Abstract: A glass machine system in accordance with presently preferred embodiments of the invention includes a glassware manufacturing machine for manufacturing articles of glassware and transferring the articles to a linear conveyor, at least one linear chain conveyor for receiving and transporting such articles from the machine, and a speed sensor for monitoring linear speed of the conveyor. The speed sensor includes a magnetic energy source, a magnetic energy sensor and bracketry mounting the source and sensor adjacent to the conveyor. The chain conveyor teeth affect magnetic energy coupling between the source and sensor as the conveyor passes adjacent to the sensor. Electronic circuitry is responsive to signals from the sensor for determining linear speed of the conveyor and maintaining a constant linear speed at the conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an array for individualizing articles from a group of articles. The array has several rows of lifting mechanisms (2) arranged one after the other in the direction of conveyance, narrow endless conveyor belts (1) disposed between the lifting mechanisms. Detecting means (5) for detecting when the group reaches the end of the array. Detecting means (3,4) for detecting the position and contours of the articles in the group. A control (6) receives signals from the three detecting means to control the operation of the belts and lifting mechanisms to individualize the articles.

Abstract: An improved system for transporting vehicles and passengers from one destination to another using pallets, trains and guideways. The automobile uses ramp 1 to enter station 2 and park in port 3. The port then rotates 45 degrees 4 and parallel to a pallet guideway 5. The system then moves the pallet 6 along the pallet guideway next to a port 7 and parks. A mechanism on the pallet transfers the vehicle from the port 7 to the pallet 6. The pallet accelerates on a pallet guideway 8 and moves next to a train 9 that is traveling in the same direction on a train guideway 10. The pallet docks with an empty slot 11 on said train while both are moving. The pallet moves the automobile onto said train and undocks. The empty pallet continues along the pallet guideway 12 back to the station to pick up another vehicle. As said train approaches the next station, an empty pallet docks with the train at the said slot that contains the automobile. The pallet transfers the automobile from the train to the pallet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carrier handling apparatus for a module IC (integrated circuit) handler and method therefor, for performing effective tests while carrier having a plural module ICs therein are transferred between the processes. The present invention includes a base frame, a vertical frame being provided perpendicular to one side of the base frame, carrier units being fixed at a top of a carrier holder, the carrier holder being disposed parallel at upper portion surfaces of the base frame and provided to slide along LM guide rails, respective press units being provided, corresponding to respective carrier units, at one side of the vertical frame, and for connecting the module ICs contained in the carrier unit, and a driving motor providing with pulley provided at one side of the vertical frame so as to slidably move rightward and leftward the carrier unit connected thereto by means of a timing belt.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor (10) including a support frame (12), and a conveyor floor (14), which is comprised of a plurality of laterally spaced-apart conveyor slats (16), a plurality of laterally spaced-apart holding slats (18), and a series of divider planks (20). Divider planks (20) are fixedly secured to the upper portion of support framework (12). Conveyor slats (16) are mounted on support frame (12) for longitudinal reciprocation between “start” and “advanced” positions. Holding slats (18) are mounted on support frame (12) for vertical movement between and “up” position in which the holding slats (18) are above the conveyor slats (16), and a “down” position, in which the holding slats (18) are below the conveyor slats (16).

Abstract: A new apparatus and methods for automatically loading an article onto a printing surface of a printing machine, and preferably provide a completely reproducible placement of the textile on the printing machine. In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus includes a first support structure having a surface including a first area and a second area, and adapted to support at least one textile thereon. A second support structure is also provided proximate the second area of the first support structure, having a textile lifting mechanism and a textile transfer mechanism. The first support structure in one embodiment is a conveyor table having a primary textile indexing mechanism, such as a laser created line, a vertical stop, or a compact table with angled side edges. The indexing mechanism may be contoured to approximate a periphery of a portion of the textile. Supplemental or secondary indexing mechanisms may also be used, including lasers or the like.

