Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a novel conveying device with which it is possible to easily adjust a conveying amount of articles in a trough using a restricting plate, and a combination weighing apparatus having the conveying device. A conveying device to convey articles in a trough has a restricting plate to restrict a flow of the articles in the trough and the angle at which the restricting plate faces the articles is variable. With this configuration, there is no need to prepare a plurality of restricting plates that have different shapes and materials or to exchange such a plurality of restricting plates in the same manner as in a conventional device because the conveying amount in the trough can be adjusted merely by varying the angle at which the restricting plate faces the articles.

Abstract: A combined weighing apparatus 1 includes: a dispersion feeder 3 which conveys an article A supplied from the outside; a load cell 3b which detects an amount of the article A loaded on the dispersion feeder 3; and a control unit 14 which sets a force of conveying the article A in the dispersion feeder 3 on the basis of a detection result of the load cell 3b and controls an operation of the dispersion feeder 3 and the control unit 14 sets the conveying force of the dispersion feeder 3 to be smaller than a current conveying force when a state in which a change amount of the loading amount of the article A on the dispersion feeder 3 is smaller than a threshold value is maintained for a predetermined time or more in the detection result of the load cell 3b.

Abstract: A conveying device (100) for the clock-integration of transport units (1, 1.1-1.4), includes a plurality of transport units, an indexing conveyor (2) for the clocked conveyance of the transport units, the indexing conveyor having a plurality of carriers (21, 21.1), which are respectively detachably connectable to a transport unit, at least one conveyor section (3), and a diverter (4), via which the conveyor section is connected at a clock-integration point (E) to the indexing conveyor and which is configured to clock-integrate the transport units at the clock-integration point into the indexing conveyor.

Abstract: An alignment system is disclosed. The system includes at least one arm including a plurality of fingers, and a linkage bar connected to the at least one arm. A sensor is adapted to detect a presence of a product. A controller is configured to selectively drive the linkage bar based on a signal from the sensor such that the plurality of fingers are driven between: (1) a first position in which the plurality of fingers are adapted to extend into a conveying path of a product conveyor, and (2) a second position in which the plurality of fingers are adapted to be positioned away from the conveying path of the product conveyor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for restricting access to articles on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism configured to move via a plurality of actuators, wherein at least two of the actuators move the locking mechanism in differing directions, and also configured to prevent removal of at least one article from the conveyor while in a locking position against the conveyor, wherein at least one of the actuators is configured to move the locking mechanism into the locking position.

Abstract: An apparatus having a gripping device for gripping, holding and guiding, in particular, bottle-like containers which comprises a gripper arm and a bore for receiving a bearing element that fixes the gripper arm in the gripping device and a closure within a mounting of the gripper arm for moving the gripper arm from an open position into a gripping position. The apparatus achieves a reduction in the number of components as well as a miniaturizing of the gripper arm by arranging the bore to receive the bearing element that is configured as a pivot shaft and non-rotatably connected with the bearing element to transfer a pivoting motion of the bearing element to the gripper arm to move the gripper arm from the gripping position into the open position. The gripping device includes at least one pair of gripper arms. A transport device comprises a plurality of the gripping devices.

Abstract: Article takeout apparatus and article takeout method capable of eliminating unnecessary measurements. The article takeout apparatus includes a sensor, a position/posture detector to detect a position/posture of an article in a working area, a robot configured to take out the article, a data storage to store evaluation data to evaluate a plurality of sensor measurement positions corresponding to respective positions at which the sensor measures a plurality of measurement areas, a data update section to update the evaluation data after the measurement area is measured by the sensor and after the article is taken out by the robot, an evaluation value calculator to calculate a comprehensive evaluation value of the working area on the basis of the updated evaluation data, and a sensor position selector to select a next sensor measurement position from among the plurality of sensor measurement positions on the basis of the calculated comprehensive evaluation value.

