Abstract: An accessor device for a tape library has two accessor bases movably mounted on two parallel guide rails extending along a plurality of cells housing tapes. The accessor bases have, on respective confronting portions thereof, overlapping edges which overlap each other in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rails when the accessor bases move toward each other. The accessor device mounted on the two parallel guide rails is prevented from falling, and the accessor devices with the overlapping edges has a wide accessible area for accessing endmost regions in the tape library.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A method and system for sharing robotic mechanisms between physically remote storage libraries in an automated storage library system includes routing robotic mechanism guide structures between the storage libraries. The guide structures run through robotic mechanism transfer ports located on the sides of the housing enclosures of the storage libraries. A robotic mechanism within an first storage library moves through the transfer port of the enclosure of the first storage library onto the guide structure. The robotic mechanism then moves out of the enclosure of the first storage library along the guide structure towards a second storage library. The robotic mechanism then moves along the guide structure through the transfer port of the enclosure of the second storage library and into the second storage library for performing operations such as accessing media objects within the second storage library.

Abstract: A method and system for sharing robotic mechanisms between physically remote storage libraries in an automated storage library system includes routing robotic mechanism guide structures between the storage libraries. The guide structures run through robotic mechanism transfer ports located on the sides of the housing enclosures of the storage libraries. A robotic mechanism within an first storage library moves through the transfer port of the enclosure of the first storage library onto the guide structure. The robotic mechanism then moves out of the enclosure of the first storage library along the guide structure towards a second storage library. The robotic mechanism then moves along the guide structure through the transfer port of the enclosure of the second storage library and into the second storage library for performing operations such as accessing media objects within the second storage library.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a storage system (10) including at least two tape libraries (11) and a transport mechanism (22) for transferring cartridges (20) between the tape libraries (11). The transport mechanism (22) includes a frame (64), a transporter (68) and a mover (66). The transporter (68) is sized and shaped to retain the cartridge (20). The mover (66) moves the transporter (68) along the frame (64). Additionally, the mover (66) pivots at least a portion of the transporter (68) between a first, almost horizontal, load/unload position (70A), a transport position (72) and a second, almost horizontal load/unload position (70B) during movement between the tape libraries (11). Further, the transport mechanism (22) includes a latch (140) that selectively retains the cartridge (20) in the transporter (68) during movement between the tape libraries (11).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a storage system (10) including at least two tape libraries (11) and a transport mechanism (22) for transferring cartridges (20) between the tape libraries (11). The transport mechanism (22) includes a frame (64), a transporter (68) and a mover (66). The transporter (68) is sized and shaped to retain the cartridge (20). The mover (66) moves the transporter (68) along the frame (64). Additionally, the mover (66) pivots at least a portion of the transporter (68) between a first, almost horizontal, load/unload position (70A), a transport position (72) and a second, almost horizontal load/unload position (70B) during movement between the tape libraries (11). Further, the transport mechanism (22) includes a latch (140) that selectively retains the cartridge (20) in the transporter (68) during movement between the tape libraries (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage arrangement (15) and a storage receptacle (10) for objects (1), wherein the storage arrangement (15) has a storage device (14) with at least one storage shaft (14.1, 14.2) containing several storage spaces (13) arranged on top of each other, and a delivery device (34) for the short-term reception of the objects (1). The storage arrangement (15) furthermore has a transport device (16) with an object carrier (36), and has a vertical displacement device (40), a horizontal rotating device (38) and a horizontal displacement device (42) for displacing the object carrier (36) between the delivery device (34) and the storage spaces (13). The objects always take up the same angle in respect to the vertical line, wherein a base surface of the objects is preferably horizontally oriented. The storage receptacle (10) consists of a storage cabinet (12) and an integrated storage arrangement (15).

Abstract: An automated parking garage. The garage comprises a multi-floor building having a plurality of vehicle storage racks in a storage area for storing a loaded pallet or an unloaded pallet. An entrance-level floor of the building includes an entry/exit station (EES) on for receiving a vehicle, the EES having an exterior entrance through which the vehicle is driven and, an opposing interior entrance that provides access to the storage area and through which the loaded pallet is transported, the loaded pallet and unloaded pallet adapted to be positioned at floor level in the EES. The garage includes a pallet stacking station for storing the unloaded pallet, the pallet stacking station located over a shuttle aisle that extends under the EES. A pallet shuttle that traverses the shuttle aisle to a first position under the EES for handling the unloaded pallet in the EES, and to a second position under the pallet stacking station for stacking the unloaded pallet.

