Abstract: A transferring device which operates on an apparatus for producing optical discs comprising several different work stations, each arranged to perform a predetermined operation on the discs being processed. The transferring device performs a sequential transfer of each disc between the different work stations following a path comprising two parallel advance lines, one forward line and one return line, respectively, which are disposed laterally on opposite sides relative to the longitudinal extension axis of a support arm. The support arm supports a first and a second series of pick-up heads arranged to execute the optical disc transfer on the forward and return lines during the forward and return strokes of the support arm, respectively.

Abstract: A supporting device for data-storage optical discs which includes a rest plate with which at least one supporting element is arranged to receive an optical disc. The supporting device further includes a vacuum assembly and vacuum connecting through-holes for providing vacuum communication between the supporting element and the vacuum assembly. The supporting element includes a base and a side wall arranged to support the optical disc and defining, with the optical disc itself, a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber ensures locking retention of the optical disc on the supporting element, while enabling movement of the rest plate, and further achieves cooling of the disc by an air stream passing through the chamber and spreading over the optical disc surface.

Abstract: A transferring device which operates on an apparatus for producing optical discs comprising several different work stations, each arranged to perform a predetermined operation on the discs being processed. The transferring device performs a sequential transfer of each disc between the different work stations following a path comprising two parallel advance lines, one forward line and one return line, respectively, which are disposed laterally on opposite sides relative to the longitudinal extension axis of a support arm. The support arm supports a first and a second series of pick-up heads arranged to execute the optical disc transfer on the forward and return lines during the forward and return strokes of the support arm, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gluing disc halves together during manufacturing of data storage optical discs including a main support on which a first disc half is arranged in an elastic-deformation condition. A second disc half, optionally resiliently deformed to a conical configuration, is arranged under an auxiliary support axially opposed to the main support. An adhesive dispenser delivers an adhesive along the outer circumferential edge of the first disc half, following a rotation imparted to the dispenser about the respective axis. The dispensed adhesive spreads by gravity along the glued surface of the first disc half and is thereby evenly spread thereon. The second disc half is then lowered onto the first disc half to achieve mutual pairing of the first and second disc halves.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus and method wherein a cassette previously loaded with waste tape is engaged in a work station. A trailing section of the waste tape is extracted from a front opening of the cassette together with a second portion of a leader spliced thereto. The second portion of the leader is separated from the waste tape which is then connected to a previously discarded tape length which is susceptible of engagement with a winding for upon the action of which all waste tape is extracted from the cassette. When extraction is over, a first portion of the leader is separated from the extracted waste tape and then spliced to a new use tape to be loaded into the cassette.

Abstract: A brochure feeding unit comprises a feeding magazine containing brochures stacked on top of each other in the form of a stack. The lowermost brochure in the stack directly resting on a belt conveyor is withdrawn by means of the conveyor through an outlet side of the magazine. The remaining brochures in the feeding magazine are retained by a partition element. The brochure is withdrawn from the feeding magazine and is stopped against a locating member wherein the distance between the lower end of the locating member and belt conveyor defines a gauged passage clearance having a width greater than the nominal thickness of the back edge of the brochure. A pusher element movable along the locating member impinges upon the brochure back edge of the brochure in order to reduce the height of the back edge under the lower end of the locating member so that the brochure can pass through the gauged passage clearance.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting leader tape from a cassette to load the cassette with use tape is provided. In this apparatus, a first staging area is adapted to receive a cassette from an input mechanism wherein a pin orthogonally mounted on a rotating pick controlled by a rotary switch engages and extracts the leader tape when the rotating pick is rotated by the rotary switch. A second staging area is adapted to receive the cassette with the extracted leader tape from the first staging area wherein the use tape is spliced to the extracted leader tape and use tape is loaded into the cassette.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus and method wherein a cassette previously loaded with waste tape is engaged in a work station. A trailing section of the waste tape is extracted from a front opening of the cassette together with a second portion of a leader spliced thereto. The second portion of the leader is separated from the waste tape which is then connected to a previously discarded tape length which is susceptible of engagement with a winding fork upon the action of which all waste tape is extracted from the cassette. When extraction is over, a first portion of the leader is separated from the extracted waste tape and then spliced to a new use tape to be loaded into the cassette.

Abstract: A system for packaging manufactured articles into respective cases along a feed line having an apparatus with stations for performing various functions, a unit for automatically stacking and feeding CD cases to be packaged in these stations and a unit for dispensing brochures or leaflets to be packaged in the CD at one of the stations. The automatic case feeding unit transfers a new stack, manually arranged, before a feed magazine into the feed magazine when it is sensed that the current stack is below a predetermined level. A pusher member is actuated to move the new stack into position in the feed magazine. The brochure feeding unit draws a bottom brochure via a conveyor belt from a stack of brochures, while the remaining brochures are retained by a partition element. The withdrawn brochure is stopped at a locating member, wherein the height of its back edge is reduced by pusher element so the brochure passes under the locating member and is passed to the corresponding packaging station.

