Abstract: A high-speed automated separation apparatus includes a pair of flexible discs, a driver to rotate the flexible discs, a feeder to position a rigid body at a first location between the flexible discs, a spreader and a converger operable upon the flexible discs such that opposing portions of the flexible disc converge upon the positioned rigid body. The rotating flexible discs rotate the rigid body beyond the first location, and content from the rigid body is expelled. The rigid body and the expelled content are then available for reuse.

Abstract: A sorting device for tablets for separating out multiple tablets has a plurality of stations including a feed station, a sorting station and an ejection station, and a tablet transporter which moves to the individual stations in a direction of rotation. The tablet transporter includes a row of tablet receivers for single tablets and a doublet receiver for multiple tablets which have been separated out. The doublet receiver is laterally next to the tablet receivers. An individual tablet receiver is laterally separated from the doublet receiver via a side wall. In the sorting station is a sorting tine which can be moved to and fro over a travel range in a lateral direction extending transversely to the direction of rotation such that the sorting tine passes over the region of a tablet receiver, the adjacent doublet receiver and the side wall located between them.

Abstract: A low voltage electrical switchboard comprising a supporting structure having vertical uprights and horizontal crossbars and further comprising a busbar compartment housing one or more busbars and an apparatus compartment housing one or more electrical apparatuses, said busbar compartment and said apparatus compartment being separated by a partitioning and insulating wall, characterized in that said partitioning and insulating wall has a first surface facing said busbar compartment which is provided with a plurality of retaining and supporting means for said busbars, and a second surface facing said apparatus compartment which is provided with a plurality of openings for insertion/extraction of first connection means between said busbars and said one or more electrical apparatuses through said partitioning and insulating wall, said first connection means being provided with first insulation means that cooperate with said partitioning and insulating wall to increase the distance in air between the phases durin

Abstract: A sorting installation and a sorting method use a gripping tool for gripping sorted articles, particularly sorted flat mail items. During sorting, the articles are transported in holding apparatuses having two lateral faces each. Each lateral face is preferably formed with one cutout. A supply station puts each article into one holding apparatus, with the result that the article is situated between the lateral faces and is held by the holding apparatuses. A transport apparatus transports the articles to a removal station and produces a sequence of holding apparatuses with articles being held thereby. The removal station has a gripping tool with at least two gripper arms in a gripper arm sequence. These gripper arms grip between filled holding apparatuses and draw a plurality of held articles from these holding apparatuses simultaneously.

Abstract: A system includes a robot, comprising a manipulator and a controller, with a gripper mounted on the manipulator, for picking the battery for testing and sorting, a battery holding section for receiving batteries for testing and sorting at predetermined locations in the battery holding section, and a testing section disposed within the working range of the robot, for testing an electrical condition of the battery for testing and sorting, whereby the controller controls the manipulator and the gripper to first-pick the battery for testing and sorting at the predetermined location from the battery holding section and place it to contact the testing section for testing, the testing section tests the battery and sends to the controller a signal indicating the electrical condition of the tested battery, and the controller controls the manipulator and the gripper to second-pick the battery contacting the testing section and sort it according to the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for managing (e.g. sorting, orienting, arranging, and stacking, etc.) one or more utensils; the utensils having a first and second end that define a longitudinal axis. The utensil sorting apparatus comprises of a plurality of arms to which a mechanism for locating a utensil, one or mechanisms for identifying a utensil, a device for orienting a utensil, and a device for grasping a utensil are attached. The grasping mechanism is used to transport a utensil to various steps used in a sorting process with a final step being to place the utensil in a designated bin, or compartment. The utensils placed in a compartment are oriented such that the first end of each utensil is at the same end of a wall of the compartment. The apparatus can also be used to arrange and stack utensils in preparation for secondary operations.

