Abstract: A separating device of an optical testing unit for testing rotationally symmetrical test objects includes two corresponding pocket wheels, each having a plurality of pockets distributed uniformly over a circumference. The pocket wheels rotate synchronously in opposite directions about parallel axes in response to a drive. A continuous conveyor transports the test objects on a transporting plane. Depending on the geometry of the test objects, the distances between the respective pocket wheels and between the pocket wheels and the transporting plane are determined so that the test objects, which are fed via and accumulating section, are moved between the pocket wheels while being guided by two pockets of the two pocket wheels and are released by the two pockets downstream of an engagement section. Once released the test objects are accelerated to a higher transporting speed in an accelerating section of the continuous conveyor and are separated as a result.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting axial forces applied to a container are provided. The devices can include a device housing, a container section, a force measurement sensor, and a processing section. The device housing can extend between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal axis. The container section can be mounted to the housing proximate the first housing end. The container section can have an open first section end and a closed second section end spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and at least one sidewall extending therebetween. The container section can define a cavity bounded by the first section end, the second section end and the at least one sidewall. The force measurement sensor can be positioned to generate the force measurement data in response to an axial force applied at the first section end.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating containers with a first treatment device configured to treat the containers in a predetermined first manner, with a transport device which transports the containers in a predetermined transport direction, wherein the transport device transports the containers in a transport stream extending in the transport direction, and with a reject device arranged after the first treatment device, which is configured to reject a plurality of containers arranged one after the other in the transport direction from the transport stream, wherein the apparatus has a second treatment device which is arranged before the first treatment device in the transport direction of the containers. The apparatus has a gap generating device which is arranged in front of the first treatment device in the transport direction of the containers and which generates at least one gap in the transport stream of the containers.

Abstract: A system for separating components from a slurry of drilling fluid and drill cuttings on a shaker screen having an upper side and a lower side within a shaker. The system also has a pressure differential generator to pull an effective volume of air through a section of the shaker screen to enhance the flow of drilling fluid through the section of the shaker screen and the separation of drilling fluid from drill cuttings and further maintain an effective flow of drill cuttings off the shaker. A method of separating components of a slurry of drilling fluids and solids has the steps of delivering the slurry to a shaker, flowing the slurry over a first screen and applying an effective amount of vacuum to a first portion of the first screen to remove the drilling fluids from the slurry without stalling the solids on the first screen.

Abstract: A system for separating components of a slurry is disclosed, the system including a housing; a basket for holding at least one shaker screen, the basket movably mounted in the housing; at least one vibrator coupled to the basket; a sump disposed below the basket to collect at least a portion of the slurry passing through the at least one shaker screen; a pressure differential device fluidly connected to the sump for developing a pressure differential across the at least one shaker screen; and a toggling device for toggling the pressure differential across the screen. A system including a degassing chamber fluidly connected to a sump and a pressure differential device, wherein the degassing chamber is disposed between the sump and the pressure differential device, and a fluid conduit fluidly connected to the degassing chamber for recovering a degassed fluid is also disclosed.

Abstract: Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid pieces of the paper products move along the screen while non-rigid pieces of the paper products slide down between adjacent shafts. In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.

Abstract: The apparatus is intended for performing quality checks on preforms (10) each having a body made of plastics material having an internal cavity (12) communicating with the exterior through an end opening (14) of the body.

Abstract: Multiple shafts are aligned along a frame and configured to rotate in a direction causing paper products to move along a separation screen. The shafts are configured with a shape and spacing so that substantially rigid pieces of the paper products move along the screen while non-rigid pieces of the paper products slide down between adjacent shafts. In one embodiment, the screen includes at least one vacuum shaft that has a first set of air input holes configured to suck air and retain the non-rigid paper products. A second set of air output holes are configured to blow out air to dislodge the paper products retained by the input holes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining an attribute of an article during the transfer of the article by an article-feeding machine during the transfer of the article from one location to another location.

Abstract: In a machine for processing mail articles, the method of distinguishing between mail articles (P1, P2, P3) contained in envelopes made out of paper and mail articles contained in envelopes made out of plastics material, consists in displacing each mail article in front of a pressure member (5) so as to produce an acoustic signal that results from a suction effect of the pressure member on one face of said article while it moves in front of said pressure member, and in comparing said acoustic signal with a reference signal in order to detect whether the envelope of said article is made out of paper or out of plastics material.

Abstract: A pneumatic weighing device has a weigh pan, which is supported for vertical movement by a load cell in response to the weight of an article; the weigh pan is provided with a plenum chamber having an apertured upper surface through which air under pressure is directed for purpose of providing an air cushion for supporting and transporting articles to be weighed. The weighing device additionally includes pneumatic means for rejecting articles of improper weight.

