Abstract: A veneer sheet feed device for multistage veneer sheet dryer is provided between an auto feeder including a carry-in conveyor and a roll dryer (veneer sheet dryer). The veneer sheet feed device is provided with a guide member and a feed conveyor for feeding a veneer sheet carried in from the carry-in conveyor to each conveyance unit of the roll dryer in this order from a conveyance up stream side. The veneer sheet feed device further provided with a pivot mechanism that allows a starting end of the guide member belonging to the conveyance stage immediately above the conveyance stage in which the veneer sheet is carried this time from the carry-in conveyor to pivot to a portion above a horizontal position of a roller shaft located at a terminal end of this guide member.

Abstract: A system for transporting and depositing of piece goods, in particular detergent pods, comprising at least one transport conveyor with a transporting surface, for transporting of piece goods in a transport direction with a transport speed from a receiving location to a downstream located deposit station, said deposit station, for the receiving of the piece goods, provided with at least one area for receiving the piece goods, which area at least partly locates under the transport surface of the transport conveyor and extends under a receiving length in the transport direction of the transport conveyor, wherein a deposit location, where the transport conveyor deposits the piece goods in the area in the deposit station, is adjustable over the receiving length, a detector, for outputting a signal that indicates if at a certain moment piece goods can be deposited in the deposit station, wherein a controller for determining the deposit location depending on the detection signal, wherein the controller moves the dep

Abstract: A bale stacker and method of using a bale stacker for consolidating a plurality of bales into a bale stack. The bale stacker including a bale stacker chassis supported for translational motion over a surface and one or more: of a bale lift, a bale receiving platform disposed over the bale stacker chassis to receive bales released from the bale lift, a bale transfer table disposing a plurality of bales in bale stack, a bale stack bed having at least one fork movable to abut a bale stack on said bale stack bed, a bale shuffler operable to engage the bale stack to align the bales in the bale stack, and a bale stack push of operable to engage the bale stack disposed on said bale stack bed in primarily vertical orientation to push a plurality of bale stacks off from the bale stack bed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes feeding a master roll 8a from a master roll table 10 to a belt table 14, and cutting the master roll 8a between the master roll table 10 and the belt table 14. In the step of feeding the master roll 8a from the master roll table 10 to the belt table 14, the master roll 8a is fed by holding a front part of the master roll 8a by a first hand 30 and a rear part of the master roll 8a by a second hand 40, and the front part of the master roll 8a is continuously held by the first hand 30 from start to end of the feeding.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles through a recirculation system for forming or processing the articles. The device includes a top portion configured to contact an article and a drive nut positioned within a first aperture of the top portion. The device includes a hub portion having a second aperture and a plurality of ejection pins extending through a respective one of a plurality of apertures of the top portion. The device includes a paddle wheel rotatably coupled to the hub portion. The paddle wheel has a first and second plurality of prongs extending radially outward and offset in generally opposing directions. The paddle wheel includes a post projecting radially inward and positioned within a third aperture. The device includes a drive screw extending through the first, second, and third apertures and having a head configured to engage the post and a threaded end is configured to engage the drive nut.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting metal plates out of a metal strip includes a laser cutting apparatus that is movable back and forth in a transport direction of the metal strip, and a support device for supporting the metal strip to be cut. The support device includes a first support device having a first support strip and a second support device having a second support strip located opposite the first support strip, wherein the first and the second support strip are moved concurrently with the laser cutting apparatus such that a laser beam of the laser cutting apparatus is always oriented towards a gap formed between the first and the second support strip. A dust discharging device is arranged downstream of the support strips in a discharging direction directed away from the laser cutting apparatus. The support strip and/or the dust discharge shaft includes a ventilation device for ventilating the gap.

Abstract: Techniques for managing notifications may be described. In an example, the notifications may relate to an item and may be provided to a user device. An active device may be associated with the item. The active device may store a token for communication with a local area network associated with a location. Based on the communication, a determination may be made that the item may be in proximity to the location. Corresponding notifications may be sent to the user device.

Abstract: The problem of potentially damaging a pallet layer that is gripped by clamps of a depalletizing tool is solved i) by detecting the real position of the layer using a pad on the tool that is movable with the clamps towards the pallet layer and whose detected stopping position determines the real position of the layer, and ii) while the layer is gripped by the clamp, by inserting under the layer curtains; the pressure on the layer by the clamps being adapted to the ease to go underneath the layer.

