A device for transporting moulds for chocolate or confectionery is provided with at least one rod that extends below, above or next to the moulds, whereby this rod is movable back and forth in its longitudinal direction and is provided with a number of catches for the moulds that are placed along its longitudinal direction, whereby the rod is rotatable around its axis so that the catches can rotate from a first position, whereby they can take along the moulds, to a second position whereby they are situated below or above the plane of the moulds or next to the moulds.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a workpiece singulator with one or more movable stairs. A first one of the movable stairs may include an outer step member and an inner step member that is positioned between the outer step member and a second one of the movable stairs. The step members may be movable synchronously as a single stair to transport larger workpieces and asynchronously to transport smaller workpieces on the outer step member. Optionally, the workpiece singulator may further include a sensor configured to detect the size and/or position of a workpiece. In some embodiments, the workpiece singulator may be coupled with a controller configured to control the position of the outer step member independently of the position of the inner step member. In various embodiments, a workpiece singulator as disclosed herein may be operable to selectively singulate workpieces of different sizes.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a workpiece singulator with one or more movable stairs. A first one of the movable stairs may include an outer step member and an inner step member that is positioned between the outer step member and a second one of the movable stairs. The step members may be movable synchronously as a single stair to transport larger workpieces and asynchronously to transport smaller workpieces on the outer step member. Optionally, the workpiece singulator may further include a sensor configured to detect the size and/or position of a workpiece. In some embodiments, the workpiece singulator may be coupled with a controller configured to control the position of the outer step member independently of the position of the inner step member. In various embodiments, a workpiece singulator as disclosed herein may be operable to selectively singulate workpieces of different sizes.

A system for loading elongated members, such as metal tubes and bars, onto a conveyor for later processing features an elevator, pusher arms, a support surface provided at a predetermined height, and gripper arms. The elevator acts to lift a topmost layer of the members, which are typically arranged in a stack thereon, to a predetermined height so that the pusher arms may transfer the members forming the topmost layer onto the support surface at this height. The pusher arms push these members across the support surface by engaging the member farthest from the support surface until the respective elongated member passes over a distal side of the support surface and onto the gripper arms arranged at a height of this side. The gripper arms lower that member to an unloading location below the support surface where an empty support cradle of the conveyor is arranged for receiving same.

A system for loading elongated members, such as metal tubes and bars, onto a conveyor for later processing features an elevator, pusher arms, a support surface provided at a predetermined height, and gripper arms. The elevator acts to lift a topmost layer of the members, which are typically arranged in a stack thereon, to a predetermined height so that the pusher arms may transfer the members forming the topmost layer onto the support surface at this height. The pusher arms push these members across the support surface by engaging the member farthest from the support surface until the respective elongated member passes over a distal side of the support surface and onto the gripper arms arranged at a height of this side. The gripper arms lower that member to an unloading location below the support surface where an empty support cradle of the conveyor is arranged for receiving same.

Feed system provided with feed means located inside a lyophilization chamber and able at least to supply electric energy to a slider, autonomously mobile at least inside the lyophilization chamber, and to the possible other internal components which need the energy present in or associated to the slider. The feed means are positioned along the travel of the slider and cooperate with energy receiver means associated to the slider, being static at least during the loading and unloading steps of at least a loading plane.

Feed system provided with feed means located inside a lyophilization chamber and able at least to supply electric energy to a slider, autonomously mobile at least inside the lyophilization chamber, and to the possible other internal components which need the energy present in or associated to the slider. The feed means are positioned along the travel of the slider and cooperate with energy receiver means associated to the slider, being static at least during the loading and unloading steps of at least a loading plane.

The invention starts from a conveying device (10c) having at least one transport unit (20′c, 20″c) for transporting packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14′c, 14″c) in a transport direction (16c) along a transport path (18c), wherein the transport unit has at least one conveying element (24′c, 24″c) which can be driven along a section (22c) of the transport path (18c). It is proposed that at least one conveying element (24′c, 24″c) has a rear side (26′c, 26″c) which in at least one operating state is intended to pull packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14′c, 14″c) in the transport direction (16c), and a front side (28′c, 28″c) which in at least one operating state is intended to push packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14′c, 14″c) in the transport direction (16c). The invention also relates to a packing machine comprising such a conveying device.

The invention starts from a conveying device (10c) having at least one transport unit (20′c, 20″c) for transporting packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14′c, 14″c) in a transport direction (16c) along a transport path (18c), wherein the transport unit has at least one conveying element (24′c, 24″c) which can be driven along a section (22c) of the transport path (18c). It is proposed that at least one conveying element (24′c, 24″c) has a rear side (26′c, 26″c) which in at least one operating state is intended to pull packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14′c, 14″c) in the transport direction (16c), and a front side (28′c, 28″c) which in at least one operating state is intended to push packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14′c, 14″c) in the transport direction (16c). The invention also relates to a packing machine comprising such a conveying device.

An indexing or ratcheting conveyor configured to advance a load includes a frame defining the inlet end and the outlet end of the conveyor, a first device with a gravity rocking pushers and a powered member configured to advance the load in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor. The conveyor can also include a second device configured to move the load, disposed at the outlet end only, in a direction from the outlet end to the inlet end prior to discharge of the load outwardly from the outlet end. The conveyor can be used as a component of an oven configured to cook or bake dough in containers with electrical resistance.