Abstract: A planter packaging arrangement is disclosed that comprises a packaging element and at least one planter mounter therein. The packaging element includes a bottom surface, a top surface and two pairs of opposing side walls collectively defining a generally enclosed space. A first opening is defined through the top surface and aligned with a second opening defined through the bottom surface of the packaging element. The at least one planter is mounted within the packaging element, with an open top end disposed within the enclosed space of the packaging element. The second opening is aligned with the open top end such that an interior of the planter is accessible through the second opening of the bottom surface of the packaging element. A portion of the body portion extends through the first opening of the top surface of the packaging element such that the bottom surface is disposed above the top surface.

Abstract: A progressive shipping stand includes a stage one assembly, and a stage two assembly. The stage one assembly and the stage two assembly together define a first profile, and the stage two assembly alone defines a second profile, smaller than the first profile. The stage two assembly may be attachable directly to a load. The stage two assembly is operable independently in a discrete support configuration and is selectively cooperable with the stage one assembly in a full support configuration. The shipping support allows for large machinery such as a turbine or the like to meet at least one shipping criteria that would not otherwise be feasible using a standard shipping support.

Abstract: A discharging element for discharging substances into a liquid is disclosed, wherein the discharging element is in the form of a capsule, wherein the capsule casing (1-3) encloses a fillable volume for substances to be discharged, the capsule casing is made of a liquid-tight material and has at least one first opening (7) and at least one second opening (8) which are arranged in such a way that, when liquid flows around the capsule, a greater flow velocity is present at a first opening (7) than at a second opening (8), wherein the first and second opening are connected to one another via the fillable volume, and wherein either the first opening (7) and the second opening (8) are located on one outer surface, or wherein the surface normal of the capsule casing (1-3) at the location of the first opening (7) encloses an angle with the surface normal of the capsule casing at the location of the second opening (8).

Abstract: A tea bag is configured to be inserted within a water bottle. The tea bag includes a long, thin tea containment bag configured to be inserted within the water bottle and be removed from the water bottle after steeping without compressing with an opening of the water bottle tea leaves within the tea containment bag as the bag is removed from the bottle. The tea bag additionally includes a tea bag line useful to suspend the tea containment bag within the water bottle.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for releasably securing a plurality of standard-sized containers together, the arrangement comprising at least two planar securing elements comprising an aperture and at least two extension elements emerging from a surface of the planar securing element, each extension element configured to be attachable to at least one container; a first elongated securing element extending across at least two adjacent containers; wherein a first planar securing element is configured to attach to a first container using at least one extension element of the first planar securing element, and a second planar securing element is configured to attach to a second container using at least one extension element of the second planar securing element, and the elongated securing element extending through apertures of the first and the second planar securing element and tightenably engaged to the first and the second planar securing element.

Abstract: A system for assisting in preventing the leakage of liquid from an outdoor work-site and allowing vehicle ingress onto and egress off of the work-site includes a plurality of berm members configured to be positioned at least partially around the perimeter of a support surface and extend upwardly relative thereto. At least one berm member includes a ramp portion having upwardly angled faces disposed at least partially along the front and rear edges of the berm member to allow vehicles to move up, over and down the ramp portion when entering and leaving the support surface.

Abstract: An intermediate container for a refuse vehicle where the container is positioned in front of the refuse vehicle is provided. A plurality of legs extends from the container toward the refuse vehicle. An attachment mechanism is on each leg to secure the legs to a front loading arm assembly of the refuse vehicle.

Abstract: An attachment system for a vehicle includes a lateral member and a coupler. The coupler includes a first support coupled to the lateral member, a second support spaced from the first support, a resilient member disposed between the first support and the second support, and an adjuster configured to facilitate selectively reorienting the second support relative to the first support between a first position and a second position. The second support is configured to engage an interface of an attachment when selectively reoriented into the first position and disengage the interface of the attachment when selectively reoriented into the second position.

