A feeding device includes a plurality of driving modules, a plurality of feeding modules and a plurality of couplers. Each driving module has a driving shaft pivotally mounted on a housing and driven by a power module to be rotated about an axis. Each feeding module includes a pivoting shaft substantially coaxial with the driving shaft, a suspending unit journalled on the pivoting shaft to be pivotable and having a bearing portion which is disposed to be biased downwardly by a spring member, a driven shaft mounted rotatably on the bearing portion, and a feeding roller driven by the driven shaft. Each coupler includes a transmitting shaft having two ends connected to the driving shaft and driven shaft by universal joints, respectively.

A support apparatus can comprise a cylindrical rod extending along a first rotation axis and comprising a first end portion provided with a first convex spherical segment and a second end portion provided with a second convex spherical segment. A first area can be configured to receive a portion of the first convex spherical segment. A second area can be configured to receive a portion of the second convex spherical segment. The cylindrical rod can be pivotable about a first pivot axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. In some embodiments, methods of supporting an object can comprise engaging a surface of the object with the outer surface of the cylindrical rod wherein the first cylindrical rod supports a weight of the object while the first cylindrical rod is supported by the first fluid cushion and the second fluid cushion.

A support apparatus can comprise a cylindrical rod extending along a first rotation axis and comprising a first end portion provided with a first convex spherical segment and a second end portion provided with a second convex spherical segment. A first area can be configured to receive a portion of the first convex spherical segment. A second area can be configured to receive a portion of the second convex spherical segment. The cylindrical rod can be pivotable about a first pivot axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. In some embodiments, methods of supporting an object can comprise engaging a surface of the object with the outer surface of the cylindrical rod wherein the first cylindrical rod supports a weight of the object while the first cylindrical rod is supported by the first fluid cushion and the second fluid cushion.

A conveyance device and a planar conveyance apparatus having a simple structure and capable of carrying out an article in any direction are developed.

A conveyance device 1 that includes an energizing mechanism unit 2 configured to energize and move an article and a rotation mechanism unit 3 configured to rotate the energizing mechanism unit itself, and is capable of changing a moving direction of the article by rotating the energizing mechanism unit 2 with the rotation mechanism unit 3. The energizing mechanism unit 2 includes an energizing mechanism side motor 10, and the energizing mechanism side motor 10 includes a coil 32 on a center side and an outer body 30 surrounding the coil 32, and is an outer rotor type motor in which the outer body 30 rotates. The energizing mechanism side motor 10 is disposed such that a central shaft of the outer body 30 is in a substantially horizontal posture, and the outer body 30 energizes the article by coming into contact with the article directly or through a freely-rotating rotor 7 interposed therebetween.

A conveyance device and a planar conveyance apparatus having a simple structure and capable of carrying out an article in any direction are developed.

A conveyance device 1 that includes an energizing mechanism unit 2 configured to energize and move an article and a rotation mechanism unit 3 configured to rotate the energizing mechanism unit itself, and is capable of changing a moving direction of the article by rotating the energizing mechanism unit 2 with the rotation mechanism unit 3. The energizing mechanism unit 2 includes an energizing mechanism side motor 10, and the energizing mechanism side motor 10 includes a coil 32 on a center side and an outer body 30 surrounding the coil 32, and is an outer rotor type motor in which the outer body 30 rotates. The energizing mechanism side motor 10 is disposed such that a central shaft of the outer body 30 is in a substantially horizontal posture, and the outer body 30 energizes the article by coming into contact with the article directly or through a freely-rotating rotor 7 interposed therebetween.

Systems and methods described herein are optimized for cutting sealing elements on packages using optical radiation. Packages can pass through a cutting device that applies the optical radiation to damage, vaporize, or cut the sealing element (e.g., tape) on the package. The systems and methods control several aspects of the cutting process to adjust throughput, improve efficiency, and reduce line stoppages. Systems can include an in-feed conveyor that orients packages and rejects packages that are out of specification, which can lead to issues such as jamming or damage to the equipment. Systems can include a variable-speed cut conveyor controlled by a computing system to dynamically adjust the speed of packages based upon historical cut quality, environmental measurement data, and height data related to a vertical dimension of the package.

Systems and methods described herein are optimized for cutting sealing elements on packages using optical radiation. Packages can pass through a cutting device that applies the optical radiation to damage, vaporize, or cut the sealing element (e.g., tape) on the package. The systems and methods control several aspects of the cutting process to adjust throughput, improve efficiency, and reduce line stoppages. Systems can include an in-feed conveyor that orients packages and rejects packages that are out of specification, which can lead to issues such as jamming or damage to the equipment. Systems can include a variable-speed cut conveyor controlled by a computing system to dynamically adjust the speed of packages based upon historical cut quality, environmental measurement data, and height data related to a vertical dimension of the package.

Apparatuses, methods and systems comprising integrated motorized conveyor rollers are provided. The example integrated motorized conveyor roller comprises: a housing; a motor assembly and a drive assembly at least partially disposed within the housing that are configured to cause rotation of at least a portion of the integrated motorized conveyor roller; at least one sensing element operatively coupled to the integrated motorized conveyor roller; and a controller component in electronic communication with the at least one sensing element, the motor assembly and the drive assembly, wherein the controller component is configured to obtain operational data via the at least one sensing element.

Apparatuses, methods and systems comprising integrated motorized conveyor rollers are provided. The example integrated motorized conveyor roller comprises: a housing; a motor assembly and a drive assembly at least partially disposed within the housing that are configured to cause rotation of at least a portion of the integrated motorized conveyor roller; at least one sensing element operatively coupled to the integrated motorized conveyor roller; and a controller component in electronic communication with the at least one sensing element, the motor assembly and the drive assembly, wherein the controller component is configured to obtain operational data via the at least one sensing element.

Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth idler shafts, and further include a first movable idler shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable idler shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable idler shaft to the second movable idler shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable idler shafts.