Abstract: Fruit handling equipment comprising a conveyor having a plurality of linked carriages, each supporting at least one fruit carrying cup pivotally secured to the carriage, each cup having a latching mechanism operable to hold the cup in a fruit carrying mode and releasable to cause the cup to pivot to a delatched position to eject the fruit, and remotely controllable means in each carriage to release the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A device for the elimination of trimmings of rolls or logs of ribbon-like material associated downstream with a shearing machine of at least one roll or log (11), fed by a feeding plane (13) of rolls (10) and head and/or tail rolls (24), consecutively. The device comprises a conveyor group (14) for carrying the rolls (10) and eliminating the head and/or tail rolls (24,24?), wherein the feeding plane (13) comprises rests (15) and the conveyor group (14) comprises flaps (21), both shaped, facing each other and spaced between each other to define central longitudinal openings (16 and 22) for the passage of pushers (17) which allow at least one roll or log (11) to advance; the conveyor group (14) having chains (20) on which flaps (21) are positioned, and having a length of chains (20) without flaps (21) that define a movable opening (23) between adjacent chains.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for managing (e.g. sorting, orienting, arranging, and stacking, etc.) one or more utensils; the utensils having a first and second end that define a longitudinal axis. The utensil sorting apparatus comprises of a plurality of arms to which a mechanism for locating a utensil, one or mechanisms for identifying a utensil, a device for orienting a utensil, and a device for grasping a utensil are attached. The grasping mechanism is used to transport a utensil to various steps used in a sorting process with a final step being to place the utensil in a designated bin, or compartment. The utensils placed in a compartment are oriented such that the first end of each utensil is at the same end of a wall of the compartment. The apparatus can also be used to arrange and stack utensils in preparation for secondary operations.

Abstract: A package-culling conveyor system and a method for culling flat packages from a bulk flow of flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The initially separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt with package-supporting belt rollers rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the length of the roller conveyor belt. Examples of culling elements include powered rollers and vertical walls forming side guards. The powered roller lifts the contact side of non-flat packages to free flat packages underneath.

Abstract: The invention relates to a selecting and screening device (15) for sealing elements or for hollow stoppers intended for a sealing station (4), the device being provided in the form of a chute consisting of two portions: a feed portion (17) and an outlet portion (18), and, between said two portions, a transit channel (20) forming an arc and comprising an ejection window (33), wherein said outlet portion (18) is to be connected to the sealing station (4), said channel (20) partially encloses a wheel (21) provided with notches (22) that match the size of said stoppers (2), and the wheel (21) is associated with pins (30), characterized in that the function of said pins (30) is to support the stoppers (2) in the respective notch (22) thereof as the former pass in front of said ejection window (33), if said stoppers are correctly oriented and not defective, and in that said outlet portion (18) is intended to convey said properly oriented and non-defective stoppers.

Abstract: A method for analyzing performance of a sorting system is provided. The method includes recording downtime experienced by the sorting system, recording runtime experienced by the sorting system, and recording an optimal characterization of a product stream to be sorted by the sorting system. The optimal characterization includes at least an optimal weight of a first commodity of the product stream. An actual characterization of the product stream as sorted by the sorting system is recorded. The actual characterization includes at least an actual weight of the first commodity sorted from the product stream. The method further includes determining the performance of the sorting system based on at least two of the downtime, the runtime, the optimal characterization, and the actual characterization.

Abstract: A sorting device includes a feed mechanism, a plurality of unloading mechanisms, a support mechanism, a measurement mechanism, a marking mechanism, and a plurality of transfer mechanisms. The plurality of transfer mechanisms is between the support mechanism and the feed mechanism or the plurality of unloading mechanisms, the measurement mechanism and the marking mechanism are on one side of the support mechanism and aim at different stations of the support mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for segregating electronic components that engages and stops each of a plurality of electronic packages passing down a singulation tube is disclosed. In addition, the segregating apparatus is cable of segregating the electronic packages even though some of them had been linked together during the sealing process. The segregating apparatus includes a first swing arm to clip a electronic component, a second swing arm to clip another electronic component, and a third swing arm to depart the two electronic components, where all of components of the segregating apparatus are driven by a single driving force, reducing the size of the apparatus and the time needed for the segregating process.

