By Means Driven For Inverting Conveyed Items Patents (Class 198/403)
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Patent number: 11772905Abstract: A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: USNR, LLCInventors: Tim Staal, Thomas Congdon
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Patent number: 11584605Abstract: A method moves a stack of products by a robot. The robot has an articulated arm and at least one gripper disposed on the articulated arm to grip the stack of printed products and the stack of products selectively being turned. The method includes pivoting the stack of products through an effective angle ?1< >180° and subsequently pivoting the stack through an effective angle ?2=180°??1 or pivoting the stack back through an effective angle ?2=??1. This method of moving stacks of products is performed in an automated way and in particular of depositing them in a turned or unturned arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Herbert Ackermann, Udo Ganter, Martin Haupt-Terlau, Joachim Krumma, Gerhard Lubberger
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Patent number: 11090836Abstract: A sampling apparatus is provided, which includes a pressing-up unit configured to press up a sheet piece that is being conveyed by a conveying unit, from a lower side of a conveyance course of the sheet piece to above the conveyance course; and a holding unit configured to hold the sheet piece pressed up by the pressing-up unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: YOSHINO GYPSUM CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuichi Hirooka, Takahide Yamasato, Kenichi Hashikura, Hiroyuki Someno
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Patent number: 11072499Abstract: A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: USNR, LLCInventors: Tim Staal, Thomas Congdon
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Patent number: 10882703Abstract: A material handling apparatus includes a first pop-up belt abutting a first cam. The first pop-up belt is configured to facilitate movement of a package between a first conveyor and a second conveyor. a separator wall abuts a second cam. The separator wall is configured to control movement of the package between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. In response to the camshaft rotating in a first direction, the first cam causes the first pop-up belt to extend out from the first conveyor. The second cam causes the separator wall to move to a first position. I in the first position, the separator wall allows the package to move from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. In response to the camshaft rotating in a second direction, the first pop-up belt move to a retracted position while the separator wall to move to a second position.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLCInventors: Carson Phillips, Darius Scott, Todd Eliot Green
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Patent number: 10627314Abstract: An apparatus for checking tyres is described. The apparatus has a first check unit having an inlet for tyres and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus also has a second check unit having an outlet for the tyres and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus further has an overturning and transport device operatively interposed between the first check unit and the second check unit. The first check unit, the second check unit and the overturning and transport device define a check path configured to be traversed by each tyre step by step. The first check unit and the second check unit have the same check tools configured for executing the same checks on respective axial halves of the tyres.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Alessandro Held, Gianni Mancini, Albert Berenguer, Valeriano Ballardini, Rainer Huber
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Patent number: 10569970Abstract: A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: USNR, LLCInventors: Tim Staal, Thomas Congdon
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Item transfer apparatus, item inspection apparatus, item transfer method, and item inspection method
Patent number: 10486909Abstract: An item transfer apparatus according to the present invention is for transferring items and comprises: a switching part for switching the front and rear surfaces or top and bottom surfaces of the items with respect to the transfer direction of the item; a transferring part for transferring the items to the switching part; and a rotating part for rotating the items while maintaining the top and bottom surfaces of the items.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: KOH YOUNG TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Nam Kyu Park, Joo Hyuk Kim, Ho Jun Lee -
Patent number: 10472109Abstract: A folding unit for producing packages from sealed packs comprises an endless conveyor carrying a plurality of paddles arranged for moving said packs along an advancement direction and fold said packs into formed packages, each paddle having a first surface intended to interact with a first pack to form a portion of a corresponding first package and a second surface intended to interact with a second pack to form a portion of a corresponding second package, said folding unit further comprises releasable connecting elements arranged for releasably connecting said paddles to said endless conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.Inventors: Andrea Catellani, Herbert Bartolini, Luisa D'Amato, Lucia Izzo, Franco Santi
