Abstract: A modular multi-tube catalyst loading funnel comprises a series of funnel modules, each equipped with a rotatable stirring rod, an opening at the bottom, and a variable-speed drive. With the apparatus, it is possible to control the drop rate of catalyst pellets in each of the funnels, by adjusting the speed of rotation of the metering rods. If more control is required, the metering rods may be raised or lowered in each funnel module to increase or decrease the speed of catalyst drop. Additionally, it is possible to utilize metering rods with various end configurations to alter the speed of the catalyst drop in the multitube catalytic reactors.

Abstract: In a cigarette packeting machine, the formation of groups of cigarettes to be packeted disposed in superposed layers of which at least one is incomplete in that it lacks at least one intermediate cigarette. The cigarettes of the incomplete layer being kept in position, inside a formation and advancement pocket for the relative group, by the cigarettes of an immediately upper complete layer which are fed into the pocket so that they become disposed quincuncially to the cigarettes of the incomplete layer.

Abstract: A single item vending machine, particularly for vending only a single newspaper for each vend operation, is disclosed. The machine has a slot, which is adjustable in height, in the front of the frame of the machine through which the newspaper is vended. A door on the front of the machine prevents access to the slot unless the door is opened. The door cannot be opened unless the required coins are placed in a coin mechanism, thus releasing a door lock. Mounted inside the machine is a base plate. Mounted on top of the base plate are ball bearings. Resting on the ball bearings is a transfer plate which has a raised rear portion which is approximately 1/2 inch higher than a lower front portion of the transfer plate. When the machine is in the closed and locked position, the newspapers are stacked on the lower front portion of the transfer plate. The transfer plate, which is connected to the door by at least one hinge and lever arm, slides forward when the door is opened by the purchaser.

Abstract: An industrial robot has a head movable in first and second orthogonal directions within a working area to manipulate a workpiece. The industrial robot comprises a stationary base extending along the first direction, an intermediary base slidably disposed on the stationary base to move along the first direction, and a slider slidably disposed on the intermediary base and to move along the second direction. The slider has a supporting portion which extends towards the working area and which supports the head thereon so that the supporting portion positions the head within the working area remotely from the stationary base and the intermediary base.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder arrangement includes a top segment removably connected to a bottom feed segment through a quick-release hinge arrangement, in which the hinge is freely movable when the top segment is disposed at angular positions away from its closed position, but which hinge has levered zero lash in the closed position of the top segment, with a suitable quick-release locking or clamping device for locking the top segment in effectively closed position. The arrangement also provides for levered zero lash between interengaging parts-guiding or retainer elements secured to the hinged bottom and top segments. A rigid zero-lash vibratory feeder is effected which enables an improved life span and less maintenance under the severe vibration encountered with vibratory feeders.

Abstract: In a device for conveying heaps of debris resulting when mining minerals or for conveying other lumpy material by means of a chain conveyor (1), belt conveyor or the like, in which device the conveyor is passed through a channel (5) having a width approximately corresponding to the width of the conveyor (1) and is guided before the channel (5), as seen in conveying direction (a), between inclined walls (7, 8) laterally extending beyond the width of the conveyor (1) and in which device there are arranged inclined deflection walls before the ingress location (6) into the channel, there exists the risk that blocks having too great a longitudinal size become jammed within the channel (5). For avoiding this risk, there is arranged an obliquely ascending deflection wall (11) in transverse direction relative to the conveying direction (a), said deflection wall including, as seen in a vertical plane extending in parallel relation to the conveying direction (a), with the plane of the conveyor (1) an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: A conveyor belt transporting apparatus for conveying carriers includes at least one conveyor belt frictionally engaged with the carrier, the conveyor belt formed of two belt layers, one lying on top of the other and extending between pulleys. A friction finger on the carrier is in frictional engagement with the belt by extending between its layers in frictional contact with both layers. Frictional contact force between the belt layers and the friction finger is variable by a moveable tension finger controllable by an automatic release element in response to blockage of movement of the carrier along the conveyor system. When the motion of a carrier is blocked by a stopped carrier or other impediment ahead of it, the release element is moved to release the friction force on the carrier finger engaging the belt. Verticle and horizontal guide and support rollers guide the carrier and support its weight.