Abstract: An autonomous remote controlled vehicle for use in the automation of an existing refrigerated flow through storage facility food processing application. The remote vehicle is specifically designed to operate within a network of centrally controlled remote vehicles that are adapted to receive selectable items from production and temporarily store them for later retrieval. The system is adapted to minimize travel time for the remote vehicle and optimize cycle time. The system is specifically adapted to handle cardboard shipping boxes containing meat products.

Abstract: One embodiment of a picking tool for an automated library of disk drives has an electromagnet, a tapered hole, and a ventilation system. The ventilation system has a box fan with an impeller for moving air through ducting located within the picking tool. The ducting includes a vents located adjacent to one surface of the picking tool. The picking tool is designed to work in conjunction with a disk drive carrier having a front bezel equipped with a tapered guide pin that is complementary to the tapered hole, and vent ports. The guide pin provides alignment between the carrier and the picking tool. The automated disk drive library has a rack with drawers for containing the carriers. The picking tool is mounted to a robotic arm for selectively engaging and interfacing with the carriers. After the picking tool aligns with a desired carrier, the picking tool moves toward the carrier to insert the guide pin into the tapered hole.

Abstract: Substances having useful pharmacological properties are identified by candidate screeners and screening methods. The substances may be incorporated into medicaments. The substances may have modulating activity with respect to pre-defined molecular targets.

Abstract: An upper cart 12 and a lower cart 2 have running motors 4, 14, respectively, for controlling these carts in a manner overlapping each other on a vertical line. A mast 18 is formed into a truss structure, and an elevating platform 20 has a slide fork a load on which is supported on a shelf support of a rack. The present invention provides a light stacker crane operating at a high speed.

Abstract: An easily installed inter-row transfer unit is disclosed employing a movable cartridge bin assembly suspended via linkage from a pair of bearing blocks, wherein the resulting bin assembly carriage travels horizontally along a support housing extending between front-to-back arrangements of rows of library systems, to enable expansion of the library systems into very large mass storage systems. The pair of bearing blocks of the bin assembly carriage are spread or closed to respectively raise or lower the bin assembly from or into a respective library system. Thus, vertical as well as horizontal motions of the bearing blocks are controlled by a motor/cable drum drive device secured to the support housing. In a preferred embodiment, a trapdoor mechanism and a cooperating roller support mechanism are used to enable reversing the direction of horizontal translation of the bin assembly carriage with a single motor/cable drum drive device. Various other embodiments and modifications are illustrated.

Abstract: A relatively simple and easily installed transfer unit is disclosed employing a movable cartridge bin assembly which travels horizontally between two or more cabinets of respective tape cartridge library systems, to enable the expansion of individual library systems thereby increasing overall mass storage system capacity. The bin assembly is presented to a typical cartridge handling robot of respective library systems as if it were part of the stationary bin array housed within the cabinet, which allows the cartridge to be accessed and loaded in a constant orientation. A drive means provides the translation of the bin assembly and cartridge, and depots at preset stop locations include sensor means for indicating the location of the bin assembly and the presence of a cartridge in the bin assembly.

Abstract: In order to achieve a magazine structure in which any necessary cartridge can be removed or inserted while a magazine is mounted in an autoloading device, a carrier unit is equipped with a lock releasing mechanism at the distal ends of openable/closable arms thereof so that a cartridge received in the magazine may be individually released from locking. This prevents any failure on the reading and writing of data due to removal of any wrong cartridge since the cartridge to be released can be defined by a programmable operation of the carrier unit.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A reticle management system is disclosed including a sorter coupled to one or more stockers that allow a customized configuration of the overall reticle management system. The stockers may be bare reticle stockers, closed container reticle stockers, or both. In embodiments of the present invention, the reticle management system includes between one and six individual bare reticle stockers and/or closed container stockers for storing reticles affixed to a reticle sorter. The sorter includes a reticle inspection station for inspecting the reticles, a plurality of input/output (I/O) load ports and a reticle handling robot for transferring the reticles between the stockers, the inspection station and the I/O load ports. The management system further includes a control unit for housing control electronics for the system.