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Patent number: 10392214Abstract: In an apparatus for overturning sheets and/or panels, a bearing structure carries a loading plane, and roto-translation means vertically translate the loading plane and rotate the same with respect to an axis. A grab device carried by the loading plane serves to transfer a sheet and/or panel from a supply station, when stopped upstream of the apparatus, on an operating surface. A command and control unit in alternatively activating and de-activating the roto-translation means, the stabilization and transfer and the grab device, defines for the loading plane a collection position, an overturning position and an unloading position of a sheet and/or panel to be overturned by the supply station placed upstream of the apparatus, over an unloading station downstream of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: ELITRON IPM S.R.L.Inventor: Giuseppe Gallucci
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Patent number: 10213781Abstract: Method for aligning single elements (4) arranged in receiving pockets (3) of a transfer means (2), wherein the receiving pockets (3) are arranged in rows and are moved stepwise from one station into a following station, comprising the following steps: determining in which receiving pockets (3) incorrectly aligned single elements (4) are present, ejecting the single elements (4) determined as incorrectly aligned from the associated receiving pockets (3), turning the ejected single elements (4) by 180°, and re-inserting the turned single elements (4) into the associated receiving pockets (3).Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: HEKUMA GMBHInventors: Anton Geissler, Konrad Hintermaier
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Patent number: 10196218Abstract: A stacking system including an inverting arm arranged above the stacking system for selectively overturning a first elongated metal member into a second elongated metal member or not overturning the first elongated metal member into the second elongated metal member.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: ASC Machine Tools, Inc.Inventors: Robert David Dion, David Joshua Pettis, Andrew Damon Flack
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Patent number: 10011437Abstract: An overturning and shifting mechanism, comprising: a carrier platform (10) on which a first item-sensing device (12) is disposed; a transporting device (11) on which a second item-sensing device (13) is disposed; an overturning device (14) which is positioned between the carrier platform (10) and the transporting device (11) and which comprises a driving device (141) and a rotating arm (142), the rotating arm (142) being provided with a suction structure (15) thereon; and a control device which is connected with the first item-sensing device (12), the second item-sensing device (13), the driving device (141) and the suction structure (15), wherein according to sensing signals of the first item-sensing device (12) and the second item-sensing device (13), the control device controls the driving device to drive the rotating arm (142) to rotate reciprocatingly between the carrier platform (10) and the transporting device (11), while at the same time the control device controls sucking or releasing operation of thType: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BOE OPTICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Chunlei Cao, Ying Zang, Yuqi Mei, Wei Sun
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Patent number: 9969078Abstract: A transfer head array includes a body and a plurality of transfer heads. The body has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of recesses. The first surface has at least one chucking region and at least one interference avoidance region, and the recesses are separated from each other and are disposed in the interference avoidance region. The transfer heads are disposed on the chucking region.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: MIKRO MESA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Li-Yi Chen, Pei-Yu Chang, Chih-Hui Chan, Chun-Yi Chang, Shih-Chyn Lin, Hsin-Wei Lee
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Patent number: 9758314Abstract: A rotary device includes a bracket, a first supporting module, a second supporting module and a driving module. The two supporting modules respectively have a pivot end and a connective end. The two pivot ends are pivotally connected to different and adjacent position of the bracket. The driving module is utilized to reversely rotate the first supporting module and the second supporting module, simultaneously. The driving module includes an actuating component, a first rod and a second rod. The first rod is connected between the first connective end and a side of the actuating component. The second rod is connected between the second connective end and an opposite side of the actuating component. When the actuating component rotates at a first direction, the first rod rotates the first supporting module at a second direction, and the second rod rotates the second supporting module at the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventor: Zhong-hui Mao
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Patent number: 9763370Abstract: An apparatus including a carrier substrate configured to move a microelectronic device. The apparatus further includes a rotatable body configured to receive the microelectronic device. Additionally, the apparatus includes a second substrate configured to receive the microelectronic device from the rotatable body.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Judith Maria Lavin, Paul J. Resnick
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Patent number: 9725256Abstract: An automatic staged object feeding and discharging system includes a table, feeding device, staged feeding and discharging device and robotic arm; the staged feeding and discharging device has a feeder and distributing device in such a way to adjust a feeding and discharging angle of the distributer in a two-stage manner upon object feeding and discharging, allowing the robotic arm to grip material pieces conveniently, thereby decreasing the cost and increasing the processing speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Inventor: An-Sung Wang