Abstract: Reprocessable medical devices that have been disposed of in a sharps container are recovered, disinfected or sterilized, sorted, and packed for reprocessing in a generally continuous process. In one embodiment, either a sharps container or at least a portion of its contents is successively and controllably conveyed, either manually or automatically, through a plurality of processing stations that are configured to perform different operations. The operations performed by the processing stations can include, for example, detecting and identifying contents, cleaning and disinfecting, opening the sharps containers, separating and sorting their contents, and disposal of contents that are non-reprocessable. Reprocessable medical devices can be sorted by type as they move along on a conveyor.

Abstract: A recovery device and method of use to ensure that any reusable medical device that has been disposed of in a sharps container is recovered, cleaned, sterilized, and repackaged for reuse. In one embodiment, a sharps container and sorting surface are manipulated to rotate together and independently, so that the contents of the sharps container are emptied onto the sorting surface, enabling an operator to manually, safely, efficiently, and timely retrieve reusable medical devices from the sorting surface and place these medical devices into a receptacle bin. The non-reusable contents are subsequently dumped into a waste bin, whose contents will subsequently be incinerated or otherwise destroyed. The operator of the recovery device is protected by a shield and an exhaust system that minimize the operator's exposure to airborne biohazardous toxins and enable the sorting to be done without injury to the operator from sharp medical devices.

Abstract: A sorter, method, and software product are provided for sorting mail pieces. The mail pieces are fed into a sorter, sorted, and then deposited into mail trays. The mail trays are then moved from the deposit area to a dispatch area, in the order they will be loaded into a truck. That order is preferably the same as the order in which the containers received the mail pieces.

Abstract: A recovery device and method of use ensure that any reusable medical device that has been disposed of in a sharps container is recovered, cleaned, sterilized, and repackaged for reuse. In one embodiment, a sharps container and sorting surface are manipulated to rotate together and independently, so that the content of the sharps container are emptied onto the sorting surface, enabling an operator to manually, safely, efficiently, and timely retrieve reusable medical devices from the sorting surface and place these medical devices into a receptacle bin. The non-reusable contents are subsequently dumped into a waste bin, whose contents will subsequently be incinerated or otherwise destroyed. The operator of the recovery device is protected by a shield and an exhaust system that minimize the operator's exposure to airborne biohazardous toxins and enable the sorting to be done without injury to the operator from sharp medical devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring products such as eggs from a first conveyor to a second conveyor. During transfer products with certain properties which have been previously detected are allowed to fall into a gap between the conveyors. The transfer uses a rotatable cylinder with radially extending grippers having an open position and a closed position. When a gripper does not grip a product it falls into a gap between the conveyors. Other products are gripped and transferred to the second conveyor. A method for transferring products from a first conveyor to a second conveyor wherein products having certain properties are removed and caused to fall down into a gap between the first and second conveyors. A detected signal upstream from the gap to control positioning of grippers to either transfer products to the second conveyor or allow them to fall into a gap between the two conveyors.

Abstract: The method according to the invention of transferring stacked, sheet-like, flexible products (10), in particular printed products (12), to a belt conveyor (20) has a gripper (26) by means of which the product (10) at the bottom of the stack of products in each case is conveyed from a receiving region into a transfer region (19). In the transfer region, the product (10) is deposited on the belt conveyor (20). In order to accelerate the product as quickly as possible to the speed, and in the conveying direction (F), of the belt conveyor (20), the method has a contact-pressure roller (54) which follows the gripper (26) in the transfer region (19). This contact-pressure roller (54) presses the product (10) onto the belt conveyor (20), the gripper (26) releasing the product (10) at least more or less at the same time as the operation of pressing the product onto the conveying belt (64) of the belt conveyor (20) commences.

