Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle comprising a vehicle body supported by wheels and a hopper secured to the vehicle body. The hopper has a bumper lip at the rear thereof of a fixed height to which are secured at least two safety hooks. The safety hooks help prevent a pivot bar of a refuse container from moving rearwardly while the refuse container is being emptied. The safety hooks also help prevent accidental spillage of the contents of the container during the emptying procedure.

Abstract: A takeout mechanism for simultaneously removing a plurality of glass containers from molds at a section of a glass container forming machine of the individual section type, and preferably three such glass containers in each cycle. The takeout mechanism includes a plurality of tong assemblies, one such tong assembly for each container to be removed on each operating cycle of the takeout mechanism, and a cylinder housing to which each of the takeout assemblies is secured for moving the takeout assemblies in unison to transfer the glass containers from the molds to a deadplate of the machine for cooling and further processing. Each tong assembly comprises a vertically extending fixed member, a linkage system carried by the fixed member for opening and closing an opposed pair of generally L-shaped tongs, and an opposed pair of tongs pivotably connected to the linkage system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device (1) for automatically loading workpiece palette (2) with delicate workpieces (3), the workpiece palette (2) having straight cords (6) disposed in a grid- and/or comb-like manner with free spaces (7) between the rods (6). In order to hold the workpiece palette (2) a palette gripper (12) is provided, which lowers an empty workpiece palette (2) from a lowering position (13) lying above the empty positioning surface (9) through the plane of the latter into a receiving position (14) lying below the positioning surface (9), the receiving region (15) of the workpiece palette (2) being lower than the plane of the positioning surface (9). When the workpiece palette (2) has been lowered, the workpieces (3) are laid on the positioning surface (9). The palette gripper (12) raises the workpiece palette (2) out of the receiving position (14) such that the workpieces (3) are also raised.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle is disclosed for loading refuse from a front loading container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and first and second channels along the first and second side walls, and also from a rear loader container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and at least one trunnion having first and second trunnion end portions extending beyond the first and second side walls, respectively. The collection vehicles includes a chassis, a storage body supported by the chassis and having an interior with a roof above the interior providing an opening into the interior and first and second lift arms pivotably coupled to the chassis. The refuse collection vehicle further includes a loader adapter coupled to the first and second lift arms. The loader adapter includes first and second forks, first and second trunnion encircling mechanisms, at least one support arm and at least one container stop.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for simultaneously inverting a plurality of semiconductor devices includes a conveyor (12) for conveying an input tray below a frame (32) having a primer tray captured therein by tray captivators (64). The input tray is elevated by an elevator (20) and the primer tray is lowered by lowering the frame (32) until the trays are closely adjacent. After the tray captivators (64) release the primer tray, tray clamps (44) are moved inwardly to extend over the sides of the trays, and jaws (52, 56) are moved to clamp the trays together. The frame (32) is rotated to invert the clamped trays. The input tray s then captured by the tray captivators (64) as the tray lamps (44) are released and acts as the primer tray for the next operation. After release of the tray clamps (44), the ay including the devices in an inverted orientation is lowered to be conveyed by the conveyor (12).

Abstract: A bulk mail processing system (10) conveys bulk mail containers (C) from a receiving station (R) at which the container is placed on a conveyor (12) to an unloading station (D) at which the contents of the container are dumped. A video camera (22) obtains an image of the container which is transmitted to a processor (24). The image is processed to determine if residual mail (M) is left in the container after it is emptied. A mechanism (18) removes the container from the conveyor, empties the container, and then returns the container back to the conveyor. A controller (20) controls operation of the emptying mechanism. The controller is responsive to an input from the processor that all the contents of a container have been removed to replace the empty container on the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method are provided for converting an open-topped container into a top-emptying container. The apparatus preferably includes a cover having ground-engaging feet and a discharge opening able to be opened and closed. A coupling device is included on the cover for coupling the cover to the open-topped container. A cradle having an entry side and supports provides lateral and back support for a container-cover assembly when the cradle is inverted, in a controlled manner, by a rotationally inverting device. The cradle further includes openable end members with a spacing apart when closed, so that end movement of the container-cover assembly in the cradle, during inversion of the cradle, will be substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A carrier container having sides, ends and a bottom defining an open face holding chamber, is provided for loading a stack of tiers loaded on a pallet into the holding chamber. The stack of tiers comprises a plurality of tier sheets, each supporting a plurality of products aligned in groups on each tier. The tier sheets are disposed vertically, defining a stack. The stack is positioned on and secured to the pallet. Loading of the stack of tiers and pallet into the holding chamber is accomplished with the holding chamber in a vertical orientation. After loading the stack of tiers and pallet into the holding chamber the carrier container is rotated from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, securing the stack of tiers and pallet in the holding chamber. Each of the tier sheets is removed from the stack destroying the stack and displacing the products from the stack, the products retained in the holding chamber.

