A packaging machine may include a grouping device comprising a spreading area with a spreading table having a base body and a plurality of support bars adjustable in their transverse spacing, each having at least one row of seats extending in a longitudinal direction, each for one product. The grouping device may also include at least one transverse drive for adjusting the transverse spacing, for producing a single-layer group having an even or uneven number of rows of products, and for inserting the group into an outer package. The plurality of support bars include a plurality of double-row support bars which cannot be moved relative to one another in the transverse direction, and at least two single-row support bars that are movable relative to one another in the transverse direction positioned between two of the double-row support bars.

Article packaging apparatus includes a multiple lane article infeed, first and second transfers, an intermediate article orientation station and an article group discharge conveyor. The first and second transfers have respective article grippers expansible and contractible toward and away from one another while the intermediate article orientation station includes article rotating trays spaced further apart then the lanes of the article infeed.

An automated vial feed system for an automated prescription filling system. The system has a plurality of sensors located above a vial distribution table for controlling the pace of vial delivery to the table. The sensors determine the load of vials on the table and a control system uses the information as feedback to the vial delivery system.

A system for grouping and rotating packages (101) includes a first conveyor (102) configured to drive a stream of packages from a first end (102A) to a second end (102B) at a predefined first speed, an actuation section (104) situated at the second end (102B) of the first conveyor (102) configured to receive the stream of packages from the first conveyor (102) and actuate the stream of packages to an orienting section (108) at a predefined second speed, wherein the second speed is less than the first speed, and a plurality of lugs (106) adjacent to the actuation section (104) configured to actuate forward packages in the stream of packages forming groups (105) of two or more packages (101).

Various embodiments described herein relate to controlling an accumulation conveyor that comprises at least a first zone that is upstream of a second zone and the second zone that is upstream of a third zone. A second control module associated with the second zone receives a third feedback signal, indicating that a third sensor is blocked, from a third control module associated with the third zone. The second control module sets a second drive assembly associated with the second zone to a disengaged state, and receives a first signal from a first control module associated with the first zone. The first signal indicates that one of a first article having an irregular boundary or a second article having a regular boundary exits from the first zone. The second control module controls the second drive assembly and a second brake assembly based on the indication by the first signal.

A method and to a device for handling hygiene products, in particular nappies, wherein the products are transported by a feed conveyor in a first transport direction into compartments of a removal conveyor, in particular a grouping conveyor, which transports the products in a second transport direction, wherein the second transport direction extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the first transport direction. At least one intermediate conveyor which serves to reduce the transport speed of the products in the first transport direction is located between the feed conveyor and the removal conveyor.

A system for formation of one or more slugs is provided. The system comprises a first loading unit having one or more first cups and a second loading unit having one or more second cups. The first loading unit and the second loading unit are each configured to receive products therein from a conveyor. The first loading unit and the second loading unit are each configured to move to an unloading position after receiving the products so that the slug(s) are formed. The first loading unit and the second loading unit are each configured to unload the slug(s) when the first loading unit and the second loading unit are in the unloading position. The first loading unit and the second loading unit may be independently driven so that the first loading unit and the second loading unit are configured to move relative to each other.

The invention relates to a grouping device (100) for grouping objects (O), comprising a magnetic levitation conveying device (102) with a working surface (104), a plurality of movers (106) and a control device (108) for controlling the movement of the movers (106), at least one feeding device (112, 114, 116, 118) for feeding objects (O) and loading at least one mover (106) located in a loading position (BP1, BP2, BP3, BP4), and at least one transfer device (120) which transfers the at least one object (O) in an unloading area (EB) to a downstream further device (122). According to the invention, the grouping device (100) comprises a plurality of feeding devices (112, 114, 116, 118), and the movers (106) are moved along crossing-free movement paths (PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4) from the loading positions (BP1, BP2, BP3, BP4) to the at least one unloading area (EB).

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for an improved accumulation conveyor and systems and methods for controlling a high rate, high density tunable accumulation conveyor. In one embodiment, an accumulation conveyor system determines whether an item detection variable associated with a second zone of a plurality of zones is satisfied, wherein the second zone is downstream of a first zone. The accumulation conveyor system determines whether at least one of two operational characteristic variables is satisfied. In an instance where both the item detection variable and at least one operational characteristic variable are satisfied, the accumulation conveyor system is configured to set a zone operating state associated with the first zone to inactive and send a command signal comprising the zone operating state associated with the first zone to a control module associated with the first zone. In another embodiment, an improved method for adjusting aggressiveness is disclosed. In another embodiment, a tunable release rate accumulation conveyor is disclosed. In still another embodiment, a tunable crowding accumulation conveyor is disclosed.

A lumber transfer system for transferring pieces of lumber comprising a feeding conveyor having a conveying surface for receiving the pieces of lumber; a plurality of grasping assemblies spaced apart transversely along the conveying surface, each one of the grasping assemblies comprising a grasping finger able to be positioned independently for either grasping a piece of lumber located upstream from the grasping assembly and moving it, or preventing it from grasping a piece of lumber; a detection system for detecting a presence of a piece of lumber and producing signals; and a controller controlling the grasping assemblies for the grasping fingers to be positioned independently. The lumber transfer system is therefore able to have only grasping fingers responsible to grasp the piece of lumber to be in a grasping position.