Abstract: A method of sowing seed (including fertilized pellets, particles, crystals and the like) including accelerating the seed to a speed in the supersonic range and directing the so moving seed to impinge on penetrable sowing ground so that the seed penetrates the ground to approximately the desired depth. The operation is carried out in a relatively low pressure environment and a feature of the operation is that the seed can penetrate the ground without substantial damage to the seed. Appropriate apparatus is provide to accelerate the seed to the supersonic speed range in a low pressure environment, and in one example this includes a rotor wheel receiving seed appropriately from a supply source, a sufficient rotary speed being imparted to the wheel for the necessary acceleration of the seed which is discharged via an outlet in the wheel.

Abstract: A seed brake for a pneumatic agricultural seeding and/or fertilizing machine. The seed brake comprises a curved tube having an inner curved side and an outer curved side. The inner curved side is provided with an opening. The inner curved side is also provided with a baffle located between the opening and the outlet of the tube. The baffle extends into the tube and is integrally formed with the inner curved side. The baffle is formed by kinking the tube.

Abstract: An improved magazine construction for gas powered firearms or other single object dispensing unit is disclosed. The expanding gasses from the breech or barrel of the gun are directed into the bottom portion of the magazine where they are introduced into a chamber having varying capacity. The upper portion of the chamber is movable and forms the follower, which includes integral biasing means thereon to provide additional impetus for urging the cartridges upwards into the receiver. The body of the follower also includes spring loaded cammed pins that engage cooperating pin holes in the inner magazine wall to provide a ratcheting action as the follower advances. These pinholes also serve as a excess pressure relief, allowing the gasses to escape through a blow by rail located between the inner and outer magazine walls.

Abstract: Payload delivery of a payload compartment containing a delivery device is initiated by a suitable fusing device which ejects the delivery device from a payload section by firing a gas generator in the section base to propel the delivery device forwardly, thereby shearing retaining pins and ejecting the delivery device from the payload section. The fusing device concurrently fires a time-delayed mechanism leading to a second gas generator in the center of the delivery device. The gas generator ignites after the chaff dispenser is clear of the payload section. The ignition reaction pneumatically blows chaff (e.g. metallized dipoles) out of wrapped bundles, leaving the wrapper bonded to the delivery device and disseminating the chaff in a cloud of hot gas and air turbulently mixed in the wind shear occurring in the wake of the delivery device. The delivery device survives the dispensing and dissemination processes without losing structural integrity. Thus, no harmful debris is ejected into the chaff cloud.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a wet indexer for receiving a cassette of wafers from a previous processing station that have not been allowed to dry. The wet indexer then keeps the wafers submersed in processing solution before and during indexed transmission to later cleaning stations.

Abstract: An external shutoff element for a multiple row pneumatic seed planter having a transverse frame, a plurality of seed planting elements thereon, a hollow rotary seed selector drum with a plurality of spaced apart rows of seed retaining perforations which correspond to the planting elements, an airblower forcing air outwardly from within the drum thereby suspending individual seeds in a depression associated with each perforation so long as the perforation is not blocked, a discharge portion for dislodging the seeds from the perforations and delivering them to the respective planting elements, the improvement comprising a shutoff element movably mounted on the frame above the discharge portion for selectively engaging the outside of the drum to cover a group of rows of perforations so that the usual radial pneumatic bias generated by the airblower ceases to hold the seeds in the covered rows of perforations and they fall before the discharge portion can deliver them for planting.

Abstract: A device for delivery of fasteners having heads with tenons disposed beneath the heads to an insertion tool. The device includes a sloped track with two spaced-apart rails each having a fastener receiving surface to receive the undersides of the heads of the fasteners falling thereon. The fasteners drop onto the track from a rotating barrel and some are correctly aligned with the tenons between the rails and the undersides of the heads resting on the rails and many are misaligned. The fasteners slide to an orienting station which includes a plurality of fluid injector ports disposed around the track. Two of the ports face each other and a third port is disposed over the track. Blasts of air are directed through the ports sequentially so that misaligned fasteners on the track are forced into alignment or are removed from the track thereby leaving only properly aligned fasteners to proceed.

