Engaging Element Moves Load Vertically Only Patents (Class 198/468.8)
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Patent number: 9873583Abstract: A banknote stacking device includes a piece-by-piece banknote conveying mechanism, an upper conveyor belt, an arc-shaped stacking plate, a movable blocking mechanism, a sensor device, and a control unit. An elastic sheet is arranged on the arc-shaped stacking plate at a position for stacking banknotes, an end of the elastic sheet is fixed on the arc-shaped stacking plate, and a free end of the elastic sheet extends in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the banknotes, the extending segment of the elastic sheet forms an arch and is configured to elastically support the upper conveyor belt, and a through-groove is provided in the arc-shaped stacking plate at a position corresponding to the elastic sheet, and the free end of the elastic sheet is configured to extend and retract freely in the through-groove.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: GRG Banking Equipment Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yougang Jin, Shaohai Huang, Hongjun Wu
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Patent number: 8851278Abstract: The present invention extends to a lifting system for lifting a portion of a conveyor. The lifting system maintains the length of the conveyor while changing the shape of the conveyor to lift the top surface of the conveyor belt towards a stacking head. This design facilitates the quick lifting and lowering of slabs of sod while minimizing the stress on the sod harvesting machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: FireFly Equipment, LLCInventors: Steven R. Aposhian, Eric E. Aston, William M. Decker, Samuel Drake, Isaac R. Jones
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Patent number: 8783442Abstract: A melting furnace system includes a conveyor for moving a stack of ingots toward an ingot melting station. The conveyor has a platform and a raised part extending from the platform for engaging an underside of the stack. The conveyor automatically transfers the stack to a bucket located at a downstream end of the conveyor. The bucket includes a bottom wall, a back wall and a pair of sidewalls, and is sized to receive the stack of ingots. The bottom wall of the bucket is configured to receive the raised part of the conveyor such that the stack is initially positioned above the bottom wall of the bucket via the raised part. A carriage provided at the downstream end of the conveyor engages the bucket and includes a lifting mechanism for raising the bucket together with the stack of ingots toward the ingot melting station.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Karl J. Schroeder
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Patent number: 8453994Abstract: The invention relates to an engagement chain type driving device including a pair of driving sprockets, which rotate positively and reversely in opposite directions about a pair of rotating shafts, a pair of engagement chains, which engage with each other by the pair of driving sprockets so to be integrated together, and a driving source, which drives the pair of driving sprockets, wherein the engagement chain includes inner tooth plates and outer tooth plates, which each include buckling limiting flat surfaces, the inner tooth plates and outer tooth plates being brought opposite to each other and into contact with each other when the engagement chains are integrated by the pair of driving sprockets, such that the flat surfaces hold the chain engagement position.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.Inventors: Tomoo Suko, Kohei Nakanishi, Tomoyuki Saji, Yoshifumi Takeuchi, Satoshi Ueda, Naoto Shibata
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Patent number: 8408381Abstract: A carriage-type conveying apparatus with a workpiece support base and an elevating drive has a passive shaft interlocked with the elevating drive and a lock to prevent descent of the workpiece support base A power source carriage capable of traveling synchronously with the conveying carriage is aside of a traveling path of the conveying carriage at a workpiece support height changing position so as to be reciprocable along the traveling path. The power source carriage has a transmission shaft driven by a power source and a separable interlock to interlock the passive shaft and a transmission shaft with each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignees: Daifuku Co., Ltd., Daifuku (China) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masami Murakami, Jianguo Wang
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Patent number: 8381388Abstract: A method for handling a stator bar at a braze station including: lifting the stator bar from a platform, wherein the stator bar is in a substantially horizontal orientation on the platform; turning the stator bar from the horizontal orientation to an orientation at least 45 degrees from horizontal; aligning an upper end of the bar with a brazing station and positioning a lower end of the bar in a pit; turning the bar to reverse positions of the ends of the bar, and returning the stator bar to a horizontal orientation.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Robert Schumacher, Yu Wang, Vincenzo Sofia, Alan Michael Iversen, Jeffrey Michael Breznak
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Publication number: 20130015039Abstract: A carriage-type conveying apparatus with a workpiece support base and an elevating drive has a passive shaft interlocked with the elevating drive and a lock to prevent descent of the workpiece support base A power source carriage capable of traveling synchronously with the conveying carriage is aside of a traveling path of the conveying carriage at a workpiece support height changing position so as to be reciprocable along the traveling path. The power source carriage has a transmission shaft driven by a power source and a separable interlock to interlock the passive shaft and a transmission shaft with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Masami Murakami, Jianguo Wang
