Abstract: A feeding assembly and a method of feeding components comprising a track along which components can be moved, said track comprising a sloped surface and a ledge, wherein said sloped surface slopes in a direction perpendicular to the direction which the components move along the track so that the components maintain a tilted orientation as they move along the track, a pickup platform comprising a pocket which can receive components from said track, and a pivot on which the pickup platform can be selectively rotated between a first position and second position. In the first position, the pocket is aligned with the track and the pocket is parallel with the sloped surface of the track, so that a component can move from the track into the pocket of the pickup platform. In the second position the pocket is in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A self-service device for taking tableware is provided, comprising a housing body in which a magazine for accommodating a plurality of tableware is arranged, and a support assembly for supporting the plurality of tableware arranged under the magazine, wherein the plurality of tableware are sequentially stacked on the support assembly. A pushing member is arranged at a side of the support assembly for pushing the tableware in a bottommost layer to displace relative to the support assembly for falling, wherein the pushing member is further provided with a reset member for resetting itself after its pushing. Moreover, an inclined chute is arranged in the housing body for receiving the tableware falling from the support assembly and guiding the same to slide out. The self-service device for taking tableware has a neat appearance, can be operated and taken out in a hermetically sealed environment, so the tableware is clean and hygienic.

Abstract: A component mounting apparatus includes a carriage that holds a part feeder for supplying a component in a state of being attached to a base and attaches the part feeder to the base in a state of being coupled to the base; a mounting head that mounts the component to a substrate after the component is taken out of the part feeder held by the carriage coupled to the base through an opening formed between the base and a cover member formed so as to cover an upward side of the base; and a shutter moved from an opened position in which the opening is opened to a closed position in which the opening is closed when the carriage is separated from the base.

Abstract: The present application provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing a number of cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing, a front cover enclosing the housing, a dispensing wedge, and a dispensing trough positioned on the front cover. The dispensing wedge angles a leading cutlery utensil into the dispensing trough for dispensing therethrough.

Abstract: A utensil dispenser including a reservoir that stores utensils and front and rear pedestals in contact with a next utensil. The pedestals contain a plurality of utensils within the reservoir. A gravity feed ramp moves the next utensil to an access port of the utensil dispenser. The utensil dispenser includes an actuator operably connected to a drive pin or other drive mechanism. The actuator is configured to halt a dispensing utensil at a ready position based upon contact between the dispensing utensil and the actuator. In the ready position, a handle portion of the dispensing utensil is accessible via the access port. The drive mechanism is configured to contact the next utensil. The actuator is configured to move the drive mechanism to move the next utensil to clear the front pedestal to release the next utensil from the reservoir onto the gravity feed ramp when the dispensing utensil is dispensed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical sensor dispensing methods and apparatus. The sensors dispensers can include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal, the elongate body including a proximally positioned dispensing surface with an opening for dispensing a sensor. A storage chamber having a series of connected sensors is positioned distally and can feed a proximally positioned sensor feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a sensor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

Abstract: A low cost compact kiosk for media disc vending or rental is described. Reduced height and an effective disc drop arrangement allow gravity fed dispensing of media discs simplifying design by eliminating complex robotics requiring trained personnel for maintenance. One such kiosk is approximately 76 cm (30 inches)×58 cm (23 inches)×15 cm (6 inches) and can hold at least 375 standard 1.2 mm thick by 12 cm diameter DVDs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product dispensing machine comprising a motorized collector and a plurality of product trays, each being arranged to store products in line and comprising a dispensing mechanism at an outer end of the tray. The motorized collector is arranged to approach each of said product trays and to move at least one dispensing mechanism from a blocking position, in which said dispensing mechanism blocks a product first in line on said tray, into a dispense position in which the product first in line is removed from the tray onto the collector, said dispensing mechanism being arranged to block a product second in line while being in the dispense position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochemical sensor dispensing methods and apparatus. The sensors dispensers can include an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal, the elongate body including a proximally positioned dispensing surface with an opening for dispensing a sensor. A storage chamber having a series of connected sensors is positioned distally and can feed a proximally positioned sensor feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes an elongate member having a first end and second end, the second end adapted to pivot between a sensor engaging position and a sensor feeding position.

