Abstract: A gripper system having tentacles including a control system configured to receive operator data and sensor data. Compare stored object configurations associated with grips to identify a corresponding set of object configurations using a target object shape and a pose via sensor data and select an object configuration. Compare stored commands to identify sets of commands corresponding to the object configuration and select sets of commands. If a set of pickup actions are received, compare to the corresponding object configuration to identify a set of pickup actions using the received set of pickup actions, and select a set of pickup actions. Compare the sets of commands to identify a corresponding first set of commands corresponding to a set of pickup actions using the set of pickup actions and select the first set of commands. If the received set of pickup actions are absent, then select a second set of commands.

Abstract: A system includes a forming funnel, a cutting element, and a fusing device. The forming funnel has divergent surfaces arranged to receive a mailer in an insertion direction between the divergent surfaces. The forming funnel includes a slot that constrains the mailer after the mailer is inserted between the divergent surfaces. The cutting element cuts off a portion of the mailer and to forms a cut end of the mailer as the mailer is moved through the slot in a sliding direction. The fusing device applies pressure to an exterior of the cut end of the mailer and applies heat to the cut end of the mailer as the mailer is moved through the slot. The pressure and the heat applied by the fusing device cause portions of the cut end to fuse together to close the mailer.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for unloading articles from a container of items for use in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a belt, a moveable lower paddle, and a moveable upper paddle, wherein the lower paddle is configured to partially extend through a belt of the automatic stack feeder. The movement of the belt, the lower paddle, and the upper paddle are coordinated such that there is no need to interrupt the operation of the automatic stack feeder to unload the container.

Abstract: A system and method for stacking battery cells or related assembled components. Generally planar, rectangular (prismatic-shaped) battery cells are moved from an as-received generally vertical stacking orientation to a generally horizontal stacking orientation without the need for robotic pick-and-place equipment. The system includes numerous conveyor belts that work in cooperation with one another to deliver, rotate and stack the cells or their affiliated assemblies. The belts are outfitted with components to facilitate the cell transport and rotation. The coordinated movement between the belts and the components promote the orderly transport and rotation of the cells from a substantially vertical stacking orientation into a substantially horizontal stacking orientation.

Abstract: An envelope feeder for a printer having two aligned conveyors moving at different speeds is disclosed. An upstream conveyor moves a backwards slanted procession of envelopes having aligned upper edges onto an inline downstream conveyor that accelerates the envelopes along a curved upper edge so that by the time any single envelope arrives at the printer ingestion or feed slot, the envelope is almost completely flat yet supported upwards slightly so that the pickup roller of the printer can easily and reliably ingest the envelope for processing. Due to the speed of the downstream conveyor, envelopes are continually and reliably presented to the printer to avoid printer stalls. The configuration reduces the amount of skill and operating labor required to establish a high-speed envelope feed source for high-speed printing.

Abstract: A sorting machine (1) for sorting flat articles on edge, which machine has sorting outlets (2) for stacking the sorted flat articles, each of which sorting outlets is equipped with a stacking actuator (5) and with at least one slide plate (4) having a front face (40) against which the flanks of the flat articles slide while the flat articles are being stacked, the sorting machine (1) being provided with a noise damper and reducer (8, 12) for damping and reducing noise generated by the flat articles while they are being stacked, at least a portion of the noise damper and reducer (8) being provided on the slide plate (4).

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to efficiently perform the work of changing stacked objects, which are stacked in one container with one pitch, to another pitch and storing same in the stacked form in another container. Multiple workpieces (51) are juxtaposed in a stacked form with a prescribed pitch and attachment pads (25) for attaching the workpieces are provided on base plates (3). The pitch between the base plates can be varied by rotating variable spacers (17), which work in concert with a drive shaft (31). An airtight communicating channel (28), which communicates with the attachment pads, is formed within a group of base plates. The communicating channel (28) is formed by the consecutive installation of an expandable elastic packing (15) between the through holes of adjacent base plates. The elastic packing and the variable spacers move in concert with the base plates. The base plates are provided with springs (9) for releasing the fixing of an inter-base plate pitch.

Abstract: A divert assembly is described for a mailpiece sorter operative to sort mailpieces into one of a plurality of sortation bins. The divert assembly comprising a re-direct mechanism for selectively re-directing mailpieces travelling along a feed path into the sortation bin and causing each selected mailpiece to be re-directed at an angle relative to the stack of mailpieces to be accumulated in the sortation bin. The divert assembly also including a stacking assembly including a Leading Edge (LE) urge roller, a support blade, and a Trailing Edge (TE) alignment device. The LE urge roller accepts and urges each of the selected mailpieces toward a sidewall of the sortation bin while the support blade holds each of the selected mailpieces between the urge roller and the support blade and in an on-edge parallel relationship relative thereto. The support blade is moveably mounted relative to the LE urge roller to allow the accumulation of additional mailpieces between the LE urge roller and the support blade.

