Abstract: A fuel cell separator conveying device that ensures reducing dirt adhesion on a sealing surface of a stacked fuel cell separator using a protection sheet and reducing the protection sheet being left adhered when the fuel cell separator is conveyed is provided. The fuel cell separator conveying device that lifts up and conveys the fuel cell separator placed on the protection sheet includes a grasping portion that grasps the fuel cell separator by a suction force, a moving unit that moves the grasping portion in a lift-up direction of the fuel cell separator, and an air blowing portion that applies a downward force in an opposite direction of the lift-up direction of the fuel cell separator to the protection sheet through an opening of the fuel cell separator when the moving unit moves the grasping portion.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a cargo handling apparatus includes a first detecting unit, a target setting unit, a determination height position setting unit, a moving apparatus, a second detecting unit, and a controller unit. The target setting unit sets a cargo positioned in a highest position to a target, or if it is determined that the upper surface has no height difference, sets any one of the cargoes, forming a portion of the upper surface to the target. The determination height position setting unit sets a determination height position. The controller unit moves the target upward by driving the moving apparatus, and if it is determined that the target does not exceed the determination height position, determines that pull-out of the target is impossible, and stops an operation of the moving apparatus so as to stop a movement of the target.

Abstract: Robotic carton unloader has right and left lower arms of robotic arm assembly that are pivotally attached at lower end respectively to mobile body on opposing lateral sides of conveyor system passing there between. Upper arm assembly has rear end pivotally attached at upper end respectively of right and left lower arms to pivotally rotate about upper arm axis perpendicular to longitudinal axis of conveyor system and parallel to lower arm axis. Manipulator head attached to front end of upper arm assembly engages carton/s from carton pile resting on floor for movement to conveyor system. Upper arm axis is maintained at a height that enables carton/s to be conveyed by conveyor system without being impeded by robotic arm assembly as soon as manipulator head is clear. Lift attached between mobile body and front portion of conveyor system reduces spacing underneath carton/s during movement from carton pile to conveyor system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging assembly comprising a device for transporting a packaging means (2), in particular a carton, said device comprising a continuous conveying section (3) and a plurality of conveying elements (4, 5). The continuous conveying section (3) is oriented vertically, forming an upper run region (30) and a lower nm region (31), and the packaging means (2) is transported on the lower run region (31).

Abstract: A manipulator and a method of generating the shortest path along which the manipulator moves to grip an object without collision with the object models a target object and a gripper into a spherical shape, measures a current position of the gripper and a position of the target object and a target position of the gripper, calculates an arc-shaped path in a two-dimensional plane along which the gripper needs to move by calculating an included angle of a triangle consisting of the position of the object and the current position and target position of the gripper, transforms the arc-shaped path in the two-dimensional plane into an arc-shaped path in a three-dimensional space using a transform matrix consisting of the position of the object and the current position and target position of the gripper, thereby automatically generating the shortest path of the manipulator.

Abstract: A destacker for automatically destacking a plurality of vertically stacked articles that is particularly useful in destacking magnetic moulds used in the chocolate manufacturing industry. Each article comprises at least one slanted notch. The destacker includes at least one hammer having a blade that moves from a retracted position to an extracted position, wherein at the extracted position the blade engages a gap formed by the slanted notch between the bottommost article and the article located above the bottommost article to release the bottommost article from the plurality of stacked articles. The bottommost article then drops onto a conveyor to be transported to the production line. The destacker further includes oppositely disposed pair of mould carriers and oppositely disposed pair of mould lockers that assist the destacker to feed the stack of moulds in a downward direction.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a housing, a first conveying mechanism mounted on the housing, and a distribution mechanism. The housing forming a receptacle space includes a top surface defining a receiving opening communicated with the receptacle space. The distribution mechanism includes a slide platform slidably mounted on the top surface, a distribution member, and elastic members. The slide platform defines an unloading opening communicated with the receiving opening and a mounting groove adjacent to the unloading opening. The distribution member is movably mounted in the mounting groove. The elastic member elastically resists the distribution member to protrude out from the unloading opening. The stacked feeding trays resist the distribution member to move away from the unloading opening. When the top feeding tray is moved above the distribution member, the distribution member retracts by an elastic force to separate the top feeding tray from the stacked feeding trays located below.

