Abstract: Embedded in a transport assembly are arrays of microelectromechanical sensors and actuators for detecting and propelling an object. A controller having defined therein local computational agents and a global controller controls the array of sensors and actuators. The global controller provides global operating constraints to the local computational agents. The global operating constraints are developed using an approximate specification of system behavior based on simplified assumptions of an idealized system as well as limited sensor information aggregated from the array of sensors. The local computational agents compute a desired local actuator response using sensor information from a localized grouping of sensor units. To improve the accuracy of the global operating constraints, the local computational agents reduce differences between a global actuator response, computed using the global operating constraints, and the desired local actuator response.

Abstract: Objects such as pieces of mail are stacked without significant contact therewith by producing laminar air flow over a surface which defines or parallels a desired movement path for the objects. The objects are placed and form a barrier between the laminar air flow and ambient air and movement such as turning an edge of the object to prevent impact on other objects and regulation of direction velocity an kinetic energy of the motion of the objects is regulated by the Coanda effect of the laminar flow. The object thus provides an acoustic barrier to reduce generation and propagation of noise by the high pressure air used to create the laminar flow. An air amplifier reduces the volume of high pressure air required to provide control of object motion.

Abstract: In connection with a method for automatically inserting documents to be displayed on a display device and/or copied in a digitizing device, such as microfiches, microfilm jackets or the like, in which process one document at a time is transported from a stack of documents to be processed to a document support and from there to a deposit magazine for the processed documents, provision is made according to the invention that the top document of a stack of documents contained in the holding magazine is pulled up by suction to about the level of the document support and the remaining stack is subsequently retained by suction acting in the opposite direction; the document pulled up by suction is transported sideways to the document support, and deposited on said support by terminating the suction effect, and the document is then picked up by suction again after it has been processed, and is transported to the deposit magazine.

Abstract: Grooves for constructing transport passages 12 for transporting semiconductor chips 28 are provided (the grooves are provided in parallel to one another in a number corresponding to quality levels of the semiconductor chips 28). An air blow pipe 27 is provided at a starting end Pa of the transport passage 12 in a transport direction (direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7) to give the thrust for moving the semiconductor chips 28 in the transport direction. A large number of air-jetting holes 26 for floating the semiconductor chips 28 are provided through a transport surface. Especially, the air-jetting holes 26 are provided at a terminal end in the transport direction in a number larger than those for the other portions. Thus, the floating amount of the semiconductor chip 28 is maximized at the terminal end. A plurality of slits 29 are provided vertically through a terminal end wall 20a in the transport direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for pushing out stacked signatures includes a table on which the signatures are placed in a stack. A push-out element is seated above the table in a lever gear so as to be rotatable on a closed path for being applied to the stack in a push-out movement pushing the stack away from the table.

Abstract: A palletizer has an improved slide plate assembly and an improved indexing hoist. The slide plate assembly incorporates measures to reduce friction between it and the bags or other articles being handled by it. The orientation of the slide plates of the assembly are altered ninety degrees with respect to traditional slide plate orientation to eliminate the deadplate encountered by articles sliding along the slide plates. An air assist mechanism also is incorporated into the slide plate assembly to produce an air cushion between the articles and the top surface of the slide plates. The hoist, which is designed to index upwardly after receiving a layer of articles to compress that layer against the bottom surface of the slide plate assembly to flatten the articles and to force air out of them, incorporates an improved controller that causes the hoist to assuredly impart the desired compressive force to the articles without over-compressing the articles or overloading the hoist's lift motor.

Abstract: An article hold-up assembly for use with an article handling apparatus to maintain at least one article defining a trailing end of a group of articles in an abutting orientation with a group as the group is moved by a conveyor along an elongated lane. The article handling apparatus includes an elongated lane defining an axis of elongation for merging a finite series of articles defining a group of articles with a generally continuous series of articles defining an outfeed stream of articles. The article handling apparatus includes a conveyor for moving articles through at least a portion of the lane. The article hold-up assembly includes an air supply device, a plenum chamber communicating with the air supply device, and a plurality of apertures in the plenum chamber. The air supply device provides positive air flow into the plenum chamber. The plenum chamber and the apertures therein are positioned spaced away from the axis of elongation.