Abstract: Upstream and downstream grippers clamp to one or more seal zones on a bandolier of packaged premiums, such that the downstream gripper(s) and upstream clipper(a) are on opposite sides of a wakened separation line. The upstream and downstream gripper(s) are independently displaced by motive devices in a downstream direction. Further displacement of the downstream gripper(s) relative to the upstream gripper(s) causes the separation line to tear, thus separating an end premium package from the rest of the bandolier. In one embodiment, the grippers clamp to the seal zones at locations offset from the bandolier axis and to one side thereof, thus causing a gradual tearing along the separation line and easier, less stressful separation.

Abstract: A recovery device and method of use ensure that any reprocessable medical device that has been disposed of in a sharps container is recovered, cleaned, sterilized, and repackaged for reuse. In one embodiment, a sharps container and sorting surface are manipulated to rotate together and independently, so that the content of the sharps container are emptied onto the sorting surface, enabling an operator to manually, safely, efficiently, and timely retrieve reprocessable medical devices from the sorting surface and place these medical devices into a receptacle bin. The non-reprocessable contents are subsequently dumped into a waste bin, whose contents will subsequently be incinerated or otherwise destroyed. The operator of the recovery device is protected by a shield and an exhaust system that minimize the operator's exposure to airborne biohazardous toxins and enable the sorting to be done without injury to the operator from sharp medical devices.

Abstract: Method and system for batching of supplied objects in batches in such a manner that a batch fulfils predefined criteria as regards the number of objects, weight, orientation and/or type(s) of objects, wherein the weight of each object is determined the objects are transported by means for object transport, a selective transferral of the objects from said means for object transport to batching means is performed by means of a plurality of handlings means of the robot type in as a group or batch of objects is produced in consideration of said predefined criteria, and wherein said group or batch of objects is transported further on by means of means for batch transportation. Preferably, said means for batch transportation may comprise a plurality of conveyor means.

Abstract: Methods for identifying defective containers that include a) providing a container having an open rim end, a closed base end, an exterior surface and an interior surface; b) directing one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation toward the exterior surface or interior surface of the container; c) positioning one or more sensors for the electromagnetic radiation opposite the exterior or interior surface not directed to in b); d) accepting the container if the amount of electromagnetic radiation detected by the one or more sensors is within a predetermined range; and e) rejecting the container if the amount of electro-magnetic radiation is not within the predetermined range. The methods can be used in devices that contain a) conveying means for moving containers; b) means for directing sources of electromagnetic radiation; c) means for detecting electromagnetic radiation; and d) means for separating containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unit for automatic recycling apparatuses for containers, e.g. cans and bottles made of glass, plastic, or metal. Said unit comprises a conveying device with a conveyor belt for advancing the containers in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof, and rotating rollers that are provided with a surface area and can be moved from a neutral position into an identifying position in which said rotating rollers disengage the container from the conveying device and make the container rotate. According to the invention, the rollers are embodied as hollow elements and are provided with a breakthrough in the longitudinal direction. At least one conveying device is disposed in the rollers, respectively, while the conveyor belt is arranged in the area of the breakthrough. The rotating rollers and the conveying device are mounted separately, the surface area of the rollers overlapping the conveyor belt of the conveying device when the rotating rollers are rotated.

Abstract: A conveying device is disclosed that changes the order of containers during conveyance in order to speed up processes, such as a discharging process performed by a combination weighing device and a rank-order sorting process performed by a quality inspection device. With a combination weighing device, a plurality of containers placed on a rotary table are moved by rotatably driving the rotary table. While the containers are being moved, a container arrangement mechanism changes the sequential order of the containers that are specified by a control unit.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by means of clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by suitable drive means in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by means of a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for separating an article of laundry from a bundle of articles. The bundle is located in a truck which is clamped into a carriage by means of clamping arm or attached to guide rails. The truck is moved by suitable drive means in a controlled manner beneath a grip device which is movable into and out of the truck. The grip device is mounted on a carriage which is movable upwards relative to a frame by means of a winch and downwards by gravity. The grip device picks the article from the bundle using a dual clamp structure and lifts the article up past an adjacent conveyor which is mounted so as to oscillate about a roller. An air jet means is also provided to blow the article into a nip defined between the conveyor belt and a spring loaded nip roller. Sensors are provided for sensing overload conditions for the conveyor and the grip device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sorting flowers which includes a conveyor positioned in an endless conveyor chain having attached thereto, at predetermined intermediate distances, forks movable between at least two positions, a transport position and a hang-in position. The apparatus has at least a single detection station for determining at least a single corresponding characteristic of each flower, and a computer for recording the characteristic. In accordance with the characteristic, the apparatus delivers each flower at discharge stations. The apparatus further comprises at least a single hang-in buffer conveyor with an endless buffer transport element having buffer forks attached thereto, from which the flowers hanging therein are taken over by the forks, which the passing speed of the forks, Nv, and that of the buffer forks, Nb, meet Nv>Nb. In one form, the conveyor chain and the buffer transport element are driven, mutually coupled, with a control element.

