Abstract: An apparatus to transport and place a water bottle onto a water dispenser includes an upright frame member having a base portion and a top portion, the base having a pair of strut elements adapted to fit around the sides of the water dispenser without interference. A vertically-movable and horizontal-axis swivelling bottle clamp arm portion extends in a direction parallel to the struts. The clamp arm is supported on the upright frame so that it may be raised and lowered, such as by a winch and cable arrangement. The bottle clamp arm terminates in a pivotable clamp member adapted for releasable capture of a water bottle.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for containers of a flowable material which comprises a base member, a first elongated tubular column, a second elongated tubular column, a container support, and a lifting and lowering assembly. The lifting and lowering assembly is housed interior of the second column and includes a reversible gear motor and an elongated lift bar. The gear motor selectively drives an endless flexible tension member by way of a drive member cooperating with a driven assembly. One end of the elongated lift bar is connected to a first segment of the flexible tension member. A distal end of the elongated lift bar is attached to a base assembly. The second elongated tubular column is selectively lifted or lowered with respect to the first tubular column, in telescopic fashion, as the flexible tension member is driven. The container support, which may have tilting capabilities, is attached to a moveable carriage member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container loading and emptying device for a refuse vehicle with an endless carrier consisting of two chains (10,11), which runs in a substantially vertical plane along a substantially rectangular path, one or more pick up members (13), which are fitted to a shaft (12) connected to the endless carrier (10,11) and which are rotatable around this shaft (12) and tilting means consisting of rolls (15,16,17,18) mounted to the pick up member (13) and guides (27a,27b,28,27a',27b',28',30,31) for the said rolls mounted on the frame (3), with which at the upper angular points and a successive part of the upper part of the path the pick up member (13) rotates over an angle of 180.degree.

Abstract: The truck mounted lifting mechanism is carried on a truck frame having a pair of opposed C-shaped tracks extending rearward from the cab. A mast having a base carrying an axle engages the outside of the tracks with a pair of flanged rollers. A carriage is mounted at one end on the base axle of the mast. The other end of the carriage is provided with an axle and a pair of flanged rollers which engage the inside of the tracks. The carriage is provided with a threaded central opening and a screw gear extends through the threaded opening and along substantially the entire length of the truck frame. The screw gear is coupled by a chain drive to an hydraulic drive motor. Operation of the drive motor rotates the screw gear causing a lateral displacement of the carriage and the mast between the cab and the rear end of the truck frame. The rear end of the truck frame is provided with a pair of telescoping jacks to stabilize the truck during lifting. The mast is provided with a vertically movable and rotatable fork.

Abstract: A lift mechanism lifts a bottle of water from a lower upright position to an elevated position at which it can be lowered into a well of a water cooler. The lift mechanism includes a bottle elevator and cam operated bottle turning assembly. A closure on the bottle is adapted to be activated by surfaces of the cooler well to move a plunger from a closed position to a position at which water is adapted to flow out of the bottle.

Abstract: A manually movable lift truck having a base with a self-contained power plant therein and a column rising therefrom. The column includes a hollow post with a rotatable featureless shaft therein. A flexible chain has an outer end connected with a lift fork, and runs upwardly and then down into the interior of the post. Miter gears and a sprocket are mounted at the top of the post, and the chain runs over this sprocket. The portion of the chain between the sprocket and lift fork is the only active portion thereof, and the remaining portion remains loose and free.

Abstract: A mechanized container handling system on a motorized refuse collection vehicle includes a horizontally extensible and retractable support structure having an outer end on which a container grasping assembly is carried, and a container elevating and dumping assembly for lifting the grasped container and dumping its contents into an elevated hopper opening of the vehicle. The support structure comprises telescoped inner, intermediate and outer sections interconnected by an extension scissors structure, the intermediate section being horizontally driven by a hydraulic actuator and the scissors structure being operative to responsively extend and retract the outer section. The container elevating and dumping system is driven by a hydraulic piston and gear system positioned between the upper ends of a pair of support tracks and drivingly connected to a pair of articulated container lifting force arms.

