Abstract: A detection device includes a frame, a transport mechanism, detection mechanisms, and a grasping mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a feeding line, a first flow line, and a second flow line arranged in parallel on the frame. The detection mechanisms are arranged on the frame and located on two sides of the transport mechanism. The grasping mechanism is arranged on the frame and used to transport workpieces on the feeding line to the detection mechanisms, transport qualified workpieces to the first flow line, and transport unqualified workpieces to the second flow line.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is arranged in tiers at spiral stack conveyor unit. A ceiling is positioned over the spiral stack(s). A circulation fan draws thermal processing medium laterally from the tiers of the spiral stack, up the exterior of the stack and across the ceiling and through a heat exchanger. The treated thermal processing medium is then routed across the remainder of the diameter of the spiral stack and then down the side of the spiral stack diametrically opposite to the circulating fan to enter the spiral stack in a lateral direction diametrically toward the circulating fan. The thermal processing medium flows into an opening formed in the ceiling downstream of the heat exchanger and into the interior of the conveyor drive hub and then into the spiral stack through openings in the drive hub outer wall.

Abstract: A dispenser insert for being mounted in an existing cabinet, the dispenser insert including a frame configured to be mounted in the cabinet, a dispensing mechanism mounted to the frame, the dispensing mechanism including a magazine part for accommodating a stack of sheet products and a dispensing part for dispensing the sheet products, the magazine part having a refilling access at its bottom, wherein the dispensing part is at least translationally moveable relative to the magazine part into a refilling position.

Abstract: A system for dispensing and packaging drug portions includes one or more storage containers, the one or more storage containers each including a housing defining a receiving chamber for drug portions and a singulating device disposed at least partially within the housing for singulating and dispensing the drug portions contained within the receiving chamber, the singulating device having an electrically conductive outer surface. The system also includes a blister packaging machine for packaging drug portions dispensed from the one or more storage containers, wherein a conductor device is provided, the conductor device providing an electrically conductive coupling between the singulating device outer surface and a contact configured to dissipate an electrical charge.

Abstract: A method and system to access vending machines via a touch-free user interface using a personal electronic device (PED) are described. For each vending session, a unique dynamic tag is generated and presented on a vending machine to be read via a camera. The tag is forwarded by the PED to a remote servicer, which accesses a remote database to determine real-time inventory of the vending machine. This inventory list is transmitted back to the PED for display to a user. The user selects a product from inventory using her PED. This selection is sent to the server, which then transmits instructions to the vending machine to dispense the selected product. The method is free of a requirement for the user to download an app. Security and payment are assured by the use of a unique dynamic tag for each vending session, displayed on or by the vending machine.

Abstract: A system for sorting metallic objects by magnetic separation has an electromagnetic core. The electronic core includes at least a first portion, a second portion, and a bottom. A sorting flap is arranged facing the electromagnetic core to fashion a circulation space for a conveyor of objects to be sorted from the first portion toward the second portion. The sorting flap includes a magnetic element arranged to form an air gap (E1) between the first portion and the sorting flap. The air gap forms a magnetic barrier opposing the passage of non-magnetic metallic objects, such that the objects are ejected from the conveyor. The second portion is arranged to ensure a return of the magnetic flux lines toward the first portion.

Abstract: A method of lining up portions of slices of food, the portions are transported by a belt conveyor on a plurality of tracks along a conveying direction, one of the plurality of tracks is selected as a first reference track, conveying speeds of a remainder of the plurality of tracks excluding the first reference track are adapted in such a way that the portions are arranged in straight rows arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction when the portions reach a lining-up position, and when the lining-up position is reached, the conveying speeds of the plurality of tracks including the first reference track are aligned to one another.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a sorting system using the principles of linear motors to move a magnetized mat in multiple directions. The sorting system uses a series of stator coils in particular patterns to direct the magnetized mat along predefined looping pathways such that the magnetized mat can move articles in a desired direction. Embodiments include the use of multiple magnetized mats to improve package sorting rates. The magnetized mat is comprised of a plurality of magnetized and non-magnetized tiles which are connected using flexible tabs that form a living hinge. The living hinge flexes and allows the mat to travel along the predefined looping pathways. The sorting system may be used as a node in a larger grid sorting system and may be connected to conveyors, chutes, or other means for moving articles.

Abstract: The dynamic package sortation device includes a track for handling a plurality of packages is provided. At least one conveyor extends away from the track towards at least two shipping containers. The at least one conveyor is extendable and retractable for dispensing the packages into a first shipping container of the at least two shipping containers and a second condition for dispensing the packages into a second shipping container of the at least two shipping containers. A controller is provided for providing an instruction to move the at least one conveyor between the first condition and the second condition based on a trigger.

Abstract: The present invention is a snack containment and dispensing apparatus having a plurality of separate snack containment compartments, a preferably transparent lid having an opening therein, and a lockable plunger or like means to index or rotate the lid such that access to a singular snack compartment is obtained one-at-a-time. The rotation of the tray can alternately be accomplished through electromechanical means or through a ratcheting handle on the outside of the tray. The electromechanical actuation can be connected to external devices to track data about the use and contents of the device. Additionally, a door latch on the lid can selectively attach to and release from the tray through the depression of a door latch actuator. Additionally, the contents of the tray can be temperature controlled either through a passive heating or cooling back in the wall of the tray or through electromechanical means.

