Abstract: The feeder and positioner for trays for food products (209) according to the invention comprises A) at least one conveyor guide (227); B) at least one conveyor chain (211) which for a section further upstream is substantially side-by-side with the at least one conveyor guide, and is designed to engage with a plurality of trays (V) and to make them advance along the at least one conveyor guide (227). At a moving pulley (213) the conveyor chain (211) is substantially diverted from the path of the at least one conveyor guide (227) so as to disengage from the trays (V). The feeder and positioner (209) comprises a slide (223) on which the pulley (213) is mounted. By moving repeatedly, the slide (213) moves the point in which the trays (V) disengage from the chain (211) and deposits a plurality of N trays in a row on the guide (227). The N trays can be picked up simultaneously from the guide (227).

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article includes a processing device that, processes semi-finished products, and an inspecting device that inspects whether an actual processing position by the processing device is within an allowable range of the process target position on the semi-finished product. The inspecting device includes, a sensor section located in the transport direction and outputting a detection signal while the actual processing position of the semi-finished product is being detected, a reference signal outputting section outputting a reference signal having a waveform in which one wavelength is equivalent to a unit transport amount corresponding to a single semi-finished product, the reference signal having a first waveform portion at a phase corresponding to the allowable range in the wavelength, and a determining section determining whether the actual processing position is within the allowable range by comparing the detection signal with the reference signal.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or other materials are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the walls and optionally the ceiling include discrete units. Such vaults are re-configurable.

Abstract: A conveyance system includes a plurality of feed-forward track segments aligned end-to end, each having an upwardly facing channel and at least one linear motor disposed in the channel. At least one carrier is supported for movement along the track segments. Each carrier includes at least one magnet that cooperates with the linear motors to move the carrier along the respective feed-forward track segments. The conveyance system may further include a plurality of return track segments spaced from the plurality of feed-forward track segments.

Abstract: A conveyance system includes a plurality of feed-forward track segments each having an upwardly facing channel and a friction drive member disposed in the channel. At least one carrier is supported for movement along the feed-forward track segments by frictional engagement between the carrier and the friction drive member. The conveyance system may further include a plurality of return track segments disposed above the feed-forward track segments. A catwalk may be positioned between the feed-forward track segments and the return track segments.

Abstract: Multi-zone, solar cell diffusion furnaces having a plurality of radiant element (SiC) or/and high intensity IR lamp heated process zones, including baffle, ramp-up, firing, soaking and cooling zone(s). The transport of solar cell wafers, e.g., silicon, selenium, germanium or gallium-based solar cell wafers, through the furnace is implemented by use of an ultra low-mass, wafer transport system comprising laterally spaced shielded, synchronously driven, metal bands or chains carrying non-rotating alumina tubes suspended on wires between them. The wafers rest on raised circumferential standoffs spaced laterally along the alumina tubes, which reduces contamination. The high intensity IR flux rapidly photo-radiation conditions the wafers so that diffusion occurs >3× faster than conventional high-mass thermal furnaces. Longitudinal side wall heaters comprising coil heaters in Inconel sheaths inserted in carrier tubes are employed to insure even heating of wafer edges adjacent the side walls.

Abstract: A new class of work-piece conveyors, comprising zero-mass, shadow-less transport systems, with a drive having a pair of parallel, laterally spaced, movable chains defining a processing path, with fingers projecting transversely toward the process path centerline. The gap between fingers eliminates conveyor tube/rod supports, improving wafer quality and conserving energy. Implementations include wire chain, band and roller chain transports to which fingers are secured. Fingers are angled down so that the intersection of the bottom and side edges of the work-piece make only point contacts with each finger. A pair of finger chains implement a single lane drive; adding center bilateral finger drive chains with oppositely pointing fingers implement a multi-lane system. The inventive method includes individually configurable processing temperature profiles in side-by-side lanes, on a zone-by-zone, upper and lower half basis for broad processing flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor system that may be used with an agricultural harvester, such as a round baler, waste baler, combine, sugarcane harvester or cotton harvester. More particularly, the conveyor system utilizes at least a first and a second conveyor belt of which at least one of the conveyor belts is independently movable in the forward and backward directions. The speed and direction of the conveyor belts can be controlled to optimize continuous baling of harvested crop in the agricultural baler.

