Abstract: An article conveying robot system capable of effectively containing an article in a container conveyed by a conveyor by using a robot. A container detecting part measures the distribution of shading of an image of each containing cell based on a detection result of the container, detects the containing state of each cell, and stores the detection result of each cell. An information managing part of a controller of an upstream side robot receives information from a container detecting part of a controller of a downstream side robot, and then generates containing cell information. An information managing part checks the cell information to be processed, and then transmits the cell information to a task executing part only when an article is not located in the corresponding cell. Task executing part controls the robot so as to locate an article in the selected cell based on the cell information.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for detecting overlapped items in a sequence of items moving along a conveying path based on rigidity and thickness contour measurements.

Abstract: A conveyor device 2 for analyzer includes: a conveyance tracks 20A and 20B capable of conveying a specimen rack 3 along a fixed path; and a frame 21 positioned around the conveyance tracks 20A and 20B, the frame 21 being provided with separable and removable portions 24A and 24B which are separable and removable from the frame 21 and which are capable of providing the frame 21 with cutouts in open condition when separated and removed from the frame 21. When the frame 21 is provided with the cutouts in open condition, the cutouts allows the specimen rack 3 to be introduced onto and discharged from the conveyance tracks 20A and 20B from outer lateral sides of the frame 21 through the cutouts.

Abstract: A conveyer apparatus for transporting and processing tablets includes a conveyer and an ejection system. Each of the tablets includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a belly band that interconnects the first and second sides. The conveyer includes a plurality of carrier links to convey a plurality of tablets along a predetermined conveyer path. Each carrier link has a pocket to receive and transport a tablet in a vertical orientation along the predetermined conveyer path. The ejection system is structured to selectively accept or eject a tablet from the carrier link in response to a signal provided by a sensor positioned upstream of the ejection system.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning packing boxes relative to a covering sheet comprises a belt for conveying the sheet from a gluing unit to a device for centering the box on the pre-glued sheet and optical sensors for identifying the position of the sheet on a belt conveyor surface, the belt being made with at least two regions of the conveyor surface having contrasting colors.

Abstract: A medicine packet inspecting apparatus is disclosed. The medicine packet inspecting apparatus includes a transfer conveyer installed on the upper surface of a main body to transfer medicine packets to one side of the main body, a tablet spreading unit installed on the upper surface of the transfer conveyer to uniformly spread tablets within the medicine packets, an image reading unit to capture the upper surfaces of the medicine packets with a camera and to judge whether or not the tablets are defective through comparison of the captured images with information regarding a prescription and the tablets stored in a data storage unit, and a making unit to mark a defective sign on medicine packets if the tablets within the medicine packets are judged to be defective.

Abstract: A baggage issuing facility for issuing baggage items to passengers is provided in this case. The baggage issuing facility is e.g. a baggage conveyor belt at an airport. There, provision is made for a locating facility which locates baggage items with reference to a tag that is attached thereto, and passengers with reference to at least one of the identification features assigned to the passenger concerned. The locating facility controls the baggage issuing facility in order to deliver the located baggage item to the associated located passenger. The baggage issuing system offers greater convenience for passengers, since it avoids long waiting times and crowds of people at a baggage conveyor belt. Moreover, it is also possible to make the baggage issue more flexible. In particular, the baggage issuing system is suitable for baggage issue at destination airports and for baggage storage at railway stations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser drilling system for drilling holes or cavities in a solid, in particular a solid dosage form. The system includes a loading zone, firing zone, inspection zone and delivery zone. The system also includes optional components such as a process validation system, solids detector, color detector, solids rejection/repositioning means, accepted products receptacle, rejected products receptacle and/or solids inspection system. Operation of the laser device in the firing zone and of other optional equipment is synchronized with movement of a continuous solids indexer by way of an electronic synchronizer. A solids handling system includes an optional fill level detector that directly or indirectly controls solids loading means that fills a solids reservoir. The system can be run continuously, semicontinuously or batchwise.

Abstract: A gate reader assembly for positioning and identifying articles carried by conveyor systems. The gate reader assembly including a main housing for attachment to said conveyor adjacent a conveyor line of the conveyor; a sprocket rotatably mounted on said housing and having a plurality of gullets formed thereon, each gullet configured for receiving one of said articles. In addition, said sprocket is configured to rotate about an axis normal to said conveyor line via a horizontal force from said articles such that said rotating sprocket is configured to receive and move said articles along said conveyor line. The gate reader assembly additionally includes a detent mechanism disposed on the housing and slidably coupled to the sprocket for releasably restraining said sprocket from rotation thereby inhibiting said article against further movement along said conveyor line.

