Abstract: An autohandler for supplying a lot of feed trays carrying samples and for removing a lot of return trays loaded with tested samples. A loading mechanism has a feed tray elevator containing samples to be tested. An unloading mechanism has a return tray elevator for receiving return trays containing tested samples. An empty tray storage unit stores empty trays. A tray transfer hand transfers the trays. A sensor detects the feed tray elevator position. The sensor actuates an alarm when the feed tray elevator is almost empty.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for picking up a ream of packaged sheets of a desired kind from a plurality of reams of one or more kinds stacked up on a respective one of cells in an automated warehouse and loading the picked-up ream of packaged sheets on a pallet. In the invention, a pick-up device, having a picking, gripping and pulling mechanism and a discharging and stacking mechanism, is located at a position adjacent to a respective cell by traveling the pick-up device horizontally and/or vertically. The pallet is located at a prescribed position. The pick-up device is operated to pick-up the ream of packaged sheet of the desired kind from the plurality of reams of one or more kinds stacked up on a respective cell. Specifically, the picking, gripping and pulling mechanism is operated to pick upwards and grip the ream of packaged sheets to pull the same, and the pulling and piling mechanism is operated to withdraw the pulled ream of packaged sheets and stack the same on the pallet.

Abstract: The apparatus has a carriage (1) which moves along rails (4) and which is provided with a rod (9) which may have a circular cross-section and which carries the vertical uprights (10). The apparatus also has a rotation group (6) and a translation group (7) along longitudinal axis of the rod (9) and a gripping group of different types of the feeding suckers (11), the latter being integral with the uprights (10) so that the operations of loading and unloading slabs of glass or other material from the storehouses may be carried out.

Abstract: A pass thru port, for use in an automated cartridge library, is capable of transferring a cartridge from one module of the automated cartridge library to another module of the automated cartridge library without the use of motors or other powered devices. A rotating mechanism, operating under the force of gravity, engages the cartridge after the cartridge is released by the robot arm of the first module. The rotating mechanism turns the cartridge so it faces in the appropriate direction to be received by the second module. A pivoting tray in the second module engages the cartridge as the cartridge slides from the rotating mechanism to the second module. The pivoting tray positions the cartridge in the second module so that it may be retrieved by a robot arm in the second module. Multiple cartridges can be loaded into the pass thru port and removed one at a time from the second module with the next module automatically moving into position in the second module when the first cartridge is removed.

Abstract: A method of mapping a warehouse rack structure having a plurality of racks comprises the steps of creating a logical matrix and updating the logical matrix. The updating step further includes the steps of causing a moveable device to travel to a first one of the plurality of racks, and producing a first machine-readable distance measurement output. The machine-readable distance measurement output is produced using a first sensor and represents a distance between the first sensor and a first position on the warehouse rack structure. A system for mapping a warehouse rack structure comprises a storage and retrieval machine; a rack structure; a logical matrix; and a computer. The storage and retrieval machine has first and second ultrasonic sensors mounted thereon. The rack structure includes a plurality of racks. The logical matrix stores horizontal position information and vertical position information for each of the plurality of racks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tray for carrying a plurality of pallets loaded with several concrete blocks. The tray is a rectangular frame defining an upper surface, front and rear ends and upwardly-projecting flanges at both front and rear ends. The tray is adapted to receive the loaded pallets on its upper surface between the flanges. The invention further relates to a system adapted to carry the loaded tray through a block curing kiln. The kiln is composed of a plurality of longitudinal cells, as is already known, and the pallet-loaded trays are inserted in a consecutive linear abutment fashion in the cells. The relatively high flanges of each tray thus abut on one another, which prevents the overlapping of the trays, and thus prevents the damaging in this way of the concrete blocks.