Abstract: A device for filling containers, in particular bottles or beakers with food products, comprising: an upper main element, a lower main element which are the main elements of the device; lateral elements connecting the main elements; a plurality of support elements continuously arranged at one another without a continuous drive device and provided with receivers for the containers and moved through the device and along the elements and along operating stations; running rails on which the support elements rest while being moved through the main elements; a drive which moves the support elements at least along the operating stations; and at least one lateral element configured as an elevator through which the support elements alternate between the main elements when moving through the device, wherein the elevator includes a exclusively vertically movable lifting device for moving the support elements from one main element into another main element.

Abstract: A handling apparatus having a belt conveyor (2) for conveying a work (10), a robot (4) for performing a predetermined operation for the work (10), a visual sensor (3) for photographing the work (10) being conveyed to produce work data indicating each work (10) in the photographed image, and a robot controller (5) for gathering the work data for each image thereby to produce a tracking data, and for storing the tracking data in a database, thereby to control the robot (4) with the database so that a predetermined operation is performed on the work (10) transferred to the position of the robot (4). The robot controller (5) performs a predetermined calculation on the work data read out from the database, detects the overlapped work data, and cancels the control of the actions of the robot (4) based on the overlapped work data. The robot controller (5) rearranges the sequences, in which the robot (4) performs the operation on each work (10).

Abstract: A material transfer device is configured for transferring a number of molding assemblies. The material transfer device includes a controlling box and a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism includes a receiving chamber, a driving device, and a supporting structure. The receiving chamber is fixedly positioned on the controlling box. The driving device is positioned on a side surface of the receiving chamber. The supporting structure includes a holder and a supporting plate. The holder is positioned on the driving device, and configured to hold the molding assemblies. The supporting plate is positioned on the holder. The driving device drives the supporting structure to move, relative to the receiving chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: Machine (1) for converting paper comprising a starwheel unit (10) equipped with at least one cylindrical body having a plurality of grooves (15), each of which is configured to receive a respective sheet (11) of a plurality of folded sheets (11) that are carried in turn, for example between two transmission belts (200, 201), along a feeding direction (101), for example a direction substantially tangential to the starwheel unit (10). The starwheel unit rotates about a rotation axis (110), for example in a counterclockwise direction, and discharges in turn the sheets (11) present in the grooves (15) onto a formation table (20, 120). More precisely, the folded sheets are discharged to achieve a predetermined angular release position, in order to form a stack (50) of folded sheets (11). The machine (1) can comprise a transfer means for transferring the formed stacks (50) from the table (20, 120) to said conveying means (30).

Abstract: A conveyance system includes a traveling member to transport an article installed for movement along a travel guide. A drive source arranged to drive the traveling member is a linear motor including an armature, disposed along the travel guide, and a mover on the secondary side installed on the traveling member. The travel guide includes a rectilinear section and a curved section. The armatures of the linear motor are spaced at a distance from each other and arranged such that a plurality of the armatures are arranged along the rectilinear section and the curved section of the travel guide. The travel guide is arranged to accommodate a plurality of traveling members mounted thereon.

Abstract: A system and device for use in a security area, and more particularly, a rack system and holding device for placing various objects that are processed through a security area are taught.

Abstract: A vertical closed loop link chain vacuum conveyor is provided. A conveying frame extends along a lane-like longitudinal conveying path. The frame has a vertical and longitudinally offset closed loop section. The closed loop section has a change in elevation including a decline and an incline, change in direction, and a central vacuum plenum. A multi-flex link chain is in guided support and travel in the conveying frame while running in trained contact about a link chain drive assembly. The multi-flex link chain is in evacuated communication with a suction generator is in ducted communication with the vacuum plenum.

