Abstract: A method for fabricating a carrier substrate, a method for fabricating a printed circuit board using the carrier substrate and related printed circuit board. The method for fabricating the carrier substrate includes: providing an insulating base material with a copper foil layer formed on at least one surface thereof; stacking a metal layer having a length shorter than that of the copper foil layer on the copper foil layer; and forming an insulating layer on the metal layer.

Abstract: A connecting device for electrical junction boxes, including a sleeve member that can be inserted in a first hole of a first wall of a first box and in a second hole provided in a second wall of a second box to be joined to the first box. An annular gasket is fitted around the sleeve and is located between the two walls. The sleeve has a first end provided with a plate that is internal to the first box and a second end provided with an abutment means that engages the inner side of the second wall. The insertion of a wedge member, which is applied between the plate and the first wall, gradually moves the plate away from the inner side, pushing the walls against each other and compressing the gasket between them.

Abstract: An anticorrosive that is capable of demonstrating high anticorrosive capability. The anticorrosive mainly contains at least one of a photopolymerizable (meth)acrylate monomer and a photopolymerizable (meth)acrylate oligomer, and has a viscosity of 1000 mPa·s or more to less than 20000 mPa·s at 25 degrees C., which is measured in accordance with the JIS Z8803. The anticorrosive can be favorably applied to an electrically connected portion between a wire conductor of a coated electric wire with a terminal and a terminal member. The coated electric wire with the terminal includes the wire conductor and the terminal member, wherein the electrically connected portion between the wire conductor and the terminal member is coated with the anticorrosive that is cured.

Abstract: An outdoor control cable includes a cable, a ground terminal, other terminals, and a connector. The cable includes an insulating coating, power lines enclosed by an insulating layer, signal lines enclosed by the insulating layer, and a metal shield. The power lines and the signal lines are enclosed by the insulating coating. The signal lines are further enclosed by the metal shield. The ground terminal is electrically connected to the metal shield. The other terminals are electrically connected to the power lines and the signal lines. The connector includes a casing, a jack, and the ground terminal and other terminals which are protruded and exposed from the jack. Hence, the outdoor control cable has both power lines and signal lines. The metal shield blocks electromagnetic interference from the power lines. The ground terminal is electrically connected to the metal shield and thereby grounds and guides the electromagnetic interference to earth.

Abstract: A shielded flat cable includes a plurality of wires arranged in parallel, a fibrous member including a polyurethane elastic fiber and woven between the plurality of wires along the arrangement direction of the wires, and a shield layer including a conductive member that includes an adhesive layer on one surface thereof and covers an entire periphery of the plurality of wires such that the adhesive layer is in contact with the fibrous member.

Abstract: An electric wire with a terminal connector includes an electric wire and a female terminal connector crimped onto a core wire exposed at the electric wire. A female terminal connector has a wire barrel having a surface to be applied to the core wire. The surface has a plurality of recesses formed therein. Each recess has an opening edge. The opening edge of the recess includes first opening edges that are parallel to each other. The first opening edges are arranged to overlap with each other in the extending direction of the electric wire so that the first opening edges are present over the entire length of all over the plurality of the recesses on the crimping portion in the extending direction of the electric wire.

Abstract: An electric wire with a terminal connector includes an electric wire and a female terminal connector crimped onto a core wire exposed at the electric wire. A female terminal connector has a wire barrel having a surface to be applied to the core wire. The surface has a plurality of recesses formed therein. Each recess has an opening edge. The opening edge of the recess includes first opening edges that are parallel to each other. The space between the recesses adjacent to each other in the extending direction of the first opening edge is set narrower than the space between the recesses adjacent to each other in the extending direction of the electric wire.

Abstract: A laminated glass pane with electrical function and connection element is described. The laminated glass pane has at least two individual glass panes, which are areally connected to at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer. The laminated glass pane further has at least one electrically functional layer, which is situated between the at least two individual glass panes at least one foil conductor, which is electrically conductively connected to the at least one electrically functional layer, and at least one housing with at least one electrical feed line and at least one electrical line connection. The at least two individual glass panes has at least one undercut glass pane, wherein the at least one foil conductor runs without an overhang around a lateral edge of the at least one undercut glass pane.

