Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for loading, processing, and unloading substrates. A processing system comprises a load/unload system coupled to a photolithography system. The load/unload system comprises a first set of tracks having a first height and a first width, and a second set of tracks having a second height and a second width different than the first height and first width. An unprocessed substrate is transferred from a lift pin loader to a chuck along the first set of tracks on a first tray while a processed substrate is transferred from the chuck to the lift pin loader along the second set of tracks on a second tray. While a first tray remains with a substrate on the chuck during processing, the load/unload system is configured to unload a processed substrate and load an unprocessed substrate on a second tray.

Abstract: An ultra-clean transportation and storage system includes a product storage container with a base having product supports and a segmented lid enclosing the product supports. Rollers on the base have grooved sidewalls receiving a rail to support the product storage container and rolling along the rail edges. Lift-off hinges allow lid removal only after a predetermined rotation. Seals, a one-way breather valve, and a gas inlet allow the interior of the enclosure to be purged. A friction brake on the product storage container has an integrated O-ring contact surface and a housing enclosing complementary acme threads for moving the brake. A transfer cart includes a rail on the lift arm to support the product storage container during movement, and alignment and docking mechanisms on a transfer end effector of the lift are for docking with either a storage spaced on a storage rack or a transfer space on a pass-through.

Abstract: A dump body latching system for application to a self dumping hopper having a base platform, a rotatable dump body mounted thereto and a locking pin on the rotatable dump body is provided. The dump body latching system configured to control the rotation of the rotatable dump body thereon and includes a power source, an actuator assembly configured to selectively engage the locking pin to facilitate preventing rotation of the rotatable dump body, and a linear actuator assembly having an actuator rod configured for reciprocal motion into and out of an actuator housing. A controller is configured to connect the power source with the linear actuator to extend the actuator rod into contact with the actuator assembly and thereby rotate the actuator assembly to disengage the locking pin.

Abstract: In the figures there is provided a bin handling apparatus comprising a trailer (10) having a pair of spaced chassis members (14) defining a rear-opening space. A hoist assembly (16) includes spaced support beams (17) pivoted at pivots (20). The forward ends of the support beams (17) are interconnected and support a hoist tower (22) having a lift chain moving a tine carriage (24) from which is cantilevered a pair of spaced lifting tines (26). A tipping ram (27) serves to rotate the hoist assembly (16) about the pivots (20). A headstock (30) on the hoist tower (22) has apertured bin engaging lugs. An open-topped bin assembly (31) has a movable wall (35) hinged to the upper, rear edge and forming a closure which can be locked in the closed position by latches. The front wall of the bin has engagement lugs (37) with apertures adapted to align with the apertures in the bin engaging lugs, and be retained by an elongate steel pin (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for use in unloading bulk material from containers that is vertically adjustable and provides a mechanism for maintaining a coupling engagement with an outlet on a container. The apparatus has a plurality of inflatable flexible members configured and arranged to maintain the coupling engagement of the apparatus to the container outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a shuttle bin includes an upper frame, a lower frame hingeably connected to the upper frame, a storage body operatively connected to the upper frame for storing material and a roller assembly operatively connected to the upper frame. The roller assembly is adapted to draw the storage body taut to unload the material stored in the storage body as the upper frame hinges away from the lower frame. The storage body may be formed of a pliable material such as a mesh or canvas.

Abstract: An integrated high speed robotic mechanism is disclosed for improving transport equipment, integrating an object movement with other functionalities such as alignment or identification. The disclosed integrated robot assembly typically comprises an end effector for moving the object in and out of a chamber, a rotation chuck incorporated on the robot body to provide centering and theta alignment capability, and an optional identification subsystem for identifying the object during transport. The present invention also discloses a transfer robot system, employing a plurality of integrated robot assemblies; a transfer system where a transfer robot system can service a plurality of connected chambers such as FOUP or FOSB; a front end module (FEM); or a sorter system. Through the use of these incorporated capabilities into the moving robot, single object transfer operations can exceed 500 parts per hour.

