Abstract: A recirculating device receives parts in bulk which are bunched together. The device includes a cone-shaped rotating disk which receives the parts and redistributes the parts into separate units. The parts are delivered to an inner periphery of the cone of the cone-shaped disk and then slide down the inclined slope of the cone. As the parts slide down the rotating cone, they become spaced further apart due to the increase in radius of the outer periphery of the cone as compared with the radius of the inner periphery of the cone. The separated parts may then be effectively handled by a picker-type robot utilizing a vision system or sensors to discriminate the individual parts.

Abstract: A parts feeding, presenting and/or orienting apparatus is provided having a rotatable disc for receiving parts from a hopper. The parts can slide from the disc onto a curved section of a conveyor or onto a linear section of conveyor or other discharge device. The rotatable disc can be vertically reciprocated and can have a plurality of ridges in order to preorient the parts. A downstream qualifier can return misoriented parts to the hopper for recirculation of the parts. The apparatus can operate from a slow to a fast speed. A robotic device can be used downstream of the qualifier and a return path can be provided in order to recirculate all parts, if so desired.

Abstract: A rotary puck conveying mechanism and method will qualify articles and place them within a puck or article handling device. This puck has a centrally disposed opening for receiving the articles. The mechanism includes a centrifugal feeder with a rotatable rim having a plurality of openings. Pucks are positioned beneath the openings in order to receive the articles. The pucks will be fed to the centrifugal feeder and aligned with the openings in the rim. The pucks will simultaneously move with these aligned openings beneath the rim. When the articles remaining on the rim are swept off of this rim, the pucks or at least a piece of the pucks can then be detached and conveyed away from the centrifugal feeder. The pucks are designed to maintain orientation of an article held therein even when the pucks are inverted. The pucks can also have a movable insert for exposing and orienting articles held therein.

Abstract: A rotary puck conveying mechanism and method will qualify articles and place them within a puck. This puck has a centrally disposed opening for receiving the articles. The mechanism includes a centrifugal feeder for supply a plurality of articles to an outer peripheral rim of the feeder. The rim is rotatable and has a plurality of openings. Pucks are provided beneath the openings in order-to receive the articles. Different devices are provided for agitating articles on the rim to cause them to fall through the openings into the pucks. If the articles eventually do not fall through the openings, a jet or other suitable device is provided for removing the articles from the rim. The pucks will be fed to the centrifugal feeder and aligned with the openings in the rim. The pucks will simultaneously move with these aligned openings beneath the rim. When the articles remaining on the rim are swept off of this rim, the pucks can then be detached and conveyed away from the centrifugal feeder.

Abstract: An article handler for orienting and conveying flexible or thin articles. The article handler includes a centrifugal drum rotated about a central axis and a rotary disc disposed radially inward of a lower portion of the centrifugal drum. The centrifugal drum and rotary disc rotate simultaneously and a circumference of the rotary disc approaches a position adjacent to a ledge on an inner surface of the centrifugal drum at one location as the rotary disc rotates about a slanted axis. Articles which are introduced into the article handler become disposed on the ledge of the centrifugal drum in a singulated fashion. Improperly oriented articles are then removed from the ledge, and the properly oriented articles are removed from the ledge of the centrifugal drum by a beveled rotor in a similarly oriented fashion and conveyed to a packing station.

Abstract: A drive connection joint for transmitting rotary motion from a drive shaft to a movable member includes a movable link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the movable link being pivotally connected to a drive shaft. A connector affixed to a movable member. A slot is formed in the connector, the slot includes a predetermined length, width and depth. The movable link is accommodated within the slot to permit axial movement within the depth of the slot and lateral movement along the length of the slot for permitting a three-way connection between a drive shaft and a movable member, namely, pivotable movement, axial movement and lateral movement.

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 self contained exchangeable turret assembly includes a turret module having a first turret wheel with a plurality of openings disposed around an outlet circumferential surface thereof for positioning a first work piece and a second turret wheel having a plurality of openings disposed around an outer circumferential surface thereof for positioning a second work piece in a predetermined position relative to a first work piece. A turret drive shaft and a plurality of tool stations are operatively mounted on said turret module. The first and second turret wheels are concentrically position on the turret drive shaft in a predetermined relationship to permit selective alignment of the plurality of openings disposed around the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second turret wheels. A support structure includes a drive member operatively mounted relative to the support housing for imparting rotation to the turret drive shaft and the first and second turret wheels.

Abstract: An assembly turret with universal nests comprises a first turret wheel having a central axis and an outer peripheral surface. A first set of a plurality of pockets is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the first turret wheel. The first set of a plurality of pockets each includes an opening of a first article locating portion for permitting an article to be radially received therein from the outer peripheral surface through the opening and into the first article locating portion. A second turret wheel is provided with a central axis and an outer peripheral surface. A second set of a plurality of pockets is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the second turret wheel. The second set of a plurality of pockets each includes an opening and a second article locating portion for permitting an article to be radially received therein from the outer peripheral surface through the opening and into the second article locating portion.

Abstract: A kit for converting a fixed ramp rotating bowl feeder into a flexible disk, stationary ramp rotating bowl feeder including an overhead ramp support for spanning the distance between side walls of the rotating bowl. A retaining tube is affixed to substantially a central portion of the overhead ramp support. A stationary ramp is affixed to one end of the retaining tube and projecting outwardly toward the side walls of the rotating bowl. A flexible disk mounted on the stationary ramp for rotating within the rotating bowl together with the rotating bowl for transporting articles disposed within the bowl upwardly to be discharged therefrom.

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: An article feeding appartus for supplying articles includes a base member with a side wall member having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is secured to the base member. A rim member is secured to the second surface of the side wall member. An elevating turret is centrally disposed relative to the base member. A plurality of inclined ramp segments are operatively connected to the elevating turret and radially extend from the centrally disposed elevating turret towards the side wall member for forming a reservoir area into which articles may be supplied. A drive member is provided for rotating the base member, side wall member, rim and elevating turret at a predetermined speed.

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: Rotary transport of singulated articles, i.e., utilizing the periphery of a rotating transport disc to advance an article from one stationary work station to another. Particularly, radially outwardly pushing the article from the rotating transport disc into the peripheral stationary work station and, as work is completed upon the article, sequentially pushing the article radially inwardly from the work station into re-engagement with the rotating disc periphery, which transports the article to another work station or exit.