Abstract: A board unloading device is provided that can simplify unloading task and can be used to unload and pile a thin board. A board dropper unlocks clamping of the board in fallen condition of a transport hanger. A board container receives and houses the board when the board has fallen vertically. By activating a rotate cylinder, the board container is rotated. A transport roller carries out the board horizontally from an open area of the rotated board container.

Abstract: A device for automating a chain for distributing meal trays includes a plurality of trays (11) each of which is provided with identification elements, a plurality of carriages (200), a tray conveying chain (150) used for providing the trays with meal components and a computer system for assigning the trays to carriages in such a way that each tray is transported to the destination thereof by the carriage. In a preferred embodiment, the computer system is designed in such a way that it makes it possible to select the tray contents of a sequence of trays addressed to the same recipient service. In the preferred embodiment, each tray identification elements is provided with an electronic label, for example a RFID label, a radiofrequency identification or a rewritable memory.

Abstract: A diagnostic system with a handling system that has a loading bay to receive and hold a plurality of carriers. An identification device is configured to identify an identifying feature of the carriers to determine the type of contents loaded on each carrier. A transporter transports the carriers from the loading bay to a first or second location depending on the determined type of contents on each carrier. The transporter has random access to the plurality of carriers in the loading bay. A diagnostic process is conducted using the contents. A carrier, such a for reagents, has one or more holding portions, at least one of which can be moved or rotated with respect to the body of the carrier for mixing or stirring the contents of a container coupled therewith. Also, a retention member can be associated with a positioning device, such as a carousel, to lock and unlock the carrier with respect thereto.

Abstract: A transfer device using a workpiece carrier to feed workpieces to workstations for processing. The workpieces are held firmly on the workpiece carrier by a holding device (3.1). Provided on a transfer table are guiderails that serve the linear guidance of the workpiece carrier in the “x” direction. Provided for each work station is a drive with a motor and a driving wheel that drives a double-sided toothed belt which in turn engages in a toothing of the workpiece carrier. A scale is arranged on the workpiece carrier and a stationary sensor form a position emitter whose signal enables the precise positioning of the workpiece carrier.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the delivery of workpieces to a position by: storing a digital reference image of the position prior to the delivery of workpieces; storing a digital operating image of the position during delivery of workpieces; performing image arithmetic on the reference image and the operating image to produce a digital evaluation image comprised of a plurality of pixels establishing a threshold image condition for the evaluation image that correlates to the existence of an operating condition relevant to the control of the delivery of workpieces; and examining the pixels in the evaluation image to determine whether the threshold image condition is met.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling an assembly line, comprising the steps of providing an article assembly line; designating, on the assembly line, an upstream processing station and a downstream processing station; delivering a first article to the upstream processing station; monitoring an upstream processing function on the first article within the upstream processing station; and if, the upstream processing function in the upstream processing station on a first article is not complete; issuing a signal to an operator in the upstream processing station that the upstream processing function on the first article is not complete; extending the length of the upstream processing station to allow the upstream operator more time to complete the upstream processing function; monitoring the upstream processing function in the extended upstream processing station; and if the upstream processing function on the first article is still not complete; associating a label with the first article in the over travel

Abstract: A work measurement apparatus 1 comprises a base 2 and a conveyor table 3 which is slidably disposed on the base 2 and includes a work receiving opening 6. A guide plate 4 is fixedly disposed on the conveyor table 3. A guide entrance 5 is disposed in the guide plate 4 at the upper end of the work receiving opening 6. A measurement probe 8 is disposed on the upper side of the guide plate 4. The measurement probe 8 is urged towards the work W in the work receiving opening 6. The measurement probe 8 slides on the guide plate 4 as the conveyor table 3 is rotated. The measurement probe 8 is then directed by the guide entrance 5 to the work W in the work receiving opening 6 and makes contact with the work W. The measurement probe 8 exits from the guide entrance 5.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the delivery of workpieces to a position by: storing a digital reference image of the position prior to the delivery of workpieces; storing a digital operating image of the position during delivery of workpieces; performing image arithmetic on the reference image and the operating image to produce a digital evaluation image comprised of a plurality of pixels; establishing a threshold image condition for the evaluation image that correlates to the existence of an operating condition relevant to the control of the delivery of workpieces; and examining the pixels in the evaluation image to determine whether the threshold image condition is met.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting objects to identify is manufacturable at low cost and is capable of providing correct images of the objects.

