Abstract: A unit for transferring horticultural products between at least one tank, in which the horticultural products float on a fluid mass, and at least one collection container, including a head provided with a plurality of walls normally arranged vertically. The head is movable between at least one collection position, in which the walls are interposed between respective horticultural products, which float on the fluid mass at a respective predefined section of the tank, and at least one unloading position, in which the walls face and are proximate to the collection container. In an active configuration, the transverse elements protrude transversely from the space occupation of the walls to ensure mechanical interference with the fall of the horticultural products as a consequence of the subsequent lifting of the head and of its transfer toward said unloading position.

Abstract: A particulate handling apparatus (1) and method which is suitable for the transfer of kinetic energy from particles of transported particulate material and which lessens the damage suffered by said particulate material by the removal of that kinetic energy. The apparatus includes baffles (9) to reduce the kinetic energy and which are within a shaped vessel into which particulate material is fed through entry port (3) and from which the particulates are removed by exit port (4).

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system is disclosed for conveying a granular product, such as grain, from a grain inlet device to a selected one of a plurality of grain bins or other storage vessels. The system includes a blower for forcing air under pressure into a conveyor piping system. A grain inlet device is located downstream from the blower. The piping system has a portion leading from the grain inlet to an inlet in a first one of the vessels. A discharge/bypass valve is connected to a portion of the piping system leading from the grain inlet so as to receive the granular product being conveyed therethrough with the valve having a discharge outlet for discharging the granular product into the vessel. The valve is installed on the vessel such that the discharge outlet is in communication with the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for grouping fragile floating objects, such as floating fruits, in batches in at least one accumulation channel. An upstream portion (12) of at least one accumulation channel is supplied with objects transported by a hydraulic current as far as a downstream end of the latter provided with a retaining/releasing device for retaining/releasing the objects. The speed of the hydraulic current is adjusted so as to bring about a hydraulic superposition of the objects retained in a superposition zone of the accumulation channel against the retaining/releasing device which is closed so as to retain the objects.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a stage on which a piezoelectric element is set, a stop unit having a stop face to which the piezoelectric element set on the stage is pushed so that the piezoelectric element is positioned at a target position corresponding to an attaching part of, for example, a head suspension to which the piezoelectric element is attached, and a pushing unit to push the piezoelectric element toward the stop face, the pushing unit blowing a gas to push the piezoelectric element. The positioning apparatus is capable of correctly positioning the piezoelectric element to the target position without damaging the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: Cylindrical prescription containers are propelled through a pneumatic transport system at high speeds by low pressure, high-velocity air. Upon arrival at destination stations within the transport system, curvilinear decelerators slow them by directing them through a plurality of curved paths where they dissipate momentum. Once slowed, the containers are deposited upon a moving conveyor to be staged into the next processing station at an even pace. The decelerators comprise curved vanes surrounding the container path, the vanes being held in a fixed, curvilinear relation to each other and the container by a series of yokes surrounding and engaging the vanes. The conveyor is driven by a servo motor controllable by the transport system to pace containers as needed by the next processing station.

Abstract: A position testing apparatus includes a stage on which a piezoelectric element object is set, a through hole formed through the stage and covered with the piezoelectric element set on the stage according to a positioning state, and a flow measurement unit configured to draw air through the through hole from around the piezoelectric element and determine the positioning state of the piezoelectric element according to a flow rate of the drawn air. The position testing apparatus is capable of surely testing a positioning state of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A decelerator device for apples or the like is disclosed. The apples are delivered to the decelerator device by a tube which can be provided with either a positive pressure upstream of the transported objects or a downstream of the transporter device. In one embodiment of the invention, the decelerator is provided with an area of reduced pressure in communication with the distal end of the transport tube. A receiving device such as a plurality of inter-engaged wheels receives the apples of other objects in the area of reduced pressure. The wheels or conveyors receive objects between opposed sealing surfaces, reduce the traveling speed of the object, and transport the object to an area of ambient pressure. The sealing surfaces are disengaged from the transported objects in the area of ambient pressure, and the objects are delivered to a transport path, dry bin, or other desired structure. In another embodiment of the invention, a counter flow of air reduces the speed of the object traveling along the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a buffering device and method for buffering products such as apples. The device according to the invention comprises: a liquid; a supply means wherein during use an entry side is operatively connected to a feed channel and an exit side of the supply means is provided below the liquid level in the basin, such that during use products are buffered substantially in vertical direction.

