Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a manipulator movably attached to an end of a robotic positioner and configured to dislodge one or more cartons from a carton pile; and a frame comprising a bumper configured to be pressed against the carton pile below one or more cartons being dislodged from the carton pile by the manipulator to stabilize the carton pile below the one or more cartons being dislodged; and a shelf configured to catch the one or more cartons dislodged from the carton pile and guide the one or more cartons dislodged from the carton pile onto the conveyor system.

Abstract: A sheet tray includes a first tray, a second tray, and a third tray. The second tray is configured to move between a stored position and an extended position, relative to the first tray. The third tray is pivotable about the pivot shaft between a first stowed position and a first extended position, relative to the second tray. One of the first tray and the third tray includes a columnar portion. The columnar portion protrudes toward the other of the first tray and the third tray in an area where, when the second tray is at the stored position and the third tray is at the first stowed position, the first tray overlaps the third tray in an orthogonal direction. The other includes a cutout shaped along a path where the columnar portion moves when the third tray moves from the first stowed position to the first extended position.

Abstract: A main object of the invention is to provide a sheet material separation-aiding apparatus that ensures that there can be a gap produced stably between a specific sheet material from a stack of sheet materials and a sheet material just below it, and that achieves size reductions, reduced energy consumptions and a decreased parts count. As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet material separation-aiding apparatus 1 comprises a rotating means 2 including an abutment portion 21 that is capable of coming in abutment on an end of the uppermost sheet material 101, a supporting means 3 that supports the rotating means 2 in a rotatable manner and is capable of moving in a vertical direction, a biasing means 4 that biases the supporting means 3 in a downward direction, and a lifting means 5 that lifts up an end 23 of the rotating means 2 in opposition to the abutment portion 21.

Abstract: A medium transporting apparatus includes an endless conveyor belt having an outer surface to which a sheet P adheres, at least two rollers, which are a first roller and a second roller, around which the conveyor belt extends. The second roller is located downstream of the first roller in a medium transporting direction. The medium transporting apparatus also includes a backing plate that supports an inner surface of the conveyor belt at a position between the first roller and the second roller. In the medium transporting apparatus, the backing plate includes a hollow-containing portion that is formed at an upstream end of the backing plate in the medium transporting direction. The hollow-containing portion has a plurality of hollows formed therein in a width direction that intersects the medium transporting direction. The plurality of hollows are formed in a support surface that supports the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking surface on which a sheet is stacked, a feed portion configured to feed the sheet in a sheet feeding direction, first and second detecting portions disposed at positions different from each other in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction and so as to overlap with the stacking surface in a view from a height direction orthogonal to the stacking surface, the first and second detecting portions being configured to detect height positions which are positions in the height direction of an uppermost sheet, and a control portion configured to stop feeding the sheet by the feed portion based on at least one detection result of the first and second detecting portions in feeding the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus, including: a containing portion removable from the sheet feeding apparatus and including a tray; a pickup roller; a support portion configured to fall the pickup roller on the sheet stacked on the tray when a far-side end of the containing portion reaches a predetermined position; a detector configured to detect the containing portion; a motor configured to drive the pickup roller; and a controller configured to control an operation of feeding the sheet by the pickup roller, wherein, during a period in which the pickup roller is driven with the detector detecting the containing portion, the controller allows the operation when an amount of a load torque applied to a rotor of the motor is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and inhibits the operation when the amount of the load torque is smaller than the predetermined value.

Abstract: An adjustable system for forming a cushioning pad of a customized size, using a flexible material, includes a handle grip, a first extended portion attached to and extending away from the handle grip, a second extended portion slidably attached to the first extended portion and extending in parallel to the first extended portion, and a locking mechanism for locking the second extended portion in a fixed position relative to the first extended portion such that a separation between a first edge of the first extended portion and a second edge of the second extended portion is adjustable to the customize size. The first and second extended portions are configured for accommodating the flexible material to be wrapped a plurality of times around the first and second extended portions to form the cushioning pad having the customized size.

