Abstract: Parts merge smoothly without any stopper at a branching region. A determining and sorting unit determines, between an introduction passage and a branching region, whether weld nuts at rest are facing up or down. The weld nuts determined as facing up are fed to a first branch passage, whereas the weld nuts determined as facing down are fed to a second branch passage.

Abstract: Parts merge smoothly without any stopper at a branching region. A determining and sorting unit determines, between an introduction passage and a branching region, whether weld nuts at rest are facing up or down. The weld nuts determined as facing up are fed to a first branch passage, whereas the weld nuts determined as facing down are fed to a second branch passage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fish feed-in device (10) which is designed to supply fish (13) to a plurality of fish-processing devices and comprises a transverse conveyor (14) designed to convey the fish (13) transversely to their head-tail orientation in a transverse conveying direction (15), wherein the transverse conveyor (14) comprises a plurality of receptacles (17) each designed to individually hold one of the fish (13), and the transverse conveyor (14) has a controllable drive unit (19), at least one feeder device (11) designed to supply fish to the receptacles (17) of the transverse conveyor (14), a plurality of transfer devices (16) which are designed to selectively transfer the fish (13) from the transverse conveyor to longitudinal conveyors (12) arranged upstream of the respective fish-processing devices, wherein the longitudinal conveyors (12) are designed to convey the fish (13) in their head-tail orientation to the fish-processing machines, and a control device which is designed to control th

Abstract: A device for separating and aligning pin-shaped piece goods exhibiting a head and a shank includes a funnel-shaped receptacle for receiving the piece goods. The receptacle has two wall sections which delimit the receptacle in a front area, and a rear wall, which are arranged in sections opposite one another and in each case inclined outwards at an angle to the central transversal plane of the receptacle. An endlessly circulating conveying means is arranged underneath a recess which spaces apart the two wall sections and which is arranged at a same angle (?) as the wall sections inclined relative to the central transversal plane and conveys the piece goods from a receiving plane to a higher discharge plane. The conveying means has a conveying plane provided with drivers. The recess is delimited by parallel front edges of the wall sections which are arranged in a V-shape tapering towards the conveying means and terminate above the conveying means or in a plane with the conveying means.

Abstract: A system for feeding preforms to a container blow-molding machine includes a sorting and alignment device fed with randomly arranged preforms and parallel alignment rollers that rotate about their respective axes and arrange the preforms in conveyance tracks inclined with respect to the horizontal. The system includes elements for removing the incorrectly positioned preforms, which are individually laid flat and arrive from the alignment rollers on the conveyance tracks and are oriented parallel to the longitudinal advancement direction. The removal components include an upper guide having a flow control portion arranged at least in one active blocking position thereof, above the end of the alignment rollers proximate to the conveyance tracks distanced from the alignment rollers to allow passage below the flow control portion of the correctly oriented preforms and block the longitudinal end.

Abstract: A method for disassembling a low-pressure process apparatus. The method provide a transmission device and a low-pressure process apparatus; and moves the housing to a transmission device in a first horizontal direction via the first roller set.

Abstract: A system for repositioning row bars includes a base support including a top surface, and a support arm positioned on the top surface and configured to rotate from a first position to a second position, a tray assembly coupled to the support arm, the tray assembly including a first tray including a plurality of first channels, each configured to retain one of the row bars in an initial position, a transfer substrate including a plurality of transfer channels, each configured to receive one of the row bars from the first tray as the support arm moves from the first position to the second position, and a second tray including a plurality of second channels, each configured to retain the one of the row bars in a final position, where the row bars in the final position are rotated by a preselected number of degrees from the initial position.

Abstract: A sloping surface slopes downward. Longwise ribs are provided to be adjacent to each other on the sloping surface. The longwise ribs extend from an upper area of the sloping surface to a lower area of the sloping surface. A diagonal rib diagonally crosses a direction orthogonal to a direction of a gravitational force on the sloping surface. The diagonal rib is not taller than the longwise rib.

Abstract: A disc turning device is formed with at least one support portion at one side of a center of gravity of the disc to make a disc turn over automatically by gravity by turning about the support portion, thus achieving the objectives of automatically turning over a disc by gravity, and saving energy.

