Abstract: An article orientator (11) for example for bottles is disposed in the path of a conveyor (12) for transporting the articles (13). The orientator (11) comprises a plurality of article holders (21) which are bodily movable to divert an article (13) located in the holder (21) out of the conveyor path and then back into it again with a changed orientation. The article holders (21) are movable independently of each other around a common endless path in incremental movements, the number of articles holders (21) disposed around the path being such as to leave free a path space in the endless path equal to at least one incremental movements.

Abstract: An orbital cap selection and feeding device is disclosed having a disk rotating within a circular frame so that caps disposed on the disk tend to move by centrifugal force to the perimeter of the disk. Caps lying flat on the disk move into a collector chute, which blends into a guide chute that is adapted to retain and protect a procession of caps within the guide chute about 180 degrees to a discharge chute. Part way along the length of the guide chute is a primary cap selecting station having an optical sensor that senses the orientation of caps in the procession and generates a signal when an improperly oriented cap is encountered. The signal activates an ejection airjet downstream of the optical sensor to displace the improperly oriented cap from the guide chute and back into the interior of the rotating on disk.

Abstract: Apparatus for correctly positioning dispensers to be applied to containers, wherein containers and dispensers are fed in succession to an aligning conveyor which comprises a plurality of housings adapted to receive respective dispensers and to support them rotatably about their respective axes. A fixed abutment element is arranged adjacent to the aligning conveyor and is adapted to interfere with a portion of the peripheral surface of the dispensers to cause a rotation of the dispensers about their respective axes during their movement on the aligning conveyor. A photocell is provided for sensing the position assumed by a given portion of each rotating dispenser, and suckers are also provided and controlled by the photocell in order to lock each dispenser within the related housing when a given position is reached.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for removing individual covers from a continuous flow of covers, each consisting of a middle portion and a peripheral edge extending around it asymmetrically in relation to the main plane, the main planes of which covers extend perpendicularly to the conveying direction, while the nominal orientations of the covers in the conveying direction are all the same and the said individual covers are oppositely oriented in relation to the nominal orientation, the device includes a conveyor for transporting the covers in a continuous flow, a detector placed adjacent to the conveyor for distinguishing an oppositely oriented cover and an ejector for removing from the flow a detected oppositely oriented cover.

Abstract: A machine for automatically setting rail tie plates includes a frame adapted to be propelled along a rail bed having one or both rails removed, the frame including a hopper adapted to store a plurality of randomly oriented plates therein, a crane for transferring plates to a plate sorting conveyor which sorts the plates as to specified length-to-width orientation and deposits the oriented plates upon an inclined conveyor where they are sensed as to specified top-to-bottom orientation, with improperly oriented plates being automatically inverted; the sensed and inverted plates are then manually disposed as to proper high-to-low side orientation, from where they are stored for eventual automatic deposition upon the tie by a reciprocating pusher assembly.

Abstract: In the apparatus for fixing the position of the test zones of a test strip and for reversing the latter, a guide (8) opens into a reversing device (1, 1a) for the test strips (2). Between the guide and the reversing device is arranged a closing means (9) for the guide, which is connected to a holding device (10) via a lever (5). The holding device (10) projects into the guide and is mounted rotatably in synchronism with the closing means (9). It is also equipped with a drive device (7). The reversing device has a moveable stop (4, 4a) which is driven by a position-detection means (3) arranged in the guide (8).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improved active sheet registration system which provides deskewing and registration of sheets along a paper path in X, Y and .THETA. directions. Sheet drivers are independently controllable to selectively provide differential and non-differential driving of the sheet in accordance with the position of the sheet as sensed by an array of at least three sensors. The sheet is driven non-differently until the initial random skew of the sheet is measured. The sheet is then driven differentially to correct the measured skew, and to induce a known skew. The sheet is then driven non-differentially until a side edge is detected, whereupon the sheet is driven differentially to compensate for the know skew. Upon final deskewing, the sheet is driven non-differentially outwardly from the deskewing and registration arrangement. A fourth sensor may be provided to measure the position of the sheet after registration with respect to desired machine timing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for flipping over flexible and limp planar workpieces such as fabric. The apparatus includes a primary workpiece propeller having a cylindrical means for contacting the workpiece about a central rotating axis. A slot of sufficient size to receive the workpiece is positioned in a vertical orientation beneath the primary propeller. The slot preferably has a flared upper end positioned directly beneath and in contact or near contact with the propeller. The fabric is drawn into the slot by the rotation of the propeller and follows the contour of the flared open end of the slot. The fabric enters into the slot until the trailing edge of the fabric is in contact with the primary propeller. The trailing edge of the fabric is gripped by the propeller and thereby drawn to the opposite side of the flared opening of the slot and is subsequently pulled out of the slot. The fabric has thereby been inverted so that the top of the fabric is now on the bottom.

