Abstract: An optical inspection machine for the quality control of parts, in particular gaskets, comprises a rotary table on which parts to be inspected are placed and, above the rotary table, at least one viewing unit for inspecting one or more outer and/or inner surfaces of a part, a first part ejection station that is activatable to eject a part from the rotary table to a first external conveyor for compliant parts, and a second part ejection station that is activatable to eject a part from the rotary table to a second external conveyor for rejected parts. The viewing unit and part ejection stations are positioned on the rotary table with an angular distance between them, and are connected to a central mounting member that is coaxial to the axis of the rotary table and is movable vertically in relation to the rotary table.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: A handler may include a handler system main body used for testing semiconductor devices; an open-type stocker portion on a front side of the handler system main body; and/or a plurality of single-door-type stockers in the open-type stocker portion. The single-door-type stockers may include windows on upper parts of front sides of the single-door-type stockers. The front sides of the single-door-type stockers may be protected. The handler also may include a front top door on an upper part of the front side of the handler system main body; locking stoppers below the windows of the single-door-type stockers; safety sensors on sides of the open-type stocker portion; and/or a working table in front of the open-type stocker portion. The open-type stocker portion may be below the front top door. The safety sensors may stop the handler when the single-door-type stockers are not closed.

Abstract: A method for separating cells is presented. The method provides a flow through fractional cell sorting process that is based on the application of a magnetic force to cells having a range of magnetic labeling densities. Magnetically labeled cells are introduced into a flow channel. The cells are continuously fractionated into flow streams based on magnetic susceptibility by subjecting the cells in the flow channel to a magnetic field. The fractionated cells are recovered based on their response to the magnetic field. Methods employing dipole fractional sorters and quadrapole annular sorters are also presented.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for use in sealing gelatin capsules filled with medicinal ingredients wherein each capsule has a generally cylindrical cap and body arranged with the side wall of the body telescopically within the side wall of the cap to contain the medicament therein comprising an economical and compact wetting device for automatically conveying filled capsules from a capsule-filling machine by pneumatic pressure conveyance through one or more passageways to a wetting location where each capsule is maintained in a generally cap-upright position and metered amounts of a wetting liquid are applied to side wall portions of the body of the capsule adjacent the seam of the cap and body to pass by capillary action into the space between the overlapping cap and body side walls, and the capsules are released from wetting positions in the passageways for further pneumatic conveyance to a point of heat treatment for final sealing of the body and cap portions of the capsule to prevent their separation and

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and sorting mushrooms includes an inclined plate along which the mushrooms move, a tunnel for erecting an air dam in the path of movement of the mushrooms to singulate the mushrooms, and a photoelectric mechanism for sorting the mushrooms according to size.

Abstract: A machine for automatically handling thin tubular rubber articles such as prophylactic devices or the like including a vacuum pickup to retrieve randomly oriented articles and deliver such articles to a pneumatic conveyor. The pneumatic conveyor includes a tube with air blowing therethrough to transfer the articles to a delivery position. An orienter is provided in the conveyor tube so that the article is delivered closed end first at the delivery position. At the delivery position a mandrel is provided which includes a support adapted to loosely support the article in position to receive a mandrel. Grippers grip the open end of the article on the support and hold it against movement with the mandrel while the mandrel is inserted into the article.