Abstract: The invention relates to a fillable twist cap closure for receiving and film-sealing a liquid or pourable filling in the interior of the closure and for emptying out the filling purely by rotating the twist cap (1). The closure consist of a receiving part (3) which is screwed onto the threaded connection of a container and which comprises a cylinder (7) that is open at the bottom, said cylinder (7) being film-sealed at the bottom, and a cup (2) that can be introduced headfirst into the cylinder (7). All plastic parts (1-3) are made of a steam-absorbing polymer, and piercing and cutting teeth (5) which extend in the axial direction are molded on the lower edge of the cup (2). Guide means (9, 10, 28) on the outside of the cup (2) interact with guide means (8, 12) on the twist cap (1). When the twist cap (1) is rotated, an axial movement of the cup (2) is first produced in order to pierce the film (33) on the receiving part (3).

Abstract: There is provided a pack (10) for a product (12) comprising a piece of fruit having a rind and a flesh portion containing a liquid in the form of juice. The product (12) is sealingly retained in a volume defined between two films (13, 14) which are sealingly connected around their periphery. The pack (10) has a first openable portion (16) from which the liquid/juice can be dispensed. The fruit product has one or more cuts (47) in its rind to facilitate the manipulation of the fruit to improve juice extraction.

Abstract: A paper-based package that can be manufactured using existing blister pack packaging equipment is provided. The package components comprise a face card and a tray blank that can be shipped flat and loaded easily into existing blister package equipment. The package may be formed in the machine just prior to the filling operation, and a paper-to-paper seal may be achieved in the same fashion as in a traditional plastic blister face card seal. Fold lines are formed in the tray blank by ablation.

Abstract: There is provided a pack (10) in the form of a stirrer for a hot or cold beverage. The stirrer comprises first and second films (13, 14) sealingly connected around a periphery to enclose a volume in which is disposed a liquid. The liquid is conveniently disposed in an elongate channel (15) formed in one of the films. Openable portions (17, 55) are provided at respective ends of the stirrer, one openable portion (17) allowing the liquid to flow out once opened and the other openable portion (55) acting as a vent. Each openable portion is opened by peeling apart the two films and has a stronger connection (52, 57) provided to limit the opening of the ends.

Abstract: An atmosphere controlled foodstuff container includes a base tray and a cover. The cover and base tray are constructed of a substantially gas impermeable material. The cover and base tray are connectable and are hermetically sealed with a sealant or sealing material. The container includes at least one atmosphere control member, such as a membrane or micro-perforations, which controls the flow of gases into and out of the otherwise sealed interior of the container. The base tray may be opaque for use as a serving tray and the cover transparent to permit viewing of the product.

Abstract: Packaging materials are configured such that when sealed to define an interior volume of a package the packaging material has an inner surface facing the interior volume and an outer surface facing away from the interior volume. Between the inner surface and the outer surface, the packagings contain moisture controlling material. The permeability of moisture from the outer surface to the moisture controlling material is less than the permeability of moisture from the inner surface to the moisture controlling material to provide selective moisture transfer between the moisture controlling material and the interior volume of a sealed package formed, at least in part, from the packaging material. The nature of the packaging material and the moisture controlling material can be tuned to control the relative humidity within the sealed inner volume.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermally insulating food packaging and more particularly to containers for storing or transporting food when the temperature of the food is significantly different to that of the surrounding environment. In particular, a food packaging material for enclosing food is described, the material including a first, moisture-permeable inner layer, a second, moisture-impermeable outer layer and a third, insulating moisture-tolerant layer disposed between the first and second layers and spacing the first and second layer apart, wherein the third layer has an undulating form including voids and wherein the first, second and third layers are arranged such that moisture emanating from food within the container passes through the first layer and the third layer and condenses on the second, moisture-impermeable outer layer.

Abstract: A mixing container for mixing multiple materials comprises a container body in which multiple storage chambers are formed in a storage part by a partition wall that is a raised portion of a wall surface forming the storage part, and a lid member attached to the container body such that the multiple storage chambers are separately sealed; the partition wall is configured to be deformable into a concave part recessed in a movement direction of the partition wall through movement in a direction from the lid member toward the container body with a circumferential edge of the storage part sealed to the lid member; and when the partition wall is deformed into the concave part, the multiple storage chambers are deformed into one storage chamber.

