A beverage capsule machine for making single use capsules (1) for infusion beverages such as coffee, milk, chocolate, tea or combinations of these ingredients, comprises: a transport element (8) for transporting the components of the capsule (1) and being closed in a loop around movement means (9); the transport element (8) is configured to define a plurality of pockets (10) for receiving the components of the capsule (1) and which are positioned one after the other, in succession; a plurality of stations which are positioned along a path (P) followed by the transport element (8) and which are configured for operating continuously in phase with the same transport element (8) and comprising at least: a feed station (11) for feeding rigid containers (2) into respective pockets (10) of the transport element (8); a dosing station (12) for dosing the product into the rigid container (2); a closing station (13) for closing the rigid container (2) with a length of sheet (7); an outfeed station (14) for the capsule (1).

A loose component supply device provided with: a stage configured to support scattered components; a holding tool configured to hold a component scattered on the stage; and a component reception member in which is formed a component reception recess in accordance with the component, the device supplying components in a state with the component held by the holding tool loaded in the component reception recess of the component reception member. With the loose component supply device, a setting section is provided for setting any of multiple of the component reception members. An identification plate is provided on the component reception member and a 2D code for identifying the type of the component that is able to be loaded in the component reception recess is provided on the identification plate. Thus, it is possible to confirm the type of component that is in accordance with the component reception member set on the setting section and to reliably set a component reception member that is in accordance with the component scheduled to be supplied on the setting section.

This article supply method comprises: a step for introducing, using a movable block capable of reciprocating between a first position and a second position, a single object to be conveyed into a housing portion formed on the movable block when the movable block is in the first position; a forward step for pressing the movable block from the first position in a range of motion of the movable block while vacuum-sucking the movable block from the second position in the range of motion of the movable block, and then continuing the vacuum-sucking from the second position and moving the movable block to the second position; a step for discharging the object to be conveyed from the housing portion when the movable block is in the second position; and a return step for vacuum-sucking the movable block from the first position and moving the movable block to the first position.

A method for placing packets having a length different from the width into and out of storage in a storage rack in which the packet is oriented extending longitudinally and transversely as selected and the orientation can be changed between a distribution path and it being placed into or out of storage. The orientation of the packet can be changed by 90 degrees between a distribution path and the storage rack, for which purpose in each case two incoming paths and/or outgoing paths are disposed in a crossing arrangement between the distribution path and the storage rack, wherein via each incoming path and/or outgoing path at least two storage rack aisles can be reached or emptied, and a 90 degree deflector is disposed at the crossing point in order to change the incoming or outgoing path as selected.

A conveying member for a conveyor includes a conveying element with a main surface, and a roller mechanism having a roller holder and at least one roller with a physical roller pivot. The roller holder can interact with an actuating device, is arranged on the conveying element and is designed such that the roller pivot is movable relative to the main surface of the conveying element between a first position and a second position. In the first and second positions of the roller pivot, the roller projects partly beyond the main surface of the conveying element. In the first position of the roller pivot, the roller assumes an arrested position in which rotation of the roller is arrested, and in the second position of the roller pivot, the roller assumes a freewheel position in which the roller rotates freely.

Conveyor system for the transporting of goods items, with one or more transport units, each of which comprises a load carrying means for accommodating a transport container, the transport units being movable along a conveyor track in or opposite to a direction of conveying, with at least one discharge facility for discharging an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item onto the load carrying means of a transport unit, and at least one retrieval facility for retrieving an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item from a load carrying means of a transport unit, where the transport containers comprise first, or small, transport containers with a first length and a first width, which is smaller than the first length, at least two of which may in each case be accommodated next to one another on a load carrying means of a transport unit with their longitudinal extension transverse to the direction of conveying, and where each transport unit is provided with a first retaining means and each small transport container is provided with a second retaining means, the first retaining means being designed to interact with the second retaining means of one or more small transport containers accommodated transversely to the direction of conveying, and to restrict movement of a small transport container in or transversely to the direction of conveying relative to the load carrying means in a predetermined measure; and method for the transporting of goods items using the conveyor system.

A system and method for operating a robotic system to use two or more tools to manipulate objects. The robotic system may coordinate planning processes and/or plan implementations based on grouping the objects.

An improved elastomer covered feed roll assembly (32R) for use in a feed/pull roll set combination (36) in a sheet finishing machine (12) comprises a roll core (50) having a cylindrical surface (60) with multiple longitudinally spaced and circumferentially offset elongated keyways (80, 82, 84, 86) each configured as a locking slot. Multiple replaceable flexible feed cover sections (52, 54, 56) each incorporating a flexible backing (120) and an elastomeric layer or coating (122) are removably mounted on the roll core by locking components (74, 76) on opposite ends (70, 72) of each of said replaceable flexible feed cover sections, the locking components of each replaceable flexible feed cover section engaging a locking slot (80, 82, 84, 86) corresponding to the feed cover section. The keyways draw together the opposite ends (70, 72) of corresponding cover sections to form corresponding end joints (96, 98, 100).

An article transfer apparatus includes: a conveyor configured to transfer workpieces; a photographing unit that acquires a three-dimensional image by photographing the transferred workpieces; a workpiece distinguishing unit that detects three-dimensional shapes and postures of the workpieces on the basis of the three-dimensional image acquired by the photographing unit; a storage unit that stores therein three-dimensional shapes of reference workpieces and postures of the reference workpieces in a state in which the reference workpieces do not overlap with another workpiece; and an overlap judgement unit that judges whether there is an overlap between the workpieces on the basis of the three-dimensional shapes and the postures of the reference workpieces stored in the storage unit, and the three-dimensional shapes and the postures of the workpieces detected by the workpiece distinguishing unit.

An article transfer apparatus includes: a conveyor configured to transfer workpieces; a photographing unit that acquires a three-dimensional image by photographing the transferred workpieces; a workpiece distinguishing unit that detects three-dimensional shapes and postures of the workpieces on the basis of the three-dimensional image acquired by the photographing unit; a storage unit that stores therein three-dimensional shapes of reference workpieces and postures of the reference workpieces in a state in which the reference workpieces do not overlap with another workpiece; and an overlap judgement unit that judges whether there is an overlap between the workpieces on the basis of the three-dimensional shapes and the postures of the reference workpieces stored in the storage unit, and the three-dimensional shapes and the postures of the workpieces detected by the workpiece distinguishing unit.