Abstract: To a row of winding stations (1), in which rolls (8) of flat, bendable objects (e.g., printed products) positioned on roll supports (3) are processed or in which such rolls are produced, roll supports (3) are coupled to the winding stations and, if required, are exchanged, the coupled roll supports forming a first row (A) of roll supports parallel to the row of winding stations (1). Roll supports (3) are positioned in readiness for the exchange in a second row (B) of roll supports, which second row (B) is distances from the first row (A) by a transport alley (10). Each roll support in the second row is aligned to the one winding station (1), to which it is to be coupled. For every exchange, the roll support (3) coupled to the winding station (1) is moved transverse to the first row (A) into the transport alley (10) and is transported along the transport alley to its end and there is positioned in a third row (C) of roll supports, which is aligned in the direction of the transport alley (10) and adjoins it.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support frame for a telescopic arm of a load-handling system for at least transferring storage units into and out of a racking system, which is guided in a respective guide mechanism extending in the longitudinal direction of the support frame having a lateral and elevation guide track, The telescopic arm has at least a respective middle and a top slide, which are displaceable relative to the support frame and to one another. The lateral and elevation guide track for the middle slide is arranged on a longitudinal side wall of the support frame. The top slide is in turn provided with a lateral and elevation guide track for the middle slide and has several drivers which are displaceable as necessary transversely to the longitudinal direction of the lateral and elevation guide track and into an operating position projecting beyond the external boundary of the top slide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying at least one supply roll, comprising a roll support surface on which the supply roll can be placed with its longitudinal axis extending essentially horizontally. The supply roll can be rolled out in at least one conveying direction with its lateral surface on said roll support surface. The device has at least one transport element with at least one rotating drive device. The carrying run of said drive device can be brought into contact with the lateral surface of the supply roll from below, directly or indirectly, and can be driven in at least one conveying direction.

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 system for the automatic loading and/or unloading of products comprises a store (13, 19) with shelves inclined and provided with a mobile transversal blocking means (9, 12), and at least one traveling lift (3) provided with mobile bearing tops (4), also inclined and provided with at least one mobile transversal blocking means (9, 12). Said inclined shelves and bearing tops (4) are provided with transversal, parallel, idle and inclined rollers (5) whereon a product or a product container (1) can slide by gravity when the blocking means is lowered.

Abstract: With sidings 6,7 installed between main lines 4,5 of the track guided vehicle system and the upper part of the rack 24 of an automatic warehouse 20, articles are transferred directly between a stacker crane 22 and the primary ground linear conveyer vehicle 14. The main line is never blocked by the linear conveyance vehicle in the transferring in the section to the automatic warehouse, and the siding can be used as a turnout to overtake.

Abstract: This transfer device is to be supported by the tines of a forklift and supports a load such as a lumber pack to be transferred to a rack cell which have an anchor bar at its opening. The device comprises an underframe having tine receivers, and a mainframe which is movable with respect to the underframe towards the cell opening and which has hooks to hook onto said anchor bar. Said mainframe has rollers on which the load is supported. The system is motorized; first, the load remains centered with respect to the underframe when the mainframe is first shifted laterally of the forklift to hook onto the anchor upper bar of a selected rack cell because the frame rollers rotate in a direction opposite to the shifting direction; then the mainframe rollers rotate in the opposite direction to transfer the load into the rack cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabricating system including a plurality of processing apparatuses connected to each other by means of an inter-apparatus transporter, wherein one group of semiconductor wafers are processed in processing apparatuses and other group of wafers are transported to specified processing apparatuses for a time interval from (To+T) to a time To; and another group of wafers are processed and the remaining group of wafers are transported for a time interval from (To+T) to (To+2T). Since processing apparatuses can receive at least one of works from the inter-apparatus transporter for a time interval T min, the distribution of works from the transporter to processing apparatuses is completed for the time interval T min. The transporter is emptied for each time interval T min, and works are unloaded to the emptied transporter, which makes easy the scheduling, control and management of the transporting of a plurality of works in the fabricating system.