Abstract: A combination washing and drying apparatus includes a housing defining a singular interior area. A washing assembly positioned in the housing includes a washer drum having a first and second concentric washer sleeves movable between a closed configuration at which a bottom opening defined by the first washer sleeve is blocked by the second washer sleeve and an open configuration in which the bottom opening is not blocked for releasing the clothing from the first washer sleeve. A drying assembly is positioned in the housing and includes a dryer drum having first and second concentrically aligned dryer sleeves defining a side opening and being movable between a closed configuration blocking the side opening and an open configuration allowing the clothing to be inserted into the dryer drum. A conveyor assembly includes a continuous belt operably movable when energized for conveying the clothing between the washing and drying assemblies.

Abstract: A pick-up device for picking up packages that may include a frame to which a first and a second retaining element are mounted. Each retaining element may comprise a retaining side that is adapted to hold a package or a package section. The first and the second retaining elements may be adapted to be arranged in a starting position, such that the first and the second retaining sides are oriented one next to the other in an aligned manner. Both the first and the second retaining elements are pivotable about a common pivot axis, so that in at least one pivoted position, both the first and the second retaining elements are arranged pivoted by a first and a second angle respectively, wherein the retaining element are pivoted relative to the starting position. In one embodiment, both the first and the second angles are greater than zero.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a substrate transporting device having a drive motor configured to drive the drive shaft, transporting belts driven by the drive shaft and configured to transport glass substrates at an operating speed when the drive shaft is driven by the drive motor, a rail arranged between the transporting belts, and a pushing block arranged on the rail and moving along a transporting direction of the glass substrates at a moving speed in accordance with the operating speed of the transporting belts, for pushing the glass substrate to shift horizontally along the transporting direction of the glass substrate to prevent the glass substrate from being crooked. In this way, the orientation of the glass substrate is corrected, and the accuracy of the transportation of the glass substrate is ensured. The occurrence of machine disorder due to a crooked glass panel is reduced as well.

Abstract: A packaging device includes a conveyance mechanism, a guide portion and a control portion. The control portion is configured to cause a first section of a film to be bonded to a base, cause the conveyance mechanism to convey the base toward a downstream side in a conveyance direction, move the guide portion along a movement path, cause the conveyance mechanism to convey the base toward the upstream side, cause a second section of the film to be bonded to the base, and cause the film to be moved in an opposite direction to a feeding direction at any time during a period after the first section is bonded to the base and before the second section is bonded to the base, the feeding direction being a direction in which the film is fed out when the base is conveyed.

Abstract: A method of forming on a moving conveyor belt an article layer formed from multiple article row sets includes capturing the article row sets between adjacent pairs of fences to stabilize the articles while forming the article layer. An article stabilizing device for carrying out the method includes a number of individually movable fences that move between standby and operating positions to capture the article rows sets.

Abstract: A conveyor which allows the formation and movement of at least one batch of products from a line of products in single file, in at least one passage at an upstream station. The conveyor includes, at an upstream station, a rug for moving said products, and a movement device for moving a predetermined quantity of products from said line of products, between the upstream station and a downstream station. The movement device has engaging elements able to be placed in contact with the products. The rug has a through hole. The movement device is arranged under said at least one passage. The engaging elements are mounted to be movable, relative to said movement device, between a retracted position and an engaged position.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for positioning a hot glass sheet G on a roll conveyor 24 for further processing utilizes sensors (60, 62, 64) for sensing a conveyed glass sheet position and a turntable (72) having an actuator (74) for providing axial shifting of rolls (26) supported on the turntable to properly locate the glass sheet G, without any sliding between the glass sheet and the conveyor rolls, both rotationally and laterally for further processing which is specifically disclosed as forming.