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Patent number: 9707657Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool as well as to a method for operating the machine tool. The machine tool comprises a workpiece carrier (20) that can be incrementally rotated about an incremental advance axis (22) and has several carrier sides (25). A first workpiece chuck unit (26) for holding a workpiece in a first position (P1) and a second workpiece chuck unit (27) for holding a workpiece in a second position (P2) are arranged on each carrier side (25). In each angular position or incremental advance position of the workpiece carrier (20), one carrier side (25) is in a loading station (30), one carrier side (25) is in an unloading station 31, and the respectively other carrier sides (25) are in respectively one work station (32). A workpiece changing device (34) is provided, said device moving a partially machined workpiece (16a) out of the first position (P1) in the unloading station (31) into the second position (P2) in the loading station.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: FFG WERKE GMBHInventors: Frank Lutz, Daniel Scholz, Armin Mueller
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Patent number: 9635792Abstract: A die-positioning device includes a roller body, a plurality of die-suction portions, and at least one gas control device. The roller body includes a plurality of chambers therein, and the chambers are separated from each other. The die-suction portions are located on the surface of the roller body in columns. The die-suction portions for each column correspond to one of the chambers, and each of the die-suction portions has a die suction region and a gas channel that passes through the die suction region. The gas control device is connected to the chambers and disposed on the roller body. The gas control device selectively sucks the air from a specific chamber, such that each of the die-suction portions on the specific chamber sucks an LED die by the corresponding gas channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: LEXTAR ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: Zong-Han Li, Liang-Ta Lin
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Patent number: 9511887Abstract: An automated packaging line for C- or U-shaped profiles is described. The example packaging line includes a first blade and a second blade that are rotatable around a horizontal axis in a first vertical plane and a third blade and a fourth blade that rotatable about the horizontal axis in a second vertical plane that is parallel to and offset from the first vertical plane. The first blade and the third blade are synchronously rotatable around the horizontal axis and the second blade and the fourth blade are synchronously rotatable about the horizontal axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: THE BRADBURY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Mario Ricardo Barone, Francisco Ansoain, Andrés Novillo
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Patent number: 9457963Abstract: A turnover apparatus for turning over a workpiece includes a first support frame, a second support frame, and a workpiece turnover mechanism. The workpiece turnover mechanism includes a lifting assembly and a turnover assembly. The lifting assembly includes a first driving element, a movable gripper driven by the first driving element, and a suction cup positioned on the movable gripper. The turnover assembly includes a first rotating driver, a clamp connected to the first rotating driver, and a first clamp driver. The first rotating driver is capable of rotating the first clamp driver and the clamp. The first clamp driver is capable of driving the clamp to clamp or release from the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignees: FU DING ELECTRONICAL TECHNOLOGY (JIASHAN) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Ming-Lu Yang, Xiang-Tao Zhang, Chun-Sun Liu
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Patent number: 9253946Abstract: A bale accumulator system that includes a bale accumulator that has a platform with a plurality of centrally located rollers that extend from a first end of the platform to a second end of the platform. First and second pivot racks are provided that have L-shaped support members that are used so that once the plurality of rollers are full of bales the first or second pivot racks can be pivoted in order to place the bales at a different storage location on the platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Inventor: James E. Straeter
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Patent number: 9056407Abstract: While a first coating gun 405 is being moved along a peripheral edge portion 100a of one surface of a multilayer glass panel 100 horizontally placed on a first worktable 20, the first coating gun 405 discharges a molding material to coat the peripheral edge portion 100a with the molding material over its entire length, molding a glazing gasket 110 thereon. An inverting mechanism 60 inverts the multilayer glass panel 100 with the molded glazing gasket 110 such that the other surface of the multilayer glass panel 100 faces upwardly. Then, a second coating gun 505 is moved along a peripheral edge portion 100b of the other surface of the multilayer glass panel 100, which is horizontally placed on a second worktable 30, and simultaneously discharges a molding material to coat the peripheral edge portion 100b with the molding material over its entire length, molding a glazing gasket 110 thereon.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.Inventors: Yousuke Hamachi, Shuichi Toriumi
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Patent number: 8985309Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transporting bottles or similar containers between a transfer position and a discharge position, comprising a transport element that may be driven in a rotating manner about at least one vertical machine axis and several container receptacles provided on the transport element and having, for example, a gripper-like design for picking up and holding in each case one container during the transport thereof from the transfer position to the discharge position.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: KHS GmbHInventor: Alfred Drenguis