Abstract: A snap-ring supplying device includes a magazine (10) containing C-shaped snap rings (S) piled together each of which has a gap, an extrusion member (25) that pushes out a snap ring occupying the lowest position in the magazine so that the gap (S1) of the snap ring is directed forwardly in an extruding direction, a conveying path (23) that conveys the snap ring pushed out by the extrusion member to an area in which the snap ring is contracted to reduce the diameter of the snap ring, a projection-strip guide wall (26) formed to stand upwardly in a substantially vertical direction with a width that is defined by forming a pair of concave parts (28) and that can enter the gap of the snap ring in a termination area of the conveying path, and an oscillating member (31) and urging members (32, 33) serving as a restricting mechanism (30) that restricts the gap of the snap ring so that the gap is directed in a direction from the magazine to the projection-strip guide wall.

Abstract: A cup lid dispenser is characterized by a cylindrical housing for containing a stack of relatively flexible cup lids in vertical orientation with a lip of the bottommost lid supported at points around its circumference on a plurality of shelves within and around a base of the dispenser at a lower end of the housing. The base has a forward opening that exposes just a front portion of the lip of only the bottommost lid of the stack for being gripped by a user. To dispense the bottommost lid, a user grips the exposed lip and pulls the lid downward to flex it away from the overlying stack and forward to move it off of the shelves and release it from the overlying stack of lids for downward movement into an underlying pocket in the base, with continued forward pulling of the lid then moving it through and out of a forward dispense opening from the base.

Abstract: A material feed system for solid freeform fabrication. The build material is delivered in discrete or quantized amounts by a clamp feed system in a non-flowable state to the dispensing device and the material is then changed to a flowable state prior to being dispensed. The feed system can be used to build three-dimensional objects in color, if desired. The clamped feed system is integrated with a waste removal system.

Abstract: A theft deterrent dispensing unit particularly for use with cans includes a conveyor section that leads to a dispensing head. A shroud extends over the forward edge of the conveying section. The dispensing head pivots downwardly allowing the leading can to be grasped without interference of the shroud. The rear edge of the dispensing head pivots upwardly, preventing the next adjacent can from moving immediately into the dispensing head until the dispensing head rotates back to a closed position. Likewise, when the dispensing head is rotated to an open position, a barrier is pulled down from the top of the shroud, again preventing an individual from reaching in and grabbing the next adjacent can. A locking mechanism is positioned on the side of the dispensing units to prevent two adjacent dispensing units from being opened at the same time. Finally, the speed at which the dispensing heads move from an open to a closed position is regulated to prevent rapid removal of cans from a single dispensing unit.

Abstract: A battery dispenser and a refill for a battery dispenser are provided. In one embodiment the battery dispenser includes a disk that supports a plurality of batteries, a cover that has an opening, a grip ring that rotates the disk to align the batteries with the opening of the cover, and a push element capable of advancing batteries from inside the cover to a landing external to the cover. The disk rotates relative to the grip ring between a load position and a dispensing position, and the disk is removable from the grip ring when the disk is in the load position.

Abstract: A vehicle body clinch nut feeder (22) includes a dispensing head (54) having an inlet passage (60) through which oriented clinch nuts (26) are fed single file. The leading clinch nut is moved laterally to between clamping portions (64a, 66a) of a pair of clamp members (64, 66) of a clamp (62) where a second feed actuator (80) subsequently moves the clamped clinch nut downwardly to an opening (78) in a delivery member (76) where a robot end effector (32) receives the clinch nut in preparation for a clinching operation. An alignment mount (58) supports the dispensing head (54) on a support (56) for a horizontal movement in perpendicular horizontal directions to insure alignment of the robot end effector (32) with the clinch nut (26) to be received.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices suitable for storing an assembly of multiple personal care products and individually dispensing the personal care products from the assembly, where the devices include a compartment for storing the assembly of personal care products, a mechanism for dispensing the personal care products slidingly engaged with the compartment between a storage position and a dispensing position, and a member for applying pressure to a bottom surface of the assembly of products.

Abstract: A disposable container for holding and dispensing one oral care, candy and/or medicinal strip at a time, without the need to open the package or to insert one's dirty fingers into the package, thereby eliminating the contamination of the remaining strips, and allowing the use of only one hand to dispense a strip directly on to the tongue, thereby eliminating the need to place ones dirty hand into the mouth.