Abstract: This version will replace all prior versions in the application: A pneumatic-tube container having a container cylinder and having a cover and a base, at least the cover can be moved from a closed position into an open position. The container cylinder contains an insert, which has at least one tubular channel extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container cylinder. At least one channel contains at least one clamping element, which projects laterally into the channel. The damping element can be moved out of the channel, wherein the movement out of the channel and into the same is coupled to the movement of the cover from the closed position into the open position and from the open position into the closed position, respectively. When the cover is open, and preferably also when the base is open, the sample tubes therefore fall out due to gravity when the pneumatic-tube container is held with the opening in the downward direction.

Abstract: A system and method for a loading station of a pneumatic transfer system is provided. The system and methods comprise structure and functionality to allow for loading of contents and materials to be provided into a loading station or entry point of a system. The system and methods further comprise structure and functionality to limit the risk of overloading a particular input point and ergonomic features to enhance a user experience.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which introduces cryogenic particles received from a source of particles, having a first pressure, into a moving transport fluid, having a second pressure, for ultimate delivery to a workpiece or target as particles entrained in a transport fluid flow which seals between the source of particles and the transport fluid flow.

Abstract: Diverter assembly for pneumatic transport of a substance using a fluid flow, e.g. for transporting whey powder. A diverter main body is provided with an input pipe connection having an input flow direction, and at least one output pipe connection having an output flow direction perpendicular to the input flow direction. The diverter main body further comprises a collision wall part arranged remote and opposite from the input pipe connection and having a collision surface arranged perpendicular to the input flow direction, and a narrowing flow part shaped and arranged to provide a flow path from the collision wall part to the at least one output pipe connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying system for bulk goods, in particular plastic granules, which conveying system has at least two senders (A to C) and at least two receivers (I to IV), which are connected to each other by conveying lines (7 to 9) via at least one switch station (1). The switch station (1) has at least two inlets (4 to 6) and at least two outlets (10 to 12), which are each provided with a valve (13) and which are provided on a coupling tube (2) that connects the inlets (4 to 6) and the outlets (10 to 12). The switch station (1) has at least one venting valve (14, 15, 32), which is provided on the coupling tube (2).

Abstract: A modular loading and unloading system wherein modular units can be simply added to a base unit, or main unit, in a desired configuration that fulfill capacity and footprint needs of a manufacturer at any moment, for example when the manufacturer's business expands, thus considerably reducing the time and cost of modifying existing manufacturing systems, such as a laser-based parts cutting system.

Abstract: An automatic tire loader/unloader for stacking/unstacking tires in a trailer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement subassembly, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, tires advance through a powered transportation path to an industrial robot which places the tires within the trailer in a vertical stacking pattern or a rick-stacking pattern, for example. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement subassembly detecting objects, including tires, within a detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the tires provided to the control subassembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate the loading of a grain bin such that the level in the grain bin increases generally uniformly and the distribution of grain size in the grain bin is generally uniform as well. The method includes redirecting the flow of the grain from the conveyer as it flows into the grain bin. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustable leveling band for redirecting the grain uniformly to a plurality of radially extending chutes. In one embodiment, the angle of the chutes can also be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A medium transfer device includes a swinging member, a hopper in which a setting plate on which a plurality of mediums are placed such that the mediums are moved toward the swinging member by gravitation, and a driving unit configured to swing the swinging member such that the mediums are shaken by the swinging member.

Abstract: A tray unit assembly includes a housing, a separating/stacking unit, a tray unit and an elevating member. The separating/stacking unit includes a separating roller unit and a stacking roller unit provided in the housing. The tray unit is provided to be inserted into the housing and includes a first tray body fixed to the housing when the tray unit is inserted into the housing, and a second tray body connected to the first tray body to be slidable in a vertical direction and having a media stacking space formed therein. The elevating member is disposed to be movable up and down and configured to be in contact with a bottom surface of the second tray body to move the second tray body toward the stacking roller unit or the separating roller unit.