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Patent number: 8955666Abstract: A workpiece feeder includes a forward stage that separates base plates from one another and adjusts the base plates into correct top-bottom orientation and a pickup unit that individually holds the separated and adjusted base plates and horizontally aligns the held base plate into correct planar posture while feeding the held base plate to a destination. The forward stage includes a stage body that has a stage surface on which the base plates are placed and is movably supported so as to shift the stage surface and a drive unit that applies separate impacts to the stage body so that the stage body moves to apply a bouncing force and a shifting force orthogonal to the bouncing force due to the separate impacts to the base plates.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazumasa Nakajima, Yukihiro Hayashi
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Publication number: 20140360840Abstract: A device for turning over identification objects comprising a receiving device for holding an identification object, wherein the receiving device can be moved from an initial position along a guide, and a first rolling element, which is rotatably received in the receiving device, wherein the first rolling element comprises a blocking device, which permits rotation of the receiving device in a first direction. The first rolling element, during movement along the first bearing, performs a rotation in the first direction and the receiving device performs a rotation in the first direction via the first rolling element. During an opposite movement of the receiving device, the first rolling element performs a rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the blocking device prevents rotation of the receiving device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: MUEHLBAUER AGInventor: Maximilian Kirschbauer
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Patent number: 8776986Abstract: A singulator for use with fruit handling equipment including spaced fruit supports driven at a particular speed, the singulator causing the fruit to assume single file for transfer to the fruit supports, the singulator including a first pair of belts arranged in a V formation travelling at different speeds, wherein the first pair of belts merges into a second pair of belts arranged in a V formation and both travelling at about the speed of the fruit supports, and wherein the second pair of belts is adapted to be operated so as to transfer the fruits substantially at the same speed as the fruit supports, whereby fruit are transferred to the fruit supports in single file whilst moving at the same speed as the fruit supports.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: MAF AgroboticInventor: Bruce Thomas Morley
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Publication number: 20140116844Abstract: A sheet inverter having two spaced apart sheet transport units and a rotation device, the rotation device supporting the sheet transport units in a rotatable manner about a common axis of rotation, the sheet transport units each includes at least one transport element, which provides a direction of transport that extends parallel to the axis of rotation; and a controllable drive unit for driving the transport element. The rotation device moves the sheet transport units in an alternating manner between an input position and an output position, wherein the sheet transport unit in the input position is aligned with a transport unit arranged upstream to the sheet inverter and the sheet transport unit in the output position is aligned with a transport unit arranged downstream from the sheet inverted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Detlef Schulze-Hagenest, Alexander Hubertus Klang
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Publication number: 20140116845Abstract: An apparatus to tilt, flip, or rotate a round cotton module on a conveying system employs actuated arms includes that support a bar which fits in place of a roller on a provided conveyor system having multiple rollers. A cotton module can be easily rotated or flipped to a vertical position when the bar rotates between initial reclined and final elevated positions. The wrapping can be removed once the cotton module reaches the final elevated position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventor: John M. England
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Publication number: 20140076690Abstract: A two belt inverter includes an integrated drive system that reorients the belts (via rotation) to both invert sheets and quickly reorients the belts (via rotation) to an in-line bypass configuration from job to job.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventor: Douglas K. Herrmann
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Patent number: 8668071Abstract: A turning wheel comprising a number of blades. Each blade has a front side provided with a front projection, and a back side provided with a back projection. Each two consecutive blades form a gap between the backside of a first blade and a front side of a second blade. The gap comprises an inner gap formed radially inward from the back projection and the front projection. During rotation of the turning wheel a container can be held in the gap and an end portion of the container can be held in the inner gap, thereby protecting the end portion from being damaged.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.Inventors: Markus Florentzson, Tobias Wegbrant, Johnny Månsson
