Abstract: A recirculating device receives parts in bulk which are bunched together. The device includes a cone-shaped rotating disk which receives the parts and redistributes the parts into separate units. The parts are delivered to an inner periphery of the cone of the cone-shaped disk and then slide down the inclined slope of the cone. As the parts slide down the rotating cone, they become spaced further apart due to the increase in radius of the outer periphery of the cone as compared with the radius of the inner periphery of the cone. The separated parts may then be effectively handled by a picker-type robot utilizing a vision system or sensors to discriminate the individual parts.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting leakage of a part, includes a controller for generating a start command, a voltage generating circuit for generating at least one high voltage pulse signal in response to the start command, at least one testing station including first and second probes for placing a non-conductive part therebetween and for applying the at least one high voltage pulse signal to the non-conductive part, and an inductive detector detecting current from one of the first and second probes. The inductive detector generates a detection signal in response to the detection and transmits it to the controller. The controller compares the detection signal with a reference signal and determines any presence of leaks in the non-conductive parts based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A parts feeding, presenting and/or orienting apparatus is provided having a rotatable disc for receiving parts from a hopper. The parts can slide from the disc onto a curved section of a conveyor or onto a linear section of conveyor or other discharge device. The rotatable disc can be vertically reciprocated and can have a plurality of ridges in order to preorient the parts. A downstream qualifier can return misoriented parts to the hopper for recirculation of the parts. The apparatus can operate from a slow to a fast speed. A robotic device can be used downstream of the qualifier and a return path can be provided in order to recirculate all parts, if so desired.

Abstract: A rotary puck conveying mechanism and method will qualify articles and place them within a puck or article handling device. This puck has a centrally disposed opening for receiving the articles. The mechanism includes a centrifugal feeder with a rotatable rim having a plurality of openings. Pucks are positioned beneath the openings in order to receive the articles. The pucks will be fed to the centrifugal feeder and aligned with the openings in the rim. The pucks will simultaneously move with these aligned openings beneath the rim. When the articles remaining on the rim are swept off of this rim, the pucks or at least a piece of the pucks can then be detached and conveyed away from the centrifugal feeder. The pucks are designed to maintain orientation of an article held therein even when the pucks are inverted. The pucks can also have a movable insert for exposing and orienting articles held therein.

Abstract: A rotary puck conveying mechanism and method will qualify articles and place them within a puck. This puck has a centrally disposed opening for receiving the articles. The mechanism includes a centrifugal feeder for supply a plurality of articles to an outer peripheral rim of the feeder. The rim is rotatable and has a plurality of openings. Pucks are provided beneath the openings in order-to receive the articles. Different devices are provided for agitating articles on the rim to cause them to fall through the openings into the pucks. If the articles eventually do not fall through the openings, a jet or other suitable device is provided for removing the articles from the rim. The pucks will be fed to the centrifugal feeder and aligned with the openings in the rim. The pucks will simultaneously move with these aligned openings beneath the rim. When the articles remaining on the rim are swept off of this rim, the pucks can then be detached and conveyed away from the centrifugal feeder.

Abstract: An article handler for orienting and conveying flexible or thin articles. The article handler includes a centrifugal drum rotated about a central axis and a rotary disc disposed radially inward of a lower portion of the centrifugal drum. The centrifugal drum and rotary disc rotate simultaneously and a circumference of the rotary disc approaches a position adjacent to a ledge on an inner surface of the centrifugal drum at one location as the rotary disc rotates about a slanted axis. Articles which are introduced into the article handler become disposed on the ledge of the centrifugal drum in a singulated fashion. Improperly oriented articles are then removed from the ledge, and the properly oriented articles are removed from the ledge of the centrifugal drum by a beveled rotor in a similarly oriented fashion and conveyed to a packing station.

Abstract: A drive connection joint for transmitting rotary motion from a drive shaft to a movable member includes a movable link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the movable link being pivotally connected to a drive shaft. A connector affixed to a movable member. A slot is formed in the connector, the slot includes a predetermined length, width and depth. The movable link is accommodated within the slot to permit axial movement within the depth of the slot and lateral movement along the length of the slot for permitting a three-way connection between a drive shaft and a movable member, namely, pivotable movement, axial movement and lateral movement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for producing an oriented single file of articles comprising a conveyor having pockets for receiving articles, a lateral support surface forming a drop zone between it and an edge of the conveyor, a device for determining the direction in which articles are lying within the pockets, and a device for moving articles lying in one direction out of the pocket and onto the support surface. The pockets may be relatively quickly and easily changed to accommodate articles having different widths.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rigid, lightweight filled resin foam having voids dispersed in a continuous phase which is formed from a polyester polyol-polyurethane hybrid resin having reinforcing particles selected from fly ash, treated red mud and mixtures thereof dispersed therein. The hybrid resin may form an interpenetrating polymer network with a polyurethane and/or a modified hybrid polyurethane resin. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing the above rigid, lightweight resin foam, and to a composition for use in this process. The foam of the present invention is useful in building materials and the like requiring high tensile and compressive strength and corrosion and thermal resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for producing an oriented single file of articles comprising a conveyor having pockets for receiving articles, a lateral support surface forming a drop zone between it and an edge of the conveyor, a device for determining the direction in which articles are lying within the pockets, and a device for moving articles lying in one direction out of the pocket and onto the support surface.

