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.

To provide a plate material conveying system configured to load plate materials produced by a press work onto a tray at regular intervals, prior to a cleaning process. The plate material conveying system comprises: a feeding section 13 that feeds the plate materials produced by the press work at regular intervals; a storage section 14 that stores the plate materials conveyed sequentially from the feeding section 13; a loading section 15 that loads the plate materials stored in the storage section 14 on the tray opposing thereto at one time; and a discharging section 16 that conveys the tray from a site to be opposed to the storage section 14 to a predetermined site.

To provide a plate material conveying system configured to load plate materials produced by a press work onto a tray at regular intervals, prior to a cleaning process. The plate material conveying system comprises: a feeding section 13 that feeds the plate materials produced by the press work at regular intervals; a storage section 14 that stores the plate materials conveyed sequentially from the feeding section 13; a loading section 15 that loads the plate materials stored in the storage section 14 on the tray opposing thereto at one time; and a discharging section 16 that conveys the tray from a site to be opposed to the storage section 14 to a predetermined site.

A method of changing article pitch. The method can comprise receiving a series of articles arranged at a first pitch, engaging the articles of the series of articles sequentially with a gripper wheel, moving the articles along a path of travel with the gripper wheel, and moving the articles relative to one another from the first pitch to a second pitch during the moving the articles along the path of travel with the gripper wheel.

A caster wheel alignment system for selectively re-orienting improperly oriented caster wheels for transport vehicles of a conveyor system, such as a circular sorter. The alignment system includes a main support frame couplable with the conveyor at a drive track of the conveyor. The system includes a horizontal cam for adjusting an orientation of the caster wheel from a leading orientation to a trailing orientation. In some forms, the alignment system may include a bypass system, such as a float frame, supporting the horizontal cam, and a vertical cam. The vertical cam provided to temporarily move the float frame and horizontal cam away from the transport vehicle and/or drive track to permit the vehicle to move through the alignment system. The vertical and horizontal cams coordinate to intercept and correct improperly oriented wheels without significantly impeding the movement of the transport vehicle along the drive track.

A caster wheel alignment system for selectively re-orienting improperly oriented caster wheels for transport vehicles of a conveyor system, such as a circular sorter. The alignment system includes a main support frame couplable with the conveyor at a drive track of the conveyor. The system includes a horizontal cam for adjusting an orientation of the caster wheel from a leading orientation to a trailing orientation. In some forms, the alignment system may include a bypass system, such as a float frame, supporting the horizontal cam, and a vertical cam. The vertical cam provided to temporarily move the float frame and horizontal cam away from the transport vehicle and/or drive track to permit the vehicle to move through the alignment system. The vertical and horizontal cams coordinate to intercept and correct improperly oriented wheels without significantly impeding the movement of the transport vehicle along the drive track.

A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.

A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.

A packaging line for products, in particular food products, includes a conveyor belt having a longitudinal feed axis and carrying the products arranged in a plurality of rows orthogonal to the longitudinal feed axis, at least one packaging machine for the products, and at least one transfer device for transferring the products from the conveyor belt to the at least one packaging machine along a direction transverse to the longitudinal feed axis. The at least one transfer device has a linear motor having a closed-loop stator and a plurality of conveyor units independently movable along the closed-loop stator, each configured to receive at least one of the products.