Abstract: A braking device and method is provided that is operative to selectively slow and/or stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. The pneumatic tube includes at least one braking element that may be disposed into the bore of the pneumatic tube to at least partially impede the passage of a pneumatic carrier through the bore. In one embodiment, the braking element is formed as a variable diameter section of the pneumatic tube that may be selectively constricted to change the diameter of the bore of the pneumatic tube. Such constriction may slow and/or stop the passage of a pneumatic carrier through the bore of the pneumatic tube.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising an implement for extracting charges of uniform size of articles from a mass of the articles and delivering the charges to a receiver. The implement has a chamber for receiving the articles to form the charge. The chamber has a mouth through which articles are drawn into the chamber by applying a vacuum to the chamber. The implement then delivers and deposits the charge by releasing the vacuum. The chamber has a vent with an air permeable article barrier for access to a vacuum generator.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising an implement for extracting charges of uniform size of articles from a mass of the articles and delivering the charges to a receiver. The implement has a chamber for receiving the articles to form the charge. The chamber has a mouth through which articles are drawn into the chamber by applying a vacuum to the chamber. The implement then delivers and deposits the charge by releasing the vacuum. The chamber has a vent with an air permeable article barrier for access to a vacuum generator.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a stage on which a piezoelectric element is set, a stop unit having a stop face to which the piezoelectric element set on the stage is pushed so that the piezoelectric element is positioned at a target position corresponding to an attaching part of, for example, a head suspension to which the piezoelectric element is attached, and a pushing unit to push the piezoelectric element toward the stop face, the pushing unit blowing a gas to push the piezoelectric element. The positioning apparatus is capable of correctly positioning the piezoelectric element to the target position without damaging the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: It provides a head type male screw sending and separating feeding apparatus which sends a plurality of head type male screws together close to a machine used and separates them one by one in the vicinity of the machine used, and thereby, even in case the distance from the arranging device to the machine used is very long, there is no loss of feeding time and the feeding speed is greatly enhanced, enabling the reduction of air consumption.

Abstract: Cylindrical prescription containers are propelled through a pneumatic transport system at high speeds by low pressure, high-velocity air. Upon arrival at destination stations within the transport system, curvilinear decelerators slow them by directing them through a plurality of curved paths where they dissipate momentum. Once slowed, the containers are deposited upon a moving conveyor to be staged into the next processing station at an even pace. The decelerators comprise curved vanes surrounding the container path, the vanes being held in a fixed, curvilinear relation to each other and the container by a series of yokes surrounding and engaging the vanes. The conveyor is driven by a servo motor controllable by the transport system to pace containers as needed by the next processing station.

Abstract: A braking device and method is provided that is operative to selectively slow and/or stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. The pneumatic tube includes at least one braking element that may be disposed into the bore of the pneumatic tube to at least partially impede the passage of a pneumatic carrier through the bore. In one embodiment, the braking element is formed as a variable diameter section of the pneumatic tube that may be selectively constricted to change the diameter of the bore of the pneumatic tube. Such constriction may slow and/or stop the passage of a pneumatic carrier through the bore of the pneumatic tube.

Abstract: A conveyance system comprises a production machine for manufacturing a web of packaging cushions, a duct downstream from the production machine, a blower to provide an air flow through the duct to apply a conveyance force for conveying the web of packaging cushions, and a friction contact area downstream from the production machine and upstream from the duct entrance. The web of packaging cushions passes beneath and contacts the friction contact area to create a friction force opposing the conveyance force so that the conveyance force is not transmitted along the web of packaging cushions to the production machine.

