Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing a set of linear objects such as helically coiled turbolaters (11) from a container (12) of objects, comprising a cover (17) including holes (37) from which air is drawn to cause some of the objects (11) to engage the underside of the cover (17) and an obturator plate for reducing the air flow through the holes (37) so that the objects (11) correctly engaged with the cover will detach from the cover (17). A feed mechanism is also provided to insert the helically coiled objects (11) into the tubes (13) of a radiator (14).

Abstract: A system for counting and stacking a continuous stream of shingled or overlapping sheets in which the shingled sheets are transported by a first conveyor and fed into an optical counting means for individually counting the sheets. From the optical counting means, the sheets are fed into a second conveyor which imparts a concave transverse bow to the sheets thereby providing rigidity to the sheets. The sheets exit the second conveyor and are collected by a recovery means for stacking. The second conveyor further includes an insertion means activated by the optical counter for separating the stream of sheets. The action of the insertion means separates the stream of sheets so that a predetermined number of sheets are collected and stacked by the receiving means while the insertion means temporarily supports the continuing stream of sheets.

Abstract: A mechanism for positioning on a dock vertical wall a fender including spaced openings, the mechanism comprising a movable support, a first arm pivotally attached to the movable support, a first hydraulic cylinder piston rod assembly for pivoting the first arm, a second arm pivotally attached to the first arm, means for pivoting said second arm, a plurality of spaced projections attached to and extending from the second arm, and pins for releasably securing the projections in the spaced openings in the fender. And a method for positioning on a dock vertical wall fenders including spaced openings opposite an attaching surface, the method comprising the steps of positioning the fender so the spaced openings are accessible, releasably fastening a fender moving mechanism in the openings, locating the fender so the attaching surface is generally vertical, locating the fender on the dock vertical wall, attaching the fender attaching surface to the dock vertical wall, and releasing the fender moving mechanism.

Abstract: A round bale handler comprises a frame with a rear member, and a spike. The spike has a pointed front end to penetrate the round bale, and a rear end pivotally connected to the frame so that the spike is swingable between forward and sideways positions. The spike is of a sufficient length such that a front portion of it can penetrate through the axis of the bale and extend substantially along the entire length of it. Stop means are provided for releasably retaining the spike in the forward position and preventing it from swinging beyond each sideways position. A method of using the handler is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for neatening stacks of thin products, such as sliced luncheon meat, within a processing and packaging operation. The neatening apparatus receives an uneven stack of foodstuff slices that are generally horizontally oriented, and the apparatus reorients the stack of foodstuff slices by rotating them through a generally vertical orientation and to a generally horizontal outfeed orientation. A tamping assembly is adjacent to the reorienting assembly, and the tamping assembly contacts the peripheral edges of the foodstuff slices in order to tamp and shake same to a neatened condition. A generally horizontally oriented outfeed assembly receives the thus neatened stack at the location of generally horizontal outfeed orientation.

Abstract: A feed lever and a lateral stop with individual guide members spaced apart and arranged in slot-shaped grooves of the metal feed table supported so that they can be raised and lowered on a support. The guide members are each equipped with a guide body possessing a lateral stop in the form of a roller. These rollers come up against the edge to be guided of the sheet metal plate. A guide and clamping device is located alongside of each roller. The apparatus allows sheet metal plates to be accommodated, spaced apart from one another in several stacks, these sheet metal plates being cut at different locations on the cutting knife.

Abstract: A guide means is removably affixed to the derrick of a workover rig or the like for capturing and stabilizing a medial part of a pipe section as a pipe string is being made up and run into a wellbore. The guide apparatus is pivotally mounted to the derrick so that it can be extended into operative relationship respective to the pipe section, and is retracted clear of the string by remote control. The apparatus includes a yoke which is pivoted from a substantially vertical into a substantially horizontal position. The yoke is adjusted so that the apex thereof coincides with the central axis of the pipe, and as the yoke is moved from the retracted to the operation position, the pipe section is forced to move into the yoke apex, thereby properly aligning the pipe section with the pipe string and with the borehole. Adjustment means enables precise orientation of the yoke respective to the axial centerline of the pipe string.

Abstract: A bend segment for a chain conveyor, including a chain movable over a track including one or more bends. The chain is composed of interconnected links of magnetizable material having a substantially rectangular load bearing surface. The bend segment is an integral element, U-shaped in cross-section, with an under surface formed with elongate pockets, extending into the legs of the element and extending in the longitudinal direction of the bend segment. The pockets are arranged to receive magnets provided to keep the chain flat in a bend of the track.

Abstract: In an automatic loader for automatically loading a flat unprocessed substrate to a substrate processing apparatus for processing the flat substrate and automatically unloading a processed substrate, the automatic loader has: a plurality of cassette stages for vertically moving cassettes having a plurality of substrates held horizontally and parallel to each other; a first substrate convey mechanism contacting a single door of the substrate processing apparatus and forming a common conveyance path of all substrates; a single substrate posture control stage arranged in contact with the first convey mechanism to correct a posture of the substrate to be fed in the substrate processing apparatus; second substrate convey mechanisms for forming at least one conveyance path between the plurality of cassette stages and the substrate posture control stage and exchanging and conveying the substrate; and substrate counters arranged in the respective conveyance paths of the second substrate convey mechanisms.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system for use at a pipe manufacturing facility includes a computer and memory; a storage/retrieval crane operable in a storage yard; a plurality of containers, each being capable of containing material for storage and a load crane for at least one of loading or unloading respective containers. The computer is on-site proximate the storage yard and includes means for monitoring and controlling the storage/retrieval crane and load crane, means for monitoring and storing in memory information of container positions in the storage yard and means for coordinating operation of the storage/retrieval crane and load crane. The crane stores and retrieves containers in the yard in a three dimensional array, can carry containers on the crane feet, and may deliver or retrieve containers relative to load/unload stations including a load crane. At such stations pipe is transferred between containers and the load crane.

