Abstract: A method for storing cardboard tubes (2) in a storing unit according to the present invention comprising the following steps: providing a storage unit with an input section for the tubes (2), a storage section (AC) comprising a plurality of storing planes (13), an output section for the tubes (2), transfer means (3) for transferring the tubes (2) from the input section to the storage section, and discharge means for conveying the tubes (2) from the storing section to the output section; providing a plurality of cardboard tubes (2) in the input section (E) of said storage unit; transferring the tubes (2) from the input section of the storage unit to the storage section; storing a plurality of tubes (2) in said storage section (AC); transferring the tubes (2) from said storage section (AC) to said output section.

Abstract: In a support device for bottles processed on a bottle filling and closing machine, a substantially elongated body has a bayonet coupling at a bottom part for connecting the device to a rotary conveyor of the machine. An upper lateral portion of the body has gripping wings, for receiving resiliently a bottle, introduced between the wings by pushing the bottle at a matching point between an auger conveyor for conveying the bottles and the rotary conveyor.

Abstract: A modular rotating carousel assembly for storage and unspooling of pipe or cable is provided that comprises a plurality of triangular subassemblies; each triangular subassembly comprises a base member and at least one pair of connecting members; the connecting members are connected together at one end to form an apex and are connected at the other end to the base member; the base members of the plurality of triangular subassemblies are rotatably connected together to form a first circle; wherein the apexes of the connecting members extend outwardly from said first circle; and a plurality of rotating caster members is positioned beneath the rotatable connection of a plurality of said base members. Additional sets of triangular subassemblies are built up on concentric circles until the desired size of carousel is formed. A drive mechanism is provided that includes a motor that rotates a perimeter drive chain that engages sprocket pads spaced about the circumference of the carousel.

Abstract: An apparatus can be used for organizing clothing accessories such as jewelry, neckties, scarves, and other items. The apparatus can hang from a closet rod and has a slidable track so that the items hanging from hooks attached to the slidable track can be easily accessed.

Abstract: The key organizer has a housing with a first section and a second section which are pivotally connected. First and second drums are rotatably mounted on axles within a cavity of the housing. A first belt is engaged with the first and second drums and has a plurality of suspension points for hanging articles thereon. A drive mechanism is connected to one of the drums for rotating one of the drums to cause rotation of the belt. A switching device is connected to the drive mechanism for selectively continuously activating the drive mechanism. Third and fourth drums are mounted onto the axles in spaced relation to the first and second drums. A second belt engages these drums. The drive mechanism has a gear train with a drive gear and additional gears which matingly engage the drive gear. A locking mechanism locks the first and second sections together. A light can be mounted onto one of the first and second sections for illuminating the housing cavity.

Abstract: A storage bin assembly has a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a backwall. The assembly includes a first substantially L-shaped support member including the first sidewall and a first portion of the backwall, the first backwall portion being integrally connected to the first sidewall. The assembly also includes a second substantially L-shaped support member including the second sidewall and a second portion of the backwall, the second backwall portion being integrally connected to the second sidewall. The assembly has a plurality of shelves secured to the first and second support members, the shelves extending from the backwall and between the first and second sidewalls.

Abstract: A rotatable shoe rack for visible and readily accessible storage of a plurality of clothing accessories such as shoes, ties, scarves and belts, comprising a pair of opposing base plates, having slotted channels which receive flexible belts that define a plurality of sockets. Respective distal ends of elongate support members engage the sockets, whereby the support members extend between the base plates. Each support member includes a plurality of spaced-apart cross-arms to which a shoe receivers are attached. Shoes, being placed on the shoe receivers, are selectively viewed for retrieval, by causing the belts to move along the channels. Arms extend from the support member for receiving ties, scarves, and belts.

