Abstract: In a workpiece pick up and transport mechanism, a shaft of a vacuum cup pick up bar is slideably interconnected with a shaft guide mounted on the pick up mechanism frame. The shaft also slideably engages a shaft collar of a pneumatic cylinder body. Operation of the air cylinder causes the shaft collar to lower the respective shafts of the vacuum cup bar until the vacuum cups come in contact with the target workpiece. Further movement of the air cylinder body causes the shaft collar to slide down the shaft thereby eliminating any overrun of the pneumatic cylinder and eliminates any pressure of the cylinder being applied to the shaft, thereby preventing such pressure from being transmitted to the vacuum cup tray and to the workpiece. The only force applied to the vacuum cup tray and to the workpiece is through the action of gravity. Vacuum is applied and the workpiece is attached to the vacuum cups and the pick up mechanism then moves the body of the pneumatic cylinder upward to lift the workpiece.

Abstract: The feed device has its own pneumatic lifting device for raising and lowering a table-like support (2) for feed modules (5), in which the electrical components can be moved into a pick-up position. As a result, the feed device can be exchanged quickly and easily.

Abstract: A bulk material feeder is disclosed for improving material flow as the material makes the generally ninety degree (90°) transition from the downcomer to the generally horizontal conveyor. The downcomer presents an innermost divergent surface that extends upwardly from the discharge opening of the downcomer. The divergent surface may be defined by an inlet wall that is fit within the outer casing wall of the downcomer, or by the outer casing wall itself. The present invention also concerns the method of retrofitting an existing feeder with a divergent inlet.

Abstract: A coupling system for the transfer of a flat object from a confinement box towards a processing unit for processing the flat object. The coupling system includes a first shutter, at least one second opening, a second shutter, and a third shutter associated with the second opening on a side facing the processing unit, and devices for releasing the first, second and third shutter, after coupling the transfer opening of the confinement box with the transfer opening of the processing unit, in order to allow the transfer of the object between the confinement box and the processing unit.

Abstract: A mechanism for accurately transferring a predetermined number of IC (Integrated Circuit) packages from a first IC (integrated Circuit) storage tube to a second IC (Integrated Circuit) storage tube. A first tube platform holds the first IC package storage tube at an inclination, and a second tube platform holds the second IC package storage tube at an inclination. Additionally, an IC (Integrated Circuit) package transfer wheel is disposed between the first tube platform and the second tube platform. The IC package transfer wheel has a plurality of spokes radiating outward from a center of the IC package transfer wheel. An IC package from the first IC package storage tube encounters a stopping spoke of the plurality of spokes of the IC package transfer wheel when the first IC package storage tube is placed on the first tube platform, and the stopping spoke prevents the IC package from entering the second IC package storage tube.

Abstract: A pair of tracks extend between the side frame rails of a minivan, each track having an upper horizontal side, a lower horizontal side, and a vertical side. A powered trolley has a first set of wheels located between the horizontal sides of each track and a second set of wheels engaging the vertical sides of the tracks. A ramp or platform has an inner end coupled to the trolley and an outer end riding on the upper horizontal side of the track. At the outer end of each track, the upper horizontal side angles upwardly away from horizontal, causing the outer end of the ramp to lower when extended.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle comprising a vehicle body supported by wheels and a hopper secured to the vehicle body. The hopper has a bumper lip at the rear thereof of a fixed height to which are secured at least two safety hooks. The safety hooks help prevent a pivot bar of a refuse container from moving rearwardly while the refuse container is being emptied. The safety hooks also help prevent accidental spillage of the contents of the container during the emptying procedure.

Abstract: A transfer valve assembly (10) for use as a feed valve or a discharge valve includes a series of open-faced pockets (46) biased by leaf springs (48) off of a central hub (44) and an arcuate saddle piece (22) mounted at an opening (14) of a sterilizer vessel (12) for transferring containers from an infeed conveyor (34) onto an interior reel (18). The engagement of open-faced pockets (46) with saddle (22) creates a seal to prevent the escape of steam, but gaps are provided between pockets (46) which allow for a controlled escape of steam in a manner that allows the pressure within the sterilizer vessel to be maintained at a slightly elevated level.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting pipette tips is provided which comprises a vacuum manifold and one or more air conduits. The vacuum manifold internally defines a vacuum chamber, and has a wall which defines one or more apertures. The vacuum manifold is adapted for use in conjunction with a vacuum source. An air conduit is fixed to each of the one or more apertures defined by the wall of the vacuum manifold. Each air conduit defines an air channel, and is sized such that it can be inserted through a proximal opening defined by the head of one of the pipette tips without contacting the inner surface of the head of the pipette tip. The air channel of each air conduit is larger than a distal opening defined by the body of the pipette tip, such that when each air conduit is inserted through the proximal opening of one of the pipette tips and a vacuum source is used in conjunction with the vacuum manifold to create a vacuum in the vacuum chamber, the pipette tips are held in engagement with the vacuum manifold.

