Abstract: A lift gate apparatus includes a movable conveyor device and a bracket. The movable conveyor device is configured to transition between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. The bracket configured to bridge a gap between the movable conveyor device and a fixed conveyor device, wherein the bracket pivots and slides over the fixed conveyor device when the movable conveyor device is transitioned from the conveying position to the non-conveying position.

Abstract: A lift gate apparatus includes a movable conveyor device and a bracket. The movable conveyor device is configured to transition between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. The bracket configured to bridge a gap between the movable convey or device and a fixed conveyor device, wherein the bracket pivots and slides over the fixed conveyor device when the movable conveyor device is transitioned from the conveying position to the non-conveying position.

Abstract: A material layered conveying device based on a disassembly line, including a front section conveyor belt, a rear section conveyor belt, and a lower conveyor belt. An interval between the front and rear section conveyor belts is provided with two sets of movable conveyor belts arranged in side by side parallel, a lifting conveyor belt is provided below the interval and adjacent to and horizontal with the lower conveyor belt, and a lifting conveyor belt elevator is provided under the lifting conveyor belt. The lifting conveyor belt is driven vertically up, and the lifting conveyor belt is horizontal with the front and rear section conveyor belts when the lifting conveyor belt is moved to a maximum distance. The device adopts the movable dual conveyor belts of the respective levels of the upper and lower conveyor belts, and can achieve synchronous high-low transferring of the material when the material is conveyed.

Abstract: An identifier associated with one or more assets is obtained in response to a reader component reading a tag associated with one or more assets as the one or more assets traverse a conveyor apparatus. At least partially in response to the obtaining of the identifier, a storage unit of a plurality of storage units is caused to automatically rotate to a loading location to receive the one or more assets.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus contains a conveying unit, a sorting unit, which is configured for receiving and sorting articles from the conveying unit, and a transfer unit with a feeding unit. The transfer unit forms a transporting connection between the conveying unit and the sorting unit. A discharging unit is positioned on a portion of the conveying unit and is configured to discharge an article onto the transfer unit only when the article is at a predefined minimum distance from a previously discharged article.

Abstract: A movement of the upstream workpiece to the first transfer position by the first mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece to the second transfer position by the second mover are performed in synchronization. A feed of the upstream workpiece from the first transfer position to the second transfer position by the first feeder and a feed of the downstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the third transfer position by the second feeder are performed in synchronization. A movement of the upstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the inversion position by the second mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece from the third transfer position to the second imaging position by the third mover are performed in synchronization.

Abstract: Conveying operation equipment has a conveying carriage with an operating region between a workpiece support portion and a side of the conveying carriage. A reciprocating movement path of an operation device is provided such that part or the whole of the operation device is overlaid on the operating region on the conveying carriage and a synchronous forward-traveling mechanism which makes the operation device travel synchronously with the conveying carriage is formed with a transmission mechanism in an upper portion of the conveying carriage and a passive portion in a bottom portion of the operation device and a transmission state switch which switches the transmission mechanism to a transmission state at the beginning end position of the reciprocating movement path and which switches the transmission mechanism to a transmission release state at the terminal end position of the reciprocating movement path.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for publishing related media content based on the velocity measure for media content. The velocity measure for the media content may be determined based on a change in engagement rate such as a change in rate of sharing the media content via social media. The related media content may be published on a media outlet such as a website, blog, and/or an aggregation page and the publication may provide more exposure to the media content.

Abstract: A conveying system for intended use in sorting articles and related methods of conveying and sorting articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first conveyor extending in a first direction and a second conveyor extending in a second direction, with the directions intersecting. A transfer conveyor, such as a transpositor conveyor, may be provided for transferring articles from one of the first conveyors to one of the second conveyors. The system may be used to sort articles delivered from one or more storage locations for distribution, or may instead be used to sort articles for delivery to one or more storage locations. Related aspects and methods are also described.

