Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and stacking slab-shaped elements (2), for example tiles, has an inlet line; a plurality of suction gripping units; a plurality of rotating arms which each bear a suction gripping unit; a plurality of seats for receiving the slab-shaped elements, forming stacks of slab-shaped elements; and a support crown which is solidly constrained to a frame. The rotating arms are mobile independently of one another; the rotating arms and the support crown are relatively dimensioned so that each rotating arm is supported by the support crown at or near the respective free end.

Abstract: An unloading apparatus includes a holding apparatus configured to hold side a holding target article group in such a manner as to hold the holding target article group and an article subgroup above the holding target article group; a suction apparatus including a plurality of suction parts that are configured to hold a plurality of articles constituting a suction target article group, and are configured to operate independently from each other, the suction target article is an article subgroup in an uppermost level; a first lifting apparatus configured to lift and lower a placement part and the holding apparatus relative to each other; a second lifting apparatus configured to lift and lower the suction apparatus and the holding apparatus relative to each other; and a first transport apparatus configured to receive at least one article subgroup held by the holding apparatus, and transport the at least one received article subgroup.

Abstract: An unloading apparatus includes a holding apparatus configured to hold side peripheral surfaces of a holding target article group, which is an article subgroup in one level among a plurality of article subgroups in a plurality of levels which article subgroups are included in the stacked article group, in such a manner as to hold the holding target article group and an article subgroup above the holding target article group; a first transport apparatus configured to receive at least one article subgroup held by the holding apparatus from the holding apparatus, and transport the at least one received article subgroup; a retrieval apparatus configured to retrieve one or more articles from an article subgroup in an uppermost level in the stacked article group; and a second transport apparatus configured to transport the stacked article group from the retrieval apparatus to the holding apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles comprises an upper chassis, a modular lower suction plate supported beneath the chassis, a controller and a source of vacuum air pressure, the suction plate comprising a suction lifting surface for providing vacuum lifting pressure to said articles. The modular suction plate has plural side-by-side modules, each module providing a different portion of the suction lifting surface and having one or more air outlets, outlets of one module separate from outlets of other modules and in fluid communication with the corresponding portion of the suction lifting surface and not with different portions of the suction lifting surface. The chassis comprises at least one air outlet connected to said source of vacuum air pressure, and a plurality of separate air flow channels through the chassis. Each air flow channel has an associated air flow valve and a valve actuator.

Abstract: Magnetic coupling mechanisms for robotic arm end effectors are disclosed. In particular, a magnetic coupling mechanism couples a detachable tool, such as a suction gripper, to a tool changer base of a robotic arm tool of an end effector. Magnetic coupling between the robotic arm tool and the detachable tool allows for breakaway when a sufficient force is applied to the robotic arm tool and/or the detachable tool to separate the two. The decoupling may be achieved via a tool rack. An exemplary system for coupling a detachable tool to a motion device includes a first magnetic ring affixed to a distal end of the motion device, where an inside of the first magnetic ring forms a first hollow chamber; and a second magnetic ring affixed to a proximal end of the detachable tool, where an inside of the detachable tool forms a second hollow chamber.

Abstract: A handling apparatus including a support plane configured to support a plurality of metal products with an oblong development, and handling devices configured to pick up a metal product from a pick-up zone of the support plane and to deliver it to a delivery zone. Movement devices are associated with the support plane configured to distribute the metal products on the support plane and to move them toward the pick-up zone. The handling devices comprise a plurality of transfer arms provided with magnetic holding elements in order to magnetically hold one of the metal products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating and stacking slices of food, in particular slices of cheese (2). In said method, a plurality of slices of food (2) is continuously conveyed by a feeding belt conveyor (3) such that the slices of food adjoin each other in rows. A rotating transfer roll (5) picks up the slices of food (2) from the feeding belt conveyor (3) and places same on top of each other in a stacking zone (4), the transfer roll (5) jointly accommodating a row of slices of food by means of a corresponding plurality of holding units (6). During rotation of the transfer roll, the individual slices of food (2) are separated from each other as a result of a relative movement of the holding units in the axial direction, and the separated individual slices (2) detach from the holding units (6) and are stacked on top of each other in the stacking zone (4).