Abstract: Framing system in which plant pot sets (12) are shifted onto a pallet (5) provided with a bottom with holes by means of a roll conveyor (4) extending through the holes in the bottom of the pallet, and in which the pallets filled in this way are stacked.

Abstract: A demountable carrier for attachment to the tongue of a vehicle trailer hitch. The carrier includes a hollow socket member for attachment to the tongue, with the axis of the bore of the socket member generally parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the long axis of the tongue of the hitch. An L-shaped plug member has one leg thereof dimensioned to be closely received in the bore of the socket member, and aligned apertures in both the socket member and the plug member are receptive of a releasable pin to retain the leg of the plug member in the bore. The second leg is provided with a support at its free end to attach a carrier unit. The cross-sections of the plug member and the bore of the socket member are selected whereby the plug member can be moved from a deployed position to extend behind the vehicle, or a stored position above the trailer hitch. The plug member also permits transfer to another vehicle having a complimentary socket member.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously feeding objects from the top of tiered loads includes in a preferred embodiment a hoist pivotable at its base to receive a first tiered load and then hoist the load upwardly along an angular load path. Extendable skids are mounted along the angular path for relative movement toward the load as it is hoisted, the skids being adapted continuously to engage the load and feed tiers from its ends. Supporting accumulator forks disposed along the path are insertable therein to receive the load from the hoist so as to maintain the load's engagement with the skids as the hoist retracts and pivots to receive a second load. Once all the tiers have been removed from the forks, they retract from the load path and the second load is hoisted to engage the skids. In a second embodiment, the hoist receives the first load and hoists it vertically. A raking mechanism rests on the load and engages it to rake successive tiers from the load.

Abstract: A bar lifting equipment in automatic bar loading devices for a machine tool comprises a plurality of arms driven to rotate in a vertical plane parallel to said bars for displacing their end, which end is provided with means for grasping said bars, from a first lower position in which one bar is drawn out a supply source to a second upper position where a rotating comb device is provided. Said comb device being suitable for drawing out said bar and dropping it by gravity onto a channel-shaped jaw, said jaw being suitable for introducing said bar into the machine tool.

Abstract: A trailer designed to be towed behind a vehicle with a frame that is slidably attached to the trailer body. Inclined ramps are formed on the members of the frame such that when the frame slides rearward relative to the trailer, rollers on the underside of the trailer body cause the trailer to rotate about the axle. The slidable connection between the trailer and the draw bar yoke is slightly negatively inclined to insure that the mechanism will move freely and to enable the trailer to be returned to the horizontal position by merely applying a forward force on the frame. The invention also employs means to secure the trailer body to the frame when the trailer is in its normal horizontal position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling parcels wherein, for the handling of bulky parcels with a low mass and covered with a relatively fragile wrapping, a gripping method is utilized which serves to exert suction on a relatively large surface area of the parcel so as not to damage the wrapping of the parcels wherein the intensity of suction is controlled and the surface area to which the suction is exerted is determined such that a threshold of tearing resistance of the wrapping is not reached.

Abstract: An elongate, transportable unit (1) standing upright during use and being intended for transport with the aid of a vehicle (7) provided with a loading bridge (8) which can be turned about a pivot axis located near the rear end of the chassis of the vehicle (7) and extending horizontally and transversely of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. An element (10) is provided with the aid of which a hook-like coupling member can be moved along the loading bridge (8). The transportable uint (1) is provided with an arm (5) which is pivotable about an at least substantially horizontal axis of rotation (6). The arm (5) is provided near its free end (11) with a coupling element for connecting the hook-like coupling member.

Abstract: A feed storage for drill rods for a long-hole drilling apparatus, said feed storage comprising a magazine provided with fixed guides (11) for storing drill rods (13) in parallel with each other, a delivery opening (14) defined by the guides for transferring drill rods one at a time into and out of the guides, and a feed device provided with gripping means (27) extending between the drill rods positioned in the guides for feeding the drill rods towards and away from the delivery opening in the guides, and a transfer device (9) comprising at least one transfer arm (29) provided with gripping jaws (31) and pivotably mounted on a pivot shaft (30) which is fixed with respect to the magazine so that the gripping jaws are displaced transversally with respect to the axial direction of the drill rods between the delivery opening of the guides and the drilling axis (A) of a drilling machine. The guides of the magazine guide the drill rods with their axes in the same plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking articles, particularly pallets on which articles having a substantially flat surface, preferably large sacks, have been deposited, the apparatus includes spaced apart parallel tines, which constitute lifting arms and are adapted to extend under the pallets or into openings thereof and are mounted on a slide, which is movable in vertical tracks and adapted to be lifted and lowered by a drive device. The vertical tracks are connected to a stationary base frame. The tines are extensible and retractable and guided in tracks of the slide. A conveyor for the articles to be stacked is disposed below the tines when they have been extended.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to facilitate the unrolling of baled hay has a main frame mounted onto a tractor or other vehicle. An upstanding arm attached to the frame carries a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly, which assembly supports and selectively positions an axle and wheel. The axle is positioned so that the wheel contacts a tire of a vehicle. As the vehicle causes the tire to rotate, the wheel is also rotated but in the opposite direction from that of the tire. The wheel is driven by the vehicle against a rolled bale of hay. As the vehicle is driven, the wheel abuts the bale of hay and causes it to unroll.