Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for transferring measured portions of loose material into packaging containers. The individual product portions, after being measured out, are to be filled rapidly and without interruption into packaging containers in such a manner that the product is not damaged thereby. To this end, the apparatus has a conveyor belt disposed beneath a container which prepares the product portions. The conveyor belt stretches out the poured product portions into a rapidly moving stream and directs this stream into a filling pipe leading to the packaging container. Limiting walls and a movable, endless belt form a conduit which guides the stream.

Abstract: Fast-dump feeding apparatus includes a hopper having an associated vertical feed chute. The hopper is formed with an openable door at its lower end and the feed chute is bottomed by a shutter. Both door and shutter may be opened to permit rapid evacuation of the hopper and chute. A pusher having a path across the top of the shutter is adapted to push individual fastener parts through a side opening in the chute immediately above the shutter. The pusher includes a pneumatic channel terminating at the front of the pusher to direct a blast of air toward the individual part to assist in moving it away from the chute.

Abstract: Electronic components are mounted on a substrate from thin-walled magazines which are arranged in a configuration corresponding to a desired implantation of the components. Stacks of components are pushed upwards in the magazines by a pulse of compressed gas in order to press the components against the substrate which has been arranged over the magazines with conductor tracks facing downwards. Local application of an adhesive solder paste to the substrate causes the component on the top of each stack to adhere to and be lifted simultaneously with the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in seed metering apparatus for seed planters such as disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,888,387 and 3,999,690. The improvements relate to improved seed pick-up, retention, and release; to a non-wear pneumatic seal between rotating seed disc and housing; and a seed gate.

Abstract: An attachment for feeding reinforcing back buttons to a sewing machine which has a feed for main buttons to a button clamp which is positioned over a work material which is moved through a sewing station to sew the main button together with the back button which is fed beneath the material comprises a plate member which is mountable on a support arm of the sewing machine over which the material is fed. The attachment includes a plate member over which the material is fed which has a button chute guide groove defined thereon terminating in a button recess having a button aligning stop edge. The back button feed chute is connected to the plate for feeding back buttons in succession into the recess against the aligning stop edge. The guide groove is advantageously machined in an exchangeable plate which may attach to the work support arm of a sewing machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in air seeders, namely agricultural implements which utilize air pressure to move particulate material such as seeds from a feed zone to a dispersal or planting zone. The particulate material is normally fed from a hopper by a driven feed wheel or other similar mechanism. The invention provides a pressure pick-up at the source of air pressure, a conduit connecting the pick-up with a pneumatic actuator and a suitable linkage connecting the actuator with a clutch which is used to transmit drive power to the feed wheel. As long as there is sufficient pressure at the source the actuator will keep the clutch positioned to permit the feed wheel to operate. Should the pressure source fail the actuator will operate the clutch to stop transmitting power to the feed wheel and thus terminate the feeding of material which would otherwise clog the delivery conduits of the seeder.

Abstract: An automatic cup dispenser for dispensing cups at high speeds and at predetermined intervals from a stack of cups wherein each cup includes a bottom wall, a side wall and a peripheral lip comprising a plurality of opposed pairs of rotors mounted for rotation about vertical axes. The rotors are supported in position such that the upper end of each rotor engages the lip of the lowermost cup in a stack. Each rotor has a helical groove in the periphery thereof for engaging the lip of the lowermost cup and guiding the cup downwardly, the helical groove of adjacent rotors extending oppositely, and adjacent rotors being driven in alternate directions. The length of each groove is such that on rotation of the rotors, the lip of the lowermost cup is engaged and moved downwardly out of the stack while the remainder of the cups in the stack are held in position by a shoulder on the rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus for sequentially feeding headed fasteners such as rivets includes a carrier band of resilientily stretchable material with the fasteners driven through undersize holes equally spaced along the band, the band being advanced intermittently by a reciprocating actuator, toothed for simultaneous engagement with several of the fastener heads, to bring the fasteners in sequence between a striker and the entry to a delivery conduit, the striker being reciprocated to drive each fastener brought into alignment therewith into the delivery conduit, the fastener head being forced through the stretchable band, a jet of air through the striker impelling the fastener through the delivery conduit.