Abstract: A material sampling and analyzing assembly comprises a material sampling device and a material analyzer assembly. The material sampling device is configured to extract a core sample of material from a supply of material. The material analyzer assembly is attached to a portion of the material sampling device. The material analyzer assembly comprises a first material analyzer configured to analyze a first testing sample, which comprises a first portion of the core sample. An alternate material sampling an analyzing assembly comprises a material sampling device comprising a discharge chute and a material analyzer assembly comprising a sample container and a material analyzer. The sample container is attached to the discharge chute. The sample container is configured to receive and temporarily retain a testing sample that is discharged from the discharge chute. The material analyzer is configured to analyze the testing sample while it is retained by the sample container.

Abstract: A conveyor support structure for an aggregate processing apparatus, the support structure (20) comprising a base section (24) and a deployable boom structure (22). The boom structure includes a mid-section (28) pivotably coupled to the base section, and a head section (26) pivotably coupled to the mid-section. When the boom structure adopts a transport state, the mid-section extends at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the ground surface. A pair of crossed head section supports (38, 40) are pivotably coupled between the base section and the head section and serve to guide the movement of the boom structure (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing electronic devices includes a rotary turret having first device concentric around the rotary turret, which transfer the electronic devices; a rotary wheel having second device holders concentric around the rotary wheel, which receive the electronic devices and a processing device to process the electronic devices. The rotary turret rotates the first device holders along a first circular path, and the rotary wheel rotates the second device holders along a second circular path. The first axis of the rotary turret is perpendicular to the second axis of the rotary wheel, and that a projection of the second circular path of the second device holders in a direction perpendicular to the second axis of the rotary wheel onto the first circular path of the first device holders defines a line from the inside to the outside of the first circular path of the first device holders.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method produce multi-layered wafer blocks which are filled with a spreading substance such as a cream, for example, in which a first wafer block component is transported along a conveying surface to a stacking area, is lifted there from the conveying surface by a gripping device, a second wafer block component is subsequently or simultaneously transported along the conveying surface to the stacking area, and the first wafer block component is placed and/or pressed onto the second wafer block component from above in a joining process.

Abstract: Methods for transporting containers filled with fluid, preferably for transporting containers filled with fluid which have a flexible base, comprising lowering the fluid level of the fluid in the filled container, and transporting the container with a lowered fluid level and systems thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article includes a guide member that guides an elastic member fed on a web configuring a component of the absorbent article and being conveyed in a continuous state. The guide member includes: an arm member having a tip portion that is a feeding position of the elastic member to the web, and a base portion separated from the tip portion; a first drive member that swings the arm member about the base portion of the arm member as a rotational axis; and a second drive member that performs a back and forth movement of the arm member and the first drive member along a cross direction that crosses a conveyance direction in which the web is conveyed.