Abstract: A refuse collecting vehicle with a two-tier collection compartment. Recyclable material is placed in the upper portion of the collection compartment and conventional rubbish is collected in the lower portion of the collection compartment. The receptacle for depositing the recyclable material preferably is located between the cab and the collection compartment. The roof closure device for a roof opening at the top of the collection compartment is operatively connected to the lifting arms of the receptacle whereby the roof is opened while the receptacle is lifted to its uppermost discharge position and closed as the receptacle is lowered to its lowermost refuse-receiving position.

Abstract: A container manipulating method and apparatus which includes at least one vertically disposed pedestal assembly (12); a tubular column assembly (14); a container support assembly (16); and a container retaining means (18). This method and apparatus houses all of the independently controlled and powered drives for the lifting, turning, and tilting actions completely interior of the column assembly (16). The column assembly (14) may include at least one end seal and a slot closure for minimizing unwanted materials entering or leaving the column assembly. The container (22) retained on the container support assembly (16) may be manipulated from a first position to a subsequent position by lifting, lowering, turning, and tilting movements in series or in combination.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for lifting a container. The lifting apparatus has an elongate member having a first end and a second end and device for lockingly engaging the elongate member to the container, such as a fifth wheel plate attached to the elongate member which lockingly engages with the container. There is a first end attachment connected in proximity to the first end for connection to a mechanism which lifts the container through the apparatus and a second end attachment connected in proximity to the second end for connection to the mechanism which lifts the container through the apparatus. The invention is also a system for tilting a container. The system includes a fifth wheel plate and device for lifting the fifth wheel plate when it is lockingly engaged with the container.

Abstract: A refrigerated container for receiving, storing, and transporting materials without necessity of personnel contacting the materials after deposit in the container. The container is particularly adapted for use with medical wastes which may contain infectious materials. The container comprises a lower portion and a lid portion. The container lower portion includes an open-topped inner box for holding waste materials, and an open-topped insulated outer box surrounding and spaced apart from the inner box forming an annular space therebetween. The lid is releasably attached to the outer box and has doors for access into the inner box of the container. A refrigeration unit and air circulation fan are attached to the lid, and are in communication with the annular space for cooling the inner box by circularing refrigerated air through the annular space.

Abstract: A dumping container for collecting, transporting and dumping primarily ashes removed from an incinerator. A pair of pivoted fore and aft frame members, of hollow box like crossection engage the tines of a manual cable operated hoist. The cable hoist provides the mobility needed to transport the dumping container to the incinerator, elevate it to the open top receiving vessel, and provide tilting and dumping in cooperation with a pair of hooking members on the bottom of the dumping container and the pivotal action of the dumping container fore and aft frame members. An integral water spray bar, connectable to an external water supply, provides water to wet down the ashes during the removal operation.

Abstract: An installer comprising a supporting structure and a carriage adapted to carry a water bottle. The carriage is mounted on the supporting structure for movement along a path between a loading position in which the carriage is adapted to receive the water bottle and an unloading position in which the carriage is at a higher elevation than in the loading position and inverted with respect to the loading position. A stopper is mounted on the carriage for movement with the carriage between the loading and unloading positions. The stopper is movable between a closed position in which it essentially closes a mouth of the water bottle and an open position in which the stopper is displaced from the closed position. A cam system is carried by the supporting structure and is responsive to the carriage approaching the unloading position for moving the stopper from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A gondola carrying and dumping device with a frame pivotally carrying a sub-frame having a pair of lift forks with tines for carrying a gondola and a slidable cover over the gondola for controlling the dumping of workpieces from within the gondola. A pair of actuators pivotally move the sub-frame and gondola, and a third actuator retracts the cover to control dumping of workpieces from the gondola.

