A method and a device for buffering containers grouped in a single row in a filling system are described. For this purpose, the containers are entered into storage on at least one infeed conveyor belt in the infeed direction, moved in a single row onto a transversely adjoining buffer area by rail-guided and individually driven shuttles with row pushers in a buffering direction running transverse to the infeed direction, and are removed from storage on at least one outfeed conveyor belt transversely adjoining in the buffering direction. Due to the fact that the row pushers receive the containers in a single row in a guide channel formed/defined by an anterior row guide leading in the buffering direction and by a trailing posterior row guide, the groups of containers can be moved in the buffering direction and positioned precisely, quickly and secured against falling over without back pressure.

A method and a device for buffering containers in a container treatment plant are disclosed. The containers are stored in single rows by at least one inlet conveyor belt in an inlet direction, are shifted in single rows on a buffer surface transversely adjacent by shuttles with row pushers guided on rails and driven individually into a buffer direction extending transversely to the inlet direction in single rows, and are withdrawn by at least one outlet conveyor belt adjacent to the buffer surface in the buffer direction in an outlet direction extending transversely to the buffer direction, or by at least one planar motor armature that can be driven towards the buffer surface and that is in particular driven two-dimensionally. Thus, the containers can be decelerated/accelerated with respect to the inlet/outlet conveyor belt in a controlled manner.

A method and a device for buffering containers in a container treatment system are disclosed. The containers enter into storage on an infeed conveyor belt in the infeed direction, are moved in a single row onto a transversely adjoining buffer area by rail-guided and individually driven shuttles with row pushers in a buffering direction running transverse to the infeed direction, and are removed from storage on an outfeed conveyor belt transversely adjoining in the buffering direction. The shuttles and the infeed/outfeed conveyor belts are controlled in dependence of target positions, target speeds and/or target accelerations stored specifically for the container type, and/or the shuttles are controlled in dependence of target positions, target distances and/or target speeds stored specifically for modes of operation for initializing and reading out the shuttles, for following preceding shuttles, and for moving to route positions.

Herein described is a system and method for packaging packages (C), comprising the steps of: forming a row of packages (C) advancing, one following the other, along a pre-set advancement direction (A), picking up at least two first packages (C) from the row, superimposing each of said first packages (C) on a respective second package (C) of the row, releasing each of the first packages (C) resting on the respective second package (C), obtaining at least two stacks of packages, each of which comprises at least two mutually superimposed packages (C) and stabilising the stacks of packages (C).

A subsystem for orienting articles, the subsystem comprising a tool assembly comprising a carriage. A tool head has a first and a second article gripper rotationally coupled thereto. A first drive mechanism is coupled to the first article gripper. A second drive mechanism is coupled to the second article gripper. A sensor is configured to observe two adjacent articles. A controller is provided in communication with the first and second drive mechanisms and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the orientation of each of the two adjacent articles and to control the first and second drive mechanisms to rotate each of the two adjacent articles to a predefined orientation.

The disclosure relates to a diversion device for a transport device for transporting products. The diversion device comprises a first element mounted to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a second element mounted to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation, where the axes of rotation form an angle with one another and the first and the second elements overlap in a region so that the first and the second elements enclose a diversion region. A product supplied to the diversion region can be diverted in the diversion region by rotating the first and the second elements and can exit the diversion device after having passed the diversion region due to mass inertia.

A method of moving at least one container includes positioning at least one container at an upstream end of a system having at least one track assembly, a linear motor assembly, and at least one product engagement assembly, the at least one product engagement assembly having a shuttle member movably engaged with the linear motor assembly and the at least one track assembly, and an adapter assembly coupled to the shuttle member and comprising a product engagement member. The method further includes engaging the at least one container with the product engagement member, moving the at least one product engagement assembly at least partially along the linear motor assembly, and articulating the product engagement member relative to the shuttle member.

A system for transferring a first group of components of electronic cigarettes from first to second operating stations includes a flat collecting surface extending from a feeding zone to a releasing zone. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them onto the collecting surface. A first abutment element abuts the first component of the first group. A second abutment element abuts the last component of the first group. A compacting and stabilizing device moves the components closer together and stabilizes their positions. A first movement device moves the first and second abutment elements along the collecting surface to transfer the first group to the releasing zone. A tray faces the releasing zone to receive the first group. A pushing device pushes the components from the releasing zone into the tray. A transferring device transfers the tray with the first group towards the second operating station.

Apparatuses and methods herein may be configured to utilize existing high speed assembly lines with dedicated packaging apparatuses to assemble various kinds of packages of absorbent articles. Absorbent articles advancing from an assembly line are diverted before reaching a dedicated packaging apparatus. The diverted absorbent articles are transported to a selectable packaging apparatus to be placed in containers containing desired quantities and/or types of absorbent articles to create select packages. Carriers are movably connected with a track, wherein a linear synchronous motor independently moves the carriers along the track. Diverted absorbent articles are transferred to a carrier in a receiving zone, and the diverted absorbent articles are moved along the track from the receiving zone to a drop off zone. The diverted absorbent articles are then transferred from the carrier in the drop off zone to a selectable packaging apparatus.

A sorting and combining system for board pieces is provided by the present invention. The system comprises a conveying system for the board pieces in association with at least one robotic arm and accumulating rows. The system may further comprise side rows for additional storing of board pieces. With the help of stopping systems, board pieces of the conveyor are assembled into stacks of predetermined length by the at least one robotic arm on the accumulating rows before being sent to an outfeed section. A method is further provided, the method analyzing the presence of board pieces on a conveyor, stopping gates and a reserve in order to complete stacks of rows of predetermined length on sorting boxes. The method makes the use of a robotic arm for the manipulation and displacement of board pieces.