Abstract: A capsule dispenser for bottling lines includes a motorized wheel with a horizontal axis supports sockets provided with an open end, which follow one another in receiving respective capsules in a capsule loading position and expelling them in a capsule releasing position. Their open ends are directed outward between these positions. A duct supplied with pressurized air has an arched profile about the axis of the wheel and extends externally to the sockets between the capsule loading position and the capsule releasing position. The duct has a tube which, at a lower end, bifurcates into two branches, between which the neck of the bottle is inserted just before the application of the capsule, and is provided with holes directed inwardly to blow air in the direction of the open end of the sockets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly machine adapted to assemble caps (3) onto spouts (2) and a method of assembling caps onto spouts, wherein use is made of such an assembly machine. The assembly machine comprises a spout supply (10), a cap supply (20) and a frame comprising a cap guide arc (30). The frame further comprises a turret assembly (40) comprising a circular spout transporter (41), a cap positioning element (42) provided above the cap guide arc (30) and a cap assembly unit (43) provided above the spout transporter (41). The cap assembly unit (43) is adapted to pick up the cap at a pick-up position (C) and assemble the cap onto the spout at an assembly position (D).

Abstract: A fastening device includes a rotational drive portion that rotationally drives a socket, an advance/retract drive portion that causes this socket to advance or retract along a rotational axis thereof, a magazine that retains a plurality of heads that retain bolts, and a switching portion that moves this magazine to selectively position one of a plurality of heads ahead and on the rotational axis of the socket. One of the heads is selected and positioned on the rotational axis of the socket by the switching portion, then the socket is advanced by the advance/retract drive portion and the head thus selected is retained by the socket, then the socket is advanced further by the advance/retract drive portion and the head to detach is detached from the magazine, and then the head is rotated by driving the rotational drive portion, thereby fastening a bolt retained in the head.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a component handling assembly, comprising, an index table which comprises one or more nests each of which is configured to cooperate with a component to hold the component as the index table is indexed, wherein the one or more nests are configured such that a component which cooperates with a nest is supported above the nest so that the one or more nests can cooperate with components of various sizes, and an alignment means operable to move a component into a predefined orientation before a component co-operates with a nest on the index table. There is further provided a corresponding method of handling a component.

Abstract: A lashing platform includes a base frame, a setting plate resiliently supported on the base frame, a plurality of screwing devices for inserting twistlocks into container fittings or removing twistlocks from container fittings, a plurality of magazines for accommodating the twistlocks, and a plurality of transfer devices for transferring a twistlock from a magazine to a screwing device or from a screwing device to a magazine. The lashing platform being characterized by at least two units, which are each formed by at least two screwing devices, at least one transfer device, and at least one magazine and which can be moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the lashing platform within the base frame, at least one drive for moving the units, and a controller for moving the units into positions in which the screwing devices have access to the container fittings of containers of different size.

Abstract: A production line used to assemble and test some electronic elements includes a first assembly line used to assemble some electronic elements requiring a relatively high requirements of cleanliness factor, a second assembly line used to assemble some electronic elements requiring a relatively low requirements of cleanliness factor, a first testing line used to do some testing items with a relatively high requirements of lightness, a second testing line used to do some testing items with a relatively low requirements of lightness, and a third testing line do some testing items requiring a relatively high requirements of cleanliness factor, the first assembly line, the second assembly line, the first testing line, the second testing line, and the third testing line are located adjacent to each other and connected together in series.

Abstract: A bladed disk assembly device having a horizontal adjustable arm and a vertical pivot bar that is perpendicularly attached to a first end of the horizontal arm. A roller assembly is attached to a second end of the horizontal arm. A rotary table holds a disk that is circumvented by a blade positioning belt around an outer diameter of the turbine disk. A saddle is attached to the vertical pivot bar that is positioned beneath the disk.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: An automatic assembling system and method for camera lens units are provided. The system includes a main workstation, a barrel-feeding station, a lens-feeding station, and a camera lens-removing station. The method includes (A) operating a plurality of barrel-clamping units of the main workstation cyclically and intermittently along a feeding direction; (B) moving a plurality of barrels from a barrel standby area of the barrel-feeding station onto the barrel-clamping units in sequence; (C) moving a plurality of lens units from a lens standby area assembly of the lens-feeding station into the barrels to form the camera lens units; and (D) moving the camera lens units from the barrel-clamping units into a camera lens-collecting area of the camera lens-removing station. The steps (B, C, D) are performed in cooperation with the intermittent operations of the barrel-clamping units.