Abstract: A medicine packing apparatus feeds medicine in accordance with prescription data and then separates and packs the medicine by one dose. A discriminating mechanism (4) determines the type of medicine package belt to be formed in accordance with prescription data. A distributing member (42) distributes the medicine package belt based on the determination of the discriminating mechanism (4). Thus, according to the present invention, a different configuration of medicine package belts can be properly distributed and transferred based on the use thereof.

Abstract: In a method for automated sorting of objects and combining the objects to assortments according to a selectable sorting specification, the objects are removed from a supply and an object sorting position for the objects is determined, respectively, by a control unit according to a sorting specification. The objects are placed onto a belt conveyor in an intermediate position in proximity to the object sorting position by at least one first manipulating device acting as a feeding device. The objects placed onto the belt conveyor are continuously conveyed into a working area of controllable second manipulation devices acting as placing devices arranged downstream of the feeding device. The objects are gripped by the placing device and positioned in the object sorting position determined for the objects.

Abstract: A double separator assembly used for a mail sorting system. A conveyor system facilitates movement of mail items through the double separator assembly. A substantially nonrotatable component is positioned proximate to the conveyor system. A mail driving assembly positioned proximate to the conveyor system if provided upstream from the friction component and in functional relation thereto. The mail driving assembly further includes an idler roller and a force generating device to hold the mail item against the conveyor system. Further disclosed are a mail processing system comprising a double separator, a mail processing method, a mail sensing assembly and method.

Abstract: A produce sizing transport mechanism includes an endless conveyor carrying a plurality of downwardly depending produce retaining members which define an elongated produce retaining zone below at least one portion of the endless conveyor. At least part of the produce retaining members may be movable between a first closed position in which produce is retained within the elongated produce retaining zone and a plurality of further open positions enabling produce of predetermined sizes or size ranges to be released from the produce retaining zone. The retaining members may include a produce support region located generally beneath the produce retaining zone when the produce retaining members are located in the first closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sorting carpet or similar pieces of material to material type and the like, wherein the method comprises the following steps of: placing pieces of carpet on a transport system; disentangling or separating the pieces of carpet on a transport system; fixing pieces of carpet individually to a guide system; recognizing the type of carpet during movement along the guide system; and releasing a piece of carpet into or onto a relevant location determined by the recognition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a roller screen gapping system for a roller screen including a series of spaced parallel rolls mounted on pillow blocks at each end thereof, the pillow blocks slidable along respective bed plates transversely of the roll axes to adjust the gap between adjacent rolls. The gapping system comprises spring biased bolts to clamp the pillow blocks on the bed plates, unclamping cylinders carried by each pillow block and exerting an unclamping action on the bed plate to unclamp the pillow blocks for lateral sliding, gapping cylinders carried by each pillow block adapted to contact an adjacent pillow block to adjust the gap between adjacent rolls and a common push cylinder mounted on each of the bed plates and adapted to push all the pillow blocks against a fixed pillow block. A hydraulic control circuit including various solenoid valves controls the operation of the different hydraulic cylinders. The invention also provides for the method of operating the gapping system.

