Abstract: The single shear described herein for cutting and simultaneously conveying one or more pairs of rolling wires or bars includes a mobile diverter consisting of at least two channels in each of which a wire or bar slides. The single shear further includes at least two pairs of counter-knives, each of which acts on the wire or bar, and a conveying device for conveying the cut segments of wires or bars. The conveying device may include at least one pair of mobile elements configured to be independent of each other, but configured to be synchronized with each other and with the mobile diverter for the separate management of each of said cut sections of wires or bars. The single shear may finally include at least two pairs of output channels for conveying the cut segments of wires or bars.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tablet discharge chute including: a channel unit having a main channel into which tablets are inserted and a plurality of discharge channels communicating with the main channel, the discharge channels separating and discharging the tablets; a separation part being coupled to a shaft between the main channel and the discharge channels, the separation part having first and second separation plates that are coupled at a predetermined angle therebetween on the shaft to face the discharge channels; and an actuator being coupled to the shaft and rotating the separation part at a preset angle, wherein when the shaft rotates, the first separation plate lifts the tablets being discharged from the main channel to close a first discharge channel of the discharge channels, and the second separation plate opens a second discharge channel of the discharge channels to guide the lifted tablets to the opened second discharge channel.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various aspect of a unique standalone document handler that is coupable to and controllable by a fulfillment. The standalone documents handler is attachable to a standard printer or copier and has a drop chute that is designed to hold groups of fulfillment documents and drop them into a fulfillment receptacle positioned under the document handler. Upper and lower scanners scan document identification codes placed on one or more pages of the fulfillment document, which allows a system controller to control the timing of dispensing the correct documents in the designated fulfillment receptacle at the correct time.

Abstract: The present invention provides machines, methods and apparatus for automatically vending, damping, delivering and returning large heavy product containers such as 5-gallon water bottles. In some embodiments, damping methods and apparatus are provided to gently transfer large heavy product containers from one level to another inside a vending machine. In some embodiments, methods and apparatus including adjustable support rails are provided for handling different sized large heavy product containers inside a vending machine. In some embodiments, delivery methods and apparatus are provided for use with large heavy product containers. In some embodiments, methods and apparatus for returning large product containers are provided. Some or all of these features may be provided in a single vending machine, or in multiple machines, and multiple features or machines may be controlled by a single computer processor.

Abstract: A gravity flow rail conveyor and picking system comprises a plurality of conveyor rail lanes having module or pallet support surfaces that rise at a suitable gravity flow angle from a selectively erected abutment chock. When erected, the chock abutment prevents gravity flow of modules along the support surface below the chock. When retracted, at least one module is allowed to flow by gravity onto a level support surface suitable for interfacing with an automatic picking machine. As the picking module flows onto a respective level surface, the chock rotates to an erect position for preventing additional modules from passing the abutment point.

Abstract: A container unloading device which includes a two-tiered rail system that has been adapted to include an upper set of feed rails that cycle carts carrying containers from the back of the system to the front of the system for unloading. At the system's front end, the feed rails have sections of increased angularity which support the cart and container at an angle which increases accessibility to the container's contents. The system also includes a set of transfer ramps which allow the cart to move from rolling engagement with the feed rails to rolling engagement with the lower set of return rails where the cart and unloaded container then move to the back of the system into a position for reloading. The device may further include a speed reducer which retards the cart's acceleration down the sections of increased angularity.

Abstract: A switch track mechanism for selectively directing electronic components from a single trackway to one of a plurality of discharge or accumulator stations comprising a first fixed track sections adjacent the trackway, a second fixed track section adjacent to and downstream of the first fixed track section, movable first and second track members operatively associated with the first and second fixed track sections and each operable between first and second limit positions. The second movable track member has a plurality of track sectors disposed in an array, a plurality of accumulator stations downstream of the second track member corresponding in number to the number of track sectors, a cartridge for electronic components is mounted at each accumulator station. The movable track sections have actuable between limit positions whereby electronic components may be directed from the single trackway to a select one of the accumulator stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing and sorting electronic components comprises a testing device (4), an output magazine (3) having several parallel receiving ducts (34) for receiving tested components (8) and a component conveyor device (7) including a carriage (36) arranged between the testing device (4) and the output magazine (3) to move transversely to the receiving ducts (34) along a support rod (37) and an eccentric rod (38). The carriage is so engaged with the eccentric rod (38) that when the eccentric rod (38) is rotated at any position of the carriage (36) along the receiving ducts (34) the carriage swivels about the support rod (37) from a stop position to a release position to release a component (8) carried thereby to the adjacent receiving duct (34).

Abstract: A switch track mechanism for selectively directing electronic components from a single trackway to one of a plurality of discharge or accumulator stations comprising a first fixed track sections adjacent the trackway, a second fixed track section adjacent to and downstream of the first fixed track section, movable first and second track members operatively associated with the first and second fixed track sections and each operable between first and second limit positions. The second movable track member has a plurality of track sectors disposed in an array, a plurality of accumulator stations downstream of the second track member corresponding in number to the number of track sectors, a cartridge for electronic components is mounted at each accumulator station. The movable track sections have actuatable between limit positions whereby electronic components may be directed from the single trackway to a select one of the accumulator stations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switch for wire mills and refined iron mills for selecting one of two or more continuing tubular guides for rolled material arriving successively in one guide. A guide tube is used which may be oriented at the inlet orifices of the continuing guides, and which is connected to the arrival guide, whereby the guide tube may be set, while a rolled material strand is being forwarded to one of the continuing guides, for one of the other continuing guides.

Abstract: A waste materials handling system which includes materials transporting apparatus for conveying materials being processed to a processing device such as a shredder which is subject to unexpected and relatively sudden discontinuance of operation as by clogging or other breakdown condition, the invention comprising means for detecting such breakdown and for consequently diverting flow of materials away from the apparatus without interrupting the flow of materials through the system.