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Patent number: 8252232Abstract: An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Robert K. Neeper, Rhett L. Affleck, John E. Lillig
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Patent number: 8191702Abstract: An article lifting device 1 for lifting up and down articles includes a plurality of basic unit conveyors 11, the conveyors 11 each having an upper and a lower rotary bodies 13, and an elongated carrier 12 looped around the upper and lower rotary bodies 13. The carrier 12 is provided with a supporting body 14 for supporting an article. The basic unit conveyors 11 are arranged vertically and horizontally in a plane, so that the carriers 12 overlap in a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Tomonobu Hasegawa
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Patent number: 8118154Abstract: A sod handling method and a sod handling apparatus, in one embodiment the sod handling apparatus uses a pressure differential to hold a sod slab during sod transfer, other embodiments include a sod lift member for lifting sod, a sod transport mechanism for moving sod; a sod carriage for transporting sod, a sod bed positioning system for stacking sod, a system and method for checking sod quality as well as an apparatus and method of machine stacking sod to maintain the integrity of a sod stack.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Trebro Holding, Inc.Inventors: Michael Tvetene, Donald Tvetene, Gregg Tvetene
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Patent number: 8100254Abstract: A conveyor is provided for conveying and buffering articles (G) and the like along a vertically extending, substantially helical path. A conveying assembly such as a conveyor belt or conveyor rollers is supported by a frame and driven by a drive unit and extends along said helical path and conveys articles along said path. The substantially helical path is divided into zones (Z), each zone being provided with switch members, in such a manner that the conveyor can be switched in each zone between a conveying position, in which the conveying assembly conveys the articles, and a buffering position, in which the articles present in said zone are stationary. Buffering devices distributed over the length of the conveyor and being present in each zone support the articles in the buffering position.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Specialty Conveyor B.V.Inventor: Wouter Balk
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Patent number: 8096401Abstract: A mechanical pallet lift, such as incorporated into a conveyor driven process, having a base. A lower frame is displaceably supported upon the base and includes a first plurality of upwardly extending and spaced apart walls. An upper frame includes a second plurality of downwardly extending and spaced apart walls which nest in offsetting fashion with the first plurality of walls in an initial position. A rotary driven crank includes a first linkage elevating the upper frame so that the second walls are located above the first walls, a second linkage successively displacing the lower frame to cause the first walls to align with the second walls concurrent with the first linkage reverse lowering the upper frame to seat upon the lower frame. A limit stroke bracket surrounds the base includes column supports which, upon shifting in the elevated position, are engaged by horizontal exterior supports mounted to said upper frame upon reverse actuating of said crank at an intermediate elevated position.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: BAE Industries, Inc.Inventor: Charles L. Hites
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Patent number: 8079459Abstract: A transporter may move a payload along a linear path. The transporter may include a stationary base and a first arm assembly. The first arm assembly may include a first gear coupled to the stationary base, an idler gear that meshes with the first gear, and a second gear that meshes with the idler gear. The transporter may include a driver for rotating the first arm assembly around the axis of the first gear. A second arm assembly may be rigidly coupled to the second gear such that rotation of the second gear rotates the second arm assembly around the axis of the second gear. The second arm assembly may include a third axis that is parallel to the axes of the first and second gears. A payload engager may be disposed at the third axis, for engaging and disengaging the payload.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: The Unites States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: William Burgermeister
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Patent number: 7984802Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create an inspection system (1) for rolled products (2) of a milling station, which is to reliably prevent the texture of the substrate from being impressed and/or pressing through during processing of the rolled product (2), especially during grinding. Said aim is achieved by disposing a number of vertically adjustable rolled product clamps (6, 8) on a conveyor belt (4) for rolled products (2) in the inspection system (1).Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: SMS Siemag AktiengesellschaftInventors: Bernd Tiepelmann, Horst Oemkes
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Patent number: 7921985Abstract: A conveying method for an artificial stone process comprises placing stone on a trolley equipped with a catch basin, the trolley traveling along a track set to carry the stone to a processing region which has a top bracing unit, when the trolley carrying the stone to the processing region, the catch basin being braced upwardly and separated from the trolley, an engaging mechanism receiving the catch basin and delivering it to a processing station, thereby processing the stone on the catch basin.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Inventor: Jame Huang