Abstract: An insulation system for beverage containers comprising: an inner container surrounding a plurality of cylindrical beverage containers contained in an inner container; a handle included in an inner container top panel; an outer container having a cavity defined in the outer container for receiving the inner container; a pair of lateral spacers disposed lengthwise along corresponding inner upper corners of the out container; an airspace defined between an inner container side panel and an external container side panel having a polygon cross-section; and, a handle access opening centrally defined in an outer container top panel allowing access to the handle of the inner container so that the beverage containers, inner container and out container can be transported using the handle wherein the width of the handle access opening is about one third the length of the outer panel top opening.

Abstract: A cold drink pack that provides consumers with an independent plastic drink container that they take with them anywhere on the go. The cold drink pack includes a drinking container containing a cold drink, one or more cold chemical icepacks disposed on each one or more interior walls of the drinking container, a drinking stem extending from a top middle portion of the drinking container to prevent spilling the cold drink contained within the drinking container while drinking the cold drink, a vent stem and a cap adapted to be placed over the drinking stem to contain the cold drink within the drinking container. The cold drink pack has one or more cold chemical icepacks that each have an insulated outer wall to retain cold within the drinking container and a non-insulated inner wall to promote chilling the cold drink contained within the drinking container.

Abstract: An herb keeper includes a container having a floor and upwardly extending sidewalls forming an interior space, the sidewalls terminating in an upper rim. A lid is removably attached to the upper rim and movable between a closed position which encloses the interior space, and an open position moved away from the upper rim. A basket is configured to fit within the container and rest on the interior floor of the container. A flexible strap includes a first end attached to the interior side of the lid and a second end attached to the basket. Movement of the lid away from the container causes the strap to pull the basket upward, providing easier access to the basket.

Abstract: A capsule for producing a liquid food item includes a cover and two chambers for holding two substances. On the capsule, a flange is provided for peripherally supporting the cover, and a shoulder is provided for peripherally supporting a divider for separating the two chambers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an overlap-structured container bag having an inner bag inserted into an outer bag. In the overlap-structured container bag comprises: (A1) weaving fabric used for a container bag of a hollow structure while a plurality of vertical reinforcing portions are formed; (A2) cutting container bag fabric in unit length; (A3) forming at least one of the lateral reinforcing portion on the inner bag when either one of the upper or lower portion of the cut container bag is selected as the inner bag; (A4) placing the inner bag into the outer bag by turning the open end of the outer bag inside out when the other one where the lateral reinforcing portion is not formed is selected as the outer bag.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an insert-structured container bag having an inner bag inserted into an outer bag. In the insert-structured container bag having an inner bag inserted into an outer bag according to an aspect of the present invention, the inner bag includes one or more lateral reinforcing portions formed by folding the inner bag; the outer bag includes vertical reinforcing portions formed on the respective side surfaces of the outer bag, lifting loops coupled to the tops of the vertical reinforcing portions, and a connection portion passed through the lifting loops, and the lateral reinforcing portions are formed by folding the inner bag outward in a lateral direction, and are disposed in a space between the inner bag and the outer bag.

Abstract: A foldable container, comprising a base and two pairs of side plates, and the side plates are connected to the base via a hinge structure. A plurality of protruding portions are disposed below the side plates, and a polarity of grooves matching the protruding portions are disposed on the base. The hinge structure is disposed in at least one of the protruding portions and at least one of grooves. At least one of the protruding portions is further provided with a continuous curved surface profile, and at least one of the grooves is further provided with at least one matching surface, or at least one of the grooves is provided with a continuous curved surface profile, and at least one of the protruding portions is provided with a matching surface. The matching surface matches the continuous curved surface profile, and when the side plate changes from a folded state to the open state, the continuous curved surface profile remain contacting with the matching surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compressed volatile organic compounds wholly or partly as a source of blanket gas for use in oil storage tanks, and methods and apparatus of providing same This includes a method of recovering and using VOC from one or more oil storage tanks comprising recovering, compressing and separating VOC from an oil storage tank, compressing the separated uncondensed VOC to provide a compressed VOC stream, and then heating and reducing at least a portion of the compressed VOC stream to provide a decompressed VOC stream for use as blanket gas in an oil storage tank. The present invention is able to prevent or substantially reduce reabsorption of captured VOC into stored oil. This also requires less (and possibly no) addition of extra inert gas during the oil discharge, and the next oil loading into the oil storage tank starts with a tank atmosphere that is very high in hydrocarbon content, thereby preventing formation of additional VOC during the next oil loading.