Abstract: A transfer system including a roll holder having an upright member with a support member extending in a cantilevered fashion outward from the upright member with the support member including a set of rollers for rollably supporting a roll of material thereon and a detachably mounted roll stop for connecting to the support member so that when the roll of material is to be placed on the support member the roll stop can be readily detached to permit placing the roll of material on the support member and can be readily attached to the support member to prevent the roll of material on the support member from accidentally rolling off the support member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible cable and support band assembly which is dynamically stable at high speeds over long lengths. This has been accomplished by cupping both the flexible cable and the support band in cross section along their lengths so that they cup one within the other to essentially move as a unit even though they are not attached except at their ends. A single support band can be employed to support multiple flexible cables. Additional support has been provided by employing resilient spaced apart strips along a track upon which the one or more flexible cables and support band slide. The resilient strips center the travel of the one or more flexible cables and support band and minimize rocking motion and vibration. Still further the one or more flexible cables and support band are arranged with respect to a robotic media library so that a single length of the one or more flexible cables and the support band will serve a range of lengths of the library.

Abstract: A process for handling products comprising the steps of providing a product handling system having a storage structure comprising a plurality of product pallet lanes having product pallets therein, simultaneously replenishing pairs of juxtaposed pallet lanes with corresponding pairs of pallets, determining if there is a product pallet lane depleted of product pallets such that the quantity of product pallets therein is below a first predetermined quantity; and automatically suspending the simultaneous replenishment of pairs of juxtaposed lanes if it is determined that there is a depleted lane, and replenishing only the depleted lane until the quantity of product pallets therein increases to a second predetermined quantity.

Abstract: A fork-lift apparatus for use in a stacker crane has a running apparatus for traveling forward and backward and a carriage provided with a fork device and arranged for upward and downward movements by a lift apparatus for the purpose of carrying a load with the fork device to and from a desired rack in a multi-tier automatic warehouse. In particular, the carriage has at its lower region a swivel device, a swivel frame driven by the swivel device for rotating movement, and a ram fork provided in the swivel frame as driven by a drive device for movement.

Abstract: An inserter assembly for inserting containers onto a storage carousel. The containers may be inserted by moving them horizontally in a direction tangent to a curved portion of the storage carousel. The container is then latched into the rack by raising a vertically movable horizontal lifting member to lift the lower outside edge of the container and tilt the container toward the carousel to engage a latching mechanism on the rack. The latching mechanism includes leading and trailing hooks with a smooth and continuous bottom surface, with the leading hook having an inclined wing sufficiently wide to rest on the upper leading inside corner of the container until it hangs over the inside of the container.

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

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for picking up a ream of packaged sheets of a desired kind from a plurality of reams of one or more kinds stacked up on a respective one of cells in an automated warehouse and loading the picked-up ream of packaged sheets on a pallet. In the invention, a pick-up device, having a picking, gripping and pulling mechanism and a discharging and stacking mechanism, is located at a position adjacent to a respective cell by traveling the pick-up device horizontally and/or vertically. The pallet is located at a prescribed position. The pick-up device is operated to pick-up the ream of packaged sheet of the desired kind from the plurality of reams of one or more kinds stacked up on a respective cell. Specifically, the picking, griping and pulling mechanism is operated to pick upwards and grip the ream of packaged sheets to pull the same, and the pulling and piling mechanism is operated to withdraw the pulled ream of packaged sheets and stack the same on the pallet.

Abstract: An automated library (30) handles a plurality of data storage units (e.g., data cartridges) stored therein. The library comprises an octagonal drum-like member (34) mounted above a library frame (32). The drum (34) has a plurality of faces on an exterior periphery thereof, each for selectively accommodating a cartridge rack (62). Each face of the drum has a rack mount (110) selectively attachable thereto. The library further comprises a rack (38) for accommodating a plurality of modular I/O drive-containing drawers (64). A picker device (80) engages and transports data cartridges between drives (320), an active rack (60), and an entry/exit port transport (500). The entry/exit transport device (500) transports a selected cartridge between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit port (100). The entry/exit transport device (500) is both rotatable and extensible. A picker move method and library inventory method are also provided.

