprises a head portion for engaging with a respective packaging unit. The head portions of the conveyor elements may be movable between a first position in which the gripped packaging units are at a first distance relative to each other, and a second position in which the packaging units are at a second, smaller distance from each other or at least partially overlap in at least one spatial direction.

Abstract: The present invention extends to a stacking mechanism having electrical actuators for stacking slabs of sod on a sod harvesting machine. The electrical actuators allow the stacking head to be driven in three axes. The stacking mechanism also includes position feedback sensors for reporting the position of the stacking head to enable precision when operating the stacking head at a fast rate. The stacking mechanism of the present invention also provides temporary pallet support wings to enable the continued stacking of slabs of sod on one pallet even while another pallet is being dropped from the sod harvesting machine.

Abstract: A device for grouping and/or separating of articles which are transported on a conveyor device (10) along a conveying plane in at least a row in an essentially closed stream and which are grouped by at least one separating finger (16) which is inserted into the stream from below, transverse to the conveying direction (t). The separating finger (16) is inserted in the stream in such a way that a targeted article and the articles following the targeted article are slightly delayed or accelerated during their forward movement in the conveying direction (t) whereby a gap is formed. The separating finger (16) engages with a lateral edge of an outer surface of the article includes a contact area (26) that at least partially contacts and/or at least partially encompasses the outer surface of the article.

Abstract: A freeze dryer comprises a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber. An assembly for loading and/or unloading the chamber comprises a transfer bar extending across the slot. The bar is pivotally attached at each end to first and second flat springs, each spring being wound on a respective rotatably mounted spool located proximate the slot. Drive means are provided for synchronously rotating the spools to effect movement of the bar into or out from the chamber and for selectively rotating the spools to raise or lower the bar.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) and method for continuous loading and accumulation of rows (12) of suspendedly handled items (5) includes, at the top, a feed jig (2) with one or more feed channels (3) having air conveying means and grippers (4) for holding the items and, at the bottom, a continuous-motion loader (6) having movable panels (7) or fixed walls (8) on the outer periphery to define a plurality of passageways (9). The continuous-motion loader (6) is of such a length as to define a row loading area, defined by the feed jig (2), and a row pickup area external to such jig (2): an additional section may be provided between the feed area and the pickup area for maintenance and accumulation of the loaded rows (12) of items.

Abstract: A towable sod stacker having a pallet holder for holding a stack of sod, a conveyor for receiving and temporarily storing a plurality of cut sod slabs and a sod pickup mechanism for lifting the plurality of cut sod sections from the conveyor and vertically placing the sod slabs in any of four positions on the pallet to provide an alternately stacked pallet of sod slabs with the towable stacker conveyor laterally displaceable to permit an operator to on-the-go dump a spoiled sod slab from the conveyor.

Abstract: A process and a device for collecting and palletizing bottles 3 is provided, especially empty plastic bottles, which are fed from a bottle producer 36 or a bottle conveyor 8 in one or more rows one behind the other to a collecting device 4. They are transferred there to one or more intermediate carriers 6, forming bottle layers 25, wherein the loaded intermediate carriers 6 are subsequently conveyed to a palletizing device 7. The intermediate carriers 6 move in a circle in the collecting and palletizing unit 2 and can also be transferred into a storage facility 7 for intermediate storage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging containers, of the type having an engagement lip, wherein the apparatus includes tacks to engage the engagement lip to move the containers from starting point to a delivery point. The containers are moved by the apparatus while being engaged by the track such that the containers are never free from the track until loaded on a pallet. A set of the containers is constricted into a bundle and the bundle is then resquared and set on a pallet. One a pallet includes a sufficient number of bundles the pallet is bound for shipment or storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for palletizing packing drums (7) on a load platform (P), especially barrels, kegs or the like in substantially cylindrical or barrel-shaped receptacles, and/or for depalletizing the packing drums. The inventive method provides as high turnover speed as possible for a layer of, for instance, six or eight packing drums (7*) without causing problems related to the inertia of masses and oscillating phenomena limiting turnover speed. This is achieved by vertically lifting each respective layer (7*) of packing drums in relation to a direct or indirect carrier contact surface (A1, A2) to the packing drum layer during transfer to or from a palet (P). The packing drum layer and the pallet are placed separately from each other (palletizing) or together (depalletizing) in a continuously identical receiving and lift movement position (G) by displacing their contact surface on a plane on which the lift movement is vertically performed.

Abstract: A method and system for packaging a plurality of containers, wherein each container has a body and an engagement lip surrounding a neck portion, which comprises a plurality of steps. First, a set of containers is provided. Next, containers are loaded on a plurality of neck guides and locomoted along the neck guides to a gathering area to form a bundle of containers. The container is lowered onto a conveyor element and transported with the conveyor along a path to a loading area. A transfer device stacks the bundle on a pallet.