Abstract: The method and the device serve for aligning a belt strip, which has a middle part and triangular end pieces. The belt strip is wound onto a tire building drum in such a way that the triangular end regions extend next to one another, at least in certain regions. At least one of the triangular regions is changed in its alignment, at least in certain regions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the heating of plastics material pre-forms with a conveying device which conveys the plastics material pre-forms along a pre-set conveying path, at least one heating device moves with the plastics material pre-forms arranged on the conveying device, wherein the heating device comprises a receiving room that receives the plastics material pre-forms and that surrounds the plastics material pre-forms during heating thereof. A holding device holds the plastics material pre-forms. The plastics material pre-forms are conveyed through a clean room, the clean room surrounding the conveying path of the plastics material pre-forms. A moving device introduces the plastics material pre-forms into the receiving room and removes plastics material pre-forms from the receiving room. At least one portion of the moving device is arranged exterior the clean room. A sealing device seals the clean room from an exterior environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heating of plastics material pre-forms comprises a movable carrier on which is arranged at least one heating device, the heating device including a holding element for holding and conveying the plastics material pre-forms. A heating cavity is included, into which individual plastics material pre-forms can be inserted. A moving device is suitable for inserting the plastics material pre-forms into the heating cavity. A clean room, inside which the plastics material pre-forms are capable of being heated by the heating cavity is included, wherein the clean room is isolated from an external environment by at least one first wall and at least one second wall, the second wall being constructed and arranged to be movable with respect to the first wall.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of, as well as an apparatus for, weighing items of poultry, such as poultry or chicken carcasses, in conjunction with a meat processing systems (5, 7). The method includes: a first step of providing a weighing bridge (1) having force measuring means (25) with two load cells; a second step of conveying a suspended item of poultry in a predefined path extending over the weighing bridge (1); a third step of transferring substantially the weight of the suspended item of poultry onto the weighing bridge; and a fourth step of reading out values detected by the load cells of the force measuring means (25); and calculating an actual weight using an average of the detected force values over a predetermined period of time. The apparatus includes components for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A fully-automatic verification system for intelligent electric energy meters comprises a plurality of verification units for automatic verification of the electric energy meters, main transport lines for connecting the verification units, and a verification management system for coordinating the work of the verification units. The main transport lines comprise upper transport lines for transporting boxes carrying electric energy meters to be verified to the verification units and lower transport lines for transporting the boxes carrying the electric energy meters back to the warehouse. The verification system for electric energy meters can implement fully-automatic verification, thus enhancing the efficiency and the verification accuracy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a box carrier having a contact surface for transporting flat cutouts, or sleeves, and folding boxes produced from the same. According to the invention at least one suction opening, which can be connected to a vacuum source, is disposed in the contact surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder for a number of borers, which can advantageously be used for coating borer tips. The holders according to the invention make it possible to arrange the borers in the coating unit in such a way that their tips rest on a cylindrical wall and these can be rotated past a coating source at the same minimum distance. The holder comprises a first curved wall with holes, a second curved wall with holes or slits and a third wall which serves as stop for borers inserted in the holes of the first and second wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting containers includes transport elements for transporting the containers in a transport direction, each of the transport elements including a clamping element, which is either a centering or holding element, for clamping a particular container, and an inspection device to inspect a container-to-be-inspected for unwanted foreign matter. The inspection device has a piezo sensor and is integral to the transport, centering, or holding element. The apparatus also includes an analysis unit connected to the inspection device, and an excitation element for controlling movement of a container. The inspection device is connectable to the container such that the container can be moved in an appropriate direction of movement and in the transport direction using the inspection device.

Abstract: A conveyance system includes a traveling member to transport an article installed for movement along a travel guide. A drive source arranged to drive the traveling member is a linear motor including an armature, disposed along the travel guide, and a mover on the secondary side installed on the traveling member. The travel guide includes a rectilinear section and a curved section. The armatures of the linear motor are spaced at a distance from each other and arranged such that a plurality of the armatures are arranged along the rectilinear section and the curved section of the travel guide. The travel guide is arranged to accommodate a plurality of traveling members mounted thereon.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize a card reorienting mechanism are described. Generally, the card reorienting mechanism can transport and rotate a card without substantially contacting one of the principal surfaces of the card. The use of the card reorienting mechanism permits reorienting of the card without substantially contacting the principal surface of the card after the operation has been performed on the principal surface of the card. The card reorienting mechanism of the present disclosure can be useful where rotation of the card without contacting the principal surfaces of the card is desired moments after ink is applied to one of the principal surfaces of the card. In addition, substantially the entire principle surface is accessible for processing operations while the card is on the reorienting mechanism, such as for laser personalization or for image capture.

Abstract: A dynamic load lock chamber that includes a plurality of actuators positioned along its length to achieve a desired pressure gradient from an atmospheric pressure side to a processing pressure side of the chamber is provided. The chamber includes a transport belt continuously running through the chamber to transport substrates from the atmospheric pressure side to the processing pressure side of the chamber, if situated on an inlet side of a production line, and from the processing pressure side to the atmospheric pressure side of the chamber, if positioned on an outlet side of the production line. Separation mechanisms may be attached to the belt to separate discrete regions within the chamber into a plurality of discrete volumes. Substrates may be disposed between the separation mechanisms, such that separation between adjacent pressure regions within the chamber is maintained as the substrates are transported through the chamber.