Abstract: A drug dispenser which can easily align drugs when filling it with the drugs. In a drug dispenser in which a lowermost drug of a plurality of drugs (100) stacked in a vertical direction and contained in a drug case (1) is pushed out in a horizontal direction to dispense it, a door (7) is provided on the front surface of the drug case (1). A drug aligning device (second door 11) is provided on the inner surface of the door (7), the drug aligning device pushes the front ends of the plurality of drugs (100) contained in the drug case (1) to align the rear ends thereof when the door (7) is closed.

Abstract: A battery dispenser and a refill for a battery dispenser are provided. In one embodiment the battery dispenser includes a housing that has an opening, a landing, and a push element capable of advancing batteries from inside the housing to the landing external to the housing. The position of at least one of the push element and the landing is adjustable to enable the battery dispenser to dispense batteries that are one of at least two distinct physical sizes. A refill for the battery dispenser includes a base, a plurality of batteries disposed on the base and a retainer that contacts the batteries and is connected to the base. The refill base can cooperate with the dispenser to adjust the height of the landing or the push element.

Abstract: A pinch grip hanger mechanism dispenses pinch grip hangers, one at a time, and then opens the pinch grips for insertion of a garment. The insertion of a garment triggers the closing of the pinch grips, and reciprocation of a hanger feed push plate to dispense another hanger. The device may also automatically attach size indicia to the hanger as the hanger is dispensed. The closing of the pinch grips is initiated by safety triggers, which are triggered by insertion of a garment. This provides a safety feature for the device, since the operator needs to use both hands to hold the garment taut for insertion. Thus, both hands are away from the device at the time the pinch grips are opened and closed.

Abstract: A spout supply apparatus including a spout transfer device in which two spout holding devices 43 and 44 are respectively disposed on each end of a reciprocating swing arm 41 that makes a reciprocating swing motion in the horizontal plane through a swing angle of substantially 90 degrees about a supporting shaft 45. Upon the swing motion of the swing arm 41, the spout holding devices 43 and 44 alternatively receive a spout that is at the leading end of a row of lined spouts, at a spout receiving position T and are alternatively moved to spout transfer positions U, thus transferring the spout to the spout clamping member 3 which is at each one of the spout transfer positions U.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener installation head and feed mechanism including a spring-biased L-shaped feed pawl which feeds a first nut in the feed passage adjacent the plunger passage on the upstroke of the die press. The feed pawl is pivotally supported on a slide bracket which includes a roller in the longitudinal axis of the feed passage which is biased against a central cam surface on the base and the base is interconnected to the nose member by removable pins. A spring biased nut restrictor is pivotally supported on the nose member, simplifying removal of a nut strip from the head and the installation head is more rugged in design and has fewer parts, reducing costs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a utensil dispenser for dispensing a utensil. The dispenser includes a base, which defines at least one dispensing opening. At least one utensil is positioned on or adjacent to a top surface of the base. The dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism capable of moving the at least one utensil. The utensil is dispensed by the dispensing mechanism moving the utensil to fall through the dispensing opening.

Abstract: An electronic-component feeder including a component conveying device which conveys an electronic component to a component-take aperture where an end surface of the component is engaged with a positioning surface of a stopper member and accordingly the component is positioned in a component-convey direction. Then, a pressing-member driving device is operated to drive a pressing member so that a side surface of an end portion of the pressing member presses a side surface of the component against a positioning surface of a cover member fixed to a main frame of the feeder, thereby positioning the component also in a lateral direction perpendicular to the component-convey direction. Since the electronic component is supplied in the state in which the component is positioned in each of the component-convey direction and the lateral direction, a component holding head can suck and hold the component with increased reliability.

Abstract: A pinch grip hanger mechanism dispenses pinch grip hangers, one at a time, and then opens the pinch grips for insertion of a garment. The insertion of a garment triggers the closing of the pinch grips, and reciprocation of a hanger feed push plate to dispense another hanger. The device may also automatically attach size indicia to the hanger as the hanger is dispensed. The closing of the pinch grips is initiated by safety triggers, which are triggered by insertion of a garment. This provides a safety feature for the device, since the operator needs to use both hands to hold the garment taut for insertion. Thus, both hands are away from the device at the time the pinch grips are opened and closed.

