A transfer apparatus includes a first linear transfer part which moves a slider in a first direction by using a first fixed linear module fixed on a first base; a module moving part which moves a module holding member holding a movable linear module in a second direction different from the first direction, to position the movable linear module at a first coupling position to couple with the first fixed linear module and cause the slider to transfer between the movable and first fixed linear modules; a linear scale having a scale extending in the second direction and a sensor which detects the scale; and a controller which acquires first module position information indicating a position of the movable linear module relative to the first fixed linear module in the second direction and controls movement of the module holding member based on the first module position information.

A piece picking system includes at least one main conveyor unit and a plurality of sorting modules. The at least one main conveyor unit and the plurality of sorting modules are arranged crosswise in a matrix, and the at least one main conveyor unit is located above or below the plurality of sorting modules. A plurality of picking stations are arranged at a side of each main conveyor unit, and are adjacent to each of the sorting modules. The main conveyor unit is configured to convey a first container carrying an item to be picked. The picking station is configured to pick the item in a required quantity from the first container conveyed by the main conveyor unit according to an order requirement. The sorting module is configured to sort the item picked by the adjacent picking station. The system aggregates the sorting capabilities of the plurality of sorting modules.

A piece picking system includes at least one main conveyor unit and a plurality of sorting modules. The at least one main conveyor unit and the plurality of sorting modules are arranged crosswise in a matrix, and the at least one main conveyor unit is located above or below the plurality of sorting modules. A plurality of picking stations are arranged at a side of each main conveyor unit, and are adjacent to each of the sorting modules. The main conveyor unit is configured to convey a first container carrying an item to be picked. The picking station is configured to pick the item in a required quantity from the first container conveyed by the main conveyor unit according to an order requirement. The sorting module is configured to sort the item picked by the adjacent picking station. The system aggregates the sorting capabilities of the plurality of sorting modules.

A method for treating kegs in a container-treatment machine includes passing a first keg through a first set of treatment stations on the container-treatment machine and passing a second keg through a second set of treatment stations on the container-treatment machine. The first and second sets depend on a condition of the first and second kegs.

A container-treatment machine includes a frame, transport devices for conveying containers, and intermediate conveyors. Treatment stations, some of which are treatment modules, are arranged between the first and second transport-devices. The intermediate conveyors convey containers to corresponding ones of the treatment stations. The intermediate conveyors extend transversely between the transport devices. Some of the treatment modules are held on the frame so as to be removable from operating positions thereof.

A tray conveyor comprising ice-coated magnetic trays driven by a linear-motor stator along a rail track. The ice coating is applied to the trays to provide a product-bearing ice surface. After the product is processed and transferred off the tray, the top layer of the contaminated ice coating is removed and the tray with the remaining ice coating reused.

A tray conveyor comprising ice-coated magnetic trays driven by a linear-motor stator along a rail track. The ice coating is applied to the trays to provide a product-bearing ice surface. After the product is processed and transferred off the tray, the top layer of the contaminated ice coating is removed and the tray with the remaining ice coating reused.

A storage and order-picking system including a warehouse, wherein the warehouse includes a storage module formed by two racks including one rack aisle therebetween; separation stations associated with the storage module, each separation station having associated therewith a respective pick up location; separate conveying systems for feeding storage containers from the warehouse to the pick up locations of the separation stations, respectively; and a robot arranged between the separate conveyors such that the robot can pick up during one movement cycle from each of the separate conveying systems respectively one article and can deliver between the corresponding article pick up locations one article which has already been picked up to a deposition location.

A storage and order-picking system including a warehouse, wherein the warehouse includes a storage module formed by two racks including one rack aisle therebetween; separation stations associated with the storage module, each separation station having associated therewith a respective pick up location; separate conveying systems for feeding storage containers from the warehouse to the pick up locations of the separation stations, respectively; and a robot arranged between the separate conveyors such that the robot can pick up during one movement cycle from each of the separate conveying systems respectively one article and can deliver between the corresponding article pick up locations one article which has already been picked up to a deposition location.

Provided are a material conveying device and a material processing apparatus. The material conveying device includes a frame and a plurality of conveying mechanisms sequentially arranged in a conveying direction of a material. An output end of each of the plurality of conveying mechanisms is connected to an input end of an adjacent conveying mechanism. Each of the plurality of conveying mechanisms includes a plurality of rollers each rotatably connected to the frame, and a driver in a transmission connection with one of the plurality of rollers to drive the one of the plurality of first rollers to rotate. Each conveying mechanism is driven by a separate driver. A speed of the material on different conveying mechanisms can be controlled by adjusting a direction and a magnitude of torque outputted by the driver.