Abstract: A bung connection for a rigid container has a bung body which threads into the bung opening, and has a base wall with two or more access openings which are connected to tubes extending to the flowable material in the container. A tube mounting is removably inserted into the bung body and has flow ports which connect with the access ports in the base wall. Flow tubes connect to the tube mounting. The tube mounting and bung body have a coded pattern of interfitting lugs and recesses which prevent full assembly of the tube mounting and bung body if the coding is wrong. A clamp ring secures the tube mounting in the bung body. A shipping plug and liner replace the tube mounting in the bung body for shipping the container to be refilled and then returned for use again.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus arranged on the side of a vehicle frame for vehicles such as various model size forklifts ensures exact vertical movement of the load. The lifting apparatus includes a rocker having inner and outer rockers connected to each other by a common lower rocker bearing and bearing bolt to resist torsion. The outer rocker is directly and operatively connected to a lifting cylinder supported in the vehicle frame. The outer rocker is also operatively connected through a multi-sectional kinematic drive to a rack-and-pinion or drive shaft drive arranged near and operatively connected to the lifting cylinder. An inclination cylinder is operatively connected to pressure bars and is arranged near the lower rocker bearing. The inner and outer rockers are also supported on the front side of a box girder which connects two side portions of the vehicle frame to resist twisting. Visual range is improved and the total mass reduced due to favorable positioning of the center of gravity.

Abstract: A lift truck load handling attachment having a quick-disconnect hook assembly for quick mounting or demounting of the attachment on a lift truck carriage. The hook assembly comprises a hook mounting member fastened to the rearwardly-facing surface of the frame of the load-handling attachment, slideably mounting an upwardly-facing hook for vertical reciprocation of the hook relative to the mounting member. The hook and mounting member respectively have elongate, vertically-oriented interlocking slides for permitting such vertical reciprocation while preventing rearward movement of the hook relative to the mounting member. A locking pin is selectively insertable transversely to limit downward movement of the hook relative to the mounting member, and the vertical slides and pin are located below the engagement surface of the hook when in its engaged position so as to permit direct abutment between the front of the lift truck carriage and rear of the attachment frame.

Abstract: A robot comprises a plurality of arms connected in series and articulated with one another so as to cooperatively move along a horizontal plane. A plurality of drive units are connected to rotate one arm relative to another around respective vertical axes. Each drive unit has an outer cylindrical frame from which one arm horizontally extends, and an inner cylindrical bracket from which another arm horizontally extends, the inner cylindrical bracket being coaxially disposed within and rotatable relative to the outer cylindrical frame. A drive motor is fixedly mounted within the inner cylindrical bracket and has a rotatable output shaft extending along the vertical axis. A reduction gear unit is interconnected between the drive motor output shaft and the inside of the outer cylindrical frame and transmits the rotational movement of the output shaft to the inner cylindrical bracket at a reduced rate so that the inner cylindrical bracket rotates around the vertical axis relative to the outer cylindrical frame.