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: A fabric piece handling apparatus for picking up and placing fabric pieces. The fabric piece handling apparatus includes a pickup assembly having a pair of opposed jaws, a "trapeze" unfolder assembly adjacent to the pickup assembly, and a vacuum assisted magazine for supplying a stack of fabric pieces to the pickup assembly.

Abstract: An insertable pallet for unloading or acquiring objects or for loading or piling objects, particularly in a stacked position, comprising at least one live roller for moving an object being unloaded or loaded along the insertable pallet. In the unloading mode of the insertable pallet, the insertable pallet is thrust at an object seam until the insertable pallet is underneath the object being unloaded a sufficient distance to engage at least one live roller of said insertable pallet for moving the object from its initial position along said pallet. In the loading mode of the insertable pallet, an object being loaded is moved to and preferably partially over the front of the insertable pallet by at least one live roller. The insertable pallet is appropriately positioned so that when the object arrives at the front of the insertable pallet an operator can nudge the object off the insertable pallet with a minimum of physical effort.

Abstract: A movable cart has an air deck with a gripper assembly mounted thereon which has two opposed gripper arms which may be extended into a jogger/aerator to engage and grip a stack of paper supported on an air deck therein and to withdraw the stack fully onto the cart. The cart is movable between the jogger/aerator and one or more sheet feeding apparatus. Each sheet-feeding apparatus is outfitted with an air deck onto which the loaded sheet stack may be automatically unloaded. A transfer deck has a plurality of swords with spring-loaded dogs for storing a stack of paper and advancing the stored stack into the sheet-feeding apparatus upon exhaustion of its sheet supply.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for removing articles from an underlayer with high frictional resistance, especially for removing several layers of cartons with one underlayer each from a pallet. By generating an air cushion at the upper side of the underlayer (19) underneath the articles (cartons 20), the articles (cartons 20), gliding on the air cushion, can then be removed from the underlayer (19) with transverse movement by means of an unloading apparatus (10). It is possible to remove even delicate and flexible packs from an underlayer with high frictional resistance by transverse movement.

Abstract: A palletizing apparatus for stacks of paper sheets has a set of conveyors which deliver a succession of individual stacks or groups of two or more stacks to a palletizing station and onto an air cushion which is defined by two plenum chambers of a table. The palletizing station is equipped with pairs of stops which orient the stacks on the table in the direction of delivery of stacks as well as at right angles to such direction. The plenum chambers are retracted from the palletizing station when the orientation of stacks thereon is completed, and the stack or stacks then descend onto a pallet which is held in a position of readiness on the platform of a raised elevator below the palletizing station. The platform is provided with devices for shifting and/or rotating a pallet thereon to a desired position. The elevator is lowered stepwise to accumulate several layers of stacks and ultimately reaches the level of a receiving conveyor which accepts the loaded pallet.

Abstract: An arrangement for conveying and stacking final products created by subdivision of a succession of plate blanks into a plurality of such products comprises an input conveyor for supplying the products in a longitudinal transport direction at a predetermined upper level to a stacking station and an output conveyor offset laterally from the input conveyor for transporting stacks of the products away from the stacking station in the direction and having an upstream end laterally adjacent the stacking station at a lower level below the upper level of the input conveyor. A sorter at the station receives the products from the input conveyor at the upper level and moves them at the upper level to either of two stacking substations longitudinally aligned with the upstream end of the output conveyor.

Abstract: A stacking of fragile articles, particularly printed matter, is achieved in a substantially frictionless manner in order to eliminate damage. The stacking apparatus includes a feed system wherein incoming books are at least in part supported on an air cushion as they are formed into rows which are subsequently transferred onto a sliding platform which also, at least in part, establishes an air cushion beneath the articles. Movements are imparted to the sliding platform such that it may be retracted from under the feed system once a formed row of articles has been transferred thereto to gently deposit the row on a pallet or preformed stack supported on a pallet.