Abstract: A goods handling method and apparatus therefor, the method of which comprises the steps of sequentially taking out a desired number of goods from an accumulation of goods formed of a plurality of goods accumulated in the height direction, a plurality of goods accumulated in the depth direction, and one or more goods accumulated in the width direction, and discharging such taken-out goods into a container. The goods handling method and apparatus therefor, the method of which further comprises the steps of arranging the height of a bottom surface of goods to be taken out among the accumulation of goods generally equal to the height of a goods receiving table and thereafter, taking out the goods onto the receiving table, discharging such taken-out goods into the container, moving goods on the second row to the front row after all goods on the front row have been taken out, and then taking out the goods.

Abstract: A drum, container and the like of a flowable material is placed and retained on a container support assembly of a lifting and tilting apparatus. This lifting and tilting apparatus includes a telescoping column attached to a base support. Interior of the column is a hydraulic cylinder for lifting the sliding portion of the tubular column. As the sliding portion is lifted the container support is lifted at twice the lift rate of the column. The container support is independently tilted at any convenient height between the lifting extent of the apparatus. The tilting of the container support is provided by an air operated gear-motor carried on a moveable carriage. The moveable carriage and gear-motor are fully contained interior of the telescoping column. A slot is provided in the telescoping column to allow the independent lifting and tilting of the container support by an operator.

Abstract: A tray, on which IC elements to be tested are arranged at a pitch P1, is disposed at a first position, a performance board, which has a plurality of testing stations at a pitch P2, is disposed at a second position, and an IC chuck carrier is guided between the first and second positions by X-axis and Y-axis rails. The IC chuck carrier has a plurality of chuck heads arranged in a line and the pitch of arrangement of the chuck heads is selectively set, by a pitch switching device, to the pitch P1 or P2. The chuck heads are set to the pitch P1 on the tray and simultaneously chuck up therefrom a plurality of IC elements. Then, the chuck heads are brought to the second position, where the pitch of the chuck heads is switched to P2 and the IC chucked by the chuck heads are simultaneously attached to the plurality of testing stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring articles from a transportable container, for example, a SMIF pod, to a second container, for example, a processing station having a port which provides access to the interior region of the processing station. A non-contact seal or an isolation cover or skirt seals the port so that the interior region of the container can be purged of contaminants prior to exposing the interior environment of the processing station to the environment within the container. The purging of the container may be a multi-step process in which the container door is moved between several intermediate positions so that the container door iself is purged prior to the purging of the environment within the container.

Abstract: A conveying and/or handling device for containers has a plurality of coupling claws, and latching members cooperating with the latter essentially in the manner of tongs. In order to provide for simple handling of all types of containers and to load and move them about, two coupling claws are provided on a transverse bearer or beam of a lifting carriage. The transverse bearer or beam carrying the coupling claws runs in vertical guideways on the lifting carriage for vertical motion and is driven by a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit. The lifting carriage is provided with at least one fork or supporting plate to be placed under the floor of the container. The carriage runs in guideways of the vertical beams of a lifting rig and is driven by a hydraulic drive unit.

Abstract: A conveying and/or handling device for containers has a plurality of coupling claws, and latching members cooperating with the latter essentially in the manner of tongs. In order to provide for simple handling of all types of containers and to load and move them about, two coupling claws are provided on a transverse bearer or beam of a lifting carriage. The transverse bearer or beam carrying the coupling claws runs in vertical guideways on the lifting carriage for vertical motion and is driven by a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit. The lifting carriage is provided with at least one fork or supporting plate to be placed under the floor of the container. The carriage runs in guideways of the vertical beams of a lifting rig and is driven by a hydraulic drive unit.

