Comprising A Load Gripping Element Patents (Class 198/470.1)
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Patent number: 7048110Abstract: The conveyor system is disclosed as appended to a web-fed printing press, for transporting the completed signatures from a delivery fan to a stacking station. Included is a first conveyor having a pair of endless chains each having a series of first grippers in transverse alignment with their counterparts on the other endless chain. Each transversely aligned pair of first grippers conjointly grips, in a loading position immediately downstream of the delivery fan, a signature at two spaced points on one edge thereof and releases the same in a transfer position intermediate the delivery and stacking station. A second conveyor has but one endless chain with a series of second grippers mounted thereto. Each second gripper grips, in the transfer position, the signature at a point on the edge thereof intermediate the two spaced points where the signature has been gripped by one pair of first grippers on the first conveyor, and releases the signature at the stacking station.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Kaneda Kikai Seisakusho, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadashi Hachiya, Kaoru Fujisawa, Kouichi Morita
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Patent number: 7000756Abstract: A conveyance device, particularly relating to a shaking pocket star wheel for conveying containers, with a carrier, a reception element and a reception opening for the conveyed material. The reception element is fixed against the force of a spring in a manner so it can be withdrawn and swiveled about an axis of rotation. To simplify the construction of the conveyance device, and to make the design more universal and operationally reliable, a spring is arranged in such a manner that the force is applied substantially at a right angle to the conveyance direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Krones AGInventors: Walter Wittmann, Andreas Brunner, Klaus Pöllinger
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Patent number: 6976674Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and an apparatus for, conveying sheet like products (10, 10?), in particular printed products. In each case two or more products (10, 10?) are gripped together, in the region of their leading edges (10a, 10a?), by grippers (3) of a gripper conveyor (1) such that the edges (10a, 10a?) are alternately spaced apart from one another. In at least one transfer region (4), the products (10, 10?) are transferred to at least one removal arrangement (2) such that each product (10, 10?) at most partially overlaps the previously transferred product (10, 10?), the leading edges (10a, 10a?) of the products (10, 10?) being spaced apart from one another. The invention has the advantage that the products are directly accessible for further processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Werner Honegger
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Patent number: 6959953Abstract: The gripping device for taking hold of receptacles comprises tongs having a first jaw fixed to a rotary platform and a second jaw mounted to pivot relative to the first jaw and provided with a control arm, and a locking member mounted to pivot eccentrically about an axis constrained to move with the rotary platform to act on the control arm of the second jaw, the locking member being provided with a drive member disposed to come to face an opening actuating member and a closing actuating member, which members are carried by a stationary frame element.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Serac GroupInventor: André Graffin
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Patent number: 6951272Abstract: In a signature-stacking apparatus, a conveyor chain holding a row of signatures travels along a conveyance path. A first signature release section and a second signature release section are provided in the conveyance path. During travel from the first signature release section to the second signature release section, the conveyor chain is twisted by 180 degrees about the direction of travel and makes a 180-degree turn about an axis parallel to a connection pin of the conveyor chain. Signatures released from the first and second signature release sections are conveyed to first and second signature delivery sections disposed on opposite sides of a stacking section by first and second conveyor mechanisms while their speed of conveyance is being adjusted. A predetermined number of signatures are delivered, while being led by their creases, into the stacking section from the first and second signature delivery sections alternately.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.Inventors: Kinichiroh Ohno, Tadashi Hachiya
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Patent number: 6938753Abstract: Containers are transferred from a first conveyor operating at a first height to a second conveyor operating at a second height by a rotary unit equipped with a plurality of grippers designed to take up and support each successive container by the neck. The grippers are carried by respective slides mounted to corresponding vertical guide elements making up the main frame of the unit, on which they are made to move up and down cyclically by a first roller following a first track that extends around a fixed C-shaped tubular element, and by a second roller running on a second track presented by the top surface of a sector rail placed with the concave side directed toward the lateral opening in the C-shaped tubular element. The tubular element is easily replaced in the event of a size changeover.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Davide Bonatti, Enrico Galimberti, Stefano Cavallari