Abstract: Apparatus for singulating load items, with first conveyor means working in a delivery direction and having a first conveying surface for delivering load items, with second conveyor means disposed adjacent to a transfer region of the first conveyor means and having a second conveying surface for receiving the load items delivered by the first conveyor means and for conveying the load items away therefrom. The first conveying surface slopes downwards in the delivery direction and towards the second conveyor means, with a guide means disposed between the transfer region of the first conveyor means and the receiving region of the second conveyor means for the controlled transfer of load items from the first to the second conveyor means. The guide means has a guiding surface running along the transfer region, which projects at a height that declines in the delivery direction above an extension plane of the first conveying surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning a sheet product conveyed on a conveying surface of a conveyor system in a direction of conveyance at a conveying velocity, which product has on its side facing away from the conveying surface an at least partially exposed surface. The apparatus has an alignment unit, which is arranged above the conveying surface and which is intended to change the situation of the product with respect to the conveying surface by means of a force acting upon the exposed surface. The alignment unit has a self-contained, flexible force transmission member, which, on that side of the alignment unit which is facing toward the conveying surface, forms a sagging strand, which latter is intended to rest with a portion on the at least partially exposed surface of the product and thus subject said product to the force.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system (1) for arranging a plurality of articles moved in at least one mass flow (M1, M2). Articles designed identically in respect of an allocation feature (A, B, C) are fed to a separate buffer station (P1, P2, P3) from the at least one mass flow (M1, M2) and stored in the buffer station (P1, P2, P3). A specified compilation (Z1, Z2) of articles is then formed wherein stored articles are removed from one or more of the buffer stations (P1, P2, P3) in consideration of the specified compilation (Z1, Z2) and forwarded and/or guided to a handling station (10) in a defined sequence and/or arrangement.

Abstract: A synchronized carrying system comprising: an overhead conveyor which transports a vehicle body; a floor-side conveyor which transports an underbody part; a control device which operates and controls the overhead conveyor and the floor-side conveyor; and a carrying device on which the underbody part is mounted, wherein the synchronized carrying system synchronizes the overhead conveyor and the floor-side conveyor during a process that loads the underbody part to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An intermittent motion checkweigher for weighing products of interest. The checkweigher includes a product transport wheel having a plurality of product retention pockets, each of which retains one or more products of interest throughout the weighing operation. Products are loaded into a product retention pocket by an in-feed conveyor or similar device, after which the product transport wheel is indexed to advance the products in the product retention pocket toward one or more weighing devices where the products will be weighed while still located in the product retention pocket. After weighing, the products are advanced to a discharge conveyor or similar device by further indexing of the product transport wheel.

Abstract: A regulation method for ordering a flow of two lines of products includes at least: —a first step of slowing when the spacing value between a first product pertaining to one of the lines and a second product, situated immediately upstream and pertaining to another of the lines is less than a first set value; and—a second step of slowing when the value of the spacing between a downstream product of the first line and the proximal product situated immediately upstream on the second line is lower than a second set value, the first step of slowing and second step of slowing being respectively implemented selectively so as to place in phase the spacings between the products of the first and second lines according to a sequence determined as a function of the device for transferring to cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products (10) to a loading station (12) having a cooling conveyor (14) that selectively drops food product into a distributor (34). The distributor (34) separates product into at least two lanes (48, 50) and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor (46) monitors and counts product in each lane (48, 50) and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter (70, 80) transfers product from a loading conveyor (68) to a buffer conveyor (72). The buffer conveyor (72) transfers product to a main conveyor (76) which transfers product to a loading head (84).

Abstract: A method for installing lock levers for a beverage filling machine includes supplying a plurality of lock levers, including a plurality of regular size lock levers with a first dimension associated with the height of an engagement surface relative to the axis of rotation of the lever, and at least one other lock lever having a second dimension for the height such that the second dimension is reduced or increased relative to the first dimension, installing a plurality of regular size lock levers on the beverage filling machine, determining if the engagement surface of any of the regular size lock levers is not positioned at a predetermined position and thereby non-conforming, then installing at the location of any non-conforming regular size lock lever one of the at least one other lock lever having a second dimension to position the engagement surface thereof substantially at the predetermined position.

