Machine and method for conveying items

A method for conveying items in a production line, wherein,

• an incoming batch of items is provided, having a plurality of separate items placed on or in an incoming batch carrier so as to be aligned within a horizontal plane in one or a plurality of longitudinal columns and/or one or more transverse rows,
• the plurality of items in the incoming batch is moved relative to the incoming batch carrier, simultaneously, in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, while keeping the items immovable relative to the incoming batch carrier in the horizontal plane, so that the items are no longer in contact with the incoming batch carrier and are free to be moved in the horizontal plane without touching the incoming batch carrier,
• the captured items are brought to directly above a horizontal conveyor belt, the items being vertically distanced from said conveyor belt by a predefined vertical spacing,
• then, the items are moved in the vertical direction, simultaneously, to bring the items to rest on the conveyor belt,
• the items are discharged in a batch of outgoing items by means of the conveyor belt,
• wherein:
• when the items are brought to directly above the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt has a movement in a movement direction in the horizontal plane at a movement speed,
• as the captured items are vertical to the conveyor belt, a horizontal movement of the items is adjusted and is synchronized with said movement speed of the conveyor belt, and
• the items are moved in the vertical direction to bring the items to rest on the conveyor belt while keeping the horizontal movement of the items synchronized with the movement speed of the conveyor belt.

A machine for conveying items in a production line, which comprises:

• upstream, an incoming batch carrier on or in which are arranged a plurality of separate items of an incoming batch of items so as to be aligned within a horizontal plane in one or more longitudinal columns and/or one or more transverse rows,
• downstream, a horizontal conveyor belt for discharging the items in a batch of outgoing items,
• upstream, means for moving the plurality of items of the incoming batch, simultaneously, in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, while keeping the items immovable in the horizontal plane relative to the incoming batch carrier, so that items are no longer in contact with the incoming batch carrier and are free to be moved within the horizontal plane without touching the incoming batch carrier,
• downstream, means for bringing the captured items to directly above the conveyor belt, the items being vertically distant from said conveyor belt by a predefined vertical spacing,
• downstream, means for moving the items in the vertical direction, simultaneously, in order to bring the items to rest on the conveyor belt,
• wherein
• the conveyor belt has movement in a direction of travel in the horizontal plane at a movement speed at least when the items are brought to directly above the conveyor belt,
• the machine further comprises, downstream, means for adjustment and synchronization with the movement speed of the conveyor belt, of a horizontal movement of the items brought to directly above the conveyor belt, and
• means for moving the items in the vertical direction in order to bring the items to rest on the conveyor belt are adapted to move said items in the vertical direction while keeping the horizontal movement of the items synchronized with the movement speed of the conveyor belt.