Abstract: A vehicle-location recognition system includes an electronic recognition unit provided in a respective vehicle of an ordered set of vehicles which are introduced into an assembling process section, the electronic recognition unit storing an ID number of the respective vehicle therein. A sensor unit detects the electronic recognition unit as the vehicle passes by a location of the sensor unit along the assembling process section. A control unit stores the ID number in sequence order with the ID numbers of the vehicles of the ordered set of vehicles, and determines a location of a particular vehicle in the ordered set of vehicles based on the ordered sequence of stored ID numbers and information on the spacing intervals between vehicles in the assembling process section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for horizontal movement (26) of groups or layers of articles (10) from a first support level (22) of a first conveyor module (12) to a vertically movable second support level (24) of a second conveyor module (14) immediately downstream of the first conveyor module (12) in the direction of transport or transfer, in particular by means of a transfer device (18) that remains spatially associated with the first conveyor module (12) during the transfer (26). Shortly before or after reaching a final position of the transfer device (18), the respectively transferred group or layer of articles (10) is moved in the direction of transport on the second conveyor module (14) by means of a support surface (32) horizontally movable relative to this second conveyor module (14) and/or centred on the second conveyor module (14) before or during its vertical hoisting movement (42).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for depositing viscous material on an electronic substrate. The apparatus comprises a frame, an assembly material applicator coupled to the frame and configured to apply assembly material to the electronic substrate, a substrate support assembly, coupled to the frame, configured to support and secure the electronic substrate in a print position, and a transport system, coupled to the frame, to shuttle electronic substrates to and from the substrate support assembly, the transport system including a first track and a second track, the first track being mounted on a first displacement mechanism and the second track being mounted on a second displacement mechanism configured to laterally move the second track relative to the first track, the second displacement mechanism configured to raise the first track relative to the second track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the surface treatment of objects, comprising a treatment cabinet having an entry and an exit and a conveyor system comprising pulling or pushing means, by means of which an object can be conveyed in circulation in a transport direction through the treatment cabinet, thereby covering a transport distance. The object provides a transport length in the transport direction associated therewith, and the pulling or pushing means provide a drive distance in the transport direction. The conveyor system comprises a coupling device, by means of which the object can be coupled to the pulling or pushing means along the drive distance. The drive distance is shorter than the transport length of the object in the transport direction, and the coupling device is aligned so that the transport distance that can be covered by the object is longer than the drive distance.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus conveys work that was conduction heated at an energizing position to a processing position that is separated from the energizing position in the horizontal direction in order to perform hot press-forming, and comprises: a holding member that freely clamps both end sections in the lengthwise direction of the work that has been conduction heated; a drive mechanism that moves the holding member from at least the energizing position to the processing position; and a guide member that extends between the energizing position and the processing position and guides and supports the middle section in the lengthwise direction of the work that has been conduction heated and is being conveyed toward the processing position. A hot press-forming apparatus comprises the conveyor apparatus when conveying conduction heated work to a downstream process.

Abstract: A transferring mechanism includes a first transferring assembly, a second transferring assembly, and a catcher. The first transferring assembly and the second transferring assembly are arranged side by side. A transferring direction of the first transferring assembly is opposite to a transferring direction of the second transferring assembly. The catcher includes a pair of mounting blocks, a guiding member, a sliding member, a telescoping member, and a clamping member. The mounting blocks are positioned on the first transferring assembly and the second transferring assembly. Opposite ends of the guiding member are mounted on the pair of mounting blocks, the guiding member across the first transferring assembly and the second transferring assembly. The sliding member is slidably sleeved on the guiding member. The telescoping member is mounted on the sliding member. The catcher is mounted on the telescoping member for clamping a workpiece on the first transferring assembly.

Abstract: An empty rack transport line is arranged at a lower stage and independent of a main transport line, a fast emergency line and a reverse line. In a rack stocker, an inclined transport line connects the empty rack transport line to the rack stocker. The rack stocker is arranged between a storage module and a loading module. The rack stocker is capable of continuously supplying and collecting empty racks, while transport lines do not cross each other. It is, therefore, possible to continuously supply and collect empty racks in a simple configuration, without an increase in the system size, an intersection of transport lines and a reduction in processing capability. In addition, it is possible to provide an automated sample testing system that is highly extendable for various facility sizes.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a frame having first and second spaced frame elements, first and second drive rollers between the frame elements, and a flexible belt mounted between the first and second drive rollers that has a load bearing portion and a return portion, the return portion extending between the first and second frame elements. The conveyor has a first end portion including the first drive roller, a second end portion including the second drive roller and a central portion including a midpoint between the first drive roller and the second drive roller, and the central portion of the conveyor includes a lift-table receiving space between the first drive roller and the second drive roller and between the first frame element and the second frame element, and the return portion of the belt extends between the load bearing portion and the lift-table-receiving space.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in a vertical direction between rails arranged in multiple rows at various levels with respect to ground. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails, and a movable platform provided on the frame. The platform is configured for moving the frame in a vertical direction between first rails and second rails arranged above the first rails, and for placing onto the robotic device first and second loads arranged at different levels with respect to the ground.