Abstract: An assembly detachably mountable on the forks of a fork-lift vehicle includes a frame having channels open at one end thereof for insertion thereinto of respective ones of the forks of a fork-lift vehicle. A bucket having a bottom wall and an open front wall is tiltably attached to the frame for movement from one to the other of load holding and load dumping positions. Located at the open front wall of the bucket is a door movably mounted thereon, which is movable to open and close the open front wall. The assembly also includes power units which can selectively move the bucket relative to the frame and open and close the door. The assembly can be used with a conventional fork-lift vehicle to scoop up particulate material from a surface, and carry the material to another location where it can be dumped from the assembly.

Abstract: A mechanized container handling system on a motorized refuse collection vehicle includes a horizontally extensible and retractable support structure having an outer end on which a container grasping assembly is carried, and a container elevating and dumping assembly for lifting the grasped container and dumping its contents into an elevated hopper opening of the vehicle. The support structure comprises telescoped inner, intermediate and outer sections interconnected by an extension scissors structure, the intermediate section being horizontally driven by a hydraulic actuator and the scissors structure being operative to responsively extend and retract the outer section. The container elevating and dumping system is driven by a hydraulic piston and gear system positioned between the upper ends of a pair of support tracks and drivingly connected to a pair of articulated container lifting force arms.

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: The self-emptying container has relatively moveable parts (10, 11, 40, 41) normally secured together by a latch mechanism. In one embodiment, the container has an upright body (10) and a pivotal base (11). In another embodiment the body is a tipping skip or hopper (40) on a pallet base (41). The latch mechanism (19, 49) comprises a fore and aft flat bar (22, 52) pivoted at one end. The other end locates below the horizontal limb (29, 59) of an L shaped latch member (24, 54) which is lifted by the flat bar (22, 52) when an upward pressure is applied to the bar. That is done via lift apparatus such as a fork lift truck. The container is raised over a surface (S) and lowered onto that surface to pivot the flat bar (22, 52) upwards causing the latch member (24, 54) to release the relatively moveable parts to empty the container. In the first embodiment, the container is then raised so that the base pivots open. In the second embodiment the skip body 40 tips forward.

Abstract: A refuse container of the type adapted to be lifted during an emptying cycle from an upright position by opposed retaining arms of a mechanical dumping unit, emptied into a refuse vehicle and lowered back to the upright position. The refuse container comprises a bottom, with side walls connected to the bottom on one end and defining an open top on the other end. The side walls include first and second spaced-apart shoulders which define a narrowed waist formed in the walls around the periphery of the refuse container to receive the retaining arms and lock the refuse container against movement relative to the retaining arms during both the lifting and lowering movements of the emptying cycle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying rod-like articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, filter plugs, and tampons. A group of such articles is moved from a receiving location to a discharging location in a predetermined configuration within a storage container. At the discharging location, the container is inverted so that its open side faces downwardly to thereby discharge the articles therefrom. Concurrently with the discharge, the container is lifted from the support surface and containing plates are raised to engage the articles. The distance between the plates is substantially the same as the distance between a respective pair of inner side walls of the container so that the articles are substantially maintained in the predetermined configuration upon the retraction of the container. In one embodiment, the plates are movable vertically and advance the articles a predetermined amount along the supply passage until they abut a shutter mechanism which blocks further advancement.

Abstract: An inverter apparatus of the type which may be used on a truck or other vehicle for inverting containers such as refuse containers for dumping their contents into a chamber within the vehicle. The apparatus uses a pair of cylinders having retractable rods which act through torque members to sequentially rotate a pair of pin carrier arms and inverter bars to invert a container having a pair of laterally extending pins. During rotation of the inverter bars the pins are always locked between the pin carrier arms and guide brackets attached to the truck body. The present invention provides a unique container and inverting apparatus interlock feature which is in effect at all times that the container is more than a few inches above the ground, thus rendering it virtually impossible during the inverting process to inadvertently drop or swing the container.