Abstract: The present invention is an air separation tube for an agricultural planter. The air separation tube comprises a hollow tube having an inlet and outlet that is mounted to the side wall of a mini-hopper. The tube is provided with a downwardly curving bend having a screen through which air is allowed to pass. The screen prevents the seed carried by the air stream from leaving the tube. The outlet of the tube is located above the seed puddle of the seed meter which is coupled to the mini-hopper.

Abstract: The invention is a seed metering device for metered discharging of agricultural seeds and the like. The seed metering device is designed to collect seed in a singular or group fashion and deposit the same at predetermined and accurate intervals in a seed trench. The device includes a seed disk which contains a plurality of seed containment pockets. These pockets can be depressurized by imparting a partial vacuum. The seed disk sits between a manifold and a housing which define a seed collection area and a seed release area. Seed enters the seed collection area through a seed intake opening in the upper portion of the housing. This portion opens to a seed downfall region that widens into the seed collection area. As the disk rotates between the seed collection area and the seed release area, the seed pockets contained on the seed disk are pressurized thereby acquiring a seed and carrying or conveying the seed to the seed release point.

Abstract: A connector delivery system delivers an electrical connector component from a storage container to a processing station regardless of the relative orientation of the storage container to the processing station. The storage container contains a plurality of the connector components. A delivery conduit communicates between the storage container and the processing station. An air jet is located within the delivery conduit for effecting a pressure differential therewithin to create a vacuum to cause movement of the connector components in the delivery conduit in a downstream direction from the storage container to the processing station without the use of gravitational forces. A selector pawl upstream of the air jet feeds the connector components through the delivery conduit one component at a time in an incremental fashion. An orientation track between the selector pawl and the air jet is effective to deliver the connector components in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A chucking-type parts-feeding apparatus comprises a device for chucking an individual part, which is disposed adjacent an end of a parts-feeding passageway, and a device connected with the chucking device for shifting the individual part held in the chucking device towards a predetermined location apart from the parts-feeding passageway. The apparatus further comprises either a device connected with the chucking device for shifting the individual part held in the chucking device in the direction in which the part comes out of the parts-feeding passageway or an opening formed in the parts-feeding passageway for allowing the part to pass through the opening as the chucking device is moved towards the predetermined location.

Abstract: Electronic component packaging case comprising a substantially plate-like body having a substantially spiral passageway formed in its interior, a linear passageway formed therein as a continuation of an outermost circular portion of the sapiral passageway, an outlet formed therein as a continuation of the linear passageway to communicate with the exterior of the body, a plurality of electronic components received in a row in the spiral passageway, and a plurality of air-intakes for facilitating forwarding of the electronic components along the spiral passageway to the outlet, the air-intakes being formed in the casing body in a manner to communicate between respective circular portions of the spiral passageway and the exterior of the casing body, the case being adapted to be supported on a base of an electronic component supply mechanism with the body standing on the base when the case is used as an electronic component supply source, the outlet being formed at a portion of the casing body which is located at

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for use in an article handling system having a conduit through which articles such as can ends in a facewise nested condition are conveyed from a first location to a second location. The control apparatus comprises a housing operatively interposed in the conduit and an elastomeric tubular sleeve member mounted in the housing and defining a through passage of a shape generally complementary to the shape of the articles. The tubular sleeve member is responsive to the level of pressure in a pressure chamber for applying a corresponding force about the periphery of the articles.

Abstract: A dispenser to be used with an air craft includes a body member, and a magazine accommodated in the body member. The magazine is provided with a feeding out opening at one end thereof and accommodates a number of packages arranged in a row extending from the feeding out opening throughout the magazine. The magazine includes a feeding out and separation device provided adjacent the feeding out opening for separating and feeding out a package in the row located closest to the feeding out opening of the magazine. The dispenser also includes air guiding member provided on the body member to guide an air stream in to the feeding out opening of the magazine in order to create a pressure differential at the feeding out opening acting to facilitate removal of packages, released by the feeding out and separation device, from the feeding out opening.