Abstract: A robotic device movable in first, second and third mutually perpendicular directions along rails arranged in multiple rows, where the rails in a row are arranged along the first and second mutually perpendicular directions, and the multiple rows are arranged along the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails in the first and second directions, and support handles for lifting the frame in the third direction from first rails arranged in a first row of the rails to second rails arranged in a second row of the rails. The support handles are configured for providing engagement with the second rails so as to lift the robotic device in the third direction from the first rails to the second rails.

Abstract: A system includes trays of a plurality of different widths and an unloading system for unloading cartons from the trays. The trays (20; 20?; 20?) each comprise a base (22) and a pair of end walls (30) extending upward from the base. The unloading system (200; 200?) comprises a plurality of fingers (202A-202I). Each of the end walls comprise a plurality of vertical slots (40) open to an upper edge of the end wall. The fingers are positioned and dimensioned to pass through the slots of the trays as the trays are delivered by the tray delivery conveyor to lift contents of the trays. The fingers are positioned so that some fingers pass through the slots of each of the different widths, but others pass only through slots of wider said widths.

Abstract: A pallet transferred by a pallet conveyor on a flat top conveyor belt is disclosed that includes a wiper blade for clearing debris from the conveyor belt. The pallet includes a pallet frame having a plurality of corner locations. The wiper blades are disposed at the corner locations to clear articles of debris from the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt moves relative to the pallet in a transfer direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method of operating a piece of surface mount technology manufacturing equipment. The method comprises providing a piece of surface mount technology manufacturing equipment having a first substrate transport track disposed in a first position and a second substrate transport track disposed in a second position, moving the first substrate transport track from the first position to a third position, and moving the second substrate transport track from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: The invention can be used with an automated mail tray filling apparatus for taking envelopes from a vertical stacker output of an inserter machine and placing them in mail trays. A take-away feeder is positioned over the vertical stacker table and is arranged to withdraw individual envelopes from the vertical stack in a sideways direction. The envelope is then redirected in a downward direction by ejecting the envelope into an open space. A downward tamping mechanism positioned above the open space moves downward to push on a top edge of the free-floating envelope. A downward transport positioned beneath the open space receives and transports envelopes pushed downward by the downward tamping mechanism.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for transferring a cylindrical coil suspended on a first stem projecting horizontally from a first base to a remotely positioned and axially aligned second stem projecting horizontally from a second base. The system comprises a track extending between the first and second stems, a carriage movable along the track, and a conveyor on the carriage, with a receiving end and a delivery end. The carriage is movable along the track to a first location at which the receiving end of the conveyor underlies the coil suspended from the first stem. The conveyor is vertically adjustable from a lowered position spaced beneath the coil to an elevated position at which the coil is lifted from the first stem and supported on the receiving end of said conveyor, with the conveyor then being operable to shift the coil to a position supported on the conveyor delivery end.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a plurality of carriers or substrates is described. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber and a rotatable support for supporting the plurality of carriers or substrates, wherein the support is provided within the vacuum chamber and is configured for rotating the supported plurality of carriers or substrates around a rotation axis.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a pallet configured to receive a print substrate, a conveyer system configured to convey the pallet, and a plurality of work mechanisms arranged along a pallet conveying direction of the conveyer system. The work mechanisms are configured to conduct processing operations to the print substrate. The conveyer system includes an upper conveyer mechanism configured to sequentially convey the pallet to respective working positions of the work mechanisms, and a lower conveyer mechanism arranged below and along the upper conveyer mechanism. The lower conveyer mechanism is configured to convey the pallet in a direction opposite to the pallet conveying direction of the upper conveyer mechanism so that the conveyer system is structured to have an upper stage and a lower stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production cell (5) for automated processing of workpieces (9) having a protective fence (4) and, arranged therein, at least one production device (1), for example a bending press (8), and at least one handling device (2). A workpiece transfer device (12) for part carriers (20) or workpieces (9) is arranged in the production cell (5), which workpiece transfer device (12) forms a supply position (10) and a delivery position (11). Here, a delivery device (16) of the workpiece transfer device (12) forms a first delivery path (13) and a second delivery path (14) which extends parallel to the former, wherein, furthermore, a conveyor (33) for optional transfer of a part carrier (20) between the delivery paths (13, 14) is provided on an actuating device (17).