Abstract: A stacker is composed of a bottom plate, a containing section for storing a plurality of cards by stacking it on the bottom plate and a guiding section for guiding each card entering into the containing section. The guiding section is composed of a sidewall for restricting movement of an entering card when entering into the stacker in a first moving direction and a slanted section for slanting the card against the first moving direction. The slanted card moves in a second moving direction intersecting with the first moving direction at approximately a right angle by the gravitational force.

Abstract: A method for forming a number of side by side lying rows of objects such as for producing sandwich biscuits. Firstly the products being supplied to the even channels are turned over and, as well as the not turned over products are brought on a conveyor belt. In a second step by means of a continuous rotatable first roller positioned above the conveyor belt and being provided with pins a product can be released from each channel and the next product can be stopped for the formation of rows of turned over and not turned over products running in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. Thereupon by means of rollers at least one of which is movable in axial direction, the turned over and not turned over products are moved in longitudinal and transverse direction to obtain alternate transverse rows of turned over and not turned over products.

Abstract: The device consists of several rails supported by a frame (17) which form a kind of tunnel for the end of the preforms, on the neck (21) side. The tunnel is twisted and the two rails (12) and (13) which act as a guidance under the neck have a separation which is constant between the entrance (4) and the exit (5) of the said tunnel in order to convey diverse and varying preforms. One of the rails, the rail (12), is straight and the other rail, the rail (13), is curved, this rail (13) having a profile created in accordance with the type of preform to be conveyed. The straight rail (12) corresponds to the edge of a guide (15) in the form of a simple flat which is fixed to the frame (17), and the curved rail (13) too corresponds to the edge of a guide (16) in the form of a simple flat which is also fixed suitably to the said frame (17).

Abstract: A disc turning device and method thereof utilizes a device whose supporting portion is located at one side of the gravity center of the disc body to make the disc body, under the gravity action, use the supporting portion as a pivot to carry out turning operation, thus achieving the objectives of automatic turning operation by gravity using and energy saving.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning fasteners having radially symmetrical polygonal heads in a device for feeding these fasteners to a processing station. A tubular piece having axially running grooves in its interior is provided in a feed channel for the fasteners, the number of these grooves corresponding to the number of edges on the heads of the fasteners, and the diameter of the groove corners on the inlet side of the tubular piece being greater than the width across the corners of the polygonal heads, the grooves tapering from a large width to a narrow width in the transport direction in such a way that fasteners entering the tubular piece are captured with a great clearance in relation to the grooves and leave the tubular piece with narrow clearance and therefore in the aligned position.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting a spheroidal container comprising a spheroidal body and a neck portion and the method for using the same, the apparatus comprising a container feeder, a channel having a longitudinal gap and arranged for receiving the spheroidal containers from the container feeder and operative to orient the spheroidal containers in an upside down orientation with the body supported by the channel and the neck portion extending below the spheroidal body and into the longitudinal gap; and a twister for receiving the spheroidal containers in the upside down orientation and inverting the spheroidal containers. An apparatus for packaging a beverage in a spheroidal container and the method for using the same, comprising the apparatus for orienting a spherical container and further comprising a filler for receiving the spheroidal containers and filling the spheroidal containers with the beverage, and a sealer for sealing the beverage in the spheroidal containers.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of use, for reducing the operable width of the inclined slide of a gravity fed sorting machine includes an upper section for reducing the flow rate into the slide and for directing the reduced flow to the operable portion of the slide and a lower section for delimiting the operable portion of the slide. The upper section includes a body proximate the gravity fed sorting machine and which is connected to a product flow rate adjustment assembly and a partition so the product flow into the slide may be controlled and the flow of materials directed to the operable portion of the lower section, which includes a slide width control guide to limit the operable width of the inclined slide.

Abstract: A guide path for electronic components has guide elements by means of which the components are guided obliquely with respect to the direction of the light beams at least in the area of a light barrier, such that the component produces a shadow area which is higher than the side end surface of the component.

