Abstract: A high-speed handler for receiving a heap of randomly oriented parallel piped-shaped ceramic components, each component of the type having at least one set of metal terminations located on opposite edges thereof, presenting them in individual seats in controlled orientation for electrical parametric testing, and sorting them according to their test results, including a rotating feed wheel, mounted on a central shaft and defined by an outer rim concentric with the axis of the central shaft, the wheel inclined to the horizontal and including an upper surface on which to receive a heap of randomly oriented ceramic components, a plurality of radially-pointing, spaced-apart bosses extending upward and outward on the upper wheel surface terminating at component-sized cavities formed in the wheel adjacent the outer rim and arranged to receive therein a single ceramic component in specific orientation, a rotating carrier plate mounted planar to and spaced-apart from the feed wheel having an upwardly extending circula

Abstract: The bobbin feeding system of the automatic winder comprises a bobbin feedback line from the automatic winder which is branched off into a residual-yarn bobbin conveyor line and an empty-bobbin conveyor line, each conveyor line being joined with each other and connected to the empty-bobbin discharge line, and a bobbin stripper for removing residual yarn from the bobbin which is mounted on the residual-yarn bobbin conveyor line, thereby enabling smooth conveyance of bobbins.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail includes a first pair of rollers forming a nip for receiving each of a plurality of envelopes, with their contents. The envelopes, which have been opened along plural contiguous edges, are then passed to a second pair of rollers following the first pair of rollers, for receiving the opened envelopes (with the contents) from the first pair of rollers. The second pair of rollers are spaced from one another and each include a suction cup for engaging faces of the opened envelope responsive to an applied vacuum, and for spreading the faces of the envelope apart. A third pair of rollers following the second pair of rollers forms a nip for receiving the contents from between the second pair of rollers, thereby removing the contents from the envelope.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for inspecting finish dimensions of and detecting finish defects on containers moving sequentially in a predetermined path. More than one container can be inspected simultaneously. The apparatus includes one or more inspection gauges suspended above the container path. A transport system is provided for aiding in moving containers through the gauges and simultaneously axially rotating the containers about a vertical axis. Rotation of the containers allows the inspection gauges to inspect the entire circumference of the containers at one or more levels on the container simultaneously. Defective containers are detected when the relative separation distance between the gauge plates of the inspection gauge falls outside predetermined limits. If a defective container is detected, a rejection assembly may be activated to physically remove the defective container from the container path.

Abstract: Univeral conveying apparatus and method for automated inspection and classification of a variety of natural or man made product classes, having various geometrical configurations, e.g. spheroidal, spherical, cylindrical, parallelepiped, disc and plate shaped objects, or massive and hollow amophous objects. Incorporating a plurality of sensors interfaced to a plurality of microcomputers, measuring different product features, while predetermined combinations thereof are used for separating the objects or products, into a plurality of categories. Part of the sensors are stationary, while another part thereof are located and rotating on revolving inverter wheels. The stationary and rotating sensor groups are interfaced respectively to one or more stationary or rotating microcomputers, attached to the inverter wheels. The revolving and stationary microcomputers are electrically interconnected via slip rings, on the shafts on the inverter wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring or monitoring the diameter of rod-shaped workpieces comprises two driven and interdigitating pinion rollers for rotating the workpiece about its longitudinal axis and at least one pair of mutually opposite measuring gages adapted to be urged against the workpiece and connected to an electronic evaluating device. To permit a rapid measurement of the workpieces which is independent of the attention and carefulness of an operator, the workpiece is fed via an inclined trough to the pinion rollers so that the workpiece engages an axial stop. The workpiece is then urged against the pinion rolls by a pressure-applying roller, which is radially movable into and out of engagement with the workpiece. By spring force and/or a pressure fluid the measuring gages are jointly moved into and out of engagement with the workpiece when the latter lies on the pinion rolls and is axially located by the axial stop.

Abstract: Apparatus for seal-testing packages to enable only sealed packages to be processed. The apparatus includes one or more carrier devices for receiving packages at a receiving station and carrying them to a delivery station. Each carrier device receives a package between a pair of opposed pressure members, means being included to close the pressure members and hence compress the package during passage from the receiving station. A detector produces an output signal in the event that the pressure members have been closed by more than a predetermined amount when the carrier device reaches the delivery station.

Abstract: Cigarettes, as they are grouped in batches to be packed, have their ends detected for firmness or for missing filter tips, by having an array of individually actuated plungers (9) applied to their ends. Each plunger is actuated by air pressure acting on a piston (13) integral with the plunger. If a cigarette (C) is faulty a protuberance (21) on the plunger engages a common impingement plate (20), whose oscillation causes a piezoelectric transducer (22) to emit a fault signal, enabling that cigarette group subsequently to be rejected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inspection devices for containers such as glass bottles. In prior art inspection devices, it has been a problem to automatically inspect bottles with concave side panels for sunken or bulged panels. The present invention provides an inspection device (10) that includes an optical gauging device (24) for automatically gauging the side panels of a container (74); and a digital signal actuates an ejector actuator (54) for ejecting defective bottles from a conveyor (12). The optical gauging device (26) includes a light beam detector (28), and a transducer (30) that is optically interposed between a light source (48) and a photoelectric sensor (50) of the light beam detector (28). The transducer (30) is connected to a mechanical contactor (32) that is actuated into contact with a concave side panel either with or without stopping movement of the conveyor. Principle uses include inspection of flat and concave side panels of glass bottles and other containers.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for detecting irregular arrangement of accumulated coins for use in a coin packaging machine wherein a predetermined number of accumulated coins are delivered from an accumulating cylinder to a packaging zone by a pair of delivery arms and packaging them in the packaging zone. The pair of delivery arms, an upper delivery arm and a lower delivery arm, is constructed so that it is rotatable between a coin accumulating zone and a coin packaging zone and vertically slidable to engage with and disengage with the accumulated coins in the coin accumulating zone. The delivery arms are insulated from each other. A detection circuit is provided for detecting the irregular arrangement of the accumulated coins by sensing the height of the upper delivery arm indicating at the irregular arrangement of the accumulated coins.

Abstract: A pellet dimension checker for determining the weight, length, and density of a pellet such as a nuclear fuel pellet. The checker comprises a rotatable arm for transferring a pellet from a pellet conveyor, to several dimensional measuring stations, and back to the conveyor if the dimensions of the pellet are determined to be within predetermined limits. Should the pellet be nonconforming, the rotatable arm removes the pellet from the process stream.