Abstract: A method for extracting electronic components from a tube, the electronic components being extracted from the tube with pneumatic means. Also, a device for extracting electronic components from a tube comprising a pneumatic system for extracting electronic components from a tube and device for feeding with electronic components a processing line comprising such an extraction device. The use of pneumatic means for extracting electronic components can offer, among other advantages, that of allowing the tube to remain in horizontal position whilst avoiding the use of delicate and complicated mechanical means.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to move through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a plate-shaped work piece transporting apparatus that has a fan, a dust-removal filter disposed above this fan, and a plate-shape porous member disposed above the dust-removal filter. By forming a chamber in which air can accumulate between the porous member and the dust-removal filter, it is possible to suppress air pulsations. Further, by providing support members on the porous member, the plate-shaped work piece can be supported and damage thereto can be avoided when the plate-shaped work piece, which is supported by air from the fan, drops to below a set height.

Abstract: An air powered storage device is provided that is operative to temporarily store pneumatic carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. A gate member is selectively positionable into and out of an internal bore of the pneumatic tube to impede movement of pneumatic carriers there through. The device further includes a blower having a first fluid inlet disposed on a first side of the gate member and a fluid outlet disposed on a second side of the gate member. The fluid inlet and outlet are fluidly interconnected to the internal bore of the pneumatic tube such that the blower is selectively operable to generate a fluid flow through the internal bore between the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet. Such fluid flow may be utilized to reinitiate movement of a stopped carrier.

Abstract: A method is provided for supplying a component to a pick-up position located near a stop by means of a component supplying device. The component supplying device includes a guide provided with the stop, at least one air inlet connected to the guide, and at least one air outlet also connected to the guide. Components are carried through the guide in a transport direction towards the stop by means of air supplied through the air inlet. Once a number of components have been transported in the transport direction, the air outlet is substantially closed by at least one component present in the row. Subsequently, at least one component following the row is transported in a non-transport direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the pneumatic conveyance of bulk material, including a conveying pipe which defines a conveying path for the bulk material and in portions has a fluidizing pipe segment and a propellant gas source which is connected to the conveying pipe and is designed for the supply of propellant gas in the direction of the conveying path. The conveying pipe is provided with a fluidizing pipe segment at least in the region of a bulk material feed means and, if appropriate, also at further critical portions of the conveying pipe, in particular upstream of deflection points. As a result, the bulk material, which is often encountered there in a high concentration, can be fluidized, with the result that it can be conveyed, with low friction, at relatively low gas velocities. The invention relates, furthermore, to a corresponding conveying method.

Abstract: A one-way pneumatic delivery system includes a plurality of sending units in fluid communication with a receiving unit via a duct system. Each of the sending units and the receiving unit include a door that selectively prevents fluid communication into the duct system. When the carrier is inserted in one of the sending units, a power unit applies a vacuum to the duct system and the doors of the other sending units and of the receiving unit are sealed. The power unit both decelerates the carrier prior to its reception in the receiving unit and is configured to prevent the insertion of foreign objects into the vacuum source. A second embodiment is presented wherein the power unit is disposed in an upside-down configuration above a ceiling.

Abstract: An automated machine is used to handle and manipulate individual pieces of particulate matter. The particulate matter is contained in a bin. The machine operates to pick single individual pieces of the particulate matter from the bin. The picked individual pieces are then conveyed for further handling. Pneumatic transport is primarily used for the conveying operation. One aspect of the handling involves individually weighing each piece of the picked particulate matters. Another aspect of the handling involves sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter into a plurality of receptacles. Yet another aspect of the handling involves both weighing and then sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter, wherein the sorting operation may be performed based upon the measured weight of each piece.