Abstract: A stacker having platforms movable along a path by chains. Cam followers on the platforms engage a cam surface which controls the platform path. The chains are driven by a motor in a closed-loop system which monitors the platforms and controls their speed. The closed-loop system first decelerates the platforms and thereafter stops one platform in the intercept-ready position. The platform cam follower enters a claw which moves the end of the platform through the stream to collect signatures when the downstream platform reaches a predetermined count and deposits the stack on a turntable. A piston assembly rotates the turntable one-half turn after each deposit. Different pressure values are selectively applied to the piston assembly to slow the turntable before it is halted.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling products such as bagged particulate material, into a multi-tiered stack upon a pallet, is designed to substantially eliminate relative movement between the articles and article supporting surfaces of the apparatus during the stacking operation. The articles are arranged into a tier upon an air table and then transferred to an elevator consisting of spaced parallel rollers. The elevator is then raised to a location above a set of retractable tines which are then projected beneath the elevator into the spaces between the rollers to receive the tier of articles as the elevator is lowered. The elevator then brings a second tier of articles to a location just below the extended tines which are then retracted to drop the tier supported on the tines onto the tier supported on the elevator, which is then raised above the tines. The tines are then reinserted beneath the elevator to receive the two stacked tiers and this cycle is repeated until the stack is complete.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a continuous stream of partially overlapping sheets of paper or the like into a succession of stacks has a table which is movable between a first position adjacent the discharge end of a conveyor for the stream of sheets and a second position adjacent a stack removing unit. When in first position, the table is lowered gradually at the rate at which the height of the growing stack on its top increases, and such table is mounted on a reciprocable carriage which further supports a platform adjacent to the table so that the platform can enter the gathering station and take over a growing stack while the fully grown stack on the table is advanced to the removing unit. The table and the platform are provided with conveyors so that a fully grown stack can be transferred from the table onto the removing unit and the conveyor on the platform can transfer a growing stack onto the table when the transfer of the fully grown stack onto the stack removing unit is completed.

Abstract: Palletizing apparatus having an air table pivoted on a compression plate, the table being swung up to a raised inclined position for receiving bags to be stacked on a pallet from an infeed conveyor with the bags arranged in a layer on the table, and swung down to a lowered position and moved to a retracted position below the conveyor for withdrawing the table from under the layer of bags for deposit of the layer to form the stack on the pallet, the pallet being held on an elevator, the bags on the pallet being compressible against the bottom of the compression plate by raising the elevator, and a pallet magazine below the conveyor from which a pallet is transferred to the elevator on each cycle of the apparatus for the stacking of bags on the pallet.

Abstract: An air-equipped table is disclosed which includes a frame mounted table top of sturdy, planar construction. The table top is formed with a laminate of a thin top hardboard layer, a thin bottom hardboard layer and a relatively thick particle board layer sandwiched therebetween. A plurality of air distribution channels are formed in the particle board layer prior to lamination to provide an integral air distribution system beneath the table top surface. A plurality of equally spaced orifices are drilled through the thin top layer to communicate with the air distribution channels in a manner to provide a uniform air cushion over the table surface. An air moving unit is interconnected with the air distribution channels and is designed to provide either air pressure or suction forces at the plurality of orifices.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting and stacking food products such as tortillas. The tortillas are initially placed on an entry chute containing a large number of air outlets for creating a cushion of air to allow the tortilla to slide down the entry chute onto an incline conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is of an open mesh design and it is supported on a belt support having a large number of air inlets which create a vacuum that maintains the tortilla in contact with the belt. The tortillas are carried by the belt down one end of the belt support and along the underside of the belt support with contact between the tortilla and belt being maintained by vacuum creating air inlets formed in the belt support. The air inlets terminate at a location on the underside of the belt support thereby allowing the tortillas to drop from the conveyor belt. The tortillas drop onto a stationary rack formed by rods which are interleaved with conveyor belts moving together as a unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for directing a flow of air between the bottom blank of a stack and a blank advancing beneath the stack, particularly for corrugated paperboard counter stacker machines, comprising an air supply means adjacent the trailing edge of the bottom blank adapted to direct the flow of air beneath the bottom blank and above the advancing blank to form a cushion of air therebetween for reducing sliding friction between such blanks.

