Abstract: The packaging machine includes a wrapping tunnel, adapted to form a tube of plastic film around a group of articles and a feed conveyor adapted to feed articles to be packaged toward the wrapping tunnel. An elevator is positioned between the feed conveyor and the wrapping tunnel, and is movable vertically from a lower position, to receive articles coming from the feed conveyor, to a higher height, to transfer articles to the wrapping tunnel. A pusher is arranged to push articles to be packaged from the elevator into the wrapping tunnel. An auxiliary conveyor is also provided between the feed conveyor and the elevator. An upender is associated with the auxiliary conveyor, adapted to be arranged selectively in an active position, to co-act with the auxiliary conveyor to upend articles coming from the feed conveyor and transfer them toward the elevator, and in a deactivated position.

Abstract: A main mover and sub mover are made to run while changing a relative distance of the sub mover with respect to the main mover to change contact positions of cams and cam followers based on a holding position of a sheet member detected by a position detection device to thereby change a position in a horizontal plane of a holder and correct a holding position of the sheet member held at the holder to a preset reference position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stacking device and a method for stacking flat materials, e.g. electrodes having a separation film (1) interposed in a zigzag manner by means of a guiding device (8). The stacking device comprises a stacking table (11), a holder (4; 5) for immobilizing the stack, and grippers (6, 7) for picking the electrodes (2, 3) up and putting them down in a defined manner, said grippers having an excess pressure module (9) for the targeted shaping of a defined film pocket (17) in the separation film (1).

Abstract: Provided is a conveyor belt wear monitoring system capable of determining the wear condition of an upper rubber cover of a conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt is stopped, on the return side of the conveyor belt, a wear detector with a sensor unit corresponding to an upper cover rubber is disposed, the wear detector is controlled by a control unit to move across an entire length in a belt width direction and the distance from the sensor unit and a surface of the upper cover rubber is detected, the detected data is received by a calculation unit, and an amount of wear of the upper cover rubber is calculated on the basis of the received data.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a position error in a linear drive, a linear drive, a method for operating the linear drive and an installation, wherein the deviation of a respective further runner in relation to a first runner (reference runner) is ascertained to determine the position error, where the discrepancy of the respective sensor is ascertained based on the deviation of the runner, the discrepancy may be ascertained using a reference system, the position error may be established based on the discrepancy of the respective sensor PS and the deviation of the respective runner, and where the position error may serve for the improved positioning, i.e., more precise positioning, of the respective runner on the linear drive or of the segments.

Abstract: A starwheel or similar handling arrangement for transporting bottles or similar containers, such as for containing beverages or liquids.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for placing plate-like elements (10) within a processing machine (1): the machine including a feeder (20) for placing the elements (10) in a plurality of gripping members (31) of a conveyor (30) in successive stations (3, 4, 5). The feeder (20) has a fixing device (21) for elements. The feeder (20) is driven by a computation and control unit (40). The method includes successive steps during advancement of each plate-like element (10) of measuring the longitudinal and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) relative to a theoretical position, by detecting its front or rear edge, controlling the feeder (20) according to the measured placement errors, activating the fixing device (21) to attach the plate-like element (10) to the feeder (20), then measuring the longitudinal, the transverse and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) attached to the feeder (20), relative to a theoretical position, by detecting register marks (12) printed on the element (10).

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring the functioning of a drive element provided between a drive motor and a pulling member for pallets or steps of a passenger transport installation is provided. The condition of the steps or pallets of the step or pallet belt may be monitored. The drive element may be monitored. The step or pallet belt may be stopped in the event of a malfunction of the drive element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for conveying products, in particular product slices or product portions combing from a slicing machine for food products, having at least one conveyor which includes a carrier and at least one conveyor section held at the carrier, wherein at least a part of the conveyor section is tiltable relative to the carrier between a conveying position and a safety position about an axis extending in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A coverlay processing system includes a processing device and a conveyance device. The conveyance device is configured for moving the coverlay to the process device. The conveyance device includes a pulling member, a first securing member, a detector and a controller. The pulling member is configured for driving the coverlay. The first securing member is configured for stopping moving the coverlay. The detector is configured for detecting a moving state of the coverlay and is connected to the controller. The controller is connected to the processing device for managing the operation of the processing device.