Abstract: A working apparatus for a work being conveyed wherein a movable base is provided alongside of a conveyor conveying a plate-like workpiece mounted on a carrier in such a manner that the workpiece is held in an upright posture with its side surfaces facing sideward, the movable base being movable in the longitudinal direction in which the workpiece is conveyed, and a robot mounted on the movable base is used to apply predetermined working to the workpiece being conveyed by the conveyor. A clamping device for clamping the carrier is provided on the movable base and operated by signals from a detecting device that detects the carrier. A positioning mechanism is also provided on the movable base, for positioning the workpiece on the carrier in three orthogonal directions with respect to the movable base and holding the workpiece in that position.

Abstract: A tube holder is adapted to be positioned in a ring on the conveyor of the tube filling machine. The tube holder is cup-shaped and has a central, generally cylindrical, tube gripper consisting of eight upwardly extending fingers. The fingers have radially inwardly directed pads on their upper ends. The fingers lean radially inwardly. When a tube is placed in them, they flex outwardly and provide a friction grip to the tube.

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: A mechanism for automatically orientating cup bodies includes a cup-body rotating element, an element for measuring a peripheral configuration of the side wall of a cup body, and a central control element for comparing the peripheral configuration of the side wall thereof with a peripheral configuration of the side wall of a sample cup body as determined in advance. The central control element determines whether the two peripheral configurations coincide with each other, and determines the angle by which the cup body is to be rotated to orientate it in a selected direction for the connection of a handle thereto at a predetermined position thereon if the two peripheral configurations do not coincide with each other. Then, the central control element rotates the cup-body rotating element by the required angle to orientate the cup body in the selected direction.

Abstract: The apparatus serves for the righting and arraying of oblong shaped parts from a reclining into a standing position with a filling opening lying above and following transfer to a transport device. It has a circular turntable, the shaft of which is set obliquely to the vertical, there being provided around the turntable a cylindrical housing open at the top, which is cylindrical under the turntable. About the turntable there are arranged ring segments which present individual downward-converting fall shafts, there being provided above the fall shafts reclining spaces provided with levers for orienting the reclining parts to an upright position.

Abstract: An electric probing test machine including a test stage unit which is constructed as an independent component of at least one system and used to test the electrical characteristics of a wafer by having the wafer on the stage contacted by a multitude of probes and a loading/unloading unit which is constructed as an independent component of at least one system and used to bring a wafer from a wafer cassette to the stage of the test stage unit or from the stage of the test stage unit to the wafer cassette. The loading/unloading unit is combined with the test stage unit in such a way that the loading/unloading unit can be separated and moved away from the test stage unit.

Abstract: A first rotatable conveyor section (16) is positioned axially between upper and lower fixed sections (14,18) of a gravity conveyor. Rotatable conveyor section (16) rotates about an axis extending perpendicular to the conveyor section. A gate (42,44) is provided at each end of the rotatable conveyor section (16). An identification device (84) is positioned upstream of the rotatable conveyor section (16). It identifies the end-to-end orientation of an article (10) which is travelling along the gravity conveyor (12). A computer controls the gates (42,44) and a mechanism (104) for rotating the rotatable conveyor section (16). When an article (10) having an improper end-to-end orientation is encountered, the rotatable conveyor section (16) is rotated 180.degree. for the purpose of reversing the article's orientation. A second rotatable conveyor section (120) is mounted for sideways rotation about an axis which extends longitudinally of the slide conveyor (12).