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.

Abstract: A holding mechanism is operable to hold a top medium from a plurality of plate-shaped media accommodated in a stacker in a stacked manner. A transport arm supports the holding mechanism. The transport arm is provided with a separation mechanism operable to separate a second medium positioned just below the top medium which is held by the holding mechanism.

Abstract: To provide a chip supply pallet preventing destruction of a chip and preventing a reduction in a productivity from being brought about in exchanging a wafer sheet, the chip supply pallet includes a first member 33 having a tension ring 51 brought into contact with a wafer sheet from a lower side, and a fixing member 54 of fixing a ring frame holding the wafer sheet on an inner side on a lower side of the wafer sheet brought into contact with the tension ring 51, and a second member 34 having a fixed portion for fixing to a predetermined position of a chip supply apparatus and a held portion 36 of being held when the chip interchanging pallet 3 is transferred, and the first member 33 is configured to be able to rotationally displace relative to the second member 34 fixed to the predetermined position of the chip supply apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a robot system including a first robot arm provided with a holding unit for holding one of workpieces arranged on a workpiece arrangement unit and configured to transfer the one workpiece held by the holding unit, and a second robot arm provided with a detecting unit for detecting an arrangement state of the one workpiece. The robot system further includes a detecting operation control unit configured to perform a control operation in such a way that, during the operation of the first robot arm, the detecting unit detects the arrangement state of another one of the workpieces.

Abstract: A holding mechanism is operable to hold a top medium from a plurality of plate-shaped media accommodated in a stacker in a stacked manner. A transport arm supports the holding mechanism. The transport arm is provided with a separation mechanism operable to separate a second medium positioned just below the top medium which is held by the holding mechanism.

Abstract: A holding mechanism is operable to hold a top medium from a plurality of plate-shaped media accommodated in a stacker in a stacked manner. A transport arm supports the holding mechanism. When the lift mechanism lifts down the transport arm, one of a first elastic pressing force and a second elastic pressing force greater than the first elastic pressing force is selectively applied from the holding mechanism to an upper surface of the top medium.

Abstract: Thus a lifter table de-stacker 1 is provided comprising a lifter table 3 with a stack 10 holding device 4 above the lifter table. The holding unit positions the stack by motorized guiding elements 14 and 15. A de-stacking unit and in particular a suction unit is provided which can be adjusted in its position above the stack 10 by a motor as well. The lifter table de-stacker with the motorized adjustability of the guiding elements and the de-stacker provides for a very fast adaptation to different sheet metal blank sizes. Such a lifter table de-stacker is preferably provided for feeding sheet metal blanks into a rounding apparatus which is feeding rounded blank container bodies into a resistance seam welding machine for container bodies.

Abstract: The optical disk retrieval device that separates and retrieves a plurality of loaded optical disks one by one in order from top, includes: a base that loads the plurality of optical disks; pulling-up unit for pulling up the top optical disk of the plurality of loaded optical disks; a separation member that can cause a force to act on an inner wall of an inner hole of a plate-like member having the inner hole; and separation member elevating unit for moving the separation member in a vertical direction, wherein the pulling-up unit lifts the top optical disk upward, and the separation member elevating unit passes the separation member through an inner circumferential hole of the top optical disk lifted by the pulling-up unit from an upper side to a lower side, and the separation member causes the force to act on the inner wall of the inner hole of the plate-like member adhering directly beneath the top optical disk to thereby separate the plate-like member.

Abstract: A first layer of items is assembled on a movable conveyor belt on a support platform, and the conveyor belt advances to position the first layer of items above and in registration with a pallet while a second layer of items is assembled behind the first layer. The conveyor belt then stops, and part of the support platform and an associated portion of the conveyor belt retract from beneath the first layer of items, depositing the first layer of items on the pallet, after which the pallet is indexed downward. The retractable portion of the support platform and the associated portion of the conveyor belt then extend to the position above and in registration with the pallet, and the conveyor belt advances during this extension to position the second layer of items above and in registration with the pallet. Apparatus for placing slip sheets onto pallets is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a loading and unloading apparatus for performing loading and unloading of workpieces with respect to access positions on a pallet, including a plurality of hands which sequentially access the access positions on the palette, the plurality of hands including a first and a second hand. Further, the loading and unloading apparatus includes a managing unit which maintains an access position of the first hand, and a determining unit which determines a movement path of the second hand based on the access position of the first hand.