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Patent number: 6920905Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for filling and packaging hollow bodies (12) comprising stations (20, 22, 24, 26) for filling and packaging said bodies and a device for transferring the latter between an intake station (18) for the bodies in the transfer device, the filling and packaging stations, and an outlet station (19) for the filled and packaged bodies, the transfer device comprising a motorised endless conveyor (16) including an outgoing side (32) opposite which are arranged the filling and conditioning stations and the outlet station (19), and a return side (34). The return side (34) extends above the outgoing side (32). The invention is useful in particular for filling and packaging bottles or flasks.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Societe Developpement IndustrielInventor: Jean-Pierre Maria
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Patent number: 6904665Abstract: Method and apparatus providing a tool turret for a machine tool with at least one motor-driven tool that is suitable for machining of wavy or tubular workpieces. The transport of the workpieces from one machining station to the next is effected in a simpler, more reliable, and less expensive fashion, because the machine tool has a tool turret that includes a gripping element for taking hold of, transporting, and positioning workpieces, rather than using an additional tool.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: EMAG Maschinenfabrik GmbHInventor: Juergen Walz
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Patent number: 6899506Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor that includes at least one dogging device. The dogging device includes a plurality of dogging yokes (105). These are arranged to move commonly after one another and in mutually spaced relationship in a transport direction. The conveyor is constructed to move booklets (1) piece-wise in the transport direction, by virtue of a pair of adjacent dogging yokes (105) being arranged to straddle a side edge of a booklet (1) with clearance in the transport direction. The object of the invention is to avoid an oblique or inclined orientation of the booklets between the dogging yokes. According to the invention, there is provided a support device (106) which acts between two adjacent dogging yokes (105) which at least partially bridge the clearance when one side edge of a booklet (1) is straddled by the adjacent dogging yokes (105).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Bindomatic ABInventors: Göran Nilsson, Joakim Jillehed, Lars Lundström
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Patent number: 6851544Abstract: The transfer device is a circular conveyor having a plurality of radially moveable grippers. The grippers receive a non-self-supporting package, such as a newspaper jacket, on its bottom edge from an overhead line conveyor and rotate the newspaper down onto a receiving device such as a bundler at the bottom of the drum's rotation. The transfer device controls the gripping of the newspaper from the line conveyor with an inhibitor cam to provide a controlled bypass mechanism. The radial moveable grippers allow for smoother transistion and decrease space needs.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Graphic Management Associates, Inc.Inventor: Harry C. Noll, Jr.
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Publication number: 20040245717Abstract: A driver for use in collecting and packaging machines has a base member securable on a transport system. A drive lever is arranged pivotably on the base member so as to pivot at least between a swung-out drive position and a folded safety position. A spring element acts on the drive lever. The spring element, in the drive position of the drive lever, secures by a spring force the drive lever in the drive position but releases the drive lever, when a first counterforce surpassing the spring force acts on the drive lever, for pivoting the drive lever from the drive position into the safety position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Pfankuch Maschinen GmbHInventor: Claus Karl Pfankuch
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Patent number: 6823982Abstract: On a wrapping machine, the products for wrapping are transferred along a portion of a wrapping line by a transfer wheel, which has a number of radially projecting gripper-type peripheral seats, and rotates in steps about an axis of rotation to feed the peripheral seats in a given direction through a loading station, where each peripheral seat receives a relative product by means of a first transfer assembly, and through an unloading station where each product is expelled from the relative peripheral seat and fed through a wrapping assembly by means of a second transfer assembly; each peripheral seat having a first and a second jaw, of which the second jaw, located behind the first, is movable between a closed position and an open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Sandro Salicini, Stefano Cavallari