Abstract: An automated door removal and replacement system utilizes a combination of linear and rotational drive to remove a door of a wafer supporting device and store the door below the device. In one embodiment, the wafer-supporting device is a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP). A door-contacting assembly is pivotally mounted to include a horizontal rest position and a vertical unlocking position. In the horizontal rest position, the assembly resides below the wafer-supporting device. The assembly is rotated to a vertical position and then linearly moved to engage the door. Keys of the assembly are manipulated to release the door. The assembly and the door are moved rearwardly and the assembly is pivoted to the rest position, clearing the opening to the wafer-supporting device.

Abstract: A lift truck vehicle (F) with a lift device (4) which comprises a positioning device (6) which is inclined with respect to the vertical. The positioning device (6) serves the setting up of the carrier fork (5) (or related device) independently of the lift device (4). The positioning device (6) is arranged over the front axle (9a) of the vehicle (F). The lift mast (3) is mounted laterally displaced behind the front axle (9a). The invention thus achieves optimal viewing conditions, particularly on loading the carrier fork (5) at half the height, and simultaneously an improved position of the center of gravity of the vehicle (F).

Abstract: A ramp for use with a service van having a side door step positioned inwardly of a side door. A base plate is secured to the side door step and has the upper end of an upper deck pivotally secured thereto. The upper end of a lower deck is pivotally secured to the lower end of the upper deck with the upper and lower deck is being selectively pivotally movable from a stored position inwardly of the side door of the van to an operative ramp position wherein the ramp extends downwardly and outwardly from the side door of the ramp. The ramp is removably secured to the base plate to enable the upper and lower decks to be removed therefrom. A keeper is provided which extends between the base plate and the lower deck to maintain the upper and lower decks in their stored position.

Abstract: A method for automatically loading bags of recyclable containers into a trailer. The containers of plastic bags are put onto a conveyor, which delivers them to a loader having a ram to push the bags of containers into the trailer automatically. In a preferred embodiment, a computer assisted by electric eye sensors controls the number of strokes of the ram, and controls when the conveyor and loader is operating.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for moving a trough from a lowered position to an elevated having a pair of guide tracks operably coupled to a trough cradle by a pair of roller mechanisms. A lifting arm operably couples the trough cradle to a drive mechanism. As the trough cradle is elevated, the roller mechanisms move away from the drive mechanism and the trough cradle to rotate about a transverse axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle cargo lift having a bed (9) having posts (10) parallel to each other extending from the bed (9), a support frame (2) having two opposed side frames forming a well therebetween to accommodate the bed (9), at least one hollow elongated member (7) located in each side frame, drive devices (8) to move the bed (9) between a raised transport position and a ground engaging loading positions such that the bed (9) retains substantially the same orientation throughout its movement between the transport position and the loading position with the hollow elongated members (7) being telescopically engaged with respective posts (10) of the bed (9).

Abstract: An hydraulically operated fork lift device adapted to be installed within the bed of a conventional pickup truck, wherein the horizontal movement of the fork is provided by movement of the truck. When the device is not in use, it is disposed above the forward portion of the truck bed.

Abstract: A conveyor system for automatically transporting items along a conveyor path has at least one guide rail and a plurality of vehicles. The vehicles each have a load carrier movable between a substantially horizontal position and two different tilted positions. A lever gauge is movable in an E-shaped shifting gate and a disconnect element is located on the vehicle to move the lever gage between a position engaging the guide rail and a position not engaging the guide rail.

Abstract: This apparatus relates to improved replaceable wear shoes for use with the slide guides of rear-loading refuse trucks.

Abstract: The present invention is a control apparatus for an implement transmission. The transmission is operably coupled to a plurality of driven mechanisms for providing a driving power from a prime mover to the plurality of driven mechanisms. A shift assembly has a first and a second actuator apparatus. The first actuator apparatus is operably coupled to the transmission for selectively controlling the transmission of a driving power to at least a first driven mechanism, and the second actuator apparatus is operably coupled to the transmission for selectively controlling the transmission of a driving power to at least a second driven mechanism. The second actuator apparatus has a biasing apparatus for exerting a variable, selective bias on the transmission. A clutch for selectively engaging and disengaging a prime mover and the transmission has a rotatable stop member and an idler-stop assembly.

Abstract: A wafer sorting system is provided. The wafer sorter system is used to simultaneously sort multiple semiconductor wafers of a cassette. The wafer sorter system includes multiple arms which extend from a tower. These arms are at different vertical locations along the tower. The wafer sorter system also comprises a robotic arm which may move the tower to a position where the arms contact wafers. These wafers are in different vertical slots of a cassette. Further included in the wafer sorter system is a belt which may rotate to move arms vertically through slots of the tower. Wafers may become attached to arms by applying a vacuum suction to each arm. The arms having wafers may be rotated to the belt in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about a portion of the tower via a slot in the tower. The arms may then be attached to the belt. After the belt moves the arms to new levels of the tower, the arms may then be rotated back to their original positions.