Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system for, and method of, detecting the opening of a lid of a compartment constructed of a rigid material. The system includes a resonator disposed on a wall of the compartment, where the resonator has a resonant frequency of mechanical vibration. The system also includes a member disposed on the lid of the compartment and positioned to perturb the resonator upon opening the lid, such that opening the lid causes the resonator to mechanically vibrate at the resonant frequency. The system also includes an electronic sensor disposed on the compartment to detect vibrations at the resonant frequency. The system also includes an interface communicatively coupled to the electronic sensor and configured to provide a signal indicating lid opening data representing at least one opening of the lid.

Abstract: In order to achieve a higher material throughput and/or a higher sorting speed in a sorting installation (10) for use in plastics recycling, it is provided, in the case of an apparatus which is intended for separating one or more material fractions from at least one material stream of free-flowing bulk material and which has a directing device (12), via which the material stream is guided under the action of gravitational force, also has an optical sensing device (16) for the spectroscopic detection of composition- or condition-dependent properties of individual fractions (13) contained in the material stream, and additionally has a separation device (14), by which the individual fractions (13) contained in the material stream are separated mechanically in dependence on detection results of the optical sensing device (16).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of sorting coal into multiple fractions based upon x-ray absorption and size characteristics in order to remove rocks and other contaminants of various sizes from coal. The use of such dry processing of coal is desirable as it reduces pollution and transportation costs. The multi-fractional sorting of coal is a more efficient manner for identifying and removing rock and contaminants from coal.

Abstract: An item sorting system includes at least three modules for processing items requiring sorting, a conveyor line to transport the items in a first transport path from the first to the second and to the third module, and a bypass to transport items requiring sorting in a second transport path from the first to the third module thereby bypassing the second module. A control unit sets a spacing between the items in the conveyor line upstream of the bypass as a function of an activation of the bypass. The bypass is to mitigate stresses to which items are exposed when the item sorting system is used in a plurality of passes with different functions.

Abstract: A guide path for electronic components has guide elements by means of which the components are guided obliquely with respect to the direction of the light beams at least in the area of a light barrier, such that the component produces a shadow area which is higher than the side end surface of the component.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for measuring and classifying resistors (2), in which in a measuring station (3) the resistance value of the resistor (2) supplied by a feed and transport device (12) of the measuring station (3) is measured. The measured resistance value is transmitted to an evaluation unit (40) of a control device (20). The resistor (2) is delivered sorted according to predetermined measurement ranges into an output device (25) arranged after the measuring station (3). The resistor (2) is heated to a predefined nominal temperature by a temperature regulating device (7), in particular by a medium (9). After reaching this nominal temperature the resistor (2) is contacted in the medium (9). Afterwards the measurement of the resistor (2) is carried out.

Abstract: A method for increasing equipping performance of a process line includes providing automatic equipping units to equip substrates with components and an equipping program. A theoretical program is determined before the equipping process starts. The goal is an optimally high equipping performance based on a theoretical time behavior of the individual automatic equipping units. Observers measure the actual time behavior of the automatic equipping units and are provided in control devices of automatic equipping units arranged in the line. An updated equipping program, with which the individual automatic equipping units or, respectively, the entire line of automatic equipping units are operated, is determined with the assistance of the measured actual time behavior. A new allocation of components to be equipped at equipping locations ensues according to the updated equipping program.

Abstract: A conveyor belt (1) leading to a sorting device (2) comprises two superimposed functional sections (3, 12), which are connected to each other via deflected intermediate sections. As a result, the structural length of the conveyor belt (1) is reduced.

Abstract: An automatic sorting system for automatically sorting objects comprises a control guide which branches off into a plurality of branches having different depths, moving members which have rod-like pins which are guided by the control guide and divert the objects in a transverse direction, and a pin-moving device, such as cam, for moving the pin of each moving member vertically in response to a signal generated by a detecting device. The cam has two arc portions of different radii which depress a transversely slidable rod of the moving member. The moving member follows a path determined by the control guide having a depth corresponding to a depending length of the rod of the moving member, and is guided along this control guide groove. With this system, good or defective articles are automatically diverted in a transverse direction by the moving members, so that the objects are sorted based on a their transverse positions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, methods and machinery are provided for automatically inspecting shaped, lined closures and rejecting those which fail to meet pre-established criteria for shape and seal. Specifically, shaped closures having concave interior portions and resilient sealing liners are supplied to an inspection station comprising one or more female inspection nests for receiving individual closures and one or more respective male inspection heads for insertion into the concave portions of respective closures. The inspection heads are provided with exterior shapes approximating the interiors of ideal closures so that penetration into the closure indicates the conformity of the closure to the ideal. Preferably, the inspection head is connected to a source of pressurized fluid for testing both the depth of penetration and the adequacy of the sealing ring.

Abstract: An automatic device for sorting flat articles comprises a casing with a vertical sorting drum in the center, said drum being provided with posts arranged around the periphery of said drum which are intermittently turned by a drive. Each post has a manipulator sliding freely over said post and having a catch for fixing said manipulator in the uppermost position.