Abstract: A device for processing card-shaped information carriers has at least one track, at least one processing station with at least one movable carrier with a plurality of holding elements, at least one delivery element located between the track and the movable carrier, so that the cards are taken by a first delivery element from the path and transferred on the holding elements of the carrier, and then are taken by a second delivery element from the holding elements of the carrier and transferred onto the path, wherein each of the delivery elements has a wheel drivingly rotatable in a rotary direction and provided on its outer periphery with a plurality of holders which are spaced from one another in a peripheral direction for receiving, holding and delivering the cards.

Abstract: A dispensing system dispensing items includes a dispensing station and a first conveyor for transporting containers to the dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a dispenser for dispensing items to the containers, a mechanism for spacing the containers to a predetermined pitch, a transfer wheel for removing the containers from the first conveyor, a star wheel for receiving the containers from the transfer wheel and for transporting the containers in synchronization with the dispenser, and a turret for removing the containers from the star wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring articles such as absorbent cores or disposable diaper chassis components from a rotary mechanism, such as a pad turner, to a linear mechanism, such as a conveyor for further processing. The invention provides a device for picking an article from the outside of a toroidal surface, thence extending transversely under tension the article to be transferred so that at the point of deposition the article is held flat and at full length. The device is of particular benefit where an article to be transferred is subject to internally biasing elastic forces.

Abstract: A rotary type transfer apparatus used in a continuous manufacturing apparatus for spout-equipped bags. The transfer apparatus includes a transfer rotor and a driving device and installed next to an extraction apparatus. The transfer rotor has spout holding members on its circumference, and the driving device causes the transfer rotor to rotate intermittently in a cycle of stopping, acceleration, constant-speed rotation, deceleration and stopping and causes the speed of the spout holding members of the transfer apparatus to coincide with the speed of the spout holding members of the extraction apparatus during the period of constant rotation and causes the spout holding members to run side by side. During the constant-speed rotation, spouts are transferred from the spout holding members of the continuously rotating extraction apparatus to the spout holding members of the rotary type transfer apparatus via a guide member.

Abstract: A device for transferring blister packs to the feeding line of a packaging machine includes a pick-up member capable of picking-up a series of blister packs disposed in reciprocal alignment at the blister packs cutting station and releasing this series of blister packs in alignment with a conveyor situated adjacent to the cutting station. A blister packs selective releasing device is situated above the conveyor and is equipped with support elements for receiving in support the blister packs picked-up by the pick-up member and operated selectively to release the blister packs, disposed in reciprocal alignment and orderly spaced apart, onto the conveyor. A stepwise rotating carrousel is situated at the outlet of said conveyor and is equipped with gripping members capable of picking-up the blister packs from the conveyor and transferring the blister packs, one by one, to a feeding line arranged perpendicular with respect to the conveyor.

Abstract: A packaging installation for forming finished products, from batches of articles, including a conveyor, a feed track, an article transferring mechanism, and a conveyor drive mechanism. The conveyer is able to receive batches of articles to route them from an upstream location to a downstream location. The feed track routes articles to the conveyer. The article transferring mechanism that transfers articles from the feed track to the conveyer groups the articles to form spaced apart batches. The transporter routes cardboard blanks or equivalent to the conveyer, and disposes the blanks on the conveyer opposite batches of articles. The conveyor, transfer, and transport drive mechanism, is characterized in that it comprises a control and slaving device, that applies a speed profile to each drive mechanism to allow the adjustment of the pitch and/or number of articles per batch according to the pitch and/or type of batch required.

Abstract: An apparatus for singly loading perpendicularly conveyed elongated members from a first conveyor to a second conveyor. The apparatus is positioned downstream of the first conveyor and upstream of the second conveyor. The apparatus comprises plural stopper arms each analogously displaceable between an abutting position, wherein the stopper arms hold elongated members from moving forward on the first conveyor, and a bypassing position, wherein the stopper arms are disposed away from the first conveyor for allowing the elongated members to move forward as displaced by the first conveyor. Plural analogously moving lower loaders wheel each have a generally circular body with a gripping surface on an outer periphery thereof. The gripping surface is adapted for abutting an elongated member. Plural analogously moving upper loader wheels are generally positioned above the lower loader wheels and have a resilient peripheral portion.

Abstract: A method for transferring signatures is described. A gripper assembly contains a gripper bar having a gripper and a pivot arm having a gripper seat. The gripper assembly is moved such that the gripper projects through a space in front of a leading edge of a signature being delivered on a transport system. The gripper assembly is moved such that the gripper seat is directly aligned with the leading edge of the signature and the gripper seat is travelling at the same velocity as the signature. The gripper is driven in a direction of the gripper seat such that the signature is held between the gripper and the gripper seat. In this manner the velocity of the signature is not changed during the handoff. In addition, a gripper assembly for performing the handoff is described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for singulating and delivering wire leads as part of an electrode welding process in lamp production. Leads in bulk form are transported by a feeder. The leads are dropped from the feeder and passively caught in a desired orientation within a rotational turret. The turret delivers the leads to an exit point. The leads are processed at the exit point by pick-and-place equipment.

Abstract: With an article transfer apparatus 1 of the present invention, when a negative pressure is applied on an air outlet 20 in a non-attracting state, the amount of air that is sucked through suction holes 6 in a front attracting section 2f is greater than the amount of air that is sucked through suction holes 7 in a rear attracting section 2b. Therefore, the suction amount through the front attracting section 2f is increased while reducing the suction loss of the attracting pad 2, thereby improving the reliability of the attraction operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring components which includes a wheel which can rotate between an arrival station and a discharge station, each station being located adjacent a periphery of the wheel. A plurality of independent peripheral teeth are pivotally mounted to the wheel via mounting spindles. The teeth are designed to carry along at least one component during a rotation of the wheel in a transfer direction. Each of the teeth can pivot in a direction opposite to the transfer direction, such that each tooth can release a component when there is resistance to rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A mechanism for accurately transferring a predetermined number of IC (Integrated Circuit) packages from a first IC (integrated Circuit) storage tube to a second IC (Integrated Circuit) storage tube. A first tube platform holds the first IC package storage tube at an inclination, and a second tube platform holds the second IC package storage tube at an inclination. Additionally, an IC (Integrated Circuit) package transfer wheel is disposed between the first tube platform and the second tube platform. The IC package transfer wheel has a plurality of spokes radiating outward from a center of the IC package transfer wheel. An IC package from the first IC package storage tube encounters a stopping spoke of the plurality of spokes of the IC package transfer wheel when the first IC package storage tube is placed on the first tube platform, and the stopping spoke prevents the IC package from entering the second IC package storage tube.

Abstract: An article processing apparatus having a plurality of input conveyors directing articles into a work station and a single turret sorting mechanism. The work station processes articles while, simultaneously, unprocessed articles are fed into the turret sorting mechanism. The output of the work station is simultaneously fed into the turret sorting mechanism. The turret control mechanism engages articles fed to it using a gripper. The turret sorting mechanism rotates the articles until, in conjunction with a control system, the articles are released onto appropriate locations on a second set of conveyors. The second set of conveyors directs the unprocessed articles to a second work station (where the unprocessed articles are processed) and the articles processed by the first work station are directed to an output station. Once processed, the articles sent to the second work station are also directed to the output station where they are collected and prepared for further processing.