Abstract: Apparatus that uses a suction engagement element to transport semiconductor wafers between processing boats and detects when suction engagement has not occurred despite the engagement element having been moved toward a wafer a distance sufficient to enable said engagement, and then adjusts the position of the engagement element relative to the object (e.g., by backing up and trying again or by pivoting the engagement element) to facilitate the suction engagement.

Abstract: A container shakeout apparatus is provided and has a rigid frame upon which a pair of motors supporting eccentric weights are mounted. Spring reactor members are suspended from the frame and said springs in turn suspend a pair of hammers which are adopted to engage the top edge of the spaced sides of a loaded container such as a hopper car. The motors and eccentric weights form a single mass system having a natural frequency close to the operating speed of said motors when said hammers are in contact with the container; and said frame, springs and hammers form a two mass system having a natural frequency above the operating speed of the motors when said hammers break contact with the container whereby the combined alternating single mass system and two mass system produce rapid high energy vertical impacts on the container for loosening material in the container.

Abstract: A fowl harvesting apparatus receives fowl which are conveyed upwardly and deposited in a metering tray which actuates a switch to cut off the conveyor when a desired number of fowl have been deposited in the tray. The tray is then moved downwardly on a supporting framework to be positioned adjacent an open coop compartment of a multi-compartment coop unit following which the tray is pivoted to deposit the fowl in the associated coop compartment. The multi-compartment coop unit is shiftable into one of two positions in which one of two vertically aligned banks of coop compartments is positioned in alignment with the fowl receiving and depositing tray. Conveyor is provided for removing the multi-compartment coop unit following the filling of same so as to permit the positioning of an empty multi-compartment coop unit on the apparatus for subsequent filling purposes.

Abstract: Stacks of superimposed paper sheets are formed from a succession of layers each of which contains a given number of groups of sheets. One or more layers which contain a first number of groups can be followed by one or more layers containing a different second number of groups so that a stack can contain layers which, in turn, contain different numbers of groups and hence different numbers of sheets. The number of sheets in each stack and in each layer is a whole multiple of the number of sheets in a group. If the average number of sheets in a series of successive stacks is to deviate from a whole multiple of the number of sheets in a group, successive stacks contain different numbers of sheets; each such number is a whole multiple of the number of sheets in a group but the total number of sheets in the series of stacks divided by the number of stacks which form the series can deviate from such whole multiple.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a drawn vehicle that can carry large wheeled vehicles such as combines and hopper botton freight. The trailer would normally be used in over-the-road transport and would be drawn by a large truck or semi-tractor. The front end of the trailer is fitted with a folding gooseneck.The design of the trailer makes possible efficient loading and unloading of wheeled or tracked vehicles such as combines. The folding gooseneck is opened to permit the vehicle to be loaded and closed for reconnection to the draft vehicle. When the trailer is not being used to carry combines or wheeled vehicles, it can be used to carry grain by placing grain hoppers on the trailer bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for refuse collection vehicles and in particular, an improved mechanism for compacting trash and loading the refuse collection vehicle with compressed refuse. A special rotary compactor operates to compact relatively small quantities of trash which are forced into the storage compartment of the refuse collection vehicle. The machine prepacks garbage in relatively small quantities which upon full compaction is forced by continued compacting action from a collection hopper into the garbage collection and carrying compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing bulk material and loading it into a truck comprises an elongated first frame having a lower end and adapted to stand via this end on the ground, a horizontal pivot at the lower end of the first frame, and an elongated second frame having a lower end pivoted at the pivot on the lower end of the first frame and an upper end. The frames are relatively pivotally displaceable between a transport position with one of the frames lying substantially within the other frame and a use position with the two frames extending at an angle to each other and the upper end of the second frame spaced above the ground by a distance equal to the loading height of the truck. A rail extends between the ends of the second frame and a bucket is displaceable along the rail between the ends of the second frame. In addition a doser is provided at the lower end of the first frame for filling the bucket, when it is at the lower ends, with bulk material.

Abstract: A mold handling system comprising an indexing turntable for carrying a multiplicity of molds in concentric inner and outer rings with the outer ring located at a lower elevation than the inner ring, a conveyor for transporting a multiplicity of molds to a mold transfer station adjacent the turntable, the transfer station including a mold transfer shuttle having a tandem pair of pusher plates for simultaneously (1) transferring a mold from the radial location of the outer ring of molds to the radial location of the inner ring of molds on the turntable, and (2) transferring a new mold from the conveyor to the radial location of the outer ring of molds, the pusher plates directly engaging the respective molds transferred thereby, an elevator mechanism for transporting molds back and forth between the different elevations, the upward movement of the elevator mechanism lifting a mold from the outer ring to the elevation of the inner ring so that the shuttle mechanism transfers the lifted mold directly from the ele

Abstract: The wheeled frame remaining after removal of the detachable cargo container, is gripped by clamping mechanism of a carrying unit mounted on a tractor or lift truck, then elevated above the ground and pivoted from its normal horizontal disposition to vertical position, and then transported to a multiple storage unit where it is deposited and retained in the vertical position removably in one of a plurality of compartments making up the storage unit. A plurality of such wheeled frames may be stored in this manner by deposit in successive ones of the compartments, and they are removed from the compartment in the reverse order of deposit.