Abstract: A method and device for collecting bodies, which are delivered in an irregular sequence, on a collecting belt, with the following features: a) the bodies which are delivered are moved more rapidly than predetermined by the running speed of the collecting belt (7), b) a pimpled belt (8) having ridges (12) is located in the end region of the collecting belt (7) and can be raised over the upper edge of the collecting belt (7) by means of a lifting device (5), c) the pimpled belt (8) is raised and accelerated as a function of being completely covered with bodies, and also a control program for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A device for driving, dipping and turning bodyworks of motor vehicles, vans, truck cabs and metal article vessels, into processing basin, and for withdrawing the above elements from the processing basins, comprises a slidable framework, which can slide on sliding rails, supporting a pair of arms bearing, at free end portions thereof, a swinging shaft adapted to bear a supporting skid for supporting a bodywork, the sliding framework comprising at least a winch driving a drum, for winding a rope coupled to a respective arm at the swinging shaft, the slidable framework further comprises at least a rack, therealong an end portion of the respective arms coupled to framework slides.

Abstract: Lifting device (1) for a conveyer system, comprising a housing (2) and a lift head (14), where the lift head (14) is adapted to hold a pallet (5). The lifting device (1) comprises a linear actuator (10) attached to a lift (14), said linear actuator (109) is adapted to lift a pallet (5) from a first, low position at the conveyor track to a second, raised position that is substantially vertical above the first position. The application also refers to a conveyer system and a method for lifting objects.

Abstract: An improved handling device for driving, immersing/removing and rotating motor vehicle, truck cabin, van and metal article vessel bodyworks into/from processing basins is characterized in that said device comprises a sliding frame designed for sliding on sliding rails, driven by one or two driving chains, and supporting a pair of arms bearing, at their free end portion, a swinging platform, in turn adapted to bear a skid for supporting a bodywork, the sliding frame comprising one or two winch assemblies driving respective pulleys thereon are entrained ropes, belts, chains or the like, and being associated with a respective arm at a swinging shaft, said sliding frame comprising moreover two rack assemblies, therealong slide respective end portions of the arms coupled to the frame, said swinging platform being driven by a chain driving system.

Abstract: A transfer device is configured by a conveying part and a lifting part both fixed to a casing. The conveying part forms a latticework by two groups of rollers aligned in a first direction and a second direction in matrix and includes chains for rotating the group of rollers aligned in the first direction and the group of rollers aligned in the second direction per group and driving devices for conveyance. The lifting part includes a driving device for lifting, rectilinearly-movable members for performing a rectilinear motion, and converting members for converting the rectilinear motion of the rectilinearly-movable member to a rotational motion and further to a lifting motion so as to transmit the lifting motion to the rollers. The converting members are arranged at the respective lattice points to lift up and down either group of rollers concurrently, which form a flat surface to convey articles.

Abstract: To provide a substrate transport apparatus and a substrate transport method that enable curtailing of a mounting wait time incidental to movement of support pins. Height data pertaining to components 10 mounted on a back side of a substrate 1 are stored beforehand. During substrate carrying-in operation, support pins 7 are caused to descend according to component height data and wait at a height h1 where to be able to avoid interference with the components 10. During substrate carrying-out operation, the support pins 7 are caused to descend according to the component height data and recede to the height h1 where to be able to avoid interference with the components 10.

Abstract: A system includes a mounting machine, a first transferring device, a second transferring device, a third transferring device, a sensor, a control device electronically connected to the second transferring device, and a catching device. The first, second, and third transferring devices are arranged in sequence along the flow line to transmit a plurality of products. The first sensor detects the plurality of products at a predefined location. The first control device controls the second transferring device to go from a flow direction of the flow line. The catching device is movable relative to the mounting machine and catches the plurality of products at the predefined location. The first transferring device transmits the plurality of products to the second transferring device along the flow direction, and the third transferring device receives the plurality of products caught by the catching device. The invention further offers a method for processing products.