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Publication number: 20040231962Abstract: The transfer device is a circular conveyor having a plurality of radially moveable grippers. The grippers receive a non-self-supporting package, such as a newspaper jacket, on its bottom edge from an overhead line conveyor and rotate the newspaper down onto a receiving device such as a bundler at the bottom of the drum's rotation. The transfer device controls the gripping of the newspaper from the line conveyor with an inhibitor cam to provide a controlled bypass mechanism. The radial moveable grippers allow for smoother transition and decrease space needs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventor: Harry C. Noll
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Patent number: 6796342Abstract: Containers are conveyed through a carousel type filling machine by a plurality of grippers each comprising a bracket element, and a pair of jaws connected to the bracket element by way of relative pivots; the two jaws are joined one to another by a removable segment of elastic material positioned with two ends seated in corresponding sockets afforded by the jaws. During the steps in which the containers are taken up and subsequently released by the grippers, the two jaws rotate about the two pivots and are centered by a locating pin, the pivots, the pin and the bracket element all being molded in a single piece from plastic material.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Narciso De Antoni Migliorati, Stefano Cavallari
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Patent number: 6779651Abstract: A device for conveying discrete entities, including a rotary support bearing a telescopic transfer arm having a multi-directional head. The extension of the arm and the orientation of the gripper head are controlled by cams according to the angular position of the arm around the axis of rotation (A0) of the support. The extension of the arm and the orientation of the gripper head are controlled by a single tipper which is hinged on the outer radial part of the arm and which includes two cam followers which cooperate with an independent cam path.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: SidelInventors: Stephane Linglet, Vincent Brachet
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Patent number: 6773008Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying flat objects (46), especially products of a printing works, which comprises successively arranged conveying elements that are moved along a continuous track (16) in a direction of conveyance (F). Individually controllable conveying clamps (22) are mounted on each conveying element (12) and are configured for laterally holding, with the clamp jaw thereof that is arranged in the plane of conveyance extending in the direction of conveyance (F), at least two objects (46), which are arranged in the plane of conveyance and in the direction of conveyance (F) while overlapping one another in an offset manner. The conveying clamps are mounted on the conveying elements in the plane of conveyance and in a direction of displacement (30), which is perpendicular to the continuous track (16), in a manner that permits them to be displaced to and fro between two positions (50, 50′).Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Jurg Eberle
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Patent number: 6758907Abstract: In an apparatus (S) for coating bottles (F), comprising a coating station (A) which contains at least one section of a conveyor track (G) for bottle conveying bodies (T), comprising a bottle holder (H) in each conveying body (T), comprising covering elements (E) which are associated with the conveying bodies and which can be moved between passive and covering positions, and comprising a bottle detector (P) which cooperates with a covering element displacement apparatus (V), the covering elements (E) are disposed directly on the conveying bodies (T) and are aligned towards the bottle holders (H).Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Krones AGInventor: Lutz Kampmann
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Publication number: 20040112714Abstract: A device for grouping articles to be loaded into a carton and delivered to the device from an infeed stream at an infeed end of a packaging machine. The device comprises a leading and trailing spacer elements arranged to move along a first path, each spacer element being adapted to engage at least one article from the infeed stream and to convey the articles through a working reach of the device. The device further comprises adjustment means to adjust the device between a first mode in which each spacer element follows the first path to successively engage an article group; and a second mode in which the trailing spacer element follows the first path and the leading spacer element becomes transferred from the first path to follow a second path connected to the first path before rejoining the first path, whereby the leading and trailing spacer elements engage an article group simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventor: Emmanuel Davaillon
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Patent number: 6748983Abstract: A conveyor chain has lower pins and is displaced in steps through a station. Respective pairs of plates have holes fitted to the pins and confronting cutouts together forming seats shaped to fit complementarily around necks of bottles. Horizontally displaceable supports in the station above the chain carry downwardly projecting upper pins. An actuator raises the plates in the station and thereby slides the holes of the plates in the station from the lower pins onto the upper pins. The arms and upper pins are moved apart when the plates are on the upper pins to open up the seat so that a bottle can be fitted to or taken out of the seat. The arms and upper pins are moved together when the plates are on the upper pins to close the cutouts around a bottle positioned between them, and then lowered back down onto the lower pins.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: SIG Hamba Filltec GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Franz Hubert Bausch