Abstract: A material conveying device includes a base frame, a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit and a transfer assembly. The first conveying unit is provided on the base frame, the second conveying unit is provided on the base frame, and the transfer assembly is provided on the base frame and can transfer a material between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit. The present disclosure further provides a processing equipment facilitating material distribution and a material distribution method.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a recycled golf ball vending machine having a housing with a bottom retrieval chamber and a plurality of shelves disposed above the retrieval chamber. Each shelf includes at least a single coiled wire and at least two opposing coiled wires. The recycled golf ball vending machine includes at least a first transparent cylindrical container having a plurality of recycled golf balls positioned upright within the single coiled wire. The recycled golf ball vending machine further includes a first transparent clamshell container having a first predetermined number of recycled golf balls positioned between the two opposing coiled wires. A payment mechanism activates an instruction mechanism upon a receipt of a payment by a user, which in turn rotates the single coiled wire or the at least two coiled wires.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sprung dispensing tower that includes a vertical housing having an open top and an interior dimensioned to receive products in a vertical stacked relationship. The sprung dispensing tower includes a platform within the interior of the vertical housing, the platform having a horizontal component and platform sidewalls depending from the horizontal component in parallel with respective interior sidewalls of the vertical housing, the platform being vertically slideable within the interior of the vertical housing between an uppermost position and a lowermost position. The sprung dispensing tower includes a compressible spring associated with an underside of the platform and biasing the platform towards the uppermost position. The sprung dispensing tower includes a resiliently compressible slide guide affixed to at least a portion of the platform sidewalls and extending laterally towards the interior sidewalls of the vertical housing.

Abstract: A platform for processing a workpiece includes a transmission mechanism, a plurality of workstations and a plurality of movable vehicles. The transmission mechanism transports the workpiece to be processed to one of the plurality of workstations. Each movable vehicle includes a processing module and a docking interface adapted to connect with a docking station of each workstation. The movable vehicles are each adapted to move in and out of each workstation, and each processing module is adapted to process the workpiece transmitted to the workstation after the movable vehicle is moved in and positioned in the workstation.

Abstract: A door assembly is provided. The door assembly includes: a guide frame unit including a first guide track and a second guide track spaced apart from and disposed in parallel with the first guide track; an inner door disposed to be upwardly and downwardly movable along the first guide track and provided with a first locking part protruding in a first direction at a lower end; an outer door disposed to be upwardly and downwardly movable along the second guide track and provided with a second locking part protruding in a second direction from above a point at which the first locking part is formed; and a drive unit configured to move the inner door upwardly and downwardly, wherein the second locking part is formed to contact the first locking part as the inner door moves upwardly.

Abstract: A manufacturing device has a manufacturing cell for processing workpieces, with a laterally circumferential safety partition, in which a lock is formed for performing a loading operation of the workpieces, wherein a first light barrier arrangement is formed at the lock, and with a driverless conveyor with a load receiver for conveying the workpieces. For performing the loading operation, a second light barrier arrangement and a third light barrier arrangement are formed between the conveyor and the lock, so that the load receiver and the workpieces are laterally bounded on opposite sides by the second light barrier arrangement and by the third light barrier arrangement.

Abstract: A power pack for a vehicle selected from a group of different vehicles is disclosed. The power pack includes an internal combustion engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connected to the engine. The CVT includes: a drive pulley operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine, the drive pulley being rotatable about a drive pulley axis; a driven pulley rotatable about a driven pulley axis; a belt connecting the drive pulley to the driven pulley; and a housing at least partly enclosing the drive pulley, the driven pulley and the belt. The power pack also includes a sub-transmission selected from a group of different sub-transmissions depending on the selected vehicle. The selected sub-transmission is mounted to the housing of the CVT. The housing of the CVT is configured to mount any sub-transmission of the group of different sub-transmissions. A method for assembling a power pack is also provided.

Abstract: A pedal drivetrain includes an input interface, an output interface, and a power transmission belt. The power transmission belt is engaged with the input interface and output interface to transmit force from the input interface to the output interface. At least one of the input interface and the output interface includes a plurality of movable pins engaged with the power transmission belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a supply device, comprising at least one feed conveyor, at least one intermediate conveyor, a discharge conveyor and at least one handling device, wherein individual products are continuously conveyed from the at least one feed conveyor to a work area of the at least one handling device. The invention relates to a supply device for forming an article layer from individual products and for transferring the article layer to a downstream device, comprising at least one feed conveyor, at least one intermediate conveyor, a discharge conveyor and at least one handling device, which is adapted for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Vibratory conveyors, vibratory conveyor systems, and related methods are disclosed. An exemplary vibratory conveyor includes a support frame; a pan configured to receive a conveyed material, the pan mounted for cyclic movement relative to the support frame, the pan having a pan axis generally aligned with a conveying direction; and at least two linear servomotors operatively coupled to move the pan relative to the support frame, the at least two linear servomotors comprising a first linear servomotor and a second linear servomotor. The first linear servomotor defines a first linear servomotor actuating axis, the second linear servomotor defines a second linear servomotor actuating axis, and the first linear servomotor actuating axis is oriented obliquely relative to the second linear servomotor actuating axis.