Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of an item of equipment for processing materials to produce a product which includes aggregate materials of various particle sizes in a predetermined weight ratio includes a sampling device for obtaining a sample of the product from a predetermined location and a gradation assembly. The gradation assembly includes a plurality of gradation screens and a weighing pan for measuring the weight of aggregate material. The gradation screens are supported by a frame in a generally horizontal attitude in a stacked arrangement, so that each screen in the stack has screen openings that are smaller than those of the screen immediately above it in the stack. The assembly also includes a vibrator for vibrating the screens and a mechanism for sequentially depositing the aggregate material that is retained on each screen or that passes through all of the screens in the weighing pan.

Abstract: A sorting installation includes separate collection receptacles into which mail is sorted. The collection receptacles are automatically removed from the output stations of the installation and transported on a transport path to a peripheral transfer mechanism, in which the mail articles are removed from the collection receptacles with the aid of a gripper and are transferred into transport receptacles of the installation. The transfer mechanism is box-shaped and includes a hinged bottom that slides under the mail in the collection receptacles.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a vending machine includes a frame for supporting a plurality of hinged plates which are movable between article retention and dispensing positions. As the release mechanism is moved to the dispensing position, a sub-plate member of one of the plurality of plates projects into a dispensing path and abuts an article to be dispensed to force the article along the dispensing path. A pusher link is used to shift the sub-plate member, with the pusher link being adapted to extend through a central opening provided in a main plate member when the release mechanism assumes the article dispensing position.

Abstract: A child resistant tablet dispenser is disclosed wherein the dispenser is comprised of a body portion and a release mechanism. The body portion may be hollow and cylindrical and contain therein a plurality of tablets in a tablet magazine. The tablets may be individually dispensed through the release mechanism which has a child resistant dispenser requiring multiple actions before an individual tablet may be dispensed. The multiple actions required on the release mechanism may be in two different planes thereby requiring movement in a horizontal plane and movement in a vertical plane in order to release a slide actuator and then depress a release button for opening of the release mechanism lid. Upon opening of the lid, an individual tablet is forced outward from the cylinder of the body portion and dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning a continuous web of material with an entry point of a machine that utilizes the web as a source material. The web may include pre-processed materials that may be thicker than conventional webs and/or have uneven thickness, and/or are susceptible to excessive compression forces and/or tensions which may be found in ordinary straight-wound rolls. Such pre-processed materials may be wound in traverse-wound rolls or festooned into a container forming a web source structure which is wider than the web width. The web is pulled from such web source structure by the machine through a series of guides which include surfaces having various properties and shapes to create tensions in the web and to align the web with the entry point of the machine.

Abstract: A wiping paper dispensing apparatus includes a housing having a cover, a rotatable drum disposed in a lower part of said housing, a cutter device built into the drum, a reel holder supported between side plates of the housing and a mechanism for cocking and returning the drum including a crank and a cocking spring arranged on a lateral side of the drum. An anti-looping device prevents looping of a strip of wiping material coming from a reel (B) of wiping paper material retained on the reel holder, including at least one mechanism acting on the reel holder to lock it in position. The mechanism is arranged on one of the side plates of the housing and is actuated by a flyweight device built into the movement of the rotating drum for causing the reel holder to be locked when a large tensile force is applied on the strip of material.

Abstract: A process for recovering raw rubber compounds from unvulcanized reinforced, semi-finished technical rubber products includes pressing the rubber products between metal surfaces heated to a temperature from 50 to 300° C., or preheating the rubber products to a temperature from 50 to 300° C.; and then pressing the rubber products between metal surfaces. Also, equipment for carrying the above process including a preheated or forewarmed space, and rolls in close proximity to the preheated space, the rolls rotating preferably at the same speed, but in opposite directions. The equipment has means for the adjustment of the gap between the rolls, drive means for the rolls, and if required, may be equipped with known aligning, guiding and forwarding mechanisms.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus includes a pair of reel tables adapted to be detachably engaged with a tape cassette and rotatably disposed on a chassis with a determined space therebetween, and a pair of brake members which are adapted to be press-contacted and separated with respect to the reel tables by way of brake pads. Each of the brake members is provided with a projection at one end portion of a tip end face thereof and a recess adjacent to the other end portion of the tip end face. Each of the brake pads is provided with a slit at its one end portion, the slit being engaged with the projection, and the other end portion of the brake pad being pushed into the recess.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for efficiently and accurately sorting spherical objects based on their diameters. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a support frame, an inclined measurement chute having a measurement channel through which a laser beam can be transmitted, a feeder for feeding spherical objects into the measurement chute, a laser micrometer, a plurality of receptacles for receiving the sorted objects, a sorter for directing the objects into one of the plurality of receptacles, and a computer for directing the sorter to place the objects into the appropriate receptacles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for sorting semiconductor devices for processing where the semiconductor devices have been singulated from a strip containing a plurality of semiconductor devices and where an electronic strip map has been created corresponding to the strip of semiconductor devices and the electronic strip map contains address and quality information related to each individual singulated semiconductor device. The method includes the steps of moving a pickup device to a location adjacent the singulated semiconductor devices and selectively picking up a first plurality of singulated semiconductor devices based on the electronic strip map information related to the singulated semiconductor devices and moving the semiconductor devices that have been picked up to a predetermined location based on the electronic strip map information related to the specific semiconductor devices that have been picked up and unloading the first plurality of semiconductor devices at the predetermined location.

