Abstract: A heat sealing machine having platen means for melting at least a portion of the object to be sealed, said platen means being mounted on a carriage means for moving said platen means along at least a first axis, is described having the improvement wherein track means are provided for allowing movement of the platen means with respect to the carriage means along a second axis which is perpendicular to said first axis. Additionally, the present invention provides a pin means for fixedly engaging said platen means at a precise, predetermined position with respect to said carriage means, as well as providing for carriage and extension portions of said track means which provide for the quick interchange of platens from reserve to operating positions. Various features of the present invention allow for the preheating and prealignment of reserve platens, whereby substitution of the desired platen is safe, simple, fast and reliable.

Abstract: Batteries are moved by a conveyor to a predetermined position, and a plurality of nozzles attached to an adjustable filling assembly are lowered over the battery such that the nozzles mate with inlet ports of the battery cells. A ladling assembly which had been immersed in a tank of electrolyte is raised above the level of the nozzles, such that electrolyte flows from the ladling assembly through a plurality of hoses to the nozzles and thence into the battery cells.

Abstract: Battery plate elements and separator elements are maintained in hopper type sources along opposite sides of a conveyor, and with pivotally swingable vacuum pickup heads serving to withdraw plates and separators from their sources and to deposit them onto a conveyor, with a plurality of plates or separators being withdrawn simultaneously, and with the conveyor being indexed from withdrawal station to withdrawal station for stacking of plates and separators one upon the other, alternately, whereby at any given time a plurality of plate-and-separator sandwiches are being formed, but in different progressive stages. A number of source stations may be deactivated, depending upon the number of plates and separators desired in any given sandwich. Capability is also provided for various size adjustments for handling different sized plates and separators. Particularly novel vacuum operated pickup technique is employed.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for sequentially forming integrally fused battery terminals on a plurality of storage batteries is described wherein a head means having a mold means adjustably mounted thereon is automatically movable with respect to a vertical axis, and has slidably mounted thereon a burning means for automatically producing a variable-intensity flame for melting said battery elements to form said integrally fused battery terminal during a vertical stroke thereof. An automated post burn station is further described having a conveyor means for advancing batteries sequentially to said burning station and for aligning said batteries with respect to said station for the above described fusing process. A plurality of novel sensors incorporated into the automated post burn station facilitates the rapid, automatic processing of batteries, while providing a high degree of safety and reliability.

Abstract: Members are welded together by indirect application of heat, as for welding internal battery posts for connecting groups of plates or terminal posts electrically, through the use of a plurality of heated elements simultaneously engaging posts to be welded together, and wherein the configuration of molten material is controlled as the weld cools, by the use of a templet. The elements are heated, preferably by application of open flame through a plurality of mixing systems for the fuel, with one system being provided for each heated element.

Abstract: Members are welded together by indirect application of heat, as for welding internal battery posts for connecting groups of plates electrically, through the use of a plurality of heated elements simultaneously engaging posts to be welded together, and wherein the configuration of molten material is controlled as the weld cools, by the use of a templet. The elements are heated, preferably by application of open flame through a plurality of mixing systems for the fuel, with one system being provided for each heated element. A guideplate is provided for positioning the elements relative to the base and to each other.

Abstract: Batteries are moved along a first roller type conveyor to a leak testing station, above which is located an assembly having a plurality of nozzles matable over battery cell inlets. A first set of alternate cells is supplied with air at a given pressure, and metering means notes pressure change. Thereupon, the remaining alternate cells receive the same treatment. If the cells do not leak, the battery advances from the testing station along the roller conveyor. If a leak is detected, a push bar connected to cable means below the rollers ejects the battery transversely from the testing station along to a second conveyor, thereby isolating leaky batteries either for removal or further testing to locate more precisely the leak.

Abstract: Batteries are moved by a conveyor to a predetermined position, and a plurality of nozzles attached to an adjustable filling assembly are lowered over the battery such that the nozzles mate with inlet ports of the battery cells. A ladling assembly which had been immersed in a tank of electrolyte is raised above the level of the nozzles, such that electrolyte flows from the ladling assembly through a plurality of hoses to the nozzles and thence into the battery cells.