Abstract: A component conveying device is provided in which a lead component and a second component behind the lead component can be reliably separated and the lead component can be readily extracted with reduced error. The device includes a guide groove 6 for guiding and aligning the components P in a single line. A blade 5 is provided which moves back and forth in the groove. The components P are conveyed forward by moving the blade 5 forward at a low speed and then moving the blade backward in a high speed. A first stopper 31 holds a second component at the distal end of the device. A second stopper 41 stops the lead component P1 from moving back and forth, and a shutter 43 includes a magnet 49 for attracting the lead component. The second stopper is provided at a distal end portion of the guide groove 6.

Abstract: A front loading refuse collection vehicle (10) is provided having a body (12) which includes a hopper (16), a storage container (17), a pair of arms (56) coupled to a pivotal fork (58). The vehicle also has a control circuit (100) which coordinates movement of the fork with the arms. The control circuit receives the initial pickup position of the arms and fork from an arm position sensor (200) and a fork position sensor (201) when grasping a portable container. This position is later recalled to assist the operator in returning the arms and forks to these positions in order to release the portable container.

Abstract: Medicaments on a first pallet are transferred onto a second pallet, thereby reorienting the medicaments. The first pallet is received on a first lift plate and the second pallet is received on a second lift plate in vertical opposition to the first lift plate. A lift mechanism urges the first and second lift plates towards one another and the first and second lift plates are inverted so that the medicaments are transferred from said first pallet to said second pallet.

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

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

Abstract: A multifunctional shipping container for integrated circuits, and methods of using and reusing the container are described. The compact container coupled with foam inserts is dimensioned to securely ship and store integrated circuits in either tray or reel format. The container with an expandable cavity allows ease of access for loading and unloading the contents at multiple work stations, and may be converted to an in-house "tote". Multifunctionality of the container supports use as a shipping system from the tray or reel supplier, to the IC assembly and test site, to distribution centers, and to the IC customer, thus eliminating multiple costs of disposal, inventory and new shipping materials.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a modular substrate cassette used to store substrates. The modular substrate cassette is designed to use different components that may be collectively assembled into different cassette configurations while substantially reducing or eliminating custom and complex fabrication costs. The modular substrate cassette may accommodate multiple substrate sizes, including 100 mm, 200 mm, and 300 mm substrates, as well as a variety of substrate shapes, including circular, square, and rectangular. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate supports use materials from standard geometries of bar stock and/or plate stock to minimize the costs of production. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the substrate cassette is designed to allow multi-directional access to substrates stored in the cassette.

Abstract: An automatic plug pulling machine for integrated circuit (IC) tubes is disclosed. Conventionally on a semiconductor manufacturing line, IC tubes are used to transport IC packages such as DIPs, SOPs and SOJs from one processing station to another. Commonly, IC packages inside the tubes are removed by pulling out the plug manually. This can be very time consuming resulting in reduced throughput. With the automatic pulling machine disclosed in the present invention, the tubes are loaded on to a pair of robotic arms with slots and grooves to receive a tube. The arm transports the tube to a platform where the tube is clamped down and positioned relative to two plug pullers. The top plug puller with a finger-like notch, which when lowered to one end of the tube, snugly fits over the head of the plug, and the lower plug puller also fits the bottom profile of the head of the plug. Then the plug pullers are moved horizontally, that is, sideways to move the plug out from the tube automatically.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a front end loading waste vehicle allows conventional rear end loading waste containers to be picked-up and emptied. The adapter allows a single waste vehicle to empty both front end loading and rear end loading waste containers one after the other in a common area during a single pick-up route.