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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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Publication number: 20100243408Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting cylindrical objects is disclosed including an endless conveyor arranged in a transport path, a drive for feeding the endless conveyor, guide rails for restricting lateral movement of cylindrical objects transported on the endless conveyor, an elevation transport section adapted to transport the cylindrical objects from a first height to a second height and including the endless conveyor having a base surface extending along the transport path, the endless conveyor including vertical protrusions extending outwardly from the base surface of the endless conveyor and including a front wall with an inclined portion sloping towards the base surface, such that a cylindrical object transported on the elevation transport section can rest on the inclined portion under a contact force directed towards the base surface by gravityType: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2006Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: FlexLink Components ABInventors: Michael Öhman, Steve Cox
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Publication number: 20100187071Abstract: A sod handling method and a sod handling apparatus, in one embodiment the sod handling apparatus uses a pressure differential to hold a sod slab during sod transfer, other embodiments include a sod lift member for lifting sod, a sod transport mechanism for moving sod; a sod carriage for transporting sod, a sod bed positioning system for stacking sod, a system and method for checking sod quality as well as an apparatus and method of machine stacking sod to maintain the integrity of a sod stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: TREBRO HOLDING, INC.Inventors: Michael Tvetene, Donald Tvetene, Gregg Tvetene
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Patent number: 7735211Abstract: A stator bar facility including: a stator bar workstation; an in-ground pit below the workstation; a stator bar elevator extending from the workstation pit, and a coupling mechanism attached to the elevator, wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises a rotational mount to receive at least one stator bar, wherein the rotational mount enables the received stator bar to be turned from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Robert Schumacher, Yu Wang, Vincenzo Sofia, Alan Michael Iversen, Jeffrey Michael Breznak
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Patent number: 7641041Abstract: A conveying device comprises a body in which a power source and two scroll wheels of the same diameter and rotating synchronously are disposed. Each scroll wheel is wound with an elongated elastic extension plate having rigidity, and one end of each elastic extension plate extends out of the body. When in use, the power source is used to drive the two scroll wheel to rotate synchronously, so as to drive the elastic extension plates of the two scroll wheels to synchronously extend out of or retract in the body. When the ends of the two elastic extension plates extended out of the body are assembled with a clamp or a loading seat, thereby, the conveying operation can be carried out.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Datatronics Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ming-Hsun Liu, Chung-Hsuan Tsai, Fa-Chin Lee
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Publication number: 20090283386Abstract: A system for selectively moving computer equipment to a naturally cooled underground data center. In one aspect of this disclosure, the system includes at least one movable pod for mounting computer equipment. The pod is electrically connected to a power and communications source to provide power and communications to the computer equipment mounted in the pod. The pod is mounted on a vertical conveyor that is driven by a motor to selectively move the pod to and from the underground data center.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2008Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Vincent V. Diluoffo, Michael D. Kendzierski, Christopher J. Dawson, Rick A. Hamilton, II
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Patent number: 7500819Abstract: An arrangement for an optional forming of stacks of multiple products conveyed successively along a conveying path, and/or for changing the sequence of products conveyed successively along the conveying path. The arrangement includes a conveying device having conveying sections for transporting the products in a conveying direction. At least one up and down movable lifting element is disposed on at least one side of the conveying device and picks up the products from an underside of the products along the conveying path from the conveying device and subsequently deposits them again. The lifting element is disposed at a right angle to the conveying direction and is displaceable below a support surface of the conveying device.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Müller Martini Holding AGInventor: Erik Vind Nielsen
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Publication number: 20080257686Abstract: A vertical conveyor (1) is provided in a commissioning system for vertically conveying piece good-type conveying materials of a commissioning order from an upper transfer point (2) to a lower transfer point (3) of the commissioning system. The conveyor includes a vertically oriented receiving device which supports the conveying materials and is open towards the bottom. The receiving device is provided through which conveying material that has been accommodated in the open state falls down into a closest bottom vertically oriented receiving device and/or onto the lower transfer point (3). The receiving device is embodied in the form of a tray or shell between the transfer points (2, 3). The shell can be opened on the bottom side and encompasses two vertical tilting walls (9, 9?) that face each other and can be opened on the bottom side or two horizontal slides (25, 25?) which face each other and can be opened on the bottom side as an opening mouth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2006Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