Abstract: A sheet container to contain a sheet includes a support unit including a plurality of engaged portions and supports the contained sheet, a moveable regulation unit that contacts a sheet end to regulate the sheet in position. The regulation unit includes an operating member held by a holding member and a fixing member movable with the operating member covered by a cover. The fixing member is movable between an engaging position at which the fixing member engages with one of the plurality of engaged portions and a non-engaged position at which the fixing member does not engage with one of the plurality of engaged portions. The operating member is engageable with the cover. The regulation unit is kept fixed to the support unit by the fixing member engaging with one of the plurality of engaged portions, with the cover engaging with the operating member.

Abstract: A medium feeding apparatus includes a mounting section on which a medium to be fed is mounted, a feeding roller configured to feed the medium mounted on the mounting section, a separation roller configured to nip and separate the medium with the feeding roller therebetween, and a regulation section disposed downstream of the nipping position between the feeding roller and the separation roller, the regulation section being configured to regulate the contact of the medium to be fed and the separation roller by coming into contact with the medium from the side of the separation roller.

Abstract: An insertion assembly for the continuous and automated feeding of laminar elements into a graphic printing station without the involvement of roller elements in the process, allowing the distance between the laminar elements in question to be adjusted such that adjacent laminar elements may be positioned very close to each other regardless of their length. Said assembly comprises an insertion device (1) that includes a rotating belt system on which the laminar elements (3) can be moved horizontally, and suction means, with the insertion device (1) connected to a stacking area (4) and; a pulling device (2) that includes a rotating belt system on which the laminar elements from the insertion device (1) can be moved, and suction means, with the pulling device (2) connected to a graphic printing station, said pulling device adjoining the insertion device (1) in a direction of forward motion.

Abstract: A printer as a medium processing apparatus includes a transport path through which a paper being transported passes, a recording head that records on the paper on the transport path, and a platen that forms at least a portion of the transport path as a path forming member with which the paper comes into contact, in which a surface resistance value of the path forming member changes according to an applied voltage of the medium.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus according to an embodiment includes a first sensor, a roller, a correction unit, a second sensor, a control unit, and a scanner. Upstream to downstream positions with regard to a transportation direction of the sheet are determined in the following order: the first position, a second position, a third position. The first sensor detects the presence or absence of a fold of the sheet in the first position. If it is detected in the first position that the fold is present, the roller transports a sheet in a reverse transportation direction. The correction unit corrects the fold in the first position. The second sensor detects the presence or absence of the fold in the second position. If it is detected in the second position that the fold is present, the control unit controls drive of the roller in such a manner that the sheet is transported up to the first position in the reverse transportation direction.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a first roller that is rotatably supported by a frame, a second roller that is supported by the frame in a rotatable and translatable manner and that presses a medium against the first roller, a joint unit that transmits rotation from a drive shaft to the second roller, a drive unit that rotates both the first roller and the drive shaft, and a read unit configured to read an image on a conveyed medium that is conveyed by the rotation of the both of the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: A sheet conveyor includes a drive roller, a retard roller forming a nip with the drive roller, a first torque limiter disposed coaxially with the retard roller and communicating with the retard roller, a first gear disposed coaxially with the retard roller, a drive train including a plurality of gears for receiving a driving force from the first gear, a second torque limiter, and an arm member including a contact portion located downstream of the drive roller in the conveyance direction. The arm member is movable between a first arm position to allow transmission of the driving force to the second torque limiter and a second arm position to interrupt transmission of the driving force to the second torque limiter.

Abstract: There is provided a medium conveying device which includes a conveyance belt passed around a first roller and a second roller and configured to support and convey a medium on a supporting surface, and in which a controlling unit is able to execute first control to determine whether a first skewing direction and a second skewing direction are the same, the first skewing direction indicating whether, when the first roller and the second roller are caused to rotate in the first rotational direction, the conveyance belt moves toward one side or the other side in a width direction intersecting a moving direction of the conveyance belt, and the second skewing direction indicating whether, when the first roller and the second roller are caused to rotate in the second rotational direction, the conveyance belt moves toward the one side or the other side in the width direction.