Abstract: A vibratory bowl feeder is provided with an automatic cleanout feature which comprises an opening formed in the bottom surface of a vibratory bowl proximate a ramp formed on that bottom surface. The ramp extends a predetermined angular distance around the bottom surface of the bowl and locally raises the surface that parts pass along as they move in response to the vibrations of the bowl. The raised surface of the ramp creates a step between the upper most surface of the ramp and the bottom surface of the bowl proximate the opening formed in the bottom surface of the bowl. A door is provided to selectively cover and uncover the opening. During normal operation, the door is closed and parts pass over the ramp, along the upper surface of the door and back to the bottom surface in response to the vibration of the bowl.

Abstract: An attachment for pneumatic seed planters in which a multiple of rows are planted simultaneously during a single pass of the planter. The attachment enables selected rows to be shut off by preventing seeds from being discharged in a particular row or rows such as when planting in overlapping rows which occurs when making a final pass when planting at the edge of a field. The attachment in one embodiment includes a plurality of manually positioned release wheels and in another embodiment includes a plurality of solenoid positioned release wheels which release the pneumatic pressure associated with a pressurized drum having holes aligned with the number of rows the planter will plant to selectively prevent seed from being discharged into selected tubes which lead to the planting shoes.

Abstract: A parts loading apparatus comprising a turret structure having one or more passages therethrough for receiving and holding a row of parts to be fed therefrom one at a time, the plurality of such passages being arranged at angularly spaced locations around a central axis, each having an opening adjacent one end from which the parts held therein can pass, and a rotary actuator mechanism operatively connected to the turret structure to rotate the structure to locate different ones of the passages in alignment with a parts receiving fixture adjacent to one end of the passage and with a source of pressure adjacent to the opposite end of the passage. The subject parts loading apparatus may also be constructed to have a single elongated tubular member capable of holding a row of aligned parts therein with the piston positioned therein adjacent one end of the row of parts whereby applying pressure into the passage moves the piston and the row of parts therein and ejects the end most part therefrom.

Abstract: A rivet feed system which includes a base feeder assembly (28), having a rivet passageway (30) extendign lengthwise therethrough. The base feeder assembly (28) includes cutout regions to receive rivet injectors (24) which are moved in operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, an opening (80) in the injectors (24) forms a part of the passageway (30) through the base feeder assembly (28), while in the second position, the opening (80) is positioned directly beneath a vertically oriented rivet cartridge (22) to receive a rivet therefrom. The passageway (30) is connected to a source of pressurized air (32) which moves rivets therealong to a rivet machine or the like. The plurality of cartridges (22) positioned along the base feeder assembly contain rivets of various selected sizes.

Abstract: A separation and transfer apparatus for use in an electronic test system for testing electronic devices such as IC's, and the like. The apparatus has a housing for holding in a horizontal position, a magazine containing such electronic devices, an air blower for blowing compressed air at the electronic devices at an angle through a slit of the magazine so that the electronic devices are separated from one another and urged in a desired direction, a piston pin for insertion into a space developed between the last electronic device in the magazine and one end of the magazine, an advancing apparatus for changing the horizontal position of the air blower and the piston pin and for expelling the electronic devices from the magazine, and a controller for controlling the timing of the air blowing, the movement of the advancing apparatus, and the operation of the piston pin.

Abstract: A chip packaging casing for packing chips and also serving as a chip supply source comprises a substantially plate-like body having a spiral passageway formed in its interior, and a plurality of chips received in a row in the spiral passageway of the body. The plate-like body further has a chip-outlet formed therein as a continuation of the spiral passageway to communicate with the exterior of the body and at least one air-intake formed therein to communicate between the passageway and the exterior of the body. The air-intake is adapted to be connected to an air supply source and serves to facilitate the forwarding of the chips along the passageway toward the outlet to discharge the chips form the outlet. A chip supply mechanism is provided for supplying chips to a mounting head of an automatic chip mounting apparatus by using the chip packaging casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for dispensing identical pieces having a symmetry of revolution about an axis, such as rivets; this process comprises arranging the pieces one after another in a tube (2) which has a hollow center (2a) adapted to assure the guiding thereof, admitting a compressed fluid into the tube behind the last piece (1D), and distributing said fluid along the length of the tube toward the hollow center (2a) thereof, to the interior of one or several longitudinal passageways (2b), such that the fluid pressure is exerted along the hollow center in the spaces (E) separating the pieces, up to the first piece (1P) on which the pressure acts for assuring its transfer. The process of the invention permits dispensing a very great number of pieces without risk of jamming in the tube and with a precise guiding permitting maintaining the alignment of the axes of the pieces.