Abstract: A device for stacking veneer sheets (1, 2) while substantially horizontal, the device including a supporting element, that escapes in the advancement direction at a release area from beneath the veneer (2) to be stacked, the supporting element being moved by a conveyor (7), and a controlled element for stopping the veneer to be stacked in a corrected position at a release point. An element for stopping the veneer to be stacked is a gripper (10) that grips the trailing edge of the veneer (2) from below and moves up and down, in the advancement direction of the veneer, and transversely to it, the gripper having a gripping point to the veneer at the trailing edge in the veneer's advancement direction, extended at a distance in the advancement direction from the gripper's transverse travel path.

Abstract: Device (10) for forming packs of bags (P) for moving from a first area (S1), where an already produced bag (P) is arranged, to a second area (S2) for collecting the bags in packs, comprising at least one rotor (14) carrying a pair of supports (17) for the bag (P) and suction means to fix the bag (P) to the support while the rotor (14) rotates. The device advantageously comprises means (18) designed to maintain said support (17) in a position parallel to itself during the movement between the first area (S1) and the second area (S2).

Abstract: A device for stacking veneer sheets (1, 2) while substantially horizontal, the device including a supporting element, that escapes in the advancement direction at a release area from beneath the veneer (2) to be stacked, the supporting element being moved by a conveyor (7), and a controlled element for stopping the veneer to be stacked in a corrected position at a release point. An element for stopping the veneer to be stacked is a gripper (10) that grips the trailing edge of the veneer (2) from below and moves up and down, in the advancement direction of the veneer, and transversely to it, the gripper having a gripping point to the veneer at the trailing edge in the veneer's advancement direction, extended at a distance in the advancement direction from the gripper's transverse travel path.

Abstract: A tier sheet dispensing apparatus for a conveyor system stores a stack of tier sheets and sequentially dispenses the tier sheets, one at a time, onto the top of a two-dimensionally arrayed layer of objects that is being conveyed on a conveyor system. The tier sheet dispensing apparatus has a curved surface that supports the stack of tier sheets. The curved surface bends the stack of tier sheets in a convex curve that facilitates the removal of a single sheet from the top of the stack. The apparatus also has a lift mechanism that moves vertically over the stack of tier sheets to selectively attach to the top tier sheet in the stack and raise the top tier sheet from the stack. The lift mechanism also moves transversely relative to the stack of tier sheets to position the attached tier sheet over the conveyor for placement of the tier sheet on the layer of objects conveyed by the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling layers of palletized goods is disclosed including a lift head with a substantially horizontal suction face sized for a pallet including downwardly open suction chambers, which via individual valves are connected to a vacuum source, incorporated in the lift head or provided externally. The suction face is movable against a top side of an upper layer of goods on a pallet. The valves are closed if the associated suction chamber is not closed downwardly by contacting the top side of the goods on the uppermost pallet layer. The lift head along the outer sides of the suction face includes a vertically adjustable skirt with inflatable squeezing pads for exerting an inwardly directed pressure on the outer sides of at least the goods in the upper pallet layer.

Abstract: A system for moving envelopes including a stacking system for creating or placing stack of envelopes on a support surface. The stack of envelopes has a plurality of gaps with each gap being located between adjacent envelopes of the stack. The system further includes a suction head for applying suction to the stack of envelopes to pull air through the plurality of gaps to aid in lifting the stack of envelopes.

Abstract: For the dispatch-ready packing of, in particular, cigarette packs or cigarette bundle packs (12), a device is provided, in which the box packer (14) and the palleting station (29) are combined, in order to introduce the bundle packs (12) into boxes (10) and to deposit the latter on pallets (11). The structurally combined units form an overall device which can be operated jointly.

Abstract: A new type of pallet stacking assembly line. Two pick-and-place robots are used. The first robot has a relatively low position. The second robot is in an elevated position. A pallet dispenser dispenses a first pallet onto a pallet conveyor. The pallet conveyor then moves the first pallet to a first build position in front of the first robot. The first robot then begins picking products from a first pick position and stacking them on the first pallet. Once the products on the first pallet reach approximately half the finished height, the pallet conveyor carries the first pallet over to a second build position in front of the second robot. At the same time, the pallet dispenser dispenses a second pallet which is carried to the first build position. The second robot picks products from a second pick position and places them on the upper portion of the first pallet in order to complete the stack. Meanwhile, the first robot is picking and placing products on the lower portion of the second pallet.

