Processes and systems for cleaned storage of high level cleanliness articles, such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle carriers. A decontamination chamber cleans the stored workpieces. A purge gas system prevents contamination of the articles stored within the workpieces. A robot detects the condition of the storage compartment before delivering the workpiece. A monitor device monitors the conditions of the stocker.

A product stacking system may include an open bag detection subsystem and a product stacking subsystem. The open bag detection subsystem may agitate bags to cause product to be displaced out of open bags and determine if a bag is open by comparing a weight of the bag after the agitation to a target threshold. The product stacking subsystem may include a robotic arm and a controller that moves the robotic arm between posts of a bin based on an orientation of the bin. A turntable rotates the bin and can operate as a an addition axis of movement of the robot.

A layered food packaging system including a conveyor that conveys a first layered food and a second layered food, a lamination device that laminates the first layered food onto the second layered food on the conveyor such that a layered food laminate is made, a carrier device that holds the layered food laminate and carries the layered food laminate from the conveyor, and a package device that prepares a bag for the layered food laminate carried by the carrier device and places the layered food laminate into the bag.

A layered food packaging system including a conveyor that conveys a first layered food and a second layered food, a lamination device that laminates the first layered food onto the second layered food on the conveyor such that a layered food laminate is made, a carrier device that holds the layered food laminate and carries the layered food laminate from the conveyor, and a package device that prepares a bag for the layered food laminate carried by the carrier device and places the layered food laminate into the bag.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging machine for packaging articles, apparatus for a packaging machine and to a method of packaging articles. The packaging machine comprises an article manipulation apparatus. The article manipulation apparatus comprises a first conveyor for conveying packages. The packages each comprises a carton having at least one displaceable article disposed therein. An article orientation device comprises a tool head movable synchronously in a downstream direction with the first conveyor. The tool head has at least one article gripper for engaging with a displaceable article in the carton. The at least one article gripper is rotatably mounted to the tool head. An article displacement device comprises at least one article displacement tool. The article displacement tool is receivable in an opening in a carton to engage and displace the displaceable article such that it protrudes through a second opening in said carton.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging machine for packaging articles, apparatus for a packaging machine and to a method of packaging articles. The packaging machine comprises an article manipulation apparatus. The article manipulation apparatus comprises a first conveyor for conveying packages. The packages each comprises a carton having at least one displaceable article disposed therein. An article orientation device comprises a tool head movable synchronously in a downstream direction with the first conveyor. The tool head has at least one article gripper for engaging with a displaceable article in the carton. The at least one article gripper is rotatably mounted to the tool head. An article displacement device comprises at least one article displacement tool. The article displacement tool is receivable in an opening in a carton to engage and displace the displaceable article such that it protrudes through a second opening in said carton.

An apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers, in particular vials, syringes or carpules, and a filling device for filling pharmaceutical containers. The apparatus includes a frame that can be positioned on a set-down surface and has a surface, a first side and a second side, a processing station, and a transport device arranged between the first side and the second side, with circulating holding elements for the containers which move along a transport direction on a transport segment and counter to the transport direction on a return segment. The processing station is arranged at the transport segment, and the transport segment and the return segment are arranged above the surface. The transport plane is inclined by an angle of inclination relative to a plane of the surface and/or a horizontal plane, and the transport segment is arranged above the return segment in the direction of gravity.

The present invention relates to a lollipop production and down-stream processing apparatus (1) with a forming unit (2) and a down-stream processing unit (4) and a transfer wheel (3) in between the units (2,4) which rotates around a first axis (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6) which releasably hold the stick of the lollipop and which rotate relative to the transfer wheel (3) around a second axis of rotation (27) parallel to the first axis of rotation (26). The present invention further relates to a method to transfer a lollipop from a forming unit (2) to a down-stream processing unit (4) by means of a transfer wheel (3) which rotates around an axis of rotation (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6), each gripping the stick of a lollipop and taking it out of the holding means of the forming unit (2) and handing it over to the holding means of a down-stream processing unit (4).

The present invention relates to a lollipop production and down-stream processing apparatus (1) with a forming unit (2) and a down-stream processing unit (4) and a transfer wheel (3) in between the units (2,4) which rotates around a first axis (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6) which releasably hold the stick of the lollipop and which rotate relative to the transfer wheel (3) around a second axis of rotation (27) parallel to the first axis of rotation (26). The present invention further relates to a method to transfer a lollipop from a forming unit (2) to a down-stream processing unit (4) by means of a transfer wheel (3) which rotates around an axis of rotation (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6), each gripping the stick of a lollipop and taking it out of the holding means of the forming unit (2) and handing it over to the holding means of a down-stream processing unit (4).

A lollipop production and down-stream processing apparatus with a forming unit and a down-stream processing unit and a transfer wheel in between the units which rotates around a first axis and which includes a multitude of grippers which releasably hold the stick of the lollipop and which rotate relative to the transfer wheel around a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation.