The apparatus (100) for introducing deformable products (B), such as blister packs and informative sheets (F), internally of relative packs (A) comprises first pusher elements (11), mounted on a first looped conveyor organ (1), and first movement means (3), associated to the first conveyor organ (1) for moving the first pusher elements (11), transversally to the advancement direction (V1) thereof, so that they can abut the products (B) and push the products (B) internally of relative packs (A). The apparatus (100) comprises second pusher elements (21) mounted on a second looped conveyor organ (2) which is arranged with respect to the first conveyor organ (1) such that the second pusher elements (21) are arranged above the corresponding first pusher elements (11). Second movement means (4), associated to the second conveyor organ (2), are included for moving the second pusher elements (21), transversally to the advancement direction (V2) thereof, so that they can abut the sheets (F) and push the sheets (F) internally of relative packs (A).

A subsystem for orienting articles, the subsystem comprising a tool assembly comprising a carriage. A tool head has a first and a second article gripper rotationally coupled thereto. A first drive mechanism is coupled to the first article gripper. A second drive mechanism is coupled to the second article gripper. A sensor is configured to observe two adjacent articles. A controller is provided in communication with the first and second drive mechanisms and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the orientation of each of the two adjacent articles and to control the first and second drive mechanisms to rotate each of the two adjacent articles to a predefined orientation.

There is described an outfeed device for a packaging assembly configured to form and seal a plurality of packages containing a pourable product; the outfeed device comprises an input station, at which it receives, in use, the packages, and an output station, at which the packages exit, in use, from the outfeed device; the outfeed device comprises at least one selectively operable cart element cyclically movable along an endless path, comprising a receiving portion defining a receiving seat for picking one single package at a time at input station, housing at least part of the package, and being configured to bring the package from the input station to the output station.

The present invention relates to a transport wheel arrangement for handling cylindrical bodies, comprising a base body (104), a negative pressure source which is intended to provide a negative pressure for holding the cylindrical bodies, a disc-shaped wheel body (102) which is rotatably mounted about its central axis (R1) on the base body (104), a drive device which is designed to set the wheel body (102) in rotary motion, at least one receiving assembly (112) for holding a cylindrical body, comprising a shaft (114) which receives a line (120) for conducting the negative pressure, a contact member (116) provided radially outside the shaft (114) which is designed to present a contact surface for a held cylindrical body, and a suction cup member (116) which is connected to the line (120) for conducting the negative pressure and is designed to hold a cylindrical body by means of this negative pressure; and a control unit which is designed to control the operation of the drive device and, if necessary, the vacuum source, wherein the transport wheel arrangement further comprises a displacement apparatus (122) which is designed to displace the contact element (116) and the suction cup element (118) of the receiving assembly (112) or at least one of the plurality of receiving assemblies (112) in a coordinated manner with respect to the wheel body (102).

The present disclosure relates to a switch device for a transfer point between a first and a second rotatable star wheel, at which transfer point objects can be selectively transferred from the first star wheel to the second star wheel, comprising a two-walled first switch element, the first and second walls of which extend around the transfer point such that a passage for the objects is formed therebetween; a second and a third switch element, which are arranged and held such that they each form extensions of the first and second wall, respectively, of the first switch element in the first position and the second position of the first switch element; and a transition device, which is designed to carry out the transition of the first to third switch elements.

An apparatus guides at least one article traveling along a conveyor in a conveying direction, the at least one article having a shape. A plurality of guides of the apparatus guide the at least one article, such that positive control may be maintained during conveyance. The plurality of guides are dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction. At least one actuator adjusts a position of one or more of the plurality of guides based on the shape of the at least one article. Related methods are also disclosed.

An apparatus guides at least one article traveling along a conveyor in a conveying direction, the at least one article having a shape. A plurality of guides of the apparatus guide the at least one article, such that positive control may be maintained during conveyance. The plurality of guides are dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction. At least one actuator adjusts a position of one or more of the plurality of guides based on the shape of the at least one article. Related methods are also disclosed.

A sorting system is provided. The sorter system includes a conveyor frame, slats disposed on the conveyor frame and extending substantially perpendicularly to a central axis of the conveyor frame. Shoes are disposed on the slat and are moveable between a central position adjacent to the central axis of the conveyor frame, and a distal position adjacent to one of a first and second side of the conveyor frame.

A plurality of slats having a head and a tail form a conveyor system. A sorter travels laterally across the slat to divert parcel across the slat. Each of the slats has a front edge and a rear edge located longitudinally apart from each other. The front edge and the rear edge are located at different vertical heights to create overlap between adjacent slats. The lower edge positioned vertically below the upper edge has an upper surface that curves downward from the conveying surface to the lower edge. The upper edge positioned vertically above the lower edge has a lower surface that curves downward from the upper edge towards the lower edge. A retention lip extends upward between the lower edge and the conveying surface to trap articles within the retention curve between the retention lip and the conveying surface.

A system for performing a processing step on device parts of simulated smoking devices, such as electronic cigarettes, system comprising a processing station to perform the processing step on the device parts, product carriers to hold the device parts during the processing step, a first transport device and a second transport device to move the product carriers along at least part of a processing trajectory extending through the processing station.