There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.

There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.

Various continuous chain conveyors, parts for same (e.g., chain guides, chain drives, etc.), packaging and handling equipment and systems and related methods are disclosed herein. In one form, a chain conveyor comprising a primary continuous chain having a first portion configured to carry objects along a path and a return portion, a motor operably coupled to the primary continuous chain so as to induce movement of the chain, a first sprocket engaging the return portion of the primary continuous chain, wherein movement of the return portion causes the first sprocket to rotate, a second sprocket coupled to the first sprocket by a drive shaft, wherein rotation of the first sprocket causes the second sprocket to rotate, and an auxiliary chain operably coupled to the second sprocket such that rotation of the second sprocket causes movement of the auxiliary chain.

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.

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.

In an illustrative embodiment, a system for identifying products on a production line includes image capturing devices that acquire images of containers moving along a production line at an inspection location. The system also includes a rejection device and a controller that configures the image capturing devices for image acquisition based on properties of the containers, identifies a product associated with each of the containers based on a portion of a product identification code and a portion of additional features detected in the images, and determines whether the identified product matches predetermined properties or characteristics, resulting in a pass result, otherwise a non-pass result occurs. When a non-pass result occurs, the controller outputs a signal to actuate the rejection device that removes the container from the production line.

Facility for sorting items comprising: at least one conveyor comprising supports designed to support the items, and at least one receiving device, the supports being designed to eject at least some of the items in succession into or onto the receiving device, the ejected items describing true paths (Tr) with respect to the receiving device, the true paths being liable to belong to a predefined set (Tr-Out) of potential paths considered as being incorrect. The facility further comprises: a detector designed to supply primary information relating respectively to true paths, and an analyzer designed to use the said primary information and to produce at least one secondary information item representative of the belonging of at least one of the true paths to the predefined set (Tr-Out).

Facility for sorting items comprising: at least one conveyor comprising supports designed to support the items, and at least one receiving device, the supports being designed to eject at least some of the items in succession into or onto the receiving device, the ejected items describing true paths (Tr) with respect to the receiving device, the true paths being liable to belong to a predefined set (Tr-Out) of potential paths considered as being incorrect. The facility further comprises: a detector designed to supply primary information relating respectively to true paths, and an analyzer designed to use the said primary information and to produce at least one secondary information item representative of the belonging of at least one of the true paths to the predefined set (Tr-Out).

Apparatus includes a conveyor and pusher elements, mounted on carriages predisposed slidably on support rods fixed transversely to belts of the conveyor to displace the articles transversely to an advancement direction thereof. Idler rollers are below the carriages. First and second sliding pathways, alternating in sliding the rollers, are of such a shape that when the rollers pass along the first sliding pathway, the carriages maintain a stationary position on the support rods and when the rollers pass along the second sliding pathway, the carriages translate along the support rods so that the pusher elements translate transversely to displace and push the articles transversely. A switching device abuts the rollers and deviates them so that the rollers can be inserted and slide in either the first or the second sliding pathway.

A three-dimensional printing system for printing out an object includes a support plate, a delivery module, one or multiple printing devices, and an object detaching member. The delivery module includes a belt covering the support plate. The belt includes a printing area above the support plate and a separation section of the support plate. The printing device is arranged corresponding to the support plate. The object is formed layer by layer in the printing area via the printing device and is moved with the belt. The object detaching member is arranged under the belt and between the support plate and the separation section. The object detaching member includes an abutment portion abutted against the belt. The abutment portion is at a position higher than the separation section to form a height level difference.