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Publication number: 20140034450Abstract: The present application relates to techniques and equipment for transporting and inverting material, such as a mail item, and exchanging the lead and trail edge of the material along a transport feed path. The equipment conveys material to a holding mechanism that rotates to a suitable angle to the transport feed path and within the plane of the flat material. The direction of the material is reversed while contained in the holding mechanism. The holding mechanism is rotated to turning over the material, e.g., face-up to face-down, and exchanges the lead and trail edges with respect to the feed path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventor: Michelle DEMERS
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Patent number: 8485340Abstract: The device for transferring and nesting blister packs comprises a transfer device, which transfers blister packs from a first transport or storage device to a second transport or storage device arranged under the first transport or storage device. The transfer device has a receiving section, which can hold at least two blister packs and which can rotate at least 180°. A first blister pack can be received in the receiving section of the transfer device in a receiving position; the receiving section with the first blister pack can be rotated 180°; and finally a second blister pack can be received in the receiving section in the receiving position and placed onto the first, rotated blister pack.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Bernd Haehnel
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Patent number: 8408379Abstract: Manufacturing lines include inspection systems for monitoring the quality of parts produced. Manufacturing lines for making semiconductor devices generally inspect each fabricated part. The information obtained is used to fix manufacturing problems in the semiconductor fab plant. A machine-vision system for inspecting devices includes a flipper mechanism. After being inspected at a first station, a tray-transfer device moves the tray from the first inspection station to a flipper mechanism. The flipper mechanism includes two jaws, a mover, and a rotator. The flipper mechanism turns the devices over and places the devices in a second tray so that another surface of the device can be inspected. A second tray-transfer device moves the second tray from the flipper to a second inspection station. The mover of the flipper mechanism removes the tray from the first inspection surface and places a tray at the second inspection surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Inventors: Arye Malek, Joshua J. Hackney, Franz W. Ulrich
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Patent number: 8306653Abstract: A uniform turnover apparatus comprises a turnover body, a linear advance device, and a fixed base. The linear advance device has a fixed end and a movable end. The fixed end is turnably provided on the fixed base by a first fulcrum. The turnover body is movably connected with the movable end of the linear advance device by a second fulcrum. The turnover body is turnably provided on the fixed base by a third fulcrum. The first, the second, and the third fulcra form a triangle. The uniform turnover apparatus comprises a control device connected with the linear advance device. The control device acquires an actual angular velocity at which the turnover body is turned, and compares the actual angular velocity with a set angular velocity, and according to the comparison, adjusts the linear velocity of the linear advance device in real time, so that the actual angular velocity of the turnover body approximates or equals to the set angular velocity.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xiaohong Chen, Shanzhi Huang, Hua Zhou
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Patent number: 8297908Abstract: The present invention concerns an automated system for handling trays for containing animals in a lab animal room, and particularly for inverting the trays when they emerge from the tunnel washer. One object of the present invention is thus a completely automated system comprising an inverter device associated with a system for moving the trays on rotating rollers and complete with stopper means capable of blocking the trays in their forward feed movement synchronized, by means of a central control unit, with the movements of an inverter device capable of managing trays of different shapes and sizes.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: IWT S.R.L.Inventors: Luciano Savoia, Roberto Tosi, Michele Vitali
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Patent number: 8286780Abstract: Manufacturing lines include inspection systems for monitoring the quality of parts produced. Manufacturing lines for making semiconductor devices generally inspect each fabricated part. The information obtained is used to fix manufacturing problems in the semiconductor fab plant. A machine-vision system for inspecting devices includes a flipper mechanism. After being inspected at a first station, a tray-transfer device moves the tray from the first inspection station to a flipper mechanism. The flipper mechanism includes two jaws, a mover, and a rotator. The flipper mechanism turns the devices over and places the devices in a second tray so that another surface of the device can be inspected. A second tray-transfer device moves the second tray from the flipper to a second inspection station. The mover of the flipper mechanism removes the tray from the first inspection surface and places a tray at the second inspection surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Inventors: Arye Malek, Joshua J. Hackney, Franz W. Ulrich
