Product handling apparatuses, systems and associated methods

A method for handling products, the method comprising:

• moving a carriage comprising a first and second picking tool to an infeed length of a continuous circuit;
• picking a first and second product arranged in a first arrangement at the infeed length;
• moving the first and second product around part of the continuous circuit from the infeed length to a discharge length of the circuit;
• and
• placing the first and second product in a second arrangement, different to the first arrangement, at the discharge length;
• wherein the carriage is configured to arrange the first and second picking tools in the first arrangement at the infeed length and move the first and second picking tools to the second arrangement as the carriage moves to the discharge length;
• and the first and second picking tools are configured to move towards or away from each other, perpendicular to the circuit at the point on which the carriage is located, for changing the pitch of the first and second picking tools or products supported therein.

A product handling system comprising:

• a product handling apparatus comprising:
• a carriage comprising
• a first picking tool configured to selectively engage a first product;
• and
• a second picking tool configured to selectively engage a second product;
• wherein the product handling apparatus is configured to pick a first and second product at a first location and place the first and second product at a second location;
• the product handling apparatus further comprising:
• a communication device configured to receive control instructions or actuation signals to control the carriage such that it can pick and place the first and second product;
• the product handling system further comprising:
• a management module configured to control the product handling apparatus;
• the management module comprising:
• a communication device configured to receive operational data from the product handling apparatus and transmit control instructions or actuation signals to the product handling apparatus;
• a processor configured to process the operational data received from the product handling apparatus and generate the control instructions or actuation signals for the product handling apparatus.

A carriage for use in a product handling apparatus;

• the carriage comprising:
• a first picking tool configured to selectively engage a first product;
• and
• a second picking tool configured to selectively engage a second product;
• wherein the carriage is configured to pick a first and second product arranged in a first arrangement and place the first and second product in a second arrangement, different to the first arrangement;
• wherein the carriage is configured to arrange the first and second picking tools in the first arrangement at the infeed length and move the first and second picking tools to the second arrangement as the carriage moves to the discharge length;
• and the first and second picking tools are configured to move towards or away from each other, perpendicular to the circuit at the point on which the carriage is located, for changing the pitch of the first and second picking tools or products supported therein.