Abstract: An apparatus for detecting defects in discrete articles, such as fasteners having an indexable article carrier with a plurality of article holders on the article carrier for supporting articles in a holding position so that each article in the holding position moves in a prescribed path as the article carrier is operated; structure for incrementally indexing the article carrier to position each article holder alternatively in (a) a first position in which an article can be inserted therein from a supply, and (b) a second position spaced from said first position; structure for shifting an article in a holder in the second position out of the holding position therefor into an inspecting position and for rotating an article in a holder in an inspecting position so that the complete periphery of an article to be inspected is exposed for examination is included; and eddy current scanning structure for examining the exposed part of an article while being rotated in the inspection position therefor.

Abstract: Bottles which have a central conical recess and a radially extending groove in their bottom are transported on carriages with a rotary table which carries vertical circumferentially spaced apart shafts 7 through a closed orbital path. A mounting plate 37 fastens to each shaft 7 and has an upwardly extending journal 36 concentric to the shaft. A flange bushing 58 rotates on the journal and sleeve 57 is pressed concentrically on the bushing and roates thereon. The upper end of the sleeve 57 has a truncated conical centering element 22 fastened to it. A bottle support disk 23 has a central hole which is concentric to the conical centering element 22. A frictionally driven wheel 17 is fastened to sleeve 57. A ring plate underneath bottle support ring 23 is fastened to support plate 24 and carries a spring 22 which presses an alignment element 9 upwardly toward the bottom of a bottle on the support ring 23.

Abstract: An apparatus for spacing and orienting croissant dough pieces has a dough-spacing device located at the position where the dough pieces are transferred from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor, which dough-spacing device places the dough pieces apart from one another in the feeding direction on the downstream conveyor in a staggered manner, and a reorienting device for turning the dough pieces, with one side of each dough piece at right angles to the feeding direction of the downstream conveyor. The dough pieces are thus spaced apart from one another without increasing the conveyor width. The dough pieces are also fed to a downstream rolling-up apparatus after ensuring that the relevant side of each of the dough pieces is perpendicular to the feeding direction.

Abstract: A device for centering and aligning vessels, such as bottles in a bottle treating machine handles bottles that have bottom and/or sidewall recesses for being engaged by detents or alignment elements in response to swiveling of the bottle where a centering ring of a bottle support is connected through its housing to an auxiliary control arrangement in the bottle transport table while the bottle support plate which is arranged in the housing is supported so as to be freely rotatable and possesses a cylindrical friction rim against which a friction element such as a closed loop belt interfaces for driving the rim rotationally, the friction element extending through the housing of the bottle supporting assembly features a lateral access opening which allows the rim to be engaged during the time that the particular model is in the alignment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic rotational positioning of textile yarn winding tubes about their lengthwise axes while being transported on peg-tray tube carriers along a conveyor belt or other transport path includes a positioning station having a pair of rotatable positioning rollers disposed at the station along one side of the transport path at a sufficiently close spacing to one another to prevent passage of the peg trays therebetween. Each peg tray has a base plate whose annular surface is formed of a magnetically attractable material such as iron and at least the upstream one of the positioning rollers is magnetized to selectively exert a magnetic force on the peg trays at controllable intervals. As desired, the downstream positioning roller can also be magnetized.

Abstract: A container transport and manipulator includes opening and closing beams mounting therealong spaced supports for engaging the ends of parallel horizontally disposed containers, and a swing platform, timed with the supports, for carrying the containers from one support to the next. The final support at the labeling or printing station rocks or manipulates the containers about the axis of curvature of the curved surface on which a label or printing is applied so that the labeling or printing can be smoothly and quickly done in reliable fashion. The final support is quickly set up and changed for different-shaped containers.

