Abstract: There is disclosed a computer-controlled dispenser system. The system includes a first set of repositories for fluid components suitable for combination into different mixtures, a second set of repositories for viscous components suitable for combination into different mixtures, and a dispensing nozzle where the fluid and viscous components are dispensed. The system further includes a set of valves and pumps for moving fluid and viscous components to a dispensing nozzle and a scale for measuring an amount of fluid and viscous components dispensed from the dispensing nozzle. The system enables computer control to ensure accurate output of both fluid and viscous components according to the instructions received for their creation.

Abstract: A system and method for post-processing of polymeric items having a liquid component and a predetermined heat deflection temperature is provided. The system includes a washing station to spray water at elevated temperature and pressure on the items while maintaining the temperature of the item below the heat deflection temperature. Then using a water distillation system to separate the water from the water mixed with the liquid polymer component by evaporating the water using heating coils with surface that is not conducive to adhesion of the liquid polymer component and then condense the water vapor into liquid water. The system may further include a spin station to separate the liquid polymer component by spinning the item. The system may further include one or more processing stations to rinse the item, dry the item, cure the item, remove the item from a tray to which the item may be attached and clean trays after removing the item.

Abstract: A load former includes a frame including a stop wall, a cookie sheet having a top surface parallel to a plane and being movable between an extended position a retracted position relative to the stop wall, and a first platform shiftable between raised and lowered positions relative to the plane. The first platform is positioned relative to the frame such that when the cookie sheet is in the extended position a first portion of the cookie sheet directly overlies the upper surface of the platform and when the cookie sheet in the retracted position no portion of the cookie sheet directly overlies the platform. Also a lift having a lift support and a second platform, the lift being movable relative to the plane and the lift platform begin extendable and retractable relative to the first platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a seedling planting machine and to a seedling planting machine, in which, seedlings are extracted from a seedling storage. In the method, the seedling storage is held in its place on a storage track of the planting machine with first holding elements by a first toothed bar. The seedling storage is transferred on the storage track of the planting machine by moving second holding elements by a second toothed bar, in relation to the first holding elements and to the storage track, so that the seedling storage comes into contact with the second holding elements. The seedling storage is transferred by the second holding elements a transfer distance forward on the storage track. The seedling storage is transferred by the first holding elements, and the seedling storage is detached from the second holding elements.

Abstract: In order to achieve lower costs in a molding apparatus using a mold by reducing mold cleaning steps following releasing of the product from the mold and shortening the molding cycle, the apparatus is equipped with a plurality of fixed molds and movable molds which are heated to the temperature necessary to harden a molding material and come together by means of clamping to form a cavity, and a non-heated cold runner which supplies the molding material from an injection device to the interior of the cavity via a gate opened in the movable mold, the fixed molds and movable molds being movable between an injection stage where the injection device and cold runner (32) are present and an opening stage near the injection stage.

Abstract: Performing an inventory count is provided. A scan of an object is initiated according to a profile in order to perform the inventory count of the object. A scan result is compared with a recorded level for the object to determine if a variance exists between the scan result and the recorded level. A variance analysis is performed if the variance exists.

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

Abstract: A 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 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: Disclosed is a device for conveying workpieces through a press working line or a transfer molding press. The conveying device is embodied as a telescopic feeder and is designed such that a jib which can be displaced in a longitudinal direction is mounted or guided by means of guiding carriages that travel along. An adequate entraining mechanism is provided in order to ensure the traveling motion of the guiding carriages.

Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).

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: An optical module inspection circuit on an optical platform includes an optical module carrier for precisely aligning optical devices with optical interfaces of inspection equipment located at fixed positions in the optical module inspection circuit. The module-includes an apparatus for conveyance along a top surface of the optical platform. The module may be conveyed automatically to predetermined positions on the optical platform to automate alignment and positioning of optical devices with respect to optical inspection stations in the optical test circuit.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed comprising a track having a pair of side rails and a plurality of interconnected carts which are reciprocally moveable along the track by a pneumatic cylinder. Each of the carts includes a pair of air bladders which are selectively inflatable to move a respective load between a lowered position wherein the load rests on upper surfaces of the rails and a raised position wherein the load is lifted clear of the rails. A pneumatic system controls the cylinder and each pair bladders so as to advance a load from a loading position toward an unloading position by cyclically moving the load into the raised position, moving the carts forward, moving the load into the lowered position, and moving the carts back beneath the load. Individual pairs of bladders may be kept from inflating so as to accumulate loads near the unloading position.

Abstract: A walking beam conveyor for a continuous furnace (7) for heating aluminium bars (4) with walking beams and fixed beams (1, 2) is described, which support bar supports (3) which can be restrictively pivoted transversely to the beams (1, 2). In order to create advantageous structural conditions, it is proposed that the bar supports (3) have support members (10) for the aluminium bars (4) which can be inserted into recesses (11).

Abstract: An interlocking transfer system includes a workstation having four or more sides, each of which is positioned at 90° angles from the next adjacent side. A cam lift assembly is provided on each of the sides and a means for moving the pallets horizontally. The cam lift assembly is actuated by a reciprocating cylinder which operates to lift and lower the pallets. While pallets are lifted, they are also advanced horizontally using either an external reciprocating cylinder, a motor or by hand. The interlocking transfer system of the present invention provides high efficiency and low transfer rate. It also eliminates the need for lift and locate devices, transfer space due to traffic control, and end-to-end cross transfers. The interlocking transfer system of the present invention also provides for interchangeable fixtures.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted multiple position walking beam apparatus (10), which has products (20) placed thereon.

Abstract: With an advancing motion, finger plates together with stationary transfer bars are moved to positions where uprights are not in the way, and finally the finger plates disengaged from the stationary transfer bars are held by plate holding members to be discharged to an area where preparatory work is conducted externally of a transfer feeder, together with movable transfer bars. Accordingly, inherent motions of the transfer feeder are made use of to shunt the finger plates, and as compared with the case where the finger plates are disengaged from the stationary transfer bars at standstill to shunt, cylinders for movement and guide rails are dispensed with to enable attaining light weight and the transfer feeder is enhanced in operating rate.

Abstract: A walking beam conveyor for a continuous furnace (7) for heating aluminium bars (4) with walking beams and fixed beams (1, 2) is described, which support bar supports (3) which can be restrictively pivoted transversely to the beams (1, 2). In order to create advantageous structural conditions, it is proposed that the bar supports (3) have support members (10) for the aluminium bars (4) which can be inserted into recesses (11).

Abstract: A workpiece transfer apparatus with a shuttle underlying workpieces received on workstations which is raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism disposed above the workpieces. The shuttle has a support rail and an indexing rail operably connected to a drive for advancing and retracting the indexing rail relative to the workstations. To transfer one or more workpieces from their current workstations to respective subsequent workstations, the shuttle is raised by the overhead lifting mechanism to engage the workpieces from underneath and raise the workpieces from their current workstations. The indexing rail is advanced to position the workpieces above respective subsequent workstations and the shuttle is lowered to place the workpieces on these subsequent workstations. Subsequently, the indexing rail is retracted to its starting position so that the apparatus is ready for the next transfer cycle.