Abstract: Containers containing a mixture of acceptable and unacceptable bottles are conveyed to a removal station in the path of movement of a carrier head that has at least one group of gripping elements that are adapted to selectively grip and remove acceptable bottles and at least another group of gripping elements that are adapted to grip and remove unacceptable bottles. In one implementation, the carrier head picks up the acceptable bottles from incoming containers and simultaneously picks up unacceptable bottles from containers from which acceptable bottles have been removed and transfers the respective groups of bottles to individual outfeed conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus for detangling a plurality of conventional garment hangers located on a common supporting rail, comprising a generally cylindrical elongated rigid barrel having a plurality of spaced elongated bristles fixedly attached to the barrel projecting radially from the surface of the barrel, the bristles being spaced substantially around the circumference of the barrel; and, a motor for rotating the barrel about its axis. Hangers presented to the apparatus, such as by a conveyor, are supported by the barrel. The bristles turn in the direction of the hanger hook curve and any crossed hangers are automatically combed apart and separated. The hangers are moved from the front end toward and off the rear end of the barrel during rotation.

Abstract: A device for the automatic and rapid inspection of ears of corn to select ears having a predetermined length wherein the kernels meet selection standards and the ear has uniform characteristics which length will be trimmed from the ear to provide cut lengths of corn for subsequent treatment. The device includes a first conveyor and inspection area for segregating ears as to conditions of acceptability and determination of quality for ultimate use including trimming of certain of the ears into predetermined lengths with a second transport station arranged to receive the ears and to sort them for subsequent use and to convey the ears of predetermined quality to a trimming device wherein the ear of corn is cut into at least one acceptable length.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing defective knocked down carton blanks, from a carton erecting machine. In one embodiment opposed sets of tractors for clamping the selected unit and driving it from the conveyor line with moving tractive belts. A sensing device detects carton blanks to be ejected by determining if they can be erected by the machine. Non-conforming blanks are returned to an unerected condition and a control device activated by the sensing device controls activation of the ejecting mechanism to quickly and automatically eject the defective carton blank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for rejecting too short and/or too low products, particularly so-called fish fingers. Products (7, 8, 9) are advanced on at least one conveyor (1) towards a final position or stop (11) at a reception unit (3). In the area of the free end portion (2) of the conveyor (1) there is a restraining member (6) displaceable in a vertical direction towards the product flow, the member (6) being adapted such that in a stepwise advancement of the products by the conveyor (1) it can arrest or clamp products (7) of the right length and height, whereas faulty products (8) are removed with the aid of a lowerable hatch (4). The conveyor (1), hatch (4) and the products on the conveyor are arranged for displacement a short distance opposite to the advancing direction at the rejection operation, the product or products in the final position on the reception unit (3) being no longer urged by the following products and are removed, e.g. for further conveying to a packaging station.

Abstract: Fruit, which may be oblong fruit such as olives, are mechanically sorted into two separate vessels, depending on whether they are, or are not individually thick enough to be clamped between a reciprocating head and a plate, while the head and plate rotate about a drum axis at a downstream end of a carrying run of an endless conveyor for the fruit. The clamped (oversized) fruit are carried further about the periphery of the drum than are the non-clamped (undersized) fruit, allowing these two classes of fruit to be collected separately. In a preferred embodiment, the fruit are individually deposited on the conveyor and subjected to common orientation before passing between the reciprocating head and the plate.

Abstract: A pile-unloading device for moulded articles such as bricks, with pickers for each time grasping a layer of articles from the pile and depositing them onto a surface of e.g. a conveyor. Sets of pickers side by side move simultaneously, but are operable selectively individually or in groups to pick up articles from a depositing surface selectively. The articles not thus picked up are conveyed away, may be transferred to a faster conveyor to create distances between the articles and may be rotated in groups about a vertical axis. It is thus possible to grade or sort the articles according to quality, e.g. apparent from color differences.