Abstract: A grabber assembly has a beam assembly with a bracket. A grabber gear assembly is coupled with the bracket. The grabber gear assembly has a pair of gear mechanisms coupled with the bracket. Each gear mechanism has a shaft and a pair of thrust bearings, one at each end of the shaft. A grabber arm mounting pad is coupled with each shaft. A gear section is coupled with each shaft. The gear sections of each shaft mesh with one another to drive the grabber arm mounting pads. An actuating driver is coupled with one of the shafts to drive the grabber gear assembly and move the arms between an open and grasping position.

Abstract: An automated warehousing system for use in a warehouse having a storage racks includes drawers partitioned into multiple compartments to contain different parcels, the drawers being at designated locations of individual cells in the storage racks and adapted to be opened and closed. The system also has a plurality of drones configured to identify a designated one of the drawers at a designated location and a designated one compartment of the designated one drawer. The drones have gripper heads translatable relative to opened drawers to retrieve parcels therefrom. The system further has a communication subsystem communicating with the drones to control their flying and also to control their gripper heads relative to opened drawers and communicating with individual cells for opening and closing drawers as drones approach and depart the selected individual cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.

Abstract: A belt transporting device includes a belt; first and second adjustment members provided at two respective ends of a tension roller in a belt width direction orthogonal to a direction of rotation of the belt, the first and second adjustment members each being movable by receiving a force from the belt; and a link member that interlocks the movement of the first adjustment member and the movement of the second adjustment member. If the belt is laterally shifted in the belt width direction, one of the first and second adjustment members moves by receiving a force from the belt while the other is moved by the link member such that the tension roller is tilted with respect to a driving roller.

Abstract: An adjustable auger assembly for a trencher including an auger housing and a position attachment assembly. The auger housing having a central auger tube having a first end and a discharge end opposite the first end. An auger shaft is positioned within the auger tube and is rotatable relative to the central auger tube. At least one material inlet is positioned one of at the first end and between the first end and the discharge end. The position attachment assembly has a first component member coupled to the trencher, and a second component member coupled to the auger housing. The first component member is movably positionable relative to the second component member, to, in turn, adjust the position of the auger housing relative to the trencher.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying stickers to lumber stack.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus, for processing semiconductor components, includes support surfaces and flexible couplings. The support surfaces are parallel to a first direction and spaced apart from each other in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. Moreover, the support surfaces are translationally movable relative to each other in the second direction to increase a pitch between adjacent support surfaces from a first pitch to a second pitch. Each of the flexible couplings is between and fixed to respective adjacent ones of the support surfaces. The flexible couplings flex as the support surfaces translationally move relative to each other in the second direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sorting device for elements of the cap or stopper type, used to close a bottle or vial, or of the plastic preform type. The device includes a continuous conveyor arranged to travel in a conveying direction and equipped with successive transverse stop members between which the elements can rest in transverse alignment. The sorting device includes an ejector for ejecting the elements from the conveyor by moving the elements essentially along the length of the transverse stop members, the ejector include at least one push member which can move at least transversely to the conveying direction so as to push the elements towards the exit zone. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: A conveyor system with a diverting conveyor belt crossing and intersecting a main conveyor line. The diverting conveyor belt has rollers on its outer side that rotate freely in the main conveying direction of the line. The downstream edge of the diverting conveyor is selectably tilted between a lowered, untilted position level with the main conveyor line and a raised, tilted position above the level of the main conveyor line. When the diverting belt is untilted and stopped, an article passes over the belt's rollers without being diverted. When the diverting belt is tilted and running, it diverts articles off the side of the conveyor line. In another version the rollers include an electrically conductive or magnetic material. A linear-motor stator under the diverting belt selectively actuates the conductive or magnetic rollers to draw undiverted articles across the belt.

