A feed unit for articles includes a guide extending along a guide longitudinal axis to define a linear feed path for such articles. The guide is for accommodating articles arranged in a row one after the other and to guide the articles as the articles move along the linear feed path. The articles have a characteristic length corresponding to their size along the longitudinal axis. At least one segment of the guide is progressively rotated about the guide longitudinal axis by a total angle greater than 180 and with an angular variation per unit of linear measurement such that, substantially for each portion of the linear feed path equal to the characteristic length of the articles, the guide is rotated about the longitudinal axis by an angle greater than 4.

A spiral chute includes a center column assembly having a column. The spiral chute further includes a plurality of support arm mounting brackets affixed to an exterior of the column in a spiral configuration. The spiral chute also includes a plurality of chute segments. Each chute segment includes a support arm having a distal end and a proximal end, a stiffener coupled to the distal end of the support arm, and a chute section operatively coupled to the support arm and the stiffener. The proximal end of each of the plurality of support arms is removably coupled to a respective support arm mounting bracket. A method of constructing a spiral chute is also disclosed.

Disclosed is an automated system for changing over a can line. An example rotating turret with multiple can twists is used to align various can twists with a production line. The rotation of the turret is motorized and includes a system for precisely measuring the rotation of the turret and locking the turret in place at preselected orientations. Feed assemblies with moveable guide rails and transfer bars are configured to receive product from, or pass product to, the twists on the turret. The horizontal and vertical movements of the feed assembly guide rails, and the transfer bars, may be motorized. Various measures may be implemented to protect both the system from damage and operators of the system from injury.

A helical conveyor for transporting products in downward direction by means of gravity comprises a frame and a helical track extending around an upright centerline. The helical track is supported by the frame and comprises a bottom for bearing a product. The bottom has an inclination angle in a direction (X) along the helical track. At least a portion of the bottom is formed by a transport surface of a drivable conveying system such that the transport surface has a predefined speed in downward direction (X) along the helical track. The inclination angle at an inner bend of the transport surface of the conveying system is larger than 20.

System and method for unloading a container of its content, comprising an automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the system comprises a rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of a container handling vehicle in a first direction across the top of a framework structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicle in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second sets of parallel rails dividing the rail system into a plurality of grid cells, the framework structure comprises upright members and horizontal members, at least one container handling vehicle configured to operate on the rail system, wherein the at least one container handling vehicle is provided with at least one orientation sensor configured to measure at least one orientation parameter of the sensor in a three-dimensional cartesian reference system, a central control unit configured to receive, transmit and process data signals of the container handling vehicle and to receive and process data signals of the sensor, at least one container comprised of four side walls and a bottom creating an open box structure, means for transporting the container to an unloading station where the content of the container is emptied by gravity wherein the unloading station comprises a container tipping device that tips the container around at least one axis, emptying the content.