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Patent number: 7410046Abstract: A transfer feeder 41 for a transfer press 1 comprises a pair of bars 14 provided on a moving bolster 30 in parallel with a work transfer direction, a feed carrier 52 held by the bars 14 and movable in the work transfer direction, a clamp carrier 62 held by the feed carrier 52 and movable in the direction of clamp, and a lift carrier 72 supported by the clamp carrier 62 and movable in the direction of lift. Since a large drive mechanism is unnecessary, simplification of the construction can be enhanced. Further, since the whole of a transfer feeder 41 is provided on a moving bolster 30, the moving bolster 30 in its entirety can be carried out of the transfer press 1, thus facilitating die exchanging operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiko Shiroza
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Patent number: 7210280Abstract: A machining system and unit, especially a welding cell, is provided for use for the machining of workpieces (2), especially body parts of vehicles. The machining system has one or more machining stations (15, 16) with robots (18, 19, 20) and at least one rotation or turning station (5), which has at least two work stations (6, 7) for carrying out different operations simultaneously. The turning station (5) has at least two multiaxially movable turning units (8, 9) arranged next to one another with said gripping tools (11, 12, 13). The working areas (10) intersect each other at the work stations (6, 7).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: KUKA InnoTec GmbHInventors: Norbert Cottone, Florian Simons
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Patent number: 7137593Abstract: In a vertical conveyor arrangement for the transport of catering service goods in an aircraft with at least two decks arranged one above another, catering service goods are transported from a lower deck embodied as a freight deck into an upper deck. A conveyor arrangement is embodied according to the invention as a lift carriage, whereby the lift carriage is made up of a top structure with guide elements that are operatively connected with guide rails arranged above the freight deck, and a bottom structure that protrudes into the freight compartment in transport position, and that, for receiving a receptacle, comprises at least one cantilever arm reaching over the top side of the receptacle, a column element, side arms at least partially encompassing the sides of the receptacle, as well as a floor plate. The bottom structure forms a secured receiver for the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventor: Andreas Baatz
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Patent number: 7108122Abstract: A method and machine for transferring packets, whereby, as a continuous line of packets is fed in a first direction, the first packet in the line is transferred in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, while the line and the first packet continue travelling in the first direction; the first packet is subsequently conveyed in the second direction along an output path.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: G.D Societa' Per AzioniInventors: Silvano Boriani, Fiorenzo Draghetti
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Patent number: 7104388Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying stacked product from an infeed conveyor that conveys the product in multiple rows and at irregular intervals onto a transverse outfeed conveyor, wherein the product is in a single row and spaced at regular intervals, wherein the regular row may include gaps or empty spaces. The apparatus includes an intermediate conveyor that is disposed between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. The intermediate conveyor overlaps and is interleaved with the infeed conveyor. A number of lift assemblies are disposed below the infeed conveyor and are adapted to selectively lift the product to suspend its forward progress and lower the product to achieve a desired arrival at the outfeed conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate conveyor has a faster belt speed than the infeed conveyor, such that the stacked product accelerates on the overlapped portion of the infeed and intermediate conveyors.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: ARR Tech, Inc.Inventor: Eugene W. Walker
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Patent number: 7077620Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier elevating apparatus suitable for a low floor type conveying apparatus with carriers. A cam rail 36 extends along a horizontal running track, along which a carriage runs. The carriage includes a deck 1, on which an erectable cross-linking mechanism 3 is mounted. The cross-linking mechanism 3 supports and vertically moves a carrier 2A. The cross-linking mechanism 3 includes a link 14a and a link 14b. The link 14a is supported at its lower end pivotably by the deck 1 through a fixed horizontal pivot shaft 16. The links 14a and 14b are connected together at their middle points by a fulcrum shaft 15, which is parallel with the pivot shaft 16. The link 14a is fitted with a driven member 25 between the shafts 15 and 16. An elevator 27 is supported vertically movably by the deck 1. The elevator 27 includes a bearing member 32 fixed to its top and a cam follower 34 supported by its bottom.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasushi Ishioka