Abstract: A waste basket liner bag retaining apparatus including a pair of liner bag retaining apertures formed on opposing sides of a waste basket to receive and secure a waste basket liner bag. The apertures may be formed with frangible, removable segments to maintain the continuous structure of a waste basket. Reusable aperture covers can be secured over the apertures to occlude the apertures. In another embodiment, the waste basket liner bag retaining apparatus includes two sets of magnets, each set formed within, or secured to inner surfaces of, opposing waste basket container walls of a waste basket container. Magnetized hooks are positioned over a selected magnet in each set to permit retention of a liner bag. In a further embodiment, a waste basket liner bag retaining apparatus includes apertures formed on opposing sides of a waste basket container, each with a retractable cover to secure portions of a liner bag in the apertures.

Abstract: An extender formed from at least one flat piece of material that has straight edges, that includes a body structure formed by attaching a first edge of the at least one flat piece of material to a second, opposing edge thereof. The body structure includes a wall defining an interior space extending therethrough and at least one dynamic portion configured to be manipulated to create a first fold portion and a second fold portion that inwardly extend into the interior space. The body structure is configured to be inserted into a garbage can to extend a capacity of the garbage can. As the body structure is further inserted into the garbage can, the at least one dynamic portion facilitates a change in shape of the wall so that at least a portion of the wall becomes more tapered the further the body structure is inserted into the garbage can.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a bin used in combination with a liner for various purposes, including but not limited to the disposal of trash and the collection of recycled material. The bin having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a body, a closed bottom end, an open top end, and an interior chamber. The bin comprising of at least a slideable top portion allowing for the top opening of the bin to be adjusted in periphery thereby enabling liners of various sizes to be secured in the interior chamber of the bin. In addition, a bin comprising of an adjustable bin lid member within a bin lid enabling liners of various sizes to be secured in the interior chamber of the bin. Furthermore, a bin comprising of a vertical moving floor plate within the interior chamber of the bin for supporting liners of various lengths.

Abstract: The invention provides a bin with a pedal operated lid comprising a lever, a pedal for actuating the lever and an operating rod connecting the lever to the lid, for opening the lid when the lever is actuated by a user. The lever is articulated, and selectively adopts a rigid state under normal operating conditions enabling actuation of the operating rod, and a flexed state under abnormal operating conditions that prevents actuation of the operating rod.

Abstract: A secondary solid waste container for solid waste of an analyzer is disclosed. The secondary solid waste container comprises side walls and an impact absorbing member. The side walls comprise an upper end and a lower end. The impact absorbing member is connected to the side walls such that the impact absorbing member extends between the side walls and is spaced apart from the lower end with respect to a direction from the lower end to the upper end. The impact absorbing member is configured to absorb an impact from solid waste of the analyzer. An analyzer and a method for removing solid waste of an analyzer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis having a frame and a cab disposed at one end of the frame, a body including a hopper portion having a first width and a storage portion having a second width greater than the first width, the hopper portion positioned forward of the storage portion, between the storage portion and the cab, a primary ejector having a width equal to the first width, an auxiliary ejector having a width equal to the difference between the first width and the second width, and a pickup. The pickup is configured to selectively couple the primary ejector and the auxiliary ejector.

Abstract: A multi-level rail for a storage structure may comprise an upper horizontal portion configured to support a load and a lower horizontal portion configured to support a row vehicle. An upper support portion extends downward diagonally from the upper horizontal portion toward the lower horizontal portion, and a lower support extends downward diagonally from the lower horizontal portion. This rail is configured to connect to at least one vertical post of the storage structure. Support beams for a railed storage structure are also disclosed with an elongated body having a terminal end portion configured to attach to a vertical column of a storage support structure and an upper support surface configured to support a horizontal support rail. A wing portion is secured to the terminal end portion and configured to attach to the horizontal support rail by extending lateral to the elongated body and above the upper support surface.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a bin conveyance system for moving selected storage bins to a storage bin processing location, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin processing location for receiving a selected storage bin from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a plurality of destination bins in communication with the bin conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin from a destination bin processing location that is proximate the programmable motion device to the plurality of destination bins.

