A continuously rotating, non-symmetric preform feed, stretch-blow-moulding machine dedicated to the stretch-blow-moulding of containers from non-symmetric injection moulded preforms; the non-symmetric preforms including an integral handle extending from a first junction point to a second junction point on a body of the preform; the body of the preform and the integral handle constituted from the same material.

Disclosed is a conveying system comprising: a track, a plurality of carriages to be conveyed on the track, each carriage comprising: a main body which is held along the track; and a receptacle rotatably supported by the main body and configured for receiving a product, and further comprising a receptacle-rotating member which is configured to advance, at a defined advancing speed, along a region provided at at least a portion of the track, and to control the rotational orientation of the carriage's receptacles; wherein each carriage can be in engagement, via its receptacle, with the receptacle-rotating member.

The present disclosure provides an inspection device for continuously inspecting fed containers, in particular bottles, said inspection device comprising a feed device configured to feed containers thereto in succession, at least one inspection unit, configured to inspect the fed containers, a discharge conveying device configured to discharge the inspected containers, and a throughput station for the containers, which is arranged between the feed conveying device and the discharge conveying device, wherein the throughput station comprises a conveyor arrangement with an individual drive and a plurality of conveying units, which are movable by means of the individual drive individually and independently of one another, the conveyor arrangement being configured to convey the containers from the feed conveying device to the discharge conveying device.

A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. Methods are discussed for manipulating objects by a bump-through indexing operation, a slug-control indexing operation, a catch-and-release indexing operation, box or case turning operations, and zero-pressure accumulation operations.

An alignment station and a method of operating the alignment station allows for rotation of slices such as slices of meat or cheese. The alignment station comprises a conveyor which comprises a plurality of closed loop elements, a first roll unit and a second roll unit. The slice is supported on a first loop section of the plurality of closed loop elements. To reduce problems that may occur during rotation of the slice, said slice is subjected to vibration in the first loop section.

Described is a component (1) for powering robots, automation systems and the like which comprises, on a frame (2), a series of belts (3, 4) for conveying objects (9) designed to be gripped by a robot. The conveyor belts (3, 4) constitute a closed path and have a first belt (3) and at least a second belt (4) positioned in such a way that the objects (9) pass from the first belt (3) to the second belt (4) cyclically and continuously.

A conveying system and method for rotating conveyed product. The system can have a conveyor on which is conveyed a rolled product in a machine direction. The system can have conveyor having a first portion on which is conveyed a rolled product having an axis oriented in the machine direction, and the rolled product being partially wrapped in an open ended tube of polymer film. The system has a second portion on which the rolled product is rotated in a horizontal plane such that its axis is oriented in a cross machine direction, and a third portion on which the rolled product is conveyed while oriented in the cross machine direction to a sealing operation that seals the open ends of the tube of polymer film.

Magnetic coupling mechanisms for robotic arm end effectors are disclosed. In particular, a magnetic coupling mechanism couples a detachable tool, such as a suction gripper, to a tool changer base of a robotic arm tool of an end effector. Magnetic coupling between the robotic arm tool and the detachable tool allows for breakaway when a sufficient force is applied to the robotic arm tool and/or the detachable tool to separate the two. The decoupling may be achieved via a tool rack. An exemplary system for coupling a detachable tool to a motion device includes a first magnetic ring affixed to a distal end of the motion device, where an inside of the first magnetic ring forms a first hollow chamber; and a second magnetic ring affixed to a proximal end of the detachable tool, where an inside of the detachable tool forms a second hollow chamber.

An article packaging machine and method or turning article packs, the article packaging machine having a turner station for turning article packs moving though the packaging machine. The packaging machine includes a main conveyor extending longitudinally from an upstream end to a downstream end and through the turning station. Article packs are carried by the main conveyor spaced and sequentially in the downstream direction through the turner station. The turner station includes flight drive assembly having multiple flight assemblies. The flight assemblies are driven above upper cam plates in the upstream direction, and below lower cam plates in the downstream direction. The flight assemblies include turner rods that are moved toward the main conveyor to contact the article pack in at least two points. The turner rods progressively move toward the main conveyor center line until the distal ends of the turner rods are moved past the article pack side walls and the pack is turned 90 degrees.

A method of operating a cross belt slat sorter includes moving a first item of a first type positioned on the sorter. A database is maintained that stores transport requirements for different item types. A control system ascertains a first type of the first item via a separate vision system that is operatively connected to the control system. The database is accessed to establish the first transport requirements for the first item based on the first type. Belts are controlled based on the first transport requirements of the first item. A second item is moved on the belts, and a second type of the second item is observed with the vision system. The database is accessed to ascertain second transport requirements for the second item. The belts are controlled based on the second transport requirements of the second item.