Abstract: Apparatus for grouping a number of units, such as packaging units, when palleting the units, comprising a feed belt for conveying the units (10) and a grouping belt, which defines a grouping plane, said feed and grouping belts being driven for movement parallel to one another, and a robot, which is designed to group the units by positioning and orienting the units on the grouping plane. At least one part of the feed belt (1) runs beside and adjacent to the grouping belt (2). The robot (3) is a multi-axial industrial robot having a robotic arm on which a pusher element (5) is arranged, rotatable about an axis (6) perpendicular to the grouping plane, in order to allow the transfer of at least one unit from the feed belt to the grouping belt under a pushing action supplied by the pushing element, together with orientation and positioning of the unit on the grouping belt.

Abstract: A tool and a method for depalletizing piles of objects separated by sheets are described herein. The tool comprises a plate assembly for insertion between the highest pile from the piles of objects and the next separator sheet. The plate assembly has a fixed portion and a tip provided at a distal end thereof and is movable between a detecting position, wherein an upward displacement of the tip is allowed relative to the fixed portion, and a depalletizing position, wherein the tip is immobilized relative to the fixed portion. The tool further comprises a plate sensor for detecting the displacement of the tip relative to the fixed portion and for generating a first detection signal responsive to said displacement, and a pressure assembly that defines a gripper with the plate assembly for receiving the highest pile of objects and for selectively applying pressure thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for supplying blanks to a marking apparatus, a conveyor device (1) and a transfer device (3) which can cooperate to actuate the method. The method steps include predisposing a quantity of blanks formed in a stack (2), arranging the stack (2) in an inclined configuration resting both on the base (21) thereof and on one side (22), bringing the stack (2) up to a removing position in proximity to the marking apparatus (4), rotating the upper blank (20) upwards and with respect to a horizontal axis (O) passing at an edge of the blank (20) which is opposite and more peripheral with respect to the edge of the same blank (20), raising the rotated upper blank (20), and bringing the upper blank (20) to the marking apparatus inlet (40), so that the blank is taken by the marking apparatus (4), and repeating for each blank.

Abstract: A palletizer for automatically building a load with product from an infeed area is disclosed. It includes means for defining a desired volume of a load including a length sensor, a width sensor, and a height sensor. It also includes means for transporting product from an infeed area to the load. A controller is associated with means for defining the desired volume, the controller being configured to receive signals from the sensors and to automatically control movement of the means for transporting. The controller is configured to automatically determine when the volume is filled. In another aspect, a method of building a load with product from an infeed area is provided. The method includes defining a desired volume of the load using a length sensor, a width sensor, and a height sensor. It also includes automatically filling the volume with product, and determining when the volume is filled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for gripping a CD from the top of a stack for automated processing, by putting actuated deflectable fingers in the central opening of the CD. Axial displacement is used to force the fingers radially outward. The axial displacement is advantageously provided by abutting a relatively axially displaceable part of the gripper against a fixed object and continue axial displacement of the gripper. Use is made of an arrangement similar to the actuating mechanism of a ball-point to extend and retract the writing tip or the mechanical arrangement used in electrical micro switches operated by a push button (e.g. the Short Stroke Key Switches of ITT Industries). This arrangement is combined with an electrical switch to detect the extended or retracted position of the fingers to provide a corresponding electrical signal to a control means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device to separate blanks form each other in a stack by that at least one separating unit is brought into contact with one or more of the edges of the blank stack. The separating unit comprises a separating arm having a narrow teeth provided blade, which moves first horizontally until a tooth grasps the uppermost blank, whereupon the arm having the narrow teeth provided blade controllably moves upwards and lifts one blank edge. An air knife, which acts towards the side of the blank stack in a direct connection to the point of application of the teeth provided blade, can give one or several air thrusts when the blade is starting its controlled movement upwards and is urging like an wedge in under a slit under the uppermost blank of the blank stack, an eventual existing vacuum between the blanks being disappeared at the same time as the uppermost blank of the blank stack receives a lifting force by the air cushion, created.