Abstract: A method of discharging articles from a container into a defined vertical aperture in a wall or processing machine by rapidly tilting a lifting platform during a first lifting segment. This rapid tilting positions a discharge chute interior of the vertical aperture and then maintains the insertion of the discharge chute, during at least one subsequent lifting segment, as and when the lifting platform is brought to a fully lifted and tilted condition. A similar method using the first segment provides for the subsequent charging of a suitable container with articles emerging from a vertical aperture.

Abstract: A lift apparatus adapted for reliable, substantially maintenance-free operation in material transfer systems, including systems that are subject to considerable contamination. The lift apparatus includes an open top container, a support plate for normally supporting the container in upright position, and a ball screw drive for moving the support plate and container between a filling station in which material may be introduced into the container and a discharge station. The container is supported for relative pivotal movement with respect to the support plate, and a chain and sprocket arrangement is provided for automatically pivoting the container to a dumping position as it is raised into the discharge station and for returning the container to its normal upright position as it is lowered from the discharge station following dumping.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, which is useful for subdividing and diluting an accumulated amount of pirns in bulk, which comprises a chute positioned between a pirn container, and a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is prearranged to transfer and meter a limited number of pirns. Along the chute, at least one barrier wall is provided, which can move along a vertical, or substantially vertical, direction, and is driven by a drive source, whose enabling is commanded by a level sensor located downstream the same barrier wall. A plurality of movable barrier walls, following each other, transversely prearranged along the chute relatively to the pirn falling motion, can be used. Each barrier wall is driven by a drive source, whose enabling is commanded by a level sensor located downstream of the barrier wall.

Abstract: A trash collecting apparatus is described for mounting on a trash collection vehicle for one man side loading operation. A pair of spaced apart parallel guide rails each having a long vertical straight section and a short curved section at the top are pivotally attached to the vehicle at the top. A power cylinder is provided at the lower end of the guide rails for pushing and retracting the lower end of the guide rails form the vehicle. A pair of grabber arms are provided for grabbing the periphery of the trash can to be emptied. The grabber arms are connected to lifting arms. The lifting arms comprise an upper lifting arm segment and a lower lifting arm segment. A power cylinder drives the lifting arms so that the lower end of the lower lifting arm follows the guide rails to the curved section.

Abstract: A safety catch is disclosed for reducing the incidence of accidental dislodgement of a pickup bar mating with a container lifting hook, the safety catch including a pivoted safety catch member mounted into and restricting the hook opening by contact with the lifting bar moving in a direction out of the lifting hook. The safety catch in the restricting position restrains the movement of the container pickup bar from the inside to prevent the bar from escaping and allowing the container to fall. However, the safety catch is moved aside to an unrestricting position when the bar contacts the same from the outside, incidental to being moved into engagement with the lifting hook.

Abstract: A container for receiving material to be compacted therein comprises a cylindrical body arranged with its longitudinal axis of symmetry vertical. The bottom is closed off and the top is closable by a lid. The material is introduced into the hollow body through a port in the peripheral wall of the body by a tube having an axis of symmetry which does not intersect the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the body.

Abstract: An emptying utility for containers, in particular for emptying garbage containers into the collecting tank of a garbage truck, is equipped with a weighing device which determines during the uninterrupted progress of the emptying operation, in one or two time clock windows, the weight of the filled container moving upwardly and, possibly, the weight of the emptied container moving downwardly. Towards this end there is provided a force transducer at that element of the pour-in utility which is connected to the fixed support of the utility, either directly or via an intermediate member. Display and/or registering instruments of the utility contain a control and computing unit which is capable of selecting predetermined measured values, for use in evaluation, from all those measured values which are constantly being supplied by the force transducer during the entire, uninterrupted course of the emptying operation.

