Abstract: An apparatus for automatically transferring and handling cartridges containing flat articles. The method and apparatus robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter, is provided.

Abstract: A tray transfer arm 205 for transferring one or more customer trays KST which hold semiconductor devices IC, comprises a pair of tray holders 205a, 205b which are provided substantially in the upper and lower direction.

Abstract: A circuit board handling and testing apparatus comprising a housing which defines a top surface. Attached to the housing is a magazine assembly which accommodates a plurality of circuit boards and is adapted to dispense the circuit boards onto the top surface of the housing one at a time. Each of the circuit boards stored within the magazine assembly defines a longitudinal axis. Also attached to the housing is a testing assembly for receiving the circuit board dispensed onto the top surface and performing a testing protocol thereon. A reciprocal transport assembly attached to the housing pushes the circuit board dispensed onto the top surface laterally relative to its longitudinal axis into the testing assembly. A sorting assembly which is also attached to the housing selectively directs the tested circuit board into a particular containment vessel based upon the outcome of the testing protocol.

Abstract: A material feeding apparatus for supplying surface mounting elements for suction by a suction nozzle for surface mounting on PC boards, the apparatus including a first casing, a second casing connected in series to the first casing in an oblique position, first holder means which holds a delivery pipe on the first casing, second holder means which holds a stack of material pipes on the second casing, a material take-up unit mounted on the first casing and controlled to take out surface mounting elements from the delivery pipe for suction by the suction nozzle above, vibration motors controlled to vibrate the delivery pipe and the material pipes, enabling surface mounting elements to be shaken out of the material pipes into the delivery pipe in proper order and then shaken out of the delivery pipe to the material take-up unit, and an empty pipe return drive unit controlled to carry emptied material pipes away from the second casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for processing shipping articles provided with shipping addresses. The apparatus comprises a device for transporting the shipping articles along a transport path. A device is disposed in the transport path for automatically reading the shipping addresses. An assessment device automatically assesses the read shipping addresses. The individual shipping articles are selectively deposited into cells of an intermediate storage device disposed in the transport path following the reading of the shipping address. A detection device detects an association between each cell and the shipping article deposited therein and in response to an assessment of the shipping address by the assessment device, produces a first removal signal for removing the shipping article from the cell and conveying the shipping article back to the transport path.

Abstract: A circuit board handling and testing apparatus comprising a housing which defines a top surface. Attached to the housing is a magazine assembly which accommodates a plurality of circuit boards and is adapted to dispense the circuit boards onto a testing assembly attached to the housing one at a time. Each of the circuit boards stored within the magazine assembly defines a longitudinal axis. The testing assembly includes a modular testing component for receiving the circuit board dispensed onto the testing assembly and performing a testing protocol thereon. A reciprocal transport assembly attached to the housing pushes the circuit board dispensed onto the testing assembly laterally relative to its longitudinal axis into the modular testing component of the testing assembly. A sorting assembly which is also attached to the housing selectively directs the tested circuit board into a particular containment vessel based upon the outcome of the testing protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a document storage device which allows for temporary and secure storage of a number of documents upon their exit from a document processor. The device (10) is comprised of a document stack system (12), a retrieval system (14), and a control unit (16) for tracking the position of each document in the stack. As documents are deposited into the document stack, an identifier is attached to each document's position in the memory of the control unit (16). After deposit of a first document, a first pair of separator sheets (6a, 6b) are deposited above the document. A second document can then be deposited above the first pair of separator sheets. Thereafter, a second pair of separator sheets are deposited above the second document. One sheet from each pair acts as the top or bottom cover for the document (5) against which it is in contact. This deposit process can be continue for additional documents.

