Abstract: Objects on a delivery conveyor are detected by a photo-detector connected to a multi-bit shift register which is clocked by a pulse generator connected to the delivery conveyor. A NOR gate is connected between two outputs of the shift register and the shift register resets to erase information relating to undersized objects. Another circuit having NAND gates connected to a series of shift register outputs and to a counter connected to the pulse generator determines the presence of objects over a base size. A comparator connected to the counter provides a signal to a microprocessor, connected to the shift register resets, to erase information relating to an oversize object. Another section connected to the intermediate output of the shift register detects the location and length of gaps between adjacent objects. This section provides information to the microprocessor which through its connections to the shift register erases information relating to the leading object if the gap is too small.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conveying cops and bobbins for directly connecting a ring frame with a winder wherein one operation to feed those cops which are doffed onto the transport-bands on both the right and left sides of the ring frame to the subsequent process from one end of each of the transport-bands and the other operation to receive bobbins needed for the next doffing onto the transport-band are together simultaneously performed, with these two simultaneous operations being repeated. This invention has no provision of a random stock zone and the substantial function of bobbin stock is given to the transport-band, and the bobbin returned from the winder is adjusted in alignment thereof by the bobbin aligning device and conveyed by the bobbin stock conveyor and dropped onto the transport-band.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus which allows the sorting of particles or cells in accordance with their physical and/or chemical properties such as size, DNA and/or protein content.

Abstract: A separating apparatus for separating objects of a particular kind from a stream of falling objects e.g. for use in crop harvesting comprising a movable separating member which is alternately held stationary in a first position to deflect objects of the particular kind in one direction and moved to a second position to allow other objects to fall in another direction wherein the separating member is moved between its first and second positions in such a manner, e.g. with an essentially reciprocating motion, that the volume swept by the separating member in the path of the falling objects is comparable with the volume of the separating member itself so that objects can follow one another at a close spacing without preventing satisfactory separating action.

Abstract: A device for sorting discs or disc-like members of different identities (e.g. roulette chips) withdraws the discs from a receptacle by a conveyor and moves them in oriented succession along a sorting track where they are automatically indentifed and transferred by transfer devices into respective receiving spaces along the sorting track. The receiving spaces receive the discs at their lower ends so as to form stacks in the receiving spaces, the stacks being built up from their lower ends in inclined troughs forming part of the receiving spaces. Preferably each disc has its leading portion deflected upwardly as it approaches its assigned receiving space, while still retaining driving engagement with the conveyor, and the raised leading portion passes onto a disc catching member at the bottom of the receiving space, after which the disc is driven into the receiving space by the remaining engagement with the conveyor.

Abstract: An item/document hold and view station for use with high speed item sorting apparatus wherein a diverter is provided for diverting selected items out of the mainstream item pathway and into an open ended receptacle area for visual viewing by an operator and including a pair of eccentric cam members interconnected by a flexible member is operable to move the item out of the viewing station and back into the mainstream item pathway once the item has been altered, changed, corrected or otherwise handled by the operator without blocking or obscuring the data from the operator's view.

Abstract: A can sorting apparatus is described for processing over 600 filled metal cans per minute. An infeed conveyor moves alongside a main conveyor in which the main conveyor is moving at a speed greater than the infeed conveyor. A transverse diverter directs the moving cans from the infeed conveyor to the main conveyor causing the cans to be automatically spaced as they move from the infeed conveyor to the main conveyor. The cans move past a sensing station to individually identify the cans and determine which cans are to be separated from the others. An overhead separating conveyor extends across the main conveyor at a separating station. An overhead electromagnet is positioned at the separating station to selectively lift a can from the main conveyor and bias the can upward against the lower flight of the overhead conveyor. The overhead conveyor then directs the lifted can transversely from the single line of filled cans to perform the separation of the cans.

Abstract: Batteries are moved along a first roller type conveyor to a leak testing station, above which is located an assembly having a plurality of nozzles matable over battery cell inlets. A first set of alternate cells is supplied with air at a given pressure, and metering means notes pressure change. Thereupon, the remaining alternate cells receive the same treatment. If the cells do not leak, the battery advances from the testing station along the roller conveyor. If a leak is detected, a push bar connected to a cable system below the rollers ejects the battery transversely from the testing station along to a second conveyor, thereby isolating leaky batteries either for removal or further testing to locate more precisely the leak.