Abstract: An adjustable container handling device for handling containers, such as beverage bottles. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A device for feeding items to a sorting machine, including: a conveyor plane (26) for feeding items or parcels along an advancement direction (A1); an optical detection device (18), to allow the acquisition, while the items are in motion on the conveyor plane (26) of the three-dimensional coordinates of a determined number of points on the surface of the items and to organize them into coordinate vectors; a manipulator (19) provided to pick the items from the conveyor plane (26) and to place the items picked in a desired position; a control system, provided to process, for each item in motion on the conveyor plane (26), the coordinate vectors in order to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the item, including the information based on which the control system handles the manipulator for picking and placing the items. The invention also relates to a sorting machine and a method for feeding items to a sorting machine aimed at increasing production capacity and accuracy thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for moving objects (11), in particular food products, comprising a plurality of individually movable transport movers (12) for transporting the objects, a track system for the transport movers, in which the transport movers can be moved along at least one specified track (10), and a control apparatus for controlling the motions of the transport movers in the track system, wherein the track comprises a stator (14) and an associated guide (16) for the transport movers, and wherein the track can be converted from an operating configuration into a maintenance configuration at least in some segments, in which maintenance configuration at least one component of the track can be moved out of the working position thereof corresponding to a transport operation in relation to the stator.

Abstract: Some manufacturing processes include forming stacks of manufactured objects for handling and/or processing. While some such manufactured objects are consistent in thickness, other are more irregular. Some manufactured objects are generally flat, but are also generally thicker along one edge. When objects having these characteristics are stacked, the cumulative effect of such inconsistent thickness results in an unbalanced stack. The disclosed apparatus and method utilize a novel rotating stacker that rotates the stack of manufactured objects as each new object is added to the stack, thereby distributing the thickness inconsistency of individual objects throughout the stack, producing a more uniform stack without manual intervention.

Abstract: A transportation system for stacking/carrying of containers including a panel, which has a stacking unit positioned on the panel and including a first body in which the containers are stacked; a transport element for transferring the container onto the panel by means of a first displacing member and including a base on which the container is placed; a second displacing member for transferring the container positioned on the base into the first body; a gripping arm that holds the transferred container; a third displacing member that moves the gripping arm; and a locking arm which has a flexible member that holds the container; a transport unit positioned on the panel; a displacing mechanism; a transport arm which is associated with the movable plate and which lifts the containers; and a support shaft having a fixing arm.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a body portion having a supporting portion configured to support a sheet, a pivoting portion arranged upstream in a sheet feeding direction of the supporting portion and supported pivotably between a first position and a second position with respect to the body portion, the pivoting portion being configured to support the sheet together with the supporting portion at the first position, a slide portion supported slidably on the pivoting portion, a first regulating portion configured to regulate the slide portion from moving downstream in the sheet feeding direction, a second regulating portion configured to regulate a position of the sheet supported on the supporting portion, and a guide portion formed across the supporting portion and the slide portion, and configured to guide the second regulating portion between the supporting portion and the slide portion along the sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device, which is included in an image forming apparatus and includes a device attachment body, includes a sheet container configured to accommodate a sheet, a support configured to support a lower face of the sheet in the sheet container, a sheet width regulator configured to regulate a position of the sheet in a sheet width direction, a conveying force applier configured to apply a sheet conveying force in a sheet conveying direction to the sheet in the sheet container, and a sheet guide disposed above the sheet in the sheet container and configured to regulate movement of the sheet in an upper direction.

Abstract: A portioning system for portioning stackable flat carton elements in a stack (101) for further processing. A feeder device (105) includes a lifting platform (106) and a pushing platform (107), wherein the feeder device (105) is movable along a linear path (108) for pushing the stack (101) to a delivery position. The feeder device (105) is further movable along a lifting direction (110) having at least a component parallel to the gravity direction. The feeder device (105) is configured such that the lifting platform (106) is movable partially below the flat elements defining the stack (101) such that an edge portion (111) of the stack (101) is arranged on the lifting platform (106) for being liftable by the lifting platform (106). The feeder device (105) is further configured such that the stack (101) is pushable by the pushing platform (107) along the linear path (108) until the stack (101) is arranged at the delivery position.