Abstract: A process is disclosed, whereby soldered connections to electrical conductors incorporated on thin glass are achieved. Sufficient resistance to cracking is obtained by virtue of surface stresses induced locally in a region where soldering is to be done. In a preferred embodiment, surface stresses imparted during a press bending operation are relied upon.

Abstract: An electronic unit includes: a plate-shaped support member having an insulating surface and a conductive surface that are opposed to each other; a cut-and-raised section provided in the support member, and having a contact that is bent to protrude toward the conductive surface, and a pair of through holes provided at side faces of the cut-and-raised section; and a substrate inserted into the pair of through holes, and with which the contact is in elastic and electric contact.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired temperature at a location in a well can include adjusting fluid circulation parameters, thereby reducing a difference between an actual temperature at the location and the desired temperature. A well system can include at least one sensor, an output of the sensor being used for determining a temperature at a location in a well, and a hydraulics model which determines a desired change in fluid circulation through the well, in response to the temperature at the location being different from a desired temperature at the location. Another method of maintaining a desired temperature at a location in a well can include adjusting a density, solids content and/or flow rate of a fluid circulated through the well, thereby urging a temperature at the location toward the desired temperature.

Abstract: A steering head for use with a casing, the steering head having a generally cylindrical body with a first body end with a lead edge, a second body end with a rear edge, and a body surface extending from the lead edge to the rear edge, an outer tube with an internal side generally facing the body surface, the outer tube extending from the first body end to the second body end, and a steering flap disposed on an external side of the outer tube having a first flap face facing radially inwardly and a second flap face facing radially outwardly. A biased hinge is secured to both the outer tube and the steering flap, the biased hinge being operative to retract the steering flap into a retracted position from an extending position.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of drilling a wellbore, which method, in one embodiment, includes the features of drilling the wellbore with a drill string that includes a bypass device having a fluid passage therethrough by supplying a fluid through the bypass device, wherein the drilling fluid circulates to the surface via an annulus between the drill string and the wellbore; defining a time period (locking time); initiating a selected drilling parameter; detecting downhole the selected drilling parameter and one of the second flow rate and a differential pressure; and activating the bypass device when the selected drilling parameter and one of the second flow rate and the differential pressure are present during the defined time period to divert a portion of the drilling fluid from the bypass device to the annuls. In one aspect, the selected drilling parameter is rotation of a member associated with the bypass device.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly for cutting laterally into an earthen formation from a wellbore. The downhole tool assembly includes a flexible tubing circumscribing a series of interconnectable drive segments which can rotate in at least 2 axes on each end, wherein the flexible tubing forms at least one tubular member inner passageway.

Abstract: A compact, portable, hydraulically controlled and operated drill for both soil augering and rock drilling includes a trailer type drill carrier. A mast is attached to the rear of trailer which is hydraulic controlled, lightweight and provides an adjustable drilling angle. A motor box housing unit is mounted for sliding movement on the mast with quick change capability for hydraulic drive motors specific for the soil augering drilling application requiring higher torque, lower rotation speeds for soil augering or lower torque, high rotation speed for rock coring. The motor housing carries a thrust bearing and a coupling to the drill string and is driven along a drive axis by a fully adjustable drilling penetration rate hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: An improved method of determining the weight of the contents of a container involves using a roll-off truck's own container loading system to remove a container from a number of weight measure elements. Another improved method of weighing the contents of a container involves employing support elements which enable a container that is engaged with the number of weight measurement elements to be lowered out of engagement with such weight measurement elements. An improved weighing apparatus includes a number of weight measurement elements and a number of support elements. Such an improved weighing apparatus can be retrofitted onto an existing truck to provide an improved truck on which such methods can be performed.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a wheeled load comprising: a frame having a two end; at least one wheel attached to at least one frame end; drive wheel(s) between the ends; a drive means for providing drive wheel power; a power source; a load-lifting arm means, the lifting arm means having a proximal end rotatably attached to the frame and a distal end; affixed to the distal end is a locking pickup head having a multi-socket center adapted to receive a ball, and a sliding locking gate to releasably affix the head to the ball; extending outwardly from the second end is a handle; disposed on the handle is a control means for operating the apparatus; and drive disengagement means for mechanically disengaging the powered driving mechanism so that a user can manually move the apparatus in case of battery or other mechanical failure.

