Abstract: A method of overboarding and lowering a load from a vessel is disclosed. The method uses a vessel-mounted crane to lift the load from a deck of the vessel, to move the load off the deck into an outboard over-water position, and to lower the load from the outboard position into the water. The method further includes placing at least one guide member acting in compression between the load and an upstanding supporting structure of the crane to restrain horizontal movement of the load relative to a boom of the crane. Then, lowering the guide member occurs to continue restraining horizontal movement of the load while lowering the load from the outboard position into the water. A related guide apparatus includes at least one guide member that is movably connected to a mount for movement relative to the mount around and parallel to a slewing axis of the crane.

Abstract: The invention provides a pole lifting apparatus. The pole lifting apparatus including a base section having a base plate; one or more mast sections connected to the base section and extendable in an axial manner therewith, wherein an uppermost mast section of the one or more mast sections comprises a pulley mounted at its uppermost end; and a hoist secured to the base section and having a wire rope operably associated with the one or more mast sections and pulley for use in a pole lifting operation.

Abstract: A device for forming stacks of bags, preferably bags of paper, which are individually supplied, includes at least a first transport device with which individual bags are taken up, a collection point to which the bags are fed by the transport device and in which a stack of bags can be produced, and a release device with which the bags are released from the transport device and dropped at the collection point. The device has at least one separation device, which can be inserted into or above the stack at the collection point, to divide the stack into a first and a second stack.

Abstract: A BOLTS compatible module includes a support mechanism for gripping a wafer. The support mechanism is coupled to a rotary mechanism for rotating the support mechanism with a wafer grip therein. The rotary mechanism is coupled to the module and capable of at least 180° of rotation.

Abstract: A method of transferring pipes from a carrier vessel to a laying vessel includes gripping the pipes in the hold of the carrier vessel and releasing the pipes, in a given position, inside a transfer station on the carrier vessel by means of a manipulator mounted on the carrier vessel. The method also includes guiding a gripping device, connected to a crane, into said given position at the transfer station.

Abstract: A gripping head (1) comprises a supporting element (11), e.g. a horizontal plate, adapted to rotate about a first rotation axis (&alpha,-) with which two or more grippers (12) are pivotally associated, so that each gripper is adapted to rotate about a symmetry axis (?) thereof, said rotation axes being parallel to each other, and being the rotation motion of each gripper independent from the others. Therefore, each gripper is adapted to rotate about a symmetry axis (?) thereof and revolve about the rotation axis (?) of the supporting element with which they are pivotally associated. A preferred plant, comprising said gripping head (1), comprises a belt conveyor and a mechanical limb (2) with which said gripping head (1) is pivotally associated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for attaching, detaching and conveying tubular on a drill cantilever. The method and apparatus include a tubular standbuilding conveyor assembly and a stand delivery conveyor assembly. The method and apparatus provide for improved movement, assembly and disassembly in order to eliminate inefficient movements and to improve consistent, repeatable performance.

Abstract: An automatic stack feeder having a moveable stack or product guide is disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may be configured to receive a stack of articles and a container enclosing a stack of articles. To ensure the stack of articles is properly supported following unloading from the container, the stack guide is moveable between a first and a second position, wherein the stack guide is in contact with the stack of articles while in the first position, and not in contact with the stack when in the second position.

Abstract: A clean stocker includes an orientation adjustment device that includes a pivot device which pivots a placing base, a reticle carrier device which holds an article without changing an orientation of the article, and a controller which controls the pivot device and the reticle carrier device. The controller is programmed to cause the article to be held in a state in which the article is separate from the placing base held by the pivot device, the placing base in the state in which the article is separate therefrom to be pivoted from an initial position to an intended position, the article to be placed on the placing base which has been pivoted to the intended position, and the placing base having the article placed thereon to be pivoted from the intended position to the initial position.

Abstract: A dolly apparatus for door installation transports and facilitates the installation of multiple doors. The apparatus includes a frame. A plurality of wheels is coupled to and extends rearwardly from the frame. A support bracket is coupled to the frame and is configured to support a door thereon. A first guide member is coupled to and extends forwardly from the frame. The first guide member forms a first slot configured to receive a non-hinged side of the door therein. A pair of arms is coupled to the frame. The arms are positioned in spaced parallel relationship relative to each other and extend forwardly from the frame. A plurality of casters is provided and each is configured to contact a ground surface. One of the casters is coupled a first one of the arms. One of the casters is coupled to a second one of the arms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow items to be placed on a stack of items in a manner that minimizes interference with the existing stack. Further, a method and apparatus are disclosed for stacking items such that marking of the items is minimized while the item is stacked. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus may include employing a plurality of forks, where a first fork in the plurality includes a belt that rotates at least partially within a tapered housing of the fork. In some embodiments, the plurality of forks is vertically movable, and the method and apparatus may include a squaring mechanism that is separate from the plurality of forks. The overall throughput of the method and apparatus may be increased by employing this independent squaring mechanism.

