Abstract: A gripper apparatus including a gripper frame and a gripper beak; an actuation mechanism for actuating the gripper beak; a clamping force generator biased to exert a clamping force on the gripper beak; a transmission mechanism including an input member that is vertically displaceable with respect to the gripper frame, wherein the transmission mechanism engages the actuation mechanism such that a high position of the input member corresponds to a closed position of the gripper beak while a downward displacement of the input member corresponds to a transition of the gripper beak to an open position; a vertically displaceable carrier coupling device that in a lower rest position presses down on the input member; and a latch mechanism, preferably of alternate push-push type, for holding the gripper beak in its open position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a depalletizing device comprising a carriage as well as a friction roller attached to the carriage, which friction roller is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis and is coupled to a rotational drive in order to rotate. The carriage can be moved to and fro in a direction at right angles to the rotation axis of the friction roller in order to push the friction roller against a side of an object on the pallet in such a manner that the friction roller exerts an upward friction force on the object as a result of which the object is raised on that side, and in order for the friction roller to pass underneath said object after the latter has been raised. The depalletizing device comprises drive means with variable driving power in order to drive the carriage. The drive means comprise detection means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a depalletizing device comprising a carriage as well as a friction roller attached to the carriage, which friction roller is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis and is coupled to a rotational drive in order to rotate. The carriage can be moved to and fro in a direction at right angles to the rotation axis of the friction roller in order to push the friction roller against a side of an object on the pallet in such a manner that the friction roller exerts an upward friction force on the object as a result of which the object is raised on that side, and in order for the friction roller to pass underneath said object after the latter has been raised. The depalletizing device comprises drive means with variable driving power in order to drive the carriage. The drive means comprise detection means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a depalletizing device comprising a carriage as well as a friction roller attached to the carriage, which friction roller is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis and is coupled to a rotational drive in order to rotate. The carriage can be moved to and fro in a direction at right angles to the rotation axis of the friction roller in order to push the friction roller against a side of an object on the pallet in such a manner that the friction roller exerts an upward friction force on the object as a result of which the object is raised on that side, and in order for the friction roller to pass underneath said object after the latter has been raised. The depalletizing device comprises drive means with variable driving power in order to drive the carriage. The drive means comprise detection means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a depalletizing device comprising a carriage as well as a friction roller attached to the carriage, which friction roller is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis and is coupled to a rotational drive in order to rotate. The carriage can be moved to and fro in a direction at right angles to the rotation axis of the friction roller in order to push the friction roller against a side of an object on the pallet in such a manner that the friction roller exerts an upward friction force on the object as a result of which the object is raised on that side, and in order for the friction roller to pass underneath said object after the latter has been raised. The depalletizing device comprises drive means with variable driving power in order to drive the carriage. The drive means comprise detection means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a palletizing unit (1) for palletizing or depalletizing pallets (12). The unit comprises at least one stationing location (11) for a pallet (12) which is to be loaded or has been loaded. The unit also comprises a conveyor (4) for introducing or removing objects which are to be loaded onto the pallet or have been loaded from the pallet into or from the palletizing unit. The palletizing unit (1) has a robot (2) for picking up the objects from the conveyor (4) and placing the objects onto the pallet (12) on the stationing location (11), or vice versa. The unit also comprises a base (14) which, after the unit (1) has been installed at an operating location, rests on a floor (15). The stationing location (11), the conveyor (4) and the robot (2) are placed onto the base (14) and fixedly connected to one another.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a dimension of a portion of a garment are disclosed that preferably comprise a first member having a first gage end and a slide end, and a second member co-operatively engaged with the first member. The second member has a second gage end that has at least one scale. The apparatus has a locking device for locking the first and second members, such as a screw or wing nut passed through a pair of holes in registration. In preferred embodiments, the first and second gage ends extend from the first and second members respectively at a substantially right angle so they are substantially L-shaped. It is also preferred that the second member is made of a first layer and a second layer spaced away from the first layer, so the slide end passes between the first and second layers.