Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for engaging and releasing a plurality of items. The apparatus comprises a frame having a longitudinally extending support member and at least one group of engagement unit. Each engagement unit has at least one engagement member, and each engagement unit is adapted for engaging, and disengaging from at least one item. Each of the engagement units in the one group is mounted in series for longitudinal movement on the longitudinal support member, and each one of the plurality of engagement units is interconnected to at least one other of the plurality of engagement units. A movement apparatus is provided for engaging at least one but not all of the plurality of engagement units in the one group to displace the group longitudinally on the longitudinal support member.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for engaging and releasing a plurality of items. The apparatus comprises a frame having a longitudinally extending support member and at least one group of engagement unit. Each engagement unit has at least one engagement member, and each engagement unit is adapted for engaging, and disengaging from at least one item. Each of the engagement units in the one group is mounted in series for longitudinal movement on the longitudinal support member, and each one of the plurality of engagement units is interconnected to at least one other of the plurality of engagement units. A movement apparatus is provided for engaging at least one but not all of the plurality of engagement units in the one group to displace the group longitudinally on the longitudinal support member.

Abstract: A system for loading a plurality of items in series into a receptacle held in an item holding device, comprises a plurality of item holding devices each adapted for holding an item receptacle adapted to hold a plurality of items. A holding devices moving apparatus such as a conveyor, moves the plurality of item holding devices through an item loading station with the item receptacles being oriented at a first angle to the horozinal. An item delivery apparatus delivers a plurality of items separately in series at an item orientation that is at a second angle to the item receptacles. The item delivery apparatus may include a metering device comprising a wheel member having a plurality of generally radially extending, generally equally spaced finger members, with all adjacent finger members being configured at a distance there between proximate end portions of said adjacent finger members. The radial position of the fingers, and thus the distance between end portions, is adjustable.

Abstract: A rotary union connector is disclosed that may be used with a robot arm having a drive member. The connector may have an outer housing and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder may be fixedly mounted to the drive member for rotation about a central longitudinal axis. The inner cylinder may be mounted for rotation within and relative to the outer housing. The inner cylinder may have a first vacuum channel, and may be adapted to be fixedly mounted to an end effector. The outer housing may have a first vacuum channel and a first vacuum opening for connection to a vacuum supply line to supply vacuum to the first vacuum channel in the outer housing. The vacuum channel in the outer housing may also be in vacuum communication with the first vacuum channel in the inner cylinder. The first vacuum channel in the inner cylinder has an opening for communicating vacuum from the opening to the at least one suction cup of the pick up member.

Abstract: A system for loading a plurality of items in series into a receptacle held in an item holding device, comprises a plurality of item holding devices each adapted for holding an item receptacle adapted to hold a plurality of items. A holding device moving apparatus such as a conveyor, moves the plurality of item holding devices through an item loading station with the item receptacles being oriented at a first angle to the horizontal. An item delivery apparatus delivers a plurality of items separately in series at an item orientation that is at a second angle to the item receptacles. The item delivery apparatus may include a metering device comprising a wheel member having a plurality of generally radially extending, generally equally spaced finger members, with all adjacent finger members being configured at a distance there between proximate end portions of said adjacent finger members. The radial position of the fingers, and thus the distance between end portions, is adjustable.