Abstract: There is provided a technique of reducing the possibility of the occurrence of wrinkles in the process of bonding strip-shaped members to each other. A long strip-shaped first member is conveyed in a longitudinal direction of the first member. A width of a long strip-shaped second member in the shorter direction of the second member is larger than a width of the first member in a shorter direction of the first member. The second member is placed such that respective ends in a shorter direction of the second member are freed. The second member is bonded to the first member being conveyed, such that the shorter direction of the first member is aligned with the shorter direction of the second member and that respective ends in the shorter direction of the first member are placed between the respective ends in the shorter direction of the second member. The second member bonded to the first member is then conveyed along with the conveyed first member.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a feeding-out member movable along a shaft member extending in a first direction and rotatable in a medium conveyance direction; a conveyance member configured to convey the medium from the feeding-out member along a medium conveyance route; a load applying member that applies a load in a direction opposed to the medium conveyance direction; a guide member placed at one end portion of the medium conveyance route in the first direction, and configured to restrict movement of the medium in the first direction; and an inclination member inclined with respect to the first direction and in contact with the medium between the feeding-out member and the conveyance member in the medium conveyance route, thereby making a conveyed distance of the medium shorter at a first side near the guide member than at a second side far from the guide member.

Abstract: A hand-held handle dispenser comprising: a main frame (12) having a handle (14), an adhesive tape roll (16) provided on a rear side of the main frame for delivering an adhesive tape, an application element (18) provided on the front side of the main frame for applying the adhesive tape onto a parcel and a cutting blade (20) for cutting the adhesive tape, and further comprising an insert strip roll cartridge (26) for storing an insert strip roll (28), transport and affixing elements (26, 30) for conveying the insert strip (24) from the cartridge to the application element and affixing it against the adhesive tape to form a handle, and a holding structure (13) supporting a system (32) for cutting the insert strip.

Abstract: A tape dispenser is disclosed. The tape dispenser may include a pair of spools that are configured to carry tape and a spring disposed between the spools. The spring is preferably arranged to form a claw having two distal ends biased towards each other. The distal ends may each include a roller rotatably attached thereto. The spring may be configured to open responsive to a force on the roller resulting from a shaft coming between the rollers such that the rollers rotate to travel around the shaft to apply the tape.

Abstract: A determining method for determining whether or not the tension of an adhesive tape constituting a frame unit is proper, in which a plate-shaped workpiece and an annular frame are attached to the adhesive tape to form the frame unit, is provided. The adhesive tape is composed of a base layer and an adhesive layer formed on the base layer. The determining method includes a supporting step, a downward amount measuring step, and a determining step.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming three dimensional structures from a sheet of material of a desired medium are described. Examples described include an apparatus for folding a sheet of material to create a folded structure, the apparatus having a first and second array of creasing elements, and at least one actuator for causing relative movement of the first and second array of creasing elements from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for determining a spatial orientation of a line portion unrolled from a cable drum. The arrangement includes a fastening base and a measuring probe having a cable guide and being pivotable in relation to the fastening base about a first and second axes of rotation. The measuring probe is configured to interact with a sensor device, and the sensor device is configured to sense the first and second axes of rotation.

Abstract: Even in case a rolled body is stored in a state of being suspended without containing it in a corrugated cardboard box and the like, a leg piece that is fixed in a manner protruded out of a plate-like member can stably keep a holding device for the rolled body relative to a surface of placement in an erected posture. The holding device can prevent the rolled body from easily getting out of position due to swinging and rolling movements. The rolled body can be stored in a corrugated cardboard box while a pair of holding devices remain mounted on the rolled body. In case corrugated cardboard boxes are stored by holding them in a stacked manner, or are transported, the corrugated cardboard boxes can be made harder to get damaged. A holding device is adapted to hold in position a rolled body made up by winding a web. The holding device is attached to each of both longitudinal ends of the rolled body so as to hold a rolled body surface in a state suspended away from a surface of placement thereof.