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: To move sealed insulating glass panes (2) from a sealing device which has rollers (5) which can turn freely around essentially vertical axes and which are mounted on vertically adjustable beam (4), for supporting upper edge (7) of insulating glass pane (2), and which has conveyor device (3) which engages the lower edge of insulating glass pane (2) and which also guides insulating glass pane (2) laterally, into compartmented truck (8) which has several compartments (20) which are bounded by cord-like elements (19) which run preferably obliquely, there is jib (50) which projects freely over outlet-side edge (52) of the sealing device and on which there are rollers (51) which can turn freely around essentially vertical axes. Jib (50) is adjustable in the vertical direction (arrow 6).

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: A pair of spaced, parallel beams are designed to hold a group of aligned, contiguous article carrying pallets. Each beam has a web of uniform width with a lower, inturned flange to extend under the side edges of the aligned pallets and an upper outturned flange to be picked up by the pivoted jaws of a crane. These jaws together with a pusher/puller carriage are mounted on a long frame suspended from the crane which travels across one face of a rack in which pairs of parallel tracks are arranged in a grid. The pair of jaws, carrying the beams or pallet holders are closed to position the latter under the sides of a group of aligned, contiguous, article carrying pallets assembled at a pick-up station. The pallet carrying holders are aligned by the crane with any selected pair of tracks. One end of the frame latches to the rack and the pusher-puller carriage latches to one end of the pallet holders and pushes the same and their load off the jaws and onto the tracks.

Abstract: To provide a compact parts feeding apparatus capable of reducing the parts stock in the line, and facilitate between different kinds of devices, a first transfer unit 200A of a transferring and positioning arrangement 200C of a parts feeding apparatus 200, transfers a tray T carrying parts PB upward in a first direction Z1 from conveyor arrangement 14. A positioning unit 200D the tray T carrying the parts PB in a determined position within the assembling range of a assembling body 10 from the first transfer unit 200A. A second transfer unit 200B descends in a second direction Z2 opposite to the first direction, to transfer the positioned tray T to the first transfer unit 200a or to discharge the tray T after it has been emptied of parts onto the conveyor arrangement 14.

Abstract: An article transportation system includes a transporter vehicle driven by an electric power from a battery mounted on the vehicle and a station having a translator apparatus for translating an article to and from the vehicle. The station includes a power receiving unit for receiving electric power for driving the translator apparatus. The transporter vehicle includes power supplying devices for supplying the electric power from the battery to the power receiving unit.

Abstract: Device for transferring reels grouped in stacks from a fixed supporting surface to a magazine for feeding a user machine; the magazine is arranged at a higher level than the fixed supporting surface, and the device is a lifting device provided with a lifting platform movable in a vertical direction between a loading position, which has an adjustable level and is adjacent to the fixed supporting surface, and an unloading position, wherein the platform forms an input portion of the magazine.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are particularly suitable for storing, unstoring, or relocating goods carriers of various dimensions, such as loaded or empty freight containers, in a multi-storied storage facility. The storage facility includes a storage rack having several storage levels with several storage locations or compartments on each storage level. A storage conveyor device is horizontally and vertically movable along the storage rack to carry a freight container to a selected storage compartment on a selected storage level. Depending on the dimensions of the freight container, and whether several containers are to be stored in a single storage compartment, each container can be deposited at a particular position within the storage compartment. The particular final position of each container within the storage compartment can be predetermined.

Abstract: In a high-rise shelving having two shelving columns (2, 3) and a vertical conveyor (6) disposed therebetween, the bases (9) of shelf-racks (7), which shelf-racks can be transferred by the vertical conveyor (6) into the compartments of the shelving columns (2, 3), are provided with respectively at least one recess (11, 12), through which, in the region of the feed or removal opening (13) of the shelving, parts (20) of an auxiliary conveyor (21) can be brought into engagement with objects (22) deposited on the shelf-racks (7) so as to load or unload these objects.