Abstract: A material moving device is beneficial for manufacturing. The material moving device has a tower assembly, a vertical trolley assembly adapted to travel up and down the tower assembly, a horizontal trolley assembly adapted to travel back and forth along the vertical trolley assembly, and a material pickup assembly connected to the horizontal trolley assembly. The trolleys are adapted to move the material pickup assembly relative to the tower assembly to thereby move materials for manufacturing on to and off of a work surface.

Abstract: A stacked nonaqueous electrolyte battery, a method of manufacturing the battery, and a stacking apparatus for the battery are provided. The stacked nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a plurality of electrode bodies alternately stacked, each of the electrode bodies including an anode and a cathode laminated through a separator. The separator has a raised edge portion leading along an edge portion of one of the anode and the cathode, and the raised edge portions of the plurality of the separators overlap one another.

Abstract: During operation of a blister in a blister packaging machine, the blister is grasped by a relocating device at a supply position and disposed at a deposition location of a continuous conveying device which is driven in cycles, wherein several blisters are stacked at the deposition location during one cycle of the conveying device to form a stack. The individual blisters of the stack are associated with different motions of the relocating device. The relocating device comprises a main arm which can be pivoted about a first pivot axis using a first drive device, and a side arm disposed on the main arm, which can be pivoted relative to the main arm about a second pivot axis using a second drive device, and which carries a receiving device for receiving the blister.

Abstract: An automatic pallet stacking machine for loading bags of ice cubes onto a pallet has a first infeed conveyor with a pick and turn device for orienting the bags, and a collating conveyor adjacent a pallet holder or pallet elevator where the bags are accumulated until a row of bags is formed. Then a gantry picks up the bags and places transports the row to the pallet. The pick and turn device and the gantry employ vacuum heads that have closed cell foam side walls to accommodate the lumpy and shifting nature of the bag contents. A programmable controller ensures that the bags rows are formed in appropriate patterns so that the bags in each tier interlock with the bags in the tier beneath.

Abstract: A loader picks up a workpiece from a container, and delivers it to a workstation downstream. An unloader receives the workpiece from the workstation upstream and puts it into a container. In the loader and the unloader respectively, a first stacker and a second stacker, for holding containers in stacked manner, are placed in parallel along direction Y. A table working as a container moving mechanism moves an extracted container along direction Y. A first container transfer mechanism extracts a container from the containers stacked in the first stacker and delivers it to the container moving mechanism. A second container transfer mechanism receives the container from the moving mechanism, and stacks it in the second stacker. A transfer-head working as a workpiece transfer mechanism picks up the workpiece from the container on the table, moves it along direction X, and delivers it to the workstation downstream.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for placing circuit boards in a receiving container, comprising the following steps: a) gripping and lifting a circuit board with a first grappling device, b) moving the first grappling device and the receiving container relative to each other, such that the receiving container is located below the first grappling device, c) the first grappling device lowers the circuit board into the receiving container, d) gripping and lifting a partition layer from a dispenser with a second grappling device, e) reversion to step b), such that the receiving container is accessible from above and is below the second grappling device, f) the partition layer is placed in the receiving container on top of the previously placed circuit board and g) start the process at a).

Abstract: The present invention provides a workpiece-transfer device that has functions for both loading and unloading workpieces, without requiring a workpiece-storage device to enable a function for replacing material and product workpieces with each other, and that requires only a simple configuration and low costs. A workpiece-transfer device loads a material workpiece W1 in a workpiece-machining device 1 and unloads a product workpiece W2 from the workpiece-machining device 1. A movement means with a rectangular coordinate system 30 is provided to move a traveling body 27 in a first direction along the direction in which the workpiece-machining device 1 and a workpiece-storage device 2 stand in a line (direction X) as well as in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction (direction Y). The traveling body 27 includes a gripping means 28 for gripping a material or product workpiece W1 and W2.