Abstract: In IC test equipment which has an input magazine support station for supporting a magazine discharged from an input magazine stocker and an output magazine support station for supporting a magazine into which IC elements tested in a testing station are loaded, a magazine inverting device is provided between the input magazine stocker and the input magazine support station, for turning the magazine through 90 or 180 degrees about its lengthwise direction, an IC inverting device is provided between the testing station and the output magazine support station, for turning an IC element through 90 or 180 degrees about the direction of its travel, and an IC diverter is provided whereby the orientation of the inverted IC relative to the direction of its travel is reversed and is then discharged into the magazine supported at the output magazine support station.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of this invention are to sort disks into predetermined ranks depending on their thickness. The disks are conveyed stepwise in each supply cassette at equal intervals, and partly pushed to measure their thickness. They are transferred from the supply cassette to a receiving cassette of the corresponding thickness rank.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading and unloading sleeves for an IC tester and then selectively reloading the sleeves after testing, which is controlled by a conventional microprocessor using sensor input and which automatically transports the IC chip containing sleeves randomly contained in a hopper to a sorter section in a correct posture by means of a timing belt having sleeve holders, to feed the chips in the sorter section, to the tester by a first transfer block, and then automatically transfer empty sleeves from an ejector section having a cam plate and an ejector through a dropping section having a pair of guide rails to an unloader section having a second transfer block, a sleeve holder, a sensor and a pushing plate, thereby permitting the sleeves to be refilled with the tester and sorted IC chips and stored in a storage box.

Abstract: System of testing and sorting according to tested ranges of values of miniature electronic capacitor and resistor units. A planar carrier with rows and files of openings, loaded with such units, is disposed in an oblique plane to retain the units in place. The carrier is moved in a stepped manner past an electrical testing station and past a series of sorting stations. At the testing station, a file of probes is brought into electrical contact with one end of a set of electronic units in each file. A metal ply laminated in the carrier contacts the other end of the set of electronic units. A bridge network makes measurements by connecting to the file of probes and to the metal ply. A receptacle is disposed at each sorting station. As each file of electronic units passes the receptacles, the units are selectively deposited in the receptacles, by air jets, according to tested ranges of values.

Abstract: Drills (35), vertically oriented in a row/column array in a drill block (31), are moved in the column direction across a slot (49) located at a loading station (41). As the drills in each partially or fully occupied row reach the slot and drop, drill block movement halts. Thereafter a vertically oriented turn-over tube (51) is moved in the row direction beneath the slot (49). When an occupied drill position is reached, the drill drops into the turn-over tube, tube row movement temporarily halts, and the tube is rotated. The drill slides out of the turn-over tube (51) and down the channel (59) of a measuring station (43) until it hits a movable stop (61). After drill diameter is measured by a pneumatically positioned LVDT (87) and overall drill length is measured by a pneumatically positioned linear potentiometer (69)/proximity detector (PX3) combination, the stop (61) is withdrawn and the drill enters a clamp (95), which grips the adapter shank of the drill.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a system for dispensing currency notes are disclosed. The first embodiment of the system comprises two major components, a cartridge (10) and a dispenser (14). The second embodiment of the system comprises three major components, a cartridge (10), a loader (12) and a dispenser (14). The cartridge (10) comprises a housing (28) having a supply spool (30) and two takeup spools (32, 34) rotatably mounted therein. Outer and inner flexible films (36, 38) are secured to and wound about the spools. Individual currency notes (18) are sandwiched between the films (36, 38) and stored on the supply spool (30). The loader (12) separates and verifies individual currency notes from a stack and transports the currency notes to the cartridge (10). The loader (12) causes the supply spool (30) to rotate so that an individual currency note is stored on the spool and further resists the rotation of the takeup spools (32, 34) to maintain tension in the films (36, 38).

Abstract: Apparatus for (a) selecting plural desired edge-notched coded documents from different decks of similarly coded documents successively delivered to a document selector from a remote mass document store, in which selection process the selected documents extend only partially out of their respective decks in a direction parallel to their code-notched edge, and (b) successively fully removing the partially extending documents selected from the various successively retrieved decks and temporarily storing them in a temporary storage zone prior to ejecting them into a stationary container in which they are accumulated for manual removal at the convenience of an operator. Also included is a movable selected document removal and temporary storage assembly which traverses along a path adjacent the document selector proximate the leading edges of documents selected from the deck thereat.

Abstract: A DIP-handling apparatus comprising a support chassis, an input tray attached to the support chassis and including a plurality of DIP-receiving input trays arrayed in parallel, a reorienting and metering device for receiving a DIP from one of the tracks of the input tray, for reorienting the received DIP and for discharging the DIP onto a track leading to a test head station, an output tray attached to the support chassis, and a shuttle device for transporting the DIP from the test station to a particular track of the output tray as determined by the result of the tests performed at the test station.