Abstract: A data storage library and method of operation are disclosed wherein access at least to part of at least one robotic mechanism from the data storage library's exterior is permitted. Access is accomplished through a service port in the library's housing. Access to the storage cells, and thus the data cartridges sitting therein, from the library's exterior is blocked. Blocking access to the storage cells may be provided by a geometry of the service port itself, or by a combination of a door and the robotic mechanism being serviced filling the opening created by the service port. For robotic mechanisms operating on a track, part of the track may be routed through the service port to bring the robotic mechanisms to the exterior of the library for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: In an automatic storage system and an automatic storing method for automatically take in and out a container box 1 accommodating therein a wafer carrier 6, a take-in port and a take-out port of a storage unit 8 are unified to one common inlet/outlet port 15, and a control is conducted to the effect that when the container box 1 is taken in and out on the basis of a take-in/take-out schedule of the container box 1 to the storage unit 8, the empty container box is ceaselessly left at the inlet/outlet port 15. Thus, the take-in/take-out operation can be smoothly conducted with no necessity of enlarging the storage unit 8 and with no congestion of the conveying container box accommodating therein the wafer carrier 6.

Abstract: A synchronous control unit receives data describing robot motion and speed along a pathway. A storage unit stores the data. In accordance with an internal clock or encoder equivalent internal to the robot, an output unit outputs the data to a positioning controller thereby synchronizing the robot movement with the data.

Abstract: A warehouse (10) has a plurality of cells (11) arranged in rows and columns. In each cell is received a plurality of load units (12) aligned in a row directed towards an input-output mouth of the cell to have the first load unit of each row, which represents the head of the row, arranged near the mouth of the respective cell. At least one deposit-withdrawal shuttle (13) moves along the cell mouths and has handling means (22) for taking and depositing load units at the head of the rows. The load units (12) in each row are connected sequentially to each other with mutual coupling means (17) to move together towards the cell mouth when the shuttle withdraws the leading load unit of the row The coupling means between the withdrawn unit and the immediately following one in the row are releasable on command during the withdrawal to free the withdrawn load unit from the row after the withdrawal movement has moved the second unit of the row near the cell mouth.

Abstract: A plate feeding apparatus includes a slide mechanism for horizontally moving one of a plurality of cassettes, a lift mechanism for supporting and vertically moving the cassette horizontally moved by the slide mechanism, to a plate feed position for feeding plates to an image recording apparatus, a transport mechanism for transporting the plates to the image recording apparatus from the cassette moved to the plate feed position by the lift mechanism, and a strip sheet discharge mechanism for discharging strip sheets each disposed between an adjacent pair of the plates.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary systems, devices and methods for manipulating and handling multi-well plates. In one exemplary embodiment, a system is provided which comprises a robot having a base member and at least one arm. The arm includes a grasping mechanism which is adapted to grasp the plate. Further, the grasping mechanism is configured to receive the plate in a repeatable and known location such that the location of each well relative to the grasping mechanism is known by the robot.

Abstract: A rotary die storage and retrieval unit, a rotary die storage rack, and a rotary die storage cart are disclosed. The unit is for an automated storage of a rotary die upon a rotary die shelf and for an automated retrieval of a rotary die from upon the rotary die shelf. The rotary die shelf is disposed within the rack, and accessible through a side opening of the rack. The rotary die shelf is either adjoined to the rack, or adjoined to the cart which is disposed within any embodiment of the rack capable of housing the cart. A frame of the unit is movably mountable to the rack. When the frame is movably mounted to the rack, the frame is operative to be aligned with the rotary die shelf. A carriage of the unit is movably mounted to the frame and is also operative to be aligned with the rotary die shelf.

Abstract: A method of teaching a plurality of automatic guided vehicles, each of which is provided with at least a robot arm for loading and unloading an article, having the steps of: teaching an original one of the automatic guided vehicles both about reference-positional data by use of a single unpractical reference station and about practical-positional data belonging to at least a practical station by use of the at least practical station; and both supplying the automatic guided vehicles, except for the original one, with common data identical with the practical-positional data taught to the original one, and further teaching the automatic guided vehicles, except for the original one, about individual positional-compensating data by use of the single unpractical reference station so as to individually compensate the common data with the individual positional-compensating data for compensation to individual instrumental errors of the automatic guided vehicles.

Abstract: Data cartridge exchange apparatus for allowing a user to access a data cartridge contained in a data storage system comprises a cartridge engaging assembly mounted within the data storage system so that the cartridge engaging assembly moves along a displacement path. A panel located adjacent a portion of the displacement path includes a cartridge exchange aperture therein that is sized to pass the data cartridge. A door mounted to the panel is moveable between an opened position and a closed position and includes a first cartridge support surface and a second cartridge support surface. The second cartridge support surface is positioned transverse to the first cartridge support surface so that the first and second cartridge support surfaces together define an L-shaped configuration. The first cartridge support surface is positioned within the cartridge exchange aperture to support the data cartridge when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A robotic parts handler system for removing containers filled with articles from a sorting, feeding and/or stacking apparatus such as a mail or package sorting apparatus, and moving the container to a selected location for insertion into another conveying system, transport device, carrier, or other apparatus at extremely high speeds.