Abstract: An arrangement for unscrambling ferromagnetic coil springs from a pile of coil springs, and conducting the coil springs to a work station. A cassette containing a disorganized pile of springs is provided with a first surface having openings, and discharge tubes associated therewith. A second surface which adjoins the first surface is provided with impact edges for controlling the upwardly vertical travel of the coil springs in response to a traveling electromagnetic field which, in one embodiment, is produced by a linear motor stator. The linear motor stator is arranged at an angle with respect to the second surface of the cassette, the apex of the acute angle being arranged at the junction between the first and second surfaces of the cassette. The traveling electromagnetic field attracts the springs to the second surface and causes them to travel upwardly until they encounter the impact edges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic transport device particularly for seed drills. The device comprises an inlet tube 10 into which the seeds are introduced one by one, an annular passage 13 of convergent form for air under pressure at the periphery of the end of the inlet tube 10 and a cylindrical passage 14 whose end is connected to the pneumatic transport tube 17 and, according to the invention and downstream and at a small distance from the neck of the annular passage 13 of convergent form, at least one opening 18 communicating between the cylindrical passage 14 and the atmosphere. The invention is applicable particularly to a seed drill comprising a central distributor which feeds a large number of ploughshares.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing tickets including a container having a vertically extending opening loosely receiving a stack of tickets. The container has adjacent its top a ticket passage slot which leads from the opening in the container to the outside of the container. An elevator is mounted for vertical movement in the container and is adapted to support the stack of tickets. A control device operates the elevator to position the uppermost ticket slightly below the top. The container has air jet orifices therein, a first set of which is located in the container sidewall on the opposite side of the container from the slot, a second located in the container top on the opposite side of the container from the slot and a third located in the container top above the slot. A pneumatic device provides a blast of air under pressure through each of the orifices to move a ticket from the top of the stack of tickets out of the container through the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding articles with a head and a shank such as screws one at a time to a tool such as a power screwdriver through a hose. The apparatus has a pilot passageway into which articles are transferred one at a time by a metering arm driven by a fluid motor. Preferably, upon transfer, each article is instantaneously propelled through and discharged from the pilot passageway by a stream of compressed air discharged into the pilot passageway downstream of the inlet through which articles are transferred into the pilot passageway. Each article is propelled through the pilot passageway initially by aspiration and, subsequently, by the stream of compressed air impinging on the article. Alternatively, each article falls due to gravity through the pilot passageway and a portion of the hose and is then propelled through the hose by a stream of compressed air.

Abstract: A device for cleaning blockages of a pneumatic tube for carrying seeds or similar particulate matter comprising a sensing device adapted to sense the blockage, a gate in the tube adapted to be opened in response to the sensor and a pneumatic device to blow the seed or other matter out of the tube. A time delay relay may be used to prevent unwarranted recycling of the gate opening and pneumatic devices.

Abstract: A catheter introducer (15) includes a tubular component (20) with a pliable catheter (22) disposed lengthwise therein. The tubular component (20) is connected to an introducer cannula (52) that has been placed in a body passageway (65). Pressurized fluid is forced around and along the catheter (22) in the tubular component (20) to flow the catheter (22) into the body passageway (65). An enlarged proximal end (29) of the catheter (22) seats in a tapered portion (56) of the introducer cannula (52). The proximal portion (56) of the introducer cannula (52) becomes the connector for connecting the catheter (22) to an intravenous unit (70). In a modification, a Y component (32) has a needle (60a) in one leg of the Y for insertion into a body passageway (65) so that, after the needle (60a) is withdrawn, the catheter (22) may be flowed by pressurized fluid through the other leg of the Y component (32) into the body passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing rectangular tickets including a container having a vertically extending opening therein with a rectangular horizontal cross section adapted to loosely receive a stack of tickets. The container has a top and a ticket passage slot adjacent the top. The slot leads from the opening in the container to the outside of the container. An elevator is mounted for vertical movement in the container and is adapted to support the stack of tickets. A control device operates the elevator to position the uppermost ticket thereon slightly below the top. The container has air jet orifices therein, a first of which is located in the container sidewall on the opposite side of the container from the slot. A second of the orifices is located in the container top on the opposite side of the container from the slot and a third of the orifices is located in the container top above the slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying filament coils to a mount machine which includes a pair of vibratory storage bowls each having a filament coil discharge location which alternately feed filament coils on demand from the mount machine. There is further included sensing devices and logic circuitry which cause a filament coil to be fed from the other of the filament coil discharge locations when a filament coil is not present at the selected filament coil discharge location.

