Abstract: Provided is an item sorting system and method. The system includes: a supply end configured to provide a to-be-sorted item in the first area; a moving transport apparatus configured to transport the to-be-sorted item in a second area; and an item receiving apparatus configured to receive the to-be-sorted item in a third area. The second area and the third are arranged in order without overlapping with each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sorter having a base element that can be swiveled around a horizontal swivel axis with a number of support surfaces uniformly arranged about the swivel axis. Each of the support surfaces can be swiveled into a conveyor for conveying a product along a product stream and swiveled out of the conveyor for ejection of a product from the product stream.

Abstract: A chute for an optical sorting machine allows objects to be sorted to drop under gravity from the lower end of the chute, thereby supplying the objects to an optical detection section. The chute is provided with: a first portion which includes a portion for receiving the objects to be sorted which are supplied from a supply section; and a second portion which continues from the first portion. The first portion is composed of a single part and has: flat surfaces along which the objects to be sorted flow down; and connection surfaces. The flat surfaces located upstream are bent downward and the connection surfaces located downstream are bent upward to form a smooth undulation in the surface along which the objects to be sorted flow down.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus separate fines from crushed rock and stone. A motorized conveyor belt system is activated that includes a conveyor belt moving in an upward direction. A spray system is activated to spray a fluid on an underneath surface of the conveyor belt. The mixture of rock and fines are directed to the conveyor belt. The rock tumbles or rolls down the conveyor belt and is collected at a first end of the conveyor belt. The fines stick or adhere to the conveyor belt, and the fines are scraped off of the conveyor belt at or near the second end of the conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a conveyor belt system, including a moving belt, a motor to move the belt, the belt including a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is elevated relative to the first end. The apparatus includes a spray system, including a source of fluid, a sprayer in fluidic communication with the source of the fluid, and the sprayer positioned to spray a surface of the belt with the fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.

Abstract: A package-culling conveyor system and a method for culling flat packages from a bulk flow of flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The initially separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt with package-supporting belt rollers rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the length of the roller conveyor belt. Examples of culling elements include powered rollers and vertical walls forming side guards. The powered roller lifts the contact side of non-flat packages to free flat packages underneath.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of use, for reducing the operable width of the inclined slide of a gravity fed sorting machine includes an upper section for reducing the flow rate into the slide and for directing the reduced flow to the operable portion of the slide and a lower section for delimiting the operable portion of the slide. The upper section includes a body proximate the gravity fed sorting machine and which is connected to a product flow rate adjustment assembly and a partition so the product flow into the slide may be controlled and the flow of materials directed to the operable portion of the lower section, which includes a slide width control guide to limit the operable width of the inclined slide.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing newspaper-type insert media into a newspaper-type jacket using bottom-up collating presenting an inverted shingled stream onto a conveyor means. A feed system picks inserts off of the top of a stack by a series of grippers. Each insert is layered into an inverted shingled stream using bottom-up collation, collecting downstream inserts and placing them below the upstream insert in the proper order. The inverted stream of the system takes advantage of gravity and aerodynamics to reduce flyaway inserts. The system uses a loop of continuous pocket means to receive collected and collated inserts into one side from a stream, while collecting the jacket part for which the insert is intended, processing each individual jacket in a continuous stream to prepare the jacket to be placed properly for acceptance of the collated inserts in a continuous stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sorting products, which device comprises adjacently arranged supporting units which are movable in a direction of transport along a conveying path, each supporting unit being provided with at least one load carrying platform comprising a supporting surface for supporting a product. The load carrying platform is supported by a support member, which can be tilted by tilting means about an axis of tilt parallel to the conveying path with respect to a conveying element forming part of a supporting unit, which conveying element is movable along a guide extending according to said conveying path.

Abstract: In an apparatus for separating plastic film material from waste, a plurality of hooks is mounted on a hook carrier for circulating the hooks along a trajectory through an engagement area near a supply track and through a disengagement area downstream of the engagement area. The engagement area is located higher than the supply track and/or in supply direction beyond the downstream end of the supply track, such that, in operation, a remainder of the waste passes by the trajectory of the hooks without contacting the hooks. The hooks project from the drum via openings in the circumferential surface of the drum and are retractable into a circumferential surface of the drum. A method for separating plastic film material from waste is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are used to separate fines from objects of a feed mixture being processed (e.g., iron bearing pellets, chips and dust). For example, at least a portion of an endless belt defining a channel is movable up an incline relative to horizontal (e.g., an incline that is at an angle relative to horizontal that is greater than an angle of repose associated with the objects, but less than an angle of repose associated with the fines being removed). Further, obstruction elements may be used on the endless belt to impede the flow of the fines down the incline.

