Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning the leads of integrated circuit devices having a plurality of sequential stations. The flat device packages have rows of J-shaped leads along the edges. Individual devices are picked up at an input station and moved to a precising nest where the device is accurately located. The device is moved, preferably by a vacuum chuck transport mechanism, to a first conditioning station where a precising bar adjusts lead spread, then a needle is inserted through the row of leads to adjust lead standoff. A coining die reforms the "J" configuration and establishes a precisely uniform seating plane for all leads. A combing blade arrangement then establishes the lead spacing and lead sweep. After leads along two opposite sides of the device are conditioned, the device is moved to a second conditioning station (if required) where these operations are repeated on the other two sides of the device.

Abstract: Newspaper stacks are transported from stacking and tying equipment to a loading dock by a closed-loop endless train of carts moving on a contoured track which can allow horizontal or vertical movement of the cart train. The individual carts may be loaded, while in motion, with one or two stacks at cart loading stations along the closed-loop path from bundle entry devices which are interlocked and synchronized with the moving cart train. The contents of each cart can be discharged at preselected discharge regions in a truck loading dock by tilting the track and the cart at a 30.degree. angle as the train passes the loading dock, and selectively opening a bundle retaining gate provided on each cart, to enable gravity discharge of the stacks to the desired loading dock location.