Abstract: A feeder system for feeding a stack (101) of stackable flat, carton elements to a processing device: A delivery ramp (103) includes a receiving surface (104) on which an edge portion (111) and a center portion (116) of the stack (101) is arrangeable. A transport device (125) includes a supporting platform on which at least a further edge portion (115) of the stack (101) is supportable, wherein the supporting platform is arranged adjacent to the receiving surface (104) such that the further edge portion (115) of the stack (101) may be received. A downholder element (117), adjusts a size of a gap (705) between the downholder element and a supporting platform, such that the further edge portion (115) of the stack (101) is clampable between them.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a binding unit including a first portion and a second portion and configured to nip a sheet bundle between the first portion and the second portion to deform the sheet bundle in a thickness direction to bind the sheet bundle, and a detachment unit configured to push the bound sheet bundle toward the second portion to detach the bound sheet bundle from the first portion.

Abstract: A trimmer head assembly for a trimming machine. The trimmer head assembly includes a spool. The spool has a central tubular hub. The spool also has a central flange that radially extends from the hub. A trim line conduit is joined to the central flange. The trim line conduit has a first open end. The first open end leads to a first straight section. The first straight section leads to a curved central section. The curved central section leads to a second straight section. The second straight section leads to a second open end. The curved central section passes around the center of the spool. A housing is provided that receives the spool therein. When loading trimmer line into the trimmer head assembly, the shape of the conduit enables the trimmer line to pass around the central opening in the spool without binding.

Abstract: Glass web including a first glass-web portion (30), a second portion (40), and a splice joint (50) coupling the first glass-web portion to the second portion, wherein the slice joint includes a splice member (60) with at least one gas-permeable attachment portion. In further examples, methods of splicing a first glass-web portion to a second portion include the step of splicing the first glass-web portion to the second portion with a splice member, wherein the step of splicing includes attaching a gas-permeable attachment portion of the splice member to the first glass-web portion.

Abstract: A method for determining a stator current vector for starting a synchronous machine of a drive of a passenger transportation apparatus having a rotor and a stator with a stator winding may involve imposing different stator current vectors with different stator current vector directions on the stator winding over the course of a plurality of current application operations, determining from the different stator current vectors a minimum stator current vector with a minimum stator current vector direction at which a minimum driving torque acting on the rotor is generated in the synchronous machine, determining a starting stator current vector with a starting stator current vector direction from the minimum stator current vector, and imposing the starting stator current vector on the stator winding for starting the synchronous machine.

Abstract: A method for controlling car separation in a multi-car elevator system, the method including: initiating, by a controller, a change in a profile of a target elevator car; determining that N elevators cars are affected by the change in the profile of the target elevator car, wherein elevator car N is an elevator car farthest from the target elevator car; calculating for each of the N elevator cars an updated profile; for each of the N elevator cars, beginning with the Nth elevator car and ending with the target elevator car, performing: determining if the updated profile for the elevator car will provide separation between the elevator car and a neighboring elevator car; and when the updated profile for the elevator car will provide separation between the elevator car and the neighboring elevator car, executing an elevator car profile update process for the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator system (34) comprises a plurality of elevators (1) each of the elevators (1) comprising: a diagnostic unit (17) which is configured for running at least one diagnostic routine checking components of the elevator (1) and providing elevator operation and diagnosis data; a communication unit (30), which is configured for transmitting the elevator operation and diagnosis data provided by the diagnostic unit (17) to a remote diagnostic system (40); and for receiving control commands from said remote diagnostic system (40); and a control unit (14), which is configured for executing the control commands received by the communication unit (30).