Abstract: In an arrangement for the transfer of plates between a plate conveyor and a holding structure by a transport arm, which is pivotally supported with one end on a support structure and pivotally supports at its other end a plate holder for engaging a plate selectively from the top or the bottom thereof, and wherein the conveyor includes a recess for receiving the plate holder to permit engagement of a plate on the conveyor from the bottom thereof, two linkages are provided for controlling the pivot movement of the plate holder during the transfer of the plates and provided with releasable engagement structures for a selective connection with the plate holder to control the pivoting of the plate holder during plate transfer such that the plate surface opposite the plate holder is disposed adjacent the holding structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting individual piece goods (3) into containers (4) has a first conveyor (1) for feeding the individual piece goods (3), and a second conveyor (2) for feeding the containers (4), and at least one picker unit (5). At least one of the at least one picker units (5) inserts a number x of piece goods (3) from the first conveyor (1) into a container (4), the container (4) holding a number N>x of piece goods (3). The apparatus also has at least one separate transfer unit (U) for transferring the final N−x piece goods (3) into the container (4) holding N piece goods (3), at least one of the at least one picker units (5) transferring the N−x piece goods (3) from the first conveyor (1) into the transfer unit (U).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking slices of food products such as wrapped cheese slices and the like at high speeds. The apparatus comprises a vacuum conveyor for supporting slices from above, and at least one transfer bridge for mechanically peeling the slices sequentially from the conveyor and directing them downward into one or more stacking locations. The transfer bridge preferably comprises a plurality of downwardly sloping surfaces disposed beside the belts. To assist the transfer bridge in separating the slices from the belts, and to control slice position after separation, fluid pressure is applied to the slices during and after separation from the belts.

Abstract: A palletizer assembly is comprised of a conveyor (14), a pattern-making apparatus (18) for arranging objects received from the conveyor into a pattern, a main hoist (26) for supporting a pallet in position to receive a layer of objects, a sweep apparatus (22) for moving a discrete number of objects from the pattern-making apparatus into a layer of objects on the pallet, and a separator sheet handler assembly (50) for delivering separator sheets to the main hoist for separating layers of objects on the pallet. The separator sheet handler assembly (50) includes a first stage handler (70) including a chute (86), for moving a single separator sheet into the chute. The separator sheet handle assembly (50) also includes a second stage handler (74) for moving the sheet from the chute (86) into position in the main hoist (26).

Abstract: For testing electrical properties of packaged IC devices, there is provided an apparatus which includes a test board which is located at a testing station and provided with a plural number of contacting sockets for connecting individual IC devices to an IC tester separately and independently of each other, a loader which is located at a loading station and adapted to feed untested IC devices toward the test board, an unloader which is located at an unloading station and adapted to discharge tested IC devices from the test board at the testing station, and a device transfer mechanism which is movable across the testing station to transfer untested IC devices from the loader to the test board and also to transfer tested IC devices from the test board to the unloader. Upon detecting completion of a test on one of IC devices in one socket of the test board, a fresh untested IC device is transferred to the testing station to replace the tested IC device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for palletizing packing drums (7) on a load platform (P), especially barrels, kegs or the like in substantially cylindrical or barrel-shaped receptacles, and/or for depalletizing the packing drums. The inventive method provides as high turnover speed as possible for a layer of, for instance, six or eight packing drums (7*) without causing problems related to the inertia of masses and oscillating phenomena limiting turnover speed. This is achieved by vertically lifting each respective layer (7*) of packing drums in relation to a direct or indirect carrier contact surface (A1, A2) to the packing drum layer during transfer to or from a palet (P). The packing drum layer and the pallet are placed separately from each other (palletizing) or together (depalletizing) in a continuously identical receiving and lift movement position (G) by displacing their contact surface on a plane on which the lift movement is vertically performed.

Abstract: A counter-stacker (10) for tortillas includes a housing (12), a perforated belt (16) within the housing (12), the perforated belt (16) adapted and arranged to receive incoming tortillas (42) and form vacuum-lifted tortillas (42A). At least one stacker belt (26) is rotatably mounted within the housing (12). A vacuum housing (28) is sealably mounted to the housing (12), the vacuum housing (28) connected to a means of producing vacuum (30). At least one stacker canister (32) is positioned under a rear end of the perforated belt (16). A bottom perforated plate (36A) has a plurality of bottom perforated plate openings (36AA) therethrough positioned within the perforated belt (16). A top perforated plate (36B) is slidably positioned on top of the bottom perforated plate (36A), the top perforated plate (36B) comprising a plurality of complimentary positioned top perforated plate openings (36BA).