Abstract: A plurality of screening stations are arranged in a circular array around a continuous conveyor for advancing in step-by-step fashion a plurality of modules from station to station. A module is provided for each station and includes a holder for receiving and securing in place a glass panel for photoprocessing red, blue, and green pixels on each glass panel in the fabrication of a cathode ray tube. The glass panels are supported on each module for rotational and angular movement controlled by a drive mechanism housed on each module. A controller for initiating programmed motion of the glass panel operates the drive mechanism of each module in response to the actuation of selected magnetic switches corresponding to the operations to be performed at a specific station.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting stick confections from a row of mold cups of a stick confection molding machine and for transferring the extracted confections to a multi-lane wrapping machine having a number of lanes that is a submultiple of the number of mold cups in a row. The transfer apparatus includes a plurality of transfer bar assemblies which are moved from an extraction location above and parallel to a row of mold cups to a discharge location above and transverse to the lanes of the multi-lane wrapping machine. Each transfer bar assembly includes a number of gripper heads mounted on the transfer bar assembly for turning movement about individual turning axes transverse to the transfer bar and spaced apart therealong and a number of individual gripper units mounted on each head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for angularly orientating the beverage cans of multipacks 12 having sheet plastics couplers. The preformed multipacks, with their cans unorientated, are fed between a pair of opposed scrolls 36 of a can orientation station 34. While held by the scrolls against lateral movement they are clamped longitudinally and then individually rotated to desired orientated positions against the frictional resistance presented by the coupler. Orientation is achieved in two stages, in the first stage of which the cans are orientated to datum positions as determined by sensor recognition features on the can. In the second stage of the orientation process the cans are individually rotated from their datum positions to their desired final orientation in accordance with preset programmes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for orienting rotationally symmetrical articles and containers having an orientation reference index thereon. An infeed mechanism successively delivers containers to a rotary starwheel, preferably having a plurality of container pockets spaced about its periphery. An arcuate guide is concentric with and spaced radially outwardly from the periphery of the starwheel. A mechanism is provided within each pocket to maintain the entering containers initially in a radially extended position, in rolling engagement with the arcuate guide. A detector senses the index on the rotating container, and sends a pulse to delay circuitry. Depending upon a number of operational parameters, including overall speed of the orienter, the viscosity of the product within the containers, and whether the containers are full of product or not, the control pulse is accordingly delayed.

Abstract: A container transport method for turning a container to a specified direction and transporting the container to a position for specified processing, includes a first step of transporting one of supplied containers to a first position, the one being a container leading rest of the containers; a second step of turning the container at the first position to a specified direction; and a third step of transporting the container turned to the specified direction to a second position so that the container be directed in a certain relationship with the specified direction at the second position.

Abstract: A machine for arranging groups of articles, such as cans of food, comprising an endless belt on which the articles to be combined, e.g. by a heat-shrink film, are disposed in rows, the machine being characterised in that it comprises a series of drive rollers adapted each to be applied against an article in a row in order to rotate it, detectors each disposed near an article of the row to be triggered by a reference on the article, each detector being connected to the corresponding drive roller for angular positioning of the references of all the articles to be arranged in groups and oriented in the row.

Abstract: This invention relates to a labelling machine for bottles which includes a bottle feeding mechanism to feed the bottles to a revolving bottle support platform. The support platform directs bottles to a labelling mechanism and an application mechanism prior to their removal by a bottle withdrawing mechanism. The bottles are maintained against undesired rotation on the support platform by axial force on the top of each bottle to produce contact between the bottom of each bottle disposed on a support plate for each bottle turntable on the revolving bottle support platform. The support plate includes a base portion and upper surface element having an upper contour in a central region thereof. The upper contour matches the bottom of the bottle for receipt of the bottom therein. The upper surface element is removably mounted on the base portion of the support plate and includes features for centering the upper surface element and the upper contour thereof on the base portion of the support plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for turning flat articles. The apparatus includes a frame; a pair of substantially horizontal, pivotable belt assemblies for receiving a serial stream of the articles traveling along a path, each of the belt assemblies having an upper and a lower reach and an entrance and an exit end; a rotatable and vertically reciprocable disk member suitably mounted to the frame and situated between the belt assemblies; a biased, pivot ball suitably mounted to the frame and located above the reciprocable disk member; and an idler roller situated above the upper reaches of the belt assemblies at the exit ends thereof and engageable with the exit ends of the belt assemblies for transporting the flat articles downstream from the disk member and ball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of linking the operation of a fabrication machine for envelopes and a conditioning machine by utilizing a movable device which in case of mal-functioning, may be short-circuited in favor of a classical system which is already present in fabrication machines for envelopes.