Abstract: In the figures there is provided a bin handling apparatus comprising a trailer (10) having a pair of spaced chassis members (14) defining a rear-opening space. A hoist assembly (16) includes spaced support beams (17) pivoted at pivots (20). The forward ends of the support beams (17) are interconnected and support a hoist tower (22) having a lift chain moving a tine carriage (24) from which is cantilevered a pair of spaced lifting tines (26). A tipping ram (27) serves to rotate the hoist assembly (16) about the pivots (20). A headstock (30) on the hoist tower (22) has apertured bin engaging lugs. An open-topped bin assembly (31) has a movable wall (35) hinged to the upper, rear edge and forming a closure which can be locked in the closed position by latches. The front wall of the bin has engagement lugs (37) with apertures adapted to align with the apertures in the bin engaging lugs, and be retained by an elongate steel pin (40).

Abstract: A breakdown hoist has a secondary stage that permits continuous operation. The breakdown hoist may be run with the secondary stage disabled. In some embodiments a primary and secondary stage can discharge lumber simultaneously onto two conveyors. Providing two conveyors can increase surge capacity.

Abstract: An adjustable hopper for aiding in the transportation of old roofing material, such as shingles, to a refuse dumpster is herein disclosed. The hopper is inwardly tapered towards a false bottom and has a manually actuating release lever for vacating the contents through said false bottom. The hopper assembly is mounted on four height-adjustable leg assemblies manipulated by a handle. The hopper and leg assemblies are mounted on a support frame with heavy-duty caster wheel assemblies at each of four corners. The support frame is constructed so as to enable the entire hopper assembly to be positioned about a conventional refuse dumpster with a minimal amount of clearance.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus (10) for cleaning emptied refuse bins. The apparatus has a platform (14) supporting a reservoir (18) containing a cleaning fluid, a bin cleaning station (20), a pumping arrangement (22) for causing the cleaning fluid in the reservoir to flow through tubes (24 and 26) to a spray device (28) in the cleaning station, and a lifting device (16) arranged to lift and invert a refuse bin (60) to be cleaned over a chute (82). The spray device has a rotating spray head (88) with spray nozzles (98, 100) controllably positionable within the chute for cleaning the side walls of the bin. Other spray nozzles (104, 106) are used to clean the lid (84) of the bin. The chute has a slanting base (108) with a drain outlet (110) arranged for the sprayed cleaning fluid flowing off the bin and the any fluid that misses the bin to flow towards the outlet. A filter arrangement (112) filters the sprayed fluid from the outlet before entering into a sump (114).

Abstract: An off-loading conveyor of produce having utility in the discrimination and separation of watermelons includes a support structure defining a conveying path, an endless flexible element mounted on the support structure to extend and to move along the conveying path and support elements mounted to pivot from the conveying path and to move with the endless flexible element along the conveying path. The support elements are mounted to mounts which are attached to the endless flexible element. These elements are pivotally mounted to the mount and extend transversely across the conveying path of the conveyor from pivots in alternation from opposite sides of the conveying path. The support elements include elongate bodies which are pivoted adjacent one end and employ a rotatably mounted wheel adjacent the other end. The wheels define a conveying channel and are able to be lifted by cams upwardly to off load produce from either side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A high-clearance dump system is described for use with a riding mower. A folding lift assembly lifts the catcher box up and away from the riding mower to allow dumping over and away from the walls of a truck or other receiving vehicle. The folding lift assembly interfolds into the dumping catcher assembly and the dump system mount assembly thus providing a low-profile when in the lowered position. A lift pivot arm, and lift control rods that are shorter than the lift pivot arm, cause the catcher frame to be tilted at an obtuse angle with respect to the lift pivot arm so that the back end of the catcher frame is higher than the front end of the catcher frame when the lift pivot arm is raised, thus providing high clearance. A power system provides power a switch box that switches power between a lift cylinder and a dump cylinder so that the catcher may be dumped in a raised, partially raised, or lowered position.

Abstract: A bridge loadport is described comprising a tool interface, an advance plate assembly, a port plate, and a port door. The tool interface extends vertically and is configured to substantially cover one end of a process tool. The advance plate assembly is supported on the front side of the tool interface and is configured to support a front-opening unified pod (pod). The port plate extends vertically, covering an upper portion of the tool interface. An aperture having a size and shape that substantially matches a size and shape of a door of a pod is formed in the port plate. The port door has a port door actuator and a port door face attached to the port door actuator. In one embodiment, the port door face is movable with respect to the port door actuator along a ling perpendicular to the aperture.