Abstract: A commissioning device having a first shelf row with horizontal shelf surfaces and at least one second shelf row with multiple shelf surfaces disposed one above the other and forming storage shafts. A lane formed between the first and the second shelf rows includes an operating unit movably disposed in the lane. The commissioning device also includes an input device, an output device and an auxiliary output device. The operating unit includes a gripping device for inputting and/or outputting piece goods onto or from the horizontal shelf surfaces and for filling the goods into the storage shafts. A control unit coupled to the operating unit is configured to output identical piece goods in a row from the horizontal shelf surfaces, to input the piece goods into the storage shafts and to output and transfer one or more piece goods located on the horizontal shelf surfaces to the auxiliary output device.

Abstract: On-road autonomous vehicles and other vehicles operative to: autonomously collect and transport a load over public roads, autonomously collect and transport a passenger in a cabin, autonomously collect transport and place a functional load according to a request, autonomously collect and use a functional load, exchange a functional load between at least two on-road autonomous vehicles in a convoy, lift and transport a load by at least two on-road autonomous vehicles, charge batteries of the on-road autonomous vehicle on the move, provide a hybrid air-gap and mechanical protection for a passenger cabin, protect the on-road vehicle from impact with foreign objects, control a length thereof, reduce drag on the vehicle, and adapt to carry a long load.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a plurality of placement parts on which a substrate container is placed, a driving part configured to move the plurality of placement parts, a transport mechanism configured to load the substrate container into one of the plurality of placement parts and to unload the substrate container from one of the plurality of placement parts, and a controller configured to control the driving pan and the transport mechanism so that by raising or lowering the transport mechanism while keeping a support of the transport mechanism unmoved in an initial position, the substrate container is delivered from one of the plurality of placement parts to the support of the transport mechanism, and the substrate container is delivered from the support of the transport mechanism to one of the plurality of placement parts.

Abstract: Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.

Abstract: Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.

Abstract: An article conveyance system includes a controller and a conveyance device. The controller includes: a storage section storing information concerning a position of a housing section stored in a shelf; a housing-section retrieving section retrieving, based on the information concerning the position of the housing section, housing positions of a plurality of the housing sections, which are picking targets, in the shelf; a route generating section generating a route that makes rounds of positions of the housing sections retrieved by the housing-section retrieving section; and a transmitting section transmitting information concerning the generated route and the housing positions of the housing sections to the conveyance device.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.

Abstract: A method for collecting products listed in an order in a product collecting system having a plurality of modules, the method including: assigning the order to a module, allocating a product listed in the order to the order if the product is already available in the module, allocating a product to the order from another module if the product of the “slow-moving” type is not already available in the module whereas it is available in the other module, allocating a product to the order from a pallet warehouse if the product of the “slow-moving” type is not already available in the module nor in another module, and releasing the order and loading the products onto a collecting carrier when all the products listed in the order have been collected in the module.

Abstract: A draper belt (8) having a carry layer (14), a pulley cover layer (13), and a reinforcing layer (12) which is disposed between the carry layer (14) and the pulley cover layer (13). The draper belt (8) has a first edge (30) and a second edge (31), and cleats (7) on the carry layer (14) which run from the first edge (30) to the second edge (31) of the draper belt (8). The reinforcing rods (15, 18, 19, 20) contain metal. In some other aspects of the disclosure, two methods for ensuring adhesion between the reinforcing rods (15, 18, 19, 20) and the cleats (7) of the draper belt (8) are provided.