Abstract: A suspended surface assembly is provided having a trainable surface support element, a spindle component configured for training of the trainable surface support element therearound, a take-up action module configured to drivingly rotate the spindle component to thereby effect winding of the trainable surface support element onto the spindle component or to effect unwinding of the trainable surface support element from a partially or fully wound-up condition, and a lift complex for adjusting the vertical position of the trainable surface support element and the spindle component, the lift complex including a motive power element operable to both drivingly rotate the spindle component and to drivingly raise and lower the trainable surface support element and the spindle component. A method for operating the suspended surface assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator brake device includes a brake member configured to move into a braking position to resist movement of an elevator car associated with the brake device. A plurality of actuators are associated with the brake member and selectively controllable to apply a force to cause the brake member to move into the braking position. A brake controller determines a number of the actuators to activate based on a determined load of the elevator car associated with the brake device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an elevator car collision protection system is provided. The collision protection system comprising: a first antenna configured to be worn by a person entering a hoistway; a first trio of transceivers located a first selected distance away from a first impact wall of the hoistway, the first trio of transceivers being configured to detect a first clearance between an elevator car within the hoistway and the first trio of transceivers and a second clearance between the first antenna and the first trio of transceivers; and an alarm configured to activate when a collision risk level exceeds a selected risk level, wherein the collision risk level is determined in response to the first clearance and the second clearance.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining an operating state of an elevator system include determining a current/time profile of a current supplied to the elevator system via a power supply line, identifying at least one current profile segment of the current/time profile, and deriving a current profile pattern of the identified current profile segment. The operating state of the elevator system is determined based on comparing the current profile pattern to at least one reference pattern. The method and the device may also be easily used by personnel without electrical training and may be used in elevator systems that are not known in detail.

Abstract: An elevator system drive unit moves an elevator car in an elevator shaft to at least two shaft access doors under control of a control unit. The car does not move or moves only to a limited extent if an individual is in the shaft. A monitoring unit and sensor (switching contact) detect changes in state in at least one of the doors using a sequence of pulses monitoring signal. The monitoring unit has a battery and can be switched to an autonomous mode when the elevator system is entirely or partially disabled. The monitoring unit, in the autonomous mode, records state data from the sensor and is connected to a safeguard unit that reads and evaluates the recorded state data, and prevents the elevator system from being put into the normal mode of operation if a change in the state of one of the monitored doors has been detected.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system (10) includes identifying one or more components (46, 48, 50, 52) in an elevator hoistway (14) requiring periodic maintenance and/or inspection and programming hoistway component locations of the one or more components into an elevator car control system. The elevator car (12) is driven to a programmed hoistway component location of a selected component of the one or more components utilizing the hoistway component location programmed into the elevator car control system. The selected component is accessed from inside the elevator car (12) to perform maintenance and/or inspection of the selected component.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of operating an elevator system having at least one lane is provided. The method comprising: detecting a failure in the elevator system; detecting a location of the failure within the elevator system; determining a traffic pattern of the elevator car in response to the location of the failure, the traffic pattern operable to direct the elevator car to avoid the location of the failure; and moving the elevator car in accordance with the traffic pattern selected.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system including: controlling, using a controller, a plurality of components of the elevator system, controlling includes operating at least one of an internal power source, an elevator car, a drive unit, a power conversion device, and a brake; detecting when an external power source is unavailable; deactivating the power conversion device when external power source is unavailable; determining at least one of a motoring mode and a near balance mode; connecting to an internal power source when at least one of the motoring mode and the near balance mode is determined; activating the power conversion device when at least one of the motoring mode and the near balance mode is determined; and increasing, using the internal power source, voltage of the drive unit, the internal power source is configured to provide an uninterrupted power to drive unit when the external power source is unavailable.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway, the hoistway having a plurality of landing floors each landing floor having a landing floor door. One or more guide rails are located in the hoistway to guide one or more elevator system components along the hoistway. An absorber is located at a hoistway pit and is supportive of a guide rail of the one or more guide rails. The absorber is configured to absorb loads imparted to the guide rail due to vertical translation and/or compression of the hoistway. A method of supporting a guide rail of an elevator system includes locating an absorber in an elevator hoistway in operable communication with a guide rail of an elevator system. Vertically-acting loads are transmitted from the guide rail to the absorber via the absorber piston thereby increasing a fluid pressure in the housing chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining a deterioration state in a suspension member arrangement having a suspension member including a plurality of electrically conductive cords includes the steps of: counting a number of bending cycles applied to the suspension member; measuring an electrical characteristic of the suspension member upon applying an electrical voltage to at least one of the cords; performing at least one of (a) determining a critical deterioration state upon monitoring both the bending cycles number and the electrical characteristic, and (b) determining an unexpected deterioration state based on deriving a current actual deterioration state of the suspension member based on the electrical characteristic and assuming a currently expected deterioration state based on the bending cycles number and comparing the current actual deterioration state with the currently expected deterioration state; initiating a defined procedure upon determining at least one of the critical deterioration state and the unexpected d