Abstract: A feed apparatus employs a vision controlled robotic manipulator in which components are dispersed into a single layer with a random orientation. The dispersing mechanism comprises a vibratory feed plate having an input hopper which receives components to be dispersed. The feed plate is controllably vibrated such that components are urged along its top surface. Located in the travel path of the components above the feed plate is a rotating cylindrical brush, which sweeps components as they are being vibrated by the feed plate and causes a single layer of components to emerge from beneath the brush and pass to a viewing/pick-up zone. This zone is backlighted, so that the components may be observed by a camera mounted directly above the backlighted layer. The camera image is analyzed by a video data processor to determine the location and orientation of a component. This information is applied to a manipulator control program for driving a robotic manipulator to pick-up a component for transport to a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning glass sheets moving on a conveyor line prior to shaping on a bending apparatus includes a pair of stops for engaging the leading edge of the glass sheets and a pair of side pushers for engaging the end edges of the glass sheets to align the glass sheets with respect to a reference line. The spacing between the side pushers is automatically selected in accordance with the predetermined sequence of glass sheets. In addition, a sensor detects a mark on the sheets to generate a sequence signal identifying the sheets. The sequence signal is utilized to signal that a sheet is missing or an improper sequence, and/or the signal is utilized to control the means for automatically adjusting the spacing of the side pushers. The stop pins can be adjusted individually in a direction parallel to the reference line and a direction transverse to the reference line.

Abstract: An orbital cap selection and feeding device is disclosed having a disk rotating within a circular frame so that caps disposed on the disk tend to move by centrifugal force to the perimeter of the disk. Caps lying flat on the disk move into a collector chute, which blends into a guide chute that is adapted to retain and protect a procession of caps within the guide chute about 180 degrees to a discharge chute. Part way along the length of the guide chute is a primary cap selecting station having an optical sensor that senses the orientation of caps in the procession and generates a signal when an improperly oriented cap is encountered. The signal activates an ejection airjet downstream of the optical sensor to displace the improperly oriented cap from the guide chute and back into the interior of the rotating disk.

Abstract: An orbital cap selection and feeding device is disclosed having a disk rotating within a circular frame so that caps disposed on the disk tend to move by centrifugal force to the perimeter of the disk. The frame includes structure defining a guide chute to retain a procession of caps lying flat within the guide chute and to keep caps at the interior of the rotating disk out of the chute. The guide chute carries the procession of caps about 180 degrees to a discharge chute. About midway along the length of the guide chute is an optical sensor that uses a reflected beam of light to sense the orientation of caps in the procession and generate an electrical signal when an improperly oriented cap is encountered. The signal is received by an ejection airjet downstream of the optical sensor which is actuated in response to the signal to displace the improperly oriented cap from the guide chute and back into the interior of the rotating disk.

Abstract: A bag turner for rotating a bag having a front and side surface and moving along a path on a conveyor. The bag turner has a bag turning wheel having an axis of rotation substantially normal to the plane of the conveyor and offset to the side of the path of the bags. The wheel has a first and second radial member. Each the radial member extends from a hub on an axis in a horizontal plane to form a substantially right angle. The radial members engage a bag moving on the conveyor turn the bag as the wheel turns. A means for raising the bag turning wheel to permit free passage of the bags on the conveyor is provided.

Abstract: A station for aligning a stack or packet of sheet metal or plate bars to be transported to and unstacked at an unstacking station prior to being pressed or processed at a pressing or processing station. The alignment station includes a transporting carriage equipped with a chain conveyor system and a lifting and turning device as well as a stationary measuring system. The measuring system serves to detect the angular position of the sheet metal packet disposed on the transporting carriage and is composed of a rotatably mounted measuring ruler which is placed against the sheet metal packet by means of a pneumatic cylinder. The angular position is measured by way of an absolute value sensor installed at the pivot point of the measuring ruler and is compared with the desired value stored in a control system.