Abstract: A feeding device singulates, orients, and delivers seeds and other comparatively smooth-surfaced particulate material to a desired destination. The device comprises a horizontal rotating drum having an inner surface cut with a spiral groove for orienting ellipsoid-shaped particles and advancing them to the location of pickup orifices within the drum. A vacuum valve alternately subjects the orifices to vacuum and ambient pressure for picking up the individual particles and releasing them to the desired point of delivery.

Abstract: A fastener feeding machine is provided with a plurality of fluid powered escapements for selecting and delivering fasteners in a predetermined sequence and orientation. The fastener feeding machine includes a manifold body with individual mounting stations at which the escapements are positioned. The manifold body includes a plurality of ports located at the mounting stations to communicate with the escapements and thereby provide for control of the escapements through a central pressurized fluid supply. An escapement mounting arrangement on the manifold body allows for quick detachment of the individual escapements, and simultaneous sealing of individual ports upon re-attachment.

Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus is disclosed which comprises a vibrating feed hopper, a fastener feed assembly for receiving the fasteners from the hopper and serially delivering the fasteners to a discharge tube which leads to an automatic screwdriver. The fastener feed assembly comprises a body member which mounts a slide for transverse sliding movement between a first position wherein the fastener is received in a notch in the slide, and a second position where the fastener is delivered to a discharge opening which leads to the discharge tube and to the screwdriver. A first air line system is provided for moving the slide toward the first or fastener receiving position, and for concurrently injecting air into the discharge opening to move a fastener previously positioned in the tube to the screwdriver. A second air line is provided for directing a stream of air into contact with the fastener at the second position so as to positively move the fastener into the discharge opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for dispensing indentical pieces having a symmetry of revolution about an axis, such as rivets; this process comprises arranging the pieces one after another in a tube (2) which has a hollow center (2a) adapted to assure the guiding thereof, admitting a compressed fluid into the tube behind the last piece (1D), and distributing said fluid along the length of the tube toward the hollow center (2a) thereof, to the interior of one or several longitudinal passageways (2b), such that the fluid pressure is exerted along the hollow cetner in the spaces (E) separating the pieces, up to the first piece (1P) on which the pressure acts for assuring its transfer. The process of the invention permits dispensing a very great number of pieces without risk of jamming in the tube and with a precise guiding permitting maintaining the alignment of the axes of the pieces.

Abstract: A chip separation and alignment apparatus capable of accurately and readily accomplishing separation and alignment of chips with a simple construction. The apparatus includes a chip separation and alignment section and a chip separation section. The chip separation and alignment section includes a chip cassette formed into a flat rectangular box-like shape, in which are formed a chip storage chamber, a chip alignment hole provided with an upper end opening through which the chip alignment hole is communicated with a lower portion of the chip storage chamber and a lower end opening, and at least one air ejection port arranged near the upper end opening to intermittently eject air therethrough. The chip separation section is arranged at the lower end opening of the chip alignment hole to separate chips one by one and to successively supply the separated chips to a subsequent step.

Abstract: A seeding machine has a drum and roller urged together to define a seed trough. Bristles close one end of the trough and a hopper adjacent that end feeds a continuous supply of seeds to the trough. The seeds flow along the length of the trough and are discharged at the opposite end of the trough which is open. A funnel collects the discharged seeds and returns them to the hopper. The drum is provided with a series of axially extending rows of holes which are coupled to a vacuum source as each row passes through the tumbling seeds in the trough. A single seed is attracted to each hole and is carried by the drum to a discharge location where the hole in question is disconnected from the vacuum source and instead connected to a source of pressure which then acts to eject the seed from the drum.