Abstract: A preform feeder system, particularly for feeding blow machines with receptacles such as bottles, of the type including, from upstream to downstream in the longitudinal direction of travel of the preforms, at least one sorting and alignment device whose top end is provided with preforms in a jumble and whose bottom end includes at least two alignment rollers, substantially parallel and rotated about their respective axis, that are designed to position the preforms in feeding rails, inclined relative to the horizontal, to convey them to a machine, and of the type including at least one ejection wheel that is arranged above the preforms and rotated about an axis which extends generally transversely, characterized in that the ejection wheel is arranged downstream of the alignment rollers so as to eject the incorrectly positioned preforms from the feeding rails.

Abstract: A mail sorter, which can reliably sort mail while avoiding the breakage and the recovery mistake of mail released from conveyor baskets, which move on the mail sorting line in circulation. The mail sorter has a conveyor line with a conveying forward run and a conveying return run closely arranged back to back with each, and layered mail recovery box groups are disposed along a lower region of the conveying return run in parallel to each other. The mail recovery box groups comprise lowest stage boxes for recovering mail M released from conveyor baskets on the conveying forward run through a transverse deflection chute, middle stage boxes for recovering mail M released from the conveyor baskets on the conveying forward run through a discharge chute, and uppermost stage boxes for recovering mail M released from the conveying baskets on the conveying return run through a buffer chute.

Abstract: A cereal grain sorting system includes a wind force sorting device, a rough sorting device and a roll sorting device. The wind force sorting device is operative for selectively sorting light weight foreign materials from feedstock cereal grains. The rough sorting device is operative for selectively removing foreign materials having different diameters from the standard one from the feedstock cereal grains. The roll sorting device is operative for selectively removing foreign materials having different forms from the standard ones from the feedstock cereal grains having been subjected to the wind force sorting step as well as to the rough sorting step.

Abstract: A rotating sorting device for sorting packaged goods has one or more linear supply conveyors and a plurality of removal locations arranged circularly about a central axle. One or more linear removal conveyors are positioned between the central axle and the removal locations and are arranged substantially radially. The linear removal conveyor rotates continuously about the central axle. The linear supply conveyor is positioned above or below the linear removal conveyor and has an end portion in a conveying direction of the linear supply conveyor. The end portion has an incline extending downwardly or upwardly toward the linear removal conveyor. A distribution control device controls the linear supply conveyor, the linear removal conveyor, and the removal locations.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers performs traveling along an inclined path from an upper loading station to a lower unloading station. The apparatus includes a device that includes plural rotary forks which rotate so as to engage and remove from the inclined path performs that are joined together.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a slide for a gravity-fed sorting machine. An optimum gravity slide configuration comprises one or more channels, with or without dividing ribs, and a product guide. The product guide has support tabs integral to or otherwise extending from its perimeter. Those tabs allow the product guide to be supported along it perimeter by brackets while retaining certain degrees of freedom regarding its ability to move. Specifically, the tabs rest in notches in the underlying support brackets that allow the product guide to be lifted up, thus permitting a potential obstruction to pass. Additionally, the brackets themselves are adjustably mounted to the sides of the slide. That allows the product guide's height above the channel bottom or dividing ribs to be varied to provide a clearance to best accommodate the particular product being sorted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical device for the selection and supply of revolution cylinder type products, and more especially packaging components for photographic films. The device comprises a calibrated bent chute that includes a product supply system, with a regulating effect, and a selection system for product orientation. Selection is based on two different flows of the products. Correctly oriented products, whose axis is substantially perpendicular to that of the normal flow, follow the direction of this normal flow. Incorrectly oriented products, whose axis is substantially parallel to that of the normal flow, are deviated from the normal flow, by an opening.

Abstract: Piece goods are sorted with tilting tray sorters by recognizing when a large good needs two consecutive empty tilting trays in order to be inwardly transferred; locating a first, empty tilting tray; emptying a second tilting tray occupied by a good adjacent to the first empty tilting tray prior to the inward transfer of the large good, thereby resulting in two adjacent empty tilting trays; inwardly transferring the large good requiring two tilting trays to the two adjacent empty tilting trays; and transferring the outwardly removed good inward to a third empty tilting tray.