Abstract: A method and device are provided to produce stacks composed of printed products. Printed products are supplied substantially vertically and in an overlapping flow with the aid of a first conveying device continuously to an essentially horizontally extending stack support. A stack is formed at the stack support, where the printed products are at least approximately lined up in an upright position. The stack on the stack support is transported with a second conveying device moving at a forward-feed speed and in a forward-feed direction. The stack is supported along a leading stack end against a support device that also moves in the forward-feed direction. A third conveyor acts upon a region of a lower edge of at least one printed product, which impacts the stack support, to move the at least one printed product in the forward-feed direction of the stack with a speed that corresponds at least to the forward-feed speed of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) loads product in the form of bags into a carton held at a tilt angle. The leading ends of the bags on an adjustment conveyor (20) are abutted by a bumper (30) to reorient the bags 90° on the adjustment conveyor (20). The downstream roller (44) of a twist conveyor (40) is tilted to collate bags on a decline conveyor (70). The collated bags are moved on an orientation conveyor (74) to engage a product scoop (110) extending at an inclined position and moved to a vertical position to vertically orient the bags. The orientation conveyor (74) is moved to an offset position to allow the bags to drop onto a lowerator (92) of an accumulator (86) where they can be sandwiched between retainer plates (88, 90). A pusher plate (94) pushes the bags off the lowerator (92) into the carton and is tilted to correspond to the tilt angle of the carton.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transport of food products, in particular of product slices produced with a cutting machine, comprising at least one deflection station for the deflection of at least one incoming product stream running in on an incoming conveyor into at least one outgoing product stream outgoing on an outgoing conveyor in a different direction to the incoming product stream, wherein the deflection station includes at least one transfer device movable between a discharge end of the incoming conveyor and a receiving end of the outgoing conveyor, with a support surface for the products always facing in at least approximately the same direction.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and a unit for the formation of groups of products in a machine for continuous packaging of products, according to which at least two continuous rows of products are fed via two conveyor devices set in series with respect to one another along a first given path and in contact with at least one alignment element, which is set transverse to the first path and in front of the rows of products to align the rows themselves with respect to one another, and is displaced along a second, loop-like, path defined by two portions, along which the alignment element is set on the inside and on the outside, respectively, of the first path.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming a stable arrangement of bottles so they can be moved on an inline conveyor system. This is accomplished by an apparatus for nesting bottles comprising a first conveyor having lanes of bottles, and a second conveyor, wherein a fixed number of bottles from each lane is released from each lane in a staggered arrangement to facilitate nesting of the released bottles and then pushing and guiding the released bottles from the first conveyor onto a second conveyor so that the bottles form a nested bundle.

Abstract: A system receives flat products in a serial manner, transports them to a buffer apparatus, senses the presence of any significant gaps between adjacent products, passes the products to a wrapping or other processing machine and then removes the processed products from the system. The buffer closes gaps between adjacent products with an arrangement of fast and slower-moving chains or conveyors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for directing a conveyed product on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a filing channel that includes the ability to adjust the location of at least one end of the filing channel. In one embodiment, the filing apparatus includes a plurality of cards successively arranged wherein the cards are supported by a support member. The cards define the filing channel and the shape of the channel is maintained despite repositioning at least one end of the filing channel.

Abstract: Registration transfer unit (26) receives containers (C) in random intervals and then places such containers in a transfer conveyor (30) moving generally laterally to the registration transfer unit. The registration transfer unit is movable relative to and with the transfer conveyor to index the registration transfer unit with cells (262) of the transfer conveyor and maintaining such indexed relationship while the containers are transferred from the registration transfer unit to the transfer conveyor. The containers are then transferred from the transfer conveyor to an infeed conveyor (32) to carry the containers to a pick-up unit (34) that removes a selected number of containers at a time from the infeed conveyor.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transport and placement of articles in single file order includes dual parallel infeed conveyors each having an elevating portion for discharging articles onto transverse conveyors whose discharge ends are disposed over elevated discharge conveyors traversing in the opposite direction from the direction of movement of the infeed conveyors. The discharge conveyors include horizontal conveyor runs over which are disposed elongated article guide fences operable to guide articles into single file order but to also force articles not in proper order off of the conveyors into bottomless bins which guide the articles onto the inlet portions of the infeed conveyors for recycling through the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for unloading and binding brick or other components include an infeed conveyor that delivers layers of brick to a transfer distribution carriage. The distribution carriage repositions the brick layers on either an outfeed conveyor or a tine conveyor. The layers of bricks carried by the outfeed conveyor are moved to where a tine layer is positioned on their upper surface. The tine conveyor divides the bricks into an arrangement of rows spaced apart to define openings for receiving a lifting or moving member, so that when the tine layer is positioned in a completed stack, enables movement of the stack by a forklift or other suitable moving means. Additional layer or layers are then positioned on the tine row on a packaging conveyor so that completed stacks are delivered to a package station that binds the stack of bricks or other components into an integrated structure.

Abstract: A package delivery notification system reports impending package deliveries and precisely notifies recipients of when to expect the deliveries. The package delivery notification system utilizes memory, a communications device, and a system manager. Package data identifying a package that is to be delivered to a recipient is stored in the memory. The package data indicates that the recipient is to receive the package and indicates the expected time that the package is to be delivered. When the package is assigned to a vehicle that will deliver the package to a premises of the recipient, the system manager transmits, via the communications device, a notification message to the recipient. The notification message preferably indicates the approximate time that the package is expected to arrive.