Abstract: A fluid operated reciprocal slide picks off fasteners, one at a time, from a delivery slide and delivers the fasteners to a flexible conduit. The same fluid that moves the aforementioned slide drives the fastener into the flexible conduit and on to an automatic fastener insert mechanism. The fluid drive is selectively activated by the trigger at the automatic fastener insert mechanism.

Abstract: A device for planting of agricultural seeds extremely rapidly and particularly adaptable to airborne planting including a tank-like device for holding seeds and for containing compressed air. Various types of devices are provided to align the seeds and insert them into a movable nozzle from which the compressed air shoots the seed into the ground.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing machine dispenses stacked objects when a box (2) at the bottom of a vertical stack (4) is ejected forwards by a cam wheel (20) when inflatable bladders (12) which raise the stack are deflated and thus allow contact between the box and an arc of the wheel. The machine could be used to dispense medicine in parallelepipedical boxes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing certain manufacturing operations on a container such as forming a beaded rim around the upper open end of the container. The apparatus includes mechanism for dispensing rimless containers into container-receiving receptacles which are mounted on a rotatable turret which moves the containers from one station to another station of the apparatus. Gripping means is provided to retain the containers within the receptacles and bead-forming means is also provided and is operable to form a bead on the upper disposed edge of the container. Ejection means is also provided for ejecting a finished container from a receptacle.

Abstract: A resilient air cut-off pad 52 for an air planter is provided with an area of gradually decreasing thickness in the form of a seed discharge ramp 66 which has a rounded bottom 68 aligned with the circular path of the circumferentially spaced seed pockets 47 on the seed singulating disk 33. The seeds in the pockets 47 are relieved of pressure from the resilient pad 52 by their registration with the ramp 66 as they approach the trailing edge 54 of the pad 52. This insures that the seeds drop by gravity at uniform spacing without resilient thrust being imparted thereto by the trailing edge.

Abstract: An automatic screw feeding apparatus including a body having a groove and a screw inlet formed therein, a screw passing hole intercepting plate provided under the body, a screw distributing member provided in the groove, a screw longitudinal feeding member provided in the groove, a screw lateral feeding member provided in the groove, a top plate provided on the body and an air cylinder for reciprocating the screw lateral feeding member, screw distributing member and screw passing hole intercepting plate.

Abstract: This specification teaches a device for dispensing a mirror button from a stack of mirror buttons, and for feeding that mirror button to a predetermined position from which the mirror button can be bonded to a surface of a windshield. A mirror button is the means by which a mirror structure is secured to the windshield. The mirror button is formed of a sintered metallic compound and it has a plastic material thereon which is used to bond the mirror button to the windshield. The device disclosed includes a closed dispenser housing for keeping the mirror button at a constant temperature and humidity. The divice also includes structure for dispensing mirror buttons, one at a time, and structure which brings the dispensed button to a predetermined position at which it can be applied to the windshield.

