Abstract: The modular magazine for feeding tubular containers for stacks of electronic components to a dispenser rack of a machine for the automatic insertion of such components essentially comprises at least one assembly with containment cells for respective tubular containers of the components, each cell being defined by an elongated compartment closed at least at one end by an oscillable lid element, a plurality of sensor elements, each of which is associable with a preset respective portion of the rack to indicate the depletion of components in at least one of the containers in the rack, and electronic control circuit elements driven by the sensor elements to indicate the depletion of the components in the at least one container and to actuate the opening oscillation of the oscillable lid of that cell among the assembly of cells which accommodates tubular containers which contain components of the kind of the depleted ones.

Abstract: A belt-shaped member taking-out and transfer apparatus serves to take belt-shaped members one by one from a container having a plurality of shelves vertically stacked, and transferring them to a server of a tire building machine. The apparatus includes a lifter supporting thereon the container and intermittently raising and lowering the container, and a roller conveyor having a carriage arranged on one side of the container. The carriage is movable in width directions of the belt-shaped members. A plurality of elongated rollers are rotatably supported with their bottom ends remote from the container by the carriage. The elongated rollers extend in the width directions of the belt-shaped members in the container and spaced from each other in longitudinal directions of the belt-shaped members.

Abstract: By providing a pair of vacuum manifolds positioned on opposite sides of an envelope travel path with the vacuum manifolds being laterally spaced apart, a unique, effective and dependable envelope handling system is achieved whereby the envelope sides are consistently separated and the contents removed therefrom and positioned in a readily accessible channel. Preferably, the envelope handling system also incorporates a sensor for automatically and separately inspecting each side of the envelope to determine the presence of additional material which should be processed. In this way, any such material is automatically discovered for handling by the operator.

Abstract: Apparatus for an automatic bottle handling machine (2) operating in conjunction with a bottling line (25), with light material bottles (23) initially orderly arranged on trays or several packings (22) stacked on a pallet (21), comprises a device (1) having grippers (9, 17) for gripping the groups of bottles (23) in a packing (22), transporting (5) the bottles and dumping them out of their packing into a hopper (18) to recover them in bulk, and discharging the packing, an automatic machine (2) to re-erect and align the containers, fed with the bottles in bulk from the device (1), and a bottling line (25) coupled to the automatic machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to equipment assisting the discharge of particulate materials from intermediate bulk containers of the kind comprising an outer bag having an inner lining comprising frame members to which the upper end of the outer bag of an intermediate bulk container can be anchored, cord devices extendable against the action of resilient devices and adapted to be connected with the upper end of an inner liner to the outer bag, pulley devices for guiding the cord devices to the position of connection with the liner, a pivoted arm and devices for attaching the free end of the cord devices to the arm at a position spaced from its pivot, the arrangement being such that the arm can be swung to carry the free end of the cord means to a position for connection with the liner.

Abstract: An upper conveyor (4) moves full compartments (9) toward an emptying station (2) so that rods contained in the compartments enter a horizontal conduit (15). Empty compartments are taken over by a lift (7). Another conveyor (5) feeds empty compartments to the entrance of a filling station (3) into which the rods flow from the conduit. The full compartments are recovered on the lift or on still another conveyor (6) which can route them via the lift or via another lift (8) toward a storage position on one of the conveyors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of emptying a material-filled bulk bag of the type having a bottom discharge spout which is releasably closed above a bottom end of the spout being released and opened after the bottom end of the spout is releasably and sealably attached to a material receiving conduit so as to provide a substantially dustless emptying procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying surface-mounted electronic components to printed circuit boards incorporates a fixture for populating an entire board in a single operation. The fixture comprises an array of upstanding open-ended tubular guides rigidly supported in a block of elastomeric material. Component-dispensing magazines are inserted into the guides. Novel ejectors in each magazine dispense components from all of the magazines simultaneously.