Abstract: A level gravity conveyor provides a plurality of individual load-engaging support pads aligned longitudinally along the conveyor. The pads are movably supported on runway segments which extend longitudinally. Each runway segment defines an upper raceway surface which movably supports the pad, which upper surface in the preferred embodiment is defined by a plurality of support rollers. The runway segments are alternately raised and lowered so that, when in a raised position, the upper surfaces slope downward in the forward direction. The pads engage and vertically lift the loads when the runway segments are in the raised position, whereby the weight of the loads causes the pads to move downwardly by gravity along the inclined upper surfaces to forwardly advance the loads through a small distance.

Abstract: In a high-rise shelving having two shelving columns (2, 3) and a vertical conveyor (6) disposed therebetween, the bases (9) of shelf-racks (7), which shelf-racks can be transferred by the vertical conveyor (6) into the compartments of the shelving columns (2, 3), are provided with respectively at least one recess (11, 12), through which, in the region of the feed or removal opening (13) of the shelving, parts (20) of an auxiliary conveyor (21) can be brought into engagement with objects (22) deposited on the shelf-racks (7) so as to load or unload these objects.

Abstract: In a method for palletizing tube sections of paper or similar materials closed by means of a longitudinally glued seam into a tube form for producing sacks or bags, the tube sections are supplied in the form of tube packages from a tube machine with loading equipment to a palletizing apparatus. The tube packages are turned over individually or in groups with this loading equipment to a respective supporting base of a multideck pallet and held, compressed flat on their respective supporting base in a storage position of the pallet between the process of palletizing and a later depalletizing. To implement a palletizing process, the respective tube package is lifted into the loader and then moved into the pallet into a position, in which it is a distance above the supporting base. When it reaches the intended position, it carries out a vertical deposition motion and is deposited on the supporting base.

Abstract: A media library system has a plurality of independently-operated library arrays disposed in a side-by-side relationship along a first direction. Each of the library arrays has a media drive and a plurality of media storage receptacles arranged in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. A separate media transport apparatus in each of the library arrays has a moveable media holder for moving media along the second direction between the storage receptacles in the library arrays and the media drives, respectively, in the independently-operated library arrays. A media exchanging and input common apparatus has a media carrier disposed for movement adjacent a common end of all of the independently-operated library arrays along the first direction. The media carrier has a media-transfer stop location at each of the library arrays at the common end of each of the library arrays.

Abstract: A three-dimensional warehouse in which its working efficiency is improved with respect to the receiving and taking out of articles and its housing efficiency is improved. The warehouse has entrance/delivery stations provided at a plurality of stories, for housing blocks provided on a vertical plane. The warehouse also has horizontal conveyors disposed to circulate along the periphery of a housing area by connecting the horizontal conveyor of the same story. The warehouse may further include a vertical conveyor for connecting the horizontal conveyors in the vertical direction. The articles can be taken in and out efficiently by driving and selecting the conveyor and the entrance/delivery stations to be used.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for moving a stored article between a movable table and a storage rack has a traction pin carried on an endless chain or belt with the chain or belt in a plane which is inclined to horizontal or is vertical. A pressing pin may be provided on the chain or belt for pushing the stored article off of the moving table onto the storage rack for transferring the stored article between two storage racks, with the table between racks. The apparatus may be provided with two, three or four rotors for the chain or belt.

Abstract: A device for removing plate-shaped articles (22), especially glass panes, which are piled standing roughly vertically in compartments (2), has a tilting table (8) which can be moved next to the compartments (2) transversely to the orientation of the compartments (2). On the tilting table (8) in the area of the upper longitudinal edge of its support wall (13), a beam (11) is supported which can be moved lengthwise on the support wall (13). Beam (19) can be moved into compartments (2), and on beam (19) are vacuum suction boxes (21). To remove one pane of glass (22), beam (19) is pushed into a corresponding compartment (2) and tilting table (8) is swivelled subsequently until vacuum suction boxes (21) engage the pane of glass (22). The tilting table (8) is then swivelled back again until the pane of glass (22) hangs freely on beam (19) and then the beam (19) with its suspended pane of glass (22) is withdrawn from compartment (2).