Abstract: A clip order rack includes a loop, such as a belt or chain, mounted for free movement along a loop support having at least one straight section therein. Clips for removably holding paper guest checks are spaced along the loop so that a check can be clipped to the loop at one location, such as by a waitress, and the loop moved along the loop support to move the check to another location along a straight section of the loop where it can be observed along with adjacent checks, such as by a cook. The loop may be formed of a plurality of clip members pivotally attached in side-by-side relationship to form an endless chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for organizing articles of clothing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having first and second drums rotatably mounted thereto. A belt is engaged around the first and second drums that has a plurality of first hook members for hanging articles thereon. A drive system is used for rotating one of the first and second drums, and an automatic control system activates the drive system for a period of time approximately equal to a motor delay time period. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an electric motor and a pulley and gear system for rotating one of the first and second drums. An electric switch is mounted to the housing and coupled to the electric motor. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a light bulb mounted to the housing for illuminating articles hanging on the first hook members and an automatic lighting means for providing electricity to the light bulb for approximately a lamp delay time period.

Abstract: Items are stored in movable containers having multiple storage locations. The containers can be rows of storage units having shelves and bays in a mobile aisle storage system. The identity and location of each item is stored in a computer. To retrieve a selected item, its identity is entered into the computer. The computer automatically moves the containers to open the aisle where the selected item is stored to permit access to the item. The location of the item is indicated on a visible display which shows, for example, the shelf and bay number where the item is stored.

Abstract: An inserter/extractor apparatus for inserting and extracting objects from bins located at different heights in a carousel including a vertical frame and an inserter/extractor carriage that is vertically movable along the frame and has a pair of gripping pads that have opposed, high friction gripping surfaces. The gripping pads are movable along a first horizontal axis from a retracted position in which said gripping pads and carriage are free to move vertically along the frame without interference with the bins to an extended position in which the gripping pads are even with a bin. The gripping pads are movable with respect to each other along a second horizontal axis that is transverse to the first horizontal axis from open positions spaced from each other by a distance larger than the largest dimension of an object to positions spaced from each other by a distance less than the smallest dimension for an object.

Abstract: A motorized accessory holder (12) includes a body (4) having a lower region defining a circumferential track (14). A belt assembly (6), including a continuous loop belt (28) and support arms (34) extending outwardly from the belt, is housed within the body. A drive assembly (8), used to drive the belt along a continuous loop path with the outer ends (38) of the support arms supported by the track, is also housed within the body. Different types of accessory supports (10) adapted to support different types of accessories are removably secured to and hang from the support arms. For example, the accessory supports can be configured to support neckties, earrings, necklaces, belts or even spice jars.

Abstract: An apparatus for organizing articles of clothing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having first and second drums rotatably mounted thereto. A belt is engaged around the first and second drums that has a plurality of first hook members for hanging articles thereon. A drive system is used for rotating one of the first and second drums, and an automatic control system activates the drive system for a period of time approximately equal to a motor delay time period. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an electric motor and a pulley and gear system for rotating one of the first and second drums. An electric switch is mounted to the housing and coupled to the electric motor. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a light bulb mounted to the housing for illuminating articles hanging on the first hook members and an automatic lighting means for providing electricity to the light bulb for approximately a lamp delay time period.

Abstract: A programmable, visible display system or "light tree" for indicating loading and picking information to an operator of a storage conveyor of the horizontal carousel type is disclosed. The system includes a vertically extending array of regularly spaced lightable elements that is located adjacent the position occupied by a selected shelf of trays or bins for containing items to be stored or distributed. The display is programmed to match the vertical spacing of the shelves in each carrier of the storage conveyor so as to display information regarding the number of items to be removed from or placed in the bins when adjacent to the array, such information being horizontally aligned with the associated bin.

Abstract: An upper endless rail has a downwardly opened guide channel, and a lower endless rail has an upwardly opened guide channel. A plurality of circulatory frames are mounted for movement along and between the upper and lower endless rails. Each circulatory frame has a plurality of casters mounted at a lower side portion thereof and positioned in the guide channel of the lower endless rail and further has a plurality of upper guide rollers mounted at an upper side portion thereof for contacting with and rolling on a side face or faces of and in the guide channel of the upper endless rail. Each caster includes a support roller for rolling on an inner bottom face of the guide channel of the lower endless rail and a lower guide roller for contacting with and rolling on an inner side face or faces of the guide channel.