Abstract: An arrangement for the discharge of goods (50) from a package band (24) of flexible plastic material comprises a discharge board (60). The package band is provided with pockets (16) placed following one another and is moved along the discharge board so as to place the pockets in positions where a discharging device (71) moves a pusher roll (74) towards a receiving table (82). The pusher roll rests against the outer wall (11b) of the package band and pushes the goods (50) out of pockets (16) of the package band. A retaining device (64) is situated inside a tunnel (18) of the package band and holds the same in place while the pusher roll discharges the goods to the receiving table (82).

Abstract: A component insertion machine having apparatus for mounting component magazines and arranged for loading components therefrom into the component insertion machine. Shuttle apparatus transversely positioned on th e mounting apparatus is arranged to receive ones of the component magazines and is slidably operable for laterally displacing one received component magazine with other received component magazines to maintain a continuous supply of components to the component insertion machine.

Abstract: A cigarette buffer reservoir system includes mobile containers (18) which are loaded and unloaded by transfer of successive batches of cigarettes between the container and a common transfer station (16) connected to a mass flow conveyor system (2-19) linking at least one maker (3) and at least one packer (5). The transfer station (16) has suction assistance (32) bearing on the ends of the cigarettes to allow separation of cigarettes in a container into batches for transfer during unloading. The transfer station (16) preferably also includes a conveyor (26) with retractable spaced partitions (30) for supplying or receiving successive batches, and at least one pusher (32,34) for transferring batches to or from the conveyor in a direction parallel to the cigarettes.

Abstract: A device for loading cans, bottles, or similar containers into a dispensing mechanism of a vending machine is disclosed. The device includes a rectangular box having a receiving opening and a discharge opening. The rectangular box temporarily stores the containers and includes a cover plate to control the opening and closing of the discharge opening. The cover plate is manually controlled by a control mechanism. The receiving box is also provided with a guide portion which extends into the open loading space of a dispensing mechanism of an automatic vending machine to facilitate the loading operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and feeding electronic components to a component inserting machine comprising a plurality of component storing and feeding units having a pair of slanted, upper and lower guiderails for movably supporting stick-magazine holders, the lower guide rail having a component discharge opening with a raceway extending downwardly toward the inserting machine. A stick-magazine holder on the slanted guiderails moves therealong, under a first stick magazine, abuts against an abutment on the lower guiderail, is aligned with the discharge opening and the first stick magazine is released toward the raceway. A pusher pushes the first stick magazine upward away from the abutment and permits the holder to advance by one step so that a second stick magazine in the holder is brought to abut against the abutment.

Abstract: A method for handling semiconductor components by utilizing a removable filler strip for temporarily securing or clinching longitudinally arrangeable individual components in a tube, rod or hollow magazine. The filler strip is generally flat, but has surface features that serve to press the components against the top, bottom or side of the tube. Partial removal of the filler strip will result in the dispensing of some of the components while the remainder are retained by the filler strip in the tube.

Abstract: Centrifugal machine for discharging cylindrical containers having adhered viscous products, wherein said products are juice or pulp wastes of vegetables, fruits and the like, which remain adhered on the inner surfaces of generally cylindrical containers having a capacity of about two hundred liters, said machine comprising an auto-balancing support structure supporting a large inverted frusto-conical structure, the largest open base of which extends upwardly forming a converging annular flange towards which products from said containers are driven by centrifugal force, said containers being subjected to a high speed rotation by a rotary structure fixed about a central axle and having at least two radial formations for supporting removable containers with their longitudinal axes radially oriented in a balanced and horizontal manner, with their access covers open located distantly from the axle which is coaxial to the bin, the axle being connected to a radial exhausting turbine located beneath said bin and to a