Abstract: An article transfer apparatus is described which is movable along a row of article storage racks and comprises an article carrier having a conveyor and an article holder disposed above the article carrier and containing a plurality of suction cups. The article holder includes mechanism which, after the suction cups have been pushed against an article to suck and attract the article, there is operable via a folding motion of first and second swing arms, or alternatively, in conjunction with a movement of a front-back moving member simultaneously with such folding motion of the swing arms, and an article carrying conveyor is synchronously driven in an article pulling-in direction, whereby the article can be put onto the article carrying conveyor.

Abstract: An automated system for storing, retrieval and transporting of goods of any shape and size in aisleless warehouses, ships, airplanes, trains and the like. The system also provides aisleless warehouses, parking lots and the like and enables a computerized fully automated handling of stored items such as loading and evacuating of containers. The system provides the moving of the goods by placing same on pallets which travel on a flat and smooth floor. The pallet is provided with elastic air cushions which enable its hovering over the flat surface and a drive to enable the movement to any required direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring long stock (3) from or to either of two storage racks (1) arranged in parallel to each other, to a processing station, such as a saw. The apparatus is located in an aisle (4) between the storage racks and has a pair of arms (18, 19, 20, 20a) arranged in a parallel linkage system. The arms are journalled on the apparatus for simultaneous pivotal movement. The free end of each pair of arms has a conveyor (9, 10) mounted thereon to extend in parallel and adjacent to the storage racks (1) between upper and lower positions which for each conveyor are substantially identical. A hoist is provided for loading long stock onto, and remove it from, either conveyor (9, 10) in its upper position. In the lower position either conveyor (9, 10) is aligned with a processing station.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for moving container between over/under, entrance/exit gravity rollerway conveyors also holds the containers at a position for user interface in removing articles from or inserting articles into the container. The power operated scissors mechanism moves the carriage vertically between the conveyors, while a first piston-cylinder tilts the carriage at an angle to match an aligned conveyor with respect to a first axis and a second piston-cylinder tilts the carriage about a second orthogonally arranged axis to determine an appropriate user interface tilt. An automatic control, in response to a single input command from the user, cycles the carriage for unloading a container, loading a new container, and placing the new container at a predetermined user position. Additional user commands can override the predetermined user position to adjust the tilt and height of the carriage for the user, which adjustment may be temporary or stored as a new predetermined user position.

Abstract: A system for sorting objects having a source for providing the object for sorting and a plurality of receivers, spaced apart horizontally and vertically, for receiving the object after sorting. The system includes object receiving and discharging wings for receiving the object from the source and transferring the object to the receiver. The object receiving and discharging wings move the object horizontally and vertically from the source to a selected receiver. The source and at least one of the receivers are vertically aligned. Also, a system for storing and retrieving objects having storage and retrieval conveyor for providing the object to the system for storage and for retrieving the object from the system after storage, and a plurality of object storage areas spaced apart horizontally and vertically.

Abstract: A method of and system for handing variable sized loads by transferring the loads between a storage base and a transport base by engaging a portion of at least one engagement member, e.g. a suction cup, with an engagement surface on a side or end of a load, and displacing the engagement member to thereby pull a load onto the transport base for transport by the transport base or to push a load from the transport base onto the storage base. The engagement surface has a size at least equal to that of the portion of the engagement member. The system includes a system for determining load position and size.

Abstract: A shelf servicing apparatus for a shelf store including a cabin adapted to be vertically movable along the apparatus and including a loading mechanism for placing containers in or removing containers from shelf locations of the shelf store. The cabin includes several positioning locations for containers to be placed in or removed from the store and, in order to enable a placement in or removal from the store. In order to enable a placement in or removal from a store of a large number of containers in a rapid and inexpensive manner, a conveying mechanism is located in a cabin by which the containers can be transferred to or removed from the loading mechanism and by which the containers in the cabin can be transferred from one positioning location to another. Preferably, the conveying mechanism is formed by at least one conveyor belt which, in turn, forms positioning locations.