Abstract: A clothing hanger assembly includes an upper loop track and a lower loop track and a rack connected therebetween for supporting the upper loop track and the lower loop track. A plurality of hanger units are slidably coupled between the upper loop track and the lower loop track and linked to each other, thereby having a synchronous revolution along the upper loop track and the lower loop track when operated by a user. Each hanger unit includes an upper sliding device and a lower sliding device and a clothing hanger frame rotatably coupled therebetween, such that the upper sliding device and the lower sliding device are used to execute the synchronous revolution along the tracks while the frame can have a free rotation about an axis therethrough when operated by the user.

Abstract: A carousel-type storage and access system provides storage units having first and second storage zones accessible through first and second opposed access faces. Each storage unit is mounted for pivotal movement in an access position to one of two operated positions. In one operated position, one access face is conveniently positioned for access by the machine operator. In the other operated position, 180.degree. of rotation from the first operated position, the second access side is positioned for easy access by the operator. A turner unit located at the access position is coupled with the adjacent storage unit and operates to rotate the storage unit to the various operated positions required. Sensors generate signals which can be fed to a computer controller for fully automated operation.

Abstract: A top drive horizontal carousel for a full height carrier including generally horizontal and coextensive upper and lower guides and associated upper and lower support assemblies. The upper and lower support assemblies include a series of guidance points or carrier pins which define a first vertical plane for each of the carriers. The support assemblies are attached to the back of a corresponding carrier via horizontally directed extensions which cross the first vertical plane. The back of the carrier forms a second vertical plane, outwardly disposed from the first vertical plane, allowing the carrier to extend above the upper guide and below the lower guide to provide for a carrier whose height is not limited by the space between the upper and lower guides.

Abstract: An article storing apparatus including rotary storing units having an elongate endless transport path formed on a long frame-shaped base. Elongate, endless inner and outer support devices are provided on the base, with an endless clearance defined between the inner and outer support devices. Below the inner support device are provided a travel element disposed in corresponding relation to the clearance and drive mechanism for driving the travel element. A plurality of article support elements of disc shape are supported over the inner and outer support devices. Individual article support elements are connected to the travel element by coupling members passing through the clearance. A plurality of storing units are arranged in parallel, and corner portions of each storing unit at one end thereof are formed as an article receiving/discharging station.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the storage and retrieval of tape cartridges is provided and comprises a fixed storage rack having horizontal shelves for holding tape cartridge storage holders, and a plurality of movable storage racks are mounted for rolling movement in front of the fixed storage rack. Male and female guides on the fixed storage rack and the movable storage rack guide the movement of the movable storage rack. A roller assembly is mounted on each of the movable storage racks and has one wheel mounted on a fixed axle and a second wheel mounted on an adjustable axle so that each movable storage rack may be adjusted to align it with the fixed storage rack.

Abstract: A storage, transportation and retrieval system, and accompanying storage racks, are disclosed for increasing the effective storage capacity of the storage racks, providing simultaneous access to two adjacent storage racks, requiring less call-ups to locate desired items. The system is so arranged that it can be implemented to occupy less area. The storage racks are constructed to provide access to its storage area from at least either side of the storage rack. The system is arranged to move the storage racks in a path which may be of virtually any shape. A circular or substantially similar path imparts the advantages of permitting ready access to any two adjacent storage racks.

Abstract: A hanger device includes a base and an upper support coupled together by two posts. A lower track is disposed on the base. The upper support has an upper track disposed in parallel to the lower track. A number of frames each has an upper portion slidably coupled to the upper track by two roller supports and has a lower portion slidably coupled to the lower track by two guides. A bar is laterally coupled to an upper portion of each frame. The frames are pivotally coupled together so that the frames move in concert along the tracks. The clothes hung on the bars can be easily reached when the frames are rotated.