Abstract: A ream collection lift table and asssociated transfer conveyor system are contained in a unitary assembly which is mounted beneath a sheet discharge end of a sheeting machine. The lift table portion utilizes a scissors-elevating structure for reciprocating a sheet collection surface. The elevating structure includes criss-crossed, collapsible scissors arms, each provided with shaped profile surfaces for engagement with a laterally movable roller driven at constant speed, whereby the collection surface descends at varying rates. At a lowermost position, the collection surface deposits a collected ream onto a laterally directed belt conveyor, positioned intermediately of the integral assembly. The belt conveyor deposits the collected ream onto the receiving surface of an orthogonally directed slat conveyor for transferring the ream to a cartoning station off to one side of the sheeting machine.

Abstract: A bag palletizer (20) includes a support frame (22) including a pallet magazine (24) for maintaining a stack of pallets therein. A loading plate (160) is mounted for reciprocating movement relative to the frame and is movable between a retracted position below the pallets in the magazine to an extended position. A wedge (280) and an actuating arm (270), both attached to the loading plate, cooperate to engage the lowermost pallet prior to movement of the plate to its extended position such that the lowermost pallet is drawn from the magazine when the loading plate is extended and is deposited onto a vertically movable fork assembly (200) positioned immediately below the loading plate. The loading plate may be extended to a position immediately above the pallet, and bags of material are loaded on the loading plate. By retracting the loading plate the bags are deposited onto the pallet therebelow.

Abstract: A piling assembly for a sheet stacker utilizes air pressure to corrugate a paper sheet for stiffness and to transport the sheet from a conveyor onto a pile formed against a backstop. The assembly is comprised of a plurality of telescoping rods which overlie the sheet pile and issue air jets in a downward and lateral direction onto the upper surface of a sheet. The mechanism further includes a lift means situated beneath the sheet and directing air against the undersurface of the sheet, so that the sheet can float over the pile as the sheet is jogged against the backstop in the stacker. The backstop is made movable and the telescoping rods are adjustable to accommodate various lengths of sheet in the stacker.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing the orientation of successive stacks of overlapping paper sheets has a first conveyor which delivers stacks seriatim onto the upper side of a support located below a vertically movable and rotatable turntable having at its underside a layer consisting of rubber and formed with openings for escape of air. The support has plenum chambers which discharge streams of compressed air against the underside of a stack between the support and the turntable whereby the stack is lifted off the support and bears against the layer at the underside of the turntable before the latter begins to rotate through 90 degrees to thus change the orientation of the stack. Prior to rotating, the turntable is moved downwardly toward and bears against the stack on the support to thereby expel air from the stack and to cause opening of valves in the upper side of the support by way of the lowermost sheet of the stack.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for producing fabric-reinforced, thin concrete panels suitable as a backer board for construction materials such as ceramic tile, slate and thin brick. A process is described whereby the components of the panel are deposited on a web of disposable carrier/release material such as polyethylene coated paper while moving on a conveyer belt to form a continuous strip, the strip is cut into panels and the wet, uncured panels are stacked by means of an air-float stacking unit, then subsequently cured.

Abstract: Objects to be stacked on a pallet or packaged without using a pallet, are transported by a conveyor to an inlet roll track where the objects are assembled into rows, from the inlet roll track a row of the objects is transferred to an intermediate support member where a layer of rows of the objects are collected and then picked up by a forklift device for movement to a pallet or a stack support. The inlet roll track is made up of a number of rollers which can be driven at variable speeds with the rollers most remote from the inlet to the inlet roll track moving at the lowest speed. Alternatively, the rollers of the inlet roll track can be arranged in groups with each group operating at a different speed and capable of being switched on and off separate from the other groups. The stack support can be moved vertically so that the forklift device places each layer on it in about the same horizontal plane as the stack is built up.

Abstract: An arrangement for turning and multiple placing on top of each other and for alignment of paper stacks which are located on the rear contact plate of a turning stacker in a position preferably turned by 90.degree.. Intermediate members in the form of a rake are placed between the individual paper stacks and are adjusted at the carrying column of carrying plate of the stacker. After introducing the paper stack and the intermediate member, the paper stack is preferably turned by about 90.degree.. The entire surface of the rear contact plate of the turning stacker is thereupon vented by uniform air discharge. The paper stack is loosened and aligned by forming an air cushion under the stack and then turned to a final position. The carrying plates or carrying forks between which the stack to be turned is held, is provided each with one yoke, or connected by one yoke having rear spindle nuts fastened on a left- and right-hand spindle.