Abstract: An automated cartridge system optimizes the time it takes to execute a series of cartridge requests. After cartridge requests are received, the library controller calculates the approximate time it will take to execute each possible sequence of pending cartridge requests. The library controller then executes the first request in the sequence of pending requests which will take the shortest elapsed time. This series of calculations and executions continues until all requests are completed. It is another object of the present invention to carry out the motion optimization in such a manner that assures that a particular cartridge request is not put off indefinitely. Each time a hand or arm is allocated to a request, all other requests waiting for these mechanisms have their calculated execution times reduced to increase the likelihood of execution.

Abstract: The warehouse has a high storage density and is suitable for the storage of bulk goods. The warehouse has at least three superimposed storage areas. A storage area is laid out as the operational level for the storage and withdrawal of the goods. A further storage area consists of a storage level with one or more superimposed storage levels for storing and consigning goods. A further storage area is used as an auxiliary operational level for preparing roller pallets and taking them to the operational level.

Abstract: A multi-level storage facility comprising a plurality of vertically stacked storage chambers, each of a size to accommodate an item to be stored, such as a vehicle. Each chamber contains a platform, and all of the chambers are accessible from a common face of the facility. An elevator is mounted so as to move along the common face of the facility to provide access to any one of the chambers. Each of the chambers and the elevator provide a device for engaging one of the platforms in an upper or a lower position. The platform being movable between positions at any time including when the elevator is in motion. With the elevator aligned with any one of the chambers, the platform in the chamber may be exchanged with one on the elevator. The elevator provides a device for acheiving this result, saving the extreme expense of having exchange devices in each and every chamber, or on each platform.

Abstract: A media exchange system uses a robot arm assembly to allow tape cartridges and other storage media to be shared among multiple, individual, media storage libraries. One or more media storage libraries are provided for data storage. Each media storage library has its own internal media storage facility that can be accessed at a relatively quick speed. If required, the robot arm assembly can be used to transfer media from one media storage library to another. Additional media storage cells are provided external to the individual media storage libraries. These provide additional tape storage.

Abstract: An article selecting and collecting apparatus having a plurality of vertically spaced elongated ramps with a continuous conveyor and articulated selector slidingly attached to a rail adjacent each conveyor. The articulated selector slides along the rail to a selected portion of the rack for selecting an article from the rack and placing it on the adjacent conveyor. The conveyor carries the article to a spiral chute at a distal end for collecting with other selected articles.

Abstract: A disc-shaped object storage and retrieval mechanism uses storage grooves corresponding to the radius of a disc-shaped object, such as an audio or photo compact disc or video disc, and a curvilinear track with a curve determined by the diameter of the disc-shaped object, to move the disc-shaped object from a storage position to a transport position by a single roller. The mechanism has a disc-shaped object storage structure in the form of a magazine and a movable picker assembly having a picker arm with a curvilinear track that receives an edge of a disc-shaped object and supports the disc-shaped object along this edge. The movable picker assembly has a picker wheel that is movable into engagement with an edge of the disc-shaped object. Accordingly, when the picker wheel turns the disc-shaped object, it drives the disc-shaped object into or out of the disc-shaped object storage magazine.

Abstract: An inter-system transport mechanism for moving data cartridges between robotic data cartridge handling systems in an automated fashion is disclosed. Each data cartridge handling system includes a carousel-type storage mechanism for storing a plurality of data cartridges. A gripper mechanism comprising a gripper assembly, an extension axis assembly, and a vertical rail assembly is provided to transport the data cartridges to the storage mechanism and the inter-system transport mechanism.