Abstract: An adjustable workpiece rotating assembly for rotating a workpiece of any of a plurality of configurations at a workstation positioned along a conveyor system. Workpiece carriers attached to the conveyor system allow the workpiece to be positioned thereupon at a desired orientation relative to the work station. A mouth piece and base cup engage opposite ends of the workpiece and cause the workpiece to be rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof. The mouth piece and base cup are supported by a vertical displaceable rack which engage with a rotatably spur gear to allow the mouth piece and base cup to be translated simultaneously in the vertical direction to engage with a workpiece of any one of different elevations.

Abstract: A stacking device for sheets emerging from an ejection opening (for example, a photocopying machine), whereby the sheets are alternately distributed and stacked in several positions relatively displaced to each other. The relatively displaced stacks are formed by a one-sided engagement of the sheets to be stacked by a switchable turning mechanism controlled by a steering device.

Abstract: The proposed device comprises a treatment unit (30) substantially made up of a feed guide (6) for the board and one or more rotating brushes (5) having their axes of rotation perpendicular to the board; this unit is followed by a flip-over assembly (31) and then by a second treatment unit (30) identical to the first. The treatment liquid reaches the center of each brush (5) through a duct. The brush assembly moves transversely; in addition each brush can have an orbital movement. The flip-over assembly (31) consists of a series of facing drive roller pairs (34) mounted on a carriage (32) that can be rotated at 180.degree. around an axis (33). These rollers (34) are such that they can rotate in two different directions.

Abstract: Can ends having an off-center aperture, are each orientated by a resiliently mounted peg which engages a surface of the can end and is rotated about a pitch circle for one complete revolution. The peg seeks and enters the aperture and thereafter causes the can end to rotate with it until it stops at a position corresponding to the desired orientation of the can end. The peg is then withdrawn from the aperture and the can end, supported in a carrier plate and is delivered to a moulding machine (not shown) in which a plastics closure is moulded into the aperture.

Abstract: An improved structure for supporting and positioning a planar glass workpiece within a glass grinding apparatus is disclosed. Three radially extending carriage assemblies are provided between a lower pan and an upper supporting platform. Each of the carriage assemblies extends radially outwardly from a central drive shaft connected to the supporting platform to the periphery of the lower pan. The radial inner ends of the carriage assemblies are rotatably supported about the drive shaft, while the radial outer ends are carried on respective motor assemblies connected to a gear formed on a lower pan. Energization of the motor assemblies causes the associated carriage assemblies to pivot relative to the lower pan. Each of the carriage assemblies also carries a locator cylinder assembly thereon. The locator cylinder assemblies are movable radially inwardly and outwardly throughout the length of the corresponding carriage assemblies by means of the associated motor assemblies.

Abstract: A parts handling apparatus is provided for moving parts from a pick up and loading station into a machining station. A parts supply and feeding device is mounted on a main frame adjacent a parts turnaround device also mounted on the main frame. A swing arm assembly is rotatably mounted to the frame and includes two arm chucks at the end of the swing arm opposite the rotatably mounted end. The swing arm chucks are themselves capable of rotation so as to load and unload parts from the parts feeding device and the parts turnaround device as well as to deliver parts to the machining station.

Abstract: A coding device for conveying systems comprises code carriers in connection with individual conveying units (30,32) of the conveying system and at least one reading device (48) which is arranged at the conveying track of the conveying system. The code carriers are constructed as rotatable discs (30), and a driving device (50) for rotating the discs during the reading process is provided in connection with the reading device (48).