Abstract: Methods and devices detect a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in an elevator suspension member arrangement having several suspension members, such as belts, including electrically conductive cords incorporated into an elastomer material. Deterioration is determined by applying alternating electric voltages to the cords included in legs of a circuitry. Phase shifts between the alternating voltages, for example by determining sum voltages and/or differential voltages, provide valuable information about a condition of the belt. A fixation arrangement of the suspension member arrangement is adapted to enable or simplify the proposed measurements. Furthermore, counting a number of performed bending cycles provides further information to be taken into account for determining the current deterioration state of the belts.

Abstract: A method and system for managing an elevator system (10), includes providing at least one elevator car (14) to travel in a hoistway (11), and selectively introducing and removing the at least one elevator car (14) to and from the hoistway (11) via an intermediate transfer station (50) disposed at an intermediate floor location, wherein the intermediate transfer station (50) includes a service lift (54).

Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car constructed and arranged to travel in a hoistway. A linear propulsion system of the elevator system is configured to impart a force upon the elevator car to control movement of the car. The linear propulsion system includes a secondary portion mounted to the elevator car and having a plurality of magnets. A first primary portion of the linear propulsion system includes a mounting assembly, a plurality of coils engaged to the mounting assembly, and a first cooling device including at least one conduit projecting outward from the mounting assembly and into the hoistway for transferring heat.

Abstract: A mounting device for performing an assembly process in an elevator shaft of an elevator system includes a support component and a mechatronic assembly component. The support component moves within the elevator shaft. The assembly component is retained on the support component and carries out a mounting step in an at least partially automatic manner during the assembly process. The support component includes a fastening part that secures the support component and/or the assembly component in a direction extending transversely to the vertical, i.e. for example in a horizontal or lateral direction, within the elevator shaft.

Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway comprises two access areas. The escalator or the moving walkway comprises components generating thermal losses that are arranged in at least one of the access areas in a component room. The escalator or the moving walkway comprises at least one walkable access module, which is arranged adjacent to the component compartment. The access module comprises a cavity, wherein at least one opening exists between the component compartment and the cavity, through which the thermal energy of the components generating thermal losses can be transferred from the component compartment to the cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning robots using a gantry. A base platform is provided, and a work platform is positioned above the base platform for supporting one or more humans. One or more robots are supported on the base platform independently of the work platform. At least one gantry is positioned above the base platform and adjacent the work platform for supporting and positioning the robots along the work platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a flexible elongate tension member onto a spool comprises a pivot located in front of the spool extending along a vertical axis and a head extending between proximate and distal ends wherein the proximate end is rotatably supported by the pivot along the vertical axis. The apparatus further includes a fairlead located in the distal end of the head, the fairlead defining an opening for passing the flexible elongate tension member therethrough, the opening extending along a plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the vertical axis.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a permanent magnet (PM) motor driven hoist with a motor based electromagnetic brake. The hoist includes a direct current (DC) power source, a PM motor having stator coils and a PM rotor operably coupled to a cable drum with a cable wrapped thereon. The hoist also includes a controller operably connected to the direct current power source and the PM motor, wherein the controller is configured to control the PM motor employing a method to brake the PM motor. The method includes generating control signals in the controller based on a position of the PM motor, applying a braking command signal to the PM motor to magnetically lock the PM rotor of the PM motor for a selected duration, removing the braking command signals for a second selected duration, and repeating the generating, applying, and removing until the PM motor has stopped.

Abstract: A cable-cutting unit for a cable winch has at least one cable-cutting device for cutting a cable running through the cable-cutting unit, and also comprises a slide as well as a housing with a cable channel for guiding the cable running through the cable-cutting unit, wherein the cable-cutting device is, or can be, arranged on the slide and the slide is, or can be, arranged on the housing such that it can be displaced, transversely to the cable channel, between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A cable winch having a receiving unit for accommodating a cable drum that includes a cable wound about an axis of the cable drum. The receiving unit includes a quick mounting mechanism for attaching the cable drum in a manually detachable manner to the cable winch.

Abstract: A parallel lift turret mount for a vehicle. A lift plate and lift mechanism vertically adjust the turret and pivot arm, which can support and guide rotation of, for example, a throw conveyor. The parallel lift turret mount can be used for processing, moving and slinging aggregate and can be coupled with a hopper or vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mould drum for moulding products from a mass of food starting material. The mould drum comprises one or more cavities with a mould cavity wall having at least partially a porous structure, whereas each cavity is connected to a passage. The present invention further relates to a cleaning apparatus for the inventive mould drum with supporting means for supporting the axis of the drum. Additionally, the present invention relates to a process for cleaning the inventive drum.

Abstract: A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a ladder assembly having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the chassis, and a basket pivotably coupled to a distal end of the ladder assembly. The basket includes a floor panel coupled to a top surface of a subfloor assembly. The subfloor assembly includes a front member and a rear member each extending in a first direction, an inner member extending from the front member to the rear member, an outer member having a first end portion coupled to the rear member, and an angled member extending from a second end portion of the outer member to the front member. The front member and the rear member are offset a distance from one another in a second direction. The outer member is shorter than the distance such that the angled member extends at an angle relative to the front member.

Abstract: Cleaning a sealing element includes pausing a rotor that bears the sealing elements at an angle from a set of discrete angles such that a sealing element is brought to a cleaning station. The station's coupling piece connects to the sealing element and allows cleaning medium to flow into it.

Abstract: An automatic bottle opener includes a motorized auger with automatic sensing for starting and stopping rotation of the auger. In some embodiments, the automatic bottle opener may sense engagement of the bottle opener with a bottle to activate rotation of the motorized auger for engaging and removing the cork and may sense an extracted position of the cork to stop rotation of the motorized auger. Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of the automatic bottle opener may sense a change in position (e.g., a tilted position) of the bottle opener to activate reverse rotation of the motorized auger for ejecting the extracted cork.

Abstract: There is provided a filling-and-sealing device and a filling-and-sealing method capable of reducing an amount of use of a replacement gas used for replacing air in a container. The filling-and-sealing device includes a filling machine that fills a container with a content fluid; a sealing machine that seals the container transferred from the filling machine with a lid; a chamber that covers the filling machine and the sealing machine; a gassing system that replaces, in the chamber, a gas in the container with a carbon dioxide gas by introducing the carbon dioxide gas as a second replacement gas supplied from a tank; and a pre-gassing system that replaces the gas in the container with a first replacement gas that remains in the chamber containing the carbon dioxide gas before processing by the gassing system.