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: The present application relates to techniques and equipment to stack mailpieces for sweeping. The mailpieces are manufactured on a mail processing machine such as, but not limited to an inserter or wrapper. More particularly, there is provided an on-edge conveyor where components have been ergonomically positioned to permit the filling of a mail tray in an efficient manner with minimal lifting of weight. A quantity of mailpieces that have already been offset can be pulled over the rolled/rounded edge of the conveyor into an awaiting mail tray supported on a roller conveyor. The operator is then able push the full tray to the side, load another empty tray, and repeat the process.

Abstract: A storage device for a mail-handling machine, said storage device comprising a mailpiece-receiving deck along a longitudinal edge of which a referencing wall extends, and through which a conveyor belt passes for the purpose of conveying mailpieces along said referencing wall, and a shock-absorber ramp that is mounted against the referencing wall and that is hit by the mailpieces after they are ejected from said mail-handling machine, and before they fall back down onto the conveyor belt so as to be conveyed towards the sloping surface.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus for conducting bonding on substrates comprises a first substrate holding device for clamping a first substrate during bonding and a second substrate holding device for clamping a second substrate during bonding. Each substrate holding device is operative to move sequentially between its respective onloading position for receiving substrates, bonding position whereat substrates are bonded and offloading position whereat bonded substrates are removed from the substrate holding device. A first actuator is operative to drive the first substrate holding device along a first feeding path from its onloading position to its bonding position and from its offloading position to its onloading position along a first return path. A second actuator is operative to drive the second substrate holding device along a second feeding path from its onloading position to its bonding position and from its offloading position to its onloading position along a second return path.

Abstract: A storage device for a mail-handling machine, said storage device comprising a mailpiece-receiving deck along a longitudinal edge of which a referencing wall extends, and through which a conveyor belt passes for the purpose of conveying mailpieces along said referencing wall from an inlet of the device towards a sloping surface against which said mailpieces accumulate, said storage device further comprising a pivot arm that is mounted to move both vertically about hinge pin and horizontally along a slide rail, on which arm firstly a friction roller is mounted for pressing said mailpieces against the conveyor belt, and secondly a holding roller is mounted for pressing said mailpieces against the sloping surface.

Abstract: An automated case order preparation system including a crane for transporting groups of depalletized product cases to temporary storage on shelving, and to a plurality of gravity-powered case guides, for accumulating and dispensing cases to fulfill client order pallets.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking financial documents, in particular banknotes. The financial documents (BN) are stacked upright in a stacking area on a stacking surface, and the stacking operation is terminated when a predetermined stack length is reached. The stack formation takes place in a receiving bag (14) which is stationarily held by a holding frame (10) in the entry area of the financial documents (BN) and which forms a stock (15) around the circumference of the holding frame (10). With increasing stack length, receiving bag material is automatically taken from the stock (15) so that the length of the receiving bag (14) continuously adapts to the length of the value note stack (31). At the end of the stacking operation the receiving bag (14) is closed at its opening, e.g. by welding, and can subsequently be removed from the stacking area and can be used as a transport container or, respectively, a security bag.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for conveying a stack of flat objects, in particular a stack of mail items, in a conveyance direction. The conveyor device comprises a base face, a side wall, which is perpendicular to the base face, a base face conveyor facility let into the base face and a side wall conveyor facility let into the side wall. The side wall is divided into two partial side walls. The rear partial side wall—viewed in the conveyance direction—is offset outward in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in relation to the front partial side wall. The side wall conveyor facility is let into the rear partial side wall. The base face conveyor facility is embodied to exert a force on the objects, which moves the objects toward the side wall conveyor facility.