Abstract: A high speed rotational support is provided by a floating shaft having a circumferentially extending flange and which is disposed between two opposed rotating shafts each of which engage an opposite end of the floating shaft and one of which moves into direct engagement with a piece which is supported on the flange.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting flat objects having first and second faces between a first carrier and a second carrier, the apparatus comprising a mechanism for supporting the first and second carriers, a pickup mechanism for picking up the objects and transporting the objects between the first carrier and the second carrier, and intermediate station having a mechanism for receiving the objects from the pickup mechanism with the faces in a first orientation and for changing the orientation of the faces before the objects are removed by the pickup mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically de-packaging products and separating the product from its package wihtout contamination of the product and having an improved, continuous feed agitating hopper, a product-orienting feed chute and being adaptable for operation without tumbling the product and package together.

Abstract: A rotational and retractable container holding device and conveyor therefor in which a conveyor member is supported in cantilever fashion by support members extending along the conveying path. A plurality of container holding devices extends in a generally horizontal orientation from one side of the conveyor member and include an inner housing slidably mounted on a supporting spindle, an outer housing rotatably mounted with respect to the inner housing and slidably mounted with respect to the spindle, and a container gripping member at the outer end of the outer housing for gripping a container by its neck. The container holding device and its conveyor are particularly suited for receiving newly formed containers and for conveying the containers through a series of bottle forming operations including coating, decorating and so forth.

Abstract: A means for rotating tree trunks or equivalent into correct position regarding their curvature, prior to their feeding into a machine processing round timber. The means is primarily intended to be used as an ancillary in a timber feeding means which feeds the tree trunks into a processing machine, because branch stubs which have remained on the tree trunk may impede the turning of the tree in the feeding means. The means of the invention has been carried out in such manner that the means comprises one or several rotator pairs, each such pair being composed of two rotators provided with a helix and disposed in the tree trunk feeding means, and which in their operating position are elastically urged against the tree trunk and which are arranged to rotate with reference to each other so that the tree trunk therebetween rotates, forced by the helices, in the desired direction.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for machining parts particularly parts having high volume demand, above average accuracy and requiring strict cost control. The system uses a plurality of cubic fixture cages to be conveyed between multiple work stations. At each work station the cubic fixture cage is lifted from the conveyor and indexed with respect to the tools at the work station by lift means in the cell part whereby the initial control is located at the top of the fixture cage, an area free of chips and other debris. The cubic construction for the fixture cage provides a positive, uniform and repeatable tooling index based on the geometric center of the cube, thus permitting the fixture cage to be rotated about both its vertical and horizontal axes utilizing a single, universal tooling reference point.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for orientating workpieces, more especially brush bodies, of the type that is formed by a feeding box for workpieces; a transport device which conveys the workpieces one by one opposite to a detecting device and an orienter which place all detected workpieces in the same position, in order to finally feed them into a magazine or processing machine. The detecting and orientating devices are formed by a support which is located opposite to a transport device consisting of a drum and fixed to the side wall of the device, to which support, radially movable in relation to the aforesaid transport drum, is fixed a bridge which, on one side of the transport drum and in the path of the workpieces. A stop is provided on the other side of the transport drum, and coaxially with a first stop.

Abstract: A positioning device for setting a bottle at a predetermined angular position, which device is provided with a bottle supporting mechanism to support the upper end portion of the bottle and a mechanism which imparts relative rotary motion to the bottle and an engaging member or members being brought into engagement with the positioning spot of the bottle. When the engaging member is turned, the bottle is rotated to a predetermined angular position together with the engaging member after the spot is brought into engagement with the engaging member. In the case where the bottle is turned, the bottle is not rotated after the spot is brought into engagement with the fixed engaging member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating helical springs with knots at their coil ends, for mattress spring frames, in which the springs are moved upright and entangled in sliding guides by a conveyor belt against a stop. The lower coil end of the springs touching the stop is grasped by a gripping member. The stop is moved to an inactive position and the gripping member pulls the grasped coil end from the sliding guide by an amount equivalent to spring wire thickness. Then the stop returns to its active position and the gripping member pivots the spring by 90.degree. into a lying position where the far end of the coil is grasped by a spring turning member. The gripping member releases the spring and returns to the starting position. Then the spring turning member rotates the spring until the knot touches a stop. After release, the spring is grasped by another gripping member and passed on to the spring frame assembly machine.