Abstract: A rotating sorting device for sorting packaged goods has one or more linear supply conveyors and a plurality of removal locations arranged circularly about a central axle. One or more linear removal conveyors are positioned between the central axle and the removal locations and are arranged substantially radially. The linear removal conveyor rotates continuously about the central axle. The linear supply conveyor is positioned above or below the linear removal conveyor and has an end portion in a conveying direction of the linear supply conveyor. The end portion has an incline extending downwardly or upwardly toward the linear removal conveyor. A distribution control device controls the linear supply conveyor, the linear removal conveyor, and the removal locations.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sorting used batteries, comprising an intake station, an outlet station and a pre-sorting station disposed between the intake station and the outlet station, which pre-sorting station connects to a first re-sorting station and a second re-sorting station. The two re-sorting stations are arranged for manual examination and removal of undesirable batteries and further objects, as well as for manual sorting of batteries and other objects that land in the re-sorting stations during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for the selection and elimination of crop ends of rolls of kitchen towel and/or toilet paper, in which the device is supplied by at least one row of finished rolls (12) and by top and tail crop ends (13) cut in sequence from at least one log, and including a structure (14) supporting an upper belt unit (16) and a lower belt unit (15a, 15b), facing each other to receive the rolls (12) and crop ends (13), the lower belt unit (15a, 15b) having a first, belt subunit (15a) and a second belt subunit (15b) separated by an opening (26), upstream the first belt subunit (15a) with a fixed lower surface (32) underneath the upper belt unit (16) to turnover the crop ends (13) and with a contact means (33, 35) being provided a the entrance of opening (26), on the turned crop ends to rotate them into the opening (26), letting the cut and finished rolls (12) pass by.

Abstract: A fold down sorting pan for providing a surface for sorting small objects. The fold down sorting pan includes a mounting portion adapted for mounting to a wall or countertop. A support arm is pivotally coupled to the mounting portion. A tube is coupled to a bottom of the support arm. An extension arm extends from the tube. A pan is coupled to the extension arm.

Abstract: In a film processor, filmstrips are contained in their specific cartridge shells with their film leaders attached to a leader plate, and are fed into processing baths with the leader plate in the lead, while being pulled out from the cartridge shells. After the filmstrips are separated from the cartridge shells, the cartridge shells drop on a chute and slide down on the chute. Smaller cartridge shells sift through a sifting slit formed through the chute along the sliding direction, while larger cartridge shells slide down to a lower end of the chute. A lateral guide plate extends under the sifting slit, to guide smaller cartridge shells having sifted through the sifting slit in the lateral direction of the sifting chute toward a cartridge recovery box. Larger cartridge shells drop from the lower end of the chute down to a second cartridge recovery box.

Abstract: A bend detector for detecting a bend in headed rod members such as nails, screws, bolts, rivets and terminals. A guide plate, a base plate and a beam are mounted on a base which is being vibrated. Thus, a nail set in the bend detector is vibrated and rolls on the inclined edge of the guide plate and the base plate, which extends parallel to the edge of the guide plate. An air blower is provided under the head of the nail to lift it up from the edge of the guide plate by blowing air. If the nail is straight, it can roll smoothly on the edge of the guide plate and the base plate without its head disengaging from the edge of the guide plate even though it is lifted up from the edge of the guide plate by the air blower. If the nail is bent, its head will jump up until its shank abuts the beam when the crest of the bent portion faces downward while the nail is rolling. Its head will thus disengage from the edge of the guide plate, so that the nail will drop into the gap between the guide plate and the base plate.

Abstract: A grain sorting apparatus includes a conveyor belt mechanism for conveying grains, fed by a feed mechanism onto a conveying surface separately from each other at an upstream region with respect to a conveying direction, to a downstream end so that the grains are discriminated and sorted by a discriminating mechanism and a sorting mechanism when dropping from the downstream end along a predetermined path, the belt mechanism being disposed so that the conveying surface thereof declines as going downstream with respect to the conveying direction to prevent the grains being carried by the belt mechanism from rolling toward the upstream direction on the conveying surface of the belt mechanism. It is therefore possible to prevent the grains from rolling on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt mechanism toward the upstream direction relative to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt even when a conveying velocity of the conveyor belt mechanism is high.