Abstract: Envelope dimensioning system for dimensioning envelope in motion comprising a control unit (40), a mobile support (22) including at least one presence sensor (33B, 33C, 33D, 33E, 33F, 33G, 33H, 33I) wherein for acquiring the envelope width the mobile support moves back and forth perpendicularly to a registration wall (16) along which the envelope is conveyed and the control unit determines the width of the envelope from a determination of the at least one presence sensor which has changed of state and the acquired position of the mobile support, and wherein the number of presence sensors arranged on the mobile support is at least equal to the maximum width of envelopes to size less the minimum width of envelopes to size divided by the distance between two presence sensors on the mobile support, the distance being equal to the speed of the mobile support during an acquisition of the width of the envelope divided by the speed of the envelope conveying multiplied by twice the minimum length of the envelope to si

Abstract: A fountain-pen automatic assembly line system includes a worktable, two sprockets, and an endless loop driving chain connecting the two sprockets. The sprockets are mounted at two ends of the worktable respectively. A plurality of jigs is provided on the driving chain, wherein the jigs are configured to hold fountain pen barrels. A transporting rail supporting the driving chain is provided between the two sprockets, and the transporting rail is fixed on the worktable. An ink-reservoir mounting station and an ink-reservoir pressing station are provided on the worktable successively. The ink-reservoir mounting station is provided with an automatic ink-reservoir mounting machine, and the ink-reservoir pressing station is provided with an automatic ink-reservoir pressing machine. The ink-reservoir mounting process and the ink-reservoir pressing process are linked via the driving chain, so that the assembly time is shortened and the assembly efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A media transport assembly includes a plurality of pallets arranged to circulate on an endless track through a print zone and a handling zone. In the print zone, the pallets are temporarily grouped together to support and move a print media during printing at a substantially constant velocity. In the handling zone, the pallets are spaced apart from each other as they circulate back to the print zone without supporting any print media.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device transfer apparatus which has an excellent capacity of transferring DUTs between trays. An electronic device transfer apparatus, which transfers DUTs between trays, includes a device conveying unit. The device conveying unit includes a plurality of shuttles which hold the DUTs, an endless first guide rail which guides the shuttles, and first to third feeders which move the shuttles on the first guide rail. The shuttles are movable on the first guide rail over the entire circumference of the rail.

Abstract: A palletized framing system for a motor vehicle body assembly system in which the pallet with a body structure positioned thereon is positioned at the framing station on balls to establish the vertical Z dimension with the pallet free to float on the balls in longitudinal X and lateral Y dimensions, whereafter positioners carried by one of the gates of the framing station engage and lock onto the pallet to precisely position the pallet and the body structure at the framing station at X and Y dimensions corresponding to the precisely attainable X and Y positioning of the gate.

Abstract: A treatment system for the surface treatment of workpieces, particularly vehicle bodies, includes a plurality of transport devices, on which at least one workpiece to be treated can be attached in a releasable manner. A conveying device moves the transport devices through the treatment system. At least one treatment bath is disposed in a first conveying plane of the treatment system and the transport devices with the workpieces arranged thereon are introduced into the treatment bath. At least one cleaning device, which is suitable and designed for cleaning the transport devices after the surface treatment of the workpieces, is disposed in a second conveying plane of the treatment system. The second conveying plane is offset in the vertical direction relative to the first conveying plane.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing food products, such as mousse products, includes the steps of: providing a transport conveyor having a transport surface, providing a molding conveyor having molding apertures therein, the molding apertures being positioned above the transport surface, making the transport surface of the transport conveyor and the molding apertures of the molding conveyor move in unison from an input end towards an output end, positioning a mold within a molding aperture of the molding conveyor and on top of the transport surface of the transport conveyor near the input end, applying a food substance within the mold, removing the products including the mold and the food substance from the molding apertures near the output end.