Abstract: A system for storage and retrieval of a load, for example a motor vehicle, is arranged to be installed, for example, in a multi-storey car parking building. The system includes a plurality of substantially parallel conveyor belts installed at floor level on at least one floor of the building and an overhead pulley unit, which moves a pulley block along a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belts and itself moves along a direction substantially parallel with the conveying direction. Containers are dimensioned to contain the load, and the containerized load is conveyed to and from a vacant storage space located on either side of the conveyor belts by the conveyor belt and pulley system. Lifts for carrying the containerized loads may be located at the end of the conveyor belts provided on floors above and/or below ground level.

Abstract: A rack packer for loading containers onto a rack comprises a loading station, a transfer station, an elevator, and a rack positioning means. The loading station receives and supports successive incoming rows of vertically oriented identical containers. The transfer station is positioned adjacent to the loading station. A starwheel at the transfer station is rotatably mounted about a transfer axis parallel to the successive rows of containers at the loading station. The starwheel has multiple sets of radial arms extending from the transfer axis to support individual containers of each row. The starwheel moves successive rows of containers from their vertical positions at the loading station upwardly to horizontal positions above the loading station. The elevator is located adjacent to the starwheel to receive multiple rows of horizontally oriented containers from the starwheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for unloading an article from a circulative loading base. There is provided an endless belt which forms a loading surface that is mounted rotatably in a backward inclined position to a conveyor chain. The belt comes into pressure contact with a friction roller so as to allow the belt to rotate in the unloading direction by frictional conduction to deliver articles on the belt to be delivered in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: An automatic rotary sorter system for sorting objects from a source stream into a plurality of destination streams which are spaced apart both horizontally and vertically. The automatic rotary sorter system of the present invention includes an object source conveyor, a rotating distribution assembly, and an object receiving assembly. The rotating distribution assembly of the automatic rotary sorter system is provided with an upright drive shaft and several receiving and discharging wings. The object receiving assembly of the automatic rotary sorter system is provided with a plurality of transverse conveyors. The object source conveyor provides the stream of sortable objects for sorting by the automatic rotary sorter system. Sorting within the automatic rotary sorter system is achieved through the transfer of one sortable object at a time from the object source conveyor to a selected transverse conveyor by the receiving and discharging wings of the rotating distribution assembly.

Abstract: A storage system for the storage and retrieval of material goods, having an inserter assembly for inserting containers onto a storage carousel while the carousel remains in continuous motion.

Abstract: An article sorting and retrieval system for use in warehouses and distribution centers wherein articles are stored in vertical racks with open-sided storage bins. The system includes a linearly extensible lower conveyor assembly adapted to transport items parallel to the rows of storage bins and a vertically movable upper conveyor assembly located above and parallel to the lower conveyor assembly and adapted to convey articles in a direction opposite to that of the lower assembly and to be raised and lowered between an upper position and a lower position as desired so as to service all of the bins in each of the rows of bins. Another conveyor assembly is provided for conveying articles vertically between one end of the lower conveyor assembly and one end of the upper conveyor assembly and for reversing the direction of travel of the articles during that vertical movement.

Abstract: A horizontally displaceable receiving table for picking up and setting down package-like articles includes a displaceable transporting device, with roller-like pick-up members at its end relative to the direction of travel. The receiving table is displaced towards the articles by a first drive at a velocity which is decreased when the table is in close proximity to the vertical face surface of the articles. The pick-up member is then driven by a second drive such that the pick-up member engages the article and lifts the article onto the receiving table. The receiving table and the transporting device are then driven countercurrently at the same speed until they have substantially moved under the article. The receiving table permits picking up and setting down package-like articles at designated times and locations without damage to the articles.

