Abstract: A method for placing packets into and/or out of storage with or without loading aids into/from a particular storage rack aisle of a storage rack, wherein a distribution path conveys packets into storage and/or out of storage, wherein the distribution path comprises adjacent introducing and/or discharging devices which lead to incoming and/or outgoing paths which each supply goods to a storage rack aisle or remove goods therefrom. If the incoming/outgoing path of a destination storage rack aisle is overloaded, the packet is supplied to another incoming/outgoing path of another intermediate storage rack aisle, wherein a transfer takes place from the intermediate storage rack aisle to the destination storage rack aisle or vice-versa within the storage rack.

Abstract: A system and a method which allow an easy shipment and receipt of construction materials and an easy retrieval of the same, as well as an easy acquisition of position information of construction materials. The system includes: an identification information holding medium which holds identification information of the construction material; a moving body that acquires first position information which is position information of the moving body and also acquires identification information; material data storage unit for storing the first position information in association with the identification information; and retrieval unit for retrieving the identification information in the material data storage unit. The display unit displays the first position information associated with the identification information retrieved by the retrieval unit.

Abstract: Described in detail herein is an automated fulfillment system including a computing system programmed to receive requests from disparate sources for physical objects disposed at one or more locations in a facility. The computing system can combine the requests, and group the physical objects in the requests based on object types or expected object locations. Autonomous robot devices can receive instructions from the computing system to retrieve a group of the physical objects and deposit the physical objects in storage containers.

Abstract: According to the present technology, an impact test in which an impact application member is made to free fall onto a test sample of a plurality of types of rubbers having different physical properties is performed under prescribed test conditions; data for at least one of three items including a loss energy that is absorbed by the test sample when the impact application member collides with the test sample, a thermal energy that is generated at the test sample, and an indentation amount into the test sample by the impact application member is acquired; and an optimal test sample is selected from the respective test samples on a basis of a ranking of the superiority of the respective test samples with respect to the item(s) for which data was acquired.

Abstract: A composite belt may include a profile, and a belt. The profile may have a strip, and nodules. The profile may be attached to the belt such that each nodule extends out from the belt. The composite belt may be included in a cooking apparatus that may also include a housing, a heat source, and a drive roller.

Abstract: A profiled belt includes a belt body, a profile that is provided on a back surface of the belt body, and a fixation member that detachably fixes the profile to the belt body. The belt body includes a protrusion on the back surface. The profile includes a recess portion to which the protrusion is fitted. The fixation member fixes the profile to the belt body in a state where the protrusion has been fitted to the recess portion. The fixation member is removably inserted to the profile and the protrusion.

Abstract: A bottle conveyor includes a platform and a bottle-stopping apparatus. The bottle-stopping apparatus includes a driving unit, a following unit, a transmission and two stoppers. The driving and following units are located near the platform. The transmission operatively connects the following unit to the driving unit. The stoppers are connected to two portions of the transmission so that the stoppers are moved toward and away from each other by operating the driving unit.

Abstract: A magnetic chip conveyor of the present invention reduces the possibility that both end portions of a long chip are adsorbed by two or more types of magnets having different magnetic forces, so that a long chip does not remain. An endless chain is disposed on the rear surface of a plate, so as to be wound around sprocket wheels. The sprocket wheel is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by a motor, and the endless chain rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Twelve magnet holders are fixed to the endless chain at equal intervals. Three types of permanent magnets having different magnetic forces are bonded and fixed to the magnet holders.

Abstract: A conveyor includes two fences located on two sides of a platform. A fence-adjusting apparatus includes a primary driving unit, a secondary driving unit and a transmission. The primary driving unit includes two primary movable elements, two primary tracks and a primary driving element. Each primary movable element is connected to a corresponding one of the fences. The primary tracks movably support the primary movable elements. The primary driving element is operable to move the primary movable elements along the primary tracks. The secondary driving unit includes two secondary movable elements, two secondary tracks and a secondary driving element. Each secondary movable element is connected to a corresponding one of the fences. The secondary tracks movably support the secondary movable elements. The secondary driving element is operable to move the secondary movable elements along the secondary tracks. The transmission operatively connects the primary driving unit to the secondary driving unit.