Abstract: The main structural portions of the frame are standardized and are assembled without welding therebetween, thereby enabling a reduction in the number of components, a simplification of manufacturing processes, and simple attachment and detachment of various types of security components and accessory components. An extruded material or a molded material having an integrally molded structure is cut into required lengths and screwed to one another to form the main structural portions. As a result, the frame is assembled without welding the main structural portions themselves and the main frame is simultaneously made to be a structure of a single bar having no joint, which distributes a load and realizes the body without using a truss structure. Furthermore, a concave groove is formed in the integrally molded structural material, and is used to screw or insert the security components and accessory components, which simplifies attaching and detaching of the components.

Abstract: A bodywork structure for controlling or modifying the temperature of a passenger compartment of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle is provided. The bodywork structure includes at least one interior and exterior panel and one intermediate layer between the panels, each panel being based on a thermally conducting and electrically insulating material. The intermediate layer has at least one phase change material PCM and electric components coupled to it and is configured to be connected to an accumulator battery and which are able to convert the electrical energy available when the battery is being recharged into thermal energy stored by the PCM, so that the stored thermal energy is then transmitted to the interior of the vehicle when the latter is in use thanks to crystallizing of the at least one PCM, which is conversely able, by melting, to absorb an excess of heat inside the vehicle when this PCM is not recharged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self generating power assembly for a vehicle including one or more power sources for a vehicle that increases the mileage efficiency for the vehicle.

Abstract: A cooling device for a motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine in a rear region of a vehicle body and has a charge air cooler arranged below an extendable rear spoiler. The charge air cooler is arranged in an oblique plane in an air deflection duct of the vehicle body and has inflow air flowing through it. Downstream of the charge air cooler, the air deflection duct is configured as an outflow air nozzle that narrows toward the end and is arranged to achieve a horizontal discharge of the outflow air.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a front axle with a pair of front wheels (111, 112) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track, a drive rear axle with a rear wheel (121), steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel (121) when the front wheels (111, 112) are set to the narrow track and track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels (111, 112) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels (111, 112) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels (111, 112).

Abstract: A terrain traversing device includes an annular rotor element with a plurality of co-planar microspine hooks arranged on the periphery of the annular rotor element. Each microspine hook has an independently flexible suspension configuration that permits the microspine hook to initially engage an irregularity in a terrain surface at a preset initial engagement angle and subsequently engage the irregularity with a continuously varying engagement angle when the annular rotor element is rotated for urging the terrain traversing device to traverse a terrain surface.

Abstract: In an engine unit, a drive unit case includes a crank shaft disposed in a left-right direction of a vehicle, a drive shaft and a second main shaft. A transmission shaft is parallel or substantially parallel to the drive shaft and transmits rotational power, which has been transmitted via a middle gear, to a propeller shaft. A second clutch, which transmits rotational power from the crank shaft to the second main shaft, is freely detachably connected to an end of one side of the second main shaft which protrudes from a drive unit case more than the end of one side of the drive shaft, at a position that overlaps with at least one section of the middle gear on the side of the shaft direction of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission has at least three transmission gears. The at least three transmission gears are selectively engaged by at least three shifting sleeves. The shifting sleeves are actuated by two shift forks. Each shift fork is moved by a corresponding shift drum. The shift drums are disposed on a shift drum shaft. By rotating the shift drum shaft, each of the at least three transmission gears can be engaged in sequence. The two shift drums are spring biased.

Abstract: An electric power steering system has an electric motor that is housed in a motor housing having a cylindrical portion and provides a steering assist force to a steering shaft; a control unit that controls the electric motor and has an ECU housing located on an opposite side to an output shaft of the electric motor in an axial direction of the motor housing; a power conversion circuit housed in the ECU housing and having a semiconductor switch for controlling the electric motor; and a control circuit housed in the ECU housing and controlling the semiconductor switch. The electric power steering system also has a conductive member that electrically connects an output terminal of the semiconductor switch and an input terminal of the electric motor. Part of a metal board of the conductive member is contiguous to an inner surface of the motor housing or of the ECU housing.

Abstract: A rotating electrical machine control device includes a target current value calculation section, a PWM signal generation section, a voltage application section, and a control section. The target current value calculation section calculates target current values of electric currents supplied to windings of a rotating electrical machine. The PWM signal generation section generates PWM signals for the respective windings based on the target current values. The voltage application section applies voltages to the respective windings based on the PWM signals. When the control section stops driving of the rotating electrical machine, the PWM signal generation section generates the PWM signals in which a timing of a pulse change in the PWM signal of at least one phase is different from timings of pulse changes in the PWM signals of the other phases.