Abstract: A selectively operable, continuous-loop conveyor provides support and transporation of containers containing spices or the like to and from a transfer station in which the containers are inserted in or removed from carriers which support them along the conveyor. The carriers include guide members which maintain the relative orientation between the carriers and the track. A drive hub with fingers extending into the track forces carriers disposed in that region adjacent to the fingers along a portion of the track, and thereby forcing other carriers in the track around the track. Further, a bar extending across the face of the rack has two ends, each of which may be pushed to drive the carriers in a corresponding different direction. Each carrier is in the form of a downwardly facing cup with spaced inwardly extending, biased members which engage the edges of a container inserted in the cup.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing piece goods contains chassis with mounting supports, which are movable along a guideway constituted by two semicircles and two linear portions interconnecting these. The movement takes place in both directions. In order to permit a good space utilization and a high access speed, the piece good mounting supports are forcibly guided in such a way that the initiation of the rotary movement for the mounting supports takes place in shock-free manner.

Abstract: A jewelry box is provided which is designed to store jewelry in an easily accessible manner. Horizontally oriented drawers are used for flat storage of smaller items and vertically oriented drawers are provided for hanging of longer pieces. The vertically oriented drawers include a belt and pulley system for movably mounting the hooks on which jewelry is hung. The vertically oriented drawers when fully withdrawn may be rotated to allow full viewing of each side.

Abstract: A continuously operating unloading and loading system giving access to an automated multi-level storage conveyor makes use of individual containers adapted to be releasably hooked at established stations of an endlessly traveling rack which may be built in multiple levels. Selected containers are arranged to be called to a selected station, preferably at one end of the rack where, during continuous travel of the rack, an unloading mechanism unhooks the container and moves it to a location clear of the conveyor for disposition of the contents. A reloading mechanism accepts other containers, moves them to a position for replacement on the rack at one of the stations, in which position the container is pushed into hooked engagement with the rack while travel of the rack continues without interruption. Different expedients may be resorted to within the concept of the invention for releasably hooking the containers on the traveling rack.

Abstract: The material handling apparatus is disclosed comprising a plurality of storage bins and a continuous pathway. The pathway includes spaced apart linear pathway segments joined by arcuate end segments. The bins are supported on the pathway to move about the pathway in a predetermined desired direction. Each of the bins is hingedly connected to one another to define a continuous chain of hingedly connected bins. A drive mechanism is provided to independently drive each of the bins with the drive means operable only when the hinge connector members of the bins are disposed in a linear pathway segment.

Abstract: A rotatable stock closet for the storage of articles such as electronic parts, and the like, including a plurality of container conveying units arranged vertically one above another on a frame. Each unit includes outer and inner rails with guide channels arranged in parallel therebetween. Each unit also includes an endless traction chain and a motor driving the chain. A series of stock containers, releasably connected to the traction chain of each unit, move on and along the rails, so that any container may be quickly and easily reached by an operator by selectively operating the motor of the appropriate container conveying unit. With the traction chains and containers removed, the frame and the container conveying units can be disassembled horizontally into a drive end unit, a series of intermediate units and an idler end unit. When the traction chains are mounted, the tension of each traction chain is adjustable.

Abstract: A rotary stock rack in which a plurality of racks having wheels at the underside thereof are connected with one another in endless series by means of connecting links, and the plurality of racks are adapted to reversely travel on an elliptic orbit along the outer periphery of a frame body in which rotary cradles support the racks on semicircular portions of the frame body.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system has a plurality of conveyor sections mounted one above the other on a frame. Each conveyor section can move a tray with a box of articles thereon between a loading station and a picking station automatically according to a keyboard entry control. Each conveyor section has a plurality of the trays secured together by a driven chain in an endless loop, with the trays being supported on an endless array of horizontal undriven rollers.

Abstract: A rotatable stock container closet for the storage of articles such as electronic parts, or the like, includes a plurality of container conveying units arranged vertically one on another, each container conveying unit comprising outer and inner rail means, guide channel means arranged therebetween, an endless traction chain, a driving means therefor, and a series of stock containers, releasably disposed to the traction chain means, moving on and along the rail means, so that any container may be reached most expeditiously by selectively operating each container conveying unit.

