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.

A carrier element for use in a packaging device is provided wherein the carrier element is connectable with at least one transport device of the packaging device. The carrier element comprises at least one receiving surface for receiving at least one package. The receiving surface comprises at least one suction opening for fixing the package by suction. The carrier element further comprises at least one pressure reservoir connected to the suction opening. The carrier element further comprises at least one pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the pressure reservoir. A packaging device for packaging at least one product into at least one package is also disclosed. The packaging device comprises at least one carrier element and at least one transport device, wherein the carrier element is connected to the transport device.

A robotic transport device for small components comprising transport mechanism being suspended at two suspension elements, wherein the two suspension elements are distanced from each other in the direction of transport and wherein the two suspension elements are constructed in such a way that each of them is, independently from each other, be shifted in a direction vertical or substantially vertical to the direction of transport.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a transporting a discrete element, by activating a discrete vacuum zone on a puck at or before an acquisition, rotating the puck about an axis (and optionally twisting the puck), and deactivating the discrete vacuum zone at a deposition point, through tightly controlled piecewise vacuum porting particularly in applications where vacuum commutation length changes in radial direction.

An article conveying device 4 includes a movable conveyer 12 for conveying a culture vessel 3 (article) and longitudinal mover 13b for moving the movable conveyer 21, and a conveyer driving motor 14 is provided separately from the movable conveyer 12, and a driving magnet MA rotated by a driving shaft 32 driven by the conveyer driving motor 14 and a driven magnet MB provided on the movable conveyer 12 and connected to the driving magnet MA by a magnetic force in a non-contact manner are provided. A plurality of the driven magnets MB is provided along a moving direction of the movable conveyer 12 by the longitudinal mover 13b, and an interval between the plurality of the driven magnets MB is matched with a moving distance of the movable conveyer 12 by the longitudinal mover 13b.

Apparatus for varying a pitch between moving articles includes a phaser conveyor having a dosed-loop central belt and two closed-loop side belts including respective rows of stop elements configured to engage side portions of articles projecting laterally outside the central belt. As compared to rotary repitching devices, the apparatus according to the invention is much simpler and more energy-efficient, which has a positive impact on sustainability.

An article conveying device 4 includes a movable conveyer 12 for conveying a culture vessel 3 (article) and longitudinal mover 13b for moving the movable conveyer 21, and a conveyer driving motor 14 is provided separately from the movable conveyer 12, and a driving magnet MA rotated by a driving shaft 32 driven by the conveyer driving motor 14 and a driven magnet MB provided on the movable conveyer 12 and connected to the driving magnet MA by a magnetic force in a non-contact manner are provided. A plurality of the driven magnets MB is provided along a moving direction of the movable conveyer 12 by the longitudinal mover 13b, and an interval between the plurality of the driven magnets MB is matched with a moving distance of the movable conveyer 12 by the longitudinal mover 13b.

An orientation device for orienting loose products for a packaging manufacturing line including a conveyor belt movable at a transport speed along an advancement direction between entry and exit stations, a plurality of gripping equipment each including a support body and a gripping head, a transport track to which the support bodies are connected, and wherein the transport track includes an active branch extending parallel to the conveyor belt, spaced from the conveyor belt and completely contained between the entry and exit stations. Each gripping head is rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the conveyor belt and configured to pick up and hold a product transported by the conveyor belt. Each support body is movable parallel to the rotation axis of the respective gripping head between an approached condition and a distanced condition. Each support body moves along the active branch with a speed equal to the transport speed.

A robotic transport device for small components comprising transport mechanism being suspended at two suspension elements, wherein the two suspension elements are distanced from each other in the direction of transport and wherein the two suspension elements are constructed in such a way that each of them is, independently from each other, be shifted in a direction vertical or substantially vertical to the direction of transport.

A material handler that uses chain driven magnetic plates to create a magnetic surface. The magnetic surface undulates and is able to lift ferrous material such as metal cans. The handler allows metal cans that are palletized to be removed quickly and easily.