Abstract: A method of delivering proppant to a well site has the steps of transporting a load of proppant in a vessel to a desired location, moving the load, of proppant from the vessel into a container so as to create a proppant-loaded container, unloading the proppant-loaded container into a pneumatic bulk trailer, and transporting the unloaded proppant in the pneumatic bulk trailer to well site. The container is placed onto a bed of a truck and moved in proximity to the vessel. The proppant-loaded container is placed onto a tilting mechanism and then tilted so that the proppant is discharged through a flow gate of a container into a hopper. The proppant in the hopper can then be conveyed to the pneumatic bulk trailer.

Abstract: A booklet processing mechanism is described that includes a booklet guide and clamp system that is configured to act as the guide during entry and exit of the booklet into and from the mechanism, as well as clamp and hold the booklet in its proper position during a processing operation, for example by a laser or during vision verification. The booklet guide and clamp system is moveable between a first position for guiding an upper, free edge of an opened booklet and a second position where the upper, free edge is clamped against a backing plate. At the second, clamping position, the mechanism is out of the way so that it does not interfere with the processing operation. Because the guiding and clamping functions are combined into one mechanism, only one actuator and one sensor are needed for the guiding and clamping functions.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.

Abstract: A method for resorting piece goods assortments and in particular packaging unit assortments, includes the steps of supplying a first type of piece goods to a redistribution unit; supplying a second type of piece goods, which is different from the first type, to the redistribution unit; and picking up individual piece goods or groups of piece goods using a pick-up element of the redistribution unit, wherein the pick-up element picks up both piece goods of the first type and also piece goods of the second type and deposits these piece goods in such a way that a piece goods assortment consisting of piece goods of the first type and piece goods of the second type is formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow items to be placed on a stack of items in a manner that minimizes interference with the existing stack. Further, a method and apparatus are disclosed for stacking items such that marking of the items is minimized while the item is stacked. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus may include employing a plurality of forks, where a first fork in the plurality includes a belt that rotates at least partially within a tapered housing of the fork. In some embodiments, the plurality of forks is vertically movable, and the method and apparatus may include a squaring mechanism that is separate from the plurality of forks. The overall throughput of the method and apparatus may be increased by employing this independent squaring mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding tissues or similar folded paper articles towards an automatic packaging system, comprises means for forming stacks of articles with one or more sets of separating wheels, and means for radially ejecting and feeding the stacks to the packaging system; the ejection means comprise at least one ejection device with two or more pushing members inserted between a wheel and the other; article stop means are adjustable in a direction that is substantially tangential with respect to the separating wheel, and orthogonal with an ejection direction.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for capturing a target object from a body of water. A first rail is proximate to a second rail. A first gap portion is formed between at least a portion of the first and second rail. The first gap portion is configured to align and receive at least a portion of the target object as a distance between the first gap portion and at least the portion of the target object decreases. A second gap portion is formed between at least the portion of the first and second rail. The first and second rail are further configured to align and receive at least the portion of the target object with the second gap portion as a distance between the second gap portion and at least the portion of the target object decreases.

Abstract: A tubular handling device includes a first arm movable along, and pivotable about, a first axis, and a first gripper to engage a first tubular member, the first gripper being coupled to the first arm and rotatable, relative to the first arm, about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. According to another aspect, a method includes providing a first gripper; coupling a first arm to the first gripper, moving the first arm, pivoting the first arm, and rotating the first gripper, relative to the first arm. According to another aspect, an apparatus includes a drilling tower, and a tubular handling device to position one or more tubular members proximate the drilling tower, the tubular handling device including a first gripper to engage a first tubular member, and a first arm coupled to the first gripper.

Abstract: A support installed at sea and fitted with a storage and guide device for storing and guiding flexible pipes, the support has a first carrier structure supporting a plurality of turntables arranged one above another, flexible pipes being wound in concentric juxtaposed spiral turns of increasing diameter resting on said turntables, a rotary joint enabling coupling to be established between (1) a first end closest to the center of the turntable of a flexible pipe on said turntable, and (2) an end of a transfer pipe that remains stationary while said turntable is being driven in rotation; a plurality of guides suitable for guiding portions of the flexible pipe outside the turntables.