Abstract: A rotating ring orienting feeder including a hopper for containing a supply of articles. A ring is positioned above the hopper. A support member is provided for retaining the ring in a substantially horizontal position. The supports also provide rotation for the ring. A conveyor is provided within the hopper for supplying articles to the ring. A drive mechanism is provided for imparting rotation to the ring and to the conveyor. A plurality of articles are supplied to the ring by the conveyor and are qualified on either side of the ring. Articles not being disposed in a predetermined orientation are returned to the hopper for resupply. In another embodiment, the articles positioned on the ring may also turn from one position into another position in order to qualify the articles directly on the ring.

Abstract: An article feeding appartus for supplying articles includes a base member with a side wall member having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is secured to the base member. A rim member is secured to the second surface of the side wall member. An elevating turret is centrally disposed relative to the base member. A plurality of inclined ramp segments are operatively connected to the elevating turret and radially extend from the centrally disposed elevating turret towards the side wall member for forming a reservoir area into which articles may be supplied. A drive member is provided for rotating the base member, side wall member, rim and elevating turret at a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A rotary puck conveying, accumulating and qualifying mechanism for accommodating articles of various sizes. A puck is provided having a predetermined outer peripheral surface and including an article retaining aperture disposed therein. The article retaining aperture being of a predetermined shape for accommodating an outer peripheral surface of an article being handled. A centrifugal feeder is provided for supplying a plurality of articles to an outer peripheral rim. A rotating table accumulates the pucks in both a full and an empty condition. The rotating table is operatively disposed beneath the centrifugal feeder wherein outer peripheral surfaces of the centrifugal feeder and the rotating table overlap. A plurality of pockets are rotatably disposed below the centrifugal feeder for engaging pucks positioned on the rotating table for retaining the pucks in a predetermined location relative to the centrifugal feeder for supplying articles into the aperture in the puck over an extended length of transfer.

Abstract: Photography, particularly, a method of modifying slide transparencies so as to eliminate distortion and to provide uniform illumination in oblique projection, for example, upon rear view screens.The method of modifying slide transparencies includes supporting the object to be photographed at an angle with respect to the optical path of the camera; selectively illuminating the object to be photographed such that the portion farthest from the camera receives the greatest portion of the light with the rest of the object being gradually and continuously less illuminated so the portion nearest the camera receives the least light; and, taking a picture of the object, such that the transparency defines the object being photographed in trapezoidal form with the wider base being the least illuminated and the narrow apex being the greatest illuminated.

Abstract: Rotary transport of singulated articles, i.e., utilizing the periphery of a rotating transport disc to advance an article from one stationary work station to another. Particularly, radially outwardly pushing the article from the rotating transport disc into the peripheral stationary work station and, as work is completed upon the article, sequentially pushing the article radially inwardly from the work station into re-engagement with the rotating disc periphery, which transports the article to another work station or exit.

Abstract: Centrifugal feeders, particularly a method of transporting singulated parts from the periphery of a centrifugal feeder. The method includes vertically orienting while supporting the parts in nests or notches defined at the periphery of the feeder, advancing the parts away from said supporting and dropping the parts into individual containers or pucks which are transported tangentially away from the centrifugal feeder. The method is characterized by its capability of high speed singulation of parts into any desired matrix.

Abstract: High speed feeding, counting, orienting and storing of small parts such as ammunition, candy, pills, machine screws, nuts, miniature containers and the like. The articles are radially distributed upon a rotating planar surface having an axis; the articles are then advanced upon a plurality of peripherally spaced spindles or rollers which extend radially outwardly from the axis. The articles are then discharged from the spindles. The spindles may be of the idler or power driven type enabling the sorting of heavy parts. For example, the spindles may be rotated at a speed proportional to the rotational speed of the inner axis, such that the high surface speed of the individual rollers will enhance discharge, alternatively, the rollers may be rotated at a speed lower than the rotational speed of the inner axis which will enhance radial distribution prior to discharge.

Abstract: High speed method for translating particulate articles, such as hollow containers or solid elongated articles from random or in-line array to side by side packaged arrays as a matrix of parallel rows. The articles are advanced upon a horizontal plane, then centrifugally accelerated outwardly at varying radial lengths, according to the desired side by side spacing. The articles are supported at the desired radial length, then dropped into the desired side by side array. Thus, the articles may be first advanced upon a horizontal plane into the inner ends of a series of radially outwardly extending chutes. The chutes are rotated such that centrifugal forces carry the articles to the outer ends of said chutes where they are supported until selectively dropped from the outer ends of the chutes into a side by side array as a matrix of parallel rows.