Abstract: In an apparatus for transporting containers, a first transport unit including a first drive unit transports the containers along a first transport section, and a second transport unit including a second drive unit transports the containers along a second transport section. First and second sensor units detect a condition of the containers transported by the first and second transport units. At least one control unit controls at least one of the first and second drive units in response to at least one of the first and second conditions detected by the corresponding first or second sensor units. At least one of the first and second sensor units includes a signal transmission unit that wirelessly emits a signal characteristic of the respective at least one first or at least one second condition to a receiving unit of the control unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for placing plate-like elements (10) within a processing machine (1): the machine including a feeder (20) for placing the elements (10) in a plurality of gripping members (31) of a conveyor (30) in successive stations (3, 4, 5). The feeder (20) has a fixing device (21) for elements. The feeder (20) is driven by a computation and control unit (40). The method includes successive steps during advancement of each plate-like element (10) of measuring the longitudinal and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) relative to a theoretical position, by detecting its front or rear edge, controlling the feeder (20) according to the measured placement errors, activating the fixing device (21) to attach the plate-like element (10) to the feeder (20), then measuring the longitudinal, the transverse and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) attached to the feeder (20), relative to a theoretical position, by detecting register marks (12) printed on the element (10).

Abstract: A method and to a device for conveying planar products (12), particularly folded printed products. At a transfer point (A), the products (12) are inserted with the leading edges (14) thereof ahead into compartments (22) of a revolving system (20) in the form of a paddle wheel, the compartments moving along a closed revolving path (U), and removed from the compartments (22) at a transfer point (B) by means of grippers (32) of a gripper conveyor (30) and conveyed away. The products are seized by the grippers (32) at the trailing edges (16). The seizing of the trailing edge (16), which preferably is not the folded open product edge, has the advantage that it can be implemented without a complicated engagement of the revolving system (20) and gripper conveyor (30) and that the further conveyance and further processing of the products (12) are simplified.

Abstract: A conveyer apparatus for transporting and processing tablets includes a conveyer and an ejection system. Each of the tablets includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a belly band that interconnects the first and second sides. The conveyer includes a plurality of carrier links to convey a plurality of tablets along a predetermined conveyer path. Each carrier link has a pocket to receive and transport a tablet in a vertical orientation along the predetermined conveyer path. The ejection system is structured to selectively accept or eject a tablet from the carrier link in response to a signal provided by a sensor positioned upstream of the ejection system.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: An item-conveying device (20) includes a plate assembly (30) having an arm portion (31) and a spatula portion (32) cantilevered therefrom. The spatula portion (32) has at least one gripping opening (36) and a fluid channel (37) extends from the arm portion (31) to the gripping opening(s) (36). Upon connection of the fluid channel (37) to a vacuum source, a suction will be produced at the gripping opening(s) (36) to hold an item against the spatula portion (32).

Abstract: A preform conveyor system (10), of the type including a number of transport elements (18) which each have at least one grasping device (26) for carrying a preform, movable between an upper release position and a lower grasping position, characterized in that each grasping device (26) is linked in terms of upward and downward axial movement to an associated bracket (46), and in that the bracket (46) includes a stud (74) designed to interact slidingly with a fixed ramp (78), when the grasping device (26) is in an intermediate axial position between its upper release position and its lower grasping position, so as to cause the grasping device (26) to slide axially into its upper release position.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.

Abstract: A system for transferring electrical components. The system may comprise a plurality of electrical components. Each of the components may include leads and a physically asymmetric fiducial marker that structurally alters a physical appearance of the components. The system may also comprise a nest having a nest surface that defines a recess shaped to receive any one of the plurality of components only when the component is oriented such that the component's fiducial marker is received by a corresponding asymmetric portion of the nest surface. In addition, the system may comprise a component feed assembly for feeding the plurality of components to the nest, a component alignment detector, and a pick and place machine having a movable pick head. The movable pick head may have access to the component feed assembly and the recess of the nest.