Abstract: A conveyor system for synchronously combining the conveying paths of at least two asynchronously operated upstream conveyors for synchronized merger into at least one downstream conveyor comprises a synchronizing conveyor belt disposed upstream of the merger point of the at least two upstream asynchronously operated conveyors. When articles, such as, for example, postal mail pieces being conveyed along the at least two upstream asynchronously operated conveyors are detected as being likely to undergo a collision or overlap at the merge point of the at least two upstream asynchronously operated conveyors, the synchronizing conveyor belt is appropriately sped up or slowed down so as to not only avoid such interference, collision, or overlap of the postal mail pieces, but in addition, to provide sufficient spacing of the same upon the at least one downstream conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for storing spools 3, especially filament spools, comprising several spool carriers 2. According to the invention, the spools 3 are stored with an upright spool axis 6 in a shelf storage unit 1 with horizontal shelf compartments 17 for receiving individually movable spool carriers.

Abstract: A device and method for dispensing pills or vitamins is disclosed which includes a rotatable chamber within a housing. The chamber contains multiple slots for storing the pills or vitamins, and the housing has at least one dispensing hole so that pills will fall from the containment slot when it is aligned with the hole. The chamber may be rotated by motorized or manual means, with the preferred motorized means being an electric motor connected to a worm drive that engages gear teeth along the edge of the chamber, and the preferred mechanical means being a handle with a hinged tab.

Abstract: A conveyor bed has opposed sides and transverse nose bars on the ends of the sides to form an open frame. The sides carry also rungs. Elongated wear strips lay on the rungs to form a deck for a conveyor to slide thereon. The ends of the sides are formed with open mortises. The nose bars extend between opposite lateral ends formed a T-headed tenons. The tenons releasably couple with the open mortises. Hence the nose bars are adapted to couple onto the ends of the sides be locked there by the felt weight of the conveyor rolling over the nose bars. The elongated wear strips have an upper edge forming a conveyor supporting surface and a lower edge formed with notches. The notches are sized for receiving the rungs. Thus the notched wear strips are adapted to be weighted down in place on the rungs by the weight of the conveyor sliding thereon. The notches are sized for closely fitting the rungs to better stabilize the wear strips from unwanted displacement.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transporting particulate materials from a lower level to a higher level are disclosed, the method comprising: establishing a flow loop comprising a closeable chamber for receiving batches of the particulate materials, a first flow conduit extending upwardly from the chamber to a delivery level, a second flow conduit extending upwardly from the chamber to a header tank located at a higher level than said delivery level, and valve means at the chamber for selectively isolating the chamber from the first and second flow conduits; filling the flow loop with a pseudoplastic flotation fluid; operating the valve means to isolate the chamber from the first and second flow conduits; introducing a charge of the particulate materials into the chamber and then closing the chamber; operating the valve means to connect the first and second flow conduits to the chamber; and maintaining a supply of fluid in the header tank such that fluid and entrained particulate materials flow from the c

Abstract: A conveyor section for workpiece containers has a conveyor belt and a conveyor belt guide. A layer is applied between the conveyor belt guide and the conveyor belt at least in regions of the conveyor section, with the coefficient of friction between the conveyor belt and the layer being lower than the coefficient of friction between the conveyor belt and the conveyor belt guide. The layer is also adapted to the relevant environmental conditions of the regions of the conveyor section.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for accurately placing first and second semiconductor wafers onto a first and a second platforms, respectively, in a single processing chamber despite changes in the exact positions of the platforms caused by variations in temperature within the chamber. A computer controls a mechanism having a pair of wafer-supporting blades to insert the wafers into the chamber. The computer determines from position sensors when the first wafer is centered over the first platform, then actuates lift pins associated with the first platform to lift the first wafer off of its respective blade. Then the computer in the same way in response to other position sensors moves the second wafer into alignment with the second platform, and raises by lift pins the second wafer off of its respective blade. Thereafter the computer removes the blades from the chamber, and lowers the wafers in precise positions onto their respective platforms.