Abstract: An unloader for discharging and feeding dry, granular type materials from bulk bags. Among the many improvements of the discharge apparatus is an open frame (20) and offset discharge location. Other improvements include an I-beam (23) and frame design that keeps the hoist (25) movement within the four corner posts of the frame. The unloader may be provided with vibrators, vibration isolators, load cells, actuators (107, 108), massage paddles, or plates (106, 109) to assist in the discharge function.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods of processing microelectronic substrates in which the tools maintain high throughput yet have dramatically lower footprint than conventional tools. In preferred aspects, the present invention provides novel tool designs in which multiple tool functions are overlapped in the x, y, and/or z axes of the tool in novel ways.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus, for removing a substrate from a substrate accommodating tray accommodating the substrate in a horizontal state, includes a plurality of support pins for raising the substrate accommodated in the substrate accommodating tray above the substrate accommodating tray. The substrate accommodating tray includes a plurality of openings through which the plurality of support pins are to be inserted. The plurality of support pins are moved up relative to the substrate accommodating tray and are inserted through the plurality of openings of the substrate accommodating tray, so as to raise the substrate. The plurality of support pins each have a length sufficient to be vertically inserted through a plurality of substrate accommodating trays stacked vertically.

Abstract: A bin for library articles and an automatic unloading system therefor includes a bin housing having a chamber defined by an uppermost housing plane and by opposing walls. A floor within the chamber has a top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of cable apertures. A plurality of cables suspend the floor within the chamber, and are fixed at one end to the walls. The cables pass through the cable apertures in the floor, and are secured to a reversible cable driver which is, in turn, secured to the bottom surface of the floor. Clockwise rotational motive force of the driver causes the floor member to climb upward on the cables to the uppermost housing plane, while counter-clockwise rotational motive force causes the floor to descend downward from the housing plane.

Abstract: Semiconductor processing apparatus is disclosed which provides for movement of a scanning arm 60 of a substrate or wafer holder 180, in at least two generally orthogonal directions (so-called X-Y scanning). Scanning in a first direction is longitudinally through an aperture 55 in a vacuum chamber wall. The arm 60 is reciprocated by one or more linear motors 90A, 90B. The arm 60 is supported relative to a slide 100 using gimballed air bearings so as to provide cantilever support for the arm relative to the slide 100. A compliant feedthrough 130 into the vacuum chamber for the arm 60 then acts as a vacuum seal and guide but does not itself need to provide bearing support. A Faraday 450 is attached to the arm 60 adjacent the substrate holder 180 to allow beam profiling to be carried out both prior to and during implant.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for loading water bottles into a water cooler. The apparatus includes a cradle adapted to assume a horizontal position to receive a horizontally disposed water bottle that is laterally rolled into the cradle, a hinge adapted to rotate the cradle and received water bottle to a vertical position so that a water delivery aperture of the water bottle is disposed on a bottom side of the water bottle and an energy absorbing elevator adapted to lower the rotated water bottle into the water cooler.

Abstract: An apparatus for inverting a container is disclosed. The apparatus has a column that is generally vertically disposed and having a base end connected to a floor plate that can rest on a floor and a top end at the end of the column opposite the base end. The column is capable of rotating about the floor plate and the column has a carriage that moves vertically within the column. The carriage has connected thereto an arm that moves in a horizontal plane. The arm inverts a container such that the contents of the container may be removed.

Abstract: A garbage or recyclable material handling system uses material containers each pivotally mounted to respective supports at desired locations for movement between a lower material receiving position and a partially inverted material discharge position. At least one materials collection vehicle is provided to communicate with respective containers when in the discharge position to receive the materials discharged therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted for attachment to a conventional lift device such as a forklift or an end loader, or the like, includes a pair of movable side arms each attached to a respective end of a cross member. Each side arm has attached thereto a respective engaging member for engaging lateral ribs of a first seed box for lifting the seed box. The apparatus further includes a pivoting connection for rotating the first seed box to an inverted orientation for positioning on a second seed box in a nested configuration for storage. The first seed box may also be positioned on the second seed box in a stacked configuration for receiving and storing seed by engaging and lifting the first seed box, rotating the first seed box to an upright orientation, and placing the first seed box on the second seed box.

