An automated system for singulating items is provided. The automated system includes a singulation apparatus. The singulation apparatus includes multiple conveyor modules and a vertical frame structure. Each of the multiple conveyor modules has an identical physical structure. The vertical frame structure provides multiple horizontal mounting locations, each at a different height along the vertical frame structure. Each of the conveyor modules is mounted to a different one of the multiple horizontal mounting locations.

An article transport device includes: an input section configured to input a package; an input belt conveyor configured to transport, toward a seal attaching mechanism, the package input by the input section; a passage detection sensor configured to detect that the package transported by the input belt conveyor passes by a predetermined position; a suspending pusher configured to temporarily suspend a subsequent package while a package is processed by the seal attaching mechanism; and an article stopper configured to block the subsequent package in a traveling direction and suspend the subsequent package while the package is processed by the seal attaching mechanism. An article detection sensor is disposed upstream of the passage detection sensor. When the passage detection sensor detects passage of one package, the suspending pusher is caused to operate so that a subsequent package is temporarily suspended.

An article transport device includes: an input section configured to input a package; an input belt conveyor configured to transport, toward a seal attaching mechanism, the package input by the input section; a passage detection sensor configured to detect that the package transported by the input belt conveyor passes by a predetermined position; a suspending pusher configured to temporarily suspend a subsequent package while a package is processed by the seal attaching mechanism; and an article stopper configured to block the subsequent package in a traveling direction and suspend the subsequent package while the package is processed by the seal attaching mechanism. An article detection sensor is disposed upstream of the passage detection sensor. When the passage detection sensor detects passage of one package, the suspending pusher is caused to operate so that a subsequent package is temporarily suspended.

A control system for an automated singulation system is provided. The control system detects a presence of a first item on a first conveyor and detects a presence of a second item on a second conveyor while the first item is present on the first conveyor. The second conveyor transfers items onto the first conveyor and is at a lower height than the second conveyor. The first conveyor is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the second conveyor. In response to detecting the presence of the second item, a location of the first item along a length of the first conveyor is determined. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are controlled based at least on the location of the first item.

A method for transporting manufactured products from a first production machine to a second production machine via a conveying apparatus comprises receiving, at one end of the conveying apparatus, manufactured products produced by the first production machine. The manufactured products are transported at a speed of the conveying apparatus. The manufactured products are spaced apart from each other along the conveying apparatus such that an empty space is created between each manufactured product. The first production machine is stopped in response to a stoppage of the second production machine and the conveying apparatus is actuated to a second operating state that is configured to allow a manufactured product last output by the first production machine prior to the stop to be received by the conveying apparatus in the empty space nearest to the first production machine. The conveying apparatus is then stopped.

A control system for an automated singulation system is provided. The control system detects a presence of a first item on a first conveyor and detects a presence of a second item on a second conveyor while the first item is present on the first conveyor. The second conveyor transfers items onto the first conveyor and is at a lower height than the second conveyor. The first conveyor is oriented perpendicularly with respect to the second conveyor. In response to detecting the presence of the second item, a location of the first item along a length of the first conveyor is determined. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are controlled based at least on the location of the first item.

A conveying/loading apparatus includes a first conveying apparatus having a first delivery part, with a blocking apparatus being disposed close to an output end of the first delivery part, and a second conveying apparatus having a second delivery part, with multiple supports being disposed at intervals on the second delivery part, and regions between the supports forming accommodating spaces for loading objects. An object is delivered to the output end of the first delivery part, and a first detection sensor detects a position of the object. A second detection sensor detects whether a support of the second delivery part has moved to a loading position, and whether the accommodating space between two adjacent supports is in an idle state. The first detection sensor causes the blocked object to pass, when the first detection sensor and the second detection sensor both have signals.

A sampling apparatus is provided, which includes a pressing-up unit configured to press up a sheet piece that is being conveyed by a conveying unit, from a lower side of a conveyance course of the sheet piece to above the conveyance course; and a holding unit configured to hold the sheet piece pressed up by the pressing-up unit.

A sampling apparatus is provided, which includes a pressing-up unit configured to press up a sheet piece that is being conveyed by a conveying unit, from a lower side of a conveyance course of the sheet piece to above the conveyance course; and a holding unit configured to hold the sheet piece pressed up by the pressing-up unit.

A method for transporting manufactured products from a first production machine to a second production machine via a conveying apparatus comprises receiving, at one end of the conveying apparatus, manufactured products produced by the first production machine. The manufactured products are transported at a speed of the conveying apparatus. The manufactured products are spaced apart from each other along the conveying apparatus such that an empty space is created between each manufactured product. The first production machine is stopped in response to a stoppage of the second production machine and the conveying apparatus is actuated to a second operating state that is configured to allow a manufactured product last output by the first production machine prior to the stop to be received by the conveying apparatus in the empty space nearest to the first production machine. The conveying apparatus is then stopped.