Abstract: A container conveyor apparatus that conveys containers along a container path includes a front rail of an adjustable railing apparatus that is arcuately shaped along a container path and forms part of a surface facing radially inwardly; and a rear rail of the adjustable railing apparatus that is arcuately shaped along the container path and forms another part of the surface facing radially inwardly; the front rail and the rear rail of the adjustable railing apparatus move with respect to one another to change the width of the container path and accommodate containers of different sizes

Abstract: A tracked, portable radial stacker for stockpiling bulk material including a linear conveyor having a rear portion and a front portion and being designed to carry bulk material from a low position adjacent the rear portion to a higher position adjacent the front portion. A foot may be disposed adjacent the rear portion of the conveyor and designed to selectively contact the ground to facilitate pivoting of the conveyor. A continuous track system may include a frame to which the conveyor is mounted, the track system including a pair of driven, parallel tracks designed to contact the ground to convey the stacker from one position to another, and to be lifted off the ground when desired. A pair of mid-wheels may be mounted to the frame to be moveable between a raised position in which they do not contact the ground and a lowered position in which they contact the ground and lift the tracks off the ground.

Abstract: Conveyor system for the transporting of goods items, with one or more transport units, each of which comprises a load carrying means for accommodating a transport container, the transport units being movable along a conveyor track in or opposite to a direction of conveying, with at least one discharge facility for discharging an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item onto the load carrying means of a transport unit, and at least one retrieval facility for retrieving an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item from a load carrying means of a transport unit, where the transport containers comprise first, or small, transport containers with a first length and a first width, which is smaller than the first length, at least two of which may in each case be accommodated next to one another on a load carrying means of a transport unit with their longitudinal extension transverse to the direction of conveying, and where each transport unit is provided with a first retaining means and

Abstract: The present invention describes a machine for arranging objects (100) comprising a first end (101) and a projecting edge (103) arranged in proximity to the first end (101); the machine comprises a rotatable device (4) equipped with at least one guide; the rotatable device (4) is configured so as to be able to rotate the objects (100), coming from at least one entry guide (3) with a first orientation with respect to the entry guide (3), so that the objects (100) are driven onto at least one exit guide (5) with an orientation with respect to the exit guide (5) that is equal or opposite to that which they had with respect to the entry guide (3).

Abstract: A conveyor (1) has rollers (12) for conveying a load (100) along a conveying direction (C). A stop (20) is configured to be arranged in a separating configuration, in which the load (100) is impeded from being conveyed along the conveying direction (C), and a conveying configuration, in which the load (100) can be conveyed along the conveying direction (C). A trigger (30) is configured to move between a triggered position and an idle position. The trigger (30) is configured so that the load (100) moving in the conveying direction (C) onto the trigger (30) moves the trigger (30) out of the idle position and into the triggered position, thereby arranging the stop (20) in the separating configuration. A counter element (50) is configured to move the trigger (30) out of the idle position when the load (100) is conveyed on the rollers (12) against the conveying direction (C).

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a positioning apparatus, including an identification code reading assembly which comprise a support part and an identification code reader mounted on the support part, wherein the support part is connected with a running part of a conveyor mechanism; and further comprising a shield, in which at least a portion of the support part is located and out of which the identification code reader is located. The present disclosure also discloses a conveyor mechanism. The shield provided by the positioning apparatus according to the present disclosure may function to protect the identification code reader without affecting the normal reading operation of the identification code reader, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the positioning of the conveyor mechanism conducted by the positioning apparatus.

Abstract: An egg conveyor assembly comprises a first conveyor (1) extending in a first conveyor direction (X) on a first height level, a second conveyor (2) extending in a second conveyor direction (Y) perpendicular to the first height level. A transfer device (3) adapted to transfer eggs (50) from the first conveyor (1) to the second conveyor (2) comprises an array of egg retainers (6). The egg retainers (6) of the transfer device (3) comprise pockets having a receiving opening at an upper end thereof to receive the eggs (50) from above from the first conveyor (1), and are adapted to release the eggs at a lower end to drop the eggs (50) in egg retainers (21) of the second conveyor (2). The transfer device (3) is movable in the first conveyor direction (X) and in the second conveyor direction (Y) in a plane on a height level between the first height level and second height level.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.

Abstract: A conveyor system with a pop-up transfer assembly for transferring articles off the end of conveyor belt having protrusions extending above the belt's outer conveying surface. The transfer assembly is cantilevered over the reversing path of the conveyor belt from a pivot. When a protrusion from the belt hits the transfer assembly, the transfer assembly pivots away from the belt about the pivot. When the protrusion is clear, the transfer assembly drops, by gravity, back to its home position proximate the belt. A bilateral transfer assembly is cantilevered in opposite directions to transfer articles off the end of one conveyor belt onto another conveyor belt that may or may not have protrusions. The transfer assembly can have powered driving surfaces to aid the transfer of articles.