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Patent number: 8226345Abstract: A device for processing mail items, having: at least one stacking device for forming a bundle of superimposed mail items and moving it from a forming position to a loading position; one or more robots for removing the bundles in the loading position and moving them into a covering position; one or more covering devices for placing upside down containers over the bundles in the covering position, so the bundles of mail items are housed inside the containers; a conveying system supplied by the covering devices with bundles of mail items covered with respective upside down containers; and a turnover device for turning the containers over through 180°, so the containers are positioned with their respective openings facing upwards.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Elsag Datamat SpAInventor: Guido Teodoro De Leo
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Patent number: 8056700Abstract: Manufacturing lines include inspection systems for monitoring the quality of parts produced. Manufacturing lines for making semiconductor devices generally inspect each fabricated part. The information obtained is used to fix manufacturing problems in the semiconductor fab plant. A machine-vision system for inspecting devices includes a flipper mechanism. After being inspected at a first station, a tray-transfer device moves the tray from the first inspection station to a flipper mechanism. The flipper mechanism includes two jaws, a mover, and a rotator. The flipper mechanism turns the devices over and places the devices in a second tray so that another surface of the device can be inspected. A second tray-transfer device moves the second tray from the flipper to a second inspection station. The mover of the flipper mechanism removes the tray from the first inspection surface and places a tray at the second inspection surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Inventors: Arye Malek, Joshua J. Hackney, Franz W. Ulrich
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Patent number: 8047208Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming two filters in a two-up configuration. The apparatus includes a feed wheel 18, an assembly wheel 20, a take-off wheel 22, and a flipping wheel 24. According to the method of the invention, tubes 10 are loaded from the feed wheel 18 to the assembly wheel 20 where one hollow end of the tubes is filled. The half-filled tubes 10? are then transferred to take-off wheel 22 and then to a flipping wheel 24 where the tubes are flipped. The half-filled and flipped tubes 10? are returned to vacant positions on the feed wheel and transferred back to the assembly wheel so that the remaining hollow ends can be filled. The filled tube 10?? is transferred to a take-off wheel 22, where it is then removed from the take off wheel 22 using a stripper and/or additional wheels for further processing.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Steven F. Spiers, G. Robert Scott, Travis Garthaffner
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Patent number: 8002104Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing orientation of a container to facilitate subsequent processing of the container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a ramp having a first end and a second end. The ramp is disposed to receive the container from the feed path in a first orientation and to cause the container to slide down the ramp toward the second end of the ramp. The apparatus also includes an obstruction located at the second end of the ramp. The obstruction is configured to contact a leading edge of the container to arrest a sliding motion of the container down the ramp. The ramp is configured to pivot to impart an angular acceleration to the container to provide sufficient angular momentum to cause a center of gravity of the container to move past the leading edge causing the container to change orientation such that the container is received on the discharge path in a second orientation.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Northwestern Systems CorporationInventors: Lay-Swee Lim, Zhong-Xu Su, Hei Shek Ma
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Publication number: 20110180369Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and arranging bakery products such as hot dog buns or breadsticks. The products are delivered with their length dimensions at a variety of angular orientations and some products inverted. An aligning conveyor receives misaligned products on adjacent belts or other drive members which are driven at differential speeds to rotate the products to the proper orientation. Inverted products are conveyed against guide rails which are arranged to interact with the curved edges on the tops of the buns to roll the inverted products over. The products are conveyed in discrete lanes to properly organize them for packaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventors: Paul M. BASTASCH, John T. McCormick
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Patent number: 7909156Abstract: A turnover device for turning over a substrate comprises a motor and a tumbler driven by the motor to rotate. The tumbler is provided with a transmission mechanism thereon and connected to an upper turntable and a lower turntable with the transmission mechanism, the tumbler can drive the upper turntable and the lower turntable to rotate, the transmission mechanism can drive the upper turntable and the lower turntable to move toward each other, and the substrate to be turned over is disposed between the upper turntable and the lower turntable.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Bin Wen
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Patent number: 7857117Abstract: A conveyor for transporting bottles from a sterilization machine or rinsing machine to a filling machine, in which the container mount, which is configured to move around and/or all along at least one axis on the transport element, is moved to invert a container to allow that container to drain or empty before being filled with a liquid beverage material at a filling station in a beverage bottling plant.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: KHS AGInventors: Herbert Menke, Martin Weisgerber, Ralph Pohl