Abstract: A device for pneumatically conveying bulk material has at least one flow limiter arranged in a conveying airstream. The flow limiter has a housing and at least one control member arranged in the housing. The control member controls a flow velocity of the conveying airstream as a function of a dynamic pressure differential. The position of the at least one control member in the housing is determined by an equilibrium between a restoring force acting on the at least one control member and an opposed force oriented in a direction opposite to the restoring force. The opposed force is caused by the dynamic pressure differential and acts on the at least one control member.

Abstract: A device for pneumatically conveying bulk material has at least one flow limiter arranged in a conveying airstream. The flow limiter has a housing and at least one control member arranged in the housing. The control member controls a flow velocity of the conveying airstream as a function of a dynamic pressure differential. The position of the at least one control member in the housing is determined by an equilibrium between a restoring force acting on the at least one control member and an opposed force oriented in a direction opposite to the restoring force. The opposed force is caused by the dynamic pressure differential and acts on the at least one control member.

Abstract: An air track includes a concave top surface with a plurality of air outlets or a flat surface with a notch and a plurality of air outlets. The body of the air track includes at least one air filter that runs along the length of at least a portion of the body. The air filter divides the body into a first plenum and a second plenum. The air track also includes a hood covering at least a portion of the top surface. The air track further includes a stopper assembly that arrests the motion of a disk. The stopper assembly includes a disk detector that senses the presence of the disk on the air track.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for singulating from a holder with liquid and/or individualizing of products, such as fruits, wherein the device comprises: a discharge conveyor extending above the liquid level in the holder for discharging the products in rows; and a feed conveyor of V-shaped cross-section, the discharge end of which connects onto a front end of the discharge conveyor and which extends at an inclination from this front end to below the liquid level in the liquid holder.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling and orienting elastic, thin-walled, tubular members having a closed end and an open end, such as finger cots, such that all tubular members are delivered in the same orientation, the apparatus having a retrieval conduit, a delivery conduit angularly joined to the retrieval conduit, a reversing chamber extending linearly forward from the retrieval conduit and across the opening to the delivery conduit, and suction means to draw the tubular members through the retrieval and delivery conduits. A tubular member traveling in the forward orientation with the closed end forward will be drawn directly into the delivery conduit, while a tubular member traveling in the reverse orientation with the open end forward will first pass the opening to the delivery conduit and strike the barrier end wall of the reversing chamber, and then be drawn into the delivery conduit with the closed end forward.

Abstract: A pneumatic agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering agricultural particulate material to a growing medium is disclosed. The delivery system includes a particulate material supply chamber, a furrow opening device configured to create a furrow in the growing medium, a plurality of tubes providing an interior passage extending from the particulate material supply chamber to an outlet proximate the furrow opening device and a pneumatic pressure source pneumatically coupled to the interior passage to supply pressurized air to the interior passage to move material within the interior passage. The plurality of tubes includes an end-most material delivery tube providing the outlet. The end-most material delivery tube includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough in communication with the interior passage. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of openings are louvered so as to extend at a downward angle towards the outlet.

Abstract: The anti-contamination apparatus includes a transport enclosure (13) which has a input face (26) having an opening to admit the recipients and which contains: a guide rail capable of supporting the recipients by their protuberances; an inverted U-shaped longitudinal transport channel the legs of which surmount the guide rail. The apparatus further comprises a pneumatic device for blowing air in a direction (G) globally opposite to direction T of transport of the recipients, the device being capable of forming a frontal escape of air, from the inside towards the outside of the enclosure, via the admission opening of the input face (26).

Abstract: An air track included a first body having a concave top surface with a plurality of air outlets or a flat surface with a notch and a plurality of air outlets. The body includes at least one air filter that runs along the length of at least a portion of the body. The air filter dividing the body into a first plenum and a second plenum. The air track also includes a hood covering at least a portion of the top surface. The air track further includes a stopper assembly that arrests the motion of a disk. The stopper assembly includes a disk detector that senses the presence of the disk on the air track.