Abstract: For automatic unloading of soft-drink pack carriers form boxes, and depositing same into the carrier-magazine of a packaging machine. The carrier box is loaded into a bucket, from a full-box-conveyor. The bucket is pivotable, and is overturned to enable the box to be extracted from the bucket, leaving the carriers inside. The bucket is pivoted in a cradle, and the cradle is carried in a bucket-elevator, and the bucket can undergo up/down movements on the elevator. Because of the elevator, the box conveyors can be overhead, out of the way of the magazine into which the carriers are to be transferred.

Abstract: A container for storing bulk material including a base wall, first and second end walls and a pair of sidewalls for forming an opened top enclosure. The container is transportable and tiltable between a generally upright storage position and a tilted dumping position either manually or through the use of a conventional forklift truck. The base and sidewalls define respectively first and second abutment walls both recessing inwardly and being formed integrally with the remainder of the container. The lifting tines of the forklift truck are adapted to contact the first abutment walls for supporting the container in its generally upright position. The sidewalls also define a recessed section allowing the container to pivot about a pivot location located generally about the center of mass of the container between the upright position and the tilted position wherein the lifting tines abuttingly contact the second abutment walls.

Abstract: A cargo bin dumping system wherein there is provided a cargo bin as disclosed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the addition of first and second lateral receiving stinger tubes for the engagement of a stinger therethrough, so as to facilitate the safe, and efficient dumping of the contents of a cargo basket into a waste bin or the like utilizing an ordinary forklift. A stinger specifically designed to work with the present system is also provided.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for moving a trough from a lowered position to an elevated having a pair of guide tracks operably coupled to a trough cradle by a pair of roller mechanisms. A lifting arm operably couples the trough cradle to a drive mechanism. As the trough cradle is elevated, the roller mechanisms move away from the drive mechanism and the trough cradle to rotate about a transverse axis.

Abstract: A device in which a lifting hopper (82) traverses up along inclined rails (16L) and (16R) and dumps a load into a receptacle of some nature. The lifting hopper (82) will accept a variety of material and debris laden carts, tilt trucks, and wheel barrows. No modifications or special attachments are needed to use the various carts, tilt trucks, and wheel barrows. The loaded cart, tilt truck or wheel barrow positions in the lifting hopper and secures in place. The lifting hopper (82) traverses up along incline rails (16L) and (16R), rotates and dumps, then returns to the original position ready for another cycle. Material or debris may load directly into the lifting hopper (82) without the use of a cart, tilt truck, or wheel barrow when wheel (58) extends the dumping device can reposition around the material or debris receptacle, or loaded onto a truck or trailer and transported to a different site.

Abstract: A garbage or recyclable material handling system uses material containers each pivotally mounted to respective supports at desired locations for movement between a lower material receiving position and a partially inverted material discharge position. At least one materials collection vehicle is provided to communicate with respective containers when in the discharge position to receive the materials discharged therefrom.

Abstract: A new drop box assembly or container having a base frame, a pair of runners to elevate the base frame from a surface, a first pair of door panels attached along one edge to the base frame, a sleeve having a plurality of sidewalls, and a top frame is disclosed. The base frame is preferably designed with a plurality of side members configured to define an opening, and a channel seated within the side members and circumjacent the opening—an upper surface of each side member being sloped away from the channel and toward the opening. Engagement of the disclosed container by a forklift or the like from four directions is permissible. A first means for securing the sleeve within the channel of the base frame includes a plurality of connecting members on one of either the base frame or the sleeve. Such connecting members include a plurality of male connecting members on the sleeve and a plurality of corresponding female connecting members on the base frame.

Abstract: A side dump box for dumping the ingredients of a feed ration into a feed mixing truck is provided. A side dump box is pivotally moved on a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending slides to enable the side dump box to be elevated from a lower position to an elevated position and then pivotally moved so that contents of the side dump box may be dumped into the interior of a feed mixing truck. The side dump box includes a plurality of load cells which indicate the amount of ingredients, by weight, placed in the interior of the side dump box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and transferring refuse to a transportation truck for hauling to its ultimate disposal site, such as a landfill. The apparatus comprises a refuse collection and transfer container movable between a first, lowered position and a second, raised position. When the container is in the raised position and the transportation truck is underneath, transfer of the collected refuse is accomplished by opening angled, retractable bottom doors on the container. The bottom doors allow for the regulation of the amount of refuse transferred to the truck, thus ensuring a full load within the truck while at the same time preventing spillage. The movement of the container and the doors may be powered by the hydraulic system of the truck and controlled by a control panel on the apparatus. The apparatus may be partially below ground level.