Abstract: This invention structurally includes an adjustable guide rail system for laterally adjustably guiding and axially rotatably manipulating containers, such as cans, passed axially between the guide rail systems and with structure to simply and easily facilitate adjustment of the system to adjust to various series of different size cans to guide multiple series of different size cans there through by rotating a cylinder through which the cans passed to present a different passage for each respective series of different size cans.

Abstract: A disc turning device is formed with at least one support portion at one side of a center of gravity of the disc to make a disc turn over automatically by gravity by turning about the support portion, thus achieving the objectives of automatically turning over a disc by gravity, and saving energy.

Abstract: A supply tube has a conveying channel of a substantially rectangular cross-section formed therein for successively supplying tablets, pills, capsules, dragées and similar products from a reservoir under the effect of gravity to a receptacle. The conveying channel has several successively arranged sections adjoining one another, wherein successive sections are inclined alternately in different directions with respect to a longitudinal plane of the supply tube thereby enclosing an angle of less than 45° with the longitudinal plane, and wherein the cross-section of the successive sections is distorted by an angle of up to about 90° around the longitudinal plane.

Abstract: This invention structurally includes an adjustable guide rail system for laterally adjustably guiding and axially rotatably manipulating containers, such as cans, passed axially between the guide rail systems and with structure to simply and easily facilitate adjustment of the system to adjust to various series of different size cans. Also, this invention has a revolving cylinder assembly somewhat like the cylinder of a revolver pistol whereby rotation the pistol cylinder allows an identical bullet to pass there through into the gun barrel. However, this invention differs from this analogy and was invented to selectively pass a series of one size of cans through a revolvable structure to guide multiple series of different size cans there through by rotating a cylinder through which the cans passed to present a different passage for each respective series of different size cans.

Abstract: The buffer arrangement according to the invention comprises a slide path (6) for a workpiece carrier (3). Preferably, the slide path (6) is coil-like wound and supported on a central column (15). The slide path (6) comprises preferably at least one slide track (7, 8) and possibly one or several guide tracks (9, 10). The workpiece carriers (3) slide on the slide tracks (7, 8) preferably with the front sides of the centering and clamping bolts disposed on the slide tracks (7, 8).

Abstract: The invention is related to a coin chute for transporting coins in a coin processing machine. The coin chute includes a first surface, a second surface, and a rolling surface. The rolling surface connects the first surface and the second surface to form generally a V-shape cross-section to the coin chute. The V-shape has an angle ? between the first and second surface surfaces, and is inclined at an angle ? relative to the horizontal. The angles ? and ? are selected to be values that cause the coins to move under a gravitational force and slidably roll across the rolling surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed which incorporates a spiral slide (14) to orient corn dogs (12) in a single direction as they slide down the spiral slide. The oriented corn dogs (12) enter an inlet (66) of a first conveyor (16) as they leave the spiral slide. The first conveyor moves the corn dogs (12) along a direction (52) toward a second conveyor (18). The first and second conveyors are pivotally mounted at their distant ends so that their facing ends (64,70) can be aligned to allow a corn dog in one slot (50,52) of the first conveyor to be conveyed to any one of the slots (92-98) in the second conveyor (18) to group the corn dogs in sets for packaging.

Abstract: A helical distributing chute conveyor for a receptacle for transferring loose varied fragile chemical and pharmaceutical products, particularly of the granular or pulverulent type. This chute conveyor, placed in a receptacle, comprises helical chute paths developed about a vertical axis; each chute path, whom cross section is straight, is inclined transversely towards the vertical axis, the angle of inclination of the chute path being calculated such that, whatever their size, the particles of material transported deviate towards the vertical axis when the centrifugal force which originally keeps them on the chute path cancels out or drops below a critical value.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a slide for a gravity-fed sorting machine. An optimum gravity slide configuration comprises one or more channels, with or without dividing ribs, and a product guide. The product guide has support tabs integral to or otherwise extending from its perimeter. Those tabs allow the product guide to be supported along it perimeter by brackets while retaining certain degrees of freedom regarding its ability to move. Specifically, the tabs rest in notches in the underlying support brackets that allow the product guide to be lifted up, thus permitting a potential obstruction to pass. Additionally, the brackets themselves are adjustably mounted to the sides of the slide. That allows the product guide's height above the channel bottom or dividing ribs to be varied to provide a clearance to best accommodate the particular product being sorted.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging containers includes a first conveyor for advancing items; a second conveyor for continuously advancing containers; a charging device including first and second chutes each having an inlet adjoining the discharge end of the first conveyor and an outlet positioned above the second conveyor. The first and second chutes adjoin one another in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the second conveyor. A drive shifts the charging device and the discharge end of the first conveyor relative to one another for selectively aligning the inlet of the first chute or the inlet of the second chute with the discharge end for selectively introducing items from the first conveyor into the first or second chute. A sensor detects items advanced on the first conveyor. A control device is connected to the sensor and the drive for operating the drive based on the sensor signals.