Abstract: A chute system for selectively moving articles with little to no damage to such articles from a supply source oriented at a first level to a transversely moving conveying system oriented at a second lower level. The chute system includes a powered conveyor belt adapted for advancement of the conveyor belt at a known velocity and a guide operatively associated with the conveyor belt and adapted to shape the conveyor belt in a selected arcuate configuration to accommodate and facilitate translation of motion of such an article on the belt from a substantially vertical direction to a substantially horizontal direction. In a preferred embodiment the chute system includes a stop member to provide a stop for such articles upon movement of such articles from the conveyor belt to such conveying system in order to accommodate selective lateral deposition of such articles onto such conveying system.

Abstract: In order to separate streams of multi-layered stacks of rodlike elements the rodlike elements are removed from the adjoining area of a horizontal conveyor (3) or a channel positioned at an angle (1), in which the stack of rodlike elements becomes a passive stream to the area of the channel (1) or the horizontal conveyor (3), in which the stack becomes an active stream, and the space taken up by the removed elements is equal to the volume of the appropriate sector of a cylinder of radius (r) corresponding to with (P) of the horizontal conveyor (3) and/or width (K) of the channel (1), whereas the walls of the cylinder which are parallel to the axis of the cylinder separate the non-parallel streams.

Abstract: A plant and a method for carrying out orderly arrangement of products in ranks along a packaging line, wherein an alignment device is set between a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt. The products arrive on the first belt in ranks with substantially disorderly transverse alignment and with longitudinal distances that may vary between the said ranks, and are accelerated to obtain, on the second belt, ranks aligned in an orderly way and properly spaced from one another.

Abstract: In an apparatus for packaging piece goods, a piece-goods article of a first type (A) and a plurality of piece goods of a second type (B) are introduced into a common pack. The apparatus has a first conveyor (1), for feeding piece goods of the first type (A), a second conveyor (3), for feeding piece goods of a second type (B), and a packing station (7), for forming a flexible tube (72). It also has at least one feed station (2), from which the piece goods of the second type (B) are deposited by means of the second conveyor (3) such that the piece goods of the second type (B) are located one above the other at least in part and form first groups. In each case one of these first groups is deposited on a piece-goods article of the first type (A) from the second conveyor (3) by conveying means (4, 10), this resulting in the formation of a second group, which is introduced into the flexible tube (72).

Abstract: Supply lines, formed by two V-shaped belts (1)-(1′) that go in the same direction at different speeds; Photoelectric cells (2) on the first transversal alignment of cells and others (3) on the fruit outlet of the feeder; Pneumatic cylinders that separate or group the outlet ends of the supply lines, turning on their inlet ends: Detection means (6) of the arrangement of the cells to suitably position the supply lines; Means (7) to check loading on the inlet ends of the feed lines, that operate as a transporter (8) to regulate and give continuity to the general supply.

Abstract: A system and method for singulating loads are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of similarly configured load manipulation cells arranged to form an array. Each cell has a generally planar upper surface and an actuation system configured for operation independent of the actuation systems of the other cells. The system further includes a sensing system operable to identify the general location of loads positioned on the array and a controller configured to receive input from the sensing system and send commands to the actuation systems to singulate the loads positioned on the array. The controller is configured to process loads received in a continuous flow.

Abstract: Assembly for supporting and retaining sheets of glass, particularly in a machine for machining the sheets of glass; the assembly possesses a support structure, a plurality of suckers carried by the support structure to hold the sheet of glass in an unambiguous reference position on a horizontal plane and, for each sucker, a corresponding actuator for vertically displacing the suckers between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: The purpose of this patent is an “Automatic alternating fruit feeder to a cell receiver in quincunxes”, the use of which is explained in the title of the invention.

Abstract: A sorting machine at the end of a sheet metal slitting and shearing line receives side-by-side stacks of sheet metal panels and separates and rearranges those stacks so that they are more easily wrapped, banded, or otherwise processed. The machine includes a roller conveyor which receives the side-by-side stacks and a platform located to one side of the conveyor. The platform has support beams which align with the rollers of the conveyor such that spaces exist between the succession of aligned rollers and support beams. Beneath the conveyor and platform a transfer carriage moves on tracks that extend transversely with respect to the conveyor. The carriage has transfer beams which occupy the spaces between successive aligned rollers and support beams.

