Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for producing an oriented single file of articles comprising a conveyor having pockets for receiving articles, a lateral support surface forming a drop zone between it and an edge of the conveyor, a device for determining the direction in which articles are lying within the pockets, and a device for moving articles lying in one direction out of the pocket and onto the support surface. The pockets may be relatively quickly and easily changed to accommodate articles having different widths.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for producing an oriented single file of articles comprising a conveyor having pockets for receiving articles, a lateral support surface forming a drop zone between it and an edge of the conveyor, a device for determining the direction in which articles are lying within the pockets, and a device for moving articles lying in one direction out of the pocket and onto the support surface.

Abstract: A centrifugal feeder for supplying objects includes a bowl for receiving objects to be fed therefrom and a rim mounted adjacent to an upper surface of the bowl. A disc is disposed within the bowl and extends at an incline from an area adjacent to a lower portion of the bowl upwardly to a point adjacent to the rim for delivering objects from the lower portion of the bowl upwardly to the rim. The disc is spaced a predetermined distance from an interior surface of the bowl to form a gap between the disc and the interior surface of the bowl. A drive member is provided for rotating the bowl and the disc at predetermined speeds and in a predetermined direction. A member is operatively connected to the disc for spanning the gap between the disc and the interior surface of the bowl for ensuring the delivery of objects from within the bowl to the rim and for preventing objects from falling or lodging within the gap.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for moving material from a first position to a second position comprises a guide which includes a first and second track spaced apart a predetermined distance for defining a path of travel. A plurality of substantially flat surface transport carriers are positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each substantially flat surface transport carrier includes a first end disposed adjacent to a first track and a second end disposed adjacent to a second track. A drive member engages and pushes each individual substantially flat surface transport carrier and imparts movement thereto along the path of travel defined by the guide.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for moving material from a first position to a second position comprises a guide which includes a first and second track spaced apart a predetermined distance for defining a path of travel. A plurality of transport carriers are positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each transport carrier includes a first end disposed within a first track and a second end disposed within a second track. A drive member engages each individual transport carrier and imparts movement thereof along the path of travel defined by the guide.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for moving material from a first position to a second position comprises a guide which includes a first and second track spaced apart a predetermined distance for defining a path of travel. A plurality of transport carriers are positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each transport carrier includes a first end disposed within a first track and a second end disposed within a seocnd track. A drive member engages each individual transport carrier and imparts movement thereof along the path of travel defined by the guide.

Abstract: A comparing device for comparing major landmarks and the orientation of a master object to like characteristics of test objects includes a plurality of master sensors arranged in a predetermined pattern corresponding to a desired orientation and/or landmarks of a fixed master object for producing an output representative of the orientation of the fixed master object. A plurality of test sensors are arranged in the same pattern as the plurality of master sensors for sensing major landmarks and the orientation of a test object and for producing an output representative of the orientation and major landmarks of the test object. In addition, a comparison device compares the output of the plurality of master sensors to the output of the plurality of test sensors for providing a signal to indicate incorrectness of the test object corresponding to the desired characteristics of the fixed master object and subsequent ejection of the incorrect test object from the processing line.

Abstract: A retrieval label for assisting in the selective location of a predetermined object includes a label having a predetermined width and length. The label has a top surface and a bottom surface. An adhesive material is applied to the bottom surface of the label for securing the label to an object. A plurality of address windows are formed in the top surface of the label. A plurality of removable tabs are individually applied to each of the plurality of address windows for providing a closure thereto. An indicating system is provided on the top surface of the label for providing a reference used to identify a predetermined object by removing a predetermined sequence of removable tabs from the top surface of the label for identifying the particular predetermined object.

Abstract: A rotating ring orienting feeder including a hopper for containing a supply of articles. A ring is positioned above the hopper. A support member is provided for retaining the ring in a substantially horizontal position. The supports also provide rotation for the ring. A conveyor is provided within the hopper for supplying articles to the ring. A drive mechanism is provided for imparting rotation to the ring and to the conveyor. A plurality of articles are supplied to the ring by the conveyor and are qualified on either side of the ring. Articles not being disposed in a predetermined orientation are returned to the hopper for resupply. In another embodiment, the articles positioned on the ring may also turn from one position into another position in order to qualify the articles directly on the ring.

Abstract: A rotary puck conveying, accumulating and qualifying mechanism for accommodating articles of various sizes. A puck is provided having a predetermined outer peripheral surface and including an article retaining aperture disposed therein. The article retaining aperture being of a predetermined shape for accommodating an outer peripheral surface of an article being handled. A centrifugal feeder is provided for supplying a plurality of articles to an outer peripheral rim. A rotating table accumulates the pucks in both a full and an empty condition. The rotating table is operatively disposed beneath the centrifugal feeder wherein outer peripheral surfaces of the centrifugal feeder and the rotating table overlap. A plurality of pockets are rotatably disposed below the centrifugal feeder for engaging pucks positioned on the rotating table for retaining the pucks in a predetermined location relative to the centrifugal feeder for supplying articles into the aperture in the puck over an extended length of transfer.

Abstract: Photography, particularly, a method of modifying slide transparencies so as to eliminate distortion and to provide uniform illumination in oblique projection, for example, upon rear view screens.The method of modifying slide transparencies includes supporting the object to be photographed at an angle with respect to the optical path of the camera; selectively illuminating the object to be photographed such that the portion farthest from the camera receives the greatest portion of the light with the rest of the object being gradually and continuously less illuminated so the portion nearest the camera receives the least light; and, taking a picture of the object, such that the transparency defines the object being photographed in trapezoidal form with the wider base being the least illuminated and the narrow apex being the greatest illuminated.

Abstract: Centrifugal feeders, particularly a method of transporting singulated parts from the periphery of a centrifugal feeder. The method includes vertically orienting while supporting the parts in nests or notches defined at the periphery of the feeder, advancing the parts away from said supporting and dropping the parts into individual containers or pucks which are transported tangentially away from the centrifugal feeder. The method is characterized by its capability of high speed singulation of parts into any desired matrix.

Abstract: High speed feeding, counting, orienting and storing of small parts such as ammunition, candy, pills, machine screws, nuts, miniature containers and the like. The articles are radially distributed upon a rotating planar surface having an axis; the articles are then advanced upon a plurality of peripherally spaced spindles or rollers which extend radially outwardly from the axis. The articles are then discharged from the spindles. The spindles may be of the idler or power driven type enabling the sorting of heavy parts. For example, the spindles may be rotated at a speed proportional to the rotational speed of the inner axis, such that the high surface speed of the individual rollers will enhance discharge, alternatively, the rollers may be rotated at a speed lower than the rotational speed of the inner axis which will enhance radial distribution prior to discharge.

Abstract: High speed method for translating particulate articles, such as hollow containers or solid elongated articles from random or in-line array to side by side packaged arrays as a matrix of parallel rows. The articles are advanced upon a horizontal plane, then centrifugally accelerated outwardly at varying radial lengths, according to the desired side by side spacing. The articles are supported at the desired radial length, then dropped into the desired side by side array. Thus, the articles may be first advanced upon a horizontal plane into the inner ends of a series of radially outwardly extending chutes. The chutes are rotated such that centrifugal forces carry the articles to the outer ends of said chutes where they are supported until selectively dropped from the outer ends of the chutes into a side by side array as a matrix of parallel rows.