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Patent number: 7007791Abstract: A container directing apparatus for directing containers carried by a conveyor, includes a lifting device for lifting the containers off of the conveyor. A moving apparatus moves the container off of the lifting device. The lifting device can include a lifting surface which can be inclined upward in the direction of container travel, such that containers move up onto the lifting surface. The lifting surface can then be leveled prior to moving the containers off of the lifting device. A container storage and delivery system and a method for storing and delivering containers are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Inventors: Frederick J. Stingel, III, Jeffrey W. Stingel
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Patent number: 6968939Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor for elongate components (12) designed with a head and a shank. The conveyor comprises a feed arrangement (7). The feed arrangement (7) comprises a transfer arrangement (8) with a transfer region (15) in which a component (12) can be positioned. In the transfer region (15), a feed duct (11) having a head guiding duct (13) and a shank guiding duct (14) passes into a conveying duct (16). The transfer arrangement (8) comprises at least one catch unit (17). The catch unit (17) comprises at least one catch element (18). The catch element (18) is arranged opposite the head guiding duct (13) and penetrates at least partially therein. It can be deflected from the head guiding duct (13) against a spring force.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Dieter Mauer, Reinhold Opper, Joachim Möser
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Patent number: 6854588Abstract: A trap door system for receiving a plurality of articles from a pick and place mechanism, moving those articles to the vicinity of an underlying tray on a conveyor, and dumping those articles on said conveyor in a pre-arranged layout, forming loaded trays, which loaded trays may then be positioned in a frame to form a cube for retort processing of the contents of the articles. The preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates a horizontally situated product gate for receiving a plurality of pouches which are received upon four side-by-side holding slots running the length of the pouch gate by a pick and place mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Allpax Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael F. Blattner, Christopher G. Greve
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Patent number: 6758324Abstract: The present invention discloses a lift-table flatcar conveyor for transferring a roll (3) or, respectively, group of rolls of cardboard, cellulose or paper from a first station to a second station, the lift-table flatcar conveyor comprising a rail (2) arranged between the first station and the second station and, arranged back-and-forth movable along the rail (2) between the first station and the second station, a flatcar (1) onto which the roll (3) or, respectively, a group of rolls is movable. During the transfer operation, the roll (3) or, respectively, the group of rolls moved onto said flatcar (1) is supported by support means (4) that are adapted rotatable for the duration of the return travel of the flatcar (1) from the second station to the first station into a home position, wherein the support means (4) can pass rolls (3) waiting on the stations without making a physical contact with the rolls.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.Inventors: Jukka Joutsjoki, Risto Kitunen, Raimo Ruohio
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Patent number: 6739448Abstract: A shuttle apparatus for transferring sample carriers comprising a shuttle table having a mating section, the mating section allowing a sample carrier to be transferred between the shuttle table and a mating support structure. The shuttle table can optionally further comprise a mating section having a void section.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Incyte CorporationInventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Gabriel Noah Brinton
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Patent number: 6729462Abstract: The present invention is an edge grip aligner with buffering capabilities and a method for increasing the throughput of wafers through the device. According to one embodiment, the present invention has first and second buffer arms, and a chuck arm. A workpiece can be aligned while supported on the chuck arm. Once the workpiece is aligned, the chuck arm transfers the workpiece to the buffer arms so that a second workpiece can be aligned on the chuck arm. While the second workpiece is being aligned, an end effector can transfer the first workpiece away from the buffer arms and retrieve another workpiece to place upon the chuck arm.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Asyst Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel A. Babbs, Jae Hong Kim, Matt W. Coady, William J. Fosnight
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Patent number: 6715518Abstract: An apparatus utilizes an object holding technique for holding a tray or discrete object while supplying a dough product onto the tray or discrete object. Preferably, a conveyor transports the tray or discrete object for receiving dough products. A subframe preferably moves the tray or object, by way of deflecting the conveyor, to a position with respect to a dough supplying device such that dough products may be placed on the tray or object. In an embodiment, a cutoff blade may be utilized to portion the dough products. Preferably, the operation of the conveyor, subframe, supply device, and cutoff blade are controlled by a control system. The present invention is also directed to methods of portioning and placing dough products on a tray or discrete object by way of such an apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: The Pillsbury CompanyInventors: James W. Finkowski, Chad M. Kubat, Robert F. Meyer, Daniel B. Migliori, Glenn O. Rasmussen