Abstract: A mechanized rack assembly for the storage of items of virtually any identity makes use of a centrally disposed frame for supporting a multiple number of stacks of vertically spaced trays arranged to travel around the frame. Each stack is jointed to adjacent stacks, the stacks thus forming, in effect, an endless chain, there being a motor for driving the endless chain in a horizontal path around the frame. For movably supporting each stack there is a roller at the base of the stack which travels along tracks at the sides of the frame and travels around a rotating platform at each end. The endless chain is driven in a manner such that it can be halted with any one of the stacks stopped at the end of the frame with trays facing outwardly so that an unloader can remove the stored items from any one or more of the trays on that stack.

Abstract: The machine comprises a longitudinal cage (G) which provides pilgrim step movement, composed of a succession of rectangular and vertical frames (9) connected by their flanks to two pairs of longitudinal longerons (8); the cage furnished with a succession of pairs of lateral rollers (29); each said roller pair supported by a pair of saw-toothed cams (14) beneath, the latter mounted on and rotating with respect to a basic framework (16) and placed in rotation by way of rod-and-crank linkage (19, 20 & 21) so as to effect an alternating step (A); the basic framework's (16) flanks (7) interconnected uppermost by traverses (6) bearing a series of transversely duplicated longitudinal roller lengths (2); the said rollers revolving in like direction; each of the pairs of said revolving rollers giving place to a longitudinal support (18), fixed therebetween to the said succession of frames (9) beneath and extending uppermost into a pair of upward-facing V-shaped wings (26) designed to raise up a relative line of cans (

Abstract: A monorail driverless vehicle for use on an assembly line includes a vertically disposed frame having a drive wheel on the upper end of the frame and biased downwardly for contact with a drive shaft. Aligned support wheels on the frame are adapted for contact with a track therebelow. A fixture may be mounted on either side face of the vehicle for removably supporting the workpiece to be worked on by persons or apparatus along the assembly line.

Abstract: An assembly apparatus which is particularly useful in the manual assembly of circuit carrier plates with electrical components is formed with an upwardly facing working surface having thereon a support member for the carrier plates, with a plurality of receptacles for holding components to be mounted on the carrier plates being operatively located beneath the working surface. The receptacles are supported for guided movement beneath the working surface through an uppermost and lowermost plane and an opening in the working surface is provided through which an operator seated at the assembly apparatus may grasp components from receptacles located in the upward plane for mounting upon a carrier plate supported on the support member.

Abstract: A display case having a plurality of display trays moving forwardly along a support surface so that articles carried by the trays are visible from above. After the trays have reached the rear of the display case, they are lowered and then moved forwardly below the support surface until they reach the front of the display case where they are lifted onto the support surface and moved rearwardly again. The trays are connected to spaced and parallel continuous chains each extending between a pair of rotatably mounted sprockets adjacent the trays. A crank rotates one of the sprockets through a drive shaft and gear system so that the trays move in accordance with the rotation of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A power and free conveyor system comprising a power track, a conveyor movable along the power track, a carrier track, a plurality of carriers movable along the carrier track and interengaging members between the coveyor and the carriers. At least one module is provided and comprises a body having hooks on a back wall thereof. The carrier has a generally vertical central frame extending downwardly including spaced side portions which are generally vertically aligned with the carrier track. An upper pair of arms extends transversely from the central frame and a cross bar joins the arms. The module extends between the side portions of the central frame with the hooks engaging the cross bar. A pair of lower arms extends transversely from the central frame and a bar between the ends of the lower arms engages the back wall of the module to stabilize the module.

Abstract: The material handling apparatus is disclosed comprising a plurality of storage bins and a continuous pathway. The pathway includes spaced apart linear pathway segments joined by arcuate end segments. The bins are supported on the pathway to move about the pathway in a predetermined desired direction. Each of the bins is hingedly connected to one another to define a continuous chain of hingedly connected bins. A drive mechanism is provided to independently drive each of the bins with the drive means operable only when the hinge connector members of the bins are disposed in a linear pathway segement.