Abstract: Device to discard short bars shorter than a predetermined length from a plurality of bars being fed by feeder that comprise a plurality of first conveyor chains (14a) and a matching plurality of second conveyor chains (14b), on which the bars (11) are positioned perpendicular to the conveyor chains (14) and are fed in a direction at a right angle to the lengthwise extent of the bars (11), the downstream ends of the first conveyor chains (14a) and upstream ends of the second conveyor chains (14b) being progressively staggered so as to define a separation channel (13) positioned at an angle to the axis of feed of the bars (11), an angle of between 10.degree. and 45.degree. being defined between the separation channel (13) and the axis of the bars (11), the separation channel (13) cooperating with a bridge to support ends of bars of at least the predetermined length.

Abstract: A method is proposed for recovering valuable substances, particularly from construction site wastes and industrial trash as well as a system for implementing the method in which the essential sorters are disposed in a closed container which can be placed onto an elevated foundation. The foundation is formed by intersecting walls which simultaneously serve as partitions for various bunkers.

Abstract: In an article sorting apparatus with two parallel, spaced-apart continuous conveyors which pass through a loading zone, a weighing zone, and a discharge zone, having fabric flaps disposed on spaced-apart rods connected between the two conveyors for gently receiving articles selectively discharged for grouping with other articles having a similar determinable characteristic, an article-holding cup and scale providing such apparatus capability to select by weight. The cup includes an L-shaped arm extending outward and downward from one side and a pin extending outward from an opposite side. The free end of the arm extends to the scale below the horizontal plane in which the rods travel. The rods pass over the scale while the cups travel on rails in the weighing zone so that the weight of the article in each cup may be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus (19) for singulating a series of packages (17). The apparatus (19) includes a vertical wheel (12), a retainer spring (10), a gravity feed track (14), a pass track (15), and a reject track (16). The vertical wheel (12) comprises a plurality of slots (22-29), and rotates in a clockwise direction to deliver the packages (17) to an electrical test fixture (18). Upon completion of testing, the vertical wheel (12) rotates in a clockwise direction and delivers the packages (17) to either the pass track (15) or the reject track (16). A motor driven eccentric (37) actuates the retainer spring (10) to unblock the appropriate slot (22-29), thereby releasing the packages (17) from the appropriate slot (22-29).

Abstract: Preforms 1 for the manufacture of synthetic bottles are transported along a conveyor track 10 formed by two parallel slide-rails 11 arranged such that a perpendicular common to the two slide-rails is substantially horizontal. The preforms have heads 2 larger than their bodies 5, and are vertically supported between the two slide-rails by their heads. The conveyor track embodies unbalancing mechanism 14 in the form of a raised and arcuate rail section 15 for tilting interlocked preforms 6.sub.1, 6.sub.2 such that their center of gravity G is shifted outside of one of the slide-rails 11, whereby they become unbalanced and fall off the slide-rails. An extractor 17 formed by a pair of counter-rotating, bladed wheels 18 may also be provided, for grasping and lifting off vertically oriented interlocked preforms.

Abstract: A rotary drum separator is provided having a plurality of elongated pockets that extend in the direction of pocket movement, wherein more than one kind of particle in a bulk mixture in the drum longitudinally may lodge in the pockets; wherein each of the pockets includes a generally flat upstream surface so that a particle longitudinally lodged therein partly rests or stands upon the generally flat surface when elevated above the bulk mixture. Diverse particles having about the same width and depth, but a different length, are able to be lifted by the pockets, but the longer ones are lifted higher above the bulk mixture. If the shorter particles also have a different shape than the longer ones so that the shorter ones are lodged less stably in the pockets than the longer ones, this difference will contribute to an earlier departure of the shorter particles from the pockets.

Abstract: An array of low friction impact slides for supporting a moving conveyor belt beneath a generally crescent-shaped section of the belt opening outwardly to one side thereof and beneath portions of the belt disposed proximate to but beyond the distal ends of this section. Except for the slides, which have smooth, generally planar upper surfaces across the belt can be pulled, the crescent-shaped section is virtually unsupported. Both upstream and downstream of the crescent-shaped section, pairs of idlers slope downwardly toward each other. Where the belt is supported by two such pairs of idlers which are contiguous to each other, it assumes a trough-like configuration. Proximate the crescent-shaped section, on the other hand, the idlers are unpaired and disposed horizontally. These unpaired idlers are largely, if not entirely, disposed beneath the same side of this section.

Abstract: A trash separator that sorts bottles and cans from other, non-recyclable refuse. This separator consists of a slide 4 with an inlet 1 for all refuse at the top and an outlet 3 for the refuse at the bottom. The refuse is separated because the size and weight of the bottles and the cans is such that they attain a higher velocity sliding down the slide than the other refuse. These faster moving bottles and cans are sent on a trajectory that lands them in a far receptacle 7 while the remainder of the refuse, which is slower moving, falls into the receptacle 8 that is closest to the terminal end of the slide. The apparatus is a molded plastic cover that sits atop the receptacles and can easily fit in the kitchen, garage, office or on a street corner. It is designed to make recycling more convenient, sanitary and enjoyable.