Abstract: A method and a system for determining the position of an elevator car of an elevator system, which car is arranged for travel in an elevator hoistway, includes equipping the elevator car with an acceleration sensor that registers acceleration data in a computing unit, calculation by the computing unit of the current position and/or of the velocity of the elevator car, and equipping the elevator system with an image-recording unit, which unit records recorded images of the elevator hoistway. The computing unit compares the recorded images with current mapping images of the elevator hoistway to determine an image-based current position of the elevator car. Finally, the computing unit undertakes a recalibration of the current position using the image-based current position.

Abstract: A position-determination system for an elevator uses a camera arranged on an elevator car, which camera has a sensor with a defined number of light-sensitive pixels for generating image data of a surface structure of hoistway material arranged along a travel path of the elevator car. An analysis unit, based on the image data, determines a position and/or velocity of the elevator car. The position-determination system recognizes a reference pattern with a specified dimension which lies in a capturing range of the camera, wherein, based on the reference pattern, the analysis unit performs a scaling of the image data.

Abstract: A brake, which includes a frame part of the brake, an armature part movably supported on the frame part, and attached to the frame part a limit switch, the switching state of which changes when movement is exerted on the limit switch in the operating direction of the limit switch. The brake also includes a measuring pin that is movably supported on the frame part of the brake and that is separate from the armature part, which measuring pin is connected to the limit switch.

Abstract: A system and/or method that establishes a proximity environment with respect to an elevator and detecting a position of a user device within the proximity environment is provided. Further the system and method determines a source floor and a destination floor respective to the user device and generating an elevator call to the elevator in accordance with the source floor and the destination floor.

Abstract: Brake release sensors for an elevator can be replaced by an arrangement wherein the brake release is determined from the force caused by the brake. This is achieved by providing measuring device for measuring the weight of an elevator car between the brake and the motor body so that the weight of the elevator car is measured only when the brake is on.

Abstract: A method for operating a safety system having a control unit, a bus, a plurality of bus nodes connected to the control unit via the bus and a plurality of participants connected to the control unit via the bus nodes, wherein at least one participant is designed as a temporary participant. The method involves the steps that the temporary participant is notified in the safety system by the temporary participant being connected at a bus node to the safety system via the bus, the temporary participants is recognized by the control unit, the temporary participant is integrated into the safety system by the control unit and the temporary participant is activated at least once. A further aspect of the invention relates to a safety system for an elevator system for carrying out the method and to an elevator system having the safety system.

Abstract: An elevator brake, having a rotatable component mounted to a shaft, is monitored for contamination by projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the rotatable component or onto the shaft, and receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation. If the monitored zone on the rotatable component or the shaft becomes contaminated, for example with oil or grease, the nature of the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the zone will change noticeably.

Abstract: An elevator system (10) is comprised of a car (22), and a shaft (46) operatively connected to the car and configured to rotate for movement of the car through the elevator system. A brake assembly (44) is comprised of a disk (56) connected to and configured to rotate along with the shaft. Movable plates (60, 62) are placed on respective opposite sides of the disk and configured to move axially toward and away from the disk. Electromagnets are configured to respectively move the movable plates away from the disk. Elastic elements (64, 66) are configured to respectively move the movable plates toward the disk. The disk is free to move axially, and is designed to stop the movement of the car by stopping the rotation of the shaft when the rotation of the disk is stopped by friction from contact of the movable plates with the disk when the elastic elements move the movable plates toward the disk.

Abstract: An elevator system consisting in a platform steel floor fixed to four bogeys guiding the descent or ascension of the platform onto the two steel H beam or steel linear motion track profiles. The elevator is operated by a remote or pad control transmitting signals with a wire or with a wireless frequency signals to a motorised mechanical engine or electric winch at the ground level of structure, if not being manually operated and controlled. The motorised mechanical engine or electric winch unrolls one or a set of normal operation cables to allow the descent of the elevator platform and the sliding o f t he bogeys along the lateral guiding tracks. The motorised mechanical engine or electric winch rolls the set of normal operation cables to allow the ascension of the elevator platform and the sliding of the bogeys along the lateral guiding tracks. The set of operating cables drives a fixed pulley on a driving steel shaft at the top of the structure or elsewhere on the elevator system.