Abstract: An apparatus for workpiece assembly is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus includes a carousel which rotates between a plurality of assembly stations for assembly. Workpieces are loaded onto or unloaded from the carousel at a load/unload station and the carousel rotates to position workpieces proximate to the plurality of assembly stations. As illustrated workpieces are loaded into a plurality of assembly nests on the carousel. The plurality of assembly nests include alignment fingers rotatable with the plurality of assembly nests or carousel to align components, for example to align discs of a hydrodynamic spindle assembly for merge operations.

Abstract: An edge beam construction including two vertical perforated rolled shapes with webs inverted toward the center of the beam, and a bottom track having a flange disposed in a vertical position against bottom lips of the vertical rolled shapes. The three basic components of the edge beam are positioned so as to provide access for press joining tools. A building module manufacturing method utilizes the light gauge steel rolled shapes that permit industrialized, automated manufacture of floor, roof and wall panels for modular housing and commercial structures with integrated mechanical and electrical systems and rigid framing for road transport without trailers. The module manufacturing method includes a novel method of constructing and positioning a gable.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes an X-Y table for holding a board onto which components are to be mounted, and drive units for moving a mounting section by which the components are to be mounted, and also moving individual sections. When an effective torque calculated by an effective torque detecting section is decided by an effective torque deciding section as having exceeded a specified upper-limit value, rotational speed of a corresponding one of the drive units is decreased.

Abstract: The machine (4) operates continuously and is a single unit having a prismatic construction and a body with an upper base that incorporates a large rotary platen (1), a number of workstations (5) that are placed in said platen and are provided with diametrically opposite curling and sealing compound lining devices (6) and (7), one or more sets of feeding (8) and discharge (9) devices and common actuation means for these stations (5), internal to the machine (4), which machine may operate with any lids (2) or bases of any profile, adapting to any shape of these by rotating the lids (2) in the workstations (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a swash plate with pistons in a swash plate compressor of the present invention can automatically assemble the swash plate with double or single head pistons and shoes thereby improving workability and productivity. In the assembling apparatus, each of the pistons includes a swash plate-receiving section for receiving a pair of opposed shoes therein and having an insert groove for receiving the swash plate mounted on a rotational shaft and a piston body to be inserted into a cylinder bore of a cylinder block so that the swash plate is inserted into the insert grooves of the pistons. The assembling apparatus comprises a base plate, piston-loading means, piston-shifting means and rotating means.

Abstract: In an apparatus for corking bottles, the corks are fed in succession within the cavities of a plurality of vice-like devices, which are driven in rotation by a carousel device and which are designed to be radially compressed by the vice-like devices before their insertion into the respective bottles. The cavity of the vice-like device that each time comes to occupy the position for receiving the cork is set in communication with a negative-pressure source, which sucks the cork downwards, causing it to drop into the cavity, and maintains it in the correct vertical position. Preferably, a similar suction device is provided at the outlet end of feed channel for feeding the corks, which brings the corks to a loading station. A transfer wheel with a vertical axis transfers the corks in succession from the loading station to the starting station of the corking apparatus, where the corks are received within the respective vice-like devices.

Abstract: An automatic collimator manufacturing apparatus includes a loading part being loaded a glass tube, into which a GRIN lens is fixedly inserted, and a pigtail formed with at least one fiber, an angle aligning part allowing the pigtail to be inserted into the glass tube and coaxially aligning the pigtail with the GRIN lens, a spot aligning part controlling an optical property between the pigtail and the GRIN lens, and a dispensing part fixedly attaching the pigtail to the glass tube.

Abstract: A system including an apparatus and method for assembling an insert and a cutter bar into a subassembly for use in dental floss dispensers. The insert includes a body portion defining an arbor for rotatably supporting a spool of dental floss and a superstructure contiguous with the body portion. The superstructure includes cutter bar receiving structure adapted to be grippingly engaged by a cutter bar having a cutting blade portion. The apparatus includes a rotatable assembly wheel having multiple pockets for receiving inserts, which wheel is rotatable into a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of assembly stations. An insert is inserted into a wheel pocket in a first direction at a first assembly station, a cutter bar is pushed onto the insert's cutter bar receiving structure at a second assembly station and the subassembly is discharged in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion at a third assembly station.