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes laterally spaced, longitudinally arranged conveyors for supporting edge regions of a sheet, the conveyors driven to deliver the sheet horizontally to a stacking area. At the stacking area the conveyors are separated to drop the sheet onto a stack of sheets. During the delivery of the sheet to the stack, the mid-span of the sheet is supported from above to prevent sagging of the sheet. The mid-span is supported by at least one low pressure chamber which extends along the delivery path of the sheet. The low pressure chamber includes a plurality of suction compartments arranged in sequence, each suction compartment including a horizontally disposed air nozzle and an air outlet to create a horizontal "Fanno effect" air stream adjacent a top surface of the sheet to create suction within the low pressure chamber which holds the sheet in sliding contact against a bottom surface of the low pressure chamber.

Abstract: A method of handling a robot, comprising a work search step of allowing an arm to approach a stack base at high speed and then at low speed until a work is detected; a step of stopping the arm when the work is detected, storing the position of the work as the work height, and gripping the work; a step of allowing the arm at high speed to approach a deceleration starting position defined by adding a predetermined value to the stored work height when the arm again approaches the stack base, allowing the arm to approach the work to the stored work height at low speed, detecting the work, and allowing the arm to grip the work; and a step of correcting value of the work height when the work is not detected and again allowing the arm to approach the work at low speed. Since the range in which the arm moves at low speed is reduced, the cycle time is shortened.

Abstract: Stacks of blanks (10) for cigarette packets and other types of application are delivered on pallets (19). The stacks of blanks (10) are arranged in rows (20) and layers (21) on the pallet (19). A depalletizing device (25) is provided to empty the pallet (19), on the articulated arm (28) of which device a pick-up head (29) is arranged for grasping and handling one stack of blanks at a time. The pick-up head (29) is fitted with two holding jaws (30, 31), positioned at a right angle to one another and which grasp the stack of blanks (10) on two adjacent upright surfaces, namely a side surface (11) and an end sumrface (14), and hold them by suction air.

Abstract: A sheet accumulator for advancing successive sheets between first and second color printing presses comprising an accumulator sheet conveyor for advancing sheets from one press to the other press, a sheet lifter at the conveyor to lift a first sheet and thereby enable the sheet conveyor to advance a second sheet beneath the first sheet, and a sheet sensor at the conveyor, operably associated with the sheet lifter to actuate and deactuate the sheet lifter based on the position of the sheet.

Abstract: An automated sheet metal blanking apparatus includes a loading table having a conveyor horizontally moveable between a loading position wherein sheet metal pieces are loaded onto the conveyor and a destacking station wherein the conveyor transfers the sheet metal pieces onto the destacking station for subsequent processing. A qualifier receives and positions destacked sheet metal pieces. A steel rule die blanking press receives prepositioned sheet metal pieces from the qualifier. The lower die includes mechanical positioners for final positioning the sheet metal pieces. A feed manipulator including an elongated arm mounts a plurality of controllable vacuum pickups operable for transferring sheet metal pieces between the destacking station, qualifier and blanking press. The feed manipulator is moveable over the destacking station and qualifier and moveable in between the upper and lower dies.

Abstract: In order to load and discharge pieces of sheet metal automatically onto and from a machine tool having a horizontal table movable along a first horizontal axis, a horizontal discharge table and a horizontal loading table are provided in positions in which the tables are side by side and substantially aligned with the horizontal plane of the table of the machine tool. An unprocessed piece of sheet metal to be supplied to the machine tool is placed on the loading table. Initially, the piece-holding table of the machine tool is positioned beside the discharge table. The piece of sheet metal on the piece-holding table is transferred to the discharge table by being slid on the bearing surfaces of the tables in the direction of a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first axis. The table of the machine tool is then moved to a position in which it is beside the loading table.

Abstract: A feed and stacking device for slab-shaped workpieces has a rigid frame which is pivotally mounted on a base stand for movement between a horizontal position and a raised position. A support bar is movable along the length of the frame and carries a plurality of vacuum operated pick-up devices for transferring a workpiece from a stack to a processing device or vice versa.