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Patent number: 6742647Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and/or transferring relatively vulnerable products, such as fruits, wherein the fruits are held in grippers while being conveyed and transferred. The grippers comprise a first gripper portion and a second gripper portion, which are movable over sliding elements substantially in the direction in which the gripping force is exerted on the products.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: De Greef's Wagen-, Carrosserie- en Machinebouw B.V.Inventor: Jacobus Hendrik De Greef
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Publication number: 20040094389Abstract: A carrier for transporting pellet-like objects is disclosed. The carrier has a fixed jaw portion and a movable jaw portion positioned in spaced relation and opposite to the fixed jaw portion. The movable jaw portion is movable between an open and a closed position. When in the closed position, the jaw portions cooperate to grip the pellet-like item. The jaw portions are mounted on a movable conveyor which moves the carriers through a processing station which performs an operation on the pellet-like object while it is gripped by the jaw portions. An actuator extends from the movable jaw portion and is used to actuate the jaw portions into the closed position. A camming surface engages the actuator to close the jaw portions. Parts of the camming surface are sloped so as to gradually close and gradually allow the jaw portions to open.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2002Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventor: Keith W. Boyce
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Patent number: 6722494Abstract: A transfer apparatus 10 includes crank arms 22 each of which is pivotally attached to a driving wheel 21, link levers 23 each of which has its one end pin-linked to the tip of the crank arm 22, and revolving sections 30 each of which is pin-linked to the other end of the link lever 23 and held at a distance from the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, wherein: the crank arm 22 is provided with a velocity-changing cam roller 223 protruding therefrom at a position spaced apart from the pivot center thereof; the velocity-changing cam roller 223 is guided while being engaged with the velocity-changing cam groove 44 which is formed to be eccentric to the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, whereby the tip of the crank arm 22 swings during one complete rotation of the driving wheel 21; and, as a result, the angular velocity of the link lever 23 linked to the tip of the crank arm 22 and the revolving section 30 periodically increases/decreases with respect to the angular velocity of the driving wheel 2Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Zuiko CorporationInventor: Masaki Nakakado
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Patent number: 6705608Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus has at least one pocket running along a track, the pocket including a base section for receiving sheet material and an upper section including at least one upper gripper for holding an edge of the sheet material. The at least one upper gripper is movable between a gripping position and a non-gripping position, and the upper section is movable with respect to the base section to alter a distance of the at least one upper gripper with respect to the base section.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: William Alan Kish, Mehmet Oktay Kaya, Heiner Philipp Luxem
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Patent number: 6702100Abstract: Flat articles are taken over from a supply device supplying the products e.g. in the form of an imbricated stream and, for creating groups, are transferred to a conveying-away device. Thereby the supply direction and the conveying-away direction are angled in the horizontal plan view. For the transfer of the articles devices are used having a circulating conveying organ with laterally protruding gripper arms and grippers arranged on the gripper arms. The circulation track of the conveying organ extends in a take-over direction through a take-over zone and in a transfer direction through a transfer zone and represents a deflection between take-over and transfer zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Beat Studer
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Patent number: 6688457Abstract: Machinery for automated manufacture of formed wire structures such as innerspring assemblies for mattresses and seating and flexible support structures includes one or more coil formation devices configurable to produce helical spring coils having a terminal convolution which extends beyond an end of the coil; a conveyor system having a plurality of flights slidably mounted upon a continuous track and connected to a chain and driven by an index driver, the flights being connected to a drive system which enables variable spacing between the flights so that the conveyor can be loaded with articles at one spacing interval and be unloaded at a different interval; a coil transfer machine which removes a row of coils from the conveyor and inserts the coils into an innerspring assembler; an innerspring assembler having first and second sets of coil-engaging dies in a parallel arrangement, each set of dies having an upper row positioned over a lower row, the dies being mounted upon carrier bars which are vertically tType: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Sealy Technoly LLCInventors: Thomas D. Haubert, Lawrence C. Bullen, K. Bryan Scott, Larry Schluer, Larry DeMoss, Joe Zhou
