Disclosed is a conveying device including an upstream conveying unit for receiving products from at least one upstream station, an accumulation surface along which the upstream conveying unit circulates, a loading unit for moving the products from the upstream conveying unit to the accumulation surface, a downstream conveying unit for clearing the products, and an unloading unit for moving the products from the accumulation surface to the downstream conveying unit. The downstream conveying unit includes a plurality of independent moving unit receiving the products in receiving zones which are successively distributed from the edge of the accumulation surface opposite the edge along which the upstream conveying unit extends. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

An article packaging machine and method or turning article packs, the article packaging machine having a turner station for turning article packs moving though the packaging machine. The packaging machine includes a main conveyor extending longitudinally from an upstream end to a downstream end and through the turning station. Article packs are carried by the main conveyor spaced and sequentially in the downstream direction through the turner station. The turner station includes flight drive assembly having multiple flight assemblies. The flight assemblies are driven above upper cam plates in the upstream direction, and below lower cam plates in the downstream direction. The flight assemblies include turner rods that are moved toward the main conveyor to contact the article pack in at least two points. The turner rods progressively move toward the main conveyor center line until the distal ends of the turner rods are moved past the article pack side walls and the pack is turned 90 degrees.

A plurality of diverters each selectively divert at least one article moving member having a diverting member from a non-diverting path extending longitudinally along said sorter to a diverting rails in a diverting state. At least one of the diverters has a gate having a diverting surface. The gate is selectively rotatable between the diverting state and a non-diverting state about a generally horizontal axis. An actuator moves the gate between the non-diverting state and the diverting state. The actuator is an electrically operated rotary actuator that is rotatable about another generally horizontal axis of rotation.

A plurality of diverters each selectively divert at least one article moving member having a diverting member from a non-diverting path extending longitudinally along said sorter to a diverting rails in a diverting state. At least one of the diverters has a gate having a diverting surface. The gate is selectively rotatable between the diverting state and a non-diverting state about a generally horizontal axis. An actuator moves the gate between the non-diverting state and the diverting state. The actuator is an electrically operated rotary actuator that is rotatable about another generally horizontal axis of rotation.

An apparatus for introducing deformable blister packs and informative sheets internally of relative packs includes first pusher elements, mounted on a first looped conveyor organ, and first movement means, associated with the first conveyor organ for moving the first pusher elements, transversally to an advancement direction thereof, so as to abut the products and push the products internally of relative respective packs. The apparatus comprises second pusher elements mounted on a second looped conveyor organ which is arranged with respect to the first conveyor organ such that the second pusher elements are arranged above the corresponding first pusher elements. Second movement means, associated with the second conveyor organ, are included for moving the second pusher elements transversally to the advancement direction thereof, so that they can abut the sheets and push the sheets internally of respective packs.

The invention comprises a transfer unit (34) for horizontal movement of a group or layer of articles (10) between at least two adjacent modules (12, 14, 30) while substantially maintaining the relative positions of a plurality of articles (16) constituting the group or layer of articles (10). The transfer unit (34) comprises a horizontal support surface (24) for the layer of articles (10), at least one first bar (46) or push bar for horizontally moving the layer of articles (10) that contacts the rear of the group or layer of articles in the direction of transport or feed to an adjacent module (14, 30) and at least one second bar (40) or support bar contacting the front of the layer of articles (10), the movements of which are at least temporarily coupled with the push bar or first bar (20) in the direction of transfer (20), A first horizontal section of the movement of the first bar (46) or push bar, to generate the horizontal pushing movement at the level of the layer of articles (10) moving on the support surface (24) is longer than a second horizontal section of the movement of the second bar (40) or support bar to generate the horizontal supporting movement for the layer of articles (10).

A plank positioning mechanism is adapted to move planks traveling in a traveling direction on a conveyor. The plank positioning mechanism comprises a conveying means traveling parallel to the conveyor; and a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted equidistant to the conveying means perpendicular to the traveling direction. The paddle assemblies comprise a movable part; and a motor adapted to drive the movable part perpendicular to the conveyor, Thereby, the movable part is adapted to thrust the plank perpendicular to its traveling direction as the paddle assembly travel parallel to the board.

Diverting device for diverting containers, for example bottles, from a transport path, the diverting device including a stationary frame that is disposed next to the transport path and in which at least two movably formed diverting segments are disposed perpendicularly to the central axis of the transport path, the diverting segments being suitable to divert a container from the transport path. Each of the diverting segments includes a diverting surface that is parallel to the transport direction of the containers in the transport path and that can come in contact with a container to be diverted.

An apparatus guides at least one article traveling along a conveyor in a conveying direction, the at least one article having a shape. A plurality of guides of the apparatus guide the at least one article, such that positive control may be maintained during conveyance. The plurality of guides are dynamically adjustable in the transverse direction. At least one actuator adjusts a position of one or more of the plurality of guides based on the shape of the at least one article. Related methods are also disclosed.