A conveying method includes first and second pads conveying workpieces with speeds of the first and second pads being varied; circumferential velocities of the first pads and the second pads are accelerated by variable speed mechanisms; the first and second pads move and separate in a state in which a distance between the first pad and the second pad, whose speeds were increased, is increased; the circumferential velocities of the first pads and the second pads are decelerated by the variable speed mechanisms; and a first slider and a second slider, which were subjected to deceleration, overlap each other in a part in a circumferential direction, which causes the first pad and the second pad to approach each other, and the first pad and the second pad move and approach each other in this state in which the first pad and the second pad have approached each other.

A conveying method includes first and second pads conveying workpieces with speeds of the first and second pads being varied; circumferential velocities of the first pads and the second pads are accelerated by variable speed mechanisms; the first and second pads move and separate in a state in which a distance between the first pad and the second pad, whose speeds were increased, is increased; the circumferential velocities of the first pads and the second pads are decelerated by the variable speed mechanisms; and a first slider and a second slider, which were subjected to deceleration, overlap each other in a part in a circumferential direction, which causes the first pad and the second pad to approach each other, and the first pad and the second pad move and approach each other in this state in which the first pad and the second pad have approached each other.

An apparatus for conveying root crops is provided. The apparatus includes a carrying device which circulates in a circulation direction during operation. The carrying device partly forms at least one receiving region and carries the root crops. At least one transverse separating device extends at least partially in a transverse direction. This delimits the receiving region in the circulation direction. From the outside, the receiving region adjoins an interior space which extends inside an interior space surface. The interior space surface extends parallel to the transverse direction and in side view runs exclusively in the circulation direction. At least one protruding part of the transverse separating device is arranged, in side view, outside the interior space.

An apparatus for conveying root crops is provided. The apparatus includes a carrying device which circulates in a circulation direction during operation. The carrying device partly forms at least one receiving region and carries the root crops. At least one transverse separating device extends at least partially in a transverse direction. This delimits the receiving region in the circulation direction. From the outside, the receiving region adjoins an interior space which extends inside an interior space surface. The interior space surface extends parallel to the transverse direction and in side view runs exclusively in the circulation direction. At least one protruding part of the transverse separating device is arranged, in side view, outside the interior space.

The present invention relates to the field of packaging liquids or semi-liquids in containers, and in particular, to a machine provided with a system for printing information directly on a container or label applied to said container.

In particular, the invention relates to a machine (1) for printing information on a container or blank label applied to said container, comprising: at least one rotary information printing station (2, 2′); a system (3) for feeding containers to said at least one rotary information printing station (2, 2′); a system (4) for picking the printed containers from said at least one rotary information printing station (2, 2′).

A rotary milking platform 1 has a deck 2, a circular upper beam 4 connected to and supporting the deck, a circular lower beam 6 and a series of carriages 5 connected end to end to form a ring between the beams. The platform is formed such that the upper beam 4 is arranged to rest and rotate on the ring of carriages 5 to rotate the deck 2. Each carriage has at least one carriage roller 10, and each roller 10 arranged to rotate on the lower beam 4. Each roller 10 also has a retention flange 11 at only one side. The flanges 11 of some of the rollers 10 are at or adjacent an inner side of the ring, and the flanges 11 of others of the rollers are at or adjacent an outer side of the ring. The rollers 10 of the ring are arranged such that at least one roller is oriented with its flange 11 on an opposite side to another of the flanged rollers immediately adjacent to it. The flanges prevent the carriages from moving off the lower beam 4 when the platform 1 is in use. Further, at least some of the carriages can be disconnected from the ring and swung laterally to be moved free of the beams 4, 6 for maintenance, repair or replacement.

A rotary milking platform 1 has a deck 2, a circular upper beam 4 connected to and supporting the deck, a circular lower beam 6 and a series of carriages 5 connected end to end to form a ring between the beams. The platform is formed such that the upper beam 4 is arranged to rest and rotate on the ring of carriages 5 to rotate the deck 2. Each carriage has at least one carriage roller 10, and each roller 10 arranged to rotate on the lower beam 4. Each roller 10 also has a retention flange 11 at only one side. The flanges 11 of some of the rollers 10 are at or adjacent an inner side of the ring, and the flanges 11 of others of the rollers are at or adjacent an outer side of the ring. The rollers 10 of the ring are arranged such that at least one roller is oriented with its flange 11 on an opposite side to another of the flanged rollers immediately adjacent to it. The flanges prevent the carriages from moving off the lower beam 4 when the platform 1 is in use. Further, at least some of the carriages can be disconnected from the ring and swung laterally to be moved free of the beams 4, 6 for maintenance, repair or replacement.

An apparatus for guiding products along a conveyor in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first guiderail for at least partially forming a conveying path for articles on the conveyor. A guiderail adjuster includes a flexible or collapsible support, which make take the form of a linkage, and which provides support for the first guiderail along the conveyor. The flexible or collapsible support is adapted for being extended and retracted along a support rail extending in the conveying direction to selectively position the first guiderail relative to the conveyor, and thereby alter (increase or decrease) the width of the conveying path. Related methods are also disclosed.

An apparatus for guiding products along a conveyor in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first guiderail for at least partially forming a conveying path for articles on the conveyor. A guiderail adjuster includes a flexible or collapsible support, which make take the form of a linkage, and which provides support for the first guiderail along the conveyor. The flexible or collapsible support is adapted for being extended and retracted along a support rail extending in the conveying direction to selectively position the first guiderail relative to the conveyor, and thereby alter (increase or decrease) the width of the conveying path. Related methods are also disclosed.

A container indexing assembly is provided, including an indexing wheel; a conveyor chain; and a series of container indexing arms arranged having a fixed spatial relation ship to one another other at linear and non-linear speeds. A rotary container starwheel is further provided including one or more grabber arms. Each of said grabber arms includes a spring configured to actuate the grabber arm to a closed position; and a fixed mechanical cam configured to actuate opening of the grabber arms. A rotary multi-feed can lid assembly is also provided including multiple can lid silos supported on an upper rotating indexing plate; one or more spring loaded ball detents affixed to rotate with the upper rotating indexing plate and a fixed lower indexing plate. The fixed lower indexing plate is formed with a series of indents to allow extension of the spring loaded ball de tents as the ball detents rotate with the upper rotating indexing plate. A universal closing turret is finally provided including multiple, varying closure applicators for different types of containers, removably connectable to the turret to allow rearrangement of an order of closure applicators based on an order of types of containers to be closed.