Abstract: An audio apparatus includes a housing including a space which is enclosed at least one pair of opposite surfaces, and an open pipe including a first open end and a second open end positioned in the space. The open pipe has a pipe length of integral multiple of a substantially half wavelength of a stationary wave which is generated in the space. The first open end of the open pipe is disposed at a position of a substantial loop of the stationary wave which is generated in the space.

Abstract: A compressor assembly having a housing with a number of sound control chambers. A method of controlling a sound level of a compressor assembly having a step of providing a plurality of sound control chambers. A method of controlling a sound level of a compressor assembly having a step of eliminating an operator's line-of-sight view to noise producing components of the compressor assembly. Sound level of a compressor can be controlled by separating the internal volume of a housing which encases at least a portion of a pump assembly to create sound control chambers and/or eliminating an operator's line-of-sight view to noise producing components of the compressor assembly.

Abstract: A muffler for a feed air system of a compressor assembly. The muffler can be a product of a blow molding process and used in a method of sound control for a compressor assembly. A method of controlling sound in a compressor assembly can have the step of providing a feed air and the step of providing the muffler an outlet in communication with an inlet of a pump assembly which can compress the feed air fed through the muffler and into the pump assembly. Sound control for a compressor assembly is also accomplished by adapting a feed air system to have sound control of a feed air path by dampening the sound emitted from a pump system through the feed air path.

Abstract: A sound insulating trim part is provided. The sound insulating trim part includes an absorbing area and an insulating area. The absorbing area includes at least a first portion of a porous fibrous layer. The insulating area includes a mass layer and a decoupling layer. The mass layer includes a second portion of the same porous fibrous layer. The second portion has a dynamic Young's modulus (Pa) of at least about (96·AW·t) with AW being an area weight (g/m2), and t being a thickness (mm) of the porous fibrous layer. The mass layer also includes at least a substantially air impervious barrier layer between the porous fibrous layer and the decoupling layer. The thickness of the first portion of the porous fibrous layer in the absorbing area is larger than the thickness of the second portion of the same porous fibrous layer in the insulating area.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure that includes cells in which septums are located to provide acoustic dampening. The cells are formed by at least four walls wherein at least two of the walls are substantially parallel to each other. The septums include warp fibers and weft fibers that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The septums are oriented in the honeycomb cells such that the weft fibers and/or warp fibers are substantially perpendicular to the parallel walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is a restraint system for a vehicle. A crewmember or occupant is interconnected to the restraint system by way of a strap. The strap has two separate and independently operable release mechanisms. The strap permits the occupant to be either manually or automatically released from the associated restraint. The restraint can be mounted within any of a variety of land, sea, air, or space based vehicles. In one non-limiting embodiment, the first release mechanism is automatically activated in response to a triggering event and the second release mechanism is manually activated by the occupant pulling on a lanyard.

Abstract: A fall prevention system includes a master rope that passes over a roof of a house having a ridge, from the vicinity of the ground on one side of the house, and is installed by being extended to the vicinity of the ground on the other side of the house; a weight that is configured of buckets, is connected to the master rope at an end portion of the master rope, and is installed on the ground; and a retractable fall arrester that connects a harness worn by a worker who works on the roof to the master rope.

Abstract: An assembly comprising (a) a belt, which includes a plurality of wire cords extending lengthwise of the belt with spaces therebetween, and includes a coating of the cords extending into the spaces between the cords, said belt being configured for use in an elevator system as a suspension belt for a car and a counterweight, or being configured for use in an elevator system as a drive belt for a car or for a counterweight, or being configured for use in an elevator system as a combined suspension and drive belt for a car and a counterweight; (b) a first connecting device including a first number of cord contacting elements providing electrical connections contacting element-to-cord; and (c) a second connecting device, including a second number of cord contacting elements providing electrical connections contacting element-to-cord, and including at least two conductive elements, each being electrically connected to a respective one of the cord contacting elements, the conductive elements being provided for makin

Abstract: A guide rail (14) for an elevator system (10) includes a base (20) connectable with a wall of a hoistway (12) of the elevator system (10) and a web section (24) connected to and extending from the base (20). A tip section (26) is located at an end of the web section (24) and is operably connectable to an elevator car (16) of the elevator system (10). The base (20), the web section (24) and the tip section (26) are formed of one or more thicknesses (28) of sheet metal material. An elevator system (10) includes an elevator car (16) located in a hoistway (12) and a guide rail (14) extending along the hoistway (12) and operably connected to the elevator car (16) for guiding the elevator car (16) along the hoistway (12). The guide rail (14) is configured such that braking forces applied to the guide rail (14) by a braking mechanism (36) successfully reduce the speed of the elevator car (16) without resulting in failure of the guide rail (14).