Abstract: A conveyance system includes a plurality of coils arranged so as to form a row at a predetermined pitch, a carriage configured to move along the row through use of an electromagnetic force received from the plurality of coils as a driving force, a plurality of drivers configured to cause an electric current to flow through coils to be controlled among the plurality of coils to provide the driving force to the carriage, and a controller configured to switch the coils to be controlled, which are assigned to each of the plurality of drivers, among the plurality of coils. As the coils to be controlled, which are assigned to each of the plurality of drivers, among the plurality of coils, coils for each predetermined interval of at least two pitches based on a distance between carriages determined in advance are assigned to each of the plurality of drivers.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus comprises a rod-shaped member that comprises a magnetic material, a cover, made of a nonmagnetic material, that covers the rod-shaped member, a first terminal member configured to allow insertion of one end portion of the rod-shaped member, a second terminal member configured to allow insertion of the other end portion of the rod-shaped member, and a driving device, connected to the first terminal member, that rotates the rod-shaped member about a central axis of the rod-shaped member, in which the rod-shaped member and the first terminal member are fixed to each other, the cover and the first terminal member are fixed to each other, the rod-shaped member and the second terminal member are not fixed to each other, and the cover and the second terminal member are fixed to each other.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus suitable for sturdy articles, in particular flattened plastic bottles or the like, in a recycling plant, has an upwardly moving continuous conveyor that includes a horizontal conveyor and a vertical conveyor connected to the horizontal conveyor, both conveyors having a tubular housing in which a respective conveying screw is rotatably mounted. The inner wall of the tubular housing of the vertical conveyor and the associated conveying screw have a vertical driver bar disposed therebetween, projecting radially inward from the tubular housing and spaced from the conveying screw by a distance (a). The driver bar has cutting teeth on its longitudinal edge located at least facing the conveying screw. Preferably, the driver bar is fastened in an interchangeable manner on the vertical tubular housing and has cutting teeth on both longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing radionuclide generators includes an enclosure defining a radioactive environment. The enclosure includes radiation shielding to prevent radiation within the radioactive environment from moving to an exterior of the enclosure. The system also includes a conveyance system having a forward track and first carriages positioned on and movable along the forward track for conveying racks in a first direction. The conveyance system also includes a first walking beam mechanism magnetically coupled to the first carriages to move the first carriages. The conveyance system further includes a return track and second carriages positioned on and movable along the return track for conveying racks in a second direction opposite the first direction. The forward track and the return track form a loop.

Abstract: An induction station for conveying packages in a storage facility is provided. The induction station includes a plurality of parallel feed conveyors including at least first and second conveyors, and one or more buffer conveyors including at least a third conveyor for conveying the packages from the first and second conveyors to the third conveyor. The induction station further includes sensors for measuring a height, a weight, a length, and a width of each package. The induction station further includes sensors for detecting each package as one of a first package type or a second package type. The induction station further includes a controller to control a first, a second speed, and a third speed of the first through third conveyors, respectively, based on the detected package type of each package and at least one of the weight, height, length, and width of each package.

Abstract: A robot configured to perform a work to a moving workpiece is provided, which includes a first robotic arm provided at a tip end thereof with a guide tool configured to support the workpiece, a second robotic arm provided at a tip end thereof with a work tool configured to perform a specific work to the workpiece, and a control device configured to control operations of the first and second robotic arms. The control device controls the operations of the first and second robotic arms according to timing information for which the workpiece reaches a workspace of the robot so that the guide tool guides the workpiece located in the workspace into the space and the work tool performs the specific work to the workpiece guided into the space.

Abstract: Disclosed are a two-dimensional code card grabbing and storage device and method. The two-dimensional code card grabbing and storage device includes a horizontal base plate. First side plates and second side plates are sequentially disposed on the front side and the rear side of the horizontal base plate separately in the horizontal direction and perpendicularly fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal base plate. First baffles extending inwards are oppositely and perpendicularly disposed on the outer sides of the two first side plates, and second baffles extending inwards are oppositely and perpendicularly disposed on the inner sides of the two second side plates. A first guide plate used for storing tested two-dimensional code cards is obliquely disposed upward between the two first side plates, and a second guide plate used for storing to-be-tested two-dimensional code cards is obliquely disposed upward between the two second side plates.

