According to one aspect of the present invention, an accumulation module for a product delivery system includes an input shaft configured to receive an external drive force. A transfer shaft reverses an operation of the external drive force to define a reversing drive force. An output shaft receives the reversing drive force. An accumulation belt is operated by the reversing drive force. The accumulation belt operates in opposition to the external drive force.

A method for packaging and processing products in a continuously operating production line, including filling individual packaging containers with products in a filling station; dispensing the filled containers to an individualizing device in multiple tracks by a dispensing station, the individualizing device transferring the packaging containers onto a single track of a conveyor; transporting the containers by the conveyor one after another to at least one additional processing station, and operating the individualizing device in one of the following three operating modes: a) a normal mode in which the packaging containers are transferred from the dispensing station onto the single track of the conveyor, b) an on-stock mode in which the packaging containers are transferred from the dispensing station to a temporary store, and c) a low-load mode in which the packaging containers are transferred from the temporary store onto the single track of the conveyor.

Diverting equipment for conveying an article on a conveyance path to a branching path formed so as to branch from the conveyance path. In the conveyance path, a branching section to the branching path has a plurality of conveyance rollers disposed in a conveyance direction H of the article in the conveyance path and a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction H of the article in the conveyance path, the conveyance rollers forming the conveyance surface of the conveyance path and being rotatable around the axes of vertical shafts. Between the adjacent conveyance rollers disposed in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction H of the article, a gap is formed along the conveyance direction H of the article. In the gap, a rail capable of supporting the article is extended along the conveyance direction H of the article.

Diverting equipment for conveying an article on a conveyance path to a branching path formed so as to branch from the conveyance path. In the conveyance path, a branching section to the branching path has a plurality of conveyance rollers disposed in a conveyance direction H of the article in the conveyance path and a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction H of the article in the conveyance path, the conveyance rollers forming the conveyance surface of the conveyance path and being rotatable around the axes of vertical shafts. Between the adjacent conveyance rollers disposed in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction H of the article, a gap is formed along the conveyance direction H of the article. In the gap, a rail capable of supporting the article is extended along the conveyance direction H of the article.

Method and apparatus for feeding sand molds laterally and/o between stations of differing heights. The method and apparatus of this invention utilize walking-beam-type conveyors having spaced apart fixed outboard rails and a central reciprocating rail. Walking-beam conveyors can be disposed in perpendicular directions with a junction therebetween that allows for a perpendicular change in direction. The method and apparatus of this invention include lift, leveling, and/or lateral transfer mechanisms for lateral placement of the stations relative to the conveyance path.

A component mounting system including: a component mounting device group in which a plurality of component mounting devices that mount components supplied to a board transported in from an upstream side by a tape feeder and transport out the board to a downstream side, and cut a carrier tape after supplying the components by a cutter device and discharge scraps of carrier tape, are installed on a floor surface while being arranged in a direction of conveying the board; a main conveyor that is installed along an arrangement direction of the plurality of component mounting devices in a region on the floor surface under the component mounting device group, and transports the scraps of carrier tape discharged from each of the plurality of component mounting devices; and a scraps storage that is installed outside the region and stores the scraps of carrier tape transported by the main conveyor.

A component mounting system including: a component mounting device group in which a plurality of component mounting devices that mount components supplied to a board transported in from an upstream side by a tape feeder and transport out the board to a downstream side, and cut a carrier tape after supplying the components by a cutter device and discharge scraps of carrier tape, are installed on a floor surface while being arranged in a direction of conveying the board; a main conveyor that is installed along an arrangement direction of the plurality of component mounting devices in a region on the floor surface under the component mounting device group, and transports the scraps of carrier tape discharged from each of the plurality of component mounting devices; and a scraps storage that is installed outside the region and stores the scraps of carrier tape transported by the main conveyor.

The invention relates to a transport apparatus for transferring a sample between two devices. The transport apparatus comprises a transport tube provided with a carrier for holding a sample. The carrier is movable within said transport tube along a length thereof. The transport apparatus further comprises an actuator tube extending substantially next to said transport tube and which is provided with an actuator element that is movable within said actuator tube. Said actuator element comprises a first magnet part, and said sample carrier is provided with a second magnet part, wherein said first magnet part and said second magnet part are configured such that movement of the sample carrier through said transport tube is linked to movement of the magnetic actuator element through the actuator tube. In this way, movement of the magnetic actuator causes movement of the sample carrier, allowing safe, reliable and protected transport of the sample.

The invention relates to a transport apparatus for transferring a sample between two devices. The transport apparatus comprises a transport tube provided with a carrier for holding a sample. The carrier is movable within said transport tube along a length thereof. The transport apparatus further comprises an actuator tube extending substantially next to said transport tube and which is provided with an actuator element that is movable within said actuator tube. Said actuator element comprises a first magnet part, and said sample carrier is provided with a second magnet part, wherein said first magnet part and said second magnet part are configured such that movement of the sample carrier through said transport tube is linked to movement of the magnetic actuator element through the actuator tube. In this way, movement of the magnetic actuator causes movement of the sample carrier, allowing safe, reliable and protected transport of the sample.

A system and method for independently routing vehicles and delivering containers and closures to unit operation stations are disclosed. The containers and closures can, in some cases, be transported on the same vehicle. In other cases, the containers and closures can be transported on different vehicles.