Abstract: A continuous sharp chain conveyor system is disclosed wherein a workpiece may be elevated from the sharp chain conveyor while the workpiece is transported down the sharp chain conveyor such that the workpiece may be rotated to maintain the workpiece in an optimized position. The system includes a sharp chain which engages the workpiece, a first and a second skid positionable in parallel alignment with the sharp chain to elevate and lower the workpiece relative to the sharp chain, and pairs of rotatable positioning drive rolls positionable along the sharp chain to rotate the workpiece when the workpiece is elevated. The system may also include a plurality of hold-down rolls to maintain the workpiece on the sharp chain by exerting downward pressure on the workpiece. The pairs of rotatable positioning drive rolls may cooperatively displace the workpiece laterally and/or independently angularly displace the workpiece relative to the longitudinal centreline of the sharp chain.

Abstract: A device for transporting and shaking blanks supported on pallets has a shaking station with a shaking table, a feeding conveyor upstream of the shaking station in a transport direction of the blanks, and a discharge conveyor downstream of the shaking station in the transport direction of the blanks. The feeding and discharge conveyors each have a liftable and lowerable transport frame and a drive. The transport frames are movable back and forth by the drive for transporting the pallets. The drives are adjustable to an identical intermittent transport distance and an intermittent transport distance in a ratio of 2:1. On the transport frame of the discharge conveyor a support is provided in an area adjacent to the shaking station. The support raises the discharge conveyor's receiving surface for the pallets and has a receiving surface aligned approximately with a table top of the shaking table.

Abstract: A rotating system to withdraw, to transport and to feed blanks having two rotating elements, a first sun shaft, a first planetary shaft and a second planetary shaft disposed coaxial among them, two first arms, a third planet shaft, one or more second arms, one or more gripper means, first transmission means able to rotate the first and the second planetary shafts, second transmission means able to rotate-oscillate the third planet shaft in an independent manner, first actuator means, second actuator means, synchronizer means.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for extracting parts from a general-purpose storage for various vehicle models, the apparatus including a synchronization bar and a driving bar, which transfer driving force by a pneumatic cylinder for providing power of linear reciprocating movement, and an automatic part dropping unit that drops the parts placed on a plurality of plates rotated by the rotation of a plurality of shafts configured to be rotated by the transferred driving force.

Abstract: The present invention increases an allowable maximum weight of an object to be loaded on a conveyance device using a carriage including an object support base movable vertically controlled by cam rails on the floor side without increasing the weight of the conveyance carriage itself, and is characterized in that the object support base 11 is supported movably vertically on a conveyance carriage 1 via a crosslink mechanism 10, the crosslink mechanism 10 is provided with an elevating cam follower roller 32 which moves up and down in conjunction with standing and falling movements of the crosslink mechanism 10, and in a conveyance carriage traveling path, a cam rail 50 which pushes up the elevating cam follower roller 32 is provided, wherein an urging means 45 which urges the object support base 11 upward is provided, and an urging force of the urging means 45 is set so as to move up the object support base 11 when no object is loaded on the object support base 11, however, when an object is loaded on the object

Abstract: An automatic load transfer device is provided for automated material handling systems of the type having a tow AGV pulling a train of trailers along a predetermined path between stations. The device has a base positioned adjacent to the path with spaced apart rails that support a movable carriage which shifts between retracted and extended positions. A conveyor having a plurality of side-by-side fingers with moving conveyor elements is supported on the carriage by a lift which shifts the conveyor between lowered and raised positions. The carriage, conveyor elements, and lift have separate drives that are operably connected with a controller which sequentially activates the same to load and/or unload loads onto and/or from the trailers.

Abstract: A machine tool is provided with a machining unit, a base plate, an intermediate plate, a lower plate, and a pair of upper plates. The machining unit is fixed to a frame. The base plate is movable along a rail on the frame. The base plate moves a work piece toward and away from the machining unit. The intermediate plate is movable along the rail between the machining unit and the base plate. The intermediate plate pushes a reference plane of the work piece set on the base plate so that the work piece is positioned in a machining position. The lower plate is tiltably connected to the base plate and the upper plates are tiltably connected to the lower plate.

Abstract: A medicament storage and dispensing system (10) operable for storing and dispensing products (12) such as pre-packaged pharmaceutical boxes and/or bottles and broadly includes a cabinet (14); a plurality of product shelves (16) mounted within the cabinet; an infeed conveyor (18) for transporting products into the cabinet; an outfeed conveyor (20) for transporting products out of the cabinet; a transporter (22) moveable within the cabinet for transporting products between the shelves and the infeed and outfeed conveyors; and a control system (24) for controlling operation of the conveyors and the transporter in response to prescriptions received from a host computer (26). The shelves having a plurality of vertical walls (56) upon which the products rest and between which tines (130) of the transporter slide in order to retrieve products from and place products upon the shelves.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create an inspection system (1) for rolled products (2) of a milling station, which is to reliably prevent the texture of the substrate from being impressed and/or pressing through during processing of the rolled product (2), especially during grinding. Said aim is achieved by disposing a number of vertically adjustable rolled product clamps (6, 8) on a conveyor belt (4) for rolled products (2) in the inspection system (1).

