A plate delivery system provides storage for plates in a first-in, last-out configuration. As the kitchen staff completes a meal (plated), the plate is presented to a staging area of the plate delivery system. The plate is moved into a storage area to be ready for the next plate at the staging area. After a number of plates are stored, the plate delivery system relocates from the kitchen to the eating area (e.g., restaurant table or banquet table) and each plate is sequentially presented by a delivery mechanism (e.g., telescoping arms, a robot, or a waitperson) for delivery to the table. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system is enclosed and has a cover mechanism. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system has telescoping arms with fingers for moving the plate from the staging area to the table.

A plate delivery system provides storage for plates in a first-in, last-out configuration. As the kitchen staff completes a meal (plated), the plate is presented to a staging area of the plate delivery system. The plate is moved into a storage area to be ready for the next plate at the staging area. After a number of plates are stored, the plate delivery system relocates from the kitchen to the eating area (e.g., restaurant table or banquet table) and each plate is sequentially presented by a delivery mechanism (e.g., telescoping arms, a robot, or a waitperson) for delivery to the table. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system is enclosed and has a cover mechanism. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system has telescoping arms with fingers for moving the plate from the staging area to the table.

A charging and storage system provides a conveyor system within a housing that conveys electronic devices through the housing to charging devices located withing the housing. Charging contacts on an adjustment arm adjust between a charging position that charges the electronic devices and a transport position that allows movement of the electronic devices through the housing without contacting the charging contacts. A charging device located at each charging location charges the device while the device is stored within the housing. The conveyor system moves the electronic devices to these fixed charging locations to charge the devices while storing the devices. The conveyor system releases the electronic devices to an exit ramp that guides the electronic devices to a release aperture for removal from the housing.

A charging and storage system provides a conveyor system within a housing that conveys electronic devices through the housing to charging devices located withing the housing. Charging contacts on an adjustment arm adjust between a charging position that charges the electronic devices and a transport position that allows movement of the electronic devices through the housing without contacting the charging contacts. A charging device located at each charging location charges the device while the device is stored within the housing. The conveyor system moves the electronic devices to these fixed charging locations to charge the devices while storing the devices. The conveyor system releases the electronic devices to an exit ramp that guides the electronic devices to a release aperture for removal from the housing.

A feed unit for articles includes: a first feeding device; a second feeding device for individually picking up the articles from the first feeding device at a removal location at a predetermined time interval; and a synchronization device for receiving the articles from the first feeding device and to moving the articles into the removal location. A control system is also provided, to adjust the speed of the synchronization device in such a manner that each article reaches the removal location at the predetermined time interval in order to be picked up by the second feeding device.

A feed unit for articles includes: a first feeding device; a second feeding device for individually picking up the articles from the first feeding device at a removal location at a predetermined time interval; and a synchronization device for receiving the articles from the first feeding device and to moving the articles into the removal location. A control system is also provided, to adjust the speed of the synchronization device in such a manner that each article reaches the removal location at the predetermined time interval in order to be picked up by the second feeding device.

A feeding unit configured to feed semi-finished sealed packs containing a pourable product to a folding unit adapted to fold the packs so as to obtain folded packages, the feeding unit comprises: a conveyor device having at least one carrying element configured to advance the packs from an inlet region of the feeding unit to an outlet region of the feeding unit; and a feed screw device arranged at the outlet region and configured to receive the packs from the conveyor device, to advance the packs along a braking path and to feed the packs to the folding unit; the feed screw device is configured to decrease the velocity of the packs along the braking path.

A machine and method for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers through the conveyor means.

A machine and method for packaging tobacco sachets, comprising a plurality of linearly arranged, multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers having fluid sealing means on lower portions thereof, conveyor means disposed below the plurality of multi-functional, vertically moveable chambers, and a lidding apparatus disposed downstream of and in communication with the plurality of vertically moveable chambers through the conveyor means.

A filling apparatus configured to simultaneously fill multiple containers of different shapes and sizes. The filling apparatus including a feed conveyor mechanism including two or more feed conveyors, wherein each of the two or more conveyors is respectively configured to transport an empty fluid container of a different size along a manufacturing line, a turntable mechanism including two or more concentric rings, wherein each of the two or more concentric rings is configured to receive an empty fluid container from the respective two or more feed conveyors and rotate about a common axis while filling the empty fluid containers via at least to fill ports, and an output conveyor mechanism including two or more output conveyors, wherein each of the two or more output conveyors is respectively configured to receive a filled fluid container of a different size from the turntable mechanism for transport along the manufacturing line.