An apparatus includes a linear feeding-unit having a first linear section and a transfer device that transfers containers, as a group, from the linear feeding-unit to a clocked processing-machine and an entry device having a main feeding-unit distribution-stars. The first distribution-star receives containers from the main feeding-unit at a first transfer-region and transfers and the second distribution-star receives containers from the main feeding-unit at a second transfer-region. A periphery of the first distribution-star comprises a receiving section that receives containers from the main feeding-unit and an empty section interrupts receiving of the containers. The empty section is devoid of supporting-and-retaining elements. However, the receiving section comprises as many supporting-and-retaining elements as there are containers in the container group.

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.

A jump shuttle conveyor system is configured to receive formed food patties from a molding assembly of a patty forming machine. The system includes a lifting plate and belt assembly coupled to a frame which are configured to be indexed to different vertical positions relative to the frame. Formed food patties are received on a belt of the belt assembly thereon, and can be moved off of the belt onto a transfer shuttle conveyor system. An output conveyor system can be provided to receive the formed food patties.

A packaging device for packaging products in batches, during which the products travel along a conveying direction in order to be packaged and related method. The batches include at least two products, arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The device includes a feeder for receiving products travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area and conveying same to a set-down area for later packaging. The feeder includes: in the pick-up area, a transfer unit for transferring products arriving in single file to the unit; and at least one position-controlled movable collector for receiving and then moving at least one product in a controlled manner from the transfer unit to the set-down area. The device also includes a conveyor in the set-down area, on which the collector deposits the product collected from the pick-up area.

[Problem] To develop a device for diverting, to multiple conveyance paths, a plurality of cup-shaped containers conveyed in a single file on a manufacturing line, and consolidating a prescribed number of the containers as a group so as to be sequentially and continuously conveyed.

[Solution] The method that has been found to be effective involves providing a plurality of adjacently arranged successive conveyance paths that branch out from a conveyance path of a conveyance device that continuously conveys cup-shaped containers having prescribed shapes in a single file, sequentially conveying the cup-shaped containers on the branch conveyance paths, stopping the movement of the cup-shaped containers and aligning the containers at the end point of the branch conveyance paths, consolidating the containers as a group at the end point in each of the conveyance paths, and transferring the cup-shaped containers to another conveyance path.

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.

Forming device for forming a layer of containers arranged as a quincunx which includes a conveyor belt configured to advance said containers according to a feeding direction X of the conveyor belt, an equipment piece bearing a plurality of partitions positioned parallel to said direction X, wherein said partitions divide the upper surface of the conveyor belt into a plurality of channels, each having a width such to allow the passage of a single row of containers, characterized in that the equipment piece further includes a series of feeding devices configured for dosing and releasing, in a controlled manner, the containers exiting from the channels, each placed at the outlet of each channel, and said equipment piece is movable according to direction Y substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction X of the conveyor belt.

The present invention relates to a conveyor device, comprising a surface for receiving products that is longitudinally wound around drive means in the form of at least one first drive roller and around at least one return roller, characterized in that said receiving surface comprises a first independent section and a second independent section, said first section extending along a first part of the length of said surface, by winding around said first drive roller and around said return roller, said second section extending along a second part of the length of said surface, distinct from said first part, by winding around a second drive roller. The invention further relates to a dedicated method for conveying products, where the advancing speeds of the sections are controlled independently of each other.

A method and an apparatus are provided for the grouped arrangement, orientation and packaging of stacked food products like patty stacks. The method includes feeding a food product by a first feed belt in the direction of a first X-axis, and then ejecting the food product onto a second feed belt to form stacked food products. The method also includes transporting the stacked food products by the second feed belt along a Y-axis generally perpendicular to the X-axis and in the direction of an orientation mask which is arranged above the second feed belt. The stacked food products are oriented by contacting the orientation mask. The oriented food products may therefore be grouped together in oriented rows for packaging when further moved along the Y-axis by the second feed belt. The method and apparatus enable rapid orienting of various types of food products that are typically stacked and packaged.

A method for the wrapping of containers, particularly bottles, into bundles including rows of adjacent containers, wherein the containers are fed continuously, according to a displacement axis, to a wrapping station (2, 3) and wound with a spiral of a stretching plastic film defining a continuous wrapping. The containers (B) are pushed into a portion upstream of the wrapping station (2, 3) by a conveying unit (1) provided with at least guiding and supporting elements of the containers and with a pacing unit (1a), the containers (B) wrapped with the stretching plastic film being withdrawn, downstream of each winding unit (2, 3), with the help of a dragging device (T1, T2, T3), the guiding and supporting elements including members (11, 12, 13) elongated in the longitudinal direction of the displacement axis which extend also into the wrapping station (2, 3).