A system for interfacing between different types of conveyors is disclosed. The conveyor systems comprise a first serial conveyor system using a sequence of object carriers configured to transport a continuous serial stream of objects, and a parallel conveyor system configured to simultaneously transport one or more arrays of objects. A first accumulator unit can be used to accumulate a batch of the object carriers of the first serial conveyor system. Each of the object carriers can carry an object of the continuous serial stream of objects for accumulating a batch of the objects therein. Two or more first movable trays, each configured to receive an array of the objects from the batch of objects accumulated in the first accumulator unit, can be used to transfer the received array of objects to the parallel conveyor system, and load the objects thereby carried onto grippers of the parallel conveyor system.

The present invention relates to a method for transferring products from an accumulation surface to an outlet conveyor configured to convey products in a longitudinal direction using an intermediate conveyor arranged between, and flush with, said accumulation surface and said outlet conveyor, and a pushing device the method comprises decelerating the intermediate conveyor and transferring the products between the accumulation surface and the intermediate conveyor by said pushing device and accelerating the intermediate conveyor end transferring the products from the intermediate conveyor to the outlet conveyor. The present invention also relates to a device for transferring products from an accumulation surface to an outlet conveyor, in particular one that is capable of carrying out the method according to the invention.

Disclosed is a device for transferring products, which includes a delivery unit for delivering said products, which moves them one behind the other in a feed direction, and, on the other hand, an output conveyor, extending from the delivery unit, transversely to the delivery direction. This device further includes a rotary tool that rotates about a rotation axis, this tool having collectors distributed radially about the axis and being movable parallel to the delivery direction, such that the rotation of the tool causes each successive collector to release a group of products from the delivery means to the outlet conveyor. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

An apparatus for producing a multipack includes forming groups on opposite sides of a transport section. The first forming group comprises a sliding carriage that moves along and transverse to a transport direction, a format part that forms a contact surface for engaging a container, and a guiding-and-holding element that detachably secures the format part to the sliding carriage. The first and second forming groups are movable along the transport direction and transverse to the transport direction such that contact surfaces of the first and second forming groups that are opposite each other are brought into contact with containers to move the containers along the transport direction and to press the containers against each other by moving transverse to the transport direction.

The disclosure relates to a buffer device and a method for buffering piece goods, in particular containers, bottles or packages, with a buffer area, a feed device for supplying piece goods to the buffer area, a discharge device for discharging piece goods from the buffer area. The device additionally comprises several circulating, independently drivable row pushers which can transport the piece goods in the direction of transport through the buffer area.

A shoe outsole dispensing apparatus having a dispenser located above the conveyor carrying adhesive-coated shoe outsoles that are classified into left outsoles and right outsoles and that are dispensed such that the left outsoles to a first side of the conveyor and the right outsoles to a second side of the conveyor is provided. A controller controls the operation of the dispenser. As a result of the outsoles coated with adhesive being automatically classified as left and right outsoles by the dispenser, and the outsoles are dispensed on opposite sides of the conveyor carrying the outsoles, this has the result that productivity of assembling shoes greatly increased as a result of the ability to dispose outsoles very quickly compared to the prior art operation of manually sorting the outsoles, and also the occurrence of shoe defects due to manual errors may be prevented, thus enhancing shoe quality.

A compact collator for sorting and collating product containers includes a laner, a pattern conveyor, a cross-pusher assembly and a plurality of interchangeable inserts. The laner has a first movable conveyor for conveying product containers through the laner, and defines an infeed area. The pattern conveyor has a second movable conveyor positioned down-stream from the infeed area and off-set 90 degrees from the first moveable conveyor. The cross-pusher assembly includes a cross-pusher arm that the interchangeable inserts are configured to be engaged to. Each insert defines a unique face contour that corresponds to the profile shape of at least one type of product container.

Methods and apparatus for picking items. Item picking devices are operably positioned on a rotatable frame portion so that they move in a rotary motion to pick items from a conveyor belt or other area as required. By moving item picking devices in a rotary motion in proximity to a conveyor belt or other area, embodiments of the present invention can more efficiently pick and place items for packaging, processing, shipment, or for further use and without being limited by space constraints.

An apparatus for shaping a narrow container stream, into a wide container stream includes container guides and a shaping region that extends between an inlet and an outlet. Transport bands connecting laterally to each other and define a transport plane along which the containers are transported. The container guides are constrained to be between defined limit curves defined by second and third order polynomials. As a result, the container guides are cambered in a way that promotes interruption-free widening of the container stream.

A compact collator for collating and preparing product containers for packaging and its method of operation and use is provided herein. The collator includes a laner having a conveyor and defining an infeed area. Infeed sensors detect the passage of containers in and out of the infeed area. A gate retains containers in the infeed area until a set number of product containers (a slug) is detected. A slug of containers passing out of the infeed area is conveyed to a cross-pusher, which has an arm. The arm is actuated between a position adjacent to the conveyor to a position across the conveyer and over a pattern conveyor. When the slug is in a centered position relative to the arm, the arm pushes the containers 90 degrees from the laner's conveyor and onto the patterning conveyor.