A robotic system includes a hub assembly rotatable about a vertical axis. A robotic arm has a first end connected to the hub assembly and an opposite second end connected to an end effector, which is configured for holding an item. The system is configured to support an agent on or above the hub assembly for working on the item held by the end effector. The operation of the robotic arm and end effector to move the item does not obstruct operation of the agent.

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.

A method and a device for buffering containers in a container treatment plant are disclosed. The containers are stored in single rows by at least one inlet conveyor belt in an inlet direction, are shifted in single rows on a buffer surface transversely adjacent by shuttles with row pushers guided on rails and driven individually into a buffer direction extending transversely to the inlet direction in single rows, and are withdrawn by at least one outlet conveyor belt adjacent to the buffer surface in the buffer direction in an outlet direction extending transversely to the buffer direction, or by at least one planar motor armature that can be driven towards the buffer surface and that is in particular driven two-dimensionally. Thus, the containers can be decelerated/accelerated with respect to the inlet/outlet conveyor belt in a controlled manner.

A transport system for transporting containers along a transport path in a transport direction includes first and second transporters that define first and second transport-path sections, at least one of which follows a circular arc. A third transport-path section between the first and second transport-path sections comprises an adjustable transition curve.

An apparatus for transferring a container from a first station to a second station of a container forming line includes a frame, a slide mounted to the frame, and a robotic arm mounted to the slide and movable along the slide between the first station and the second station. The robotic arm includes an end effector operable to remove the container from the first station. The frame is removably coupleable to at least one of the first station and the second station such that the apparatus is transportable to a different container forming line.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for a load handling system such that direction change of a transporting device is more easily and quickly realised. A transporting device includes an omnidirectional driving unit, and is arranged to transport a container, the container being stored in a facility. The facility is arranged to store the container in a plurality of stacks, a plurality of pathways being arranged in cells so as to form a grid-like structure above the stacks, the transporting device being arranged to operate on the grid-like structure and to be driven in a first direction and/or second direction.

An apparatus for treating containers with a first treatment device configured to treat the containers in a predetermined first manner, with a transport device which transports the containers in a predetermined transport direction, wherein the transport device transports the containers in a transport stream extending in the transport direction, and with a reject device arranged after the first treatment device, which is configured to reject a plurality of containers arranged one after the other in the transport direction from the transport stream, wherein the apparatus has a second treatment device which is arranged before the first treatment device in the transport direction of the containers. The apparatus has a gap generating device which is arranged in front of the first treatment device in the transport direction of the containers and which generates at least one gap in the transport stream of the containers.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for a load handling system such that direction change of a transporting device is more easily and quickly realised. A transporting device includes an omnidirectional driving unit, and is arranged to transport a container, the container being stored in a facility. The facility is arranged to store the container in a plurality of stacks, a plurality of pathways being arranged in cells so as to form a grid-like structure above the stacks, the transporting device being arranged to operate on the grid-like structure and to be driven in a first direction and/or second direction.

A loading device for loading a container with packages, comprising a transport channel for transport of the packages in the direction of the container. The transport channel has an upper inlet to supply packages into the transport channel and a lower outlet to supply packages into the container. At least one upper, and at least one lower, finger position each with at least one finger element are provided in the transport channel. The at least one of the finger elements of the upper and lower finger positions in each case have at least two flexible flank elements extending from one end to the opposing end of the finger element. In each case, the at least two flexible flank elements are flexibly connected via a plurality of webs. The finger elements in each case may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back.

An object centering device configured to center a conveyed food container includes a restricting guide member having a pair of guide surfaces facing the food container and configured to be respectively in contact with at least a pair of opposed contact portions. The pair of guide surfaces of the restricting guide member includes front end portions that extend away from each other toward a downstream side of a conveyance direction of the food container. The front end portions are configured such that an angle formed by the pair of guide surfaces is changeable.