Abstract: A touch display device includes a display module, a touch module and a light-transmitting substrate. The display module has a display surface and a bottom surface opposite to the display surface. The touch module is fixed to the display surface by an adhesive. The adhesive, the touch module and the display surface together form an accommodating space between the display module and the touch module. The light-transmitting substrate is disposed in the accommodating space, one side of the light-transmitting substrate is fixed to the display surface by a first optical adhesive, the other side of the light-transmitting substrate is fixed to the touch module by a second optical adhesive. An adhesive strength of the adhesive is greater than an adhesive strength of the first optical adhesive, and the adhesive strength of the adhesive is greater than an adhesive strength of the second optical adhesive.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage array of storage locations for case units. An in-out case conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting case units to and from the storage array, and an in-out loaded pallet conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting loaded pallets towards and away from the storage array. A palletizer-depalletizer cell includes a bi-directional pallet transport system with more than one independently driven pallet transports, each with a different pallet holder independently movable relative to a cell frame. Placement of case units commissioning a pallet layer loading a pallet, and removal of case units decommissioning a pallet layer unloading another pallet are both effected at the common pallet layer interface at a predetermined level of the cell frame. The pallet transports independently index a first and a second of the different pallet holders, each independently holding the pallet loading at the common pallet layer interface.

Abstract: A bulk loader system is disclosed that may include a conveyor unit in connection with a fuel-powered engine powering a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor may be used to operate the conveyor unit. The system may be configured to function while being mounted on a bed of a truck or be operated as a stand-alone unit. The unit may be sized such that an operator can stand on the deck of the truck along with the unit. The fuel-hydraulic powered motor can enable the conveyor unit to operate at variable speeds. The conveyor unit can be adjustable to facilitate controlling the direction of the material being transported via the conveyor. Some embodiments can include operating the hydraulics of the motor from the Power Take-Off (“PTO”) of the truck. Some embodiments can facilitate operation of the system in a hot or other harsh environment.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for using containers, instead of pneumatic transfer, to move bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender receptacle (e.g., hopper or mixer of a blender) are provided. A transportation unit may deliver multiple containers of bulk material to the well site, where multiple conveyors may deliver the containers to a location proximate the blender receptacle. Openings at the bottom of the containers are arranged adjacent one another so that the load of two containers may be delivered to the tight space occupied by the blender receptacle. Since the transportation unit is able to unload the containers of bulk material without pneumatic transfer, the containers may enable a cleaner and more efficient bulk material transfer at the site.

Abstract: A dust control device for preventing dust and debris from escaping into the atmosphere during the process of loading rail cars with grain or other granular commodities/products. The dust control device generally includes a dust hood that is moveably supported on a pair of stationary elongated support rails via wheels. The support rails are attached to a delivery spout of an elevator and extend over the path of travel of a rail car to be loaded. An elongated pivotable engagement arm connected to the dust hood extends downwardly into the path of the rail car and is engaged as the car passes beneath the dust hood. The dust hood moves with the rail car from a ready position to an operational position in close proximity to the delivery spout to capture the dust and debris generated during the loading process. When the rail car disengages from the engagement arm, the dust hood returns to the ready position automatically and without a power source under the force exerted by a spring-biased positioning assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cargo scraping apparatus for a cargo carrier having a cargo hold. The cargo scraping apparatus includes a gantry, at least one scraper blade adapted to substantially span a width of the cargo hold, means to connect the at least one scraper blade to the gantry, and means to raise or lower the at least one scraper blade relative to the gantry. Moving the gantry relative to the cargo hold causes the at least one scraper blade to push or sweep cargo towards one or more regions of the cargo hold. The invention is also directed to a system for unloading cargo from a cargo hold, a system for assisting in loading cargo into a cargo hold, and a system for loading and unloading cargo into and from a cargo hold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blocking device for blocking a vehicle and/or entrance to a loading-unloading station, a dock and/or distribution center provided therewith and method therefor. The blocking device includes: a guide track with guide track supports disposed along a driveway; a carriage attached to the guide track with a blocking element, with the carriage being capable of moving along the driveway; a blocking element extension mechanism configured to extend the blocking element between a retracted position and an extended blocking position; and a guide track drive configured for lifting and/or lowering the guide track. The guide track drive is further configured such that the guide track performs a horizontal movement when being lifted or lowered, and the vertical and horizontal movements are being performed simultaneously or successively.