Abstract: In the case of a method for sowing separate seeds in a furrow made by a ploughshare, the separate seeds run in a guide-device, are trapped in the vicinity of the ploughshare, are stored intermediately for a short time and are then released into the furrow. Upon being trapped, the individual seeds are stored intermediately spot-wise in relation to an axis corresponding to the direction of release and under a centering action. The individual seeds are accelerated, by a brief fluid-pulse in the direction of release, from the stationary intermediate storage position and are released into the furrow.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing device for products is provided, and includes a warehouse with a back guide, a front guide, and an intermediate movable guide so as to define product chutes arranged one behind the other. Each chute is adapted to hold a plurality of products, one stacked upon the other. An inclined ramp is provided at the lower end of the product chutes for receiving the products from the chutes. The movable guide is movable between lowered and raised positions to control which chute is in communication with the ramp so that products from only one chute are in communication with the ramp at a given time. A control element is provided on the ramp for automatically releasing one product at a time from the ramp.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling empty two-piece capsules includes a vertically reciprocating feeder which extracts capsules from a hopper and forms randomly ordered linear arrays. A horizontal row of capsules are fed by the feeder to key-shaped slots in a block below the feeder. A blade reciprocally positioned adjacent the wider portion of the key-shaped slots moves into the slot at about the middle of the capsule to turn the capsules so as to be partly positioned within the narrower portion of the key-shaped slot. Each capsule is then ejected by projectable pins into a channel where the capsules are pneumatically accelerated into a pair of mated receiving rings which separate the two halves of the capsule.

Abstract: A chip separation and alignment apparatus capable of accurately and readily accomplishing separation and alignment of chips with a simple construction. The apparatus includes a chip separation and alignment section and a chip separation section. The chip separation and alignment section includes a chip cassette formed into a flat rectangular box-like shape, in which are formed a chip storage chamber, a chip alignment hole provided with an upper end opening through which the chip alignment hole is communicated with a lower portion of the chip storage chamber and a lower end opening, and at least one air ejection port arranged near the upper end opening to intermittenly eject air therethrough. The chip separation section is arranged at the lower end opening of the chip alignment hole to separate chips one by one and to successively supply the separated chips to a subsequent step.

Abstract: A portable article display apparatus for displaying articles such as beverage cans or other items includes a hollow housing having a transparent outer wall, a base support for mounting the housing and a door mounted over an access opening in the transparent outer wall for removing articles one-by-one from the housing. Systems for cooling the housing interior and defogging its transparent outer wall are provided for displaying food articles or other items which must be refrigerated. Articles are stacked in vertical columns within the housing interior upon an article support carriage which is rotatable with respect to the fixed base and housing to index each vertical column of articles into direct alignment with the door. In removing articles from the housing, the door is operable in an open position to permit removal of the lowermost article in the column while supporting the articles above. The remaining articles in the column are released in preparation for removal of another article upon closing the door.

Abstract: A seed hopper construction for use in connection with rotary drum seed planter requiring positive pressure for its seed metering operation. The hopper comprises a tapering bottom wall with an opening therein and an internal duct associated with said wall and opening. A deformable tubular diaphragm valve is positioned in the duct and projects from the opening in the bottom wall. A vertical air pressure tube is mounted in the hopper and carries a two-position valve for directing air into the hopper or to the diaphragm valve. The pressure tube also has a bottom air inlet depending from the bottom wall. A centrifugal blower having a positive pressure side outlet communicates with the pressure tube air inlet and the seed drum. The blower has a negative pressure central opening in spaced registry with the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: The distributor separates plastic cups (3) which are provided with outwardly-facing rims (5) from a stack (2) in a store (1) and releases them one-at-a-time into a tube (6). The distributor comprises first, lower supports (13) and second, upper supports (14) arranged peripherally of the cups and separated by less than the distance between the rims (5) of the two adjacent cups. The supports (13 and 14) alternate in operative positions in which they support rims (5) of cups so that cups are released one-at-a-time and fall into the tube (6). The distributor also comprises compressed air blowers (25) which operate when the second supports (14) move into their operational positions to exert a pressure between the cup supported by the second supports (14) and the cup which has just ceased to be supported by the first supports (13).

