Portioning devices and methods for portioning and conveying elongate casings stuffed with a mass. Circulating conveyor belts are arranged adjacent to each other for conveying the stuffed casings. Each conveyor belt has a conveying area which in operation is moved in a conveying direction, and a return area, wherein the stuffed casing is introduced between the conveying areas of the two conveyor belts and can then be conveyed in the conveying direction. At least one divider is arranged on each conveyor belt and projects laterally from the conveyor belt. The dividers of the adjacent conveyor belts cooperate in the conveying areas in such a way that the stuffed casing is constricted. The divider has a constriction portion for engaging with the stuffed casing and which extends, in operation, substantially at a slant relative to a plane defined as perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Portioning devices and methods for portioning and conveying elongate casings stuffed with a mass. Circulating conveyor belts are arranged adjacent to each other for conveying the stuffed casings. Each conveyor belt has a conveying area which in operation is moved in a conveying direction, and a return area, wherein the stuffed casing is introduced between the conveying areas of the two conveyor belts and can then be conveyed in the conveying direction. At least one divider is arranged on each conveyor belt and projects laterally from the conveyor belt. The dividers of the adjacent conveyor belts cooperate in the conveying areas in such a way that the stuffed casing is constricted. The divider has a constriction portion for engaging with the stuffed casing and which extends, in operation, substantially at a slant relative to a plane defined as perpendicular to the conveying direction.

An apparatus for guiding products along a conveyor in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first guiderail for at least partially forming a conveying path for articles on the conveyor. A guiderail adjuster includes a flexible or collapsible support, which make take the form of a linkage, and which provides support for the first guiderail along the conveyor. The flexible or collapsible support is adapted for being extended and retracted along a support rail extending in the conveying direction to selectively position the first guiderail relative to the conveyor, and thereby alter (increase or decrease) the width of the conveying path. Related methods are also disclosed.

An apparatus for guiding products along a conveyor in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first guiderail for at least partially forming a conveying path for articles on the conveyor. A guiderail adjuster includes a flexible or collapsible support, which make take the form of a linkage, and which provides support for the first guiderail along the conveyor. The flexible or collapsible support is adapted for being extended and retracted along a support rail extending in the conveying direction to selectively position the first guiderail relative to the conveyor, and thereby alter (increase or decrease) the width of the conveying path. Related methods are also disclosed.

A pallet centering device includes a frame upon which is mounted a plurality of conveyor rollers, the conveyor rollers mounted transverse to a direction of pallet travel. A first pallet pusher unit and a second pallet pusher unit are associated with respective sides of the support frame, both for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel. The first and second pallet pusher units each have pallet pusher members configured for engaging respective sides of a pallet. At least one transverse U-channel rail is mounted to the support frame beneath the conveyor rollers and defining a channel track. Each first and second pallet pusher unit has at least one depending bearing mount aligned with the channel track and provided with a bearing rotatably engaging the channel track. A drive assembly moves the first and second pallet pusher units reciprocally for centering the pallet located on the conveyor rollers.

A pallet centering device includes a frame upon which is mounted a plurality of conveyor rollers, the conveyor rollers mounted transverse to a direction of pallet travel. A first pallet pusher unit and a second pallet pusher unit are associated with respective sides of the support frame, both for reciprocal movement transverse to the direction of pallet travel. The first and second pallet pusher units each have pallet pusher members configured for engaging respective sides of a pallet. At least one transverse U-channel rail is mounted to the support frame beneath the conveyor rollers and defining a channel track. Each first and second pallet pusher unit has at least one depending bearing mount aligned with the channel track and provided with a bearing rotatably engaging the channel track. A drive assembly moves the first and second pallet pusher units reciprocally for centering the pallet located on the conveyor rollers.

The invention proceeds from a transporting apparatus for a packaging machine, for transferring pack groups, in particular groups of cardboard boxes and/or cardboard blanks, along a transporting route from at least a first pack-group arrangement in a first transporting-route portion into at least one further pack-group arrangement in at least one further transporting-route portion, wherein the first pack-group arrangement and the at least one further pack-group arrangement are spaced apart internally in each case by different distances, having at least two transporting units, which can be driven independently in a movement plane along the transporting route, at least between the first transporting-route portion and the further transporting-route portion, in a transporting direction and in a return direction, which is counter to the transporting direction, wherein the transporting units each have at least one driving element, by means of which, in at least one operating state, the respective transporting unit is coupled to a pack of the pack group which is to be transferred, at least during transfer from the first transporting-route portion into the at least one further transporting-route portion. It is proposed to mount the driving elements on the transporting units in each case such that, in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, they can be coupled to the pack which is to be coupled to the respective transporting unit, and uncoupled therefrom, in one movement, in each case independently of the at least one driving element of the at least one further transporting unit.

The invention proceeds from a transporting apparatus for a packaging machine, for transferring pack groups, in particular groups of cardboard boxes and/or cardboard blanks, along a transporting route from at least a first pack-group arrangement in a first transporting-route portion into at least one further pack-group arrangement in at least one further transporting-route portion, wherein the first pack-group arrangement and the at least one further pack-group arrangement are spaced apart internally in each case by different distances, having at least two transporting units, which can be driven independently in a movement plane along the transporting route, at least between the first transporting-route portion and the further transporting-route portion, in a transporting direction and in a return direction, which is counter to the transporting direction, wherein the transporting units each have at least one driving element, by means of which, in at least one operating state, the respective transporting unit is coupled to a pack of the pack group which is to be transferred, at least during transfer from the first transporting-route portion into the at least one further transporting-route portion. It is proposed to mount the driving elements on the transporting units in each case such that, in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, they can be coupled to the pack which is to be coupled to the respective transporting unit, and uncoupled therefrom, in one movement, in each case independently of the at least one driving element of the at least one further transporting unit.

A device and method of adjusting a spacing of holders located on first and second endless loop includes releasing a clutch to allow the endless loops to be adjusted and operating an adjustment assembly to simultaneously move the first endless loop a distance in a first direction and the second endless loop an equal distance in a second direction opposite the first direction. After the adjustment the timing and pitch of the center of articles gripped by the holders is unchanged relative to the system in which the device is located.

A device and method of adjusting a spacing of holders located on first and second endless loop includes releasing a clutch to allow the endless loops to be adjusted and operating an adjustment assembly to simultaneously move the first endless loop a distance in a first direction and the second endless loop an equal distance in a second direction opposite the first direction. After the adjustment the timing and pitch of the center of articles gripped by the holders is unchanged relative to the system in which the device is located.