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Publication number: 20040007440Abstract: A machine for supporting and lifting an automotive chassis module into position for assembly with an automobile body includes a mobile vehicle having at least one fixture arranged above the vehicle for receiving and supporting the chassis module and a guided lift mechanism for moving the fixture vertically between lowered and raised positions. The lift mechanism includes a helical push actuator having a drive motor and at least one band that can be advanced and retracted in a vertical helix with an end of the band being coupled to the fixture to move the fixture between the lowered and raised positions by helical advancement of the band under control of the motor. The lift mechanism includes spaced support members that each extend between the fixture and the vehicle to guide the fixture in the vertical direction and restrain the fixture from moving horizontally.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: Fori Automation, Inc.Inventor: Paul G. Doan
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Patent number: 6561235Abstract: An apparatus utilizes an object holding technique for holding a tray or discrete object while depositing an extruded dough product onto the tray or discrete object. Preferably, a conveyor transports the tray or discrete object for receiving extruded dough products. A subframe preferably moves the tray or object, by way of deflecting the conveyor, to a position with respect to a dough extruder such that dough products may be placed on the tray or object. In an embodiment, a cutoff blade may be utilized to portion the dough products. Preferably, the operation of the conveyor, subframe, extruder, and cutoff blade are controlled by a control system.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: The Pillsbury CompanyInventors: James W. Finkowski, Chad M. Kubat, Robert F. Meyer, Daniel B. Migliori, Glenn O. Rasmussen
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Patent number: 6505726Abstract: A “soft touch” lifter for an automotive “Body in White” geometry station like a framing system is disclosed having a unique lifting assembly for elevating both the automotive body and the underbody tooling to a geometry position. The system includes a lift assembly which is vertically slidably mounted to a stationary base and movable between a first position in which the lift frame is positioned beneath a skid positioned at the geometry station and upon which the automotive body is supported, and a second position elevated from the first position. An underbody tooling assembly is mounted to the lift frame, and this tooling assembly includes a plurality of locators which register with position receptors on the automotive underbody when the skid is positioned at the geometry station.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Valiant CorporationInventor: Dominique Baulier
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Publication number: 20020195316Abstract: A conveyor, for feeding articles along a given path and in a vertical direction, has a guide parallel to the aforementioned direction and having a succession of first supports defining a succession of first seats, each for housing an article; and a slide movable back and forth in the aforementioned direction and having a succession of second supports defining a succession of second seats, each for housing an article and for transferring an article between two adjacent first seats.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: G.D SOCIETA' PER AZIONIInventors: Ivanoe Bertuzzi, Marco Fraschetti, Fiorenzo Draghetti
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Publication number: 20020121424Abstract: A transporting apparatus has two storage means with plate form body supporting members in a plurality of stages in vertical direction. Each plate form body supporting member is constructed with a plurality of string like members having widths to pass through clearance between adjacent transporting rotary bodies for vertical movement therethrough and arranged on the same plane for simply being lifted up and down for loading and unloading the plate form body. The storage mean scan be arranged within an installation region of the transporting passage portion. Also, necessary length of the transporting passage portion is merely two or three times of the plate form body. The storage means can be installed in a relay transporting passage portion arranged between two transporting lines arranged in parallel relationship to facilitate installation with simple and compact construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventor: Atsuo Miyake
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Patent number: 6427305Abstract: An apparatus for elevating a workpiece includes a transfer bar movable between a first position and a second position, and a support member having a cam surface with a first end and a second end. The cam follower is engageable with the cam surface for supporting the transfer bar with respect to the support member as the cam follower moves along the cam surface between the first end and the second end. When the transfer bar is in the first position, the cam follower is adjacent the first end of the cam surface. When the transfer bar is in the second position, the cam follower is adjacent the second end of the cam surface. A driving mechanism is provided for moving one of the cam follower and the cam surface relative to one another between the first end and the second end of the cam surface. The elevating apparatus can be used in a multi-station machining line where at least one workpiece to be machined is transported on at least one transfer bar from one station to another.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1999Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Ex-Cello Machine Tools, Inc.Inventors: John Graham, Robert B. Raible, Johann S. Klimach