Abstract: A device for detecting and sorting out bottles of improper size is suggested in a bottle treatment machine of the type including a filling and closing sections switched in series. The bottles are fed to a cleaning test device and on the way thereto are tested by a recognition device which scans the bottles of improper size and actuates a closing control arrangement adapted to activate grippers on the device of transferring bottles to the cleaning test device such that those grippers do not grip defective bottles which are then withdrawn from the bottle transferring device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for separating articles is disclosed. Apparatus (10) includes a frame (16) having upper and lower portions (24, 26) yieldably separated by compression springs (28). Belts (90) extend between drive rollers (30) supported by upper frame portion (24) and driven rollers (42) supported by lower frame portion (26). A plurality of longitudinal members (88) are attached to each shaft (86) of driven rollers (42). Mud which might otherwise plug an eliminator is removed from belts (90) as they variably flex in passing about driven rollers (42).

Abstract: An apparatus for assorting articles, such as fruits, according to size, the apparatus having a conveyor which includes a pair of belts disposed in transversely upwardly divergent, V-shaped relation for transporting articles rested on the belts through a plurality of assorting stations having individual rotationally driven rollers disposed axially parallel to the direction of travel of the articles and mounted adjacent to the belts for adjustable movement toward and from the belts with the rollers of each station being spaced progressively closer to the belt in the direction of travel to engage articles of correspondingly smaller size and displace them transversely from the belts, the relative speeds of the belts in the direction of travel being independently controllable so that non-spherical articles being transported along the belts are rotatable to select the attitude in which such articles are presented to the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting items according to size wherein the items are dropped between a pair of opposed sorting discs having facing sides with the spacing between the sides varying radially of the discs, with withdrawing elements being interposed at various radial locations between the facing sides of the discs for separately receiving the items in accordance with the size thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets in a sealed container for diameter, flaws, length and weight. The apparatus includes, in an array, a pellet pick-up station, four pellet inspection stations and a pellet sorting station. The pellets are delivered one at a time to the pick-up station by a vibrating bowl through a vibrating linear conveyor. Grippers each associated with a successive pair of the stations are reciprocable together to pick up a pellet at the upstream station of each pair and to deposit the pellet at the corresponding downstream station. The gripper jaws are opened selectively depending on the state of the pellets at the stations and the particular cycle in which the apparatus is operating. Inspection for diameter, flaws and length is effected in each case by a laser beam projected on the pellets by a precise optical system while each pellet is rotated by rollers.

Abstract: A system for culling broken packages wherein the packages are transported while maintained between support means and restraining means in the form of narrow conveyor belts in such a manner that broken packages will tip under the influence of gravity and be displaced from the support means while unbroken packages are prevented from doing so.

Abstract: Cigarette packs which leave a packing machine by moving sideways so that one of the major surfaces of each pack faces forwardly are monitored for the presence of defective envelopes during travel between two endless belt conveyors. When the monitoring system or systems detect a defective pack, such system or systems generate one or more signals which are used to expel the defective pack from the path between the conveyors. The ejection is effected by changing the orientation of defective packs relative to the conveyors so as to reduce the frictional hold of conveyors upon the relatively narrow lateral faces of the defective packs with the result that the thus released defective packs can descend by gravity. The orientation of defective packs can be changed by discrete pins which move into the path of the packs from above, from below or from one side so as to be nearer to the one than to the other conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for segregating articles, such as envelopes (14a, b, or c) bearing address labels (15) into separate groups, with all the articles in each group having the same unique mark (such as a zip-code-area mark). The apparatus includes a right angle conveyor (12) positioned perpendicular to a discharge conveyor (10), an article deflector plate (20), and two or more freely rotatable balls (38, 40) supported in contact with the right angle conveyor (12) and spaced laterally across the face thereof. At least one freely rotatable ball (38) is selectively removable from contact with the right angle conveyor (12) by a solenoid (18) acting through a beam (32) and a control arm (26). The solenoid (18) is activated by a signal from a detector (16) which detects a change in unique markings on address labels of articles just prior to their engagement with the selectively-removable, freely-rotatable ball and the right angle conveyor.