Abstract: An engine interlock control system is disclosed which is particularly suited for use with a material handling implement comprising a combination loader backhoe. In the preferred form, the present control system includes an electrically-operated fuel solenoid for selectively controlling delivery of fuel to the internal combustion engine of the implement. This system further includes means for sensing operation of the engine, preferably comprising an oil pressure sensor, and means for sensing disposition of the implement's transmission in a neutral condition. The fuel solenoid, engine sensor, and transmission sensor are all operatively connected with a microprocessor control unit, whereby delivery of fuel to the engine is prevented in the event that the engine is not running, and the transmission is in a non-neutral condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting flat objects having first and second faces between a first carrier and a second carrier, the apparatus comprising a mechanism for supporting the first and second carriers, a pickup mechanism for picking up the objects and transporting the objects between the first carrier and the second carrier, and intermediate station having a mechanism for receiving the objects from the pickup mechanism with the faces in a first orientation and for changing the orientation of the faces before the objects are removed by the pickup mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning the posture of flat articles (such as envelopes and post cards) can stably clamp and turn a flat article accurately, with a 90.degree. rotation. The turning apparatus has a cone roller that is disposed along a path for transporting the flat articles. A first plurality of idler pulleys are independently mounted to engage and be driven by the conical surface of the roller. A second plurality of idler pulleys are disposed on the upstream side of the conical surface, with respect to the first idler pulley. At least one running belt is stretched between the first and second idler pulleys. The angle between the conical surface and the running belt is small enough to reliably grip and turn the flat article.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a vacuum processing apparatus which is constructed so that a sample may be carried between a main vacuum chamber and a portion of the atmosphere outside the main vacuum chamber while the sample is retained in a vertical position. The sample is carried in the vertical position through several chambers, including a first vacuum preparatory chamber provided to be communicable with the main vacuum chamber and a second vacuum preparatory chamber provided to be communicable with both the first vacuum preparatory chamber and the atmosphere. By using this apparatus, and in particular by conveying the sample in a vertical position, it is possible to restrain the adhesion of foreign substances on the sample surface which is to be treated. It is also possible to reduce the vacuum load and properly maintain pressure within the main vacuum chamber, thereby enabling increased quality of treatment and also enhancing the manufacturing yield of a semiconductor element.

Abstract: A pattern former/loader system for bakery products includes a pair of carriages (94) positionable along first guideways (92) and a second carriage (112) positionable along a second guideway (110) supported by the carriages (94). The second carriage (112) supports an actuator (130) which in turn supports a transfer head (132). The carriages (94, 112) position the transfer head (132) longitudinally and transversely, the actuator (130) functions both to rotate the transfer head and to move the transfer head vertically. The transfer head (132) comprises a plurality of vacuum ports (142) each comprising an elastomeric vacuum cup and a relatively rigid vacuum cup insert which serves both to retain the shape of the vacuum cup and to limit the flow of air therethrough.

Abstract: A feeding and processing apparatus has a plurality of intermediate conveyor members disposed between upstream and downstream conveyor means, the intermediate conveyor members being vertically spaced. The feeding and processing apparatus also includes a device for vertically moving the intermediate conveyor members and a device disposed in the vicinity of at least a portion of the intermediate conveyor members for processing objects thereon.

Abstract: A closure handling apparatus includes a cup-shaped receptacle having an opening in a cylindrical sidewall thereof, a rotary conical member within the receptacle and cooperative with a peripheral shelf member vertically spaced from the conical member to form a moving column of closures randomly oriented with their open ends up or down, a discriminating mechanism positioned within the receptacle for successively receiving the lead closure in the column and including an upstream and a downstream plate separated by a gap which is oriented transversely to the path of movement of the received closures, and a guide means downstream of the discriminating mechanism and outside of the receptacle for receiving from the discriminating mechanism closures having their open ends up. Closures having their open ends down are rejected by being deflected into the gap of the discriminating means and being cammed by the downstream plate back to the rotary conical member.

Abstract: An extendible dipperstick for excavators and backhoes. The dipperstick includes a telescoping member mounted to a main housing. The telescoping member includes a telescoping housing and a plate attached to one surface, forming flanges with respect thereto. The telescoping member is slidably attached to the housing by means of clamping bars and roller bearings attached to the main housing, which contact the flanges and the exterior surface of the plate, respectively.

Abstract: A device for individually and sucessively advancing cops from a cop-producing machine in an orderly manner via conveyor belts to a cyclically stepwise advanceable cop conveyor having take-up mandrels thereon, comprising respective substantially vertical loading shafts located between the conveyor belts and the cop conveyor for delivering cops in upright position onto the take-up mandrels of the cop conveyor, the loading shafts being formed of sidewise deflectable wall elements, an actuating device operatively engageable with the loading shafts, respectively, for deflecting the wall elements thereof sidewise so as to permit the respective delivered cop to be father advanced by the cop conveyor, clock switching devices connected to the conveyor belts for actuating the belts to individually and successively advance the cops in the orderly manner, and a sensor for distinguishing between the absence and presence of a cop on a respective take-up mandrel of the cop conveyor and for enabling and disenabling the clock