Abstract: A magazine for flat articles, in particular folding boxes lying flat, including a horizontal conveyor apparatus for receiving a supply stack of folded boxes and a vertical receiving chute from which the folding boxes can be withdrawn in succession and delivered to a conveyor in an open condition. In order to keep the pressure on the lowermost folding boxes in the receiving chute constant, the receiving chute is refilled with folding boxes as needed from the conveyor apparatus, so that the stack height in the receiving chute remains constant. The transfer of folding boxes from the supply stack on the conveyor apparatus into the receiving chute is effected via a gap, through which the horizontally delivered holding boxes, resting obliquely, are purposefully tipped via rollers or via a support podium into the receiving chute at the transition from the conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for folding boxes including suction heads disposed on a carrier and for holding the folding boxes by negative pressure. To enable adjusting the suction heads to a format of folding boxes to be manipulated, the suction heads have a plurality of cup-shaped suction devices, individual ones of which can be adjusted out of the working position into a position of repose and which can be blocked off from the negative pressure. To this end, the adjustable suction devices are mounted on necks displaceable in carriers, and the necks can be arrested in two positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking folded flat blanks out of a magazine and transferring them to a conveyor apparatus of a box-making machine is disposed between the vertically oriented magazine and the conveyor apparatus extending horizontally beneath it at some distance therefrom. The apparatus has three suction cups offset by 120.degree., on a star-shaped rotor which travel over a self-contained cycloid path (C) having four reversal points (F, G, H, I) and concave arcs between them. This cycloid path is generated by a revolving crank that rotatably supports the rotor with an eccentricity (E) and by a planetary gear associated with the crank, the sun gear of which is disposed coaxially with the axis of rotation of the crank, and the planet gear of which is firmly connected coaxially to the rotor; an intermediate gear is incorporated between the sun gear and the planet gear.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking flat erectable blanks out of a magazine and transferring them to a conveyor apparatus has a rotor, on the circumference of which suction cups are distributed, offset uniformly. The rotor is rotatably supported as a planet part in a rotating planet carrier and upon revolving is additionally rotated about its shaft by a planetary gear. In this process the suction cups travel over a self-contained cycloid path (C) having four reversal points (F, G, H, I) and intervening concave arcs. For acting upon the articles, for instance pressing on a foldable box or rotating it about a transverse axis, a cam disk is rotatable supported on the shaft of the rotor and is hindered from rotating with the rotor by being coupled to a rocker arm supported in stationary fashion. A lever guided by a roller in the cam race acts upon a pivotable pressing prong or upon the rotatably supported suction cup.

Abstract: A capsule filling and capping machine including a testing apparatus for ascertaining the presence of capsule pieces (bottom and cap) in the conveyor apparatus. The conveyor apparatus includes receptacles into which the capsules are tightly inserted. A test head, with chambers disposed in it that communicate with a source of negative pressure or overpressure, respectively, via a throttle is brought into contact with the receptacles, and the pressure of the chambers is monitored by pressure sensors. The output of piezorestrictive pressure sensors is evaluated electronically and processed further into signals to prevent capsules from being filled, to reject defective capsules, or to stop the machine if there is a problem related to one of the capsules.

Abstract: A device for sealing two-piece capsules has a capsule carrier and a capsule holder which are movable relative to one another for the purpose of attaching a cap to a capsule body. In order to bond a cap firmly and tightly to the body of a capsule, the device has a nozzle for applying a viscose sealing material to the inside of the cap. To prevent an excess of sealing material from being applied to the cap, the nozzle is provided with a vacuum mechanism in the form of an annular channel by means of which excess sealing material is removed during the application.

Abstract: A platform conveyor having an articulated chain and bearing elements secured thereon. In order to secure the retention of the bearing elements, which lock into place with claws on the linking bolts of the articulated chain, adjacent claws locking into place on the same linking bolt mesh form-fittingly with one another. To this end, the claws alternate in having protrusions and recesses.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing carton blanks, erecting and transferring cartons to a conveyor apparatus which includes a magazine for cartons and a rotor with a plurality of radially offstanding suction units. To attain a high output with an apparatus which is simple in structure, the rotor is disposed on a pivotable arm. On each pivoting movement of the rotor during one operating cycle, a carton blank is removed from the magazine while simultaneously formed carton is inserted into the conveyor apparatus at a transfer station. A counterpart suction device, which is associated with a station between the magazine and the transfer station, erects the cartons and breaks them on themselves.

Abstract: Bobbins wound with rovings from a preparatory stage are loaded onto a carriage which receives them on an orthogonal array of horizontal pegs and transports them to a holding station for transfer, one column at a time, to a service unit moving continuously or intermittently past a multiplicity of working positions of a ring spinning machine whose spindles draw the roving from bobbins on a supply rack. The service unit, whose primary function may be that of a yarn-tying device or a traveling air blower, has a vertical conveyor with stems alignable with the pegs of the carriage in the holding station for picking up the bobbins to be transferred and delivering them, individually, to storage areas at or near the supply rack where fresh bobbins are needed as determined by a sensor aboard that unit. The storage areas may have overhead grippers onto which a bobbin is pushed from an erected stem at the upper vertex of the vertical conveyor.