Abstract: Data cartridge exchange apparatus for allowing a user to access a data cartridge contained in a data storage system may comprise a cartridge engaging assembly mounted within the data storage system so that the cartridge engaging assembly is moveable along a displacement path. A panel located adjacent a portion of the displacement path is provided with a cartridge exchange aperture therein that is sized to pass the data cartridge.

Abstract: An accessor includes a drive mechanism having a direct drive swivel mechanism which does not utilize a timing belt, and reduces the required installation space while maintaining a high degree of positioning accuracy. The direct drive swivel mechanism preferably includes an external gear mounted coaxially to the swivel axis of the picker section and integrated into the picker section, an internal gear meshing with the external gear, and a drive mechanism for directly driving the internal gear to swivel the picker section.

Abstract: A tape cartridge access port includes frames defining a series of tape cartridge magazine cavities for directly loading magazines filled with tape cartridges with the labels on the front surfaces of the tape cartridges oriented towards the robotics of an automated cartridge library. The tape cartridge access port has safety doors which prevent access by an operator to the robotics of the automated cartridge library while allowing the magazines and the tape cartridges to be accessible to the operator when the robotics are in operation on other tape cartridges. The safety doors are triggered and released by a magazine loaded into the tape cartridge access port. The tape cartridge access port also has an outer door panel locked and unlocked by a library management unit of the automated cartridge library to prevent the operator and the robotics of the automated cartridge library from handling a magazine at the same time.

Abstract: A chip mounting apparatus capable of permitting a chip mounting operation to be executed at an increased speed and ensuring continuous running of the apparatus over a long period of time. The apparatus includes a chip observing camera mounted on the side of a chip mounting head, a lighting unit mounted on the side of the chip mounting head to light a background of a chip held on a chip suction nozzle of the head, a reflection unit mounted on the side of the chip mounting head to input an image of the chip to the chip observing camera, feeder and stocker sections each adapted to replaceably hold a chip storage package therein, and a package replacement mechanism for carrying out replacement of the chip storage package between both sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved stacking and retrieving warehouse system that eliminates the use of expensive pallets. A storage and retrieval machine moves along floor tracks and top guide tubes between the racks in a warehouse. A carriage platform moves vertically along vertical masts of the storage and retrieval machine until it is aligned with the rack to be entered. Rails within the carriage align with rails within the racks, allowing the wheels of the rack entry vehicle to pass from the storage and retrieval machine into the racks. Vertical arms suspended from a lifting/lowering horizontal support member pack up goods stored on a pedestal within the racks. The good are picked up from the racks by the vertical arms of the rack entry vehicle and deposited on a pedestal within the carriage. The storage and retrieval machine transports the goods to a location to be deposited, stored, retrieved or unloaded.

Abstract: A plurality of subsidiary transport paths are disposed crossing a main transport path, for transferring a workpiece. A stocker is disposed at each cross point between the main transport path and each of the subsidiary transport paths. The stocker transfers the workpiece to and from the main transport path and a corresponding subsidiary transport path and temporarily stocks the workpiece. A plurality of processing apparatuses are disposed corresponding to each of the subsidiary transport paths. The processing apparatus receives the workpiece transported on a corresponding subsidiary transport path, processes it, and returns it to the corresponding subsidiary transport path. An efficient transport as a whole can be realized.

Abstract: The pass thru mechanism for automated cartridge library systems serves to interconnect two juxtaposed operationally independent automated cartridge library systems and provides a simple apparatus that makes use of gravity to obviate the need for complex mechanical mechanisms to pass the media cartridge between the juxtaposed automated cartridge library systems. In particular, the pass thru mechanism comprises a media cartridge receiver that accepts a media cartridge from an automated cartridge library robot and then deposits the media cartridge in a media cartridge positioning mechanism. The media cartridge positioning mechanism uses gravity to tumble the media cartridge down a ramp into a media cartridge transport that delivers the media cartridge to the robot located in the juxtaposed media cartridge receiving automated cartridge library system.