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Patent number: 6682270Abstract: A sputter pallet loading and unloading device includes in one embodiment a spindle that rotates the pallet while an arm is engaged with the spring in the pallet to open and close the spring. In another embodiment, the spindle is located adjacent an air track that moves the disk substrate over a cushion of air to the loading area of the pallet. The air pressure under the disk substrate is increased to raise the disk substrate into the loading area. Once raised into the loading area, the spring is closed, e.g., by rotating the pallet in the opposite direction. The pallet and air-track are at a small angle to allow the substrate to slide into the correct position. The simplicity of operation leads to a reduced cost and a higher throughput for this device compared to a robotic loader.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Toda Kogyo CorporationInventors: Johann F. Adam, Evan F. Cromwell
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Patent number: 6675951Abstract: An apparatus for the handling of containers comprising a frame and a plate that is removably fixed to the frame. The plate is disposed on the frame in a raised position and supports from above one or more distribution units and/or one or more operating units. The motor drives for the distribution units and/or operating units are disposed above the units.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Sig Simonazzi S.p.A.Inventor: Fabrizio Preti
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Publication number: 20040003983Abstract: A conveyor device 10 to aide a person 11 to place bags 12 of snack foods in a box 13. The device includes a base 14 that rotatably supports a hub 17. The hub 17 has a plurality of clips 20 that engage the bags 12 and move them to a position at which the bags 12 are griped by the person 11 and placed in the box 13.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: TNA Australia Pty Limited, ACN 002 937 859Inventors: Alfred A. Taylor, George Tsoukalas
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Patent number: 6668517Abstract: With a use of a transfer rotor that has gripping claws on its circumference, spouts are received by the gripping claws and conveyed and transferred to spout holding members of a continuously rotating rotor. The transfer rotor rotates intermittently 60° in a cycle consisting of stopping, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stopping. When the transfer rotor is stopped, spouts are received by gripping claws. During the constant rotation, the gripping claws are matched with the speed of the spout holding members, and the gripping claws and the spout holding members run side by side. During this side-by-side running, the spouts are transferred from the gripping claws to the spout holding members. At a transfer position, the gripping claws open, and the spouts move along a guide member as the spout holding members rotate, so that the spouts are pushed into the interiors of holding grooves of the spout holding members.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Hiramoto, Shoichi Koga
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Publication number: 20030183486Abstract: The conveyor system (11) is used for transferring rows or large cycles (66) of sheet stacks (12) from the stacking station (20) of a paper converting machine, e.g. a small format cross-cutter to several parallel-running discharge conveyor belts (24, 25). For this purpose grippers or tongs (48) are provided, which are guided on gripper supports (39) and which can draw the stacks (12) from stacking station (20) via conveyor belts (24, 25). For each stacking position (21) there are two grippers (48, 48a), which in each case alternatively grip and transfer a stack, whilst the other gripper performs the return movement and passes into its waiting position upstream of the stacking station.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: bielomatic Leuze GmbH + Co KGInventor: Axel Meyer
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Publication number: 20030178287Abstract: A chain conveying apparatus for spouts or bags having spouts, including a pair of annular chains. The attachment plates are provided on the respective oppositely-rotating annular chains so that the attachment plates have play in a vertical direction. Centering guide members are disposed so as to be close to the axial portions of the spouts so as to regulate the movements of the spouts in the direction perpendicular to the attachment plates' moving direction; upper-side guide members and lower-side guide members are disposed above and below the attachment plates so as to regulate the height position of the attachment plates; and flange regulating members are disposed so as to be above the flanges of the spouts, which is being conveyed, with a narrow gap between the flange regulating members and the flanges so as to regulate an upward movement of the spouts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Hiramoto, Shoji Tsutsui