Abstract: The separation tool allows separation of a horizontal pile of recipients into sub-piles of recipients, the first or last recipient of each sub-pile have been previously marked with ultra-violet detectable ink. The tool comprises a frame; a sensor mounted to the frame for detecting the last recipient of a current sub-pile or the first recipient of the next sub-pile upstream therefrom, which ever has been previously marked, and a manipulator arm provided with a fixed finger assembly for holding the recipients upstream from the last recipient of the current sub-pile and a separation finger for creating a gap between the held recipients and those from the current sub-pile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of securing freight containers on a deck of a large ship, and a spring lashing bar, a space adjuster and a securing system used in the method. In the method of the present invention, a movable lift is installed on a rail provided on a lashing bridge so as to be movable in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. Freight containers are aligned with each other using tensile force generated in a horizontal direction by a container aligning device provided on a work table provided on the movable lift. The freight containers are coupled to each other using twistlocks in a vertical direction. Subsequently, adjacent left and right containers are coupled to each other using couplers and variable type coupling devices such that the freight containers are integrated with each other along an entire width of the ship or some width thereof.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for multiaxial handling and guiding workpieces (9), particularly vehicle body subassemblies, in a processing station (2) relative to one or more processing devices (11). The workpieces (9) are placed on a supporting device (17) and, together with the supporting device (17), are handled by a number of multiaxially moving manipulators (15, 16) in common directions that are coordinated with one another, and are guided. The workpieces (9) are received by the manipulators (15, 16) together with the supporting device (17) at a receiving area (13) and are moved to a spatially separate processing area (14) and back again, whereby they are displaced relative to one or more processing devices (11) in the processing area (14) during the processing process.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus is disclosed which includes a delivery device that delivers an article supplied in a horizontal position from a conveyor to an accumulation and conveyance apparatus, and delivery tables which receive the article and move the same to a standing position by rotating to the standing position, and which also deliver the article while orderly placing the same from front to rear in a bucket by moving forward; and a drive unit comprising a synchronous pulley, a synchronous timing belt, and a motor, which rotate and move the delivery tables in synchronization with the movement of the bucket. In addition, a rotation shaft, which is a rotation support point of the delivery table, is located above a lower end portion of the delivery table in the standing position.

Abstract: Together with a device for receiving mail items that has a conveyor belt designed to receive and to convey the mail items from a franking station of a mail handling machine, a device is provided for stacking mail items that has a plurality of rollers disposed in staggered manner on a plurality of axles whose ends are fixed to respective ones of two support walls between which the axles extend, which support walls are mutually parallel and are spaced apart by at least the width of said conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving stacks of product discharged from a stacking device. The apparatus includes a first conveyor movable at a first speed and a second conveyor movable at a second speed. The first conveyor includes an upstream end adjacent to the stacking device. The first conveyor is positioned to receive product from the stacking device. The second conveyor includes an upstream end adjacent to the stacking device. The second conveyor is positioned to receive product from the stacking device. The running speed of the first conveyor is faster than the running speed of the second conveyor to move stacks of product on the first conveyor away from the stacking device at a faster speed than stacks of product on the second conveyor.

Abstract: A device for filling a container with a plurality of objects standing substantially upright on a floor portion of the container includes: a depositing cavity temporarily created and maintained in the container for receiving one of the plurality of objects; a first moveable planar restraining member having a first anterior surface facing the depositing cavity and a first posterior surface, the first posterior surface restraining a previously deposited object against movement; and a second moveable planar restraining member having a second anterior surface facing the depositing cavity and a second posterior surface. The first and second restraining members are operationally arranged to be removably insertable into and between the opposing side walls of the container.

Abstract: A stacking conveyor conveys packets so that the conveyed packets become stacked together in a standing up configuration as an array of packets. First and second gripping members are automatically controlled so that the first and second gripping members mechanically move independently of each other to grip the array between the first and second gripping members and move the gripped array to a different location such as, for example, to a packaging station for packaging the array.

Abstract: A placing apparatus having first and second rear end holding members is provided between a loading apparatus that loads items in an upright position and a conveyance apparatus downstream. These rear end holding members move making a box motion when seen from the side. As a result, while the first rear end holding member holds the rearmost end of a group of items, the second rear end holding member stands by to receive a new item. The invention provides a conveyance apparatus and a boxing apparatus comprising the same that have widespread applicability. The conveyance apparatus and boxing apparatus while achieving high-speed processing, are able to convey items of varying thickness and grouped in varying numbers in a stable manner and maintained in a prescribed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking substantially rigid food portions in preparation for packaging, and without human intervention, including a conveyor for receiving and moving food portions, at least one counter for counting each of the food portions as the food portion is moved by the conveyor, and a rotary transporter having multiple generally right-angled notches for receiving food portions from the conveyor and moving the food portions into a stack. The conveyor, counter, and rotary transporter are cooperatively interconnected by a programmable computer so that a predetermined number of food portions is moved from the conveyor onto the transporter, where the transporter moves the food portions into a substantially horizontal stack of vertically oriented food portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and an apparatus for conveying microplates between two locations are provided. The transport includes a pair of rails, a microplate transport carriage for moving along the rails, a rotary platter for loading and unloading microplates on the carriage, a controller for generating signals for controlling the position of the carriage on the rails and the rotation of the platter on the carriage, and a servo for moving the carriage or rotating the platter in response to a control signal. The transport moves microplates along the rails in accord with any of several methods for performing different tasks. The conveyor includes an extendable support frame, a pair of oppositely disposed tensioning elements arranged within the frame, a conveyor belt which wound around the elements and extends as the support frame is extended, and a motor for driving the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing stack bundles from signatures includes a horizontally extending stack deposit support, a conveyor to continuously supply a scaled flow of the signatures to the horizontally extending stack deposit support for formation of a signature stack, a multi-part supporting device comprising first, second and third support elements, a compressing machine, and a bundle strapping machine. The supporting device is arranged to form a stack bundle by engaging the stack from below. The first and second support elements are arranged to act on the front end and the back end of the stack bundle, respectively, and arranged to be raised from below the stack deposit support to above the stack deposit support. The third support element is arranged to be raised and act on the front end of the stack bundle. The supporting device is arranged to transfer the stack bundle to the compressing machine by moving the stack bundle from a waiting position to a transfer position along the stack deposit support.