Abstract: Installations for trans-loading piece goods in the form of load units (3) such as containers, returnable vessels, semi-trailers or the like between road and railborne vehicles (2) comprise a single or multiple storey store (5, 6) for the load units (3) on one side of a single or multiple track railway line (1), a single or multiple lane roadway (9) on the other side of the store (5, 6) as well as lifting gear means (10, 11) for transferring the load units (3). In order to reduce the required floor area for simplifying the lifting gear means to be employed as well as accelerating the transfer, the store (5, 6) in such an installation is to be divided longitudinally into two parts with an operating space (7) accommodated between the store portions (5, 6) and having fixed to the four comers of the operating space (7) one load lifting gear means (11) each. The width of the operating space (7) corresponds at least to the length of the largest load unit which is to be transferred.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automated video cassette library is provided which is actuated in response to command signals originated by an individual at a location remote from such apparatus to transfer a select video cassette in a horizontal plane from a cassette shelf to a cassette player each of which is located in a compact housing. The apparatus is then ready for use by another individual who may select another video cassette for playing upon another video player each of which is located in the same housing. The cassette player plays the video cassette and communicates the recorded program to the individual's television set. Upon completion of each play, the video cassette is rewound and automatically transferred from the cassette player to the cassette shelf.

Abstract: The dispatching apparatus with a gas supply distribution system (300) basically comprises an automatic handler 301 and a vertical stocker (302). The vertical stocker has a frame (308) formed by an assembly of tubes supporting a plurality of support stations or bins (309) each provided with gas infectors (311) connected on the one hand to the gas injection valves of the container and on the other hand to a compressed ultra pure neutral gas supply installation. As a result, during the processing idle times, an adequate overpressure of said neutral gas is maintained in the interior space of the container enclosing the workpiece, e.g. a silicon wafer. The automatic handler (301) basically comprises a handling robot (305) having an extending arm (306) provided with gripping means (307) adapted to the container design. The handling robot (305) is affixed on an elevator (304) for vertical movement and is able to rotate about it.

Abstract: A multi-level cargo container storage rack. A container transport aisle extends through the rack from top to bottom and between opposed ends of the rack. A plurality of container storage positions are provided on each level and on each side of the aisle. A container elevator vertically displaces containers within the aisle to a selected level. A container transfer mechanism transfers containers between the elevator and a selected side of the selected level. The storage positions on each side of the aisle are displaceable toward or away from the aisle, along each of the levels. A programmed computer drives the system.

Abstract: The invention is an automated storage library including one or more robotic accessors which move upon the surface of a horizontal plane including the openings to storage cells. The accessors are wireless, remotely controlled vehicles. The vehicles employ known tracking mechanism(s) to move between locations within the library. The storage cells are embedded beneath the horizontal surface. The horizontal plane is a floor which is formed by the surface of the storage cells. Openings in the floor are also the access openings to the storage cells. Storage media are raised and lowered into the storage cells by a picker mechanism on the vehicles.

Abstract: A system especially adapted to retrieve, insert and transport a computer data storage cassette between spaced-apart cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The system includes a robot carried by a movable transport assembly which is operable to transport the robot between the cassette library and cassette drive unit sites. The robot itself includes an especially adapted robotic manipulator whereby the cassette may be gripped and released. A mechanical cassette ejector is preferably provided to ensure that the cassette is expelled from the fingers of the robotic manipulator when the cassette is released. A push rod may also be provided so as to engage, and thus manipulate, a door which covers a slot of the cassette drive unit.

Abstract: An article feeding apparatus which feeds articles from a feed source to a section to be subjected to feeding includes a stocker for stocking a plurality of pallets retaining a plurality of articles in units of types of articles, with the stocker being capable of moving one pallet to a predetermined position, and a take-out unit for taking the pallet moved to the predetermined position outside the stocker in order to transfer articles to the section to be subjected to feeding. In addition, a buffer receives replacement of the pallets retaining the articles from external equipment and temporarily stores the plurality of pallets, and a replacing unit replaces the pallets in the stocker with the pallets in the buffer in accordance with a decrease in number of articles in the pallet in the stocker to a predetermined value as the articles are fed to the feeding section.

Abstract: The frames contain a predetermined number of packages (2), mounted with an almost vertical orientation. The packages are extracted with a device which comprises a carriage (3), provided with a platform (10) for the discharge, along which the tray (4) with the sheets and heavy loads is allowed to run. The extraction is carried out by placing the platform in horizontal position, by a maneuver achieved by use of cylinder (12) while the stored sheets and heavy material are lifted with cylinders (18) and (19) so that the removal is easily obtained.