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Publication number: 20030173186Abstract: A conveying apparatus for spouts or bags with spouts thereon, including: a circular rotating body which is driven rotationally, a guide rail disposed around the circumference of the rotating body with a predetermined spacing in between, and a plurality of grippers disposed on the rotating body and rotated with the rotating body. The rotating body has an outer circumferential edge that supports the flanges of the spouts, and the guide rail has on its inner edge an arc-shaped guide portion that also supports the flanges of the spouts. During the rotation of the rotating body, the grippers close to hold the spouts at the flanges and then opens to release the spouts. A rotational force is imparted by the rotating body to the spouts while spouts are held at the flanges by the grippers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Hiramoto, Kakue Nakamoto, Masakazu Setozaki
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Patent number: 6616139Abstract: A device for removing printed products, having a fold and being transported uniformly spaced and astraddle by a transport device, has a rotatingly driven gripping device with controlled gripping elements for gripping one of the printed products by the fold on the transport device and removing the printed product while stably holding the printed product. The rotatingly driven gripping device has control elements for controlling an opening movement and a closing movement of the gripping elements and is adjustable for adaptation to the different thicknesses of the printed products during running.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Grapha-Holding AGInventor: Beat von Aesch
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Patent number: 6612095Abstract: A pick-up member for use with an apparatus for transporting a container from a pick-up station to a deposit station. The pick-up member being substantially formed of plastic and includes a bell-shaped head having a longitudinal bore for receiving containers and transverse bores intersecting the longitudinal bore and causing transverse movement engaging members for engaging with the containers. A control mechanism is provided to control the position of the engaging members.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Patterson Hartness
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Patent number: 6607068Abstract: For conveying piece goods, holding devices (2) are utilised for holding individual articles (1), which holding devices (2) are mounted on displaceable conveying devices (3) and are closed for the purpose of conveying the articles (1). For loading articles (1) onto essentially continuously conveyed, opened holding devices (2) and/or for unloading articles (1) from essentially continuously conveyed, opened holding devices (2), pairs of article guides (5) and article pushers (6) are conveyed through a loading zone (L) or unloading zone, in parallel to and in synchronism with the holding/conveying devices (2/3). The article guides are stationary relative to the holding/conveying devices and, in a displacement direction essentially transverse to the conveying direction (F), are aligned with the holding devices. For loading, articles (1) are pushed by the article pushers from the article guides (5) into the opened holding devices (2).Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: IPT Weinfelden AGInventors: Rene Walther, Robert Buchi
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Publication number: 20030132083Abstract: A method of transferring wrappings, wherein each wrapping is defined by a sheet of wrapping material and has at least one flat wall, provides for feeding a wrapping along a curved path by means of a pocket of a conveyor; for guiding the wrapping along the curved path by means of a guide contacting the wrapping; and for moving a plate of the guide with respect to the pocket, so that a flat face of the plate is maintained contacting the entire flat wall of the wrapping along a portion of the curved path.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: G.D SOCIETA' PER AZIONIInventors: Fabrizio Tale, Mario Spatafora
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Patent number: 6588745Abstract: Flat articles (3) each held by a feeding-in gripper (5) on a leading first edge are fed-in to a hold changing station (1) one after the other, are pulled onto a changing support situated in the changing station (1), and are deposited on it by opening the feeding-in gripper (5). Each deposited article is then pushed across the changing support (10) by a conveying-away gripper (6) and, while being pushed, is grasped by closing the conveying-away gripper (6) and is conveyed away held gripped on a second edge. Advantageously, the feeding-in direction (Z) and the conveying-away direction (W) intersect above the changing support (10) under the one angle (&agr;), which is also constituted by the first and the second edge. For the hold change of rectangular printed products, the angle (&agr;) amounts to 90°. For pushing the articles, the conveying-away grippers (6) move in the plane of the surface of the changing support and are driven from below.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Reinhard Gosslinghof
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Patent number: 6581753Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a bundle of signatures moving continuously on a saddle chain to a working station includes an indexing chain moving with variable speed, and a clamping unit for keeping the bundle of signatures at a predetermined position on the indexing chain; a method of operating the apparatus; and a saddle binding machine incorporating the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Martin Brewster, Keith Arthur Bromwich, John Cracknell, Paul Edgley, David Thomas Hazell, Mehmet Oktay Kaya, John Joseph O'Brien, Ian Ralph, Gary Frank Rogers, Kathryn Elaine Skipp, Andrew Malcolm Smart