Abstract: Disclosed is a belt conveyor, which conveys solar wafers during fabrication, comprising: i) a plurality of endless metal strips for supporting the solar wafers; ii) a plurality of rotatable pulleys configured to receive the plurality of endless metal strips, and which rotate to convey each of the plurality of endless metal strips along a continuous path to thereby convey the solar wafers; and iii) an inspection device configured to inspect the solar wafers while the solar wafers are being conveyed by the plurality of endless metal strips.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for efficient passenger belonging screening at security checkpoints. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for tracking, analyzing, and collecting information in order to improve efficiency at security checkpoints.

Abstract: A device for filling containers, in particular bottles or beakers with food products, comprising: an upper main element, a lower main element which are the main elements of the device; lateral elements connecting the main elements; a plurality of support elements continuously arranged at one another without a continuous drive device and provided with receivers for the containers and moved through the device and along the elements and along operating stations; running rails on which the support elements rest while being moved through the main elements; a drive which moves the support elements at least along the operating stations; and at least one lateral element configured as an elevator through which the support elements alternate between the main elements when moving through the device, wherein the elevator includes a exclusively vertically movable lifting device for moving the support elements from one main element into another main element.

Abstract: A device for filling containers, comprising: an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper main element and the lower main element; support elements arranged at one another without a continuous drive device, which support elements are continuously run through the device along operating stations and along the main elements and whose interconnection with one another due to a support along at least one lateral element is disengaged, wherein the interconnection of the support elements with one another in the upper main element and/or in the lower main element is maintained over the entire movement path along the top main element and the bottom main element, and wherein the movement of the support elements in the upper main element and/or in the lower main element is acceleratable and deceleratable in a controlled manner with the interconnection of the support elements being maintained.

Abstract: An assembly line, wherein at least one operating branch of fixed length accommodates a number of platforms aligned with one another and with a given travelling direction; each platform being designed to receive a respective vehicle body, feed it in the travelling direction, and subject it to a succession of n assembly operations along the operating branch; each platform being designed for connection to at least one longitudinal extension to assume a total length, which depends on the length of the body carried, and ranges between a minimum length equal to the length of the platform with no extension, and a maximum length; and the length of the operating branch being equal to n times the maximum length.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermoforming plant and their transport chains. Various aspects of the chain and chain rails are proposed. Overall the chain operates such that less wear occurs; it can also be cooled symmetrically and the film can be better heated up to the edges.

Abstract: A production device includes a plurality of processing units (41 to 45) arranged so as to consecutively perform a plurality of types of processing with respect to workpieces, a transport unit (30) that successively transports the workpieces toward processing units, a plurality of monitor operation panels (80, 90) capable of monitoring the processing in the plurality of processing units and performing an adjustment operation regarding the processing or performing an operation regarding the overall operation and stop, and a plurality of movable holding mechanisms (60, 70) that movably hold the respective monitor operation panels.

Abstract: A transport device for slabs, which device is arranged between at least two casting machines and at least one rolling mill. The transport device has at least two linear and stationary conveyor sections on which a slab can be conveyed in a conveying direction. The transport device further has at least two linear conveyor sections which are arranged to be pivotable in order to convey a slab at an angle to the conveying direction. In order to improve guidance of the slabs and provide a flexible transport of the slabs from the casting machines to the rolling mill, the at least two linear, pivotable conveyor sections are arranged to be pivotable independently of one another.

Abstract: A treatment machine for containers includes a drive unit and a manipulation unit connected to the drive unit. The drive unit comprises a hollow bore, the hollow bore being configured to accommodate an accommodated structure, which is either a machine-specific subassembly or a line.

Abstract: A system for heating conveyors which extend outside a wash tunnel of a carwash utilizes concrete structural slabs with heating apparatus embedded in the slab near a top surface and supported adjacent the conveyor. The heating apparatus can be a hydronic system or an electric heating mat embedded in the slabs which prevents water on the slabs or the conveyor from freezing in low ambient temperature conditions.