Abstract: An inspection station for FIGAL containers which automatically tightens the container valves during movement along a continuous conveyor is described. The containers are clamped in a rotary indexing mechanism which rotates the containers until a discrete opening molded in a top rubber skirt of the container is indexed on a latch mechanism adjacent the conveyor. A pair of pneumatically driven socket wrenches are then lowered onto the container and are rotated to tighten the valves. After a predetermined period of time, the tightening of the valves is discontinued, the next FIGAL container moves into the indexing mechanism, and the valves of that container are tightened by the pneumatically driven socket wrenches.

Abstract: A device for interrupting the travel of an object, such as a container, on a conveyor belt during a manufacturing operation includes a driven wheel and at least one idler resiliently urged towards the drive wheel. Both wheels are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the object. The drive wheel turns in a direction tending to move an object in the pocket in the direction of the conveyor. By stopping rotation of the idler, the object is rolled through the space between the wheel and the idler, the idler giving way for it.

Abstract: An arrangement using C-shaped track having inwardly directed flanges and mounted upon a rotatable base is provided such that objects conveyed in the track can be separated, fixed in position, rotated or indexed, and recombined in the track.

Abstract: A labelling machine has each of a number of article supporting plates mounted in a rotary table for movement within a recess in a guide plate when a clamp presses an article against a spring urging the supporting plate to a position flush with the guide plate, and the supporting plate has a plurality of peripheral notches making a sliding fit with projections on the guide plate extending into the recess and having surfaces converging towards each other in the direction away from the clamp, whereby each article coming into contact with the converging surfaces of the projections as the clamp pressing the article causes the supporting plate to move into the recess in the guide plate against the spring urge results in the article being moved into a definite position on the supporting plate in relation to its cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A suction cup is carried on the end of a tube which is shaped as a helix. By simultaneously turning and advancing the tube, the suction cup can be made to pick up a part in a first hole, turn the part end-for-end, and place the part in a second hole, the helical tube threading through the first hole as the part is transferred.

Abstract: A fluid container filler-fitting alignment apparatus for detecting and aligning the filler-fitting of the container with respect to a known location of a fill valve. There is provided an automated, pivotally mounted filler-fitting alignment apparatus for contacting the top of a fluid container, accurately locating the filler-fitting of the container and positioning the container with the fitting in a predetermined position when moving the container to a fill station for inserting a fill valve and filling the container with a fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating coils from groups of coils and orienting them for presentation in-line correspondingly oriented about their longitudinal axes to a coil assembly machine, comprising in parallel relation a plurality of conveyors corresponding in number to the number of in-line coils to be presented to the assembly machine, for moving batches of interengaged coils along a predetermined path and for partially separating the coils as they travel therealong, and a gripper assembly associated with each conveyor arranged to successively grasp and complete separation of the leading coil of the group of coils while the remaining coils of the group are withheld, position it on a turntable for rotation about its vertical axis so that its knot is in a predetermined position of orientation, invert the separated coil after it has been rotated about its vertical axis and by such inversion present it to an assembly machine.

Abstract: Log turning apparatus is disclosed for rotating an axially travelling log about its longitudinal axis, use being made of a pair of spaced rotatably supported spiked rollers that are arranged on opposite sides of the log, each of said rollers being contained in a plane angularly arranged relative to the axis of the log. The rollers are biased together into frictional peripheral engagement with the peripheral surface of the log, whereupon the rollers are axially displaced in opposite directions to rotate the log about its axis. Preferably the rollers are rotatably supported at the ends of support arms the other ends of which are pivotally connected with the frame of the apparatus. The log is normally horizontal and the rollers are normally vertical and contained in a common plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the log, said support arms being connected with the frame for pivotal movement about either horizontal or vertical pivot axes.