Abstract: A conventional harvest bin carrying grapes is transported to a winery onboard a flatbed trailer and is emptied by tipping the bin on end so that the grapes tumble over the side of the trailer into a conveyor. The modification of the present invention permits the bins to be emptied into a dump truck at the vineyard by a forklift equipped with a rotator attachment. This permits the bins to remain at the vineyard where they can immediately be reused, thereby greatly increasing the efficiency with which the bins are used. The modification consists of permanently adding a receiver tube to the bin so that an elongated trunnion beam can be removably inserted through the receiver tube to a position at which end portions of the trunnion beam protrude beyond the ends of the receiver tube to serve as trunnions for use in lifting and rotating the harvest bin. The elongated trunnion beam can readily be removed when the bin is to be used in the conventional manner.

Abstract: The feed device has its own pneumatic lifting device for raising and lowering a table-like support (2) for feed modules (5), in which the electrical components can be moved into a pick-up position. As a result, the feed device can be exchanged quickly and easily.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for moving a trough from a lowered position to an elevated having a pair of guide tracks operably coupled to a trough cradle by a pair of roller mechanisms. A lifting arm operably couples the trough cradle to a drive mechanism. As the trough cradle is elevated, the roller mechanisms move away from the drive mechanism and the trough cradle to rotate about a transverse axis.

Abstract: A method for unloading open containers for uncompacted or loosely compacted tobacco bales, comprising the steps of engaging an open container full of tobacco, closing the container, first tipping the container, partially opening the container onto an underlying loading platform and consequently partially unloading the tobacco. The container is then lifted, consequently fully unloading the tobacco, and then a second tipping and release steps of the empty container follow in order to resume the cycle from the start.

Abstract: The contents of successive containers for comminuted tobacco leaves are transferred onto or into a receiver (such as a belt conveyor) at a transfer station where an indexible upright manipulator carries a lifter and an evacuating device including a tilting unit. Successive containers, delivered to the transfer station by a roller conveyor or the like, are lifted by the lifter off the conveyor and the manipulator is thereupon indexed to deliver the lifted container to a location above the receiver. The tilting unit is thereupon caused to tilt the container to thus transfer, by gravity flow, the contents of the container onto an openable intercepting device at a level between the tilter and the receiver. The intercepting device is thereupon opened to permit the intercepted material to descend onto or into the receiver. The manipulator is thereupon indexed to move the emptied container to a position above a further conveyor serving to transport empty containers away from the transfer station.

Abstract: A machine for releasing a bale, particularly a bale of tobacco from a package, comprises a structure movable along an upright and having two arms with rotatable gripping devices for gripping, lifting and rotating a packaged bale so that the block of tobacco can be released from the packaging box, and the empty box can be transferred to a discharge area.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for conveying solid particulate material which includes a generally flexible receptacle fixedly situated within a frame. The receptacle has a top, a bottom, at least one wall defining an interior and a longitudinal axis perpendicular with the top and bottom. The improvement comprises a dump structure at the bottom comprising a dump aperture, a first flap, and a second flap. The first flap has a first connection along a first flap width with the wall and with the frame adjacent to the dump aperture, extends a first length from the first connection, and is swingable about the first connection from a first position blocking the dump aperture toward an open position. The second flap has a second connection along a second width with the wall and with the frame adjacent to the dump aperture and is swingable about the second connection from a closed position blocking the dump aperture toward an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a rotation-symmetrical container with a mouth which comprises:positioning means for placing and holding a container in a raised inclined position such that the mouth is situated on the underside;first drive means for rotating the container round its centre line; andscraping means for placing into the container and drivable in the direction of the centre line thereof by means of the second drive means,such that during the action of the first and the second drive means the inner surface of the container is scraped clean.

Abstract: A disposal facility for loading objects stored in a bin into a container. The facility includes a plurality of subassemblies, each having a bin and a container. A movable gantry is disposed for movement over each of the subassemblies. A movable gripping assembly, coupled to a carriage traversing an upper section of the gantry, moves perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage. The movable gripping assembly includes an activation device for raising the bin, from a rest position to a position above the container, opening the bottom of the bin, closing the bottom of the bin, and replacing the bin to its original rest position.