Abstract: A garment stacker for stacking garments in a garment stack. The apparatus includes a stacking tray having a support tray for supporting garments placed thereon in a garment stack and a tray actuator for adjusting the position of the support tray. A rotary stacker is positioned adjacent the stacking tray, wherein the rotary stacker repeatedly moves between a loading and an unloading position to successively stack garments on the stacking tray in a garment stack. A controller directs the tray actuator to position the support tray upwards when the rotary stacker is in the unloading position so as to press the garment stack between the stacking tray and rotary stacker. An unloader moves the garment stack from the stacking tray after a garment stack has been formed thereon.

Abstract: A plywood layup system for assembling veneer plies includes a carousel feeder that supplies core veneer plies to an accumulator gate system. The accumulator gate system accumulates one or several plies into a predetermined ply assembly pattern before releasing the accumulated plies. A glue application system is controlled to apply glue to either or both sides of a core veneer ply to allow many different assemblies to be made. The accumulated plies can be dropped aligned with and synchronized with a ply or assembly of plies, to form a complex assembly. The accumulator gate system can be arranged above a conveyor carrying passing plies or partial assemblies from other veneer supplying devices. Two carousels and accumulator gate systems can be arranged in tandem to provide more complex patterns of assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted stick placer for (a) retrieving a spacing stick from a J-hook on a J-hook stick conveyor, whereon a first broad side of the stick is supported on the J-hook, and (b) placing the stick onto a top surface of a stack of lumber has a selectively actuable vacuum gripping device for (a) selectively applying a vacuum to the first broad side of the stick whereby the stick may be adhered to the vacuum gripping device when the vacuum gripping device is in a stick retrieving position snug beneath the first broad side of the stick supported in the J-hook, and (b) selectively removing the vacuum from the first broad side of the stick whereby the stick may be released from the vacuum gripping device, when the vacuum gripping device is in a stick placing position substantially opposed to the stick retrieving position and proximate the top surface of the stack of lumber, a first translation device for rotatably translating the vacuum gripping device in an arcuate path and a second translation device for sub

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for a half-cell structure to make a hexagonal-cell honeycomb core. The structure has a plurality of peaks and valleys and a diagonal surface between each consecutive peak and valley. The apparatus comprises a stack holder for stacking the structure so that as one sheet is placed on top of a stack comprising at least one sheet, the peaks of one sheet contact the peaks of an adjacent sheet. The apparatus also comprises an air blower disposed beneath the top of the stack for reducing the air pressure surrounding the stack to a pressure below the air pressure on the top of the stack, thereby pressing the layers together to form the core. The present invention also relates to a transfer head and a process for holding a half-cell structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheet-like products delivered one after another in a spaced relationship to each other with a transporting device, including a conveyor arranged above a transporting plane of the transporting device for conveying the delivered sheet-like products to a stacking position, and a braking device located beneath the conveyor, with the conveyor having a conveying surface provided with suction openings or magnets for lifting the sheet-like products off the transporting device and for retaining the sheet-like products as they are conveyed to the stacking position.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating plates having guide holes for aligning each plate to a predetermined position. A horizontal base is provided for stacking the plates thereon. A conveyor device conveys the plates to a predetermined position over the horizontal base one by one, the conveyor device dropping the plates on the horizontal base from the predetermined position so as to laminate the plates to each other. A guide device including guide pins which are disposed perpendicular to the conveyed plate at the predetermined position above the conveying device, the guide pins moving together with the falling plate to engage in the guide holes, respectively, to align each of the plates along the guide pins while laminating the plate on the horizontal base, and to return the guide pins to the initial position thereof.

Abstract: A vertical signature stacking machine includes a frame, a vertical support wall, and a sliding support which intersects the vertical support wall. The sliding support translates along the support wall. Signatures are fed to a support plane on the sliding support to form a stack of signatures. There is a base support disposed to receive a stack of signatures from the sliding support. End boards are placed on the top and base of the stack by a rotatable end board gripper with a vacuum which can pick up end boards from an end board hopper and can release the end boards. A carriage is provided for bracing the completed stack. The carriage is disposed to travel along a path juxtaposed to the base travel path. The carriage has rotatably mounted arms having a bracing surface for moving the stack. The arms are positioned transverse to the support wall causing the bracing surface to intercept the stack and propel the stack along the base travel path.