Abstract: An article handling system comprises closed loop pathways, movable carriers adapted to travel along the pathways, a plurality of article storage buffer stations located adjacent to the pathways, and a hierarchical control system for controlling the transfer of articles to or from a given one of the article storage buffer stations by a movable carrier. The buffer stations provide distributed article storage which allows the system to operate with enhanced speed and efficiency.

Abstract: An automated work center for use in materials handling operations is disclosed. The work center includes a randomly accessible vertically moving temporary storage queue 11 for receiving containers 25 that hold material goods. A fixed loading ramp 20 is arranged to receive containers 20 from an external system and to load the received containers onto the storage queue 11. A work area 5 having a plurality of rotatable work tables 7 provides an gives the operator access to the containers. A delivery system 14 transfers containers between the storage queue 11 and the work tables 7 and a takeaway system 16 transfers containers between the work area and the conveyor network. An automated control system 17 coordinates the delivery of containers between the temporary storage queue 11 and the work area 5. A consolidation queue 18 having a multiplicity of vertically spaced shelfs may be disposed opposite the work tables 7 to facilitate the consolidation of ordered goods.

Abstract: A computer-controlled, multi-floor, multi-block equipment conveying and storage system having a multi-floor steel framework made of H-beam steels. Each floor is divided into a plurality of equal blocks longitudinally and latitudinally aligned. The blocks include one block serving as a lifting gear access unit for the passing therethrough of a lifting gear which moves from floor to floor for carrying storage items and the other blocks serving as storage units surrounding the lifting gear access unit for storing items. A plurality of driving mechanisms to separately carry a plurality of carrier plates from block to block in a straight direction permits any designated carrier plate in either floor to be moved to the lifting gear access unit of the same floor for delivery to any other floor by the lifting gear.

Abstract: A live storage facility provides for the storage of large containers of product in a gas-tight enclosure containing an atmosphere precisely controlled to a preselected gas composition. Containers are introduced into the enclosure through a tunnel and removed through another tunnel, without significantly altering the gas atmosphere or temperature within the enclosure. An externally controlled crane moves and stacks the containers within the enclosure. The storage facility is preferably formed as a hemispherical dome with continuous walls that are impermeable to the gas. In one form, the product is agricultural produce, and there is additionally provided a cooling capability so that the product is stored at reduced temperature.

Abstract: In a shelf-type store for magazines with material in rod or plate form, an apparatus is described for putting the material, contained in the magazines, into and out of store and for selecting it. For this purpose the magazines are moved with the aid of a transport car mobile beneath the shelving units, one of the magazine places of the truck including a hoist device. Adapted to this, the station for putting material into and out of store, lying outside the shelving units, is arranged with two reception levels, arranged one above the other for the magazines, of which the upper level is reachable for the transport car through its hoist device while the lower level may be brought into connection with the level of the transport car directly by a transfer device for the magazines.

Abstract: A goods handling system in which elongated goods such as rails, rods or plates are located in storage boxes or cassettes (12), and in which the storage boxes or cassettes are placed on racks having rack supports (15) above each other, the racks being located in a warehouse-type arrangement, with passageways therebetween. Cranes or hoists (19-23) can transfer the cassettes from a storage location in the racks to a horizontally movable transport wagon, which can transport the cassettes to a utilization station (40), for example for reloading, unloading and the like. A control unit (CU) keeps track of the respective cassettes which are interchanged, at random, in the racks, by placing an empty cassette into a storage location from which a full cassette, on which work is to be done, is removed.