Abstract: A centrifugal feeder for supplying objects includes a bowl for receiving objects to be fed therefrom and a rim mounted adjacent to an upper surface of the bowl. A disc is disposed within the bowl and extends at an incline from an area adjacent to a lower portion of the bowl upwardly to a point adjacent to the rim for delivering objects from the lower portion of the bowl upwardly to the rim. The disc is spaced a predetermined distance from an interior surface of the bowl to form a gap between the disc and the interior surface of the bowl. A drive member is provided for rotating the bowl and the disc at predetermined speeds and in a predetermined direction. A member is operatively connected to the disc for spanning the gap between the disc and the interior surface of the bowl for ensuring the delivery of objects from within the bowl to the rim and for preventing objects from falling or lodging within the gap.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for moving material from a first position to a second position comprises a guide which includes a first and second track spaced apart a predetermined distance for defining a path of travel. A plurality of substantially flat surface transport carriers are positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each substantially flat surface transport carrier includes a first end disposed adjacent to a first track and a second end disposed adjacent to a second track. A drive member engages and pushes each individual substantially flat surface transport carrier and imparts movement thereto along the path of travel defined by the guide.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for moving material from a first position to a second position comprises a guide which includes a first and second track spaced apart a predetermined distance for defining a path of travel. A plurality of transport carriers are positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each transport carrier includes a first end disposed within a first track and a second end disposed within a second track. A drive member engages each individual transport carrier and imparts movement thereof along the path of travel defined by the guide.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for moving material from a first position to a second position comprises a guide which includes a first and second track spaced apart a predetermined distance for defining a path of travel. A plurality of transport carriers are positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each transport carrier includes a first end disposed within a first track and a second end disposed within a seocnd track. A drive member engages each individual transport carrier and imparts movement thereof along the path of travel defined by the guide.

Abstract: A self contained exchangeable turret assembly includes a turret module having a first turret wheel with a plurality of openings disposed around an outlet circumferential surface thereof for positioning a first work piece and a second turret wheel having a plurality of openings disposed around an outer circumferential surface thereof for positioning a second work piece in a predetermined position relative to a first work piece. A turret drive shaft and a plurality of tool stations are operatively mounted on said turret module. The first and second turret wheels are concentrically position on the turret drive shaft in a predetermined relationship to permit selective alignment of the plurality of openings disposed around the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second turret wheels. A support structure includes a drive member operatively mounted relative to the support housing for imparting rotation to the turret drive shaft and the first and second turret wheels.

Abstract: An assembly turret with universal nests comprises a first turret wheel having a central axis and an outer peripheral surface. A first set of a plurality of pockets is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the first turret wheel. The first set of a plurality of pockets each includes an opening of a first article locating portion for permitting an article to be radially received therein from the outer peripheral surface through the opening and into the first article locating portion. A second turret wheel is provided with a central axis and an outer peripheral surface. A second set of a plurality of pockets is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the second turret wheel. The second set of a plurality of pockets each includes an opening and a second article locating portion for permitting an article to be radially received therein from the outer peripheral surface through the opening and into the second article locating portion.

Abstract: A comparing device for comparing major landmarks and the orientation of a master object to like characteristics of test objects includes a plurality of master sensors arranged in a predetermined pattern corresponding to a desired orientation and/or landmarks of a fixed master object for producing an output representative of the orientation of the fixed master object. A plurality of test sensors are arranged in the same pattern as the plurality of master sensors for sensing major landmarks and the orientation of a test object and for producing an output representative of the orientation and major landmarks of the test object. In addition, a comparison device compares the output of the plurality of master sensors to the output of the plurality of test sensors for providing a signal to indicate incorrectness of the test object corresponding to the desired characteristics of the fixed master object and subsequent ejection of the incorrect test object from the processing line.

Abstract: A kit for converting a fixed ramp rotating bowl feeder into a flexible disk, stationary ramp rotating bowl feeder including an overhead ramp support for spanning the distance between side walls of the rotating bowl. A retaining tube is affixed to substantially a central portion of the overhead ramp support. A stationary ramp is affixed to one end of the retaining tube and projecting outwardly toward the side walls of the rotating bowl. A flexible disk mounted on the stationary ramp for rotating within the rotating bowl together with the rotating bowl for transporting articles disposed within the bowl upwardly to be discharged therefrom.

Abstract: A retrieval label for assisting in the selective location of a predetermined object includes a label having a predetermined width and length. The label has a top surface and a bottom surface. An adhesive material is applied to the bottom surface of the label for securing the label to an object. A plurality of address windows are formed in the top surface of the label. A plurality of removable tabs are individually applied to each of the plurality of address windows for providing a closure thereto. An indicating system is provided on the top surface of the label for providing a reference used to identify a predetermined object by removing a predetermined sequence of removable tabs from the top surface of the label for identifying the particular predetermined object.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated submersible pump and method for operating the same including a housing having a chamber disposed therein. A first opening is positioned in the housing for permitting liquid to flow into the chamber. A seal is operatively disposed within the camber for selectively sealing the first opening. A source of compressed air is provided for supplying compressed air to the chamber. A discharge opening is positioned in the housing for withdrawing liquid from the chamber. A predetermined quantity of liquid initially flows into the chamber through the first opening for imparting movement to the seal means for subsequently sealing the first opening. Thereafter compressed air is supplied to the chamber which displaces the liquid through the discharge opening thereby releasing the seal for repeating a pumping operation by again permitting the predetermined quantity of liquid to flow into the chamber through the first opening.