Abstract: A roller guide for an elevator car includes at least one roller rotatably mounted on an axis. The roller guide further includes a support element for supporting the axis, and at least one braking element for the roller for damping vertical oscillations of the elevator car. The brake element is a magneto-rheological fluid.

Abstract: This invention is concerning a car suspending pulley device including a pair of beams provided parallel to each other on a lower portion of a car and a car suspending pulley arranged between the pair of beams and supported by the pair of beams. A weight suspending pulley is provided on a counterweight. The car and the counterweight are suspended from a main rope wrapped around the car suspending pulley and the weight suspending pulley. A compensating member is suspended between the beams and the counterweight. The compensating member includes a funicular body having a first end portion connected to only one of the pair of beams and a second end portion connected to the counterweight. The first end portion of the funicular body is located in a region of the one beam when viewed in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A modular elevator sheave comprises a mandrel body, wherein multiple sheave units are arranged side by side along the mandrel body, and wherein, the outer wall of the outer circumference of the sheave unit is provided with a groove. In this structural composition, the mandrel body with multiple sheave units, which increases the overall strength and rigidity of the sheave. Furthermore, the number of sheave unit used can be increase and decrease depending on the need or situation, and it should be noted that since the sheave unit can be replaced individually when damaged, it is easier to maintain and reduce repairing costs.

Abstract: A connecting device for supporting an apparatus configured to couple to a pipeline and having a coupling mechanism, which has a first portion configured to couple integrally to the apparatus, and a second portion, configured to be connected to a hoisting device, and selectively releasable from the first portion in a designated or given direction as a function of the relative position of, and the force exchanged between, the apparatus and the hoisting device.

Abstract: A main girder of a crane for a crane trolley moving in a horizontal direction along the girder includes a cellular structure in a longitudinal direction thereof that has at least two separate, yet interconnected, longitudinal cellular elements, each cellular element including an outer cover structure and at least one outer cover structure having an inside filled with a core.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for supplying power to multiple engine pumps (4, 5), provided in the superstructure (3) of a mobile crane for superstructure functions, by way of a drive motor (2) arranged in the undercarriage (1) of the mobile crane, comprising a hydraulic motor (7) which is arranged in the superstructure (3) and hydraulically driven by the drive motor (2) and which comprises a first mechanical output which couples at least one first engine pump (4) to the hydraulic motor (7) and a second mechanical output which couples at least one second engine pump (5) to the hydraulic motor (7). The invention also relates to a mobile crane comprising this drive device.

Abstract: A boom section for the boom of a telescopic crane has a lower shell and an upper shell. The lower shell and the upper shell are welded to one another, and the weld seam extends between the lower shell and the upper shell angled in at least one region to at least one section edge of the boom section.

Abstract: A modular hoist drum is disclosed for use with a power shovel. The modular hoist drum may have a first outer body, a second outer body, and an anchor body that are hollow and generally cylindrical. The anchor body is connected between the first outer body and the second outer body. The anchor body may include an internal anchor configured to receive a ferrule.

Abstract: A jack stand includes a base having a jacking surface which receives a jack thereon, in which the jack has a main body and a lifting head which can be jacked up. Two support columns extend perpendicularly upward from the base parallel to and spaced apart from one another by a fixed lateral spacing to receive the jack therebetween. A jack body is slidably supported along the two columns and includes a jacking surface on a bottom side thereof so as to be arranged to operatively receive the jack between the two jacking surfaces of the jack body and the base respectively such that operation of the jack displaces the jack body relative to the base. A jack post, upon which an object to be jacked is supported, is slidably supported on the jack body to be adjustable in height independently of a height of the jack body.