Abstract: Bottles are moved along a conveyor between a pair of spaced belts while lying on their sides, and may be in neck leading or base leading orientation. Each bottle is detected individually to determine its orientation. Signals, corresponding to the orientation of the bottle detected are sent to a selector switch which sets up bottle stand up apparatus to act upon the detected bottle. For base leading oriented bottles a bottle trip is positioned in the path of the bottle and, working in coordination with the pair of spaced belts, acts upon the bottle causing the bottle to pivot on itself into a standing position, on its base. For neck leading oriented bottles the bottle trip is removed from the path of the bottle and the bottle makes contact with a rotating wheel which, working in coordination with the pair of spaced belts, acts upon the bottle causing the bottle to arc about itself into a standing position, on its base.

Abstract: In the feeding of sheet material to a machine such as a tire building former a sheet is first placed on a table and one edge of the sheet is aligned with a first datum line, preferably by tilting the table and supplying floatation air under the sheet. The sheet is then picked up and moved transversely through a predetermined distance by a gripping device to align one edge with a second datum line so as to enable the sheet to be fed in appropriate alignment to a machine.

Abstract: An integrated circuit sleeve handler and method includes a hopper for receiving a plurality of integrated circuit sleeves. A conveyor sequentially loads individual ones of the plurality of integrated circuit sleeves for transportation to a pair of opposed orientation wheels. The orientation wheels orient the integrated circuit sleeves in accordance with their specific cross-sectional aspect, such as a longitudinal slot. An interface mechanism in conjunction with the conveyor receives the uniformly oriented integrated circuit sleeves for presentation to a subsequent handling station such as marking or testing equipment.

Abstract: An automated inspection system for identifying objects by their geometrical shapes includes an orientation device wherein objects are conveyed one-by-one at constant velocity to abut at least one stationary member which urges the objects to an orientation common to other conveyed objects. After objects reach a stable common orientation, an inspection device is operated to detect waves which interact with the conveyed objects against the stationary background.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding parts, which comprises a storage bin for the parts, a conveyor for moving the parts from the storage bin in a feeding direction, apparatus for orienting the moving parts arranged rearwardly of the conveyor in the feeding direction and comprising different conveyor paths, and a distributor associated with the orienting apparatus, the distributor including a transfer device capable of assuming respective positions cooperating with respective ones of the conveyor paths, a drive for imparting the respective transfer positions to the transfer device, a control for the drive, and a monitor ascertaining characteristic data of the parts and transmitting the data to the control whereby the transfer device is driven into a respective one of the transfer positions in response to the data.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying electronic parts of having a polarity has a first rotating member which has a parts receiving hole for receiving electronic parts one by one supplied from a parts receiving hole so as to detect the polarity of the electronic part accommodated in the parts receiving hole, a second rotating member having a through hole is inserted, and apparatus for preventing the electronic part from passing through the through hole in the midst thereof due to signals generated in a detector including the electrodes, whereby the electronic part is delivered directly, when the electronic part pases through the through hole, and delivered after the second rotating member is rotated to a predetermined position, when the electronic part is prevented from passing through the through hole, so that the electronic part having polarity can be delivered in the order of a predetermined polarity sense.

Abstract: A parts orienting machine comprising a frame, a vertically actuated plunger reciprocating block mounted on the frame with a pair of side-by-side vertical passageways therein. One of the passageways is in periodic co-axial alignment with an inlet parts feeder chute for receiving disoriented piece parts on a one at a time basis. The other of the side-by-side vertical passageways being in periodic vertical alignment with a discharge chute for conveying oriented parts to the discharge chute. The reciprocating block has an axial passageway and an axially extending orientor shaft extends into the axial passageway. A vertically extending parts receiving nest is provided in the orientor shaft which nest is in periodic vertical alignment with the side-by-side vertical passageways. Mechanism is provided for reciprocating the reciprocating block back and forth in the axial passageway for alternatively aligning the nest with the inlet and outlet passageways.

Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises scanning a piece of lumber proximate its end to determine which side of its longitudinal center line its fibers are oriented toward. The piece of lumber then is oriented such that the tangent of the cutting circle of a rotary cutter, which is used to machine finger joints in its end, is offset from the fiber direction by at least 90.degree.. Finger joints then are machined in the end of the piece of lumber by the cutter. The apparatus includes a conveyor which transports a plurality of pieces of lumber normal to their longitudinal axes. A scanner, which determines the fiber direction of each piece of lumber, transmits this information along with the location of the piece of lumber on the conveyor to a microprocessor. An orienter then is annunciated by the microprocessor to rotate those pieces of lumber having fiber direction which is oriented improperly before they are fed through a finger jointer.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in an automated garment making process detects whether a garment portion on a continuously moving conveyor is right side up by use of a photodetector. If the garment portion is not right side up, the photodetector signals a control unit which causes a flipper assembly to flip the garment portion over as it is discharged from the conveyor. The garment portion retains its original position relative to other garment portions on the conveyor and the conveyor does not stop.

Abstract: A can unscrambler system, having a longitudinal can arranger and an unscrambler apparatus, orients randomly oriented unfilled cans having an open end and a closed end such that all of the open ends face the same direction. The longitudinal can arranger arranges randomly oriented cans longitudinally onto a conveyer for transportation to the unscrambler apparatus. The randomly oriented cans are loaded into a collection zone of inclined surfaces, at the bottom of which is the conveyer. A turning belt located adjacent to the conveyer rotates cans that are in a crosswise mode over the conveyer and a brush assembly located downstream of the collection zone allows only longitudinally arranged cans to pass therethrough. The cans are then loaded onto a vacuum conveyer belt at the unscrambler apparatus, where they are conveyed into a sorter mechanism. The sorter mechanism distinguishes between the closed and open ends of the cans and sorts accordingly.

Abstract: A wafer transfer mechanism used for transferring wafers between cassettes and a boat uses sensors to detect and to measure any offset of the actual center of each wafer being transferred with respect to the expected or precalibrated center of that wafer. An appropriate adjustment is made to effectively eliminate such offset so that each wafer can be transferred throughout the system without any edge contact between a wafer and the boat or the cassette. The system also includes a boat exchange unit having a rotatable turntable which is used in association with two boats. The boat exchange unit permits a continuous mode operation in which one boat can be undergoing a loading or unloading of wafers at one station on the turntable while another boat is at or is moving to or from a heating chamber loading or unloading station on the turntable.

Abstract: Automatic device for guiding and loading magnetic tape cassettes into a machine which loads tape onto the cassettes. The device includes an inlet funnel chute wherein a sensor determines the open side of the cassette. The cassette is then dropped onto a rotatable plate wherein sensors sense the location of the screws in the cassette and then the cassette is oriented for and passes to a second rotatable mechanism for righting the cassette. A logic unit evaluates the information from the two sensors and controls the rotatable plate and second rotatable mechanism to properly orient and righten the cassettes for the next station.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an apparatus that orients unfilled cans having an open end and a closed end such that all of the open ends face the same direction. Unoriented or scrambled cans are first loaded onto a vacuum belt and then conveyed into a sorter mechanism. The ends of the cans are coupled to the vacuum belt by a partial vacuum. The closed ends are distinguished from the open ends by proximity switches which control a solenoid regulated air blast capable of knocking cans having their open ends facing one direction off of the vacuum belt and into a gravity track. The cans are turned to a desired orientation as they descend through the gravity track. Cans on the vacuum belt having their open ends facing in another direction are not subjected to an air blast and are removed from the vacuum belt by another gravity track which turns descending cans into the same desired orientation. The newly oriented cans blend together upon exiting from either gravity track.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical orientation system for conveyed articles having a distinguishable top and bottom such as a rail tie plate or the like is disclosed comprising a sensor frame having a transverse pivot axis, a plurality of elongate sensor fingers pivotable about that axis and subject to a biasing force, a plurality of notched beam interceptors, one mounted to each sensor finger, a corresponding plurality of opto switches and a logic circuit, whereby the frame is oriented in relation to a conveyor surface so that the sensor fingers intercept and are triggered by the conveyed article. The pattern of triggered sensor fingers is transmitted through the beam interceptors and opto switches to the logic means, from where it may be used to trigger a conveyed article reorientation device.