Abstract: A flexible work station (1) and an operating method for processing, especially the joining and geometric welding of two or more different types of components (4, 5). The work station (1) has a component feed device (6, 7), one or more flexible processing places (2) with a plurality of movable and type-related positioning devices (14, 15) with a clamping device (16), as well as one or more processing devices (13) and at least one transport device (9). The transport device (9), which is preferably designed as a robot, has a plurality of replaceable and type-related gripping tools (10, 11), with which it transports the components (4, 5) from the component feed device (6, 7) to the positioning devices (14, 15). In the case of a change from one component to another, the gripping tool (10, 11) is changed as well, and the old gripping tool (10, 11) is laid down on a gripper rest (22) at or on the components (4, 5), which are just located on the positioning device (14, 15) or on the component feed means (6, 7).

Abstract: An automatic assembly or production machine and workstation for such a machine which has a rotor that is rotatable around a vertical machine access, and has several receptacles on the periphery of the rotor for components or work pieces to be assembled or for subassemblies. The machine has a central drive means for the rotor for moving the receptacles in a cyclic movement from one work position to the next. Each work position has primary functional elements with a common control unit for them driven by a central drive assembly and producing controlled movements of the element in at least one axial direction in synchronization with the cyclic rotary movement of the rotor.

Abstract: A top cover installation station with a feeder assembly and a robotic assembly for installing a top cover with top cover fasteners on a basedeck of a disc drive. The feeder assembly supports top cover wireframe caddies, each caddy containing top covers. A dial assembly transports each caddy into alignment with an elevator assembly that aligns the top cover with an escapement assembly that removes the top cover from the caddy. The robotic assembly has a positioning assembly supporting a pair of Z-axis end effector assemblies, the positioning assembly transporting the pair of effector assemblies to predetermined positions. A first end effector assembly picks and places the top cover adjacent the basedeck and a second end effector assembly grips and secures the top cover onto the basedeck via the top cover fasteners.

Abstract: The invention provides a manufacturing device for improving working property and reducing the burden of a worker in manufacture of support parts. This manufacturing device has a conveying device for intermittently conveying a main body of the support parts respectively having a bearing press-fitting portion and a bolt press-fitting hole along a predetermined conveying path while the main body is temporarily stopped every constant conveying distance. Plural holding members for holding the main body in a constant posture every constant clearance in a conveying direction of the conveying device are arranged. One stopping position of the holding members in the conveying path is set to a supply setting portion of the main body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assembling and packing small-sized articles consisting of at least two components. A first component is here supplied to a handling device; a second component is assigned to the first component. The article which has been assembled from the first and second components is then packed. Being held between an input position and a discharge position by the handling device, the first component is guided by controllable pairs of gripper means along a curved path, the first components being received in the input position, guided along the curved path and transferred in the discharge position by the pairs of gripper means of the handling device to a transfer means. The second component is also supplied to the handling device, isolated and connected to the first component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembly multi-piston pumps such as the type used in air conditioning compressors. The conveyor is used to releasably retain the required number of pistons which is then moved to an assembly station wrapping the conveyor and pistons around a swashplate which is held there in place. The conveyor retains the pistons in the appropriate circumferential and radial positions about the swashplate. The cylinder block is in partially inserted over the pistons after which the conveyor can be moved back to the loading station releasing the pistons therefrom. After the pistons are released from the conveyor and held in place by the cylinder block the pistons may then be fully inserted into the cylinder block forming a pump subassembly which may then be used to form a complete pump.

Abstract: An assembly apparatus for producing a plurality of articles that are each assembled from a plurality of workpiece components through a predetermined sequence of assembly steps. The assembly apparatus includes a first assembly cell, a second assembly cell and a conveyance mechanism. The first assembly cell has a first tooling set with a plurality of tooling components. The first tooling set is configured to perform the predetermined sequence of assembly steps. The first assembly cell employs the first tooling set to produce at least a first quantity of the articles. The second assembly cell has a second tooling set which is identical to the first tooling set. The second assembly cell employs the second tooling set to produce at least a second quantity of the articles. The conveyance mechanism is coupled to the first and second assembly cells and conveys the articles produced in the first and second assembly cells to a discharge point. A method for assembling an article is also provided.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding an electronic component are provided by which extensive shutdown of the electronic component mounting device due to lack of components is prevented, thereby enhancing the operation rate. The device has a feeder section designating unit (32) for designating a desired one of feeder sections (22), and a feeder section controller (31) for forcibly moving the feeder section which is currently feeding electronic components to a retracted position when the other feeder section has been designated by the feeder section designating unit (32) and for moving the designated feeder section which has been in a standby state to a predetermined component feeding position, by which a long-time pause of the electronic component mounting device caused by exhaustion of components is prevented and the operation rate is enhanced.