Abstract: A disc transporting mechanism includes a gripping mechanism having a plurality of gripping members configured to grip a disc, a transport arm provided with the gripping mechanism, and a moving mechanism configured to move up and down the transport arm. The transport arm is connected to the moving mechanism through an elastic member.

Abstract: A disc feeding apparatus comprises a supporting base, a pusher and an electric driving device. The pusher is driven by the electric driving device to back and forth, such that one edge of the disc is protruded out of the first protruding portion of the supporting base, and the other edge of the disc is limited by the avoiding groove of the second protruding portion and will be pushed by the pusher. Thereby, the disc will fall out of the disc feeding apparatus, thus finishing the feeding of the disc. The present invention can use the precise control electric driving device to cooperate with other structures. With the simplified structure design, the present invention can perform the disk feeding operation efficiently and precisely for a long tome.

Abstract: A shuttle-type conveying system to convey an article. The system includes a feeding and collecting device capable of setting a cassette in which articles to be conveyed are stacked as they are on a rotating and feeding table, a pickup device taking out the article and placing it on a receiving/delivery table, and a conveying device feeding the article on the receiving/delivery table to another receiving/delivery table by a shuttle conveying portion traveling on conveying paths below the receiving/delivery table. After the article is lifted up by the shuttle conveying portion and moved to outside the receiving/delivery table, the article is lowered below the receiving/delivery table and made to travel under the receiving/delivery table to another receiving/delivery table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the monitored conveying of sheet metal plates, particularly into a working or forming plant, in which a plate is taken up by a feeder from a first position and the plate and feeder are moved to a second position. According to the invention, during feeder movement to the second position a first sensor element located at the feeder, as well as a second sensor element located in the second position, are brought into a signal-based arrangement, and that on the basis of a measurement signal transmitted between the sensor elements the number of plates at the feeder and/or the second position is determined. The invention also relates to a device for the monitored conveying of plates, particularly into a forming plant.

Abstract: A packaging system for handling palletized product arranged in multiple layers of product cases, a pallet de-layering system includes a gripper mechanism. The gripper mechanism is configured to clamp a layer of the multiple layers by applying a clamping force to one or more product cases of the layer such that the layer can be removed from an adjacent layer of product cases to a different location. The layer includes a void between adjacent product cases. The gripper mechanism includes a void filling member carried by the gripper mechanism. The void filling member is sized and located to be positioned within the void to limit movement of the adjacent product cases into the void during a clamping operation.

Abstract: A disc picking device having an engaging member for engaging a disc includes: a contact portion having a contact face for contacting an upper face of the disc; an arm which movably supports the engaging member and has the contact portion; and a moving mechanism moving the arm in a contacting direction for contacting the upper face of the disc, wherein the moving mechanism supports the arm such that the contact portion can be moved in a direction opposite to the contacting direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stacks (2) of panels (3) from a vertical pile (4) of panels (3) to be fed to a user station comprises: a crossbar (5) that moves above the pile (4) of panels (3) and mounts selector means (6; 7, 8) designed to separate a certain number of panels (3) from the top of the pile (4); first gripper means (9; 10) and second gripper means (11; 12, 16) for clamping the panels (3); the selector means (6; 7, 8) include a first wedge-shaped selection element (8) that can be inserted between the panels (3) in the pile (4) to create a gap; the apparatus (1) also comprises second selector means (16) mounted on the crossbar (5) and mobile in a feed direction (40) and relative to the crossbar (5), lengthways along the crossbar (5) itself in a first horizontal direction (13), in such a way that they can be inserted into the pile (4) next to the first wedge-shaped element (8) at the gap so as to completely separate the pile (4) at a point away from the first wedge-shaped element (8) by sliding in the fi

Abstract: A gripping device for a manipulation system, particularly a robot, for receiving workpieces and feeding them from a readied stack of the workpieces to a manufacturing plant such as a metal sheet folding machine, punching press, welding plant, etc. The device has a gripper head fitted with gripping means such as suction cups, magnets, tongs, etc., and a detection system for detecting characteristics of the workpiece gripped by the gripping means. A pulse emitter excites vibrations in the workpiece and the vibration spectrum of the workpiece is compared to reference vibration data to determine characteristics of the gripped workpiece, such as whether two or more workpieces are stuck together, or whether the workpiece is the correct workpiece.