Abstract: A conveying system having an input end receiving flat, generally disc-shaped articles in a flat-lying orientation and arranged in at least one column of indefinite length and an output end discharging the articles in consecutive article groups wherein each group being formed of a number of face-to-face stacked articles. The conveying system includes a plurality of separate, individual pallets for receiving and supporting the article groups; a stacking device arranged for forming the groups and charging the pallets therewith; an article removal device arranged for emptying the pallets and discharging the article groups removed from the pallets; a first conveyor for advancing charged pallets from the stacking device to the article removal device; a second conveyor for returning empty pallets from the article removal device to the stacking device; and lateral guides extending along the first conveyor for guiding and retaining the pallets thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing empty and filled trays in a production line wherein the output of a cigarette maker is normally processed by a packing machine has a tray filling unit which withdraws the surplus of cigarettes from the transporting unit between the maker and the packing machine, a tray evacuating unit which admits stored cigarettes from trays into the transporting unit when the requirements of the packing machine exceed the output of the maker, at least one mobile magazine for empty and filled trays, and a transferring device which can advance filled and empty trays directly between the two units or between either of the two units and the magazine. The transferring device has an inclined holder for a filled or an empty tray and motors which can move the holder up or down as well as about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A method and a reading station for processing a cassette containing an X-ray film coated with a layer of stimulatable phosphorus are proposed. The cassette with the film therein, before being positioned in the reading station, is exposed to X-rays to produce a latent image thereon. The film is then removed from the cassette and the phosphorus layer is brought by a laser beam scanner to luminescence so that the emitted light converts the latent image into digital electric signals stored in the central memory. The film is then erased and re-inserted into the same cassette within the reading station.

Abstract: A fully automated machine is capable of selecting a single "A"-frame storage tube for dual in-line integrated circuit packages from a number of such tubes in a bulk storage bin and then rotating that tube about its longitudinal axis so that the dual in-line packages can be fed into or out of the storage tube in either the live bug (leads down) or dead bug (leads up) positions. The machine will also remove and then replace the stop pin at one end of the storage tube.

Abstract: A machine for feeding a plurality of tubes (18) to a station at which articles in the tube, such as DIPs (10), are released into a discharge chute (46). The device includes a platen (56) which is inclined with respect to each of the two mutually-perpendicular horizontal axes. The tubes (18) are placed on the platen (56) The platen (56) has a wall (50) which occludes lower open ends of the tubes (18) when they are placed on the platen (56). The tubes (18) pass downwardly on the platen (56) along this wall (50). A second lower edge with respect to the other of the mutually-perpendicular horizontal axes, defines a releasing station, and when a tube (18) is in that station, its lower end is not occluded by the wall (50). Devices within the tube (18) are, thereby, permitted to pass outwardly into the discharge chute (46). Stops (80) are disposed proximate this lower edge of the platen (56) in order to arrest downward movement of the tubes (18) beyond the releasing station.

Abstract: A gasket holding and feeding magazine is described which includes a plurality of similar, adjacent compartments, each of which is sized to hold a single gasket therein. The magazine is moved over a stationary floor plate within which is formed a bottom opening of size to permit a gasket to drop therethrough. As each compartment of the magazine is moved into registry above the floor opening, a gasket will drop through the opening and will be directed to a lower gasket holding and clamping plate. The clamping plate securely holds the gasket to allow a belling mandrel to be inserted through the clamping plate and to secure the gasket. The mandrel will then automatically pick-up the gasket as the mandrel is advanced relative to the clamping plate whereby the gasket will be automatically inserted into the pipe end during the belling operation. Upon completion of the pipe bell and cooling of the belled end, when the mandrel is withdrawn, the gasket will remain encapsulated within the belled end of the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a food product from a tray having apertures defining a supporting lattice to which the food product is adhered. A conveyor belt carries the tray in an inverted position with the food product on the bottom and engaging the upper surface of the belt. The undersurface of the belt is slidably supported by a first row of fixed, transversely spaced apart supports. A first row of roller bands with radially directed fingers is located above the belt with the roller bands midway between the supports. The fingers project through the tray apertures and move the product away from the tray and toward the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt sags between the supports, providing room for the product to move for separation from the tray.

Abstract: A device for emptying flexible or rigid containers having flexible discharge stubs for in bulk goods where the discharge stubs are sealable by being tied shut and always issue into the emptying device from where the in bulk goods are conveyed out by partial vacuum or free fall. The emptying device (6) consists of an upright cylindrical housing (7) having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the discharge stub (4). This housing, when connected, is spanned by the discharge stub (4). At least two jaws (10) which when closed are spaced away from the housing wall are provided to which are mounted at least one elastic belt, a cord (11) or the like which in the closed state of the jaws (10) rests while prestressed over the entire periphery of the housing (7) against the discharge stub (4) spanning the housing (7).