Abstract: A device for transferring materials and product with respect to a worktable (13) of a processing machine (1), including stackers (5R, 5L) provided with a plurality of pallet shelves (3) to and from which material and product pallets are passed and discharged, and a pallet carrying elevator (75) disposed in a vertically movable manner with respect to the stackers, for supporting and moving the material and product pallets with respect to the shelves (3), the pallet carrying elevator (75) being provided at an upper portion with a work holding device (109) and at a lower portion with a supporting device (95) for supporting and releasing a processing pallet (Pk) to pass and discharge it (Pk) with respect to worktable (13) of the processing machine.

Abstract: A handling apparatus for warehousing arrangement which is supported on and guided by a floor rail installed in, for example, a factory for movement along a predetermined track provided in front of load-in/load-out sections of a rack. A pair of front and rear posts upstanding from a travel carriage of the handling apparatus and spaced from each other in the dirction of horizontal movement of the carriage have opposed surfaces on which are formed front and rear guide faces. The elevator is guided at one and the other ends thereof by and along the front and rear guide faces so that the elevator is vertically movable along the guide faces. Cord members for vertical drive are arranged along the opposed surfaces of the pair of posts and are connected to the elevator. On the opposed surfaces of the posts at positions opposite to the cord members is defined a relief spacing between each cord member and each respective post.

Abstract: A robot for emptying a postal machine having a plurality of containers into which the postal items (letters and cards) are delivered and form a substantially ordered stack of items, one on top of another. The robot includes a base structure located on a rectilinear structure arranged parallel to a wall of the postal machine and a columnar structure which is fixed to the base structure and supports a slide slidable vertically on the columnar structure itself. The slide supports a pair of arms which are slidable relative to the slide and have gripper devices at their ends arranged to be introduced into one of the containers to grasp a stack of postal items, to withdraw them from the container and to deposit them on a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A buffered access system for loading and unloading media from a storage library system without interfering with the operation of the robotic arm within the storage library, while maintaining the security and integrity of the system, and increasing the overall storage capacity of the storage library. The buffered access system includes an automatic stack loader coupled to the exterior of the library module enabling the operator to stack multiple data cartridges to be input into the library module and to remove data storage cartridges automatically stacked in an output tray. The automatic stack loader retrieves and inserts the data storage cartridges in sequence from and into the library module through a cartridge access port to a turntable mechanism located in the interior of the library module.

Abstract: The device serves to convey products singly and in succession to a work station. For example rolls of strip material can be conveyed to a wrapping machine, or containers of cigarettes can be conveyed to a packaging unit. The device comprises a conveyor system by which products loaded into a magazine are supported and caused to advance from an infeed end of the magazine toward a mechanism, positioned at an outfeed end, which the transfers each product to a position within the work station. The movement of the conveyor system is reversible, and with a transfer mechanism installed at both the infeed and the outfeed end of the magazine, the contents can be emptied from either end without manual or machine assistance.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of storage bins arranged in spaced fashion. An extraction mechanism is provided to engage an edge of the bin defined by a sidewall and a bottom of the bin for moving the bin with respect to a storage location and a shuttle device. The extraction mechanism is movable along a first path in either direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of an aisle. The extractor mechanism is extendable below the bottom of a bin in a rest position, such as at a storage location. When the extractor mechanism has reached a position adjacent to the outermost end limit of travel, a tab actuating mechanism is engaged to move upwardly extending tabs between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A material handling system incorporates one or more interface trolley systems comprising a plurality of trolleys disposed adjacent one another and slidable on guides disposed parallel to one another either individually or in groups. The material handling system comprises one or more racks, each of which includes a series of columns of storage locations. The or each trolley system is disposed at the base of one or more of the columns, and the or each rack includes a lift mechanism located and arranged to move materials and articles into and out of the storage locations and deliver them to or retrieve them from individual or plural trolleys of the or one of the trolley systems under operator control or automatically.