Abstract: A paper towel dispenser contains an upright roll of paper towels having an inner periphery from which the towels are dispensed. A low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed to the housing within the chamber for indicating when a remaining quantity of towels in the roll is low. The indicator mechanism includes a sign mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for displaying indicia through a transparent portion of the housing when the roll is low. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism supported upon an upper end of the roll and movable downwardly in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing radial thickness of the roll to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position. The indicator mechanism automatically conforms to rolls of varying height and outer diameter.

Abstract: Linear drive apparatus and process of using the same. The apparatus includes a movable device and a first high-speed thrust device coupled to the movable device. The first high-speed thrust device exerts an acceleration force on the movable device to move the movable device from a ready position. A movable retaining device is coupled to the movable device, so that the retaining device is adapted to hold the movable device in the ready position against the acceleration force. A release of the movable retaining device triggers immediate movement of the movable device via the acceleration force. The process includes positioning the movable device in an idle position, holding the movable device in the idle position with the retaining device, exerting an acceleration force on the movable device while it is being held in the idle position, and releasing the movable device from the idle position by moving the retaining device. In this manner, the acceleration force moves the moving device.

Abstract: A grit classifier of the type used in a variety of industrial applications to separate grit or particulate matter from a feed slurry is disclosed, the grit classifier being unitarily-formed in one or two pieces of moldable plastic or plastic-like material which renders the grit classifier more easily and cost-effectively manufactured. The grit classifier of the present invention is also advantageously easy to transport to a site, thereby further reducing the costs of use. Also disclosed is an auger beating assembly for use in the unitarily-formed grit classifier tank of the present invention which is simply structured and adaptable to any screw auger type or size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting mail to delivery point sequence includes providing a first sortation assembly adapted to performing a first sort pass to mail articles supplied to it and a second sortation assembly adapted to performing a second sort pass to mail articles supplied to it. Mail articles are supplied to the first sortation assembly which identifies the mail articles and performs a first sort pass to sort the mail articles. The mail sorted by the first sortation assembly is conveyed to the second sortation assembly which performs a second sort pass to sort the mail articles to delivery point sequence depth of sort.

Abstract: A winding frame is provided which is swingably mountable on a machine frame and operable to support a rotatably driveable winding core for the winding of a filament thereon. The winding frame includes a damping apparatus for opposing unscheduled swing movements of the winding frame during regular winding of a filament onto the winding core.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting, transporting and releasing ferrous debris from a floor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a magnet movable between a lowered and a raised position to provide a sufficient magnetic field intensity to capture debris from the floor in the lowered position and to permit gravity induced separation of the debris in the raised position. The magnet may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

Abstract: Glass cullet such as recycled municipal waste is processed to substantially eliminate contaminants including light weight paper and polymer, ferrous and nonferrous metal and also ceramics, pyroceramics, tempered glass, stones and assorted silicates that have properties approximating those of glass. In a series of washing and sorting steps, different mechanical, chemical, electromagnetic, and thermal processes cause distinct materials in the cutlet to react differently, whereupon the contaminants are selectively removed and the glass is processed on. The cullet is crushed; ferrous and nonferrous metals are detected and diverted, a screening station sizes cullet particles and routes larger sizes back for additional crushing. An air blower entrains and removes light fractions and dust. A wash station entrains and removes dirt and soluble material. In a flow of sized particles, further metal and ceramic (non-glass silica) detection devices divert portions of the flow sensed to contain non-glass materials.

Abstract: A system for sorting articles, the system having a track which defines a route starting at least one loading point, the route continuing on to a plurality of destination points and arriving back at the loading point. The system also has at least one tray for conveying an article from the loading point to a selected one of the destination points. The tray comprises a first and a second half pivotally coupled to each other. The track includes a first segment for momentarily tilting a leading end of the tray upward relative to a trailing end of the tray and possibly downward again, and a second segment for laterally tilting the first half and the second half of the tray at an angle. The first and second segments selectively maneuver an article loaded in the tray to a bottom corner thereof prior to the tray reaching the selected destination point in order to substantially reduce the jarring of the article during the discharge thereof at the selected destination point.

Abstract: A unit box (11) containing a bank-note conveyor belt unit (4) and a bank-note identifying unit (5) and not containing a bank-note accommodating unit, is provided in an openable and closable fashion with respect to a body (3) of a bank-note processing device (1), so that a conveyor belt (21) facing the side of a bank-note input opening (2) is exposed when the unit box (11) is opened.

Abstract: An FF/REW control apparatus which performs high-speed FF/REW by simple control. Conventionally, if a hub diameter is discriminated, even though a user instructs execution of high-speed FF/REW, an operation mode cannot be immediately shifted to a high-speed FF/REW mode. Further, as a software sequence for hub discrimination is required, a ROM capacity for this purpose is required. The FF/REW control apparatus performs high-speed tape forward control for a thick hub and high-speed tape forward control for a thin hub. A system controller 20 calculates a value N representing the ratio between a rotational period of a take-up reel and that of a supply reel, and if the value N is other than values of a tape having the thick hub, immediately performs the high-speed tape forward control for the thin hub. Thus, the high-speed FF/REW can be quickly performed without direct discrimination of hub diameter, and software for this purpose is not necessary.