Abstract: A system including an apparatus and method for assembling an insert and a cutter bar into a subassembly for use in dental floss dispensers. The insert includes a body portion defining an arbor for rotatably supporting a spool of dental floss and a superstructure contiguous with the body portion. The superstructure includes cutter bar receiving structure adapted to be grippingly engaged by a cutter bar having a cutting blade portion. The apparatus includes a rotatable assembly wheel having multiple pockets for receiving inserts, which wheel is rotatable into a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of assembly stations. An insert is inserted into a wheel pocket in a first direction at a first assembly station, a cutter bar is pushed onto the insert's cutter bar receiving structure at a second assembly station and the subassembly is discharged in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion at a third assembly station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for molding and assembling resin parts to produce a resin product, particularly, a resin product that includes relatively moveable functional parts, such as gears, in a manner that enables one by one parts molding and assembling and also enables reduction of manufacturing cost of the resin product.

Abstract: A predetermined number of sprags 21 are consecutively inserted into sprag pockets 45 in a boss 44 on a rotary index table by means of a sprag inserting section 50. Then, a ribbon spring 22 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of a ribbon-spring fitting section 50, and an outer retainer 23 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of an outer-retainer fitting section 70. At the same time, the boss 44 is continuously rotated to move the sprags 21 toward the radially outward side of the boss 44 by the centrifugal force acting in the sprags 21, thereby allowing the sprags 21 to be inserted and fitted into sprag inserting windows 28 and 30 of the ribbon spring 22 and the outer retainer 23. Further, an inner retainer 24 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of an inner-retainer fitting section 80 to insert and fit the sprags 21 into the sprag pockets 45 of the inner retainer 24.

Abstract: A component assembly, or fan, comprises a hub having secured thereto a plurality of radially extending components. The hub, which is generally of semi-circular configuration, includes planar raised portions constructed and arranged to be vacuum gripped by a rotary indexing support, or turret, and holes which accommodate guide rods of a hopper for storing a supply of the fans. The components are connected to the hub at angularly spaced intervals by severable linkage portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a photo film unit has a dark box, which has supply openings into which parts are supplied, and an exit opening from which the body loaded with the photo film is exited. Intermediate cells of the dark box shield ambient light and include interlocked outer shutter plates and inner shutter plates which are disposed in the supply openings and the exit opening. A cassette supplying loader and a robot hand transfer the cassette into the dark box, while a leading tongue of the photo film is protruded from the cassette shell, with a remaining portion of the photo film contained as a roll. A roll forming fork device winds the photo film to a predetermined length from the cassette and forms the photo film into the roll. A photo film mounting mechanism swings the roll and the cassette shell together to change orientation thereof, and loads the roll and the cassette shell into the body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a needle attached suture and an apparatus therefor. A needle attached suture is obtained by inserting a suture into an insertion hole formed in the end of a needle N which is held by a needle retaining unit 16 and by swaging the end of the needle with the suture. The method and the apparatus have been developed to accurately position the end of the needle for swaging with the suture to stabilize the swaging strength between the suture and the needle. Before the swaging, the needle is held by the needle retaining unit 16, and the end of the needle N is pushed to a certain position by a rod 99 or its equivalent. Thereby, the end of the needle N relative to the needle retaining unit 16 is accurately positioned.

Abstract: The rubber plug fitting apparatus includes a temporary receiver (4) disposed after the feeder (3); a rubber plug holder (5) pivotable 90 degrees by a first drive means (29); a transfer pin (7) for transferring the rubber plug (2) to the holder (5); a wire guide (11) disposed opposite the holder (5) when the latter is pivotated 90 degrees with the rubber plug held therein, which supports a wire (9); a second drive means (37) for moving the holder in a rubber plug fitting direction; and a third drive means (36) for moving the guide (11) in the same direction. A waterproofing rubber plug is reliably fitted over a wire with high positional accuracy.

Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly. A suture feeding and cutting station automatically cuts an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length suture strand and automatically inserts an end of the definite length suture strand into the suture receiving opening formed in the needle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a differential pressure apparatus that transports a component to a receptacle and activates a positive air flow that nutates component about the receptacle until properly aligned so that a negative air flow or gravity forces engagement of the aligned component into the receptacle. The present invention also provides a method of assembling a connector assembly using a differential pressure apparatus.

Abstract: A circuit board locating assembly for locating a circuit board during a manufacturing operation such as a solder paste printing operation performed on the board, the locating assembly comprising a tooling platen for supporting during the operation a plurality of individual board support means, a magazine for storing the board support means when the board support means are removed from the area in which the board is supported during the operation, and conveying means adapted to convey the board support means from the magazine and to position the board support means in selected positions on the tooling platen.

Abstract: A handle applicator for applying a handle having an attachment ring onto a neck of a container by expanding the ring as the ring is being applied. The applicator includes a plurality of circumferentially positioned arms each having a distal end. The arms are moveable between a radially outward first position and a radially inward second position. In the second position, the arms generally define a diameter over which the ring can be positioned onto the arms. The arms also each include a ramp surface and these surfaces cooperate to define a frusto-conical shape when the arms are in the first position. The applicator also includes a plurality of fingers that are generally located radially outward from the arms and which are being biased such that arm contacting portions of the fingers contact the arms. The fingers are movable toward and away from the distal ends of the arms so that the arm contacting portions will engage and push a ring located on the arms up the ramp surfaces.

Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units, including pneumatic actuators and processing tools, at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The processing units each perform a different one of the processing operations during each processing cycle. A motor assembly pivots the rotary surface for stepwise positioning the boxes at different ones of the stations. A control system, including computer and pneumatic systems, causes the box-processing units to perform the different processing operations simultaneously on all boxes in the pipeline.

Abstract: A holder for retaining an elastic part while a wire is inserted therein including a contact holding portion gripping a neck of the plug. The contact holding portion has an annular groove for absorbing elastic deformation of the plug resulting from insertion of the wire. The rubber plug is positioned and held in the holder; since the elastic deformation thereof is accommodated by the annular groove, the wire insertion can be smoothly performed without inward pressure on the wire being inserted.

Abstract: An assembly system comprises a supply jig for holding and positioning a plurality of parts one by one, a supply center for inserting a plurality of parts into the supply jig, a plurality of assembly centers for taking out the parts from the supply jig and assembling the parts into products in parallel processing, carrier conveyor for carrying the supply jig from the supply center to the assembly centers and return conveyor for returning the supply jig from the assembly centers to the supply center. The supply jig supplies the common parts which are required in all of the assembly centers, while each of the assembly centers comprises individual supply means for supplying a non-common part. Thus, this system can cope with assembling various types of products simultaneously, and can eliminate line stoppage upon occurrence of a trouble or for periodic inspection in any one of the centers, thereby production capability is improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a multiple component article such as an optical fiber connector and inspecting assembled multiple component articles. The apparatus includes a fixture or nest for retaining an elongated body of the connector in a selected orientation. Stations of the apparatus are included for placing the elongated body in the fixture in a selected orientation, placing a biasing component on the elongated body, placing a coupling nut on the elongated body over the exposed end and abutting the biasing component, and applying a retaining component to an outside surface of the elongated body for retaining the biasing component between the elongated body and the coupling nut in a compressed state. The inspection system includes a fixture for retaining the multiple component article in a selected orientation in which a portion of the elongated body and a portion of the coupling nut are exposed for inspection.

Abstract: Automation of stacking of lamina included in a modular circuit package is provided by use of a plurality of heads carried on a preferably rotating head transport assembly. The head transport assembly is movable between two locations in which heads simultaneously brought to respective supply, alignment and disposal stations alternately pick up or deposit lamina, plates, separator sheets or protective sheets, respectively. Each lamina, sheet or plate deposited at the alignment station is pressed down over elongated alignment pins while maintaining only a short protrusion of the alignment pins above the existing stack. Continuous production is provided by carousels which bring alignment fixtures to the alignment station and magazines containing lamina to the supply station. Selection among lamina is provided by an elevator assembly which moves a magazine to a location at which a desired lamina can be selected therefrom, preferably under computerized control.