Abstract: A disc gripping device is configured for gripping a disc by inserting at least three gripping members into a center hole of a disc and expanding at least one of the gripping members in a radial direction to push an inner circumferential face of the center hole. The at least three gripping members include a first gripping member having a disc contacting face for contacting the inner circumferential face of the center hole, a length of the disc contacting face being greater than a thickness of the inner circumferential face of the center hole; a second gripping member having a disc contacting face for contacting the inner circumferential face of the center hole, a length of the disc contacting face being equal to or smaller than the thickness of the inner circumferential face of the center hole, and a third gripping member having a disc contacting face for contacting the inner circumferential face of the center hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separating device (1) with a manipulating device (5) and with at least one carrier support (2) with at least one stacking shaft (3) for workpieces (4) disposed on it, in particular metal plates made ready for a bending operation on a bending press, and with a gripping mechanism (14) for removing the workpiece (4) from the stacking shaft (3) and transporting the workpiece (4) from a pick-up position into a transfer position. The manipulating device (5) and the carrier support (2) are positioned relative to one another by means of positioning means (65), and at least one fixed positioning space (27) for the carrier support (2) is provided in a reference position of the stacking shaft (3) with respect to the manipulating device (5).

Abstract: A device for receiving and for transporting an article having a receiving plate which is slid under the article is provided in which the improvement involves a more effective way for an article to rest on the receiving plates during transportation. A more effective way for an article to rest on a receiving plate that is slid under the article is the addition of a hold down element.

Abstract: An automatic pallet exchange device includes: a pallet magazine 1 that accommodates a plurality of pallets 3 respectively having a plurality of horizontally extending protrusions 16 so as to be taken in and out in horizontal directions; a pallet fixing part 23 that allows the plurality of protrusions 16 to be engaged with a plurality of depression parts 17 to horizontally fix the pallet 3 and a pallet fixing table 20 on which the pallet fixing part 23 is arranged. The pallet 3 horizontally fixed by the pallet fixing part 23 is horizontally turned and horizontally moved to exchange the pallets 3 between the pallet fixing table 20 and the pallet magazine 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor unit constituting a separating and feed mechanism (33), in particular for sheet-shaped workpieces, in particular sheets (3) to be printed, with a lifting mechanism (2) for transporting the sheet (3) vertically and a conveyor track with conveyor means (51, 52) for transporting the sheet (3) horizontally. This being the case, the conveying means (51, 52) are displaceable in a guide system between an operating position for feeding the sheet (3) to a production unit (36), in particular a printing machine (37), and a non-operating position to enable the sheet (3) to be lifted unhindered from a sheet stack (39).

Abstract: A multi-step press system includes a press that consists of a press frame, a table provided on the press frame and a ram provided above the table for making movement in a Z-axis direction. The table has a standby station into which workpieces are loaded one by one and a plurality of press-forming stations in which the workpieces are sequentially press-formed. The system further includes a press die set consisting of a lower die attached to the table and an upper die attached to the ram. The lower die and the upper die are adapted to simultaneously press-form the workpieces placed in the press-forming stations. On one side of the press, there is provided a destacker for periodically loading the workpieces into the standby station. A transfer feeder is provided between the table and the ram for simultaneously picking up and transferring the workpieces.

Abstract: To make possible a tightly packed, essentially horizontal storage of wafers (40), in which a simplified access to each of these wafers (40) is possible, a device is provided having a plurality of superimposed storage elements (10). The storage elements (10) have device features (16) for depositing the wafers (40). The storage elements (10) have projections (14) for lifting, whereby a specific storage element (10a) as well as all storage elements (10) arranged above this specific storage element (10a) can be lifted by a predetermined first height for producing a contact gap. The projections (14) can also be used to lift the storage element (10b) arranged below the said storage element (10a) by a predetermined second height for producing a freedom of access.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring packets, whereby two parallel, superimposed rows of packets are fed in a horizontal direction to a first transfer station, and the lead packets in the two rows are then conveyed in a vertical direction from the first transfer station to a second transfer station, where the lead packets are parted in the vertical direction; at this point, the parted lead packets are transferred in the horizontal direction to a heat-shrink unit having two parallel, superimposed, substantially horizontal channels, each of which is engaged by a respective row of packets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separating device (1) with a manipulating device (5) and with at least one carrier support (2) with at least one stacking shaft (3) for workpieces (4) disposed on it, in particular metal plates made ready for a bending operation on a bending press, and with a gripping mechanism (14) for removing the workpiece (4) from the stacking shaft (3) and transporting the workpiece (4) from a pick-up position into a transfer position. The manipulating device (5) and the carrier support (2) are positioned relative to one another by means of positioning means (65), and at least one fixed positioning space (27) for the carrier support (2) is provided in a reference position of the stacking shaft (3) with respect to the manipulating device (5).

