The invention proceeds from a transporting apparatus for a packaging machine, for transferring pack groups, in particular groups of cardboard boxes and/or cardboard blanks, along a transporting route from at least a first pack-group arrangement in a first transporting-route portion into at least one further pack-group arrangement in at least one further transporting-route portion, wherein the first pack-group arrangement and the at least one further pack-group arrangement are spaced apart internally in each case by different distances, having at least two transporting units, which can be driven independently in a movement plane along the transporting route, at least between the first transporting-route portion and the further transporting-route portion, in a transporting direction and in a return direction, which is counter to the transporting direction, wherein the transporting units each have at least one driving element, by means of which, in at least one operating state, the respective transporting unit is coupled to a pack of the pack group which is to be transferred, at least during transfer from the first transporting-route portion into the at least one further transporting-route portion. It is proposed to mount the driving elements on the transporting units in each case such that, in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner, they can be coupled to the pack which is to be coupled to the respective transporting unit, and uncoupled therefrom, in one movement, in each case independently of the at least one driving element of the at least one further transporting unit.

A row sweep system is configured to allow a sweep pusher arm such as a roller to travel around a station such as a row-forming station of a palletizer at a substantially constant velocity. The row sweep system may include a pair of semi-concentrically continuous drive members such as inner and outer drive chain loops that are connected through inner and outer pivot arrangements to the sweep pusher arm. The inner pivot arrangement may define a slide pivot that allows for varying an effective length of a driven arm defined between the inner and outer pivot arrangements to accommodate movement of the sweep pusher arm through a corner while maintaining a substantially constant velocity.

A conveyor installation for the transportation of articles along a predefined path includes a running rail, at least one running carriage which is freely movable along the running rail, and a driven engagement device which extends at least in sections along the running rail and which includes a multiplicity of engagement elements movable along the running rail. Reliable and quiet operation is achieved in that the engagement elements are movable back and forth between two stable positions, wherein, in the first stable position, the engagement elements can be moved relative to the at least one running carriage past the running carriage without entering into engagement with the running carriage (non-engagement position), and wherein, in the second stable position, the engagement elements, during a movement relative to the at least one running carriage past the running carriage, compulsorily enter into engagement with the at least one running carriage (engagement position).

A conveying system employs independently controlled flights. The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface using a linear transport system. The linear transport system allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on a parameter, such as the length of a conveyed object. The flights are pivotally mounted to a mover of the linear transport system and can pivot relative to the conveying surface to allow the flights to fit in a space between an end of carryway and a receptacle.

A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

The present disclosure is directed to a flighted conveyor insert for robotic picking of food products and a flighted conveyor having the same. In one forth, an insert for a flighted conveyor, such as a bucket chain, defines a forward edge configured for insertion through an aperture of a flight of the flighted conveyor such that when the insert is attached to the flight, the forward edge is positioned on a first side of the flight; and a rear edge configured such that when the insert is attached to the flight, the rear edge is positioned on a second side of the flight that is oppose to the first side of the flight.

A conveyor chain includes a first flight including a first side portion having a first aperture, a first flight bar, and a first sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain also includes a second flight including a second side portion having a second aperture, a second flight bar, and a second sprocket-engaging portion. The conveyor chain further includes a connecting pin having a first end portion received within the first aperture and a second end portion received within the second aperture. The connecting pin couples the first and second flights together. The first sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the first end portion of the connecting pin and the second sprocket-engaging portion is positioned laterally outwardly of the second end portion of the connecting pin.

A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.