Abstract: A conveyance device using a carriage having an object support base movable vertically controlled by cam rails on the floor side, has an automatic lock for locking the object support base at a rising limit position. Unlocking cam follower rollers of the automatic lock are provided higher than a conveyance carriage supporting level of a carriage traveling path. A cam follower roller for elevating the object support base is positioned higher than the conveyance carriage supporting level when the object support base is at the rising limit position. In an area in which the carriage traveling path and the aisle cross each other, a crossing aisle floor member is laid at the same level as the conveyance carriage supporting level, and the conveyance carriage can pass through this aisle crossing area in a state that the object support base is locked at the rising limit position by the automatic lock.

Abstract: A very high density storage system comprising a storage grid having a number of storage cells and individual cargo carriers where a cargo carrier is stored in a storage cell. The storage system uses a unique set of individually actuatable gear drives on both the top and bottom of each storage cell, but installed at 90 degrees to each other, to move the cargo carrier to a specific storage cell. Software controls and manages the location of each cargo carrier such that when a specific cargo carrier is desired, software instructions cause the cargo carriers to be shuffled within the storage grid until the desired cargo carrier is located at the desired position, such as an unloading position.

Abstract: An automatic tire transfer apparatus using a traverser comprises: a vertical lift adapted to lift and lower a tire from a tire storage place; a tire charge section adapted to be supplied with the tire from the vertical lift and adapted to automatically push the supplied tire in the progress direction of the tire; a traverser unit disposed at an outlet of the tire charge section and adapted to automatically transfer the tire supplied from the tire charge section in the progress direction of the tire while fixedly supporting the tire; a tire loader adapted to be supplied with the tire from the traverser unit and adapted to transfer the supplied tire to a tire assembling unit; and a controller adapted to control the overall operation of the tire charge section, the traverser unit and the tire loader.

Abstract: The invention provides novel mechanisms and methods for effecting rotational and translational motion in three dimensions of objects carried by, or coupled to, actuators that move along a pathway. Vehicles or other conveyances (collectively, “vehicles”) that utilize mechanisms and methods can increase the performance of and decrease the cost of transportation, shipping, manufacturing, materials handling and other systems. In one aspect, the illustrated embodiment provides such a vehicle or other conveyance having two (or more) actuators adapted for movement along a pathway. The actuators are propelled or otherwise capable of motion, relative to each other so that the distance between can be increased or decreased. When desired, that distance can also be maintained the same, e.g., regardless of whether the actuators are moving.

Abstract: A conveying method for an artificial stone process comprises placing stone on a trolley equipped with a catch basin, the trolley traveling along a track set to carry the stone to a processing region which has a top bracing unit, when the trolley carrying the stone to the processing region, the catch basin being braced upwardly and separated from the trolley, an engaging mechanism receiving the catch basin and delivering it to a processing station, thereby processing the stone on the catch basin.

Abstract: A walking-beam conveyor has a pair of longitudinally extending, parallel, and transversely spaced fixed support rails, at least one walking beam between and generally parallel to the rails, and at least two lifters underneath the walking beam and operable to raise the walking beam from a return position generally below the rails to a conveying position generally above the rails. In accordance with the invention a first longitudinally extensible hydraulic actuator has opposite longitudinal ends one of which is secured relative to the rails. A second longitudinally extensible hydraulic actuator has opposite longitudinal one of which is secured to the other end of the first actuator and the other of which is secured to the walking beam.

Abstract: A system includes trays of a plurality of different widths and an unloading system for unloading cartons from the trays. The trays (20; 20?; 20?) each comprise a base (22) and a pair of end walls (30) extending upward from the base. The unloading system (200; 200?) comprises a plurality of fingers (202A-202I). Each of the end walls comprise a plurality of vertical slots (40) open to an upper edge of the end wall. The fingers are positioned and dimensioned to pass through the slots of the trays as the trays are delivered by the tray delivery conveyor to lift contents of the trays. The fingers are positioned so that some fingers pass through the slots of each of the different widths, but others pass only through slots of wider said widths.