Abstract: A paper roll supply system for a printing press system comprises a paper roll storage portion having a plurality of vertically arranged shelves for storing a plurality of paper rolls in desired orientation and a paper roll delivery outlet for the paper roll storage portion, the paper roll delivery outlet being positioned in alignment with a paper roll supply station along a substantially straight paper roll transporting path, by way of which a paper roll is transferred to a printing press. For supplying the paper roll to the printing press system, a paper roll transporting means is disposed between the paper roll delivery outlet and the paper roll supply station for transporting a paper roll along the paper roll transporting path.

Abstract: A library storage module is provided with a pass-through system operable to transfer tape cartridges in any direction between the original library storage module and an additional library storage module, wherein each library storage module is provided with a respective pass-through port. A pass-through tray is located in the original library storage module, and is sized to receive at least one cartridge. Preferably, the pass-through tray is provided with an extension bar attached thereto which provides an engagement surface for an actuator, such as a robotic arm, located inside each library storage module. A guide rail is provided along which the pass-through tray moves, the guide rail extending through the respective pass-through ports of the library storage modules. Upon instructions from a processor, one of the robotic arm applies force to the extension bar, thereby moving the pass-through tray and any cartridges contained therein along the guide rail between the adjacent library storage modules.

Abstract: There is provided a component-feeding device for an electronic component-mounting apparatus which has a main block for carrying out electronic component-pickup and mounting operations. The component-feeding device selectively transports a plurality of pallets on each of which at least one tray containing a number of electronic components is placed, to a pickup position for picking up supplied one of the electronic components. A selected one of the pallets is vertically transported selectively to different levels according to a height of the at least one tray on the selected one of the pallets. The selected pallet vertically transported to the selected level is horizontally transported to the pickup position.

Abstract: A cartridge transferring robot for use in a library apparatus which is capable of certainly transferring a plurality of types of cartridges (media) to meet various needs from the users. In the present invention, for this purpose, in case where a plurality of types of cartridges are handled within the library apparatus, a picker section includes a type identifying mechanism to identify the type of the cartridge held in the picker section in a state of being gripped by a hand mechanism. Further, this invention is for transferring cartridges among a storage unit, a cartridge entry/exit station and a drive unit within a library apparatus storing a large number of cartridges such as magnetic tape cartridges and optical disk cartridges.

Abstract: The present invention is for realizing the improvement of the cartridge storage efficiency and size reduction of a library apparatus by installing relative flags using cells of a storage rack to suppress the increase in the installation area or volume of a locker resulting from the installation of the relative flags, and further for shortening the time required for the initial operation of an accessor. For these purposes, a positional correction relative-flag structure of the cartridge storage rack is equipped with a body section which is inserted into the cell of the storage rack to be brought closely and fixedly into contact with the cell, and a relative flag to be read out by an sensor on the accessor side for the correction of the position of the storage rack is attached to an end surface of the body section. This invention is applicable to a large-capacity external storage memory storing a large number of cartridges such as magnetic tape cartridges and optical disk cartridges.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging articles with an article holder includes a vertical mast having a vertical mast axis and a shuttle ring assembly. The shuttle ring assembly has a central aperture surrounding the mast and is coupled to the mast to allow the shuttle ring assembly to be translated vertically along the mast through multiple heights between a lower height and an upper height. The shuttle ring assembly includes a rotary member coupled to the mast to be rotated through multiple orientations about the mast axis. The rotary member includes multiple article-holding fixtures, angularly spaced from each other about the mast axis. The multiple orientations include a respective exchange orientation for each of the article-holding fixtures. The rotary member can be positioned in any one of the exchange orientations so that a selected one of the article-holding fixtures is in an associated exchange position.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for storing semiconductor wafer carriers, and for loading wafers or wafer carriers to a fabrication tool. The apparatus comprises a plurality of storage locations positioned above the fabrication tool. The apparatus receives wafer carriers via a factory load port. The wafer carriers are transported between the factory load port and the storage locations via a first robot, and are transported between the fabrication tool load port and the storage locations via a second robot. Both robots access the respective load port from overhead, thus eliminating the need for a front loader robot, and reducing the apparatus' footprint. Each robot may access overhead factory transportation systems to provide further flexibility in wafer carrier transport. Additionally, the apparatus of the present invention may include a mechanism for opening pod type wafer carriers and for extracting wafers therefrom.