Abstract: A rack (28) which supports the beads (12) in a separated condition is transported to the storing and feeding apparatus (10) where the rack (28) is used to place the beads (12) around a plurality of continuous conveyors (20) which are expanded to grip the beads (12). After the rack (28) is removed from the feeding and storing apparatus (10), the conveyors (20) are actuated to simultaneously and intermittently feed the beads (12) to a bead transfer member. The apparatus (10) includes means (64,66,89) to adjust and level the conveyors (20) to accommodate a range of bead sizes and means (118) to insure feeding of one bead (12) at a time.

Abstract: To reduce manual work by an operator filling and unloading a device for testing and sorting electronic components it is suggested that a cassette carriage carrier (8) with a cassette carriage (10) displaceable therein, be placed in front of the input magazine (2). The cassette carriage (10) carries a cassette (11), on which a large number of magazine rods (12) are arranged side by side. The magazine rods (12) are displaceable and arranged on a plane which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the magazine channels of the input magazine (2) of the device (1). In the same way there can be provision for a cassette carriage carrier (8a) with a cassette (10a) and a cassette (11a) as well as the magazine rods (12a) attached to it in connection with the output magazine (6) of the device (1).

Abstract: Soil plug release apparatus is arranged to release plugs of soil from a tray of the type having an array of compartments arranged in rows and columns with each compartment having a hole in the base thereof. The apparatus has a pair of support members held in parallel spaced relationship, and a bridge member spanning the support members and having a curved upper surface, in which there is a row of spaced openings; the spacing between the openings corresponds to the spacing of the holes in a row of tray compartments. A pair of guides guide a tray between the support members transversely over the upper surface of the bridge. The guide means are such as to deform the underside of the tray to conform to the curvature of the bridge member at the point the tray passes over the bridge member. A plurality of cylinders each arranged to store a discrete bolus of air, are coupled one to each opening. The bolus of air is released from each cylinder when the holes in a row of compartments become aligned with the openings.

Abstract: A chip feeder arranged to intermittently transport a tape having a row of a multiplicity of chip-like electronic parts retained thereon from a tape supply section to a chip takeout section along a guide path. Along the tape guide path are provided a pair of fixed and movable guide plates, a guide width adjusting device and a pitch adjusting device. The guide plates engage both lateral edges, respectively, of the tape being fed so as to guide it. The guide width adjusting device changes the spacing between the two guide plates in accordance with the width of the tape by moving the movable guide plate toward or away from the fixed guide plate. The pitch adjusting device adjusts the tape feed pitch in accordance with the dimensions of chips to be fed. Chips which are transported to the chip takeout section are removed from the tape by means of suction after a protective cover covering the tape has been separated therefrom.

Abstract: A process for covering a paint tray so that it may be reused without the necessity of cleaning. The process involves the placing of a flexible, paint-impervious bag over the entire paint tray before any paint is placed therein. The bag is sufficiently large so that a portion of it fits against the interior of the tray and is of sufficient length so that it extends past the end of the paint tray. After the paint tray has been used, the plastic bag is completely reversed thereby capturing and containing all the paint that was formerly in the tray leaving a completely clean tray.

Abstract: A parts feeder includes a stock unit containing a plurality of magazine units arranged side by side and each storing a stack of magazines accommodating an array of parts, and a supply unit for supporting magazines delivered respectively from the magazine units in the stock unit. Parts can be supplied, one at a time, from any of the magazines in the supply unit. The supply unit is movable independently of the stock unit. When any magazine unit runs short of magazines, such a magazine unit can be supplied with new magazines loaded with parts without shutdown of the parts feeder.