Abstract: An array of idlers supporting a conveyor belt except beneath a generally crescent-shaped section opening outwardly to one side thereof. The array includes idlers of various lengths and orientations. Each of the idlers is disposed perpendicularly to the centerline of the belt. Both upstream and downstream of the crescent-shaped section, pairs of idlers slope downwardly toward each other on either side of the belt centerline. Where the belt is supported by these pairs of idlers, it assumes a trough-like configuration. Proximate the cresent-shaped section, on the other hand, the idlers are unpaired and disposed horizontally. The shortest of these unpaired idlers is situated to one side of the cresent-shaped section at its greatest transverse width. On the other side but still within this section, the lip of the belt is virtually unsupported forming a soft spot.

Abstract: A bowl feeder for separating damaged rolling bodies, for example nuclear fuel pellets, from sound ones includes a bowl (10) having a central conical section (12) for distributing the bodies radially outwardly towards a V-shaped circular channel (16) which ensures that the bodies are arranged end-to-end with the rolling axes orientated lengthwise of the channel. The channel (16) discharges the bodies one by one onto an outer sloping section (14) whose slope is sufficiently shallow to allow bodies with asymmetrical defects to resist rolling by virtue of the shift in their centres of gravity, while allowing defect free bodies to roll radially outwardly down the slope. A system of rails (22, 24, 26) with gaps (28, 30, 32) serves to separate defective bodies from those which are defect free, the latter being allowed to roll to the outer periphery of the bowl and eventually to a feed track (38) while the former are routed to a reject outlet (40).

Abstract: There is provided, a method and apparatus for determining if the lengths of all of the leads on all four sides of a PLCC packaged devices are within a selected tolerance of each other. To do so a relatively smooth surface across which the device is to be advanced is provided with that surface having a plurality of fingers affixed thereto. Each finger protrudes from the surface by an amount equivalent to the selected tolerance, with the plurality of fingers being in number at least equivalent to the number of leads on the longest side of the device to be tested. In addition, the surface is supported at a selected angle to horizontal. As the device is advanced across the surface in the direction of, and across the space spanned by, the fingers, the devices having all of its leads within the selected tolerance are differentiated from those devices that do not have all of their leads within the selected tolerance.

Abstract: A machine for classifying, cleaning and arranging textile tubes, including an intake section for bringing in both clean tubes and tubes containing yarn residue, a classifying section which circulates the tubes so that the clean tubes are separated from the tubes containing yarn residue, a cleaning section for cleaning the yarn residue from the tubes containing the same, and an arranging section for arranging the tubes so that they are properly oriented for packaging.

Abstract: A sorting installation for separating a first type of articles from a second type of articles fed mixed to the sorting installation. The articles of the first type are relatively light and substantially two-dimensional, while the articles of the second type are relatively heavy and substantially three-dimensional. There is provided an article-supporting surface which receives the first and second type of articles in a generally mixed state and which has a length dimension and a width dimension perpendicular to the length dimension. The article-supporting surface is inclined to the horizontal in a direction parallel to the width dimension for causing primarily the second type of articles to move by gravity downwardly on the article-supporting surface transversely to the length dimension and laterally off the article-supporting surface.

Abstract: A sorting installation for separating a first type of articles (relatively light and substantially two-dimensional) from a second type of articles (relatively heavy and substantially three-dimensional), includes a travelling conveyor belt having an article-supporting surface receiving the first and second type of articles in a generally mixed state. The article-supporting surface is arranged for travel in its length dimension and is inclined to the horizontal in its width dimension for causing primarily the second type of articles to move by gravity downwardly and laterally off the article-supporting surface. The article-supporting surface slopes upwardly as viewed in a direction of travel. There is further provided a vibrator connected to the belt conveyor for enhancing movement by gravity of the second type of articles on the article-supporting surface.

Abstract: Fruit, which may be oblong fruit such as olives, are mechanically sorted into two separate vessels, depending on whether they are, or are not individually thick enough to be clamped between a reciprocating head and a plate, while the head and plate rotate about a drum axis at a downstream end of a carrying run of an endless conveyor for the fruit. The clamped (oversized) fruit are carried further about the periphery of the drum than are the non-clamped (undersized) fruit, allowing these two classes of fruit to be collected separately. In a preferred embodiment, the fruit are individually deposited on the conveyor and subjected to common orientation before passing between the reciprocating head and the plate.