Abstract: A feed lever is lowered, correspondingly to the load input of a chip mounter. A rotary drum is intermittently moved through a conversion mechanism, intermittently in one direction. Chip components placed in a component accommodation chamber are aligned and discharged. When a rotation resistance larger than a predetermined value acts, a belt is slid, and breaking of a chip component is prevented.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener installation head and feed mechanism including a spring-biased L-shaped feed pawl which feeds a first nut in the feed passage adjacent the plunger passage on the upstroke of the die press. The feed pawl is pivotally supported on a slide bracket which includes a roller in the longitudinal axis of the feed passage which is biased against a central cam surface on the base and the base is interconnected to the nose member by removable pins. A spring biased nut restrictor is pivotally supported on the nose member, simplifying removal of a nut strip from the head and the installation head is more rugged in design and has fewer parts, reducing costs.

Abstract: An animated candy dispenser for tablet candy pieces including a magazine for storing the candy in a columnar manner, a finger actuated button mechanically linked to a dispensing assembly that includes a movable character with candy gripping extensions to grab and retain a piece of candy and withdraw it from the dispenser.

Abstract: A sewing pin dispensing device for placing the head of a stick pin in an upright position. The sewing pin dispensing device includes a housing. A cavity is in the housing. A first opening in the housing allows for the entry of pins to be dispensed into the housing. A pin bin formed in the housing is in communication with the first opening and the cavity. A second opening in the housing for dispensing of the pins extends downwardly into the cavity. A wheel moves the pins from the pin bin to the second opening. The wheel is rotatably mounted in the cavity. The wheel has an exterior surface. A gear is fixed to the wheel. The gear is fixedly coupled to an end of the wheel for turning the wheel. An annular slot in the wheel is in the exterior surface of the wheel and extends around the wheel. The annular slot is generally adjacent to an end of the wheel. A plurality of linear slots in the wheel each receives one of the pins. Each of the linear slots is in the exterior surface of the wheel.

Abstract: A rotary device has thereinside a driving device as a driving source for rotating a rotary block and opening and closing a shutter, and also includes a rod for transmitting a driving force to the rotary block and the shutter, a lever and a shaft for directly transmitting the driving force to the shutter, a spring for delaying a timing to open the shutter after the rotary block rises, a spring receiver for receiving the spring, and a joint for connecting the rod with the rotary block.

Abstract: An automatic stress plate feeder includes a generally horizontal stress plate magazine holding a series of generally flat stress plates each positioned generally vertically on edge therein. An electric motor drives the stress plates through the magazine, to drop them singly at a pickup point where they are picked up by a pair of magnetic arms and positioned generally horizontally beneath a screw gun extension. The screw gun extension includes a compression spring therein, causing it to telescope upwardly to provide clearance for each stress plate to be positioned beneath the screw gun extension and its bit. A screw feeder tube provides for the introduction of a screw into the screw gun extension, and the screw gun is compressed downwardly and operated to drive the screw through the plate positioned thereunder. The securing of the plate to the underlying structure causes the pickup arms to release the plate, whereupon they swing upwardly to pick up another plate to continue the process.

Abstract: A bead drawing kit includes a plurality of beads and a drawing board. A bead setting tool having a container for holding a supply of beads and having a push rod for ejecting the beads may be used to set beads on the drawing board. The drawing board includes a base member, a holding plate, a positioning plate and a base cover. The base member has a looped upright surrounding wall and a horizontal base plate disposed in the surrounding wall. The base plate has a periphery connected to the surrounding wall and is formed with a plurality of lower holes that are arranged in rows and columns for passage of the beads therethrough. The holding plate is made of a resilient material and is provided on the base plate. The holding plate is formed with a plurality of slits, each of which is aligned with a respective one of the lower holes in the base plate and forms at least two resilient fins on the holding plate for holding releasably one of the beads.

Abstract: A feeding system for feeding blank contacts to a crimping device for crimping the contacts onto ends of lead wires. The contact feed system includes a bowl, and a scoop for removing contacts from the bowl. The scoop is preferably mounted on the end of a rotating arm so that the scoop describes the locus of a circumference of a vertical circle when the arm rotates. Contacts fall, under gravity, from the scoop, when it is near the apogee of travel, onto an angled chute that guides the contacts into a space between two parallel contact orienting rails. The contacts are stacked between the supporting contact orienting rails and a shuttle gate controlledly carries a single contact at a time into a drop tube that feeds the contact to a crimping device for crimping onto an end of a wire lead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a workpiece placement system for picking and placing a workpiece on a product being assembled. The workpiece placement system includes a mechanical housing having a telescopic arm that is extendable between a retracted position and an extended position. A vacuum source providing a vacuum pressure below ambient conditions is in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit along the telescopic arm. The telescopic arm includes at least one opening at its distal end that allows the vacuum pressure to suck and hold the workpiece in place on the telescopic arm. The workpiece is securely held in place on the telescopic arm as it is extended from the initial retracted position to the extended position. After the telescopic arm is fully extended the workpiece is positioned proximate the product being assembled, and the vacuum is interrupted to release the workpiece.