Abstract: A reject bottle detection and ejection apparatus has a plurality of sensors positioned along the length of a belt conveyor that senses whether a bottle conveyed by the conveyor is positioned in an upright orientation, in an inverted orientation, in a sideways orientation, in a slanted orientation, or whether the bottle is damaged, and an air jet nozzle positioned downstream of the plurality of sensors that selectively emits a jet of air at a bottle conveyed past the air jet that has been sensed to be not in the upright orientation or to be damaged, thus removing the bottle from the conveyor.

Abstract: A component transfer apparatus is provided. The component transfer apparatus comprises a pick and place machine having a component feed source and a movable pick head having access to the component feed source. A component alignment detector is directed toward the component feed source and a controller is coupled to the component alignment detector. The controller contains instructions which, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to compare the detected component alignment with a known component alignment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring a conveyor. The conveyor comprises a conveyor belt in an elastomeric material, with a carrying side for the transported material, a backing side and embedded reinforcements, as well as other components: namely, drive pulleys, return pulleys, reverse pulleys, conveyor pulleys, mounting structures feed chutes and other components, where necessary. According to the invention the device is characterized by comprising an opto-electronic system in the area where no material is transported, which optically records and signals any damage done to the conveyor belt, optionally with an automatic switching off of the conveyor.

Abstract: A system and method that enables early detection of hazardous materials, such as explosives and biological materials, in the early phases of mail handling or processing, is disclosed. The early detection of such hazardous material utilizing the system and method of this invention can be performed while the mail is being processed. The system includes at least two primary elements: an activation sub-system and a sense and analyze sub-system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (10) for separating a jumbled collection of articles, such as clothing or garment hangers (23), into a plurality of separate and discrete hangers. The apparatus includes conveyor means (12, 26, 32) adapted to transport a plurality of hangers (23) in succession along a process path; separation means, such as barrier gate members (20, 21), adapted to permit the hangers to proceed along the process path one at a time, sensing means (19, 38) adapted to detect when a hanger is entangled or interconnected with one or more other hangers; and removal means (30) adapted to remove any such entangled or interconnected hangers from the process path. The invention also provides a method for separating the hangers (23).

Abstract: A sheet-like object feed unit in a sheet-fed rotary printing press includes a feedboard, paper feed belts, connecting plate, improper paper feeding detector, swing arm shaft pregripper, transfer cylinder, non-motion roller, gripper closing cam, and air cylinder. The feedboard, paper feed belts, and connecting plate convey a sheet-like object. The improper paper feeding detector is disposed on a sheet-like object convey path including the feedboard, paper feed belts, and connecting plate, and detects improper feeding of the sheet-like object. The swing arm shaft pregripper is disposed downstream of the feedboard, paper feed belts, and connecting plate in a sheet-like object convey direction, and has a first holding unit for holding the sheet-like object conveyed by the feedboard, paper feed belts, and connecting plate.

Abstract: A guard fence is mounted on a transfer arm used to transport a boat carrying semiconductor wafers. The fence limits tipping movement of the boat and includes a plurality of sensors to sense tipping movement of both the top and bottom of the boat, in opposite tipping directions. A guard cover includes sensors that sense when the boat is tipped off-axis before the boat is moved into a process chamber by a boat elevator. Each of the sensors delivers signals to a controller which controls the operation of the transfer and elevator and interrupts operation thereof when the boat has tipped off-axis.

Abstract: A control device for electric direct drives of a transfer system contains at least one monitoring device which, in the case of the malfunctioning of a direct drive, switches the control device into an emergency operating mode. In the emergency operating mode, the control device disconnects the linear drive affected by the malfunction from power and controls the remaining direct drives preferably at full power or at a slightly higher power. Thereby, a freedom from collision is established between the forming tool and the transfer device, after which the press is preferably stopped.