Abstract: A stock unit for storing carriers has a stock unit body, a plurality of carrier mounting shelves provided in a side wall of the stock unit body at predetermined spaces in a vertical direction, a carrier station, provided in the lower portion of the stock unit body, receiving and sending a carrier between the stock unit and a carrier part provided in the outside of the stock unit body, a carrier transport device, provided in the lower portion of the stock unit body, for transporting the carrier from the inside of the stock unit body to wafer transfer device provided in the outside of the stock unit body, and a carrier arm mechanism gripping at least one carrier, receiving and sending the carrier between the carrier station and the carrier transport device, and between the carrier mounting shelves and the carrier transport device regardless of the operation of the carrier transport device.

Abstract: The invention provides shelf service apparatus in the form of a gantry crane (7), for a material store for rod-like material which may be accommodated in self-supporting magazines (5), where the material store comprises stacking frames arranged transversely of, and aligned with one another in, the storage space direction and separated from one another by lanes for material transport. These frames are provided in the manner of shelving units with carrier arms (4) arranged one above another, extending in the direction of the storage space and secured on vertical shelving supports (2), for the material or the magazines.

Abstract: The expandable magnetic tape cartridge storage system is designed to handle a moderate number of magnetic tape cartridges and is expandable without the need to add an additional robotic cartridge handling mechanism. This is accomplished by the use of a base module that consists of a half cylinder of magnetic tape cartridge storage locations. A center pivot robotic cartridge handling mechanism is included in the base module in order to transport the magnetic tape cartridges between the cartridge storage locations and a plurality of magnetic tape drives included in the base module. The capacity of this cartridge storage system can be increased by adding an additional half cylinder of magnetic tape cartridge storage locations to thereby create a complete cylinder of cartridge storage locations.

Abstract: A package storing apparatus wherein a belt conveyor is provided adjacent to a package storehouse provided with a number of placing shelves on which a package erected on a tray is placed. A package transfer device for transferring a package between the package storehouse and the belt conveyor comprises a fluid-pressure actuator arranged in a vertical direction, a rack connected with the fluid-pressure actuator and reciprocated thereby, a transfer sack connected with the sack by a driving force transmitting device, and a hook for holding the tray, which is provided on a support rod secured to the transfer sack.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking out and storing articles includes a stocking device having a plurality of compartments for storing articles, a carrier for moving articles which is movable with respect to the stocking device in multi directions, and a control device for memorizing the position of a compartment in which an article is stored and for controlling movement of the carrier by means of the identification code on the article. The storing and taking out articles can be carried out automatically, thereby reducing operation time required for storing and taking out articles.

Abstract: An assembly for the controlled programmed handling of articles includes autoguided and robotized vehicles and a plurality of work stations and storage areas. There is a computer communication system between a host computer, the vehicles, and the work and storage areas. The vehicles have manipulator devices to move articles from the vehicle to the work stations and storage areas and vice versa. The work stations include a receiving area, a work area, and an output area with detector devices for detecting articles in each area and for communicating same to the computer. Each vehicle has a non-traction wheel and an encoder device communicating with the non-traction wheel for converting rotation of the non-traction wheel into distance travelled by the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus which makes it possible to store or place flat articles (20) in a storage cassette (18) with the aid of an intermediate cassette (60), so that it is possible to temporarily store in the latter certain flat articles (20). The apparatus includes a gripping device (50) having a number of tracks (2) corresponding to the number of racks of the storage cassette (18). It also includes an intermediate cassette (60), whereof each rack is placed so as to correspond with the tracks (2) of the gripping device. In order to insert or remove a flat article (20) with respect to the storage cassete (18), it is possible to remove certain flat articles (21) from the gripping device (50) which might cause a hindrance during the penetration of the tracks (2) into the storage cassette (18). A pneumatic raising device is responsible for the handling of the flat articles on the tracks (2). Specific application to the handling of silicon wafers used in the manufacture of integrated circuits.