Abstract: Plain oval cigarettes which issue from a maker in such orientation that the minor axes of their oval cross-sectional outlines extend vertically are advanced lengthwise in the spiral groove of a trough toward an outlet where the major axes of their oval cross-sectional outlines extend vertically. The thus reoriented oval cigarettes are attracted to the undersides of receptacles which are pivotably mounted on a rotary carrier and deliver the cigarettes, without any further changes in the orientation of the major and minor axes of their cross-sectional outlines, to successive peripheral flutes of a rotary drum-shaped conveyor which transports the cigarettes in such a way that the minor axes of their oval cross-sectional outlines extend radially of the rotational axis of the drum-shaped conveyor. This ensures that the oval cigarettes are more reliably held in their flutes during advancement with the drum-shaped conveyor.

Abstract: A foodstuff collating apparatus having a plurality of discrete channels within which foodstuffs are collated. The apparatus is elevated at one end to provide a slide for the foodstuff with the channels converging from one end of the apparatus to the other. As the foodstuff slides down a channel, the former is oriented from a random position to an ordered vertical disposition.

Abstract: A static article-rotating apparatus having a continuous helical channel designed within a tubular member is disclosed. One or more guides smoothly and continuously deflect an article as it passes through the channel thereby rotating the article.

Abstract: A chip component feeding apparatus translates chip components accommodated in bulk along a passage in alignment and feeds the foremost chip component to a predetermined take-out position. A curved passage having at its passage center a predetermined radius of curvature is disposed between the bore of a fixed pipe (vertical passage) and linear passages (transverse passage) used for the transport of components. An opening for the discharge of chip components is provided in the vicinity of the transverse passage of the curved passage.

Abstract: A foodstuff collating apparatus having a plurality of discrete channels within which foodstuffs are collated. The apparatus is elevated at one end to provide a slide for the foodstuff with the channels converging from one end of the apparatus to the other. As the foodstuff slides down a channel, the former is oriented from a random position to an ordered vertical disposition.

Abstract: A package dispenser that can be used in an automated system for filling orders, such as prescriptions for patients. The dispenser includes a magazine for holding a plurality of packages. The magazine includes a loading end and a dispensing end which has a releasable retainer to keep the loaded packages in the magazine until they are released. Several dispensers may be combined with an automated storage system in which a robot selects packages from storage racks. Then, packages can be simultaneously delivered by the dispensers and the robot. The dispensers may be filled by the robot. The robot and releasable retainer in the dispenser are computer controlled.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for supporting an article such as a product carrier during its conveyance is disclosed. The conveying apparatus includes a transferring track segment and a receiving track segment which are positioned laterally side by side, and with the transferring track segment being progressively inclined from a horizontal orientation to a laterally tilted orientation, and with the receiving track segment being progressively inclined from a laterally tilted orientation to a horizontal orientation. As result, the article being conveyed is rotated about a longitudinal axis and transferred to the receiving track segment. The apparatus finds particular utility in a yarn spinning plant, wherein yarn packages may be conveyed in a horizontal orientation and then rotated to a vertical orientation to facilitate packaging.

Abstract: A sorter for orienting integrated circuit devices comprises first, second, and third sections. The first section receives the devices and sorts them into those with a leads down orientation and those with a leads up orientation. The first section comprises two opposing faces, each having a pair of lead channels. The first face lead channels receive leads of devices having a leads down orientation, and the second face lead channels receive leads of devices having a leads up orientation. The second section comprises a first channel for receiving devices from the first section having a leads down orientation, and a second channel for receiving devices from the first section having a leads up orientation. The second section further comprises an inverter integral to the second channel for inverting devices passing therethrough to a leads down orientation.

