An article grouping system is disclosed. The article grouping system includes a transport member movable in a first direction and an outfeed carrier apparatus having an outfeed carrier surface that is movable in a second direction. The transport member is positioned proximate to the outfeed carrier surface. The article grouping system includes a transfer apparatus having a frame and an article stabilization member operatively connected with the frame. The article stabilization member includes upstream and downstream support members spaced apart from the downstream support member in the second direction to define an article transfer receptacle. The article stabilization member moves from an engaging location proximate to the transport member to a variable disengaging location adjacent to the outfeed carrier surface and back to the engaging location.

An article grouping system is disclosed. The article grouping system includes a transport member movable in a first direction and an outfeed carrier apparatus having an outfeed carrier surface that is movable in a second direction. The transport member is positioned proximate to the outfeed carrier surface. The article grouping system includes a transfer apparatus having a frame and an article stabilization member operatively connected with the frame. The article stabilization member includes upstream and downstream support members spaced apart from the downstream support member in the second direction to define an article transfer receptacle. The article stabilization member moves from an engaging location proximate to the transport member to a variable disengaging location adjacent to the outfeed carrier surface and back to the engaging location.

Disclosed are various embodiments for a singulator that has a port for diverting items. An item is received on at least one conveyor segment of a singulator. The item is transported using at least one conveyor segment to a side wall of the singulator. The item is transported using at least one conveyor segment through a port in the side wall of the singulator.

An apparatus includes a frame defining a machine direction. The apparatus includes first and second transport members operatively engaged with the frame. The apparatus includes first carriage and second carriage drive mechanisms each having a carriage drive belt, a drive shaft, and a sprocket drive belt operatively engaged with the drive shaft. The carriage drive belts are operatively engaged with the carriage drive mechanisms and operatively connected with the respective transport member such that the carriage drive belt moves the transport member in the machine direction about an endless loop. The sprocket drive belts engage the drive mechanism in a position of the drive mechanism not connected with the carriage drive belt.

An apparatus includes a frame defining a machine direction. The apparatus includes first and second transport members operatively engaged with the frame. The apparatus includes first carriage and second carriage drive mechanisms each having a carriage drive belt, a drive shaft, and a sprocket drive belt operatively engaged with the drive shaft. The carriage drive belts are operatively engaged with the carriage drive mechanisms and operatively connected with the respective transport member such that the carriage drive belt moves the transport member in the machine direction about an endless loop. The sprocket drive belts engage the drive mechanism in a position of the drive mechanism not connected with the carriage drive belt.

A singulator has been realized which comprises a diverger module extending between an inlet station and an outlet station; the diverger module is configured to receive articles at the inlet station and convey them towards the outlet station along a main advancement direction. The diverger module has: a first zone extending from the inlet station to the outlet station and configured to impart to the articles resting thereon an advancement motion along the main advancement direction, a second zone flanking the first zone along the advancement direction and extending between the inlet station and the outlet station. The second zone is configured to impart to the articles resting thereon an advancement motion along the main direction and a lateral movement away from the first zone. The first zone of the diverger module projects, at least for a length, away from a prevalent average plane of extension of the second zone in the direction of the articles to be supported so as to define an ascent zone of the diverger module.

A singulator has been realized which comprises a diverger module extending between an inlet station and an outlet station; the diverger module is configured to receive articles at the inlet station and convey them towards the outlet station along a main advancement direction. The diverger module has: a first zone extending from the inlet station to the outlet station and configured to impart to the articles resting thereon an advancement motion along the main advancement direction, a second zone flanking the first zone along the advancement direction and extending between the inlet station and the outlet station. The second zone is configured to impart to the articles resting thereon an advancement motion along the main direction and a lateral movement away from the first zone. The first zone of the diverger module projects, at least for a length, away from a prevalent average plane of extension of the second zone in the direction of the articles to be supported so as to define an ascent zone of the diverger module.

System and method for automatically grouping tumbled bricks, comprising: a brick feeding unit feeding rows of an even number of longitudinally spaced tumbled bricks with a featured side randomly positioned; a detection unit detecting the featured side of each tumbled brick; a pairing unit comprising a rotating device for each tumbled brick rotating each tumbled brick a preset angle in response of the detected position of the featured side, forming pairs of tumbled bricks with featured sides facing each other or in opposition; a grouping unit grouping the pairs of tumbled bricks in compact formations; a piling unit piling layers of compact formations in a compact pile of tumbled bricks, and a palettizing unit with pile rotation device rotating one compact pile of tumbled bricks 90 around a horizontal axis.

System and method for automatically grouping tumbled bricks, comprising: a brick feeding unit feeding rows of an even number of longitudinally spaced tumbled bricks with a featured side randomly positioned; a detection unit detecting the featured side of each tumbled brick; a pairing unit comprising a rotating device for each tumbled brick rotating each tumbled brick a preset angle in response of the detected position of the featured side, forming pairs of tumbled bricks with featured sides facing each other or in opposition; a grouping unit grouping the pairs of tumbled bricks in compact formations; a piling unit piling layers of compact formations in a compact pile of tumbled bricks, and a palettizing unit with pile rotation device rotating one compact pile of tumbled bricks 90 around a horizontal axis.

A conveyance apparatus that conveys a plurality of stick-shaped objects, includes: a holding member that includes a holding space, a supply opening section and a release opening section, the supply opening section and the release opening section being connected to the holding space; and a movement driving unit that causes the holding member to move along an endless track including a supply section and a release section, wherein: the holding member receives supply of the plurality of stick-shaped objects via the supply opening section at the supply section and the plurality of stick-shaped objects are held in the holding space, and the holding member releases the plurality of stick-shaped objects from the holding space towards outside via the release opening section, at the release section.