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Patent number: 6578843Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying printed products in an imbricated formation with different spacings between the products, from a feed conveyor to the grippers on a removal conveyor. The printed products are introduced into the grippers in groups without any change in the spacing between successive printed products, and the conveying speeds of the feed conveyor and the removal conveyor are coordinated such that the portion of each group of products which projects into a gripper is less than the depth of the mouth of the gripper. Also, a deflection device at the transfer location serves to deflect the leading end of each group of products toward the approaching gripper.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Ferag AGInventor: Werner Honegger
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Patent number: 6562280Abstract: An apparatus for processing plastic hollow bodies has a blow-moulding station, a device for introducing thereinto a sequence of trains of preforms, an ejection station adapted to separate the ejected hollow bodies, and devices provided downstream of the ejection station to handle the hollow bodies, the devices including a conveyor belt capable of being driven by a pulley and provided with plugs adapted to pick up the hollow bodies. The pulley is provided on its outer surface with a plurality of ejectors that are arranged to sequentially engage and disengage the pick-up plugs so as to release the blow-moulded hollow bodies therefrom. Beneath said ejectors there is arranged a guide which is adapted to intercept the so released hollow bodies, and which is provided with two parallel rails adapted to retain the hollow bodies by their neck portion and push them, preferably with jets of blown air, towards their utilization apparatuses.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Sipa S.p.A.Inventor: Eligio De Marchi
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Publication number: 20030051976Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the handling of containers, in particular bottles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventor: Fabrizio Preti
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Publication number: 20030034227Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting non-round containers includes a pair of carriages coupled to associated motors for rotation independently of each other on a common axis. Each carriage carries a corresponding plurality of semi-circular gripping fingers, which may be moved toward and away from each other by controlled rotation of the carriages. The fingers are widely separated from each other to accept non-round containers at an in-feed station, and to permit removal of the containers at out-feed and reject stations. For transporting the containers between stations, the finger are brought closely together to grip the containers for indexing, and springs on one of the carriages resiliently urge the associated fingers toward the fingers on the opposing carriage for accommodating size variations among the containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Stephen M. Gerber, George A. Nickey, Noel D. Wendt
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Patent number: 6520318Abstract: An installation (V) for the introduction and the removal of plastic bottles into or out of a treatment room, which is provided with a drivable lock rotor (4), with lock chambers (3), external and internal star wheel pairs (17, 20; 18, 19), and, in the lock chambers and at the star wheels, gripping and holding devices (6, 24) for the containers, which work in cooperation for the transfer of the containers, and a container discharge area (C) is provided, between the star wheels (17, 20; 18, 19) which are separated in the circumferential direction of the lock rotor (4), for each pair on the circumference of the lock rotor (4), and at least one ejection element (D) is used which can be adjusted from a rest position into a position for ejection of a container into the lock chamber (3), in order to remove containers which remain in an unscheduled manner in the lock chambers, for the purpose of preventing damage.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Krones AGInventor: Heinz Humele
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Publication number: 20030019722Abstract: A process and apparatus for conveying flexible sheet-like articles 26, wherein the articles are fed to a first curved section 14 by means of a delivery conveyor 10 which includes spaced apart transporting clamps 22 for retaining the articles in a hanging position. Arranged in a radially inward direction at the curved section 14, is a gripper wheel 36 with circumferentially distributed grippers 40 and respective supporting elements 52. The gripper wheel 36 is driven at the same angular velocity as the transporting clamps 22 in the curved section 14. However, a single gripper 40 is assigned in each case to two transporting clamps 22. The lower free edges 32 of the two articles 26 to be joined are guided by a supporting element 52 into a gripper 40, and as soon as this has taken place, the relevant gripper 40 is closed, and the relevant transporting clamps 22 then release the articles 26. The associated supporting element 52 is then drawn back inward in the radial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: FERAG AGInventor: Erwin Muller
