A method and device for treating containers with at least two container treatment machines, between which a transport device for transporting the containers is arranged, where the transport device is divided into several transport sections, where the flow of containers is changed from containers of type A to containers of type B, where a separating device is activated once the first transport section has run empty of containers of type A, where containers of the type B are transported into the first transport section and backed up at the separating device, while containers of type A are transported from the second transport section to the second container treatment machine, and where the separating device is deactivated once the second transport section has run empty of containers of the type A, so that the containers of type B are transported through the second transport section to the second container treatment machine.

A method and device for treating containers with at least two container treatment machines, between which a transport device for transporting the containers is arranged, where the transport device is divided into several transport sections, where the flow of containers is changed from containers of type A to containers of type B, where a separating device is activated once the first transport section has run empty of containers of type A, where containers of the type B are transported into the first transport section and backed up at the separating device, while containers of type A are transported from the second transport section to the second container treatment machine, and where the separating device is deactivated once the second transport section has run empty of containers of the type A, so that the containers of type B are transported through the second transport section to the second container treatment machine.

A method and system (100) for controlling transport of products (1). The products (1) are guided by at least one conveyor surface (10) through a control zone (15). A flow profile (Fm) of the products (1) in the control zone (15) is measured. The measured flow profile (Fm) is compared to one or more predetermined flow patterns (P1,P2,P3) for controlling the transport based on the comparison. Preferably, the flow profile (Fm) is measured by a sensor device (20) disposed adjacent the transported products, e.g. using LIDAR.

A method and system (100) for controlling transport of products (1). The products (1) are guided by at least one conveyor surface (10) through a control zone (15). A flow profile (Fm) of the products (1) in the control zone (15) is measured. The measured flow profile (Fm) is compared to one or more predetermined flow patterns (P1,P2,P3) for controlling the transport based on the comparison. Preferably, the flow profile (Fm) is measured by a sensor device (20) disposed adjacent the transported products, e.g. using LIDAR.

A system and method for optimizing flow of a plurality of products along a conveyor includes a conveyor drive connected with the respect to the conveyor, the conveyor drive configured to modulate the speed of the conveyor. A camera positioned relative to the products on the conveyor. A processing unit is connected with respect to the camera and the conveyor drive, the processing unit defining a zone along the conveyor having a virtual longitudinal and lateral boundary within a section of the conveyor, the processing unit further determining relative product position metrics of the products within the zone and communicating with the conveyor drive to modulate the speed of the conveyor thereby optimizing a relative position of the products within the zone. In addition, the subject system may be used for inspection of conveyed products.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus for carrying articles such as fruit for sorting, and in particular though not exclusively to apparatus for singulating the articles. There is provided a singulation apparatus for an article carrying system, the apparatus comprising a flume adapted to receive a plurality of articles at a first end; a fluid inlet associated with the first end and arranged in use to direct a fluid flow to carry the received articles along the flume to a second end; wherein a parameter of the fluid flow is controlled in order to singulate the received articles along the flume. A method for singulation is also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus for carrying articles such as fruit for sorting, and in particular though not exclusively to apparatus for singulating the articles. There is provided a singulation apparatus for an article carrying system, the apparatus comprising a flume adapted to receive a plurality of articles at a first end; a fluid inlet associated with the first end and arranged in use to direct a fluid flow to carry the received articles along the flume to a second end; wherein a parameter of the fluid flow is controlled in order to singulate the received articles along the flume. A method for singulation is also disclosed.

Method for merging, within a logistical warehouse, k incoming flows of payloads, transported respectively by k FIFO conveyor lanes α.sub.i with i∈{1, . . . , k} into one outgoing flow of payloads transported by a collector conveyor. The k lanes are distributed along the collector and numbered a.sub.1 to a.sub.k. Δ.sub.i is a time-related distance between the lanes a.sub.i and a.sub.k. A control system obtains a set L having n payloads distributed on the k lanes and having to be injected into the collector to form an exit sequence; computes a date t.sub.0 at which the first payload σ.sub.1 of the exit sequence σ passes in front of the lane a.sub.k; and computes n dates of injection of the n payloads into the collector, as a function of t.sub.0; and commands the collector and the k alleys, for an injection of the n payloads into the collector in compliance with the injection dates.

Method for merging, within a logistical warehouse, k incoming flows of payloads, transported respectively by k FIFO conveyor lanes α.sub.i with i∈{1, . . . , k} into one outgoing flow of payloads transported by a collector conveyor. The k lanes are distributed along the collector and numbered a.sub.1 to a.sub.k. Δ.sub.i is a time-related distance between the lanes a.sub.i and a.sub.k. A control system obtains a set L having n payloads distributed on the k lanes and having to be injected into the collector to form an exit sequence; computes a date t.sub.0 at which the first payload σ.sub.1 of the exit sequence σ passes in front of the lane a.sub.k; and computes n dates of injection of the n payloads into the collector, as a function of t.sub.0; and commands the collector and the k alleys, for an injection of the n payloads into the collector in compliance with the injection dates.

System for transporting items to a packaging station comprising at least a first, a second and a third conveyor, said first conveyor configured for transporting arrangements of one or more items in a first transport direction to the third conveyor, said second conveyor configured for transporting arrangements of one or more items in a second transport direction to the third conveyor, said third conveyor configured for transporting said arrangements from the first and the second conveyor in a third transport direction, a fourth and a fifth transport direction towards a packaging station.