Abstract: A gravity fed, track arrangement for assemblying orienting, and aligning a plurality of fasteners for use with an automatic screw feeding machine is disclosed. Inclined tracks having a space therebetween are provided with a pivotable stabilizing bar which bears upon the heads of the fasteners within the tracks. Vibrations are induced into the stabilizing bar and the tracks so as to assist gravity in urging the fasteners down the tracks and so as to continually act to maintain the alignment position of the fasteners within the tracks. Track purging apparatus is provided whereby any misaligned fastener is purged from the tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering properly positioned rivets to a hopper and including a venturi station, a conduit connected to the venturi station for delivering the rivets from the venturi station to the hopper and having a restricted end for automatically properly positioning the rivets, a rivet shaped slot for introducing the rivets into the venturi station, and components for creating a suction in the venturi station so that when the rivets are introduced into the venturi station by the rivet shaped slot the rivets are drawn by the suction created by the suction creating components through the venturi station and the delivering conduit from the rivet shaped slot to the restricted end of the delivering conduit where the rivets are automatically properly positioned in the hopper for riveting.

Abstract: Apparatus for metering and dispensing seeds from a liquid or gel suspension of seeds includes a rotor having a plurality of orifices disposed within concave-shaped recesses about the peripheral surface of the rotor, each recess communicating with a bore of the rotor by a passageway. The rotor is supported within a recess in a housing by a stationary pintle having circumferentially extending grooves which are aligned with the radial passageways in the rotor, the grooves being connected to a pressure source and to a suction source so as to enable a suction to be applied to orifices located at a first region of the housing and a pressure to be applied to orifices located at a second region of the housing. The orifices located at the first region are exposed to the seed suspension, and the suction causes a seed from the suspension to be drawn to and held on the peripheral surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for applying electrical connector sections to a flat multiconductor cable. The apparatus includes a multiconductor cable, and a connector station which includes two connector applying sections. Each section includes a connector supplying magazine or feed for delivering a connector section from the supply magazine to tooling which receives the connector section. Air cylinders advance the tooling to the cable for securement of the connectors thereto and retract the tooling from the connector receiving position.

Abstract: An escapement mechanism for an automatic screw feeding machine is disclosed. A rotor within a housing receives a fastener from a track feed arrangement and delivers the fastener to a delivery opening in communication with a conduit leading to the driver head of the automatic screw feeding machine. A cutout within the rotor is specially sized and positioned and the motion of the rotor is arranged so that no edges are presented which may cause the fastener to hang up or cause jamming of the escapement apparatus. A reed valve is used to open and close the delivery opening so that pneumatic apparatus may be used to drive the fastener to the driver head.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transferring workpieces, such as silicon wafers, between a pair of cassettes involve simultaneously and conjointly indexing the cassettes such that the cassettes are incrementally lowered as the individual workpieces are removed from one cassette and delivered to the other cassette. Such indexing of the cassettes is achieved by a single elevator mechanism adapted to support both of the cassettes such that they are vertically and horizontally offset relative to each other.

Abstract: A portable, refrigerated article display apparatus for displaying food items such as soda cans includes a hollow housing having a transparent outer wall, a base support for mounting the housing, a door mounted over an access opening in the transparent outer wall and systems for cooling the housing interior and defogging its transparent outer wall. Articles are stacked in vertical columns within the housing interior upon an article support carriage which is rotatable with respect to the fixed base and housing to index each vertical column of articles into direct alignment with the door. In removing articles from the housing, the door is operable in an open position to permit removal of the lower most article in the column while supporting the articles above. The remaining articles in the column are released in preparation for removal of another article upon closing the door.