Abstract: A slide conveyor for an optical sorting machine is disclosed wherein the conveyor is gently twisted over its length by about 85 degrees. The conveyor is channel-like in that it has two sides converging at its U-shaped bottom at an acute angle. The angle has a radius much smaller than the radius of the convex flat side, but slightly larger than the radius of the smallest edge angle radius of the slightly convex, disc-like products being conveyed. At the upper end, the centerline of the bottom angle is vertical and at its lower end, positioned just above the viewing station of the optical sorter, the centerline is about 5 degrees above horizontal. The conveyor slopes at a grade of about 75 degrees. The conveyor both singulates and orients the products conveyed.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 controls the orientation of a lid section 16 prior to mating the lid section 16 with a pail section 14 to form a complete container 17. The lid section 16 has bunghole 18 of a preselected diameter positioned at a preselected radial distance from the center of the lid section 16. The bunghole 18 is defined by an annular wall extending a preselected distance from a lower surface of the lid section 16. A first plate 54 receives the lid section 16 with the bunghole 18 extending into a central passage 56. The central passage 56 extends athrough 56 the plate 54 with an upper section 58 of the passage 56 having a preselected width at least twice the preselected radial distance of the bunghole 18 from the center of the lid section 16. A lower section 60 of the passage 56 has a preselected width at least as wide the bunghole diameter.

Abstract: A yarn package transferring apparatus having a slide for sliding yarn packages thereon from a yarn processing machine and a vertical endless belt assembly for raising the packages from the bottom of the slide to a conveyor which carries the packages for delivering to a location for further handling. The slide has an apparatus for orienting a predetermined leading or trailing end of the packages entering the slide for sliding thereon and a recess adjacent its lower end for uniformly positioning the packages for receipt by the vertical endless belt. A plurality of inclined platforms regularly spaced along the vertical endless belt translationally carry the packages to a package stripper which removes the supported packages from the platforms and loads the packages onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A transport system particularly for flat articles, e.g. cards, includes guides which allow alternate articles to be conveyed in different orientations through the same duct (122) so that the risk of jamming or shingling during conveyance is eliminated. In a preferred arrangement the system includes a crossed-axes pneumatic duct (122) and driven rollers (144) for introducing cards (12) into the duct in different orientations. The system also includes intermediate air supply stations (138), a card inspection unit (134), and a receiving station (139) including a device (145) for turning cards so that they are all received in the same orientation.

Abstract: A device for inverting articles being transferred from one location to another in an assembly machine. More particularly, the device includes a tube having a helical groove extending therealong so that an article entering one end of the groove is inverted at the other end.

Abstract: A slider supplying apparatus, for use with a slide-fastener finishing machine, includes a rail for slidingly supporting a number of sliders in succession from a reservoir, with the opposite wings of each slider body astride of the rail and with a pull tab hanging from the slider body, and a chute defining a guide channel for passage therethrough of the slider bodies and having an upper end portion disposed adjacent to a free end portion of the rail for receiving the successive sliders therefrom. The upper end portion of the chute has a sloping edge engageable with the pull tab of each slider, as the latter slides forwardly on the free end portion of the rail, so as to raise the pull tab perpendicularly to the slider wing. The chute also has a guide slit coextensive with the guide channel for receiving the pull tab of each slider in such raised posture while the slider body is in the guide channel.

Abstract: A process and a device for feeding a machine for welding mesh with weft wires. A sheet of parallel warp wires is moved towards a welding station, as are weft wires which have been cut to length. The warp and weft wires are moved forward in substantially the same direction and the weft wires undergo a change in direction to the extent that the weft wires run in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the warp wires when said weft wires reach them.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling packaging boxes with flat, angular articles, includes an intermediate container accommodating the articles in a random pile; a charging hopper introducing the articles into the packaging boxes; and a conveying arrangement delivering the articles from the intermediate container into the charging hopper. The conveying arrangement has a first aligner including a plurality of serially arranged troughs each having side walls and a bottom wall defining a channel. The channels formed in the troughs are serially connected to form a continuous conveying track having an outlet end. The channels include an aligning arrangement for turning the articles, advancing thereon in a flow, into an at least approximately parallel orientation by the time they arrive to the outlet end of the conveying track.