Abstract: A device for establishing an optimal material flow rate through a material convey line in which a pressurized fluid flow is used to convey material entrained within the fluid passed through the convey line is disclosed. The device includes a plate defining an orifice therein, and a latching mechanism for detachably connecting the plate to an o discharge opening of the material convey line. A gasket is disposed on a first side of the plate and extends along the periphery thereof, and is adapted to be received on and sealed to the discharge end of the material convey line when connected thereto by the latching mechanism such that the fluid flow may pass through only the orifice within the plate.

Abstract: The air conveyor enables suspended articles to be transported, e.g. empty plastics bottles B, under drive from air jets. It has a bottom longitudinal guide (6) which extends along the path of the articles, which has two facing longitudinal guide walls (7b), and which is positioned or suitable for being positioned relative to the suspension points of the articles in such a manner that an article suspended from the conveyor comes into contact via its base with the inside faces of the two guide walls, and is held tilted relative to the vertical and rearwards relative to the transport direction by a minimum conveying angle.

Abstract: A pneumatic agricultural particulate material delivery system for delivering agricultural particulate material to a growing medium is disclosed. The delivery system includes a particulate material supply chamber, a furrow opening device configured to create a furrow in the growing medium, a plurality of tubes providing an interior passage extending from the particulate material supply chamber to an outlet proximate the furrow opening device and a pneumatic pressure source pneumatically coupled to the interior passage to supply pressurized air to the interior passage to move material within the interior passage. The plurality of tubes includes an end-most material delivery tube providing the outlet. The end-most material delivery tube includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough in communication with the interior passage. In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of openings are louvered so as to extend at a downward angle towards the outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for transporting loosened soil from a hole, trench or excavation, comprising a probe device and internal nozzles which are spaced from a distal end of the probe device and are directed towards the longitudinal axis of that probe device. Air pulsed through the nozzles lifts the soil along the tube to a discharge chamber.

Abstract: A braking system is provided along one of a pair of guide rails of an air conveyor that transports plastic bottles along a pathway between the pair of guide rails. The braking system is selectively actuated to move into the pathway defined by the guide rails decreasing its width and positioning a stop of the braking system in the pathway where it will engage with bottles conveyed by the air conveyor slowing and eventually stopping the bottles.

Abstract: A braking system is provided along one of a pair of guide rails of an air conveyor that transports plastic bottles along a pathway between the pair of guide rails. The braking system is selectively actuated to move into the pathway defined by the guide rails decreasing its width and positioning a stop of the braking system in the pathway where it will engage with bottles conveyed by the air conveyor slowing and eventually stopping the bottles.

Abstract: Apparatus for spacing consecutive capsules of solid material traveling as a capsule train in a pipeline in which the capsules are carried by a fluid flowing through the pipeline includes a separation system interposed between upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline for receiving the train of capsules. The separation system passes consecutively separated capsules within the capsule train to the downstream portion. The separation system is constructed for increasing the spacing between consecutive capsules within the capsule train in the downstream portion of the pipeline after passing through the separation system. The volume of fluid flowing from an outlet location of the separation system is substantially the same as the volume of fluid flowing into an inlet location of the separation system.

Abstract: A feeder (1) for supplying magnetically attractable electrical components (20) to a pick-and-place machine. The feeder (1) comprises a hopper (2) for storing the components (20) and a pick up location (3) for supplying the components to the pick-and-place machine. A passage (4) provides communication between the hopper (2) and pick up location (3). An air jet outlet (6) in passage (4) provides for propelling the components (20) and one or more magnets (35) are located adjacent an intermediate portion of the passage (4) and provide a magnetic field to assist in reducing the velocity of said components (20) passing through the intermediate portion.