Abstract: Separation strips in a dam aid in the separation of adjacent sheets of media being fed from a stack of sheets so that only one sheet is fed to a process station and, more particularly, to separating the uppermost or top sheet of a stack of sheets from the next adjacent sheet during feeding of the top sheet from the stack of sheets of media. When a lift plate is present that adjusts the height of the media stack, rotation of the separation strips to maintain a constant separation angle improves media feed reliability. Curvature of the separation strips may also maintain the separation angle as the lift plate raises the position of the top media sheet.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a first feeding unit, a second feeding unit, and a fixing structure. The first feeding unit feeds a first recording medium. The second feeding unit is located below the first feeding unit and feeds a second recording medium. The fixing structure takes a first posture or a second posture differing from the first posture. The fixing structure fixes the second feeding unit to the first feeding unit when the fixing structure is in the first posture. The fixing structure fixes the second feeding unit to the first feeding unit by fixing a third frame member of the second feeding unit to a second frame member of the first feeding unit. When the fixing structure is in the second posture, the fixing structure releases linkage between the second feeding unit and the first feeding unit.

Abstract: A controller performs a positioning operation by driving an elevator motor before starting a paper feed operation using a paper feed roller unit. While the controller performs the paper feed operation using the paper feed roller unit after an upper limit sensor is brought into an on-state by the positioning operation, when the upper limit sensor is brought into an off-state, the controller performs a paper feed position following operation by driving the elevator motor to raise a paper feed tray until the upper limit sensor is brought into the on-state. The controller controls the elevator motor with setting a current limit in the positioning operation such that a current flowing to the elevator motor does not exceed a predetermined current limit value and controls the elevator motor without the current limit in the paper feed position following operation.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a support member having a support surface, a feed roller, a stopper, and a restriction member. The stopper includes a restriction surface configured to contact leading edges of sheets supported on the support surface. A tangent extends in parallel to the support surface and passes through a point on an outer peripheral surface of the feed roller, and the tangent and the restriction surface of the stopper crosses at an intersection point. When the stopper moves from a first position to a second position, the intersection point moves with a movement velocity in a direction parallel to the tangent, the movement velocity at the intersection point being defined as a specified movement velocity. The restriction member is configured to restrict movement of the stopper such that the specified movement velocity is greater than or equal to a circumferential velocity of the feed roller.

Abstract: Rewinder for the production of logs. A feeding element adapted to supply a paper web. A guide element adapted to guide sequentially several cores along a predetermined path between a station for feeding the cores and a winding station in which a predetermined amount of the web is wound on each core. A winding element adapted to wind the paper web on the cores in the winding station. The guide element includes a guide with a curved end section that ends in the winding station and in cooperation with the winding element, delimits a channel crossed by each core before reaching the winding station.

Abstract: An auxiliary device and a printing apparatus are provided. The printing apparatus includes a print output device, including a print exit. The printing apparatus also includes an auxiliary device disposed at the print exit of the print output device and having a first position state and a second position state. During a transition of the auxiliary device between the first position state and the second position state, the auxiliary device pushes print outputted from the print exit to move in a direction away from the print exit.

Abstract: A media diversion apparatus for a printing system is described. In an example implementation, the apparatus comprises a media diverter to route media printed by a print assembly of a printing system. The media diverter, in a first position, is to route cut-sheet media from the print assembly to a first output region. The media diverter, in a second position, is to route roll media from the print assembly to a second output region.

Abstract: A conveying-direction switching device includes: a shaft; and a plurality of blades that are pivotally supported by the shaft and that switch a conveying direction of a sheet conveyed through a conveyance path to a predetermined direction toward a delivering/discharging section for the sheet included in a housing unit that houses the sheet by winding the sheet around a drum together with a belt-like member, wherein the plurality of blades include: a first blade group that is pivotally supported in a neighborhood of a center of the shaft and that is opposed to the delivering/discharging section; and a second blade group that is pivotally supported on an outer side of the shaft as compared with the first blade group.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to start feeding a sheet from a feeding unit without confirming a presence or absence of an insert sheet to be inserted before the sheet when an amount of insert sheets stacked on a stacking tray as a feed source is higher than a predetermined amount. In a case in which the amount of the insert sheets on the stacking tray is lower than the predetermined amount, the controller starts feeding a sheet from the feeding unit without confirming a presence or absence of the insert sheet when another stacking tray on which an amount of insert sheets is higher than the predetermined amount is present, and the controller starts feeding the sheet from the feeding unit after confirming the presence or absence of the insert sheet when the other stacking tray is absent.

