A device for conveying and feeding containers, for machines for processing containers, which device includes a conveyor for movement of containers along an advancement direction, and separation system, which is adapted to mutually space apart the containers along the advancement direction. The separation system includes a screw feeder and at least one abutment wall, which is arranged so as to face to the lateral surface of the screw feeder. The screw feeder has, along its longitudinal extension, proceeding from one of its ends to the other end in the same direction as the advancement direction of the containers, three regions that can be engaged in sequence by the containers, respectively at least one access region for the containers, at least one accommodation region, which is adapted to receive one container at a time from the access region, and an acceleration region for accelerating the containers.

Page 2 Please replace the Abstract of the specification filed as follows:

A method for controlling the movement of an operating assembly of an apparatus for the automatic processing of articles includes defining, for at least one segment of the movement trajectory of the operating assembly, an acceptable deviation from the movement trajectory, such that the operating assembly can be moved in safe conditions, arranging an auxiliary guide element at a safety trajectory which is alongside the movement trajectory at a distance substantially equal to the deviation, and moving the operating assembly by means of at least one electric motor along said movement trajectory. If the operating assembly moves away from the movement trajectory by a distance equal to said deviation, the auxiliary guide element abuts the operating assembly, controlling its movement and guiding it along the safety trajectory.

Page 2 Please replace the Abstract of the specification filed as follows:

A method for controlling the movement of an operating assembly of an apparatus for the automatic processing of articles includes defining, for at least one segment of the movement trajectory of the operating assembly, an acceptable deviation from the movement trajectory, such that the operating assembly can be moved in safe conditions, arranging an auxiliary guide element at a safety trajectory which is alongside the movement trajectory at a distance substantially equal to the deviation, and moving the operating assembly by means of at least one electric motor along said movement trajectory. If the operating assembly moves away from the movement trajectory by a distance equal to said deviation, the auxiliary guide element abuts the operating assembly, controlling its movement and guiding it along the safety trajectory.

An apparatus for organizing containers in a centrifugal organizer apparatus is disclosed. The centrifugal organizer apparatus includes a centrifugal feeder, a tote dumper, and an exit ramp. The centrifugal feeder includes a conical diverter and an external wall adjacent to a circumference of the conical diverter. The centrifugal feeder is configured to rotate and create centrifugal force such that containers within the centrifugal feeder are directed to the external wall. The tote dumper includes at least one tote configured to release at least one container into the centrifugal feeder. The exit ramp is tangential to the external wall and is configured to allow the container under the centrifugal force to exit the centrifugal feeder.

An apparatus for organizing containers in a centrifugal organizer apparatus is disclosed. The centrifugal organizer apparatus includes a centrifugal feeder, a tote dumper, and an exit ramp. The centrifugal feeder includes a conical diverter and an external wall adjacent to a circumference of the conical diverter. The centrifugal feeder is configured to rotate and create centrifugal force such that containers within the centrifugal feeder are directed to the external wall. The tote dumper includes at least one tote configured to release at least one container into the centrifugal feeder. The exit ramp is tangential to the external wall and is configured to allow the container under the centrifugal force to exit the centrifugal feeder.