The invention relates to a method for transferring an item to be transported (10; 11; 12) from an end portion (2) of a flow storage system (1) to a removal device (20), comprising the steps of: using an end stop (4) arranged in the shut-off position for retaining at least one first item to be transported (10) on the end portion (2) of the flow storage system (1) and/or using a separator (5) arranged in the shut-off position to retain at least one second item to be transported (11) on a retaining section (3) of the flow storage system (1); arranging (100) the removal device (20) adjacent to the end portion (2) of the flow storage system (1) in a removal position; using at least one sensor (21) of the removal device (20) for checking (101; 111) whether the end stop (4) and/or the separator (5) is arranged in its respective shut-off position; and transferring (104) the first item to be transported (10) from the end portion (2) to the removal device (20).

Provided are a stud supply device and a stud supply method with which a stud can be supplied to a welding electrode in the correct orientation. The stud supply device comprises: a magazine in which a predetermined number of studs can be aligned and stored in series inside a magazine hole from a stop part to one end side; switching mechanisms having a plurality of balls that can move between a position contacting the studs and a position not contacting the studs, and a reciprocating member that restricts the movement of the plurality of balls, the switching mechanisms switching between a state in which the studs are stopped at the stop part and a state in which the studs are allowed to pass; and a first air injection part that is provided more on the one end side than the stop part, and that injects air from the one end side to the stud stopped at the stop part.

The invention relates to a method for transferring an item to be transported from an end portion of a flow storage system to a removal device, comprising the steps of: using an end stop arranged in a shut-off position for retaining at least one first item to be transported on the end portion of the flow storage system and/or using a separator arranged in the shut-off position to retain at least one second item to be transported on a retaining section of the flow storage system; arranging the removal device adjacent to the end portion of the flow storage system in a removal position; using at least one sensor of the removal device for checking whether the end stop and/or the separator is arranged in a shut-off position and transferring the first item to be transported from the end portion to the removal device.

The invention relates to a feeding machine for washers allowing a correct placement of eyelets in laminar bodies, such as textile elements, wherein said feeding machine includes a ramp for moving the washers from a higher height to a lower height, a plurality of detectors for detecting a washer which are arranged in different segments of a length of the ramp, configured to detect the presence of each washer; and a plurality of linear actuators arranged along the length of the ramp, said actuators being connected to stops which are configured to block the passage of the washers along the ramp. The feeding machine also includes a control electronics connected to the linear actuators and to the detectors for detecting a washer, said control electronics being configured to control the feeding of the washers along the ramp.

An illustrative example tube handling machine includes a lifter configured to receive a plurality of tubes when at least a portion of the lifter is at a first position. The lifter is configured to lift the plurality of tubes to a second, higher vertical position. A plurality of cells are respectively configured for at least temporarily holding the plurality of tubes. A first one of the cells is situated to receive the plurality of tubes from the lifter at the second vertical position. The cells are situated relative to each other such that the plurality of tubes can be sequentially transferred among the cells from the first one of the cells to a last one of the cells that releases the plurality of tubes to a delivery location.

The present invention relates to a switch device for a transfer point (C) between a first and a second rotatable star wheel (20, 30), at which transfer point objects (B1-B8) can be transferred selectively from the first star wheel (20) to the second star wheel (30), characterized in that the switch device comprises: a base (12) at least in the region of the transfer point (C) for supporting the objects (B1-B8) transported by the star wheels; a first and a second wall portion (40, 50) which extend in the region of the transfer point (C), so as to substantially follow the outer periphery of the first and second star wheels (20, 30), respectively, and are movable in the vertical direction between a first position, in which they extend beyond the base (12), and a second position, in which they do not extend beyond the base (12); at least one drive mechanism for driving the movement of the wall portions (40, 50); and a control means for actuating the at least one drive mechanism. The first and the second wall portions (40, 50) are individually vertically movable by the at least one drive mechanism.

Systems and methods for providing gaps in article or package processing. In some embodiments, the system can include a conveying path along which a first advanced article and a second advanced article can be advanced. The system can further include a first stop location and a second stop location. The first stop location can include movable fingers that are configured to raise to stop the advance of the articles and then lower at specific times to allow the articles to advance with specific distances between the articles. Additionally, the system can include a paddle that also raises and lowers. The paddle lowers to stop an advancing article again, and in doing so, front-end registers the article. Then the paddle can raise to allow the package to advance again along the conveyor.

A loading station (10) for loading automatically a primary load carrier (36) of an overhead conveyor (18) with a secondary load carrier (38) for hanging goods, comprising: an accumulation line (12), wherein the accumulation line is configured to accumulate primary load carriers, which are movable along the accumulation line, in the conveying direction one behind the other; a separating device (18), which is arranged laterally to the accumulation line, comprising: first and second stopping elements (68) being respectively supported transversally to the accumulation line in a movable manner, wherein each of the stopping elements, in its stopping position, is moved into a conveying path of the primary load carriers, and, in its release position, is moved out of the conveying path; and a switch (76); a control unit (40); a feeding device (16) arranged laterally to the accumulation line, and configured to guide a hanger-shaped head portion of the secondary load carriers through a transport opening in the primary load carrier for loading the primary load carriers, when the primary load carrier is located in a loading position; wherein the switch is arranged oppositely to the feeding device so that the primary load carrier is located in the loading position between the switch and the feeding device.

The present disclosure relates to a switch device for a transfer point between a first and a second rotatable star wheel, at which transfer point objects can be transferred selectively from the first star wheel to the second star wheel. The switch device includes a base in the region of the transfer point for supporting the objects transported by the star wheels; a first and a second wall portion that extend in the region of the transfer point; a drive mechanism for driving the movement of the wall portions; and a control means for actuating the drive mechanism. The first and the second wall portions are individually vertically movable by the at least one drive mechanism.

A loading station (10) for loading automatically a primary load carrier (36) of an overhead conveyor (18) with a secondary load carrier (38) for hanging goods, comprising: an accumulation line (12), wherein the accumulation line is configured to accumulate primary load carriers, which are movable along the accumulation line, in the conveying direction one behind the other; a separating device (18), which is arranged laterally to the accumulation line, comprising: first and second stopping elements (68) being respectively supported transversally to the accumulation line in a movable manner, wherein each of the stopping elements, in its stopping position, is moved into a conveying path of the primary load carriers, and, in its release position, is moved out of the conveying path; and a switch (76); a control unit (40); a feeding device (16) arranged laterally to the accumulation line, and configured to guide a hanger-shaped head portion of the secondary load carriers through a transport opening in the primary load carrier for loading the primary load carriers, when the primary load carrier is located in a loading position; wherein the switch is arranged oppositely to the feeding device so that the primary load carrier is located in the loading position between the switch and the feeding device.