Abstract: In a machine for processing mail articles, the method of distinguishing between mail articles (P1, P2, P3) contained in envelopes made out of paper and mail articles contained in envelopes made out of plastics material, consists in displacing each mail article in front of a pressure member (5) so as to produce an acoustic signal that results from a suction effect of the pressure member on one face of said article while it moves in front of said pressure member, and in comparing said acoustic signal with a reference signal in order to detect whether the envelope of said article is made out of paper or out of plastics material.

Abstract: A process for producing packaged products from a film roll includes the steps of detecting whether an elongate film is defective or not, detecting whether a spool is defective or not, detecting whether an assembled cartridge is defective or not, and detecting whether a case is defective or not. Various defective products detected in these steps are removed without being fed to subsequent steps. By thus detecting various defects in the process for producing packaged products from a film roll, high-quality packaged products can efficiently be manufactured.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention for discriminating mail in a paper envelope from mail in a plastics envelope makes use of a pneumatic technique. In particular, the apparatus comprises a pneumatic system suitable for deforming the envelope to be inspected by applying suction and for measuring variation in pressure associated with said deformation, whereby the inspected envelope is detected as being a paper envelope or as being a plastics envelope. This pneumatic detector may be associated with a detector operating by means of an optical effect for the purpose of controlling a labelling device in equipment for processing flat articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for differentiating and separating multiple overlapped like documents from single like items, transported along a track comprising a suction device applying opposed vacuum forces to separate the documents at a separation station. Measuring and analyzing the resulting pressure differentials within the suction system by a pressure sensor to indicate whether single or multiple documents are passing.

Abstract: A conveyor line conveys plural containers. A first sampler means moves the containers to a position at which a leaking liquid inspection apparatus is provided. A second sampler moves the containers to a position at which the entering air inspection apparatus is provided. A first stopper interrupts the containers at a position of the first sampler. A second stopper interrupts the vessels at a position of the second sampler. A third stopper is provided on the upstream side of the first and second stopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing the condition of a bank note includes a vacuum pump (4), an air flow detector (8) for producing an electrical output indicative of air flow through the detector (8), and a suction device (10) connected to the vacuum pump (4) via the air flow detector (8). In operation, a bank note is fed from an entry slot into cooperative relationship with the suction device (10) such that the bank note covers, and is sucked against, the suction device (10). An electronic control device is coupled to the detector (8) and is arranged to make a determination of the condition of the bank note based on the electrical output of the detector (8), this output being representative of the porosity of that part of the bank note sucked against the suction device (10).

Abstract: A method for on-the-fly detection and separation of multiple checks or like documents transported in a track, wherein the documents are first subjected to twin opposed vacuum forces from a suction source, to separate multiple documents; then a measuring and analysis of the resulting pressure differentials is taken within the vacuum-forming system; the system being provided with a cyclonic filter-separator upstream of the suction source, for removing and storing dust and debris entrained within the vacuum-forming air flow; the cyclonic filter-separator being designed to provide constant vacuum-forming airflow regardless of the nature or quantity of debris removed and collected; the system also being provided with a pressure sensor to give clear indication of the separated/unseparated state of the passing documents, and to exhibit a variable damping accessory.

Abstract: Apparatus for the quality control of individual, one-piece receptacles, which are open at one end. The individual, one-piece receptacles are preferably aligned, in several groups, side by side, similarly with respect to their spatial orientation. The receptacles are turned over to a conveyor line where they pass through at least one testing station at which measurement results specific to each type of receptacle are obtained. The analysis of these results indicates the structural integrity and accuracy of shape of the respective receptacle. The receptacles, as a function of the receptacle-specific measurement results, are removed from the conveyor line if defective; and only the structurally integral and shape-accurate acceptable receptacles are stacked and further advanced as a stack.

Abstract: A device for testing and withdrawing seals from manufacturing molds, which device consists of a pneumatic pickup member having a front impression connected to a pneumatic line in turn connected to a vacuum source, and defined by opposite edges designed to cooperate with respective peripheral sealing portions of each seal; the pneumatic line presenting a transducer for emitting a signal when the difference in the pressures detected on the line over a predetermined time interval exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for picking up a fabric workpiece by applying vacuum provides two vacuum sensors; one for a sample fabric and the other for a fabric workpiece to be picked up. Where the apparatus has picked up incorrect number of sheets, the two vacuum sensors will output different voltages and the values are converted from analog to digital and input to a comparator. Thus, in such a case, the comparator outputs particular signals to stop the picking-up action of the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for checking sealed containers for pinholes in a vacuum which containers have enclosed therein a vaporizable material, such as a glucose injection solution, distilled water for injection, milk or oil, or a sublimable substance, such as naphthalene (hereinafter referred to collectively as a "vaporizable substance"). With this invention, the vaporizable substance adhering to the sealed container and remaining in a checking chamber is vaporized first by a vaporizing suction means communicating with the checking chamber, and the vaporized substance is cooled and collected by a cooling heat exchanger to eliminate before checking the disturbances due to the vaporizable substance and to thereby assure accurate detection of pinholes.

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.