Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.

A method of collating packages that includes receiving a plurality of packages in a main channel of a collation module, conveying the packages in the main channel along parallel grooves having a first portion arranged perpendicularly to the main channel, and conveying the packages in the main channel along a second portion of the parallel grooves angled towards a first side of the collation module, where each package passes through first and second portions of a single groove.

The present disclosure concerns a method for sorting items transported along a conveyance direction on an item carrier of a sorting system, the item carrier comprising a charging zone, a first detection zone, an item orientation-changing zone, a second detection zone and a sorting zone, the method comprising sequentially: loading the items on the item carrier in the charging zone; capturing a first image of the items in the first detection zone; changing an orientation of the items in the item orientation-changing zone, located downstream of the first detection zone; capturing a second image of the items in the second detection zone, located downstream of the first detection zone; identifying nonstandard items amongst the items from information derived from the first and second images; and isolating the identified nonstandard items in the sorting zone. It also concerns a corresponding sorting system.

The present disclosure concerns a method for sorting items transported along a conveyance direction on an item carrier of a sorting system, the item carrier comprising a charging zone, a first detection zone, an item orientation-changing zone, a second detection zone and a sorting zone, the method comprising sequentially: loading the items on the item carrier in the charging zone; capturing a first image of the items in the first detection zone; changing an orientation of the items in the item orientation-changing zone, located downstream of the first detection zone; capturing a second image of the items in the second detection zone, located downstream of the first detection zone; identifying nonstandard items amongst the items from information derived from the first and second images; and isolating the identified nonstandard items in the sorting zone. It also concerns a corresponding sorting system.

A grouping device includes a feeding device with a plurality of elongated transport elements to support at least one of discrete rows of articles to be grouped and defining a respective seat in which an open or openable longitudinal end is defined. The grouping device further includes a pusher device to contact a discrete row of articles so that the discrete row slides out of one of the elongated transport elements, and an unloading device to receive, through an interchange zone, the discrete row unloaded through a longitudinal end. The feeding device is configured to position, in sequence, each elongated transport element at the interchange zone.

A grouping device includes a feeding device with a plurality of elongated transport elements to support at least one of discrete rows of articles to be grouped and defining a respective seat in which an open or openable longitudinal end is defined. The grouping device further includes a pusher device to contact a discrete row of articles so that the discrete row slides out of one of the elongated transport elements, and an unloading device to receive, through an interchange zone, the discrete row unloaded through a longitudinal end. The feeding device is configured to position, in sequence, each elongated transport element at the interchange zone.

A plant for processing containers (2), comprising a feeding device, a pick-up device (3) and a conveying device (1) interposed between the two, and comprising a gripping unit (7) which comprises a first retaining element (8) and a second retaining element (10) which are slidably coupled to a fixed supporting unit (5), move along it by means of respective linear motor actuators, and which between them define a housing (12) for a container (2), wherein respectively the containers feeding device and/or the containers pick-up device (3) comprise a supporting plate (16) couplable at the bottom to the gripping unit (7), respectively, in a starting station and/or in an arrival station (4), and equipped with one or more raised or raisable portions which are inserted into the housing (12) from below in order to support the container (2) independently of the gripping unit (7).

A plant for processing containers (2), comprising a feeding device, a pick-up device (3) and a conveying device (1) interposed between the two, and comprising a gripping unit (7) which comprises a first retaining element (8) and a second retaining element (10) which are slidably coupled to a fixed supporting unit (5), move along it by means of respective linear motor actuators, and which between them define a housing (12) for a container (2), wherein respectively the containers feeding device and/or the containers pick-up device (3) comprise a supporting plate (16) couplable at the bottom to the gripping unit (7), respectively, in a starting station and/or in an arrival station (4), and equipped with one or more raised or raisable portions which are inserted into the housing (12) from below in order to support the container (2) independently of the gripping unit (7).

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.