A holding-and-centering device for holding and centering a container has fixing section and holding-sections on opposite sides of the fixing section. The fixing section fixes the holding-and-centering device to a structure of a container-treatment machine but is also detachable from that structure. Each holding section picks up and holds a corresponding container.

A method for controlling a variable production line using a skid-type variable workbench and an apparatus for the same. According to the method, a process group including multiple variable workbenches may be organized based on a design, each of the multiple variable workbenches may be mounted on an upper part of a skid board, the skid board may be loaded on a powered line that moves at a regular speed in a fixed direction, the skid board may be moved in consideration of a position of a worker responsible for each process and a work state of the process group, and movement of a target variable workbench may be stopped by removing a skid board, on which the target variable workbench corresponding to an unload instruction in the process group is mounted, from the powered line when the unload instruction is input by a worker.

A printing system is described that has an intermediate transfer member in the form of a seamed endless belt for transporting an ink image from an image forming station, at which an ink image is deposited on the intermediate transfer member, to an impression station, where the ink image is transferred onto a printing substrate. The belt has along its edges formations of a greater thickness than the belt. The formations are received in channels to guide the belt and maintain the belt under lateral tension. Two drive members are provided, each located within a respective one of the channels. The two drive members are connected for movement in synchronism with one another and each has a respective laterally projecting gripper shaped for form locking engagement with the formations on a leading end of a strip from which the intermediate transfer member is to be formed. Rotation of the drive members during installation of a new intermediate transfer member serves to thread the strip through the printing system by pulling the strip from its leading end.

A device and method that allows bipolar plates to be welded in a rotating transport device in a vertical position at high speed, thereby fulfilling the high requirements for loading, fixing, welding and unloading the components to a high degree. Overall, a high level of productivity is achieved with the device and method.

A transporting device for conveying items over a conveying route includes a tubular flexible body having an interior space. The transporting device includes a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein either a gap is provided between the end portions, or wherein it is possible to provide a gap between the end portions by moving the end portions away from each other. The transporting device includes at least one wing member attached to the body in such a manner that displacement of the at least one wing member causes the end portions to be moved away from each other whereby the gap is increased. The interior space is arranged and configured to contain the items being conveyed when using the transporting device. Thus, items can be inserted into and removed from the interior space when a gap is provided between the end portions.

An apparatus for conveying a container made of plastic material comprising a supporting frame (3), sliding along a predetermined path; a longitudinal rod (20), defining an axis (X), adapted to translate along axis (X) and/or to rotate about axis (X) through guide-holes (24, 25) provided in the supporting frame; a gripping device (22), fixed to the longitudinal rod, for picking and withholding an end of the container to be conveyed; wherein the translation strokes of the longitudinal rod (20) and of the gripping device (22) can be adjusted along axis (X) so that the gripping device (22) can operate at three working levels or positions: a resting position (L0), a gripping position (L1) and a releasing position (L2).

A transport apparatus including a rotary transport mechanism (5), which rotationally transports multiple equidistantly installed article holding members (gripper pairs (4)) in one direction along an annular trackway having a pair of parallel portions, and a reciprocating drive mechanism (6), which causes the entire rotary transport mechanism (5) to reciprocate a predetermined distance along the parallel portions. The article holding members are moved at a velocity of travel that is a combination of velocity of the reciprocating motion and velocity of the rotary transport. The velocity of the rotary transport and the velocity of the reciprocating motion are controlled by a control unit (9). The article holding members travel along the parallel portions on both sides (Lanes A and B) in an intermittent manner, each time covering a distance that is an integral multiple of the installation spacing p of the article holding members.

In a transport system, a gripper includes long-side grippers aligned in a long-side direction of a workpiece which is cut, by machining/cutting, into a product and a skeleton including an outer frame with an overall rectangular shape and a crossbar inside the outer frame, so that both ends thereof are connected to two shorter sides facing each other, and extending in the long-side direction, the long-side grippers gripping longer sides of the outer frame of the skeleton, and short-side grippers aligned in a short-side direction with respect to the workpiece and that grip shorter sides of the outer frame. At least one of the short-side grippers moves in the short-side direction and grips the shorter sides of the outer frame. A lifter lifts or lowers the gripper gripping the outer frame and the product to separate the outer frame and the crossbar from the product.

A conveyor for transporting assembled or semi-assembled cartridges for electronic cigarettes includes a rail extending along a path and a carriage movable on the rail and including a unit for housing cartridge that includes: a seat on which a single cartridge is received; first and second levers positioned on opposite sides of the seat, and being reciprocally rotatable between an open position, to allow the arrangement and/or picking-up of a cartridge, and a closed position, to retain the cartridge in its receiving position on the seat; a follower member for bringing the first lever into rotation as a result of a pushing action executed on the follower member. The housing unit includes a gear mechanism for rotationally connecting the first and second levers, so that the rotation of the first lever induced by the follower member causes, via the gear mechanism, a corresponding rotation of the second lever.

A container gripping device for use on machines which are used for filling, capping, sterilizing, or the like containers, particularly fluid containers such as plastic bottles, wherein the device has a base adapted for attachment to the links of a chain conveyor, wherein the device has a container gripper body mounted on the base, wherein the base is provided with a hook structure at each of its ends, wherein the gripper body ends have recessed floor portions, wherein locking tabs on the hook structures are in engagement with the upper surface of the recessed floor portion, and wherein the longitudinal outer end surface of the hook structures lie substantially flush with the faces of the body ends.