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Patent number: 6401902Abstract: Collecting system for packagings (18), preferably returnable packagings, comprising a feeding-in device (10) for the packagings, which feeding-in device is arranged at a first location, an automatic transport device being arranged to automatically transport the packagings from said feeding-in device (10), in a transport canal (12), to a demolition and/or collecting device (14, 16) which is arranged at a second location, said second location being situated at some distance from said first location.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Inventor: Roy Olson
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Patent number: 6332530Abstract: An apparatus for transporting successive at least partially wrapped blocks of cigarettes or the like, e.g., in a packing machine, employs a mobile block supplying member which advances successive blocks of a series of blocks on top of an opening in a bottom wall at a level below a turntable indexible about a vertical axis and carrying several open-bottom receptacles which are movable radially of the axis. An empty receptacle is located above the opening of the bottom wall in response to completion of each indexing step. At such time, a pusher is moved upwardly through the opening of the bottom wall to raise a block into the registering receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Topack Verpackungstechnik GmbHInventors: Jürgen Grossmann, Michael Kleine Wächter
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Patent number: 6283273Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises a substrate processing chamber, a transfer chamber, a substrate mounting body having a through hole formed in a vertical direction and being provided in the substrate processing chamber, a substrate lifting member capable of vertically moving in the through hole, a first arm, capable of extending from the transfer chamber into the substrate processing chamber, for transferring the substrate in a horizontal direction, a second arm capable of extending from the transfer chamber into the substrate processing chamber, capable of moving in a vertical direction and separating the substrate upward from the substrate mounting body by moving the substrate lifting member upward, and a driving mechanism provided in the transfer chamber for extending the first and second arms from the transfer chamber into the substrate processing chamber and for moving the first arm in the horizontal direction and moving the second arm in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Kokusai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Miyauchi, Yohsuke Inoue, Takaya Suzuki
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Patent number: 6250851Abstract: A bottle neck alignment mechanism precisely horizontally and vertically positions the necks of plastic bottles conveyed by the alignment mechanism from an input conveyor to an output air conveyor where the neck rings of the conveyed plastic bottles are received on guide plates of the air conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Ouellette, Richard J. Ouellette
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Patent number: 6220424Abstract: A transporting apparatus includes a conveyor for advancing items and a transfer apparatus for lifting the items off the conveyor and for depositing the items at a location externally of the conveyor. The transfer apparatus has hoisting devices spaced from one another in the conveying direction. Each hoisting device has first and second lifters spaced from one another in a direction transverse to the conveying direction and being situated bilaterally of the conveyor. A first drive moves the first and second lifters into raised and lowered positions; and a second drive moves the first and second lifters toward and away from one another to cause them to assume a normal position and a spread-out position. First and second tray parts of a tray forming part of each hoisting device are mounted on the first and second lifter, respectively. In the raised and lowered positions the trays are clear of a travel path of the items on the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: SIG Pack Systems AGInventor: René Fluck
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Patent number: 6209709Abstract: A dunnage infeed station is designed to receive generally planar dunnage objects such as tier sheets and tier sheet picture frames from a forklift and to deposit a stack of the dunnage objects onto a conveyor which transports the stack out from the infeed station.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.Inventor: Joseph F. Ouellette
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Patent number: 6179547Abstract: A material pallet (5) is disposed on a lower portion on a front side of a main body frame (3), a product pallet (7) which is capable of moving up and down is disposed on a lower portion on a rear side of the main body frame, a workpiece carrier (19) which has absorption pads (27) and is capable of moving up and down is disposed above the material pallet (5) in the frame, a loader (15) for moving the workpiece carrier to the plate member working machine is disposed, an unloader (31) is disposed so as to be capable of moving to the plate member working machine, a moving support table (33) which reciprocates between a position above the material pallet and a position above the product pallet (7) is disposed, a moving clamp (37) and a support clamp (35) are disposed respectively on front and rear sides in the position above the product pallet, and a control device (45) for controlling the respective units is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Amada Metrecs Company, LimitedInventor: Minoru Hayakawa