Abstract: The device comprises a succession of members in the form of plates collectively defining a path of traverse of the article to be turned, by means of apertures in the plates; each aperture being of the outline shape of the article and being angularly offset so that parts of each succeeding plate of the succession obstruct the path of the article incrementally to deflect the article as it passes through the aperture of each plate about an axis passing through the article and parallel with the path of traverse, thereby to change the orientation of the article.

Abstract: A track for conveying workpieces of predetermined size and shape is disclosed, in which a plurality of elongated filaments are aligned parallel to each other in a predetermined spatial relationship according to the size and shape of the workpieces, so that a passageway is created along the length of the track through which the workpieces may travel while they are captured by the filaments. The track includes a plurality of alignment frames spaced along the length of the filaments, the number of frames being dependent on the length of the filaments and the desired amount of curvature of the track along its length. Each alignment frame includes a plate with a plurality of arms adjustably mounted relative to the plate, each of the arms having at least one filament retaining channel on its periphery. The channel is shaped to slidably engage a corresponding one of the filaments along a portion of the filament's length while retaining the filament in the channel.

Abstract: A can twist is provided for changing the orientation of cans in a conveying system with each can having a leading side and a trailing side as it passes through the can twist. The guide rails for the open and closed ends of the cans are located so that only the trailing side of each can contacts the guide rails. Such contact is, at any one time, substantially a point contact of the open end and its guide rail and substantially a point contact of the closed end and its guide rail. This is accomplished by providing a plurality of frame members and guide rails with each frame member having two short sides and two long sides and securing the guide rails for the open end and the closed end at a location spaced from the center of each short side.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a novel reversing conveyer track for changing the orientation, direction and spacing of books for use with book construction machinery. The reversing conveyor track first comprises a means for accepting the books and for establishing a predetermined spacing of the books. The means for accepting the books outputs the books with a predetermined velocity. The conveyor track further comprises a means for orienting and directing the books which is attached to the means for accepting the books. The orienting of the books is a change from an edge position to a side position and the direction of the books is a direction of movement different from the input movement direction of books to the means for accepting the books.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging tall, narrow receptacles with small, plate-like items of like size and shape. The apparatus has at least one counting and charging unit having a plurality of axially aligned counting wheels having a plurality of pockets along their periphery for receiving individual items and a funnel arranged underneath the counting wheels for receiving items discharged by the counting wheels and for directing them into a receptacle arranged below the funnel. There are further provided a plurality of orienting channels arranged between the funnel and each counting wheel. Each orienting channel is arranged to receive items from the associated counting wheel and to orient the items such that upon discharge of each item from the orienting channels into the funnel, the main plane of each item is parallel to the main plane of the receptacle situated underneath the funnel.

Abstract: Apparatus for accepting an initially presented population of randomly oriented container caps and providing an output in-line stream of said caps wherein the open ends of the caps face in an upward direction to facilitate further processing of the caps. The apparatus comprises a feeder bowl for accepting the randomly oriented caps, and feeding from an output port thereof, an in-line stream of caps oriented in a substantially horizontal plane. An inclined twisting chute extends from the output of the feeder bowl. This chute receives the in-line stream of caps and twists the plane of advance of same through 90.degree., whereby the caps are reoriented to a stream wherein their diameters are substantially in a vertical plane.

Abstract: In making electrically asymmetrical semiconductor devices, it is generally necessary to orient all of the devices into a common polarity at some point in the manufacturing operation. To accomplish this, a magnetic turning chute receives those devices which do not have the desired common polarity and turns them into the common polarity. A helical magnetic field is established in the turning chute by arranging strip magnets into vertical helices around a cylinder. As the devices, which have magnetic properties, progress through the helical field, they are turned by the magnetic force. Further turning impetus is provided by nonmagnetic helical tracks disposed to coincide with the helical magnetic field so that the leads of the devices can slide along the tracks while they move through the chute. Air jets may be used to assist in forcing the devices through the apparatus.