Abstract: A sensor unit includes an edge detection sensor, a sensor carriage, a unit housing, and a carriage moving mechanism. The edge detection sensor is arranged in a conveying portion for conveying a sheet and senses edge positions at both sides in a sheet width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction. The sensor carriage has a carriage main body in which the edge detection sensor is incorporated, and is reciprocatably supported on the unit housing in the sheet width direction. The carriage moving mechanism makes the sensor carriage reciprocate in the sheet width direction. The sensor carriage is selectively positioned at a first position where it makes contact with a first side face at one end side of the unit housing in the sheet width direction or a second position where it makes contact with a second side face at the other end side in the sheet width direction.

Abstract: According to an example, an apparatus to prevent media transport jams may include an actuator to load and advance a media within a media path width. The apparatus may also include a first sensor and a second sensor to detect respective edges of the media, in which the first sensor and the second sensor may be positioned outside of a media action area and on opposite sides of the media path width. The apparatus may further include a controller to prevent the actuator from advancing the media along the media path in response to a detection of one or both of the first edge of the media by the first sensor and the second edge of the media by the second sensor.

Abstract: A sheet feed apparatus comprises a tray, a pair of first guide sections, and a first optical sensor. The tray has a housing section for accommodating a plurality of sheets. The pair of first guide sections, arranged in the tray, sandwich the sheets in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction. The first optical sensor provided above a bottom of the housing section in at least one of the first guide sections, is configured to detect one or more of uppermost sheets accommodated in the housing section.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device, which is included in an image forming apparatus and a post processing device, includes multiple position detectors and a position corrector. The multiple position detectors are aligned along a sheet conveying direction and configured to detect a side end of a sheet. The position corrector is configured to convey the sheet and correct a position of the sheet based on a positional deviation amount of the sheet, obtained by a detection result of the multiple position detectors. The positional deviation amount of the sheet is obtained by an extreme downstream position detector in the sheet conveying direction, of the multiple position detectors. A position of a subsequent sheet is corrected based on a sum of the positional deviation amount of the sheet and a positional deviation amount of the subsequent sheet.

Abstract: A medium supporting device including a support part configured to support a roll body on which a sheet shaped medium is wound, a shaft serving as a rotary axis of the roll body and secured with the support part, and a driver configured to rotate the roll body supported by the support part. The shaft is secured to the support part by using a metal plate having a flat surface provided with an insertion hole, the insertion hole being a hole into which the shaft is inserted. An outer circumference part of the metal plate is restricted from moving in a rotation direction of the roll body relative to an inner circumference part of the support part.

Abstract: A friction shaft for a slitter has winding tubes disposed on an outer surface thereof to roll unit materials formed by cutting a raw material such as various kinds of paper, fabric, or film with predetermined intervals includes a first rotary shaft, tubes, brake pads, a second rotary shaft, pressing members, first rotary tubes, second rotary tubes, first and second bearings, first elastic members, guide members, second elastic members, and lugs for clamping.