Abstract: A load-conveying and transport apparatus includes a first frame, a conveyor carried by the first frame, and a second frame mounted to the first frame for movement between lowered and raised positions relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies below the conveyor, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies proud of the conveyor, when the second frame is in the raised position relative to the conveyor. The conveyor is for conveying a load placed thereon without interference from the second frame, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame is for supporting the load placed thereon above the conveyor for disabling the conveyor from conveying the load, when the second frame is in the raised position.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins being in communication with a retrieval conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the retrieval conveyance system for receiving the storage bins from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and is adapted for movement of the programmable motion device along a first direction, and a plurality of destination bins that are provided in at least one linear arrangement along the first direction of movement of the programmable motion device.

Abstract: A tracked, portable radial stacker for stockpiling bulk material is provided. It includes a linear conveyor having a rear portion and a front portion and being designed to carry bulk material from a low position adjacent the rear portion to a higher position adjacent the front portion. A continuous track system is provided which includes a frame to which the conveyor is mounted, the track system including a pair of driven, parallel tracks designed to contact the ground to convey the stacker from one position to another, and to be lifted off the ground when desired. A pair of wheels are mounted to the frame, the wheels being moveable between a raised position in which they do not contact the ground and a lowered position in which they lift the tracks off the ground as they engage the ground, enabling the conveyor to be moved about the ground on the wheels.

Abstract: A sheet feeding sub tray is detachably attachable to a sheet loading stand of a sheet conveying device that includes a setting reference part on one end side of the sheet loading stand in a sheet width direction. The sheet feeding sub tray includes a small-size setting reference part disposed at a position closer to a center of the sheet loading stand in the sheet width direction than the setting reference part in a state in which the sheet feeding sub tray is installed to the sheet loading stand.

Abstract: A rotator control device includes drivers to drive rotators for sheet conveyance, respectively; and a processor including a selector to select, from the rotators, a pair of a first rotator subjected to rotation speed adjustment and a second rotator adjacent to the first rotator, and an acquisition unit to acquire a torque-related value representing a driving torque value of a driver to drive the second rotator or a value proportional thereto. The processor further includes a speed adjuster to adjust a rotation speed of the first rotator to approximate a variation in the torque-related value to zero. The selector selects a subsequent pair after adjustment of the rotation speed, designates the first rotator of the preceding pair as the second rotator of the subsequent pair, and selects, as the first rotator, a rotator adjacent to the first rotator of the preceding pair, opposite the second rotator of the preceding pair.

Abstract: In a paper cassette, a guide slides on a tray to place a sheet at a proper position. A lift mechanism uses a restoring force of an elastic member to push up the tray and make the sheet on the tray approach a pickup roller. When the paper cassette is pushed by a user from an opened position, which is out of the housing of a printer, to a closed position, which is in the housing, an adjuster mechanism mechanically converts a force of the user pushing the paper cassette to the restoring force of the elastic member from a time the guide reaches a specific point on a trajectory along which the guide travels together with the paper cassette, thus adjusting the strength of the restoring force continuously to a distance by which the guide overruns the specific point.

Abstract: A media alignment calibration system determines a slope relating a trailing edge skew value to its paired leading edge skew value and an intercept representing native skew based on a linear regression of a predetermined number of a set of paired leading and trailing edge skew values for a media type stored in a buffer. Based on the slope and intercept, a media model for the media type is updated based on the linear regression to adjust a differential velocity of a pair of aligned media feed rollers in a media feed mechanism to correct both a future native skew and future paired leading and trailing edge skew values in the buffer to within a desired operational window.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning at least one note of value along a transport path includes at least one transport element driven by at least one first drive unit and at least one counter-pressure element arranged opposite to the transport element. The transport path of the note of value extends between the transport element and the counter-pressure element. The counter-pressure element is ball-shaped and is mounted so as to be freely rotatable. Further, the apparatus includes a second drive unit for displacing the transport element along its axis of rotation so that a note of value arranged between the transport element and the counter-pressure element is moved transversely to the transport direction during displacement of the transport element.