Set the width
Preset the opening or adjust it to the product.
23Engineered solution
Bottomless conveyors
Access the underside of boxes, bottles, pouches and flexible packages without interrupting their movement—for inspection, printing, labeling, edge sealing and controlled transfer.
24How bottomless conveyors work
Grip the sides. Leave the bottom clear.
Two conveyors are mounted on edge, either at a preset width or with manual or motorized adjustment for different product sizes. Once set to the correct width, the parallel belts hold the product securely and move it into the next production phase.
A bottomless pair can also run above another conveyor to stabilize or pace product while the main belt carries the load.
Grip from both sides
Parallel belts hold the product without blocking its underside.
Process in motion
Inspect, label, print, code, seal, stabilize or transfer.
Release to the line
Return the product to a horizontal conveyor or the next operation.
25Where underside access helps
Six practical applications.
Bottomless conveying solves access and stability problems across packaging, inspection and coding.
Bottling operations
A historical source case used a side-mounted conveyor parallel to the main chain line. A high-friction belt spun each wine bottle through one complete revolution inside a heat tunnel so heat reached the entire top seal evenly.
Box labeling
Boxes remain controlled while labels are applied to their tops and bottoms, making both surfaces accessible within one moving process.
Product inspection
Cameras and other inspection devices can verify labeling or product condition on the bottom of bottles, containers and boxes before the item drops back onto a horizontal conveyor.
Box sealing
Sealing tape can be applied to the top and bottom of a box while side belts maintain its position and the line keeps moving.
Inkjet & laser coding
Expose the underside of bottles and containers for lot codes, date codes and freshness information used on food, beverage and pharmaceutical products.
Product pacing
Side-grip modules can create controlled gaps, stabilize packages or coordinate products with accumulation, packing and robotic operations.
26Pacing & stabilization
Create a gap. Hold a position. Support robotic packing.
A clamping module can pace totes, boxes, bottles and round, square or rectangular containers. Pre-programmed photo sensors trigger pneumatic clamping actuators on both sides, producing a gap of approximately one product length.
The product must tolerate minimal back pressure and squeezing force. In a related sanitary-box application, two overhead or side “squeezer” conveyors keep different box sizes in a known position while a picking robot loads them.
27Features & benefits
Secure handling with open access.
The grip must be firm enough for control while protecting the product surface.
Firm, careful grip
Hold product for inspection, printing or labeling without damaging it.
Top and bottom access
Expose both faces for cameras, coders, labelers and sealing equipment.
Flexible adjustment
Choose manual or motorized width adjustment for changing production needs.
Inline integration
Mount above or between conveyors to transfer, pace and stabilize product.
28Other names
Different terms, the same side-grip principle.
Bottomless conveyors are also called bottle-grip, gap-transfer, hugger-belt, side-belt, side-grip or horizontally mounted conveyors.
Moves filled or empty containers between conveyors by gripping the sides through the transfer gap.
Controls transfer and prevents tipping while a lot or date code is applied to the exposed bottom.
Parallel belts hold a product securely by its sides, leaving top and bottom accessible and maintaining control even across steep inclines.
Side-grip systems serve packaged-food, pharmaceutical and many other product-handling operations.
29Applications
Connect side gripping with line control.
Bottomless conveyors commonly integrate with these already-built solution areas.
30Application gallery
The complete source image set.
Three gallery views and two supporting application photographs are preserved locally.
Keep the product moving—and its underside accessible.
Share the product dimensions, surface, required process, speed and adjustment range.
Discuss your application