Abstract: In a storage operation, a first tape and a second tape are wound around a drum with a paper sheet sandwiched therebetween to store the paper sheet, the first tape being positioned outside the paper sheet in a radial direction of the drum. In a feeding operation, the first tape is wound around a first reel, and the second tape is wound around a second reel to feed the paper sheet from the drum. In at least one of the storage operation or the feeding operation, greater tension acts on the first tape than on the second tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking a product, including a control circuit, at least one vacuum cup arranged to adhere at least one sheet of material to the at least one vacuum cup, and at least one sensor configured to monitor an area proximate the at least one vacuum cup, and transmit at least one signal regarding a presence of at least one sheet of material in the area, wherein the apparatus is arranged to displace to a second location while continuously monitoring the area proximate the at least one vacuum cup, the at least one sensor is configured to transmit the at least one signal, and the control circuit is arranged to determine, responsive to the at least one signal, the sheet of material is not present in the area, and generate an error signal indicating that the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vane member for a paper sheet conveyance impeller in which at least one vane member is disposed so as to protrude from the external peripheral surface of a rotatable cylindrical member, the vane member being provided with: a vane member body comprising a thermosetting polyurethane elastomer; and a plurality of core wires which comprise polyester fibers and are arranged along the axial direction of a rotary shaft of the cylindrical member. At least a portion of the core wires being embedded within the vane member body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body including an image former that forms an image on a recording material; an opening unit that leaves an inside of the apparatus body open by being opened in a predetermined opening direction with respect to the apparatus body; a reversing unit that discharges part of the recording material on which the image is formed by the image former externally of the apparatus body, and reverses a transport direction of the recording material; and a guiding unit that is provided adjacent to a downstream side of the opening unit in the opening direction, guides the recording material discharged through the apparatus body by the reversing unit, and when the opening unit is opened with respect to the apparatus body, moves in an opposite direction to the opening direction relatively with respect to the opening unit.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes: a set of binding parts configured to press and bind a bundle of recording materials from one side and a remaining side in a thickness direction; a first support part configured to support the bundle of recording materials from the one side by performing rotation toward the bundle of recording materials around a predetermined fulcrum; and a second support part configured to support the bundle of recording materials from the remaining side so as to face the first support part when binding is performed by the set of binding parts.

Abstract: The relay conveyance device includes a relay conveyance path, a plurality of conveyance members, at least one detection member and a control device. The control device executes a correction processing such that, in a state where a first sheet and a second sheet positioned at the upstream side from the first sheet are conveyed along the relay conveyance path, a sheet interval from a detection end of the first sheet by the detection member to a detection start of the second sheet by the detection member is compared with a predetermined target value, when the sheet interval is smaller than the target value, the conveyance speed of the conveyance member is decreased so as to widen the sheet interval, and when the sheet interval is larger than the target value, the conveyance speed of the conveyance member is increased so as to shorten the sheet interval.

Abstract: A cable processing machine includes a cable feeding device for moving a cable in a feed direction. The cable feeding device has a first guide element and a second guide element, between which elements the cable is guided at least in an operating mode of the cable processing machine. The spacing between the two guide elements is selectively variable. A method for laying a cable in the cable processing machine includes moving one or both of the guide elements relative to one another when the cable processing machine is shifted between the operating mode and a cable laying mode.

Abstract: A friction shaft for a slitter has winding tubes disposed on an outer surface thereof to roll unit materials formed by cutting a raw material such as various kinds of paper, fabric, or film with predetermined intervals. The friction shaft includes a first rotary shaft, tubes, lug bodies for torque, first fixed shafts, brake pads, a second rotary shaft, guide members, lug bodies for clamping, second fixed shafts, a plurality of lug rollers, covers, a first elastic member, and second elastic members.

Abstract: A fish tape tool includes a housing, a chamber defined in the housing, and a motor supported by the housing. The motor is configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. An output reel is disposed in the chamber and is rotatable in response to receiving torque from the motor. A drum contains a fish tape and including a rotatable drum portion having an inner wall that is engaged by the output reel when the drum is inserted into the chamber of the housing. When the drum portion is rotated by the output reel in the first direction, fish tape is dispensed from the drum. When the drum portion is rotated by the output reel in the second direction, fish tape is retracted into the drum.

Abstract: A cord reel assembly including a single, continuous cord having stationary and retractable segments, with the stationary segment including multiple connectors and sheath covering such connectors where the connectors twist and untwist relative to the sheath in response to the retract and extension of the retractable segment.

Abstract: A string light storage container. The string light storage container includes a base. The base defines a cylinder rising upward therefrom. The cylinder is centrally disposed in the base. The cylinder is shaped to receive string lights therearound. A cover is removably securable to the base via a fastener, such that an interior cavity is formed around the cylinder when the cover is engaged with the base.