Abstract: A shingle bundle palletizer includes a bundle metering conveyor, an incline conveyor, a pattern conveyor, a lug conveyor, an adjustable height transfer conveyor, a shuttle conveyor, and a pallet removal conveyor. The bundle metering conveyor includes one or more upstream and downstream belts. Each upstream belt is driven by an in-roller, variable speed motor that is independent of each downstream belt. The pattern conveyor includes a pair of outer pattern belts rotatably mounted on a pair of outer pulleys, and a center pattern belt rotatably mounted on a center pulley. The pair of outer pulleys is keyed to a pulley shaft and the center pulley is free-rotating about the pulley shaft to decouple the center pattern belt from the pair of outer belts. The pair of outer pattern belts and the center pattern belt are independently driven by separate motors and belts made of elastomeric material. The shuttle conveyor includes a belt made of an elastomeric material driven by a motor connected to a drive shaft.

Abstract: A loading station for the automatic loading of multiple items on the same unit of a sorting machine. The loading station includes several feeding belts capable of receiving and transferring the items to a loading belt capable of receiving such items and feeding them to the sorting machine. The feeding belts include at least one belt mounted on a support capable of rotating 180° about a vertical axis to reverse the order of items being conveyed on the belt. A transfer conveyor transfers the items to the loading belt. The transfer conveyor includes a frame carrying a drivable belt. The frame is extensible and retractable relative to an upstream feeding conveyor. Items are deposited onto the drivable belt as the belt is non-driven and the frame is being extended. Then, the frame is retracted while driving the belt forwardly at the same speed that the frame is retracted.

Abstract: Device ensuring maximum coverage of an area in which identical cylindrical objects such as bottles or cans transported by a conveyor line accumulate. The device including, a vibrating table over which the bottles advance in short skips after being deposited on the table by the conveyor, and, an oscillating hoe formed by two integral, longitudinally extending bars. The friction between the bottles and the surface of the vibrating table being fairly small. The oscillating hoe performing a transverse alternate motion, during which each longitudinally extending bar alternately pushes the mass of bottles, causing them to slide over the vibrating table. One application of the device is for loading freeze drying vessels.

Abstract: A positioning conveyor is incorporated in a conveyor system for adjusting the position of a sheet on the conveyor system. The positioning conveyor has two belt type conveyor sections that are independently movable transverse to the feed path and are utilized to adjust the position of the sheet. The sheet is scanned by a scanner and the data is input to a computer. A vacuum zone on each section provides spaced apart gripping points to establish a pivot axis to correct for skew. The computer controls the coordinated movement of the sections to pivot and side shift the sheet to a desired position.

Abstract: A tray loading apparatus for the efficient loading of cylindrical articles onto trays. The apparatus functions to align cylindrical articles in a staggered manner so as to make the most efficient use of space. As such, a subsequent manufacturing process such as freeze drying is allowed to reach the largest amount of articles per operation, thereby saving time, energy and cost. The apparatus uses a conveyor having a staggering mechanism which includes undulated guides located adjacent the edges of the conveyor. The undulated guides have an edge facing the conveyor surface formed from a plurality of triangular peaks and valleys. At least one of the guides is connected to an oscillating mechanism for assisting the staggering of the articles. A slide plate which moves transversely to the conveyor includes a tray loading section. The tray loading section is adapted to be moved into alignment with the conveyor so as to accumulate the articles therein in the staggered pattern.

Abstract: A pickup device comprises a memory for storing therein positional data for parts, a camera for detecting a position of the parts, a displacement rate computing section for computing a displacement rate between the positional data stored and a position detected, a hand for picking up parts, a inserting posture deciding section for deciding a posture of the hand such as an inserting position or an inserting direction against the parts, a moving section for moving the hand according to the decided posture, a up-movement pin selecting section for selecting pins required for pushing up only desired parts, an interfering pin removing section for removing pins interfered by the hand, and a pin up-movement control section for raising the selected pins.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequenced or simultaneous feeding of a plurality of flitches to a board edger includes a sequencing conveyor for sequenced feeding of flitches in a horizontal first direction, the flitches oriented in a horizontal second direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, the flitches fed sequentially into first or second adjacent parallel holding locations, a selectively actuable transfer device for selective transfer of a first fitch in the first direction from either of the first or second adjacent parallel holding locations onto a first edger feeder, and a second edger feeder parallel and adjacent to the first edger feeder, the first and second parallel adjacent edger feeders for selective sequential or simultaneous feeding into an edger according to a feed controller for (i) controlling the sequential or simultaneous feeding of the first flitch on the first edger feeder, and (ii) controlling the sequential or simultaneous feeding of a second flitch transferred from the first or se