Abstract: A diagnostic system with a handling system that has a loading bay to receive and hold a plurality of carriers. An identification device is configured to identify an identifying feature of the carriers to determine the type of contents loaded on each carrier. A transporter transports the carriers from the loading bay to a first or second location depending on the determined type of contents on each carrier. The transporter has random access to the plurality of carriers in the loading bay. A diagnostic process is conducted using the contents. A carrier, such a for reagents, has one or more holding portions, at least one of which can be moved or rotated with respect to the body of the carrier for mixing or stirring the contents of a container coupled therewith. Also, a retention member can be associated with a positioning device, such as a carousel, to lock and unlock the carrier with respect thereto.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly 18 that detects bags that leak. The assembly 18 includes a first conveyor 24 that operates in unison with a second conveyor 29. The conveyors 24 and 29 confine the bags in chambers, with the bags being engaged by pressure assemblies 50 so that the bags that leak are reduced in volume. The bags are engaged at a downstream position and at an upstream position by detection devices 44 that provide a signal indicative of the volume of each bag. These signals are compared to thereby identify bags that leak.

Abstract: An inspection equipment integrity system uses independent sensors and processing capabilities to determine the integrity of inspection equipment. The sensors detect the presence of packages at predetermined positions. The system further receives input from the inspection equipment regarding decisions made during inspection of the packages. The system uses the position information and inputs from the inspection equipment to determine the integrity of the inspection equipment. A further sensor determines the integrity of inspection equipment used to redirect packages based on decisions made by the inspection equipment.

Abstract: A control system and method for a conveyor line having a conveyor for moving a plurality of hangars configured to carry units through processing areas for processing by equipment in the processing areas includes loading stations for entering process control variables corresponding to units loaded at the loading stations, a pair of conveyor sensors for sensing movement of the hangars and outputting signals indicating the passage of hangars, and a controller. The controller determines, based on the process control variables, the time required for the processing equipment to reach steady state conditions. The controller further determines, based on the signals from the conveyor sensors, the appropriate time for loading units onto hangars such that the unit reaches the processing equipment when the equipment has reached the steady state conditions.

Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring sheets from which cards with a monetary value and/or identity cards are punched, where the cards are arranged in rows on the sheets. The device is configured such that the number of cameras used is independent of the number of rows of cards. The device has a table on which at least two sheets can be laid. A camera can be moved along and across the table, and a conveyor device travels along the table above the camera.

Abstract: A laboratory primary sample distributor has a source zone for the input of coded receptacles containing samples and delivered in input magazines. In a distribution mode under the control of a control unit, a conveyor belt moves the receptacles from the source zone through a reading system which reads the receptacle codes in a destination zone wherein there are destination transport means. A transfer device transfers the receptacles onto the conveyor belt and a sorter device removes the receptacles from the conveyor belt and deposits them into the destination transport means. The control unit also has an archive mode during which the conveyor belt runs backward relative to the distribution mode, the sorter device transfers receptacles from the destination transport means onto the conveyor belt and the transfer device transfers receptacles from the conveyor belt into archive magazines.

Abstract: A low profile flow track is described for use in storage facilities, such as warehouses. The flow track requires no assembly upon the pallet rack frame, and does not add appreciable height to the space allotted between the pallet rack beams for storing containers and other items. The flow track has an end plate that is positioned just one inch on top of the horizontal support surface of the pallet rack beam. The end plate is secured to the sides of the flow track, and side plates are specially contoured to provide support upon the step profile of the pallet rack beam.

Abstract: An air conveyor system has a blower in communication with a plenum. The blower provides air to the plenum to move the objects with respect to the plenum. The air conveyor system includes a plurality of dampers disposed at predetermined locations along the plenum with the dampers being normally open. A sensor device senses the location where the objects have accumulated with respect to the plenum. Furthermore, the air conveyor system includes a closing device for closing the damper which is at the location where the objects have accumulated with respect to the plenum. The closing of the damper is based upon the sensed accumulated location. The system includes a variable speed blower for providing air to move objects with respect to the plenum. The objects are either in an accumulated or unaccumulated state with respect to the plenum.