Abstract: Electrical connectors are slidably received in side-by-side serial array in elongated, hollow tubular cassettes. The cassettes are shaped to receive the connectors only in a single orientation, and protect terminals which partly extend from the connector housings in an intermediate assembly stage. Cassettes are vertically stacked in a feed system, and when the bottom cassette is emptied of connectors, it is released from the stack and replaced with a full cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating and distributing granular goods includes a housing and a bucket wheel rotatable in the housing, the bucket wheel having an outer receiving side and an inner side along with a plurality of spaced-through holes extending between the inner side and the receiving side. An intake on the housing supplies granular goods to the receiving side of the bucket wheel and a discharge on the housing discharges the granular goods from the housing, the discharge being circumferentially spaced from the intake. An ejector is disposed within the bucket wheel and faces the inner side of the bucket wheel while a conduit supplies compressed air to the ejector, the ejector having a compressed air outlet directed toward the inner side of the bucket wheel such that the compressed air passing through the outlet acts on the through holes during rotation of the bucket wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method utilizing pressurized air discharged through nozzles to segregate a mixture of elements having either different geometrical characteristics or different masses. The mixture is placed in a container having a conveyor track, and is forced to move along the track, across a primary nozzle which forms the mixture into a single layer. The mixture then moves across a blow-off nozzle which propels one set of elements off the track and out of the container while the other remains within the container. A two stage separation may be used to optimize efficiency.

Abstract: A seed planter (10) is disclosed which plants seed, one row at a time, into a plant seedling tray. A seed-receiving depression is formed in the tray by a punch (80). A seed pickup bar (18) reciprocates between a seed hopper (14) and a top seed receiving bar (19) where seed is dispensed into an aperture (20) where the seed is conveyed to the tray. The seed hopper (14) is vibrated by a motor (85) to keep the seed evenly dispersed. Seed is held on seed-receiving nozzles 21 by a vacuum pressure until discharged, when positive pressure is delivered through the nozzles (21). An entry trigger (63) and an exit trigger (64) push each tray from the entry end of the seed planter (10) through the exit end one row of compartments at a time. The seed pickup bar (18), entry triggers (63) and exit triggers (64) and punch (80) are driven by the rotation of drive motor (30). Provision is made to accommodate different sized trays.

Abstract: A component placement head for positioning micro-electronic components on a printed circuit board including an adjustable shelf for receiving the component from a stationary conveyor and accurately positioning the component below the placement nozzle on the head. The nozzle picks up the component from the shelf and aligns the component leads with the conductive lands on the board and then places the component on the board. There is a control limiting the position of the adjustable shelf to assure the component is properly positioned in the nozzle of the placement head.

Abstract: A seed planter is provided with a stationary, funnel-shaped bin whose lower-end extension is constructed as a pair of electromagnetically, pneumatically, or mechanically pivoted brackets, defining a duct smaller than the grain when the brackets are closed. Other seeds are blown out of the funnel while one is retained until deposited upon briefly opening the brackets.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is disclosed for receiving a supply of randomly oriented articles and for continuously feeding the articles into a single file line in a feed chute. The mechanism includes a rotating disc within a hopper with a series of air vents positioned around the disc edge for directing streams of air over the disc top to engage the articles and to cause the articles to move with the moving disc surface towards and into a single line feed chute.

Abstract: A funnel-shaped device is provided with one or two segments serving as brackets to enlarge the bottom opening of the funnel which, when closed, is smaller than the smallest piece of grain to be deposited; a centrally disposed air tube blows air axially toward the bottom opening to cause a single piece of grain to be aerodynamically held on the opening while the remainder of the grains hover at a higher level. A slide element such as a fork or the like can be removably disposed at an intermediate level, possibly to serve for opening a single-bracket element. This permits a lower hovering level and a correspondingly increasing cycle time and depositing rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for planting seeds in drills at predetermined intervals is adapted to transport the seeds one by one by means of spoons (8) from a seed store to an outlet duct (10). To ensure a reliable, selective discharge of the seeds from the spoons (8), a compressed-air nozzle (13) is arranged to direct a flow of compressed air from a location opposite the inlet opening (11) of the outlet duct (10) towards each individual spoon (8) as it passes between the nozzle and the inlet opening (11).