Abstract: An assembly for storage and retrieval of materials consisting of a right gantry carrying track, a left gantry carrying track in parallel alignment with the right gantry carrying track, a right column, a left column, right column mounting means rollably mounting the right column upon the right gantry carrying track, left column mounting means rollably mounting the left column upon the left gantry carrying track, a lift beam having cantilevered lift arms fixedly attached thereto, lift beam mounting means mounting the lift beam upon the left and right columns so that the lift beam may be upwardly and downwardly moved, storage rack carrying tracks positioned between the gantry carrying tracks in parallel alignment, storage racks, and storage rack mounting means rollably mounting the storage racks upon the storage rack carrying tracks.

Abstract: A system for filling orders, such as prescriptions for patients, having a generally cylindrical storage area for holding packages in known locations. Each location has a unique (r,.theta.,Y) coordinate. The system also has a computer controlled device for picking packages from selected locations in the storage area. The picker can also be provided with a sensor for detecting rods which hold the packages and relaying the coordinates of the selected locations to the control system. The system may also include a conveyor and a transfer device from the storage area to the conveyor. The picking device deposits the picked packages in the transfer device which directs the packages into a tray on the conveyor. In one embodiment, the contents of each package is a single dosage of medicine.

Abstract: A transporter movable perpendicularly to a transfer path along one or more shelving racks containing shelves, a cargo transfer apparatus is mounted from the transporter, and has a cargo platform for receiving cargo transferred therefrom and thereto along a horizontal transfer path between the platform and a shelf, a traverser disposed along at least one side of the transfer path and having a retracted position along said cargo platform and being extendable from its retracted position to and into the shelf, a first drive for reciprocating the traverser along the transfer path, a pair of transfer arms for pushing cargo toward and away from the cargo platform, and a second drive for moving the transfer arms between their resting positions and their active positions.

Abstract: In the case of a storage rack, in each case a plurality of load carriers (9, 10) are assigned to the storage locations, the load carriers forming a load-carrier stack. The load-carrier stacks can be transferred from the respective storage locations, with the aid of a vertically displaceable storage and retrieval apparatus (6), to a charging and removal location (4) of the rack. In this arrangement, the storage and retrieval apparatus is provided with a lifting mechanism which exhibits pivot levers (24), arranged in pairs to the sides of the load carriers (9, 10), and which makes it possible to separate the load carriers (9, 10) from one another in the region of the charging and removal location (4) by raising up the respectively top load carrier (10) from a load-carrier stack comprising two load carriers.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressing wet-formed fiber material boards in a multi-stage press is disclosed, including a vertically movable loading elevator with several stages for receiving transport plates for the boards, and a pusher for moving the transport plates from the loading elevator into the press. A hydraulic system is provided for driving both the loading elevator and the pusher.

Abstract: A system for storing dies and the like has a plurality of die storage cells arranged vertically in two columns with an elevator mounted in between. The system can be interfaced with a press or other equipment by means of a bridge. The storage cells each have three rollers mounted therein to guide and transport the dies. The elevator has a lift table with ball rollers and V-rollers thereon. The V-rollers guide the die from side to side and the V-rollers guide the die from front to rear and vice-versa on the elevator. There is a ball screw on the elevator to push or pull the dies from side to side between the elevator and the storage cells. There is a one way rigid chain unit on the system to push or pull the dies from front to rear or vice-versa on the elevator to or from the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a substantially circular article from a first unloading position to a second loading position compensates for misalignment of the article on a support arm. During movement of the support arm the periphery of the circular article is detected, and a correction of the movement of the support arm is generated.

Abstract: An autohandler for supplying a lot of feed trays carrying samples and for removing a lot of return trays loaded with tested samples. A loading mechanism has a feed tray elevator containing samples to be tested. An unloading mechanism has a return tray elevator for receiving return trays containing tested samples. An empty tray storage unit stores empty trays. A tray transfer hand transfers the trays. A sensor detects the feed tray elevator position. The sensor actuates an alarm when the feed tray elevator is almost empty.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for picking up a ream of packaged sheets of a desired kind from a plurality of reams of one or more kinds stacked up on a respective one of cells in an automated warehouse and loading the picked-up ream of packaged sheets on a pallet. In the invention, a pick-up device, having a picking, gripping and pulling mechanism and a discharging and stacking mechanism, is located at a position adjacent to a respective cell by traveling the pick-up device horizontally and/or vertically. The pallet is located at a prescribed position. The pick-up device is operated to pick-up the ream of packaged sheet of the desired kind from the plurality of reams of one or more kinds stacked up on a respective cell. Specifically, the picking, gripping and pulling mechanism is operated to pick upwards and grip the ream of packaged sheets to pull the same, and the pulling and piling mechanism is operated to withdraw the pulled ream of packaged sheets and stack the same on the pallet.