Abstract: A workpiece identifying method is provided, being characterized in that a plurality of identification areas of plural columns and rows are plotted in an identification mark providing region provided in the area of the unused portion of a workpiece or a product, identification holes are formed in the proper number of identification areas, whereby an identification mark is provided to the workpiece or the product. A workpiece is produced with identification holes formed in the proper number of identification areas. An identifying method for detecting the identification holes formed in the proper number of identification areas of the workpiece and workpiece identification apparatus are also provided. Sheet metal machining apparatus is further provided, having the workpiece identification apparatus placed in a workpiece feed device side or a carry-away device side for a sheet metal work machine. Thus, an identification mark is easily and surely provided to the workpiece, making it easy to identify the same.

Abstract: An interactive control system for controlling the automatic consolidation of contact lenses in a contact lens product flow, the interactive control system comprises a product line having random variations in product flow. A consolidation buffer receives the products from the product line. A controller initiates consolidation of the random variations in the product flow. The consolidation is preferably performed by at least one stacking cylinder.

Abstract: An interactive control system for controlling the automatic packaging of contact lenses in a contact lens fabrication facility, the interactive control system consisting of a first robot device for periodically transferring individual arrays of a first predetermined amount or discrete contact lens packages each containing a contact lens therein from a first station to an intermediate conveyor where the individual arrays are conveyed to a second station, and a controller for initiating a time stamp for each individual array transferred from the first station and determining elapsed time data for each individual array and for generating position status data indicating a good array or a bad array of defective lenses for each individual array as it is conveyed to the second station, the controller shifting the elapsed time data and position status data for each individual array as it is conveyed on the intermediate conveyor for transfer to the second station.

Abstract: Plates supporting articles in the course of manufacture are driven by adherence on an endless chain and are transferred to workstations situated to the side of the chain where the manufacturing operations are carried out. The transferral of the plates takes place along guide tracks perpendicular to the chain, by means of a transverse drive member actuated by a ram and interacting with a complementary part formed on each plate. The plates are thus brought into a position remote from the chain and close to a machine or to an operator. Means control the position of the plates at the intersection of the chain and of the guide tracks. The device applies to a line for the automatic or semi-automatic manufacture of shoes.

Abstract: In a lead frame detection device used between a bonding machine and a lead frame storage magazine, a lead frame contacting probe is provided on a pivotal contact assembly so that the pivotal movement of the contact assembly that is caused, via the contacting probe, by the thickness of the lead frame(s) is detected by sensors, thus determining the existence or absence of the lead frame(s) on the lead frame guide rails, and, in the case of existence, the number of lead frames on the guide rails.

Abstract: An interactive control system for controlling the automatic packaging of contact lenses in a contact lens fabrication facility, the interactive control system consisting of a first robot device for periodically transferring individual arrays of a first predetermined amount of discrete contact lens packages each containing a contact lens therein from a first station to an intermediate conveyor where the individual arrays are conveyed to a second station, and a controller for initiating a time stamp for each individual array transferred from the first station and determining elapsed time data for each individual array and for generating position status data indicating a good array or a bad array of defective lenses for each individual array as it is conveyed to the second station, the controller shifting the elapsed time data and position status data for each individual array as it is conveyed on the intermediate conveyor for transfer to the second station.

Abstract: Information code for conveying devices on which an item to be processed is placed has the data of the same item to be processed stored as a set in a memory. The information code inputted into a register undergoes tracking corresponding to the conveyance of the item to be processed. Accordingly, by referring to the identification code in the register and the contents of the memory, it is possible to know the data relating to an item to be processed and the position thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of coating an article by the use of electro-static attraction of ionized particles which are subsequently cured. The apparatus includes a first foraminous conveyor for carrying the article through a powder coating zone and a second conveyor for carrying the article through a curing zone. The surface of the article which rests on the foraminous conveyor is cleaned of particles as the article is transferred from the first foraminous conveyor to the second conveyor. The first foraminous conveyor is also cleaned of particles after the article has been transferred. After the articles have been cured to form a coating on the article, the article is put through the coating system again except that the article is supported on the conveyor so that the surface which was not coated in the first pass through the system is out of contact with the conveyor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembling and machining apparatus which allows flexibly for changes in the machining/assembling setup following a modification in the production line configuration, thereby reducing the down time that occurs between such changes. Workpieces and/or part feeding pallets circulate along a loop-like transfer path composed of a first and a second transfer path and of two return units. A transfer unit takes the necessary workpiece or pallet from the circulation on the transfer path into a working area of one assembling/machining unit for work. With the current work completed, the workpiece or pallet is returned to the transfer path for subsequent work. The process is suitably performed by each assembling/machining unit. The workpiece or pallet on which all work is completed is detected by detecting means, either for transfer to the transfer path of the next adjacent assembling and machining apparatus or for ejection out of the current apparatus.