Abstract: A part feeder capable of moving individual parts to a receiver from a storage tube having an internal track therein generally conforming to at least a portion of the vertical cross-section of parts stored within the tube to permit the parts to freely slide along the track within the tube. The part feeder comprises a base; a horizontally movable support member slidably mounted on the base; a tiltable arm member pivotally mounted on the support member; and a receiver on the tiltable arm member. An air cylinder is provided for releasably securing one end of the tube on the arm member against the receiver. Another actuator is provided for tilting the arm member so that the end of the tube adjacent the receiver is sufficiently lower than the remainder of the tube to permit one part to slide out of the tube onto the receiver. The tube is then returned to a horizontal position.

Abstract: Magazines, each loaded in series with IC elements to be tested, are stacked and such stacked magazines are arranged in columns. The lowermost magazines of the stacked magazines of the respective columns are simultaneously brought down by a takeout mechanism onto a magazine receiver, and the magazines on the magazine receiver are simultaneously but intermittently fed by intermittent stepping means in the direction of their arrangement. The outermost one of the magazines on the magazine receiver is loaded at an IC element receiving position. The IC elements from the magazine are supplied to a testing station, wherein they are tested, and the tested IC elements are sorted in a sorting station according to their test results and respectively then loaded into IC element receiving magazines in an accumulating station. The accumulating station has an IC receiving magazine stocker room in which IC element receiving magazines are stacked, and an empty magazine stocker room in which empty magazines are stacked.

Abstract: A conveyor system linking a cigarette making machine and a cigarette packing machine includes a container buffer reservoir (42) having a tray filler (20) and a tray unloader (22), each arranged so that the cigarettes are disposed in the transfer position at 90.degree. to those in the main conveyor (10). Twisted downdrops (16, 32) are provided in the conveyors leading to the tray filler (20) and from the tray unloader (22). Tray transport conveyors (44, 46) extend between the tray filler (20) and tray unloader (22) parallel to the main conveyor (10), and include lateral delivery and receiving slides (68, 70) for full trays. An inclined pivoted guide (62) is provided for transfer of empty trays (64) from the tray unloader (22, 24) to a transport conveyor (44).

Abstract: Semiconductor wafers in plastic cassettes are loaded into (and later unloaded from) an input/output station serving a CVD furnace and thereafter the cassettes are non-manually transported by a programmable elevator to and from a flat-finder, a wafer transfer machine (where the wafers are transferred to a boat) and in-process storage. The boats are non-manually transported by a second programmable elevator to and from the wafer transfer machine, in-process boat storage and a boat loader (or process chamber directly). The cassettes can be loaded or unloaded while one or both of the elevators are operating. Up to eight human assisted steps are reduced to only two such steps.

Abstract: A container for hoisting materials at high rise construction sites and for lowering debris to ground level for dumping includes an open top box having a dumping end gate and being held on a raising and lowering frame by a pivot structure across the box and frame which is somewhat offset from the center of gravity of the box so that the box is gravity-assisted toward a tilted dumping position following release of a connection between the box and frame, which connection normally holds the box in a common plane with the frame. The frame is connectable to a hoisting and lowering device.

Abstract: A container for use in loading notes into a currency cassette in a simple and rapid manner includes a base and wall portions upstanding therefrom. A rectangular removable plate is positioned over the base. In order to load the cassette, the container is first loaded with a stack of currency notes with corresponding long edges of the notes resting on the plate and with the end notes in the stack being respectively in engagement with the end wall portions of the container. The cassette is then inverted and placed, with its lid open, over the container. The combination of the container and the cassette is inverted, and the plate is pressed down on the stack of notes through an opening in the base of the container while simultaneously, the remainder of the container is removed from the cassette, thereby leaving the stack of notes in the correct position in the cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying rod-like articles between a delivery device (M), e.g. a cigarette maker, and a receiving device (P), e.g. a cigarette packer, includes a conveyor (C) for articles in stack formation, a container loading device (TF), a container unloading device (TU), and a container handling system (TS) for moving containers between the devices. The container loading and unloading devices (TF, TU) may be in non-parallel orientations and the container handling system (TS) may include a common container reservoir (ER, FR) and a container turning device (FTT, ETT). The container loading and unloading devices (TF, TU) may be linked to the main conveyor (C) by subsidiary conveyors (CTF, CTU) which include a twisting path portion (SC).

