A transfer device and a control device for controlling the transfer device are provided. The control device is configured to execute setting control to set a storing position, in a container, of each of a plurality of articles to be stored in the container, storage control to control the transfer device so as to store each of the articles at the storing position, and replacement control to replace one of a first holding portion and a second holding portion attached to the attachment portion with the other one. The setting control is control to set the storing position in accordance with an order of transferring the plurality of articles so as to sequentially place the articles from a reference position that is set at a position adjacent to a side wall portion.

A transfer device and a control device for controlling the transfer device are provided. The control device is configured to execute setting control to set a storing position, in a container, of each of a plurality of articles to be stored in the container, storage control to control the transfer device so as to store each of the articles at the storing position, and replacement control to replace one of a first holding portion and a second holding portion attached to the attachment portion with the other one. The setting control is control to set the storing position in accordance with an order of transferring the plurality of articles so as to sequentially place the articles from a reference position that is set at a position adjacent to a side wall portion.

A head for use in forming an article array in a container cavity (“cavity”) by sequential placement of adjacent article rows in the cavity, including a gripper having a frame having a longitudinal axis, the gripper adapted to selectively engage and disengage an article row for permitting placement thereof; and a flexible layer connected to the frame and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and positioned to one side of the gripper. During formation of the article array in the cavity, the flexible layer preventing contact between a most recently positioned article row in the cavity and a corresponding article row being positioned in the cavity, including filling a remaining unfilled portion of the cavity between a penultimate article row and the container for receiving the final article row having a width approximately equal to or less than a width of the final article row.

A head for use in forming an article array in a container cavity (“cavity”) by sequential placement of adjacent article rows in the cavity, including a gripper having a frame having a longitudinal axis, the gripper adapted to selectively engage and disengage an article row for permitting placement thereof; and a flexible layer connected to the frame and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and positioned to one side of the gripper. During formation of the article array in the cavity, the flexible layer preventing contact between a most recently positioned article row in the cavity and a corresponding article row being positioned in the cavity, including filling a remaining unfilled portion of the cavity between a penultimate article row and the container for receiving the final article row having a width approximately equal to or less than a width of the final article row.

A conveyor system for grouping containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers of various dimensions a first star wheel and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a third star wheel and a fourth star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers, wherein the first travel path and the second travel path are substantially similar.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

A transfer device and a control device for controlling the transfer device are provided. The control device is configured to execute setting control to set a storing position, in a container, of each of a plurality of articles to be stored in the container, storage control to control the transfer device so as to store each of the articles at the storing position, and replacement control to replace one of a first holding portion and a second holding portion attached to the attachment portion with the other one. The setting control is control to set the storing position in accordance with an order of transferring the plurality of articles so as to sequentially place the articles from a reference position that is set at a position adjacent to a side wall portion.

A transfer device and a control device for controlling the transfer device are provided. The control device is configured to execute setting control to set a storing position, in a container, of each of a plurality of articles to be stored in the container, storage control to control the transfer device so as to store each of the articles at the storing position, and replacement control to replace one of a first holding portion and a second holding portion attached to the attachment portion with the other one. The setting control is control to set the storing position in accordance with an order of transferring the plurality of articles so as to sequentially place the articles from a reference position that is set at a position adjacent to a side wall portion.

A conveyance device 1 that conveys articles, the conveyance device 1 including a circulation path 10 and movable modules 20 that are movable on the circulation path 10. A main container 31 on which an article can be placed and a pair of holding members 311, 312 able to move towards and away from each other are provided to some of the movable modules 20. The article is placed on the main container 31 and conveyed on the circulation path 10 while being held by the pair of holding members 311, 312.