Abstract: An attachment for a device for planting parallel rows of seeds from a single seed box is disclosed whereby selected rows can be planted or skipped as selected by the user. A frame has a linear equally spaced array of a plurality of inlet nipples, and a slide bar having a plurality of outlet nipples in register with the inlet nipples can be displaced by the distance of separation between nipples to place a different set of inlet and outlet nipples in register. Planting with the slide bar alternatingly displaced causes a row to be alternately planted and skipped to provide desired seed spacing.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles, such as rivets from a supply to a riveting machine. A frame defines a passageway including an outlet opening, and a plurality of gates are mounted on the frame for movement with respect to the frame. The gates move independently of one another and are individually operated between normal and actuated positions in a selective manner. Each gate defines a first passageway aligned with the passageway of the frame when the gate is in its normal position, and a second passageway aligned with the passageway of the frame when the gate is in the actuated position. The second passageway of each gate is positioned, when the gate is in its normal position, to receive an individual article from a supply. When a gate is operated from its normal to its actuated position the article in its second passageway is introduced to and dispensed through the passageway defined by the frame and the other gates to the outlet opening for delivery to the riveting machine.

Abstract: An adjustment that includes preferably a pair of spaced, resiliently supported, holders for supporting a cut-off brush against the perforated inner periphery of an air charged, seed containing rotatable drum to remove excess seeds therefrom. The holders rotatably support a pair of brackets having rotatably mounted gauge rollers that engage the inner periphery of the drum. One of the brackets is rotatably adjustable relative to one of the holders to vary the position of the holders and thus the brush in relation to the drum interior for different size seeds.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing discrete objects, such as seeds from a liquid, comprises a suspension container for containing seeds in suspension in the liquid, and a capture element defining a capture orifice allowing exit of liquid from the container and adapted to capture a number of the seeds against the orifice by providing a pressure difference across the orifice. Relative movement is produced between the capture orifice and the objects in suspension in the liquid in such a manner as to have the capture orifice, after capture of seeds, situated in a region free from seeds suspended in liquid, and a flow of liquid is produced past the capture orifice such as to sweep away excess seeds attracted to the capture orifice by the pressure difference. A system is provided for moving a seed, usually a single seed, from the capture orifice at a required region for dispensing the seed.

Abstract: A row crop planter of the type having a rotating pressurized peripherally apertured seed drum within which are positioned seed distributing structure and a brush for releasing excess seeds from the drum in advance of the distributing structure, which is improved by the provision of air permeable a seed barrier located in the drum to prevent reattachment of seeds to the portion of the drum between the brush and the distributing structure.

Abstract: An automatic screwdriving and feeding apparatus has a screwdriver body with a tubular housing axially moveable thereon. Screw holding elements are mounted in the tubular housing and are resiliently biased inwardly, or are resiliently deformable, so as to hold a screw for driving. Drive means in the body can move axially relatively to engage the screw and apply rotary drive. Feed means supply screws one at a time to the screw holding elements.

Abstract: An automatic fastener feeder having fastener supply means to a carrying means and means to move the fasteners in the carrying means to a discharge end, first fastener metering means adapted to withhold and alternatively discharge single fasteners from the discharge end of the carrying means, a second fastener metering means adjacent the first metering means adapted to receive a single discharged fastener from the first metering means, and a feed tube connected at one end of the second metering means and connected at its other end to a fastener tool to supply fasteners thereto, the second metering means being adapted to release a single fastener to the feed tube when the first metering means is withholding a single fastener. The second metering means is provided with a hand openable latch plate so that it may easily be cleared of any jamming caused by deformed fasteners or parts thereof.

Abstract: A vertical rotating disc has perforated seed pockets which pick up individual kernels of seed from an air pressurized cavity of a planter housing. Air flowing through the perforated pockets creates a pressure differential which moves a kernel into each pocket as the pocket moves on an arcuate path upwardly through the cavity. The pocket then moves into axially confronting relation with a flat sealing surface of a resilient air cutoff pad which sealingly engages the seed disc to prevent escape of air and holds the seed in the pocket as the disc rotates further to bring the pocket to the lower part of the housing where the seed falls by gravity into the soil. The air cutoff pad is arcuate in shape and is held in place by a pair of screws. Thin sheets of plastic material are bonded to the front and back sides of the pad and stiffening material, such as plastic cement, is added to the radially outer edge of the pad.