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: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for discharging serial arrays of solid components contained in a three dimensional matrix of feeding positions, into a delivery track, one serial array at a time. The matrix of feeding positions is comprised of trays each having a row of component containing channels. The trays are stacked one on top of another, and loaded in a box-like container. The container is lowered, presenting one tray at a time to a plurality of funnel-shaped discharge openings. A shuttle, capable of selectively blocking the discharge openings, is aligned with one opening at a time, and is operative to receive a serial array of components contained in a channel aligned with that opening. Upon receiving the components, the shuttle returns to a home position in alignment with the delivery track, whereupon it discharges the components into the track.The shuttle is indexed along a row of channels, one channel at a time, until the tray is emptied.

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: A drum- or barrel-unloader comprising a stand for supporting a drum or barrel in right side up and inverted orientations, and an elevator for engaging the stand. The stand includes a hopper for receiving the drum contents when the drum is inverted. The hopper is mounted for both gross and fine adjustment between a first position away from the top of the drum, and a second position in engagement with the top of the drum. Gross adjustment of the hopper is provided by inserting an apparatus into aligned holes in two slidably engaged channel sections. Fine adjustment of the hopper is provided by a threaded apparatus on each of two threaded studs, each of which extend from an end of a channel section and are inserted into an apparatus for providing holes on generally opposite sides of the hopper. For fine adjustment the threaded apparatus are loosened and tightened on the threaded studs against the apparatus for providing holes. The elevator comprises first and second frame portions.

Abstract: A parts handler comprising a container with a discharge chute secured to a frame which can be transported by a forklift truck. The discharge chute has a spring hinge type door opened by a pull-down handle. The frame is attached and secured to the bottom of the container by hinges located at the same end of the container as is the discharge chute. The container is raised by an ordinary hydraulic floor jack secured to the frame. The jack raises the container by a caster secured to the arm of the jack which operates within a channel secured to the bottom of the container. By raising the arm of the jack, the end of the container opposite the discharge chute rises and parts are allowed to flow from the container by opening of the door of the discharge chute.

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 method for feeding cigarettes or filter plugs or the like to a working machine, such as a transporting machine, using a flat feeding passage with a bottom which can store and convey the cigarettes etc. in the horizontal direction, comprising introducing receiving boxes containing the cigarettes etc. into the feeding passage and moving them to a feeding station, and raising the receiving boxes at the feeding station so that the cigarettes etc. in the receiving boxes are discharged at one time. The invention discloses also an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A system for performing one semiconductor manufacturing operation or sequence of operations with reduced particulate contamination. A vacuum-tight wafer carrier, which contains numerous wafers in vacuum in a sealed box, is placed into a platform inside a vacuum load lock. The platform contains slots and protruding fingers to provide accurate registration of the position of the wafer carrier. After the load lock is pumped down, the door of the wafer carrier is opened, and a transfer arm removes wafers from the wafer carrier, in any desired order, and transfers them one by one through a port into a processing chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for maintaining articles, such as semiconductor wafers clean. The wafers or other articles to be processed are placed in a box having first and second regions for making first and second seals. A box door seals the articles into the box. The box has a second region for making the second seal and has a third region for making a third seal. The box is used to transport the wafers to a port in the canopy of the processing equipment. The port is adapted for receiving the box and box door and for transferring the box door and the contents of the box into a region beneath the canopy. The canopy has a first region for making the first seal with the box. Also, the canopy has a fourth region surrounding the port for making a fourth seal. A port door is provided for closing the canopy port when no box is present. The port door has a second region for making the second seal with the box and has a fourth region for making the fourth seal with the canopy.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for refuse containers of various sizes includes a frame mounted on an elevating and dumping mechanism disposed on a refuse collection vehicle. The apparatus includes opposed primary container engaging arms pivotally secured to the frame and secondary container engaging arms pivotally secured to the frame inboard of the pivot points of the primary arms. Hydraulic cylinder actuators are operable to move the primary arms from a retracted position substantially within the normal clearance width profile of the vehicle to a position for engaging and gathering the container to be grasped between the primary and secondary arms. The configuration of the primary and secondary arms provides for grasping containers of various diameters and for tolerating misalignment of the apparatus with respect to a container during driveby pickup operations.