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical brake system. The electromechanical brake system includes an electric motor, a reduction gear to transfer power of the electric motor, a screw spindle connected to the reduction gear, the screw spindle being rotatably provided, a spindle nut coupled to the screw spindle, the spindle nut being linear-movably provided, a brake pad to move toward the disc, as the spindle nut applies pressure thereto, and a self-locking structure to limit movement of the spindle nut and thereby prevent the spindle nut from being moved in a reverse direction, when the brake pad contacts the disc.

Abstract: A sliding caliper parking brake that positively retracts of both the outer and the inner brake pads upon de-actuation of the parking brake is provided. The parking brake includes a caliper body, a mounting assembly that slidably mounts the caliper body on the suspension of the vehicle so that is movable with respect to a brake rotor, and at least one piston assembly movably mounted in a bore in the caliper body and having an end connected to an inner brake pad. An outer brake pad is fixedly connected to the caliper body and is moved into engagement with an outer side of the brake rotor when the caliper body is moved along the mounting assembly as a result of the inner brake pad extending into engagement with the inner side of the brake rotor.

Abstract: A shock absorber having an elongated pressure tube and a piston slidably mounted in the pressure tube which divides the pressure tube into a first and second working chamber. An elongated piston rod is attached to the piston and moves in unison with the piston in both an extended and a compression direction. Movement of the rod in a compression direction decreases the volume of the first working chamber and increases the volume of the second working chamber, and vice versa. A control orifice and adaptive valve are fluidly connected in series between the first working chamber and a reservoir. A check valve is fluidly connected between the control orifice and the adaptive valve which opens only upon movement of the rod in a compression direction.

Abstract: A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a ratcheting reverse strut or radial ratchet for use in the assembly are provided. The size and shape of the strut or ratchet and corresponding notches (i.e. geometry) of a notch plate of the assembly are specifically configured so that the strut or ratchet “ratchets” during the overrun condition. The strut or ratchet will not engage the notch plate until relative notch plate speed drops below a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A disconnect assembly comprises an angularly movable input member 24 arranged to be driven for movement by an actuator, an angularly moveable output member 32, and a drive member 36 connected to one of the input member 24 and the output member 32 for angular movement therewith and having a formation 40 cooperable with the other of the input member 24 and the output member 32, wherein the drive member 36 is axially movable between a drive position in which the formation 40 cooperates with the said other of the input member 24 and the output member 32 to transmit torque between the input member 24 and the output member 32, and a disconnect position in which the formation 40 does not cooperate with the said other of the input member 24 and the output member 32.

Abstract: A robot has a track assembly having tracks configured to move the robot in a first direction and a wheel assembly having wheels configured to move the robot in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A toggling assembly switches between the track assembly and the wheel assembly. The robot modules can mate with each other. The robot module has an elongated shaft with a head and a narrow neck. The shaft extends outward from the side of the robot module. A mating robot module has a clamping mechanism with opposing clamps which in an opened position receive the shaft. In a closed position, the clamps define an opening which matches and engages the cross-section of the neck of the elongated shaft. The clamping mechanism has a drive mode to drive the module, a clamping mode for docking, and neutral mode for alignment prior to clamping.

