The invention is a method and device for reducing bundles (2) being conveyed in a transport direction (TR) in n rows (3) to a smaller number of continuing transport rows, in particular to (n1) or (n2) or (n3) continuing transport rows (3-1, 3-3). A space (8) is formed at least between the individual bundles (2) of at least one incoming and continuing transport row (3-1, 3-3). The size of the space (8) corresponds to at least the value of a longitudinal extent of an individual article or of an individual group (2) in transport direction (TR). At least two bundles (2) of the at least one row (3-2) are transferred simultaneously by a gripper (10) into a number of consecutive spaces (8) between bundles (2) of a continuing transport row (3-1, 3-3) adjacent to the row (3-2).

The invention relates to device, method and packaging facility having a transport section (17) for feeding article arrangements (5) in a transport direction (TR) to a packaging module (18). The transport section (17) comprises a transfer plate (15), on which the articles (2) of the article arrangements (5) are movable in a sliding manner. Located above the transfer plate (15) are pushing devices (16) for moving the articles (2) on the transfer plate (15), with the pushing devices (16) being movable in transport direction (TR) at least in some areas. The transport section (17) furthermore comprises outer guide elements (20) and inner guide elements (21) disposed on the transfer plate (15), with the outer guide elements (20) laterally delimiting the transport section (17) and, with the inner guide elements (21) being readjustable by at least one readjustment mechanism that is disposed at least partly below the transfer plate (15).

According to the invention, the device comprises at least one flap spreading head (12a, 12b), the flap spreading head being vertically mobile for insertion thereof into a container (3) to be processed and including first and second flap spreading blades (121.sub.1, 121.sub.2) mounted on pivots and an actuator (122.sub.1, 122.sub.2). The actuator is adapted to command rotation of the flap spreading blades that on rotating come into contact with flaps (R1a, R1b) and bring about spreading thereof by folds toward the exterior of the container.

A positioning device (1) for grasping and modifying the position, within a support structure (2) that includes, a set of products (3) for an industrial line that chain-handles these products (3), a device including, for at least one product (3) to move in the support structure (2), a maneuvering unit (4) including a movable block (5) interacting with the at least one product (3), and an actuator (6) defining the position of the block (5). This at least one maneuvering unit (4) also includes a pair of adjustment stops (7) between which the block (5) shuttles, under the action of the actuator (6), in such a way as to move the at least one product (3). A gripping device, a positioning process, and a transfer process are also described.

A medicine dispensing apparatus gives a sense of stable operation of discharge of excessive medicines when used with general-purpose medicine feeders. A temporary reserving structure is provided at the lower end portion of a medicine guide structure configured to guide medicines discharged from a general-purpose medicine feeder of a non-cassette, fixed container portion type so as to fall down, the temporary reserving structure being operable to temporarily reserve the medicines and cause the medicines to collectively fall down. When it is detected that an excessive medicine has been discharged from the medicine feeder, packing operation is temporarily stopped and the temporary reserving structure is caused to reserve the medicines, and an operation to draw out medicine feeder mount portions is allowed, and thereafter resumption of the packing operation is allowed when it is detected that the medicine feeder mount portions are drawn out and pushed back.

A packaging machine includes a compact dynamic shuttle buffer arranged upstream of a packaging station.

A pharmaceutical container processor for processing pharmaceutical containers includes a set of container operation stations along which a set of container operations occur. The set of container operation stations includes a storage station where pharmaceutical containers are stored; a first identification station where pharmaceutical containers are each identified; a labeling station where a label is applied to pharmaceutical containers; a second identification station where pharmaceutical containers are each identified after the label is applied; and an outlet station where pharmaceutical containers are moved to after said pharmaceutical containers are identified at the second identification station. First and second container transporters move each pharmaceutical container through the set of container operation stations. Each pharmaceutical container is transferred from the first container transporter to the second container transporter along the set of container operation stations.

A thermoform packaging machine comprising, as work stations, a forming station for thermoforming troughs in a packaging film, at least one sealing station for sealing the troughs with a cover film, and a cutting station as well as a feeding device for causing a feed of the packaging film. A method for using such a thermoform packaging machine wherein a controller determines for two or more work stations, prior to a process step, which required feed length each of these work stations has, the required feed length indicating the distance by which the packaging film will have to be conveyed for the next process step of the respective work station, before a feed length specification is ascertained from the required feed lengths determined and the feeding device is controlled accordingly.

An automation or robotics application to wrap objects that are cuboid-shaped and may have an arbitrary size. The machine includes a first module for advertising, dimensioning, and user interfacing. A second module is provided for wrapping paper handling. A third module provides a platform and object alignment assembly. A fourth module provides a gift wrapping chamber. A fifth module provides a taping and dispensing area. A sixth module provides a waste management area. The wrapping machine is configured to autonomously wrap the object and to deliver the fully wrapped object back to original position of the platform.

A turret assembly rotatably mountable to a container sealing system. The turret assembly includes an annular turret having a plurality of arcuate container pockets arrayed about an outer periphery of the turret and an annular chamber located radially inward of the outer periphery of the turret, and a hub removably secured within the annular chamber of the turret, wherein the hub is adapted to be rotatably secured to the container sealing system. A turret system for use with a can seamer is also provided, and includes two or more annular turrets, and a hub removably securable within the annular chamber of the two or more annular turrets for selectively mounting the annular turrets to the hub and the can seamer.