Abstract: A device for separating individual tires that have become entwined including a movable head for engaging at least one tire in a stack of tires, an engaging finger coupled to the movable head, and at least one manipulating apparatus for moving the engaging finger and the movable head to dislodge entwined tires.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a plate feeder and a method of supplying plates. The plate feeder supplies plates on an as-needed basis and includes a holding structure for holding a plate. A proximity sensor detects whether a plate is held by the holding structure. A control system is connected to the proximity sensor to receive a plate absent signal therefrom. When the control system receives a plate absent signal, the control system commands a pusher to move a plate into an ejection area and then commands a blade with a non-linear front edge to engage a rear edge of the plate and push the plate from the ejection area to the holding structure, where the plate is available for use by a technician.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: A method and device for picking up stacks of blanks, arranged in at least one layer on a separating sheet having a peripheral portion projecting outwards of the layer; the stacks are removed successively by a pickup member, a free end of which is pressed onto the separating sheet in a position facing a stack for removal, and is then slid in a given pickup direction, and in contact with the separating sheet, beneath the stack for removal. A portion, crosswise to the pickup direction and facing the pickup member, of the peripheral portion of the separating sheet is blocked in position both crosswise to its plane and in the pickup direction by a gripping device before and during removal of the stacks.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for singulating a first work piece from a plurality of stacked work pieces, the plurality of stacked work pieces comprising a second work piece adjacent the first work piece. A stripping member is engageable against the second work piece. A lifting member is engageable with the first work piece and displaceable with respect to the stripping member between first and second positions. In the lifting member first position the first and second work pieces are stacked; in the lifting member second position the first and second work pieces are unstacked. After unstacking, a supporting member is moveable to engage the unstacked first work piece, selectively supporting the first work piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying signature bundles are provided that allow for many different sizes of bundles to be handled and manipulated in an easy and very agile fashion for low cycle times and for being deposited in various pallet patterns. The apparatus can include several units adjustably mounted relative to each other with each having bundle gripping members that can likewise be adjusted for varying signature formats. The upper clamp head gripping member preferably has a universal mount so that it self-adjusts to pivot for staying in flush engagement with sloped bundles. The units have a very thin housing to allow an operator to gain a good view of the bundles carried in front thereof. The units preferably include pulley drive systems provided with drive ratios to keep the housing size to a minimum while allowing a large advancing stroke for the gripping members for handling of different sized bundles.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing rejected articles, in particular blister packs, includes an additional magazine situated beside the feeding line and aimed at receiving and housing, arranged in pile, the articles, which are to be withdrawn when necessary to replace the rejected articles. An elevating member is connected to the additional magazine and controls the stepwise movement of means supporting the pile of articles in step relation with accumulation of the articles inside the additional magazine or with withdrawal of a single article to be fed to the feeding line, from the top of said pile. A transferring device, situated above the additional magazine, is equipped with gripping means, which transfer the group of articles into the additional magazine, in order to form the pile of articles, and which withdraw single articles from the top of the pile in order to replace the rejected articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: A pallet includes a support plate that is provided with supporting projections which are arranged on a main or primary side of the support plate, which is configured as a supporting surface that is intended for bearing a load. These projections are tapered toward free ends. The projections facilitate stacking of plural pallets spaced from each other either at a small spacing distance or at a large spacing distance. Recesses are formed on a secondary side of the support plate, opposite the supporting surface. These recesses receive the free ends of the projections.