Abstract: During the packaging of articles in cartons, preparatory to shipment to consumers, the cartons are removed from filling/closing apparatus and stacked on pallets. The removal apparatus includes transporting the cartons singly to a stacking plane, orienting the cartons and then employing a robotic gripping device to move the oriented cartons to the proper stacking positions.

Abstract: In order to automate the palletizing of bundles of books in an efficient manner, an automated method and system is provided for achieving the objective of having mail bundle positions of substantially equal accumulative height. The method includes dividing the pallet into a grid consisting of a plurality of mail bundle positions adapted to receive one or more book mail bundles in rows and columns. The books are gathered into book mail bundles for placement on the grid of the pallet in accordance with a book gathering program. The books are gathered to form book mail bundles having a preselected minimum and maximum number of books with any grouping of books in numbers between the minimum and maximum number being divided into one or more book mail bundles of various sizes. The books are also gathered such that any grouping of books in numbers greater than the maximum number is divided into one or more book mail bundles having a number of books between the minimum and maximum.

Abstract: In this apparatus, a ceramic green sheet which may be formed with internal electrodes for forming laminated ceramic capacitors, is first punched out by a punch. After this punching operation, the punched-out ceramic green sheet held by the punch is conveyed to a transfer head by the punch and then conveyed to a stacking block by the transfer head. With these steps repeated, a plurality of punched-out ceramic green sheets are stacked on the stacking block. Each time a punched-out ceramic green sheet is stacked on the stacking block, a hot iron is applied to the uppermost one of the punched-out ceramic green sheets so as to pressure-weld it to the underlying punched-out ceramic green sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading cartons (11, 12) which arrive on feed conveyors (13, 14) onto pallets (10) is disclosed. A palletizer (15 ) is used for loading the catons (11, 12) arriving on feed conveyors (13, 14 ) onto the pallet (10). This palletizer (15) lifts the cartons (11, 12) off the feed conveyor (13, 14 ) with a suction head (27) and conducts upward and downward movements as well as pivoting movements in order to deposit the cartons (11, 12) on the pallet (10). To increase the capacity of the palletizer (15), it is equipped with two independently operating articulated arms (16, 17 ) which both load cartons (11, 12) onto a pallet (10). As a result, the capacity of the palletizer (15 ) is increased while the operating velocity of the articulated arms (16, 17) remains invariable.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatic transport of compact discs one-at-a-time from a loading station in a horizontally disposed, circular defined path through various work stations e.g., silk-screen printing and UV-curing, to an off-loading station. The compact discs are automatically loaded by loading apparatus onto the transport apparatus one-at-a-time in a predetermined location from apparatus automatically supplying compact discs to the loading apparatus for loading onto the transport apparatus in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks, each stack providing a plurality of discs horizontally disposed and superposed one above the other. Subsequent to printing and curing of the printing ink, the printed compact discs are off-loaded from the annular-shaped transport apparatus one-at-a-time by unloading apparatus and provided in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks of compact discs, each stack containing a plurality of horizontally disposed printed discs superposed one above the other.

Abstract: A method for automatically filling a plurality of containers with products arranged therein in rows in one layer or a plurality of superposed layers in a pre-programmed geometric pattern. Empty containers are delivered in N rows to a container-filling station. The products to be contained in respective containers are automatically delivered one-by-one to supports equidistant from a vertical axis at the station. A vacuum suction is applied to the products on supports and they are raised above a level of the containers and held raised in fixed relative positions. While raised the products are rotated jointly about a vertical axis. Simultaneously during successive raisings of the products the containers are automatically positioned incrementally in a longitudinal direction and transversely thereof preparatory for lowering of the products vertically into the containers after each raising thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatic transport of compact discs one-at-a-time from a loading station in a horizontally disposed, circular defined path through various work stations e.g., silk-screen printing and UV-curing, to an off-loading station. The compact discs are automatically loaded by loading apparatus onto the transport apparatus one-at-a-time in a predetermined location from apparatus automatically supplying compact discs to the loading apparatus for loading onto the transport apparatus in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks, each stack providing a plurality of discs horizontally disposed and superposed one above the other. Subsequent to printing and curing of the printing ink, the printed compact discs are off-loaded from the annular-shaped transport apparatus one-at-a-time by unloading apparatus and provided in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks of compact discs, each stack containing a plurality of horizontally disposed printed discs superposed one above the other.