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Patent number: 7695240Abstract: A system for bundling long ferrous products comprises a roller table for delivering the products longitudinally to a receiving station. A cradle is spaced laterally from the receiving station and is constructed and arranged to receive and accumulate the products in bundle form. A stacker is positioned between the receiving station and the cradle, and a pre-stacker is positioned between the stacker and the receiving station. A transport system laterally advances products from the receiving station to the pre-stacker, and the pre-stacker operates in concert with the transport system to pre-stack multiple layers of the products into sub-bundles and to transfer the sub-bundles to the stacker, which then operates to deposit the sub-bundles in the cradle.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Morgan Construction CompanyInventors: Pradip K. Ghosh, Bruno Maggioni
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Publication number: 20100082154Abstract: A uniform turnover apparatus comprises a turnover body, a linear advance device, and a fixed base. The linear advance device has a fixed end and a movable end. The fixed end is turnably provided on the fixed base by a first fulcrum. The turnover body is movably connected with the movable end of the linear advance device by a second fulcrum. The turnover body is turnably provided on the fixed base by a third fulcrum. The first, the second, and the third fulcra form a triangle. The uniform turnover apparatus comprises a control device connected with the linear advance device. The control device acquires an actual angular velocity at which the turnover body is turned, and compares the actual angular velocity with a set angular velocity, and according to the comparison, adjusts the linear velocity of the linear advance device in real time, so that the actual angular velocity of the turnover body approximates or equals to the set angular velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xiaohong CHEN, Shanzhi HUANG, Hua ZHOU
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Patent number: 7665599Abstract: A rotating cylinder is used to orient wood material, such as but not limited to blocks (e.g., finger joint blocks), preparatory to further processing. The rotating cylinder uses gravity and a tumbling action of the blocks to orient the blocks and move them through the cylinder. Unlike known apparatus such as vibrating conveyors, embodiments of the invention are relatively simple, vibration free, not prone to mechanical stress failures, are quiet, and use minimal horsepower to operate. Furthermore, embodiments of invention may advantageously reduce noise-caused fatigue amongst lumber workers, as well as reduce maintenance and power costs. The rotating cylinder may be part of a larger system for orienting wood material, such as blocks, for further lumber processing.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Inventor: James Spenser Stibbard
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Publication number: 20100032262Abstract: Disclosed is a tray handling apparatus in which the conveyance and inversion of a tray can be performed simultaneously to thereby achieve a rapid inspecting operation and a simplified apparatus configuration, and a semiconductor device inspecting method using the tray handling apparatus. The tray handling apparatus includes an inverting unit to turn the tray, in which objects are received, upside down, and a transfer device to convey the object receiving tray from one conveyor to another conveyor while being reciprocally moved above a body of the apparatus. The inverting unit is integrally provided at a lower end of the transfer device, to allow the conveyance and inversion of the tray to be performed simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2007Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: INTEKPLUS CO., LTDInventors: Ssang-geun Im, Sang-yun Lee, Seung-gyu Ko, Youn-soo Kim
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Patent number: 7654383Abstract: The object of the invention is a turnaround device (18) for a transfer line of products P, in particular pharmaceutical products, comprising at least one turnaround wheel (20) that uses a guide surface Sint, whereby said wheel (20) is mounted so as to rotate around a so-called turnaround axis (30) and at least two belts clamp the products P that are to be turned around, at least one input belt (22) guided by the surface Sint and moving at a speed Vint and at least one output belt (24) moving at a speed Vext, whereby Vint is different from Vext, characterized in that said turnaround device uses guide means (38) that comprise at least one guide surface Sext at the speed Vext of the output belt (24).Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: ProditecInventor: Frédéric Birague
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Patent number: 7607882Abstract: An apparatus for timed processing of book blocks for perfect binding includes a feed element to supply respective book blocks horizontally positioned with a spine facing in a feed direction of movement. A lifting device is arranged to receive the respective horizontally positioned book blocks from the feed element. The lifting device is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has an adjustably driven limit stop that forms a conveying end of the feed element. A gripper circulates on a traction element above the lifting device. The lifting device is pivoted about the horizontal axis into an upright position and operates synchronized with the movement of the gripper to lift the respective book blocks with the adjustably driven limit stop to transfer each respective book block to the gripper when the gripper is positioned over the book block in the lifting device.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AGInventors: Joe Matalevich, Hansjörg Schneeberger