Abstract: A rotating disc has perforated seed pockets which pick up individual kernels of seed from a cavity of a planter housing. Bulk seed flows by gravity from a hopper to the cavity which is pressurized by a blower. As the disc rotates through the cavity, air flowing through the perforated pockets will move the seeds into the pockets and hold them there as the disc rotates to bring the seed carrying pockets into axially confronting relation with a flat sealing surface. The flat sealing surface holds the seed in the pockets as the disc rotates further to a position wherein the pockets are exposed to an open bottom area of the housing at which point the seeds are free to fall by gravity into the soil.

Abstract: An automatic cone labeling, separating and restacking apparatus comprising a magazine, loading means for placing a stalk of cones from the magazine into the labeling and separating apparatus, apparatus for placing a label into the larger end of a cone, separating apparatus for separating the labeled cone from the stalk of cones by creating a closed annular space between the labeled cone and the next cone and placing a compressible fluid under pressure within the closed annular space so that the labeled cone is moved to a receiving means, and control means to continue the operation until all cones in the stalk of cones have been labeled, separated, and restacked on the receiving means.

Abstract: A rotating disc has perforated seed pockets which pick up individual kernels of seed from an air pressurized cavity of a planter housing. Air flowing through the perforated pockets creates a pressure differential which moves a kernel into each pocket as the pocket moves on a circular path upwardly through the cavity. The pocket then moves into axially confronting relation with a flat sealing surface. The flat sealing surface holds the seed in the pocket as the disc rotates further to bring the pocket to the lower part of the housing where the seed falls by gravity into the soil. Each of the circumferentially spaced pockets has an opening in its bottom which is large enough to permit air flow therethrough but smaller than the seed kernels to be planted. The pockets are clam shell shaped with the more gentle slope on the side of the pocket toward the direction of rotation of the disc during planting.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for taking tissue papers out of a container conveniently and hygienically as needed, by manual operation of a push plate mounted on the device, which actuates an air chamber to blow air onto the tissue and a roll which bears against the tissue surface for drawing out the tissue paper.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing documents includes a rectangular housing having first and second openings on a front wall and first and second spaced manifolds mounted on the back wall in horizontal alignment with the openings. A vertically movable rectangular rack is mounted in the housing, the rack having a plurality of pockets whose entrance may be aligned with the openings. Also, each pocket communicates with one of a plurality of sets of holes in the rack, each set being alignable with the manifolds. With vacuum pressure supplied to the first manifold fluid flows through the first opening, through a pocket, and through a corresponding set of holes. Thus, a document inserted into the first opening is drawn into a pocket of the rack. The rack may be stepped along and all of its pockets may be filled with documents. With pressure applied to the second manifold fluid is injected through a set of holes into a pocket and the fluid flows out through the second opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for disentangling objects such as coil springs. The apparatus includes a receptacle which is generally symmetrical about an axis and has a radially directed discharge opening for the separated individual objects. A generally helical air flow moves the objects through the receptacle and a roughened inner receptacle surface facilitates separation of the objects.

Abstract: A seed pickup mechanism for a vacuum wheel type seed planter including provision for arranging the seeds into a relatively thin stable seedbed which is suitably carried through a seed pickup chamber at a spaced distance below the vacuum wheel. The stable seedbed is converted into an unstable or fluidal state as it passes through the seed pickup chamber by an upwardly directed blast of air which is effective to expand the seedbed or slightly lift and separate the seeds thus the seeds are raised upwardly to facilitate engagement thereof with the vacuum wheel.

Abstract: A screw is blown through a flexible tube and into the jaws of a transfer hanism which is associated with a hand-held screw driving gun. Thereafter, the jaws are advanced to deliver the screw into telescoping relation with a retractible tubular finder which surrounds the driving bit of the gun, the jaws holding the screw during initial driving of the screw and then returning to receive another screw from the tube.

