The invention relates to a handling device or layer forming device (10) and a method for forming piece good layers. Piece goods (14) are conveyed on a horizontal conveying device (16) to a grouping station and/or layer forming station (12) comprising a manipulator (20). In a work cycle, the manipulator (20) seizes at least one piece good (14) and moves it into a target position or target alignment, in particular with regard to a piece good layer to be formed. The horizontal conveying device (16), which is arranged upstream of the grouping station and layer forming station (12), comprises at least one sensor device (24) for obtaining positional data or dimensional data or alignment data of the transported piece goods (14). Based on the obtained data, the control device (28) controls the movements of the manipulator (20) within the movement range for the purpose of the layer formation.

A singulation device can singulate items. The items can be received onto a singulation conveyor. A portion of the items can be retained on the singulation conveyor by a retaining ledge. The portion of the items not retained on the singulation conveyor can fall onto a return conveyor. The singulation conveyor can transport the retained items along the length of the ledge. During conveyance, some of the items can fall off of the singulation conveyor onto the return conveyor.

An apparatus for supporting a guiderail for guiding one or more articles conveyed along a conveyor having a conveying path in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a mount for mounting to the conveyor. The mount includes a support rail for supporting the guide rail, which support rail may have a length in the conveying direction less than a length of the conveyor. The support rail may include one or more stops for engaging one of a pair of movable supports. The supports may be slidably mounted to the support rail for adjusting a position of the guiderail relative to the conveyor in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. Related methods are also disclosed.

In an aspect, a conveyor system is provided for a vehicle having wheels. The conveyor system includes a conveyor having an inlet end positioned to receive a vehicle to be conveyed, and an exit end positioned for exiting of the vehicle off of the conveyor, and a surface positioned proximate to at least one of the inlet end and the exit end. The surface is positioned to support at least one of the wheels while at least another of the wheels is supported on the conveyor. The surface has surface properties selected such that a coefficient of friction between the surface and tire rubber is below a selected threshold so as to permit sliding of the at least one of the wheels on the surface while the at least another of the wheels is supported on the conveyor.

A product order fulfillment system including a multi-level transport system and a lifting transport system. Each level of the multi-level transport system having a corresponding independent asynchronous level transport system separate and distinct from the asynchronous level transport system corresponding to each other level of the multi-level transport system. Each independent lift axis of the lifting transport system being configured to independently hold at least one case and being communicably coupled to each asynchronous level transport system so as to provide for exchange of the at least one case between each asynchronous level transport system and each independent lift axis. Each independent lift axis is communicably coupled to each other independent lift axis of the more than one lift axis and forms a common output of mixed cases so as to create an ordered sequence of mixed cases in accordance to a predetermined case out ordered sequence.

A tray sealer comprises a conveyor arrangement for conveying packaging trays along a conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement comprises a first conveyor device for conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, a second conveyor device running laterally alongside the first conveyor device for conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, and a center guide which is arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device and extends along the conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement further comprises a third conveyor device for conveying packaging trays along the conveying direction. The third conveyor device extends adjoining the second conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction laterally alongside the first conveyor device.

A conveying method and system for a machine to fill bottles, with a non-circular cross-section, in particular for products in the pharmaceutical industry; the following are provided: a plurality of holding members designed to hold a plurality of bottles in a suspended position; moving means to move the plurality of holding members along a processing path; and guide means, which are arranged parallel to the processing path, allow the bottles to move only when the bottles are arranged according to a predetermined orientation, and force the bottles to assume and maintain the predetermined orientation.

An apparatus is for supporting a guiderail for guiding one or more articles conveyed along a conveyor having a conveying path in a conveying direction. The apparatus include a support rail and at least one movable support for adjusting a position of the guiderail relative to the conveyor in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The at least one movable support includes a collapsible support for engaging the support rail and supporting the guiderail. The collapsible support is adapted to extend and retract into the conveying path in a direction transverse to the conveying direction to selectively position the guiderail relative to the support rail. The movable support includes a clamp for fixing a location of the movable support relative to the support rail. Related methods are also disclosed.

A conveyor employs an adjustable product containment guard adjacent to a carryway for containing product on the carryway. The product containment guard is mounted to an end plate that includes multiple seats for moving the product containment guard between different positions.

A transporter has stars arranged in series such that a container is transferred at a transfer point that is common to two successive stars. Some of the stars rotate about a fixed axis whereas other stars rotate about an axis that moves relative to the fixed axis.