Abstract: Systems, methods, and software program products for detecting an out-of-product condition in a chemical dispensing system. An optical sensor includes a photodetector and a light source configured to generate a beam of light. The light source is positioned such that the beam of light is incident on a supply line at an oblique angle. The supply line displaces the beam of light in dependence on the refractive index of a medium in the supply line. The photodetector is positioned so that it is in the optical path of the displaced beam of light when the refractive index of the of the medium in the supply line is indicative of one of a wet state or a dry state. A detection module receives an electrical signal from the photodetector and determines if the out-of-product conditions exists base thereon.

Abstract: A vacuum cup assembly has a vacuum device with a vacuum passageway and a venturi. A vacuum cup is configured to engage an object. The venturi generates an at least partial vacuum at the vacuum cup when the vacuum cup is engaged with an object. The vacuum cup seals against the object when the venturi device generates the at least partial vacuum. A noise reducing device is at a discharge of the venturi. The noise reducing device has a housing defining a chamber, a plurality of spaced exit openings and a movable cap. Air discharged at the venturi is diverted in the chamber and flows out through the exit openings. The movable cap covers the exit opening to override the vacuum to enable the vacuum cup to be positioned or repositioned on the object.

Abstract: A toggle clamp has a base with a support portion and a securement portion. A handle mechanism is connected to the base support portion. A clamping arm is movably supported by a pivot pin on the base support portion. The clamping arm is coupled with the handle mechanism. The clamping arm includes a clamping element that moves transverse to the workpiece. The handle is moved between a first and second position. The clamp arm pivots about the pivot pin on the base until reaching a stop position. The handle continues to a clamping second position as the clamping element moves linearly transverse toward the workpiece into a clamped position.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: The toggle lever clamp has a clamp housing coupled with a cylinder assembly. A piston assembly is movable within the cylinder assembly. A rod is coupled with the piston assembly. The rod extends into a cavity within the clamp housing. A toggle lever assembly is coupled at one end of the rod inside of the clamp housing. A sensor assembly is coupled with the clamp housing. The sensor assembly includes a pair of sensors or switches spaced from each other and positioned on a mounting plate. The mounting plate is slidably secured within the clamp housing. A sensor pickup is movably positioned on the rod so that the sensor pickup is multi-positionable on the rod to adjust the stroke of the toggle lever assembly.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and software products for analyzing liquids dispensed from a chemical dispensing system. Beams of light having different wavelengths are passed through a liquid dispensed by the dispensing system. The intensity of each beam of light is measured after passing through the liquid. A transmission coefficient is determined by comparing the intensity of the beam of light to a calibration parameter obtained by passing the beam of light through an unadulterated diluent. The transmission coefficients for the beams of light are then compared to corresponding transmission coefficients obtained for one or more known reference solutions to determine one or more characteristics of the liquid being dispensed from the chemical dispensing system.

Abstract: A modular gripper has a body with a trident section and cylindrical section. A powering assembly is positioned in the cylindrical section. A pair of oppositing jaws is pivotally secured between a center wall and a pair of side wall, respectively, of the trident section. The piston rod moves a cam assembly on the center wall. The cam assembly passes through a body having a trident section and cylindrical section. The trident section comprises a trident structure that includes, at one end, a pair of side walls along with a center wall. The cylindrical section includes a fluid driven powering assembly. A pair of opposing jaw member are pivotally secured to the trident portion about separate pivot pins. A cam assembly is operatively connected to a piston rod of the fluid driven powering assembly. The cam assembly extends laterally outward with respect to a cylinder bore axis to receive a cam bush that engages with a through slot on each of the pair of opposing jaw members.

Abstract: A remote activation dispenser for dispensing fluids. An actuating device positioned on a dispensing tube is operably connected to a flexible link that is operably connected to a valve in a dispenser by a rigid link. Upon manipulation of the actuating device, the valve is actuated for passing or cutting off fluids from the dispenser to the dispensing tube.

Abstract: A reciprocating gas compressor valve having a plurality of clusters of kidney shaped holes positioned along a common circular or annular locus in the main body and a sealing element with a top portion, a bottom portion and a tubular section. The tubular section is integrally connected to the top portion and bottom portion. In an open position, a flow pathway is provided through the clusters of kidney shaped holes and the tubular section and the bottom profile abuts a stop surface of the valve. In a closed position, the top profile abuts the seat for sealing gas flow within the valve.

Abstract: A holding system includes a force control module configured to generate a force signal to cause a holding device to perform at least one of a hold stroke and a release stroke. The hold stroke includes transitioning a gripping element of the holding device to a first position to grip an object. The release stroke includes transitioning the gripping element to a second position to release the object. The holding device is non-backdrivable. A stall detection module is configured to (i) monitor a sensor signal received from a sensor of an electric motor assembly of the holding device and (ii) detect a first stall condition of an electric motor based on the sensor signal. A shut off module is configured to shut off current to the electric motor based on the detection of the first stall condition during or at an end of the release stroke.

Abstract: A replacement glove assembly has a replacement access element defining an outermost shoulder end and an innermost hand end configured to receive a hand of a user. A replacement sealing assembly engages the outermost shoulder end of the replacement access element and defines a leading radial face defining a first coupling structure, a trailing radial face defining a second coupling structure, and an outer annular surface configured to be received by a glove port. A first glove cap has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side defines a first mating structure sealably engaged with the first coupling structure of the leading radial face. The second side defines a second mating structure that is configured to sealably engage the second coupling structure of the trailing radial face of the replacement sealing assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for wirelessly communicating with various system controllers of a facility through a wireless interface module. A mobile computing device may wirelessly connect with the wireless interface module to transmit information to and receive information from the wireless interface module. Specifically, a washing machine may be coupled to the system controller and may require various chemicals to perform the underlying washing tasks. As the chemicals are utilized, system controllers provide usage data and any other relevant data to the wireless machine interface, which may in turn provide the data to the mobile computing device upon request. Similarly, the mobile computing device may transmit system setting information, updated formulas, or other information to the wireless interface module for incorporation into one or more system controllers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for wirelessly communicating with various system controllers of a facility through a wireless interface module. A mobile computing device may wirelessly connect with the wireless interface module to transmit information to and receive information from the wireless interface module. Specifically, a washing machine may be coupled to the system controller and may require various chemicals to perform the underlying washing tasks. As the chemicals are utilized, system controllers provide usage data and any other relevant data to the wireless machine interface, which may in turn provide the data to the mobile computing device upon request. Similarly, the mobile computing device may transmit system setting information, updated formulas, or other information to the wireless interface module for incorporation into one or more system controllers.

Abstract: A gripper has a body with a jaw support portion and powering portion. A powering assembly is positioned in the powering portion. A stationary jaw is secured to the jaw support portion. A movable jaw is pivotally secured to the jaw support portion about a pivot pin. A rod from the powering assembly connects in a slot on the movable jaw. The pivot pin is positioned on an opposite side of an axis of the rod on the clevis portion away from the stationary jaw. The non-clamping end of the movable jaw is incapable of extending below an end plane of the body of the stationary jaw side of the gripper.