Abstract: An example spray nozzle distribution pattern testing system may include coaxial collection tubes extending substantially parallel to a major axis, where each coaxial collection tube includes a first end defining an orifice, where the first end is disposed at a first position on a plane substantially orthogonal to the major axis, a second end coupled to an end of a respective outlet tube o, and a collection tube wall extending from the first end to the second end, where the collection tube wall at the first end includes a first diameter, where the collection tube wall at a second position between the first end and the second end includes a second diameter greater than the first diameter, where the collection tube wall extending from the second position to the first position tapers toward the major axis at a first angle.

Abstract: A fluid heating system including a heating chamber that receives fluid and heats the fluid to provide heated fluid, a dispensing device that dispenses the heated fluid, the dispensing device encompassing the heating chamber, a thermostatic control device that regulates a power supply to the heating chamber, an energy recovery device that harvests mechanical energy provided by a flow of the heated fluid from the heating chamber to the dispensing device and generates electrical energy to power the thermostatic control device, a pressure regulating valve, wherein in a closed position, passage for the heated fluid is prevented between the heating chamber and the drain when a pressure in the heating chamber is below a predetermined pressure threshold and passage for the heated fluid is provided between the heating chamber and the drain when the pressure in the heating chamber is above the predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A method of dispensing fluids with variable carbonation. The method includes receiving a selection of a carbonation level of a beverage and determining a valve timing scheme to achieve the selected carbonation level.

Abstract: A dispensing system may be provided. The dispensing system may comprise a control architecture internal to the dispensing system. The dispensing system may further comprise an internal portion internal to the dispensing system. The internal portion may be configured to provide an internal ingredient under the control of the control architecture. An external portion may be external to the dispensing system. The external portion may be configured to provide an external ingredient to the dispensing system. The external portion may be under the control of the control architecture.

Abstract: An expanded flow rate receiver valve assembly attaches to a first fluid container and is in fluid communication with the first fluid container. The expanded flow rate receiver valve assembly includes a coupling section that selectively receives a closure valve attached to a second fluid container that selectively releases and restricts fluid contained in the second fluid container. The expanded flow rate receiver valve assembly also includes a valve chamber in fluid communication with the coupling section and located adjacent a coupling section opening. The valve chamber is in fluid communication with the first fluid container.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a movable portion provided on the substrate, a junction frame provided on the substrate to surround the movable portion, a cap bonded to the junction frame, the cap having a recessed portion and covering a space over the movable portion with the recessed portion facing the movable portion, the cap having an inside wall provided with irregularities, and a prevention film formed on the inside wall of the cap, the prevention film having irregularities on a surface thereof.

Abstract: What is described is a MEMS device comprising a piezoelectric actuator, which includes a film of piezoelectric material. The film is penetrated by a plurality of holes.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a plurality of ribbon elements, a securing portion, and a plurality of connecting portions. The securing portion supports the plurality of ribbon elements. The plurality of connecting portions are disposed on ends of each of the plurality of ribbon elements and connect each of the plurality of ribbon elements to the securing portion. An angle formed by a longitudinal extending line of each of the plurality of ribbon elements and each of the plurality of connecting portions is greater than 0° in a planar direction of each of the plurality of ribbon elements.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) transducer including an enclosure defining an interior space and having an acoustic port formed through at least one side of the enclosure. The transducer further including a compliant member positioned within the interior space and acoustically coupled to the acoustic port, the compliant member being configured to vibrate in response to an acoustic input. A back plate is further positioned within the interior space, the back plate being positioned along one side of the compliant member in a fixed position. A filter is positioned between the compliant member and the acoustic port, and the filter includes a plurality of axially oriented pathways and a plurality of laterally oriented pathways which are acoustically interconnected and dimensioned to prevent passage of a particle from the acoustic port to the compliant member.