Abstract: A coiled tubing unit includes a coiled tubing assembly and a slickline assembly sharing an axis of rotation with the coiled tubing assembly. A shaft of the coiled tubing assembly is received by bearings on a slickline drum of the slickline assembly and extends through an interior of the slickline drum. A swivel joint connection is rotatably affixed on an end of the main shaft as it exits the interior of the slickline drum, thus allowing for introduction of fluid or cabling into the main shaft and into the coiled tubing. The coiled tubing drum and slickline drum can rotate independently and are powered independently of each other. The coiled tubing and slickline assemblies are preferably affixed to a removable module, the removable module being positioned on a skid having a power unit and appropriate controls.

Abstract: A device to automate or semiautomate a fish tape is provided that can include an attachable handle with battery operated motor, rollers, gears and controls that can be integrated into its own or existing fish tape spools. Another embodiment provides a left and right plate and an assembly about a member to be driven by a crank or other automated means to mobilize a fish tape which over comes the limitations of existing manual and automatic fish tapes making it safer, more efficient and easier for an operator to pull wire.

Abstract: Provided are a wireless signal apparatus and an elevator service request system and method, which belong to the field of intelligent elevator control technologies. In the elevator service request system of the present invention, a corresponding wireless signal is broadcast by a wireless signal apparatus of an elevator system and the wireless signal is received by a personal mobile terminal. The personal mobile terminal is provided with an elevator service request application component running at an application layer of an operating system thereof. The wireless signal apparatus includes a location notification unit used for broadcasting corresponding location marker data. The elevator service request system includes a wake-up module running at a system layer of the operating system of the personal mobile terminal. The wake-up module is used for waking up the elevator service request application component in response to reception of the location marker data.

Abstract: A call input device of an elevator includes a keyboard for inputting the number of a floor and a keyboard control for the keyboard. The keyboard control is configured to open an input channel from the keyboard for the input of a further digit of a floor number to enter a more than one-digit floor number. The call input device includes a proximity sensor having a sensing area in front of the keyboard. The keyboard control is configured to open/close the input channel from the keyboard for the input of a further digit in response to the signal of the proximity sensor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided. The computer-implemented method is executed by a processor of a mobile device. The mobile device is in communication with an elevator system. The computer-implemented method automatically provides direct real-time travel indications with respect to an elevator trip of the elevator system. The computer-implemented method includes receiving, by the mobile device, a request for the elevator trip. The computer-implemented method includes directly receiving, by the mobile device, feedback signals from the elevator system with respect the elevator trip in response to the request. The computer-implemented method includes automatically providing, by a user interface of the mobile device, direct real-time travel indications of the elevator trip as the mobile device progresses through the elevator system.

Abstract: A service tool for interfacing with an equipment system includes a processing system, a display, and a memory system having a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processing system, cause the service tool to establish communication with an equipment controller of the equipment system and capture a plurality of state samples of one or more equipment system parameters distributed over multiple sampling times as a plurality of captured data in a trace buffer of the service tool. The instructions when executed by the processing system cause the service tool to store the captured data from the trace buffer to one or more files in the memory system of the service tool and replay the captured data from the one or more files on the display of the service tool responsive to a replay request.

Abstract: A method of testing elevator car braking distance includes verifying that an elevator car is empty. The method also includes initiating a test procedure. The method further includes triggering a safety actuation device to actuate at least one safety brake to stop an elevator car. The method yet further includes recording braking data during a braking period. The method also includes recording braking data with at least one piece of elevator car equipment. The method further includes generating a braking data report that includes at least one of braking distance and braking deceleration of the elevator car.

Abstract: A rope sway detection system of an elevator system includes a magnetic pickup located adjacent to a suspension member of an elevator system. The magnetic pickup is configured to detect a movement of the suspension member via a change in a magnetic field at the magnetic pickup. A signal processing unit is operably connected to the magnetic pickup. The signal processing unit is configured to determine a maximum amplitude of a sway of the suspension member based on the change in the magnetic field, compare the maximum amplitude to a preselected threshold, and signal a change in operation of the elevator system based on an actual or predicted exceedance of the threshold.