Abstract: A pair of elongate, segmented gripping members are carried by the lifting member of a refuse collection vehicle. Each of the gripping members includes an inner arm movably carried by the lifting member and an outer arm movably extending from the inner arm. The gripping members are movable between a retracted position in which the inner arms extend in generally opposite directions, fore and aft along the side of the vehicle, and an extended position in which the inner arms extend in generally the same direction laterally outward from the vehicle. Each outer arm is inwardly movable relative the respective inner arm to draw a container into the embrace of the gripping members. A pair of elongate flexible members engage the container to supplement the grip of the gripping members.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for transferring ordered articles between carriers. Generally, an empty partitioned carrier is aligned in a generally opposing relationship with partitions in a carrier containing at least one article to be transferred to the empty carriers. The carriers are aligned to perform the transfer of the articles, while maintaining the relative order, or arrangement, of the articles in the carrier. The aligned carriers are then rotated through a gravitational field to exert a sufficient force to transfer the articles between the carriers. An apparatus of the present invention for transferring articles preferably includes a fulcrum and a lever arm having a transfer end. The lever arm is attached to the fulcrum to allow the lever arm to be rotated about the fulcrum. The transfer end includes a clamp having first and second adjacent carrier retaining portions configured to retain two carriers in an opposing relationship to allow for the transfer of articles between the carriers.

Abstract: A multi-compartment refuse and/or collection vehicle having an automated container handling mechanism that may automatically lift and dump a container into a preselected corresponding charging hopper of the vehicle. A microprocessor controls the extension, lift and lateral position of the container handling mechanism and analyzes the output voltage of potentiometers coupled to the container handling mechanism to thereby coordinate actuation of the container handling mechanism and smoothly pick up the container from the curbside, dump the container into the preselected corresponding charging hopper, and return the container to the same position on the curbside but above the ground a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A machine agitates and rips scrap metal containers such as scrap aluminum cans to expose their interiors and shake out sand, dirt, and other material in the cans. Alternatively, the containers may comprise shell casings which the machine deforms by thrashing. The machine has an enclosure in which a rotatable shaft is supported. A plurality of blade sets are mounted on the shaft within the enclosure to rotate the shaft. The blade sets are distributed along the shaft and interleaved with a plurality of angled, stationary vanes that are mounted to an inside surface of the enclosure. These parts cooperate when the shaft is rotated by propelling containers on a helical path on which the blade sets batter, thrash, and rip the containers, throwing them against the vanes and the sides of the enclosure. As cans are battered and agitated by the blades, their contents are emptied and the cans are ultimately propelled to a collection point.

Abstract: A mixing bowl lift apparatus and method for lifting a mixing bowl above a work table and partially inverting the mixing bowl to empty the contents thereof on the work table. The lift apparatus includes a lift framework having a pair of spaced lift arms extending outwardly from the lift framework at an obtuse angle. The lift framework is pivotally coupled between a pair of upright columns that are secured to a base plate bolted to the floor beneath the edge of the work table. The lift arms are configured with a C-shaped cross section so as to securely receive the circumferential, raised ridge on the mixing bowl. An electrically driven piston raises and lowers the lift arm assembly. The obtuse angle between the lift arms and the lift framework allows the lift arms to be raised beyond the vertical axis and thereby partially invert the mixing bowl above the work table.

Abstract: A refuse and/or collection vehicle having an automated container handling mechanism that may automatically lift and dump a container into a charging hopper of the vehicle. A microprocessor controls the extension and lift of the container handling mechanism and analyzes the output voltage of potentiometers coupled to the container handling mechanism to thereby coordinate actuation of the container handling mechanism and smoothly pick up the container from the curbside, dump the container in the charging hopper, and return the container to the same position on the curbside but above the ground a predetermined distance.