Abstract: A warehouse has several levels. Each level has a series of storage channels for items to be stocked in the warehouse. The storage channels are parallel to one another and have respective inlet ends located at a first side of the warehouse and respective outlet ends located at an opposite second side of the warehouse. Each storage channel is equipped with a device for guiding items along the channel in a direction from the inlet end towards the outlet end. Every level is further provided with at least one return channel which is parallel to the storage channels and has an inlet end at the second side of the warehouse and an outlet end at the first side of the warehouse. The return channel is again equipped with a device for guiding items along such channel in a direction from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof.

Abstract: A movable die support cart using a hydraulic drive powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid and having a frame structure including at least one continuous tubular beam with closed ends to define an interior space used as a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A method for automatically dispensing items from shelves includes the steps of orienting magazines for a particular type of item horizontally in multi-tier shelves in such a way that removal openings in the respective bottom side face walls of the item type magazines are horizontally aligned, assigning to each magazine tier at least one item pusher, simultaneously removing from the respective tiers the items belonging to a particular requisition order, collecting them in a collecting device, depositing them on or in a conveying device, and transporting them to merchandise delivery sites. The apparatus for facilitating use of the method includes a multi-tier shelf with item type magazines on each tier, an item pusher on each tier, and a conveyor for conveying the items removed from the magazines to transport apparatus.

Abstract: A goods handling facility having a storage rack with vertically aligned sves, storage containers disposed within the racks, a shelf conveying device movable alongside the storage rack, a support frame disposed within the shelf conveying device, and at least one transport frame supported in the support frame with shelves for the storage containers. A charging device for collecting individual storage containers from the storage racks is mounted at the support frame and is displaceable relative to the support frame. Lot forming takes place at a stationary goods removing station from a transport frame deposited thereat. The charging device is adapted to transfer storage containers from the transport frame into the storage rack, and vice versa. At the goods removing station a transport frame is removed from the support frame of the shelf conveying device permitting an exchange of transport frames. The exchanged transport frame is then moved alongside the storage rack.

Abstract: A goods handling apparatus for carrying in or carrying out goods with respect to storage facilities having multirow and multistage storing spaces. The apparatus includes a goods inlet apparatus or a goods outlet apparatus. The goods inlet apparatus or the goods outlet apparatus travels in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction along the storing spaces of the goods storage facilities, conveying the goods within a plane parallel to a travelling plane of the goods inlet or the goods outlet apparatus, and transferring the goods, in a consecutive manner, from the goods conveying step to the goods inlet step, or from the goods outlet step to the goods conveying step by absorbing a difference between a goods inlet height or a goods outlet height in the goods inlet step or the goods outlet step and a goods conveyance height in the goods conveying step.

Abstract: Large rolls of partially overlapping paper sheets which are convoluted onto the cores of reels are stored in one or more rows of compartments in a newspaper printing or bookbinding plant. Two adjoining rows are separated from each other by a track for one or more vehicles which are used to transport empty reels to one or more compartments wherein the sheets are convoluted onto the respective cores as well as to transport loaded reels to unoccupied compartments or to compartments which are adjacent to unwinding units. Conveyors in the form of cranes and/or chain or belt conveyors are used to transfer empty and loaded reels between the compartments of the rows and pairs of similar compartments on the vehicles. A vehicle which transports a loaded reel from the convoluting station to an empty compartment is used to transport an empty reel from such compartment to the compartment at the convoluting station so that the vehicle is put to use during each stage of its movement.

Abstract: A method for assembling and storing goods has a carousel equipped with a plurality of goods storing portions for storing goods which are to be assembled and stored, and a device for supplying goods, which are to be transferred to the goods storing portions from which goods have been taken out, to adjacent the goods storing portions. The method being characterized in that when a supplement of goods becomes necessary due to the goods having been taken out of the goods storing portions so as to be subjected to an assembling and storing operation, goods which are already supplied to the above-mentioned somewhere near the goods storing portions by the device for supplying, are transferred to the goods storing portions which are required to be supplemented with goods.