Abstract: A production system for garments or other products includes a plurality of work stations for performing a series of work operations in which parts of a garment or other product are progressively manufactured. A conveyorized transport system extends between the various work stations and the flow of work between the various stations is regulated by assigning class codes to each operation required for a garment and each operation available at the various work stations. The class codes for a given garment order are read sequentially from a data memory and as a requirement for each code or work operation arises in the course of producing the garment, the scheduler searches a second data memory to locate the work stations which offer the work operations corresponding to the class code sought. The scheduler then determines from among the available work stations the specific work station to which the garment pieces are sent for performing the required work operation.

Abstract: An automated work center for use in materials handling operations is disclosed. The work center includes a randomly accessible vertically moving temporary storage queue 11 for receiving containers 25 that hold material goods. A fixed loading ramp 20 is arranged to receive containers 20 from an external system and to load the received containers onto the storage queue 11. A work area 5 having a plurality of rotatable work tables 7 provides an gives the operator access to the containers. A delivery system 14 transfers containers between the storage queue 11 and the work tables 7 and a takeaway system 16 transfers containers between the work area and the conveyor network. An automated control system 17 coordinates the delivery of containers between the temporary storage queue 11 and the work area 5. A consolidation queue 18 having a multiplicity of vertically spaced shelfs may be disposed opposite the work tables 7 to facilitate the consolidation of ordered goods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for labelling individual pieces of lumber by stapling a tag on the end portion of the lumber. A totally automated system is provided whereby the pieces of lumber move on a conveyor and over a sensor which activates a stapler to secure a tag on the end of a piece of lumber. A roller is disposed adjacent the sensor so that, after a tag is secured to the end portion of a piece of lumber, the end portion of the piece of lumber is raised on the roller to reset the sensor for stapling a tag on the next piece of lumber on the conveyor. A tag or label dispenser apparatus is disposed immediately adjacent the stapler. A second sensor is set to activate the tag dispenser to deliver a tag for stapling on the end of a succeeding piece of lumber as soon as a tag has been stapled to the preceding piece of lumber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated integrated work station for handling goods within distribution and production environments. In one of the preferred embodiments the work station is specifically adapted for consolidating goods.

Abstract: A work forming apparatus of this invention includes a robot which operates within a predetermined operational range, a working machine with a chuck, a supply loop, a discharge loop, supply pallets for accommodating material works, and discharge pallets for accommodating formed works. An information card is attached to each pallet so as to record work information relative to the corresponding pallet. Two information processing heads are provided for effecting reading and writing of work information at a work supplying section and a work discharging section, respectively. A control device provided for controlling all the above elements inputs a production command so that a specified hand is automatically selected and the robot employs the hand to take the required material works alone out of the supply pallets which are being circulated on the supply loop. The material works are then formed and discharged by the discharge pallet.

Abstract: A reciprocating staging fixture, to precisely stage an integrated circuit component in a lead tinning system. The staging fixture exactly positions components by capturing it on three sides. The fixture also retracts completely out of the way of overhead component grippers, which allows the use of a more positive gripping configuration.

Abstract: Workpiece carriers are fed to successive work stations along conveyor tracks at which stations work operations are performed on individual parts on the carrier and in which a defect signal is allocated when appropriate. After a work operation has been performed a coding member is left in a normal switching position corresponding to a defect coding or displaced into a switching position corresponding to an accept coding if the work operations performed were satisfactory. In a coding device displaceable coding elements are supported by a workpiece carrier and traverse a detector device at the work processing station and a switching element for displacing the coding element from a reject coding switch position to an accept coding switch position. Advantageously an accept coding is only secured by a deliberate action when satisfactory work processing has been completed and thus subsequent processing of defective parts is avoided simply and with great reliability.

