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.

The invention relates to a device (10) for filling a thin-walled transport container (12) with notes of value. The device (10) comprises a supply unit (100) for supplying the notes of value and a stacking unit (200) for stacking the supplied notes of value. Further, the device (10) comprises a receiving unit (400) for receiving the thin-walled transport container (12), a holding unit (600) for holding a first closing element (18) and a second closing element (20) for closing the thin-walled transport container (12), a displacement unit (700) for displacing a value note stack created by means of the stacking unit (200) into the thin-walled transport container (12), a retaining unit (500) for holding notes of value transported into the thin-walled transport container (12) in the orientation in which they have been supplied to the transport container (12) and/or a closure unit (300) for closing a closing unit (16) for closing the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12).

The invention relates to a gripping head (15) for insert sheets (11) for inserting between rows of folding boxes (3) in a receptacle (2), characterized in that it comprises: at least one first aspiration element (17a, 17b) designed to grasp an insert sheet (11), at least one second aspiration element (18a, 18b) designed to grasp an insert sheet (11), at least one linear element (19a, 19b) on which at least the first aspiration element (17a, 17b) is mounted and able to slide, a controllable actuating mechanism (20), designed to displace at least the first aspiration element (17a, 17b) by sliding on the at least one linear element (19a, 19b) into a position of grasping in which the at least one first aspiration element (17a, 17b) and the at least one second aspiration element (18a, 18b) are positioned at a spacing from each other in order to grasp an insert sheet (11).

The apparatus includes a moveable support platform within the container to reduce a distance that items fall into the container when stowed. The support platform is lowered by a movement mechanism as items are placed into the container. The movement mechanism may be a bladder filled with air, a biasing device, a pneumatic device, or a mechanical device. The moveable support may form a bottom portion of the container during transport of the container. In some instances, the movement mechanism may lift items out of the container to empty the container at a destination.

Embodiments of product handling systems facilitate transfer of individual product items from incoming bulk form into dedicated trays for inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging. Inspection may comprise interrogation of product items within a tray by electromagnetic (e.g., optical, hyperspectral) or other (e.g., physical, acoustic, gas sensing, etc.) techniques. Prior to packaging, product items disposed within the tray may be stored in a moveable carousel responsible for controlling environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, illumination, ambient gases, product-to-product interactions, and/or others. Movement of product items from a carousel's transfer station to an outside staging position may be accomplished using robots and/or conveyor belts. Embodiments may allow rapid, low-cost consumer selection of specific individual product items based upon their accompanying metadata (e.g., source, identifier), in combination with the results of inspection (e.g., visual appearance). Embodiments may receive product items pre-packaged in tray format to expedite inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging.

Apparatus to transfer bottles in a container, said apparatus comprising at least a transfer device to transfer the bottles in a first direction and a pick-up and delivery member configured to transfer the bottles from the transfer device to the container. The transfer device and the pick-up and delivery member are disposed consecutive with respect to each other and are of the metering screw type. The pick-up and delivery member is associated to movement means provided to translate the pick-up and delivery member and bring it from a first pick-up condition to a second delivery condition, and vice versa, in a second direction, transverse to the first direction.

A moveable support platform within a container may reduce a distance that items fall into the container when stowed. The moveable support platform is lowered by a movement mechanism as items are placed into the container. The movement mechanism may be a bladder filled with air, a biasing device, a pneumatic device, or a mechanical device. The moveable support platform may form a bottom portion of the container during transport of the container. In some instances, the movement mechanism may lift items out of the container to empty the container at a destination.

A rectangular article boxing method of the present invention includes: a step of erecting upright and aligning a bundle of rectangular articles, gripping, lifting, transferring, and lowering the bundle and inserting the bundle between a first guide and a second guide disposed at a predetermined interval in a carton; a step of displacing the first guide to above the upright bundle; a step of moving the inserted bundle to a position in contact with the existing bundle and holding the bundles with the second guide; a step of holding the upright bundles with the first guide in place of the second guide; and a step of displacing the second guide to a position at the predetermined interval from the first guide to receive the bundle to be conveyed next.

A loading device for loading storage and transport receptacles or trays for plastic receptacles, such as plastic bottles, is disclosed which has a transport system for the trays that can be operated automatically and a transferring device for the plastic receptacles. The transferring device has a multi-gripper for securely grasping a predetermined number of plastic receptacles arranged in the form of a row. A stabilizing system is arranged in a loading station for the trays, which stabilizing system has a first support rack and a second support rack, which are arranged essentially parallel to one another and can be at least partially inserted into a tray that is to be loaded.

A paper sheet storage equipment includes an inner housing defining an opening, a bag installation unit, a temporary storage unit including a limiting member and a supporting plate which defines a temporary storage region communicated with the opening, and a sealing unit for sealing the paper sheet storage bag. Multiple paper sheets are conveyed one at a time and through the opening into the inner housing to be stacked on the supporting plate. The limiting member is operable to engage the supporting plate such that the supporting plate supports the paper sheets, and is operable to disengage the supporting plate such that the supporting plate is swingable to allow the paper sheets to drop into the paper sheet storage bag.