Abstract: The present sheet processing apparatus is to obtain that folding in the center portion in the width direction of sheets is made, folding in the end portion is made more reliably by repeatedly pressing the end portion in the width direction, the folded sheets are harder to open, the appearance is also enhanced, and that collection characteristics are improved in stacking bunches of folded sheets, a sheet processing apparatus is provided with pairs of press members (press rollers 70) that press a folded loop BL of folding sheets BS, and a support unit 56 that shifts in the width direction of the folding sheets, while supporting a plurality of rows with a distance between the press members narrowed stepwise in the shift direction.

Abstract: A thread dispenser for use when installing hair extensions comprised of a base supporting a spool on a vertical spindle. The top of the base has a guide with a catch to hold and guide the thread towards a cutter on top of the base. The cutter includes a cartridge with a replaceable blade. The blade is recessed and exposed through a mouth for safety. The base includes a plurality of needle holding apertures. Optionally included is a drawer in the base and a tension nut holding the spool onto the spindle.

Abstract: A filament dispensing system is provided. The filament dispensing system embodies one or more donut shaped filament dispensers interconnectable by a band. Each dispenser is transparent and provides an integrated cutter. The transparency enables visual identification of the color of filament with the transparent dispenser, while the integrated cutter makes scissors unnecessary. The donut-shaped structure of the dispenser enables an operative association with the band that can decoratively hang from a user's neck during use. The filament dispensing system may also include a bobbin rethreader.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transportation and payoff of coiled wire and cable, the apparatus comprising a clamshell package, an inner void formed by the clamshell package, the inner void comprising a compartment within for containing coiled wire and cable during transportation and payoff of the wire and cable, a payoff port is coupled to the clamshell package, wherein the coiled wire and cable is extracted from the clamshell package through the payoff port on an axis substantially similar to the axis of the extracted wire and cable, and wherein the payoff port extends from the clamshell package through the coiled wire and cable.

Abstract: A reel apparatus and method comprising an inner flange assembly, an outer flange assembly, and a bearing assembly coupled to the inner flange assemblies. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly. In another embodiment, wire is spooled from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly.

Abstract: A guide device is provided that includes a base portion defining a platform and a tab, and a support member positioned between the platform and the tab and extending upwardly. In one form, the tab defines a continuous series of profiled geometric surfaces at an intersection between the tab and the support member, and the platform is adapted to receive an external component for stabilization. In another form, the tab defines at least one profiled geometric surface. The present disclosure further provides an assembly that includes an object having a ground interface and a guide device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting potential failures in logging winch systems to enable efficient maintenance are provided. An example of such a system may include a logging winch system that conveys a downhole tool into a wellbore on a cable and a data processing system. The logging winch system may include sensors that measure observed quantities relating to operation of the logging winch system. The data processing system may determine correlation signatures that relate the observed quantities to the operation of the logging winch system and may identify when one or more of the correlation signatures indicates abnormal operation.

Abstract: A telecommunications cable spool for storing, paying-out, and reeling-in a telecommunications cable includes a spool, an axis of rotation, and a rotatable cable guide mounted about the axis. The spool defines a wrapping area that receives a plurality of wraps of the cable and defines a circumference. The axis passes through the spool within the circumference. The guide defines a rotating cable guide path with a first end adjacent the wrapping area and a second end positioned near the axis. The first end of the path is oriented at least partially tangential to the circumference, and the second end of the path is oriented at least partially aligned with the axis. The cable is routed along a cable route that extends between first and second ends with a storage portion between the ends of the route. The route includes a transitional portion along the guide path between the storage portion and the second end of the route. A portion of the transitional portion is routed through a center of the storage portion.

Abstract: There is provided an elevator control system capable of improving operation efficiency of an elevator. The elevator control system includes a processor; and a memory to store a program which performs processes of recognizing a floor based on information from in a car of an elevator during travel of the car, determining a destination floor based on the floor recognized, determining whether or not the destination floor determined during the travel of the car, and registering a call corresponding to the destination floor in the car during the travel of the car in a case where the destination floor is determined to be the stoppable floor. The program performs processes of, in a case where the destination floor is not determined to be the stoppable floor, registering the call corresponding to the destination floor in the car after the car responds to all calls registered in the car.