Abstract: A first unit positions and then rotates an apple with a randomly oriented core. Rotation is stopped when any one of a series of aligned probes enters into one of the indents in the core of the apple. A second unit with axis of rotation at 90 degrees from the axis of rotation of the first unit takes and holds the positioned apple, and then rotates it. Rotation is stopped when a positioned probe enters into the indent in the core to align the core of the apple in the desired position to provide apple core alignment.

Abstract: An overhead case positioner for inverting upended cases, including a detector for sensing the presence of an upended case moving along a conveyor, a first stop for retarding movement of the upended case, a second stop for retarding movement of the succeeding case, a third stop spaced downstream of the first for engaging the upended case after it has been released by the first stop and an inverter mechanism for pivoting an upended case in abutment with the third stop forwardly over the third stop.

Abstract: Frusto-conical or cylindrical reels or cones are first oriented with their axes perpendicular or parallel to the axis of a conveyor belt. Then, by a tilting device actuated by a detector device for detecting the position of a through hole in a reel, the reels or cones are all arranged with their axes parallel to the axis of the conveyor belt. In the case of frusto-conical reels or cones a further detector actuates a device for rotating the reels or cones about a vertical axis. The system includes a slanting plate for rectifying the position of the reels or cones, the tilting device and relative detector and the rotating device and relative detector. All these devices can be removed selectively and a flag-shaped device is provided for fitting to the system in order to adapt it for use with disk-shaped reels.

Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.

Abstract: An arrangement for handling conical thread packages includes a sensing device which senses the orientation in which the package arrives on a main conveyor to a juncture with an accumulating auxiliary conveyor, and a manipulating device capable of gripping the package and reorienting it if needed to obtain the desired orientation of the package on the auxiliary conveyor. A removing device may be provided to engage a group of the packages accumulated with the desired orientation on the auxiliary conveyor and to transfer such group to a receiving conveyor in such a manner that the packages are deposited in the container in respective layers with orientations which are the same in each layer but opposite in directly superimposed layers.

Abstract: A bottle orienting device is disclosed in which bottles are fed into a first station randomly in either a top down or a bottom down condition, moving pockets pick up the individual bottles and transport them past a sensor which determines the particular condition thereof and responds with an appropriate signal when a predetermined condition is found, means are provided to rotate the pockets carrying the bottles so that all bottles have the same orientation condition, either top down or bottom down as desired, at this point bottle air cleaning means can be operatively provided, with all bottles being selectively first presented in a top down condition to the air cleaning device, means are then provided to reverse the condition of the bottles to the bottom down position, and then the bottles are discharged from the device, if air cleaning is not desired, the bottles found to be in the wrong orientation at the sensing station are rotated to present them bottom down to the discharge, of significance all bottles m

Abstract: A container orienting apparatus suitable for flasks and other non-cylindrical containers comprising a pair of continuously moving counter-rotating parallel belts for engaging opposite sides of the finish and/or neck of each container and for rotating each container a predetermined amount by changing the relative speeds of the belts for a predetermined time period. The amount of rotation necessary to rotate each container to a common second orientation is determined by a programmable controller responsive to orientation sensors which determine which one of a number of discrete first orientations each container is in prior to engagement by the belts. The controller contains in memory a plurality of predetermined instruction sets corresponding to the various possible container orientations and the amount of rotation which is required to achieve a predetermined common second orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for slipping tubes on pegs carried on a transport belt which extends along a spinning machine or twisting machine. A slipping-on apparatus for said tubes is located above the transport belt and inserts the tubes on the pegs. A sensing device monitors the seating of the tubes on the pegs and a lifting off device removes the tubes that are improperly seated on the pegs. After an improperly seated tube is removed from the peg, another tube is inserted thereon.