Abstract: A buffer storage unit for substantially plate-like ceramic articles includes at least one carriage movable along a feed-in path and adapted to contain a plurality of articles, and being formed by plural frames laid in vertical planes and attached to a carrier structure, each frame including a pair of vertical uprights to which are attached plural horizontal bar elements which define a plurality of planes for supporting the articles. A roller carrier is operative to insert rollers through vertical spaces left between the frames in a vertical direction. Engagement elements flank the carriage and is operative to hold the rollers in position during a loading/unloading step. The engagement elements are provided with elastic members at least at one of the roller ends.

Abstract: A filter feed onto a fluted drum has conveyors which convey a stack-like stream of filters into a small reservoir adjacent to the drum. As they enter the reservoir, the filters are deflected upwards by a deflector plate so that the thrust by the conveyors does not produce a direct pressure of filters onto the drum. Instead, the filters are fed onto the drum by gravity after passing over the plate. A pivoted sensor plate over the reservoir controls the speed of the conveyors.

Abstract: A storage device for a number of different articles which are to be stored includes containers which are placed in a receiving frame on resting surfaces and acted on in an ejection direction which is perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the resting surfaces. The containers are held in the receiving frame by a hold-back device which can be overcome by action of a release device, each container having, associated with it, a release device and a receiving and code recognition device with which a given code is associated.

Abstract: A system for handling a load of compressible items such as bags of glass fibre insulation includes a cart having a predetermined distance between its end walls but open on sides. A forklift truck is provided with upright side walls movable towards and away from each other, and with transverse telescoping members spanning the upper edges of the side walls, combined with fork elements in forming a generally rectangular load receiving compartment which corresponds to the generally rectangular load receiving compartment of the cart. When the load is lifted from the cart, the side walls can be actuated to contract the load by restricting the width of the load receiving compartment such as to allow the driving of the forklift truck into the cargo space of a tractor trailer or another suitable transport vehicle. The unloading from the forklift truck is effected by a pusher plate known per se.

Abstract: A self-contained trailer for transporting operative or inoperative motor vehicles. The trailer includes a tiltable flat bed for carrying the vehicle, a supporting framework, a towing bar, and an electric winch tilting mechanism. Six low profile wheels are provided to soften ride and to minimize degree of tilt required for loading and unloading. Aerodynamic features, including air scoops and dams, improve handling and fuel efficiency. Steel construction is used throughout for durability. An alternative embodiment is provided which can carry two autos or one very long vehicle. A second alternative embodiment is laterally expandable for hauling extra-wide vehicles.

Abstract: A load carrying body for a truck or truck trailer, including a flat rigid bottom panel assembly and two flat rigid side panel assemblies respectively secured along their bottom edges to the respective side edges of the bottom panel assembly, all enclosed across their rear ends by a selectively latched or unlatched pivotally supported load retaining door assembly.A load manipulating door assembly, initially positioned to enclose the front end of the load carrying body, having a bottom and two side edge portions all supporting uninterrupted elongate flexible wiper strips respectively continuously maintained in uninterrupted sliding engagement with the inner surfaces of the load carrying body.

Abstract: A compacting device located forwardly of a body, especially a close body of a high capacity semitrailer which received by gravity, through an opening formed in a forward upper part of the body, mainly household or industrial waste products as well as any other products of low density. The device compresses two parts moveable one with respect to each other which includes a compacting shield capable of moving above the bottom of the body and an apron capable of moving above the shield, with controls to control the motions of the shield and the apron, and two other moveable supporting parts including supporting a carriage and a slider supporting the controls, in the first phase move, and the motion of the shield and the apron, in a second time phase move, for total ejection of the waste products after transportation to a dump site.

Abstract: A tractor drawn lift bed highway trailer for transporting high tonnage loads over the highway, utilizing pallet frame units adapted to be picked up or dropped off quickly without the need for additional equipment or personnel. The trailer has a relatively light, strong main frame; a lift bed adapted to be elevated from lowered loading position forwardly and upwardly into engagement with the gooseneck for additional rigidity during transport; improved protection for the load and the tractor in event of an emergency stop; and improved cornering characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading an enclosure with particulate solids includes a loading hopper, a discharge chute (integral with the hopper), and a movable member disposed below the outlet opening of the chute. The movable member includes a shaft driven in rotation by a motor and flexible, moderately hard deflecting strips, which are articulated to the shaft or to a structure rigidly integral with the shaft, so as to spread out from the shaft at an angle by the effect of centrifugal force when driven in rotation. At least one discharge opening is provided in the side wall of the hopper and/or of the chute in the direction of the rotating deflecting strips.

Abstract: A cargo elevator system, that includes a pivotable cargo platform, particularly adapted for mounting on a truck. The system is operable through a unique open/close sequence for translating the platform between a substantially vertical, upright storage position, and a horizontal elevator use position that permits the truck to be loaded and unloaded. The system is characterized by a unique latching mechanism for latching the platform in, and unlatching the platform from, the storage position. The system is also characterized by a first fail-safe structure for preventing the platform from swinging on its pivot axis toward ground level beyond its horizontal elevator use position. The system is further characterized by a second fail-safe structure that prevents the platform from moving out of its vertically upright position when so stored.

Abstract: Crate carrying apparatus able to be mounted on a fork lift truck or other lifting device, having at least first and second groups of crate engaging members which can be selectively presented for crate lifting, the engaging members of each group being spaced apart at distances appropriate to the spacing apart of apertures in the crates of a stack of crates of the particular group.