Abstract: In an automatic apparatus for packaging compact discs into respective cases, the empty cases are arranged within a feeding magazine in a mutually superposed relation so as to form a vertical stack from the bottom of which the cases are individually removed for conveyance to the subsequent packaging steps. A new case stack is manually arranged on a platform located in front of an entrance side of the feeding magazine and, by means of a pusher member controlled by a fluid-operated actuator, the new stack is transferred into the feeding magazine so as to instantaneously replace the case stack previously in the magazine when the case stack is exhausted or the height of the cases in the stack falls below a predetermined level.

Abstract: In a machine for loading tape into cassettes, the cassettes to be processed are oriented horizontally and disposed one upon the other to form a stack vertically engaged in a magazine. A collapsible support located at the base of the magazine engages the lowermost cassette in the stack in order to orient it vertically and let it fall into fitting guide pieces associated with a loading station located in the loading machine. A retention element operable by an actuator maintains the positioning of the cassette on the collapsible support while the latter is moving to the dropped position.

Abstract: A plurality of tape cassettes fed in succession from a conveyor are oriented vertically on an end stretch of the conveyor itself terminating at a position in side by side relation with a tiltable collection element. The cassettes are pushed laterally from the end stretch of the feed conveyor for being loaded onto the collection element until they form thereon a row comprised of a given number of cassettes. The collection element is then tilted to let the cassette row fall onto a tray previously positioned under the collection element.

Abstract: Devices for the duplication of industrial magnetic tapes. More particularly it relates to an electronic device for the fast duplication of magnetic tapes. The device, through a microprocessor, activates selecting circuits to control static memory cards of a memory bank. The selecting circuit generates proceeding signals and selecting signals which single out memory cells of the memory bank for writing and reading. These selecting signals and proceeding signals cause a subdivision of the cards in the memory bank, allotting a part of the memory for reading and another part for writing. The selecting and the proceeding signals are carried out through digital signals. The final digital signals are subjected to a digital-to-analog conversion.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging compact disc into respective cases along feed line having one station for opening the cases, a first work station in which an informational leaflet and informational booklet are respectively inserted in a housing portion and a lid portion of the case, a second work station in which a compact disc is engaged with a tray, if present, and a cover are respectively inserted in the housing portion and lid portion, and a final station for closing the case. The lid portion of the case is rotated by means of air blowing nozzles positioned at the opening and closing stations, respectively, to direct an air flow against the lid portion.

Abstract: In a machine for loading tape into cassettes, the cassettes to be processed are oriented horizontally and disposed one upon the other to form a stack vertically engaged in a magazine. A collapsible support located at the base of the magazine engages the lowermost cassette in the stack in order to orient it vertically and let it fall into fitting guide pieces associated with a loading station located in the loading machine. A retention element operable by an actuator maintains the positioning of the cassette on the collapsible support while the latter is moving to the dropped position.

Abstract: A plurality of tape cassettes fed in succession from a conveyor are oriented vertically on an end stretch of the conveyor itself terminating at a position in side by side relation with a tiltable collection element. The cassettes are pushed laterally from the end stretch of the feed conveyor for being loaded onto the collection element until they form thereon a row comprised of a given number of cassettes. The collection element is then tilted to let the cassette row fall onto a tray previously positioned under the collection element.

Abstract: Cassettes are released from a remote loading station onto a supply conveyor. The cassettes travel on the supply conveyor to a flow-through tape loading machine in a response to a request from the tape loading machine. The cassettes are transported through the tape loading machine from the back to the front. The cassettes are moved across the face of the machine where they are loaded with tape. The cassettes are then transported back through the machine to a discharge conveyor. The cassettes are removed from the discharge conveyor at a remote packing station. The packing can be done either manually or automatically.

Abstract: A feed unit having a storage station in which a plurality of trays each carrying a plurality of cassette rows disposed consecutively in side-by-side relation is manually stacked. A first pusher mechanism moves the lowermost tray in the stack along a slide track, towards a linear feeder. An abutment wall stops the movement of trays along the slide track when a cassette row reaches a predetermined loading position, so that it is picked up by a transport arm that will deposit it on the linear feeder. A third pusher mechanism picks up the individual cassettes from the linear feeder and sends them to an output conveyor.

Abstract: Cassettes are released from a remote loading station onto a supply conveyor. The cassettes travel on the supply conveyor to a flow-through tape loading machine in a response to a request from the tape loading machine. The cassettes are transported through the tape loading machine from the back to the front. The cassettes are moved across the face of the machine where they are loaded with tape. The cassettes are then transported back through the machine to a discharge conveyor. The cassettes are removed from the discharge conveyor at a remote packing station. The packing can be done either manually or automatically.

Abstract: The described machine comprises a cassette infeed conveyor; stamper means for stamping incoming cassettes with an identifying code; first collection means for receiving cassettes as they are removed from the infeed conveyor; and transfer means for transferring cassettes from the first collection means to a second transfer means for accumulating a plurality of rows of loaded cassettes.