Abstract: For controlling the selective lateral tilting of the conveying trays of a sorter conveyor there is provided, on each tray support, a crosswise oriented cylinder, which by a protruding radial arm, is turnable between a "normal" position and a "tilt" postion in response to the radial arm engaging with an actuated guiding track associated with the stationary conveyor chassis. The tray has a lever engaging with an oblique cam track in the surface of the cylinder, whereby the tray is tilted by the turning of the cylinder. The cam track has non-oblique end portions, which lock the tray in both its horizontal and fully tilted position, without a separate lock being required. The cylinder may be split in two individually turnable halves selectively operable to tilt the tray to either side.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating spherically-shaped solids from irregularly-shaped solids comprising a rotatable separating table having a frustoconically shaped upper surface, the angle of inclination of the upper surface with the horizontal being such that spherically-shaped solids supplied onto the upper surface will roll down towards a central vertical conduit at the lower end of the upper surface and irregularly-shaped solids supplied onto the upper surface remain at rest. The apparatus further includes a number of supply structures for the supplying of a mixture of spherically-shaped solids and irregularly-shaped solids onto the upper surface and removal means for removing irregularly-shaped solids from the upper surface.

Abstract: A device for stacking plates or sheet metal blanks cut in guillotine shears includes a rotatable drum with radially outwardly extending partitions defining a number of compartments located around the circumferential outside surface of the drum and extending in the axial direction of the drum. Each compartment receives a cut plate in a first position, carries the plate to a second position where the plate is moved by a displacement device in the axial direction of the drum into a location corresponding to a stacking position, and then with further rotation of the drum, the compartment reaches a third position where the plate is removed to the stacking position. Further, conveyor belts can be used to receive plates from the compartments in the drum and to carry the plates to stacking positions spaced from the drum.

Abstract: A bi-level ramp supported under a table with an access slot has a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinal ribs providing a series of channels on the upper level for supporting and extracting surveillance tags while the channels contain a plurality of spaced apertures for passing tacks to the lower level for separated discharge into respective receptacles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the spheres from the non-spheres in a large number of particles of lamp fill material of substantially equal mass in which the spheres are placed in the grooves of an inclined surface to roll downwardly thereon under the influence of gravity. The grooves are configured to limit the contact with the particles to two points intermediate the depth of the groove so as to keep the particles out of contact with the bottom of the groove. Vacuum pick-up means are used to remove those particles which do not roll down the grooves because of their spherical irregularities. The surfaces in contact with the lamp fill material are made of stainless steel and the entire operation is conducted within the confines of a dry box to minimize contamination.

Abstract: Support and discharge apparatus (10) includes a pair of forward legs (20) which are pinned to the forward edge portion of a rectangularly-shaped table (14) and a pair of rear legs (22) pinned to the rear end portion of the table. Legs (20) and (22) are in turn supported by fluid cylinders (24) and (26) which are pivotally connected to the lower end portions of the legs. When cylinders (24) and (26) are retracted, table (14) is supported in horizontal position. Table (14) is tilted forwardly by extending forward cylinders (24) and maintaining rear cylinders (26) retracted. Alternatively, table (14) is tilted rearwardly by extending rear cylinders (26) and maintaining forward cylinders (24) retracted. When rear cylinders (26) are in retracted positions, rear legs (22) are retained against rotation by spaced apart studs (122) which press against the edges of the legs (22).

Abstract: Cigarette packs which leave a packing machine by moving sideways so that one of the major surfaces of each pack faces forwardly are monitored for the presence of defective envelopes during travel between two endless belt conveyors. When the monitoring system or systems detect a defective pack, such system or systems generate one or more signals which are used to expel the defective pack from the path between the conveyors. The ejection is effected by changing the orientation of defective packs relative to the conveyors so as to reduce the frictional hold of conveyors upon the relatively narrow lateral faces of the defective packs with the result that the thus released defective packs can descend by gravity. The orientation of defective packs can be changed by discrete pins which move into the path of the packs from above, from below or from one side so as to be nearer to the one than to the other conveyor.

Abstract: A system for culling broken packages wherein the packages are transported while maintained between support means and restraining means in the form of narrow conveyor belts in such a manner that broken packages will tip under the influence of gravity and be displaced from the support means while unbroken packages are prevented from doing so.