Abstract: A programmable parts reorienter and feeder utilizing a fiber-optic array in a sensing head to determine an initial orientation of a part passing through a parts handling unit. The sensing head is coupled to a microprocessor that has been programmed to recognize properly oriented as well as misoriented parts. After determining the initial orientation of the part the microprocessor will direct a reorienter device to either pass the part in the first orientation, orient the part to a preferred orientation or, in some cases, reject the part.

Abstract: A micro-controller system for recognizing and identifying same or dissimilar parts being transferred along the track of a parts feeder, such as a bowl feeder, as well as checking the part orientation, and sorting the oriented parts in a predetermined repetitive sequence. Part recognition and sequencing is programmable upon user demand. Part recognition includes a part silhouette recognizer comprised of a set of light sensors coupled to an apertured grid located in a part feeding track. The silhouette image of each part to be sorted is first digitized and stored in the memory of the micro-controller in a position associated with an identifying part number. Also, the sequence of the various parts is stored in the memory of the micro-controller.

Abstract: A novel cassette storage and feeder mechanism for a tape winding machine, comprising (a) storage chute for storing a plurality of empty cassettes randomly disposed in one or the other of first and second predetermined orientations, (b) a gate for discharging cassettes one at a time from said storage chute, (c) cassette orienter for causing each discharged cassette disposed in said first orientation to be shifted to said second orientation, and (d) a feeder for carrying cassettes away from said cassette orienter and supplying them one at a time to a tape loading station on the tape winding machine with the uniform desired orientation.

Abstract: Bag sections that pass through a machine are scanned as to their spatial positions within the machine. The measuring points have been arranged at distances corresponding to the stroke of the machine, so that it is possible to intervene in the operation of the machine when a deviation from a given nominal position occurs, before a stopper formation occurs. Each bag section that comes into the machine triggers a subsequent comparison of nominal and actual values in a manner such that the signals of defects that are generated by the lack of work pieces, are neutralized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for orienting substantially identical containers. Each container has a base for supporting the container. Each container is asymmetrical in a plane substantially perpendicular to the respective base. The apparatus includes a longitudinal conveyor for moving the containers from one end of a frame to the other. A first turning assembly is mounted on the frame to turn the containers relative to the longitudinal conveyor to arrange the containers in an attitude wherein the asymmetrical plane of each container is parallel to the direction of movement. An attitude detector apparatus is positioned adjacent to the discharge end of the first turning assembly and detects the attitude of containers discharged. A second turning assembly rotates the containers discharged from the first turning assembly 90.degree. either clockwise or counterclockwise in response to a signal from the attitude detector to align all of the containers in the same attitude.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transferring shaped articles, such as bottles, containers, small glasses, etc. from a first to a second belt by uniform orientation arrangement on the latter.More particularly, the device is for feeding the containers thus oriented to a machine for inscription printing on the surface thereof. The device comprises a lever oscillating between two positions of end of stroke at which one free end thereof is above either of said belts. Such a free end of the lever carries a gripping member for grasping one container at a time from the first belt, then releasing it on the second belt. The gripping member is rotatable about its own axis through the action of a pneumatic rotary cylinder, while said gripping member has an attitude or position which is strictly controlled by suitable guiding members.

Abstract: A device for mounting or donning of bobbins onto a transport band of a textile machine, especially a ring spinning or ring twisting machine contemplates that incorrectly mounted bobbins are ejected or doffed by a bar member pivotable about a pivot axis or shaft. To eject or doff such incorrectly mounted bobbins the bar member is moved, at a monitoring or control position, in a downward direction towards the head of the bobbin currently there located and ejects incompletely mounted bobbins. The donning device exhibits simplicity and a reliable mode of operation. Furthermore, by means of the invention damage produced by incorrectly mounted bobbins is avoided and damaged bobbins are removed from the operating process.