Abstract: A strap support system for collapsible shipping containers whereby top-loaded containers may be emptied from the bottoms thereof while supported in a manner which permits, for example, the transfer of particulate material to a hopper or other receptacle is disclosed. In the case of particulate comestibles, the system includes the provision of an expandable sack-like element which contacts the transported material and prevents contact of this material with the reuseable components of the container.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus which transports filter cigarettes from a tipping machine to a packing machine has a first transporting unit which directly couples the output of the tipping machine with the magazine of the packing machine, and a second transporting unit which receives the surplus of filter cigarettes from a diverting device of the first transporting unit when the output of the tipping machine exceeds the requirements of the packing machine and delivers the removed surplus back to the first transporting unit when the requirements of the packing machine exceed the output of the tipping machine. The second transporting unit employs a tray filler which receives cigarettes from the diverting device, a first conveying section which transports filled trays away from the tray filler, a tray evacuator which converts the contents of successive filled trays into a stream of cigarettes and turns the cigarettes through 180.degree.

Abstract: An integrated circuit sleeve handler comprises an input hopper, a first conveyor for sequentially removing individual sleeves from the hopper, an orientor for uniformly orienting the sleeves, a second conveyor for cooperating with the first conveyor to align each sleeve at a sleeve unloading station, a buffer for temporarily holding empty sleeves, a third conveyor for receiving empty sleeves from the buffer and moving them to and past a sleeve loading station and to an output bin and a fourth conveyor for cooperating with the third conveyor to align each sleeve with the sleeve loading station. Thus, all of the sleeve handling needs for an automated integrated circuit handler can be met with a single apparatus which needs very little manual intervention.

Abstract: In a transport apparatus, a plurality of flat bodies are respectively aligned uprightly and juxtaposed laterally to form a block of the flat bodies, the block is loaded in a movable capsule, and the capsule is transported under the application of air flow through a transport pipeline. A loading mechanism having a pair of openable and closable holding arms is disposed to oppose a loading opening of a loading station, and an unloading mechanism having a pair of openable and closable holding arms is disposed to oppose an unloading opening of an unloading station.

Abstract: The invention of the present document comprises apparatus for receiving and automatically feeding dual-in-line package (DIP) transportation and storage tubes (24) to the singulator (76) of an integrated circuit device handler (20) so that devices (22) in the tubes (24) can be introduced at the singulator (76). The tubes (24) are randomly placed in a hopper (66), and conveyed through an aperture (170) formed in a side wall (172) of the hopper (66). An elevator (74) is provided to raise the tubes (24) to a height at which open ends thereof are disposed above the height of the singulator (76). With a tube (24) so raised, a tube inserter (96) pushes the tube (24) into the tube holder (98) of a manipulator (100). The tube holder (98) is, in turn, pivoted to tilt the tube (24) so that devices (22) within the tube (24) are deposited for introduction into the singulator (76 ).

Abstract: An apparatus for use in releasing a fragile food product which has become stuck to a support surface as a result of a prior processing operation, and for transferring the released food product from the support surface in an orderly fashion so that the food product can be further processed and the support surface returned for reuse. In a preferred embodiment, a releasing roller having flexible rubber projections thereon rotates below a tray which supports strips of an extruded meat product stuck to the tray, with the projections extending upwardly through apertures in the tray to gently contact the underside of the meat strip. A back-up roller above the tray and offset horizontally from the releasing roller restrains the trays and strips from moving upwardly, thereby cooperating with the releasing roller to free the adhered food product.

Abstract: A transport mechanism (40) for transporting a semiconductor slice cassette between a clean carrier (10) and a process machine comprises a housing (41) having a forward portion (42) positioned in the people-occupied area of the clean room and a rear portion (46) positioned in the process machine area aerodynamically isolated from people. A moveable glider plate (50) is adapted to receive the carrier (10) and is initially positioned in an aperture provided in the upper surface of forward portion (42). A gearing mechanism (54) is provided which cooperates with glider plate (50) to move the semiconductor slice cassettes mounted on the base of carrier (10) between forward portion (42) and rear portion (46).