Abstract: An assembly system comprises a supply jig for holding and positioning a plurality of parts one by one, a supply center for inserting a plurality of parts into the supply jig, a plurality of assembly centers for taking out the parts from the supply jig and assembling the parts into products in parallel processing, carrier conveyor for carrying the supply jig from the supply center to the assembly centers and return conveyor for returning the supply jig from the assembly centers to the supply center. The supply jig supplies the common parts which are required in all of the assembly centers, while each of the assembly centers comprises individual supply means for supplying a non-common part. Thus, this system can cope with assembling various types of products simultaneously, and can eliminate line stoppage upon occurrence of a trouble or for periodic inspection in any one of the centers, thereby production capability is improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a photo film unit has a dark box, which has supply openings into which parts are supplied, and an exit opening from which the body loaded with the photo film is exited. Intermediate cells of the dark box shield ambient light and include interlocked outer shutter plates and inner shutter plates which are disposed in the supply openings and the exit opening. A cassette supplying loader and a robot hand transfer the cassette into the dark box, while a leading tongue of the photo film is protruded from the cassette shell, with a remaining portion of the photo film contained as a roll. A roll forming fork device winds the photo film to a predetermined length from the cassette and forms the photo film into the roll. A photo film mounting mechanism swings the roll and the cassette shell together to change orientation thereof, and loads the roll and the cassette shell into the body.

Abstract: An automated continuous manufacturing system which includes a rotatable work table having a plurality of work piece supports for maintaining work pieces during operation of said system, and a plurality of work stations for performing cleaning, pretreatment, treatment or assembly tasks on work pieces secured to said work piece supports. Each of the tasks performed at the work table is performed at a respective work station. Certain of the work stations comprise a removable station subassembly for performing a specific task. The removable station subassemblies are removably engagable with the rotatable work table and may be replaced with an alternate removable station subassembly for performing a desired alternate task. One of the work stations is an assembly station engaged with the rotatable work table for receiving work pieces from their individual work piece supports. The assembly station further includes a removing subassembly for removing the work pieces from the work piece supports for further assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing pieces of flexible material from a length thereof (such as tubes 30 from plastics tubing 4) has a rotor 6 with a port 9 through which the tubing 4 is fed. Rotation of the rotor about its axis 7 displaces an end 4' of the tubing over a cutter 15 to cut the tube piece. The tube piece 30 may be gripped by jaws 23 on a turret 20 and carried to a transfer station 31 at which the tube piece 30 may be picked up by jaws 71 on a vertically displaceable head 60 of a locating unit 3. The head 60 rotates with a turret 56 and is displaced vertically under cam control 62, 63 for fitting an end 30A of the tube piece into a component, such as an open topped container 40, in a seat 52 beneath the head 60. The container 40 may be conveyed to the seat 52 in a filling and sealing line for forming a beverage package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which provides for holding a closure that has threads stationary and rotating the container about its longitudinal axis to apply the closure on the container. Preferably the closure and container are in inverted position. The method of cutting provides for holding the container and closure in inverted positioned, gripping the container and moving a knife transversely of the longitudinal axis of the container to sever the bottom from the container.

Abstract: An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle having a suture receiving opening formed therein, and for packaging the same in a package tray comprises a first workstation including a device for sorting a plurality of needles and orienting each needle for automatic feeding to a second swaging workstation, a second workstation including a device for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length and a device for automatically swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about a free end of the suture to secure the suture thereto and form a needle-suture assembly, a needle packaging station including a device for sequentially receiving at least one of the needle-suture assemblies in a package tray in synchronism with the second workstation, the needle packaging station having a device for automatically winding the depending suture portion of the needle-suture assembly into the package tray, a first indexing device for sequentially receiving indiv

Abstract: A capping unit wherein a number of capping heads, movable with a supporting carrousel conveyor about a first axis, are each rotated about a respective second axis by a respective first shaft movable axially on the carrousel conveyor, for moving the respective head to and from a respective container movable with the carrousel conveyor and coaxial with the second axis. Each head provides for closing the respective container with a cap presenting an internally threaded ring nut mounted for rotation on a pump-operated nozzle, and presents a first and second gripping device for respectively gripping the nozzle and the ring nut and controlled by a second shaft movable axially in relation to the first shaft. The first gripping device is angularly fixed in relation to the carrousel conveyor, whereas the second gripping device rotates with the capping head about the second axis.