Abstract: A torque transfer device (34) for a motor vehicle includes a clutch (50) for transferring torque between first and second shafts (76, 78). An electromagnetic actuator (98, 102) includes an axially moveable armature (102) for applying an application force to the clutch (50). An actuator control system includes a position sensor (118c) operable to output a signal indicative of a position of the armature (102). The control system determines a target torque to be transferred by the clutch (50) and a target armature position based on a previously determined clutch torque vs. armature position relationship. The control system varies an electrical input to the electromagnetic actuator (98, 102) to perform closed loop control of the armature position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an uncoupling pulley comprising a rim secured to a first power-transmitting element, and a torsion spring mounted in a receptacle secured to a second power-transmitting element, one of the power-transmitting elements being a driving element and the other of the power-transmitting elements being driven, characterized in that the receptacle is a bell-housing inside which the spring is centered, which spring has a first end region (12) and a second end region (14), each of which regions bears against a bearing face (32, 34) of the bell-housing (3), in that the rim has at least one first driving stop (42) having a first face (47) collaborating with the first end region (12) of the spring (1) to drive the latter in the direction of closing up in a first direction of relative rotation of rim (4) and bell-housing (3), and in that the bell-housing (3) comprises at least one first bell-housing stop (37, 37?, 118) of which the angular position defines a first given maximum value ai for the trav

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a coin or other valuable object is authentic is presented. In one configuration a method for validating a valuable object includes attaching a validation device to the valuable object. The validation device is loaded with validation information associated with the valuable object. Later, when the when the object is to be sold or transferred to another person the validation device is wirelessly read to extract the validation information associated with the valuable object. This information used to verify if the valuable object is authentic or is not authentic, based, at least in part, the validation information associated with the valuable object.

Abstract: This invention is related to a Passengers' Transportation System and refers to a system of two mechanisms that allows the transportation of passengers without stopping to drop or incorporate them. They are: a Covered Linear Transporting Floor mechanism and a Uniformly Varied Movement Mechanism. This system includes a covered linear transporting floor that moves at a constant speed which is equivalent to the average speed of vehicles in a city. The Covered Linear Transporting Floor Mechanism connects different points on a given route while the other one with the Uniformly Varied Movement Mechanism allows passengers get on and off of the Covered Linear Transporting Floor Mechanism by themselves. The gradual change in speed is achieved by having the floor of the Uniformly Varied Movement Mechanism, made of sliding steps that slide one on top of the other, at different speed ranges, guided by a set of rails and speed variation systems that could be mechanical, electro-mechanic or electromagnetic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying device for the transport of components or component groups from and to one or more workstations, the conveying device comprising a conveying track and a component carrier truck moved on the conveying track, and there being provided in the region of the workstations, on the conveying track, positioning devices which cooperate with positioning means on the component carrier truck in such a way that a desired position of the component carrier truck in the workstation is assumed in all three space directions (X, Y, Z) directly as a result of the travel-in movement of the component carrier truck into the workstation, characterized in that, during the entire travel-in movement of the component carrier truck into the workstation, each positioning means on the component carrier truck comes into contact with only its positioning device, determining the desired position, on the conveying track.

Abstract: A High Speed Checkstand having Multiple Product Pathways includes a primary stage having a customer input conveyor belt which leads to an automated high speed scanner that can quickly scan customer products and output to a conveyor to the secondary stage having a central conveyor belt that leads to a diverter which selectively diverts the advancing products to one of two available product conveyor belts. The diverter is controlled to direct product to a specific conveyor belt corresponding to a single customer's order and includes a pair of diverter arms that cooperate to direct products advancing on the central conveyor to either the right or left product conveyor belts. These product conveyor belts each lead to a bagging station where the advancing products can be collected and placed in bags for the customer.

Abstract: An article-handling system and method of handling articles with article trays having a support surface and a plurality of generally parallel grooves in said support surface includes loading articles on trays with an article-traying subsystem and unloading articles from trays with an article-detraying subsystem. The article-traying subsystem has a tray conveyor and a loading article conveyor. The loading article conveyor has a plurality of fingers adapted to fit within the grooves of a tray traveling on the tray conveyor at the article conveyor. An article is transferred to the tray support surface with the loading article conveyor. The article-detraying subsystem has a trayed article conveyor and an unloading article conveyor. The unloading article conveyor has a plurality of fingers adapted to fit within the grooves of the tray of a trayed article traveling on the trayed article conveyor at the unloading article conveyor.

Abstract: An infeed apparatus for the manufacture of containers such as can bodies, comprises a series of 3 or more infeed turrets (22, 30). The infeed turrets (22, 30) take a can body as linear pitch and convert this pitch to a circular pitch. By use of the series of turrets, the can passes to a machine such as a container processing machine not only at a desired linear pitch but also at the specified processing speed. The exchange ratio between individual turrets (22, 30) in the infeed turret series is variable and no greater than 2:1.