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically loading and unloading a printed circuit board from a machine for assembling electronic components to a board. This mechanism receives the board from a board storage magazine and places the board on an X-Y component placement station of the assembly machine. After the components have been placed onto the board, the board is dropped down through the table and transferred back to the storage magazine.

Abstract: An automatic system for feeding integrated circuits (IC's) stored in hollow tubes to the input of a test handler/sorter has an accumulating conveyor table that carries the tubes laterally to a pick-up position. The conveyor table is inclined from the horizontal and a stop surface at its lower edge supports and aligns a closed end of each tube. Sensor assemblies limit the lateral movement of the leading tube, assist in orienting the tube, and detect when it is located at the pick-up position and is properly oriented. The sensor assemblies generate a control signal that activates a gripping assembly organized about a plate that pivots on a rotating support frame. The gripping assembly includes centering cam inserts on one movable gripping member. One motor mounted on the frame rotates the gripping assembly and the gripped tube to the test handler/sorter input. The gripping assembly has a mechanism for controlling the discharge of IC's from the open end of the tube.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus which transports filter cigarettes from a tipping machine to a packing machine has a first transporting unit which directly couples the output of the tipping machine with the magazine of the packing machine, and a second transporting unit which receives the surplus of filter cigarettes from a diverting device of the first transporting unit when the output of the tipping machine exceeds the requirements of the packing machine and delivers the removed surplus back to the first transporting unit when the requirements of the packing machine exceed the output of the tipping machine. The second transporting unit employs a tray filler which receives cigarettes from the diverting device, a first conveying section which transports filled trays away from the tray filler, a tray evacuator which converts the contents of successive filled trays into a stream of cigarettes and turns the cigarettes through 180.degree.

Abstract: A filter feed onto a fluted drum has conveyors which convey a stack-like stream of filters into a small reservoir adjacent to the drum. As they enter the reservoir, the filters are deflected upwards by a deflector plate so that the thrust by the conveyors does not produce a direct pressure of filters onto the drum. Instead, the filters are fed onto the drum by gravity after passing over the plate. A pivoted sensor plate over the reservoir controls the speed of the conveyors.

Abstract: Apparatus for directly coupling a cigarette maker with a packing machine has a tray filling unit which stores empty trays at an upper level and filled trays at a lower level and receives cigarettes from the maker, a tray evacuating unit which stores empty trays at an upper level and filled trays at a lower level and evacuates the contents of filled trays by simultaneously changing the orientation of cigarettes by 180.degree., and a connecting system which delivers empty trays from the evacuating unit to the filling unit and delivers filled trays from the filling unit to the evacuating unit by simultaneously changing the orientation of the trays so as to compensate for changes in orientation during evacuation of cigarettes from the trays. The connecting system employs one or more upright rotary turrets with tray carriers at two levels and a motor which indexes the turret or turrets and the respective tray carriers through 90.degree. or 180.degree..

Abstract: A film package containing a stack of notched films in a light-tight envelope is held vertically in a light-tight loading chamber by a clamp member engaging with the notches of the films. The lower end of the envelope is cut, and the envelope is moved vertically relative to the films until the films are projected from the lower end of the envelope while the films are clamped by the clamp member. The clamp member is then disengaged from the notches of the films, and the films are allowed to move down into a receiving chamber positioned under the loading chamber. Then, a shutter is closed between the receiving chamber and the loading chamber to shield the films in the receiving chamber from light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unpacking a box packed with compressed material. The method comprises the steps of placing a box packed with compressed material and having flaps at a bottom thereof on a bed having an opening therein, lifting said box from said bed to allow said compressed material to start descending from within the box thereby causing said flaps to open gradually, raising a support member from said opening through said opened flaps to support said compressed material from below, continuing said lifting of the box until the flaps completely open, and lowering said support member to place said compressed material on said bed.