Abstract: A drum dumper attachment for fork lift trucks carries its own power plant eliminating all heretofore required hose and other connections to the truck and controlled from the truck operator's seat by a demountable switch connected to the power plant through a single extension cord. The dumper attachment has hollow shoes receiving the truck forks, a rotatable clamp receiving a drum, a hydraulic jack rotating the clamp, an electric motor driven hydraulic pump for the jack, a battery energizing the motor, an electrically controlled valve selectively flowing fluid to and from opposite ends of the jack, and a double pole switch positionable adjacent the operator to energize the motor and the valve for causing the jack to rotate the clamp in opposite directions. The switch may be anchored to the truck by a magnet and the extension cord may be coiled to accommodate positioning of the switch.

Abstract: Improvements are described for the type of trash collection apparatus mounted on a side-loading trash collection vehicle of the type in which a container carriage moves up and down on vertical guide rails. The improvements comprise providing pairs of guide rails on each side of the carriage with one set of guide rails being entirely vertical and the other set of guide rails having upper end portions which are curved towards the receptacle into which the container is dumped. An improved apparatus for slowing the speed of and stopping the carriage at the end of its upper travel to ensure proper orientation of the carriage wheels during return of the carriage to the ground position is also described.

Abstract: A device for rotating a container to and from an upright position and an inverted position is disclosed. The invention comprises a pair of fork members spaced sufficiently apart to receive a container therebetween. One of the fork members includes a rotatable plate which mates with a corresponding plate affixed to the side of the container. The plates engage one another when the container is lifted by the fork member and, upon rotation of the fork member plate, the container is inverted to empty the contents of the same.

Abstract: A load rotating attachment for a lift truck provided with an elevating carriage has a back plate sub-assembly including an upright wall adapted to be secured to the carriage adjacent and forwardly thereof. A front plate sub-assembly has an upright wall juxtaposed to the back plate wall and pivotally mounted thereon for rotation relative thereto with the major planes of the walls in parallelism. An upright framework is fixed to and extends above the back plate wall and supports a hydraulic ram thereon. A fixed upright of the framework serves as a guide track for a movable guide having a roller arm with guide rollers supported thereon for tracking on the guide track. The piston rod of the ram is pivotally connected to a drive link which in turn is pivotally coupled between and to said movable guide and to the rotatable front wall for bodily travel and pivotal motion in a path extending partially around and radially offset from the pivotal mounting of the front and back walls. This produces a 180.degree.

Abstract: A machine for automatically removing a block of cheese from a container having an open top by inverting the container and pulling the cheese through the inverted open top by retractable suction cups. The cheese containers are vertically stacked on a hydraulic lift which raises the containers to an elevated position where the topmost container is gripped by a plurality of pressure actuated clamps. The clamps are mounted on a horizontal frame which is pivoted through a 180.degree. vertical arc to invert the clamped container so that the heretofore open top becomes an open bottom. A plurality of suction cups are mounted on a vertically movable conveyor which is located beneath the container when the container is in the inverted position. The conveyor and suction cups are raised to a position closely adjacent the open bottom of the container by pressure actuated cylinders and the suction cups engage the block of cheese.

Abstract: A trailer for towing by family saloon cars and the like has a wheeled frame (12) with a towing hitch (34) at the front. The frame has a respective ramp rail (22) at each side to enable a skip (14) to be drawn onto the frame, a support wheel (25) of the skip engaging on each rail. The skip can carry heavy bulk loads such as sand or bricks in the region of a ton which normal car trailers could not support. In addition, the mounting of the skip on the trailer frame by means of support wheels enables the skip to be pivoted in situ to tip out its load. Tipping, and mounting and demounting of the skip are effected using winch (16) supported on the frame near the towing hitch. The trailer also has a pivotable ramp (50) enabling the trailer to be used to carry heavy plant such as a cement mixer or roller.