A folding unit for producing packages of pourable food products from sealed packs comprises a movable conveying member and a folding device arranged for folding at least one end portion of the packs, whilst the packs are conveyed by the conveying member, to obtain the packages, the conveying member carrying a plurality of plates, each plate being configured to receive a pack and to deliver a package to a transferring and up-ending unit arranged downstream of the folding unit, the folding unit further comprising a retention device arranged for keeping said packages on the plates.

A folding unit for producing packages of pourable food products from sealed packs comprises a movable conveying member and a folding device arranged for folding at least one end portion of the packs, whilst the packs are conveyed by the conveying member, to obtain the packages, the conveying member carrying a plurality of plates, each plate being configured to receive a pack and to deliver a package to a transferring and up-ending unit arranged downstream of the folding unit, the folding unit further comprising a retention device arranged for keeping said packages on the plates.

Embodiments provide an electric lug loader system. An electric lug loader may include a shaft assembly rotatably mounted to a frame that extends across a flow path. The shaft assembly may have shafts arranged radially around, and parallel to, the rotational axis of the shaft assembly, clamp members arranged along each of the shafts, support members arranged radially around the rotational axis and across the flow path, and electric drives coupled to the shafts. Conveyors may be coupled with the frame and spaced apart across the flow path upstream and/or downstream of the shaft assembly. Additional drives may be coupled with the shaft assembly and the conveyors. A controller may be configured to synchronize the drives to engage successive workpieces between the clamp members and the support members and deposit the workpieces onto a lugged conveyor. Other embodiments provide related methods and systems.

Embodiments provide an electric lug loader system. An electric lug loader may include a shaft assembly rotatably mounted to a frame that extends across a flow path. The shaft assembly may have shafts arranged radially around, and parallel to, the rotational axis of the shaft assembly, clamp members arranged along each of the shafts, support members arranged radially around the rotational axis and across the flow path, and electric drives coupled to the shafts. Conveyors may be coupled with the frame and spaced apart across the flow path upstream and/or downstream of the shaft assembly. Additional drives may be coupled with the shaft assembly and the conveyors. A controller may be configured to synchronize the drives to engage successive workpieces between the clamp members and the support members and deposit the workpieces onto a lugged conveyor. Other embodiments provide related methods and systems.

The present invention describes a machine for arranging objects (100) comprising a first end (101) and a projecting edge (103) arranged in proximity to the first end (101); the machine comprises a rotatable device (4) equipped with at least one guide; the rotatable device (4) is configured so as to be able to rotate the objects (100), coming from at least one entry guide (3) with a first orientation with respect to the entry guide (3), so that the objects (100) are driven onto at least one exit guide (5) with an orientation with respect to the exit guide (5) that is equal or opposite to that which they had with respect to the entry guide (3).

The present invention describes a machine for arranging objects (100) comprising a first end (101) and a projecting edge (103) arranged in proximity to the first end (101); the machine comprises a rotatable device (4) equipped with at least one guide; the rotatable device (4) is configured so as to be able to rotate the objects (100), coming from at least one entry guide (3) with a first orientation with respect to the entry guide (3), so that the objects (100) are driven onto at least one exit guide (5) with an orientation with respect to the exit guide (5) that is equal or opposite to that which they had with respect to the entry guide (3).

A method for reorienting products includes providing one or more products in a first orientation on a surface; advancing the one or more products in the machine direction at a nominal advance rate; and retracting an end of the surface in a reverse machine direction at a nominal retract rate, such that the one or more products are advanced beyond said end into a landing region. Said end is disposed at a first elevation. The method further comprises deflecting a leading end of at least one product, such that the at least one product lands in a second orientation on a landing surface disposed in the landing region at a second elevation. The first orientation is different than the second orientation, and the first elevation is higher than the second elevation.

A method for reorienting products includes providing one or more products in a first orientation on a surface; advancing the one or more products in the machine direction at a nominal advance rate; and retracting an end of the surface in a reverse machine direction at a nominal retract rate, such that the one or more products are advanced beyond said end into a landing region. Said end is disposed at a first elevation. The method further comprises deflecting a leading end of at least one product, such that the at least one product lands in a second orientation on a landing surface disposed in the landing region at a second elevation. The first orientation is different than the second orientation, and the first elevation is higher than the second elevation.

Provided is a container autorotation device and method. The container autorotation device comprises a conveying rack used for conveying a plurality of containers, at least one container base connected therewith and comprising a container clamping end and a driving end, and a driving component used for driving the container base to autorotate and comprising a motor and a clamping part driven by the motor. A slot matched with the driving end is formed in the clamping part such that when the driving end moves into the slot and stay, the driving end is driven by the clamping part to rotate. The slot in the clamping part is designed so that the driving end is pushed against the slot when entering the slot and rotating in the slot. Autorotation is achieved with mutual cooperation between the clamping part and the driving end.

Systems and methods capable of transferring items from a bin are described. A de-binning system includes an item transfer apparatus including a transfer conveyor configured to move a conveyor belt surface, and a bin sub-frame coupled to the transfer conveyor and configured to receive a bin. While an item-containing bin is secured to the bin sub-frame, the bin sub-frame and the transfer conveyor are inverted to transfer the items onto the transfer conveyor, which can move the items onto a second conveyor belt. Various aspects of the present systems and methods prevent damage to the surface of delicate items being transferred.