Abstract: The present apparatus relates to a pneumatic transport system to transport samples of grain between a filling station in a grain handling and storage structure and a receiving station in an office or inspection laboratory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving golf balls from a ball washer to a ball dispenser is disclosed. A system of conduits is employed, connecting a ball washer to a dispenser. Balls are forced out of the washer and into an entry conduit where a drain rids the system of fluids. Balls are slowed down by a restricted region in the entry conduit prior to entry into a main conduit. Upon entering the main conduit, balls are forced upward by high velocity air being expelled by a blower. Obstructions are minimized and relieved by an opening in the side of the main conduit. Balls are prevented from backing up into the blower, even in case of obstruction, by an angled pipe or nozzle with a diameter smaller than that of a golf ball. Balls travel through the main conduit and into an exit conduit where they strike a shock absorbing pad prior to dropping into the dispenser. In a second embodiment, an alternative exit conduit is provided whereby balls may be diverted to a receptacle other than the dispenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for handling agricultural or horticultural products, for instance tomatoes or apples, wherein the products are transported in at least one reservoir filled with water substantially at a transporting level determined by the water surface in accordance with at least one transport path in the direction from a supply to a discharge.In order to reduce the required transporting space the method according to the invention has the feature that in order to buffer products the upper level of at least one product mass is carried by a level adjusting buffering device to a level other than the transporting level.The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing this method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for dosed conveying and selecting of pellets for a moulding apparatus for lead frames, with which it is possible to prevent crumbled pellets or fragments and/or dust thereof being able to reach the molding apparatus arranged in a so-called clean room. For this purpose the system has structure for successively conveying pellets one by one, structure for selecting to length and feeding pellets to a transporting path, structure for reducing the transporting speed of conveyed pellets, structure for separating the pellets one by one and tranferring the pellets to a transport carrier, and means for transferring pellets from the transport carrier to a conveying device to a mold of a molding apparatus.

Abstract: Packets of cigarettes are conveyed singly and in succession to a first inlet of a propulsion chamber also having an outlet, connected to a duct, and at least one other inlet through which compressed air is directed into the enclosure; as one packet is carried forward by the force of inertia to the point of occupying the outlet, another packet takes its place at the inlet, the effect of which being to enclose the chamber completely and occasion a rise in pressure sufficient to generate a force by which the packet occupying the outlet is "fired" along the duct.

Abstract: A seed brake for a pneumatic agricultural seeding and/or fertilizing machine. The seed brake comprises a curved tube having an inner curved side and an outer curved side. The inner curved side is provided with an opening. The inner curved side is also provided with a baffle located between the opening and the outlet of the tube. The baffle extends into the tube and is integrally formed with the inner curved side. The baffle is formed by kinking the tube.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system includes a pneumatic transport tube having a stop device mounted therein. A window aperture is defined through a wall of the transport tube such that a pneumatic tube carrier is presented for retrieval through the window aperture upon its arrival. A pneumatic pressure source is provided to cause the carrier to move through the transport tube.

Abstract: The present invention describes a stop device for stopping a carrier traveling in a pneumatic tube. The invention also includes a terminal comprising the stop device. The stop device includes a pneumatic tube having an exhaust aperture and a shutoff aperture and a pressure sensing monitor in fluid communication with the shutoff aperture. The pressure monitor senses the pressure change in the shutoff aperture caused by the carrier's movement past the shutoff aperture and activates a switch shutting off the pneumatic source. The carrier impacts an end stop and settles down on a catch which was also activated by the pressure monitor. The carrier is held in front of a door through which the carrier may be readily retrieved.

Abstract: A process of stalling the speeds of articles to be conveyed in a pneumatic conveying system, wherein the speeds of the articles conveyed by conveying power wind through a transporting piping are stalled at a position close to the outlet of the transporting piping. According to this stalling process, air vents are formed at positions close to the outlet of the transporting piping, air having a wind flow rate higher than the wind flow rate of the conveying power wind is sucked through the air vents, whereby the speeds of the articles are stalled by counter flow wind flowing in through the outlet of the transporting piping.