Abstract: An intermediate container which may be attached to a lift assembly of a refuse vehicle, and having a remotely controlled motor powered assembly attached thereto for emptying refuse containers. The motor powered assembly includes an extendible arm coupled to the intermediate container, a dump assembly coupled to the extendible arm, and an engagement assembly coupled to the dump assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for inverting a container has a platform having laterally spaced rollers which ride within channel guides having a lower vertical portion and an upper arcuate portion. The lateral rollers ride within the channel guides from the platform being lifted and when reaching the upper arcuate portion, invert the container for emptying the contents thereof.

Abstract: The lifting and tilting device includes fluid actuated bellows type of lifting motors which lift and tilt a container with respect to a base. The lifting motors are supported by pairs of scissor mechanisms which pivot with respect to one another when the lifting motors expand and contract. The scissor mechanisms are partially slidable with respect to the base and the container to permit raising and lowering of the container. The container is designed to receive material at a certain level and then dispense of the material at the same or different level. The fluid preferably used is air.

Abstract: A collector container, for recyclable materials, is formed around a central body. At least three partial containers each has a closed outer side and a closed top and a closed bottom, as well as an inner side provided with an exit opening therein. Each of the partial containers also is provided with an entrance opening in an upper portion thereof for receiving a recyclable material therein. The outer sides of the partial containers in their closed positions combining to describe a cube. The partial containers extending to mid-planes of the cube with the central body arranged along a line of intersection of the mid-planes.

Abstract: A refuse collection truck includes a lift arm which mounts a longitudinally moveable slide, and the slide in turn pivotally mounts a faceplate of the type adapted to engage a refuse collection container which is positioned along the roadside. The longitudinal movement of the slide permits the contents of the container to be dumped into a selected one of two chambers of the collection hopper on the track, and where split containers are utilized, the contents of one side of a lifted container may be deposited in one chamber of the hopper and the contents of the other side of the container may be deposited in the other chamber. The pivotal mounting of the faceplate to the slide permits the faceplate to be aligned with misoriented containers.

Abstract: A side loader for picking up curbside refuse containers includes a hydraulic telescopic boom located adjacent a top open refuse compartment of a vehicle. The boom is adapted for inward/outward movement transverse to the forward/rearward axis of the vehicle. A mast is connected via a hydraulic powered helical rotary actuator for pivotal movement of its lower end inward and outward. A similar rotary actuator is used to operate the grabber arm assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting containers to elevated positions for charging or discharging of a fluent material. The lifting apparatus includes a support member for the container. This support member may include an integral means for inverting the container. The support member is fastened to a carriage member which is movably guided interior of an elongated tubular column member. The carriage member is elevated or lowered by a lifting means which is mounted interior of the column member. The lifting means is connected to the carriage member by a pivoted link member. In the absence of tension on the lifting means, the link member will stop any uncontrolled lowering of the carriage member to a lowermost postion in the column member. The column member is attached to a base member. A second embodiment of the apparatus discloses additional attachment of the second end of the column member to a support structure.

Abstract: A lifter automatically adapts to pick up different style residential refuse collection carts. An upper movable clamp bar cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a smooth-sided cart with a single upper lifting lip. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lifts carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces (e.g., bars). Hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of smooth sided carts, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging other type carts. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, obtained by alternate extension/retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending face plate prevent cart scarring. Adjustment for different height carts is provided by a vertical lift assembly which uses a hydraulic sequencing valve to first raise the lifter for engaging the cart and then to cycle through a dumping process.

Abstract: A water bottle installation apparatus with a vertical frame and support base designed to lift, transport and invert large water bottles. The apparatus includes a cranking device, and two pulleys arranged so that a line attached to the cranking means runs through a first pulley located on an extending arm at the top of the frame, down through a second pulley located on a yoke of the device, and back up to the extending arm, so that the yoke hangs freely from the extending arm. A girdle is provided to be secured around the water bottle and rotatably attached to the yoke, so that the yoke, the girdle and the bottle can be raised and lowered by the cranking device, and the girdle can rotate within the yoke so that the bottle is easily inverted into a water cooler.