Abstract: A pick-up unit for withdarwing sample cigarettes from a mass of cigarettes traveling perpendicularly to the cigarette axes; each cigarette occupying random positions within the mass as the latter travels in the aforementioned direction. The unit presents a mobile head for withdrawing at least one cigarette at a time from the aforementioned mass which head presents a suction seat connected to a pneumatic suction circuit and is moved along a given route, between a given release position and a pick-up position located at a random point along the aforementioned route, by reversible actuating elements controlled by a sensor connected to the aforementioned pneumatic circuit and designed to reverse the aforementioned actuating elements in response to a sharp fall in pressure inside the aforementioned pneumatic circuit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of removing works from each of the facilities in a production line is described in order to facilitate changing of a work monitoring operation in accordance with, for example, a layout change in the production line and a change in the facilities. Work tracking conditions are stored in a memory in the form of a table, and work tracking management data and plant status data which have been stored in the memory separately are retrived while the work tracking conditions are referred to, thereby extracting management data for which tracking conditions have been completed. The extracted management data is subjected to processing such as movement and updating in accordance with the contents of the above-described data which are referred to.

Abstract: In facilities having several systems of circulating shelving, because of the multiplicity of parts to be stored the regular use of a data processing system is required. For controlling the systems of circulating shelving by means of the data processing system, suitable control arrangements are used. In such a control arrangement, the signal output (51) of a data station (33) is coupled via an optical coupler (62) to a transmit line (38). The transmit line (38) connects in parallel all similar connections of the data stations of several control arrangements, allowing the interposition of a multiplexer to be dispensed with.

Abstract: A misgrip detection control system for detecting unholding or misgrip of a workpiece from a transfer bar in a press.The system comprises a workpiece memory circuit for storing electrically data indicating whether a workpiece is in position of a corresponding station in the press or not, a workpiece presence/absence checking circuit for detecting the presence or absence of the respective said workpiece by sensors mounted in transfer bars and a misgrip detecting circuit for detecting misgrip of the workpiece by comparison of data from said both circuits.In one preferred embodiment, all of said circuits are constructed by relays.

Abstract: An automatic assembling apparatus includes a pair of parallel conveyers for transferring carriers, each carrier having four chassis and parts to be assembled on the chassis; a plurality of assembly stations, each having a movable table on which various assembling operations can be performed with respect to the carriers; a carrier loader associated with each assembly station and movable between a first position in opposing relation to the movable table thereof and a second position in opposing relation to the conveyers, and having a pair of chucking stations in opposing relation to the pair of parallel conveyors, respectively, when the carrier loader is at the second position for simultaneously feeding and discharging the carriers to and from the conveyers and in opposing relation to the respective assembly station when the carrier loader is at the first position for feeding and discharging the carriers to and from the respective assembly station; a plurality of stopping members associated with respective ones

Abstract: Transfer machine apparatus is provided, which includes a load station for receiving parts during at least some of the part reception periods in a succession of part reception periods, and which further includes a number of selectively located work units for performing prespecified work tasks upon received parts. A transfer mechanism is provided for moving a given one of the received parts from the load station to each of the work units in a prespecified sequence, the given received part being moved from one work unit to another during a part transfer cycle in a succession of part transfer cycles. A digital code storage device receives a digital code during each of the part reception periods, a first digital code being received if a part is received by the load station during a part reception period, and a second digital code otherwise being received.

Abstract: A wafer baking oven for making baked wafers from batter includes an elongated baking chamber with heating elements therein. A thermally insulated enclosure surrounds at least part of the baking chamber. The oven includes a front port adjoining the baking chamber. There are a plurality of baking tongs in the baking chamber, which baking tongs move through the baking chamber and into and out of the front port in a running direction. The baking prongs are openable when in the front port for the removal of baked wafers from the tongs and for charging the baking tongs with batter. The baking tongs are then closed and are moved through the baking chamber in the closed state. The front port includes a charging station for charging the baking tongs with batter and a discharge station for discharging baked wafers along a path.

Abstract: Sorting and inspection apparatus and methods which may be used for the identification and separation of articles of different characteristics, or the inspection of articles of similar characteristics to reject those of below minimum standards. A typical system will include a transport system for individually transporting the articles past a television camera so that the camera may view the distinctive portions of the articles to be sorted or the area of the articles to be inspected. The output of the television camera is digitized based upon the number of transitions of light to dark (or dark to light) in the scan lines. A correlator then performs a specialized correlation between the digitized image and various previously digitized images representing the different items being sorted or inspected, to determine which of the previously stored images best correlates with the digitized image from the television camera.