Abstract: A strapping system in which edge protectors are disposed between a load and tensioned strapping applied about the load in a strapping station. Edge protector applicator assemblies located on opposite sides of the load position edge protectors adjacent top and bottom surface edge portions of the load when the load is raised above a deck. The edge protectors are folded over and retained on edges of the load upon application of the tensioned strapping about the load to protect the edges of the load from the tensioned strapping. The strapping system includes a movable frame with spaced support members disposed below the deck and aligned with spaces in the deck. The frame is raised and lowered so that the support members of the frame extend through the spaces of the deck to lift the load above the deck to allow positioning of the lower edge protectors adjacent to the load.

Abstract: An automatic machine for dispensing an ice cream portion comprises, in combination, a dispenser (10) for dispensing cones (18) or the like in an inverted position, and a seat (20) arranged to receive the cone (18) in an upright position and to convey it to an ice cream delivery mouth (27). Between the cone dispenser (10) and the seat (20) there is provided a cone (18) overturning and feed device (12) arranged to receive a cone (18) in an inverted position, to overturn it into an upright position and to feed it automatically into the seat (20).

Abstract: A filter change mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism includes a filter dispensing device, a device for releasably clamping a filter in a fluid line, a filter discharge device. Also included in the mechanism is a device for conveying a filter dispensed by the filter dispensing device to the fluid line for use in filtration and for conveying a used filter to the discharge device.

Abstract: The method of feeding the discs to the automatic staple or nail gun includes the steps of providing a plurality of discs stacked atop one another, shuttling a first disc from the stack to a position normal to the staple or nail expulsion path, and retaining that first disc at that position until the staple or nail is expelled from the gun. The apparatus includes a shuttle which is moved from a position immediately below the stack of discs to a second position at which the disc, carried by the shuttle carriage, is grasped by a clip. The clip retains the disc in a position normal to the path of staple or nail expulsion. The discs have dimples protruding from both planar surfaces of the disc. The dimples are predisposed in a predetermined pattern such that the protrusions from one surface form a pattern which is non-equivalent to the pattern formed by the protrusions extending from the other surface of the disc. This dimple pattern is in a peripherally spaced band on the disc.

Abstract: Apparatus for presenting blind rivets (11) of the type comprising a shell (12) and a projecting stem (13), one at a time for pick-up by the nosepiece (28) of a rivet setting tool, includes gate means comprising a pair of guide members (24) for receiving a rivet (11) blown by air along a hose (39). The guide membes are urged by a spring (25) into their closed position, in which they arrest each rivet and position it in uniform orientation with its stem (13) projecting. Locating means (30) receives the nose piece (28) and guides it into the correct position and orientation for picking up the rivet by its projecting stem. A proximity detector (37) detects when the tool nose tip is correctly located, and actuates a pneumatically driven plunger (18) which pushes the guide members (24) apart to release the rivet into the tool nosepiece (28).

Abstract: A horizontal oscillatory feeder apparatus is disclosed for feeding a plurality of different types of electrical components of varying mass along respective tracks to component pick-up stations. The components and the tracks are supported on a base plate, which is excited in an oscillatory movement. The movement of the base plate is constrained so that movement is permitted only along an axis parallel to the feeder tracks. An excitation apparatus excites the base plate so that the acceleration forces applied to the components in a desired direction of movement exceeds the frictional force tending to prevent slippage of the components on the tracks; the acceleration forces applied to the components in the opposite direction are limited so that the components do not slip on the track in the opposite direction to the desired movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a deck washer from a storage magazine containing a stack of deck washers to a deck for installation. The transfer is accomplished by a reciprocating trolley which retrieves a washer from the stack and whose reciprocation urges the washer down a ramp on the trolley in to a holding chamber for installation.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator includes an splined shaft which cooperates with a cam follower so that displacement of the shaft is purely axial for a substantial portion of its forward displacement but the final displacement portion rotates the follower and hence the transfer arm.