Abstract: A seed planting device wherein seeds are carried at high velocities from a central selecting and dispensing unit to individual row units, each row unit has a rotating device that positively decelerates the seeds sufficiently to avoid bouncing of the seeds when they engage the ground and at the same time avoids materially changing the spaced relation between the seeds.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for delivering two sulfur pellets or pills to the interior of hot glass containers which are moving on a conveyor. The pill delivery apparatus is supplied, through a magazine, with pills to a gating mechanism. The gating device which is pneumatically actuated, isolates two pills from the magazine, places the pills in the inlet to a delivery tube and then air under pressure, which actuates the gating device, is delivered to the two pills to pneumatically dispatch the pills through the delivery tube. The delivery tube has its delivery end positioned over the bottle conveyor so that the pills enter through the finish or neck of the bottle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a magazine for wares for use in automatic shops, comprising a shaft for receiving a pile of packages, wherein there are distributed along the shaft a number of suction cups for retaining the packages individually in the shaft without the packages being in contact with each other, and wherein the suction cups are individually controllable in order to be made inoperative temporarily during a short interval one at a time in a sequence beginning from below and continuing upwards.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for metering particles involving circulating particles through a passage, retaining a particle in a particle retention chamber that is part of the passage, and ejecting the retained particle from the particle retention chamber. Particle circulation and retention and ejection are accomplished by fluid flows within the passage.

Abstract: An automatic cone labeling, separating and restacking apparatus comprising a magazine, loading means for placing a stalk of cones from the magazine into the labeling and separating apparatus, apparatus for placing a label into the larger end of a cone, separating apparatus for separating the labeled cone from the stalk of cones by creating a closed annular space between the labeled cone and the next cone and placing a compressible fluid under pressure within the closed annular space so that the labeled cone is moved to a receiving means, and control means to continue the operation until all cones in the stalk of cones have been labeled, separated, and restacked on the receiving means.

Abstract: The system described herein constitutes an apparatus and method for internally treating glass containers as they are moving from the forming machine on the single-line conveyor to the entrance to the annealing lehr. A preferably refrigerated enclosure or housing positioned beside the path of travel of the containers is provided with a supply of sulfur pellets, with the pellets being delivered to a gating device, which also constitutes a propulsion device, for feeding or ejecting a pair of pellets from the gating device through an elongated tube whose outlet is positioned above and in alignment with the line of movement of the necks of the containers to be treated. The gating device is activated or triggered by a sensing device mounted to the conveyor in position to view the containers as they are moved by the conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for delivering different chocolates or other objects to selected positions on trays comprises, for each type of chocolate, a distribution head receiving chocolates along a waiting line. Yokes of an intermittent chain conveyor laterally displace a number of chocolates to be delivered to a tray, and these chocolates are blown down respective channels leading to the selected positions, where they are taken up by vertically moving suction cups and lowered into the respective position in a tray carried by an intermittently driven conveyor. Synchronized drive of the various members is provided by a directly-linked kinematic chain.

Abstract: Coin controlled article vending apparatus which features a hydraulic system to release a selected article from stacked horizontal position for dispensing.

Abstract: An air diffuses for use in a seed delivery tube of a pneumatic type of seed planter. This air diffuser is a short length of pipe which is perforated with a plurality of holes. The effective open area of the holes being approximately fifty-percent greater than the open area within the pipe taken on a cross-section of the pipe at the location of the holes. The air diffuser is spliced into the tube at a determinant length from the seed discharge end of the tube. It helps to maintain a uniform spacing of seed planted in the ground by preventing the buildup of back pressure upstream from the seed discharge end of the tube. If back pressure is permitted to build up in the tube, it will change the velocity of the seed traveling through the tube and effect the spacing of the seed planted in the ground.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for automatically fabricating environmental seed cells, e.g. tablets incorporating two or more layers of material which will protect the seed during transportation and facilitate its growth after the same is planted, the apparatus including a tableting machine for feeding the environmental surround material into compression mold cavities, a singulator mechanism whereby individual seeds are separated from a bulk supply, and transfer mechanism for receiving separated seeds from the singulator and depositing them in the molds of the tableting machine. After loading, the aggregate comprising the environmental material and seed are subjected to compression, to produce the finished environmental seed cell.