Abstract: A segmental impact idler with the ability to mechanically lower idler segments is used for easy installation, removal and service of idler segments under loading skirts. The ability to mechanically lower idler segments eliminates a need to use a lifting device or to remove adjacent idlers to access the idler segments. One example of a device that can mechanically lower the segmental impact idler is a locking cam shaft. When the cam shaft is rotated, the idler can be lowered away from the conveyor belt. The idler segments can then easily slide out perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor belt without supporting the weight of the conveyor. The invention is specifically designed to operate in confined spaces. Furthermore, an adjustable mechanical linkage at one end of an idler segment, in conjunction with a pin at a second end of the idler segment, enables the idler segment to be rotatably lowered such that the idler segment can slide underneath the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Improved coin selector of the type being incorporated in any kind of machines operated by means of the insertion of coins to be validated, the selector (1) comprising an anti-thread safety mechanism constituted by a generally L-shaped lever (3) that is positioned in respect of the coin inlet opening (2), that is rotably mounted in respect of a shaft (4) by the end of one of its wings, while its other wing, in its resting position, crosses the coin passage channel (5) and interferes, by its free end, the beam of a pair of photodiodes (6), it being provided below the lever (3) with a feeler (7) of a general L-shape being rotable by its vertex, one of its wings (9) having a shape of a truncated cone that, in its resting position, crosses the coin passage channel (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously transferring orderly sequences of preforms includes a closed-loop conveyor belt and a plurality of support and forward carrying elements. A loading station is provided for loading the preforms, while an unloading station is provided for separating the preforms from the elements. A temperature conditioning station is provided between the loading station and unloading station.

Abstract: A sausage transfer station is disclosed for transferring sausages from a rack where they are hung by respective string loops in a plurality of rows to a main conveyor. The transfer station includes an unload conveyor for advancing the rack forward, a selectively pivotable unloader shaft oriented transversely to the unload conveyor, and a transfer conveyor having a leg parallel to the unloader shaft and an apex proximate the main conveyor. The unloader shaft has a plurality of unloader fingers extending transversely outward therefrom. The unloader fingers engage the string loops of a row of sausages to push them off of the rack and then drop them onto respective fingers of the transfer conveyor. The sausages are carried by the transfer conveyor to the apex proximate the main conveyor where they are transferred to hooks on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed for holding and dispensing a plurality of paper products in a dispensing direction, the cartridge being insertable into an interior area of a container having a housing defining a plurality of exterior walls and a dispensing throat, the interior area being disposed within an interior surface defined by the plurality of exterior walls, at least one protrusion extending from the interior surface into the interior area. The cartridge includes a cartridge body including a plurality of cartridge side walls and an end defining a dispensing opening configured to guide paper products in the dispensing direction through the dispensing throat. At least one opening is defined in at least one of the side walls of the cartridge body extending through the at least one of the cartridge side walls.

Abstract: A plurality of flat timing belts each has parallel spaced teeth, and opposite end portions of each belt are attached to a carriage by corresponding relatively adjustable clamping blocks and plates. The belts extend around a common drive sprocket on a drive shaft connected to a drive having a reversible electric motor. The belts also extend around corresponding tail sprockets on a tail shaft, and adjacent tail sprockets are free to rotate relative to each other. A clamping block for each belt is adjusted to obtain the same tension in all belts so that each belt may be operated at its full rated capacity. The belt drive system may be used for transferring or shuttling a plurality of tool trays laterally with respect to a working station at a conveyor assembly line and storage stations on opposite sides of the working station.

Abstract: The transport device serves to horizontally convey workpieces and has a plurality of plate elements, which are plug connected onto a vertically aligned tooth belt and are guided by it along an endless path. Each plate element is separately connected to the tooth belt and separately replaceable. The transport device ensures extremely precise positioning of the plate elements at the processing stations for the workpieces in a simple manner.