Abstract: A method for the ordering and grouping of flat products comprising the following phases: feeding flat products (10) from a feeder (1) comprising a series (N) of parallel rows (11); placing each single subsequent line (R1, R2, R3, . . .

Abstract: An apparatus for random access storage and retrieval of a plurality of microplates is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of microplate racks arranged in a stack. Each of the racks is mechanically engaged with a plurality of support columns and each of the columns has a plurality of locking devices corresponding to the plurality of racks. The apparatus also includes a lift, coupled to the support columns, for moving the stack or a portion thereof, and a controller, coupled to the lift and the locking devices. The controller is responsive to a signal to access a desired rack or microplate to cause actuation of one or more of the locking devices corresponding to the rack adjacent to the desired rack or microplate, followed by actuation of the lift, thereby moving a portion of the stack a sufficient distance to allow access to the desired rack or microplate.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for receiving a multiplicity of like circular articles, such as discs, rings, and lids, for example, presented in a known or random horizontal orientation, and for collecting them for subsequent conventional processing into a horizontal counted stack in which each of the circular articles of the stack has the same on-edge or vertical orientation.

Abstract: An improved jogger includes a sidewall with a guide groove, a chain defining a closed path including a sloped loading end and a straight transport section, the sloped loading end being angled toward the transport section in the direction of the travel of the chain at least two sprockets, the sprockets defining the slope of the sloped loading end of the closed path, a plurality of fingers coupled to the chain at spaced apart intervals, the fingers receiving flat articles therebetween at the sloped loading end and conveying the articles along the horizontal transport section and a plurality of guides coupled to the fingers, the guides engaging the guide groove and orienting fingers in a position perpendicular to the horizontal transport section as the fingers are carried into the sloped loading end.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming and unloading a completed stack of articles. An assembly station includes a rotatable turret from which at least one stacker arm projects. The turret rotates to each of a number of article loading positions to sequentially load articles onto the arm in a desired order. The turret is then advanced to allow the articles to be concurrently unloaded from the stacker arm at an unloading position. In an automated disc drive manufacturing environment, the articles comprise respective numbers of magnetic recording discs and intervening disc spacers which are arranged into a disc/spacer stack as the stacker arm is advanced to a number of disc feeder and spacer feeder stations. The completed disc/spacer stack is then unloaded onto a spindle motor hub. Additional arms preferably project from the turret so that, as the turret rotates, multiple stacks are simultaneously formed and sequentially unloaded.

Abstract: A method for displacing an article using first and second pallets for holding and transporting an article between two process stations and an H-bar assembly for receiving the first and second pallets, the method including the steps of: receiving the first and second pallets and articles thereon by the H-bar assembly at one of the two process stations; performing a first process on the articles while received by the H-bar assembly; moving the first and second pallets and articles thereon to a second process station; and performing a second process on the articles while at the second process station.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically transferring and handling cartridges containing flat articles. The method and apparatus robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter, is provided.

Abstract: A part transporting apparatus comprises: a guiding groove for lining up parts in one row and guiding the parts; a transporting member which is provided at the base of the guiding groove and transports the parts in a forward direction by itself moving forwards and backwards along the groove; and a driving means for reciprocally driving the transporting member in the forward and backward directions; wherein the transporting member is advanced slowly and retracted rapidly, so as to transport the parts forwards.

Abstract: Envelopes in a vertical orientation are delivered in sequence to an envelope bundling table from a sheet insertion table where sheets are inserted into envelopes. A stationary vertical wall forms a part of the envelope bundling table and the respective short ends of envelopes of a preselected bundle of envelopes successively abut it when discharged onto that table. A movably mounted vertical wall has a first deployed configuration where it is disposed parallel to the first vertical wall, between the sheet insertion table and the stationary vertical wall. When so deployed, the envelopes of a preselected bundle successively abut it and therefore do not reach the first vertical wall. Those envelopes are therefore laterally offset from envelopes of a different bundle that abut the first vertical wall. The movable vertical wall has a retracted position so that envelopes delivered to the envelope bundling table abut the first vertical wall when the second vertical wall is retracted.