Abstract: There is disclosed a goods handling method for carrying in or carrying out goods with respect to storage facilities having multirow and multistage storing spaces including the steps of carrying the goods into a goods inlet apparatus or carrying out the goods from a goods outlet apparatus by causing the goods inlet apparatus or the goods outlet apparatus to travel in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction along the the storing spaces of the goods storage facilities, conveying the goods within a plane parallel to a travelling plane of the goods inlet or the goods outlet apparatus, and transferring the goods, in a consecutive manner, from the goods conveying step to the goods inlet step, or from the goods outlet step to the goods conveying step by absorbing a difference between a goods inlet height or a goods outlet height in the goods inlet step or the goods outlet step and a goods conveyance height in the goods conveying step. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage facility is provided for integration with a material distribution facility that includes as storage carousel for receiving and storing containers adapted to carry material goods. The carousel includes a multiplicity of connecting rack arrays arranged in side-by-side fashion. Each of the rack arrays includes a plurality of vertically spaced container racks for supporting selected containers, with the container racks from various rack arrays being arranged in a plurality of tiers. The carousel is adapted to rotate about a continuous track. Insertion and extraction assemblies are provided for each carousel tier that are adapted to load and unload containers from the various racks while the carousel remains in continuous motion. A novel lift arrangement is provided for carrying containers between a conveyor network and the various inserter and extractor assemblies. In an alternative aspects of the invention, a novel control system for a storage facility is described as well.

Abstract: Rolls of webs of photosensitive paper are accumulated into a stack on the upper reach of a belt conveyor which slopes upwardly and has a prop for the lowermost roll of the stack. The topmost roll of the stack is transferred to an unwinding station by an inflatable mandrel which is mounted on a pivotable lever and is movable by the lever between a horizontal position at the unwinding station and an inclined position in which it extends into and can be inflated in the interior of the core of the topmost roll of the stack. A catcher locates the leader of the web on the roll at the unwinding station and delivers the leader into the nip of two transporting rollers which advance the leader into a printer. When the supply of web on the core at the unwinding station is exhausted, the empty core is separated from the mandrel by a stripping device and the mandrel is ready to remove the next topmost roll from the upper reach of the conveyor.

Abstract: A contactor assembly having contacting head portion is mounted on a vehicle and a receiving device is mounted on a load transfer station. The contactor assembly and receiving device is provided for transferring electrical energy from a source of electrical energy between the load transfer station and the vehicle and improves the flexibility of load transfer station location and relocation. The contacting head portion is transversely movable between first and second spaced apart locations relative to the vehicle and into engagement with the receiving device. A sensing device is provided for sensing the position of the vehicle relative to the load transfer station and delivering an actuator control signal to an actuating device in response to the contacting head portion and the receiving device being aligned for mating engagement. The actuating device moves the contacting head portion from the first position to the second position in response to the receiving the actuating control signal.

Abstract: An automatic article feeding system which includes a conveyor for conveying pallets each of which contains an article or articles such as parts to be assembled and has a mark indicating the kind of article or articles contained therein, having a feeder for feeding each of the conveyed pallets into one of the shelves of the stocker according to empty shelf information supplied by an information processing unit; a memory for storing the address of the shelf in which the pallet has been stocked and further storing information of the kinds of articles on the pallet; a searcher for searching the memory according to the instruction received from the automatic assembling machine to detect the existence or non-existence of the article required by the automatic assembling machine and, if in existence, detect the address of the shelf in which the required article is stocked; a system for withdrawing the pallet from the stocker according to such detection; a feeder for feeding the pallet to a position for supplying the

Abstract: A system for the order collection of boxes, cases, crates and containers having gravity roller tracks arranged in adjacent rows, provided with a crate supplier along the high feed-in side and an order discharge track along the low discharge side. According to the invention, the boxes, cases, crates and containers are transferred by a transfer device from the lower end of a gravity roller track either onto an order discharge conveyor extending along the lower discharge side or over this discharge track onto a short storage track aligned with the gravity roller conveyor.