Abstract: An elevator device includes an operation control unit (18), a storage unit (22), a transmission unit (23), a determination unit (25), and a recovery unit (26). When an inspection operation is interrupted by the operation control unit (18), the transmission unit (23) transmits inspection data stored in the storage unit (22) to a plurality of specific devices (20). The determination unit (25) determines whether or not recovery conditions are satisfied on the basis of a plurality of responses from the devices (20) to which the transmission unit (23) transmits the inspection data. For example, the recovery unit (26) restores a normal operation when the determination unit (25) determines that the recovery conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A stairlift with an elongated rail includes a first side running surface and a second side running surface; and a carriage movable along the rail. The carriage having a first roller including a first roller friction surface which is in frictional engagement with the first side running surface for guiding the first roller; and a second roller including a second roller friction surface which is in frictional engagement with the second side running surface for guiding the second roller; and a first bridge. The first roller being rotatable around a first axis at a first end of the first bridge and the second roller is being rotatable around a second axis at a second end of the first bridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator arrangement with multiple elevator cars in the same elevator shaft, the arrangement at least an uppermost elevator with its operating system, hoisting machinery and elevator car, and a lowermost elevator with its operating system, hoisting machinery and elevator car, which elevator cars are arranged to run in the same elevator shaft along the same guide rails. The types of the two elevators in the same elevator shaft are mutually different from each other.

Abstract: A landing jamb including a jamb main body having surfaces on which a design plate being flat plate having a larger plate thickness than a plate thickness of the jamb main body is superposed. The design plate is fixed to the jamb main body by a plurality of sets of fixtures. Each of the fixtures of at least one set of fixtures includes a stud bolt, a main nut screwed over the stud bolt, and an intermediate member through which the stud bolt is caused to pass, and which is interposed between the main nut and the jamb main body. A melting point of a material used to form the intermediate member is lower than a melting point of a material used to form the stud bolt and a melting point of a material used to form the main nut.

Abstract: A counterweight is provided including a counterweight frame including a crosshead. A counterweight hitch is operably coupled to the counterweight frame. The counterweight hitch includes a vertically stacked first sheave channel and a second sheave channel. Each of the first sheave channel and second sheave channel includes an interior cavity within which at least one individual sheave assembly is mounted. The plurality of individual sheave assemblies is substantially identical and arranged at an angle relative to a central plane of the counterweight frame.

Abstract: A pedestrian conveyor includes a torsional vibration damper system, the torsional vibration damper system including a shaft, a cylindrical housing attached to the shaft and being configured to dampen vibrations of the shaft, a first gear, and a second gear.

Abstract: The present invention is a lifting assembly to be used with a lift mechanism installed in a vehicle. The lifting assembly includes a supporting structure in the shape of a cross, with a connecting arrangement attached thereto. The connecting arrangement include apertures to which two or more cables may be engaged. The cables may further be engaged at their other ends with a shackle which is adapted to be fixedly attached to the lift mechanism. The lift mechanism, when operated, causes the supporting structure to be suspended in the shape of a sling arrangement, which can be utilized to support various types of items, including a wheelchair. The wheelchair supported in the supporting structure can be hoisted by operating the lift mechanism for storage and other purposes, as desired.

Abstract: An end effector includes a body having a cavity located therein. The body partially encloses the cavity and includes an opening through the body to the cavity that is sized to receive a hanger hook. A hooking structure is located within the cavity. A latch is movably received by the body. The latch has a closed position that reduces the size of the opening and an open position that increases the size of the opening.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an apparatus and method used in connection with a forklift truck for quickly and easily nesting and un-nesting bulk seed boxes. A box inverter apparatus includes first and second rotary clamp pads, each clamp pad having a box engaging surface and an opposing rear surface. The first and second rotary clamp pads are positioned such that the box engaging surfaces thereof face one another in a spaced apart relationship. First and second spindle and bearing assemblies are associated with and extend radially outwardly from the opposing rear surfaces of the first and second rotary clamp pads, respectively. Each of the spindle and bearing assemblies has a first end attached to the rear surface of the rotary clamp pad and a second end attached to a frame such that each spindle and bearing assembly permits rotation of the rotary clamp pad relative to the frame.