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Patent number: 6511065Abstract: A method for transferring signatures is described. A gripper assembly contains a gripper bar having a gripper and a pivot arm having a gripper seat. The gripper assembly is moved such that the gripper projects through a space in front of a leading edge of a signature being delivered on a transport system. The gripper assembly is moved such that the gripper seat is directly aligned with the leading edge of the signature and the gripper seat is travelling at the same velocity as the signature. The gripper is driven in a direction of the gripper seat such that the signature is held between the gripper and the gripper seat. In this manner the velocity of the signature is not changed during the handoff. In addition, a gripper assembly for performing the handoff is described.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Richard Daniel Curley, Joseph Adrian St. Ours
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Patent number: 6505732Abstract: An apparatus for transporting folding packaging material forms in the tobacco-processing industry, particularly carton forms for cigarette hard packs that have been scored or pre-punched along fold lines, from a feed station to a processing station. A rotary table is mounted for rotation about an essentially vertical axis. The rotary table includes at least one receiving platform having oppositely located lateral holders defining limits for the packaging material. At least one of the lateral holders is movable from a feeding position into a holding position relative to the oppositely-located lateral holder.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Topack Verpackungstechnik GmbHInventors: Karsten Meinke, Jürgen Grossmann, Frank Bley
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Publication number: 20030001333Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying printed products in an imbricated formation with different spacings between the products, from a feed conveyor to the grippers on a removal conveyor. The printed products are introduced into the grippers in groups without any change in the spacing between successive printed products, and the conveying speeds of the feed conveyor and the removal conveyor are coordinated such that the portion of each group of products which projects into a gripper is less than the depth of the mouth of the gripper. Also, a deflection device at the transfer location serves to deflect the leading end of each group of products toward the approaching gripper.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: Ferag AGInventor: Werner Honegger
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Patent number: 6491155Abstract: A device for the hooking of printed circuits includes a support constituted by a roughly U-shaped structural shape with a seating designed to allow the insertion of the printed circuit, one or more pins inserted into holes in one wall of the structural shape, and thrust systems designed to push the pins against the opposite wall of the structural shape, and devices designed to engage the thrust systems in order to retract the pins and allow the insertion of a printed circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventor: Alessandro Garioni
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Publication number: 20020139645Abstract: Machinery for automated manufacture of formed wire structures such as innerspring assemblies for mattresses and seating and flexible support structures includes one or more coil formation devices configurable to produce helical spring coils having a terminal convolution which extends beyond an end of the coil; a conveyor system having a plurality of flights slidably mounted upon a continuous track and connected to a chain and driven by an index driver, the flights being connected to a drive system which enables variable spacing between the flights so that the conveyor can be loaded with articles at one spacing interval and be unloaded at a different interval; a coil transfer machine which removes a row of coils from the conveyor and inserts the coils into an innerspring assembler; an innerspring assembler having first and second sets of coil-engaging dies in a parallel arrangement, each set of dies having an upper row positioned over a lower row, the dies being mounted upon carrier bars which are vertically tType: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Thomas D. Haubert, Lawrence C. Bullen, K. Bryan Scott, Larry Schluer, Larry DeMoss, Joe Zhou
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Publication number: 20020139640Abstract: Resin vessels 10 are conveyed on a air conveyor 2 while they are supported at a point below a flange lob, and are conveyed into a drier 8 which is disposed within a sterile chamber 14 through an inlet wheel 24. The drier carries resilient gripper means 11 including a pair of arms which are urged toward each other by a spring to hold a vessel sandwiched therebetween. A vessel is dried up while it is rotatively conveyed as gripped by the resilient gripper means, and is then returned to the air conveyor 2 through an outlet wheel 26. A reject wheel 28 is disposed upstream of the outlet wheel and includes unlockable gripper means 130 which grips the vessel at a point above the flange for taking out the vessel from the drier. A reject arm 46 is disposed downstream of the reject wheel and is movable into and from a conveying path of vessels within the drier. The reject arm causes a vessel which the reject wheel failed to grasp to be dropped onto a discharge chute 30.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Tatsuhiro Nakada