Abstract: A storage chamber large enough to store a predetermined number of probe covers is formed into a dispenser body. A spring biases the probe covers toward one end of the chamber at which is located a slide. The slide has an indentation used to retrieve a single probe cover from the chamber at a time when aligned with the chamber. Located in the indentation is an aperture tube for receiving a probe of the instrument to be covered. The probe is pressed into the probe cover and into the aperture thus causing the probe cover to stretch and cover the probe. A flange formed on the slide is pressed by a user to align the indentation of the slide with the chamber. The slide is spring loaded so that releasing the flange will result in the slide moving such that the identation is located outside the chamber and the retrieved probe cover can be applied to the instrument. A door in the dispenser is raised to allow access to the chamber for the insertion of a stack of probe covers.

Abstract: A parts feeding apparatus is disclosed for use in feeding a supply of garment appliance parts such as buttons, hooks, slide fastener component parts and the like from parts reservoirs or parts feeders through a plurality of feed chutes onto a parts applying holder. The feed chutes each carrying thereon an array of parts of different types and colors are pivotally movable in the same plane into and out of an operative position relative to the parts applying holder, in which position the parts are selectively transferred onto the holder.

Abstract: Apparatus for initially orienting and then injecting fasteners (F) into fastener grasping fingers (46), the fasteners being received by the apparatus (10) from a non-dedicated feed tube (18). The apparatus includes, as its principle components, a mounting frame (20), an adjustable orientator (12) mounted on the frame, an adjustable injector (14) also mounted on the frame, and a dedicated feed tube assembly (16) extending between the adjustable orientator and the adjustable injector. The orientator includes right and left slides (50, 52, and 56, respectively) the spacing between them being adjustable, and further includes an orientation detector (136, 138) for determining whether or not proper orientation has been achieved.

Abstract: An .alpha.-shaped torsion springs having a cylindrical coiled portion and first and second leg portions projecting from opposite ends of the coiled portion is conveyed along a conveyor rail. The conveyor rail has a base wall, first and second side wall which project upward on opposite sides of the base wall and extend in parallel to each other, a coil support surface which projects horizontally above the base wall from the second side wall toward the first side wall and terminates at a free edge spaced from the first side wall, and a partition wall which projects horizontally above the base wall from the first side wall toward the second side wall and terminates near the free edge of the coil support surface above the same. The .alpha.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding slender parts such as bolts or other fasteners to a predetermined work station includes a feed rod having one end adapted for magnetically holding a slender part. The feed rod is mounted for reciprocating movement between a retracted position spaced from the work station and a second position adjacent the work station. A feed tube is disposed at an acute angle relative to the path of movement of the feed rod with an open lower end adjacent the holding end of the feed rod in the retracted position. Slender parts are supplied to an upper part of the feed tube to fall freely through the feed tube and are delivered to the end of the feed rod where they are magnetically held and moved to the work station.

Abstract: A top cover is peeled from a component supply tape by passing the cover around a guide surface and in a peeling direction generally reverse to the feeding direction of the supply tape while moving the guide surface in the peeling direction in order to minimize the tension necessary to accomplish the peeling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square pictures, with a first and a second frame part (12, 14) which can be moved back and forth relative to one another and parallel to the principal plane of the pile of pictures enclosed by the two of them, and with element which, on moving the frame parts (12, 14) back and forth, remove a single picture (188) from one end of the pile and reinsert on the other end of the pile and which have a separator for separating the individual picture (188) from the pile of pictures, a feeder for feeding pictures to the separator a retainer for holding the individual picture (188) in the first frame part and for holding the remainder of the pile in the second frame part (12, 14) and a guide for guiding the separated individual picture (188) for the purpose of returning it to the other end of the remainder of the pile, wherein the separator has a first and a second separating device (68, 20) on the first and on the second frame p

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the supply tape is stepped to present each pocket at a pick-up area for removal of a component. Each pocket is opened in turn during the indexing step that positions it at the pick-up area, and a shutter is moved over the pick-up area prior to tape movement so that the pocket is covered by a shutter during the tape movement and peeling of the cover from the substrate. After each indexing step, the shutter is moved away from the pick-up area in order to provide access to the component in the opened pocket.