Abstract: In a storage container (L) which is supposed to be automatically pushed into shelf compartments and pulled out of them by a handling device, notches (E) are provided in a gripping zone and are structured in such a way that a stud (B) of a gripper mechanism of the handling device can be brought into engagement in physically locking and/or force-locking fashion in each instance.

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 apparatus for loading and unloading components such as circuit boards from a transport unit to a work station. The apparatus includes a flexible tape which is wound on a storage drum and selectively extended or retracted relative to the drum. Components are included to drive the drum, elevate the extended tape, sense the position of the tape and the like.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for moving a stored article between a movable table and a storage rack has a traction pin carried on an endless chain or belt with the chain or belt in a plane which is inclined to horizontal or is vertical. A pressing pin may be provided on the chain or belt for pushing the stored article off of the moving table onto the storage rack for transferring the stored article between two storage racks, with the table between racks. The apparatus may be provided with two, three or four rotors for the chain or belt.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes two confrontingly opposed, columnar arrays which define a plurality of vertically spaced tray-receiving recesses. A platform is vertically displaceable along and between the arrays and carries an extraction device operable for withdrawing a selected tray from an array recess onto the platform, and for inserting a tray supported on the platform into a vacant recess in either array. The extraction device includes a pair of rods carried on and for movement longitudinally along the platform, toward and away from the opposed arrays, about opposed continuous-loop drive belts which lie in substantially vertical planes. The rods are releasably engageable, through rotation of the drive belts, within handles provided at and extending longitudinally outwardly from the opposite ends of each tray to enable withdrawal and insertion of the selected tray.

Abstract: A device for removing plate-shaped articles (22), especially glass panes, which are piled standing roughly vertically in compartments (2), has a tilting table (8) which can be moved next to the compartments (2) transversely to the orientation of the compartments (2). On the tilting table (8) in the area of the upper longitudinal edge of its support wall (13), a beam (11) is supported which can be moved lengthwise on the support wall (13). Beam (19) can be moved into compartments (2), and on beam (19) are vacuum suction boxes (21). To remove one pane of glass (22), beam (19) is pushed into a corresponding compartment (2) and tilting table (8) is swivelled subsequently until vacuum suction boxes (21) engage the pane of glass (22). The tilting table (8) is then swivelled back again until the pane of glass (22) hangs freely on beam (19) and then the beam (19) with its suspended pane of glass (22) is withdrawn from compartment (2).

Abstract: A transport vehicle transports a plurality of sliver cans between a can delivery station, work stations of a sliver processing textile machine, and a discharge station for empty cans along a given travel direction. The vehicle includes an undercarriage with a plurality of can parking places for the sliver cans. A plurality of can exchange mechanisms are provided, one for each can parking place. Each exchange mechanism includes a carriage supporting a respective one of the sliver cans. The carriage is slidable on the under-carriage transversly to the travel direction of the transport vehicle. A motor slidingly drives each of the carriages on the undercarriage. A can manipulating device, which is operatively associated with each of the carriages, displaces the sliver cans, setting them down and receiving them on a respective one of the carriages.

Abstract: A lightweight carousel is disclosed for use in an automatic cartridge library system, featuring a system of guide blocks and springs to hold tape cartridges securely but permit their removal and replacement by bidirectional manipulators. The manipulators carry hinged hooks that can be used to push cartridges radially outward, or upon flexing of the hinges, expand to grip the cartridge for pulling radially inward. A reflective optical sensor is used to confirm that each cartridge in the carousel is properly placed. Optical sensors also verify proper rotation of the carousel, index the carousel, and detect the presence of cartridges in the tape drives. The carousel carries drive pins which seat in tapered holes in an index plate, and is driven by a zero-backlash belt.

Abstract: A multi-product, self-service merchandising kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, illuminated merchandise display, internal drink dispenser and modular, dry goods dispenser having multi-compartmented inventory shelving and bottomless storage drawers. Purchases are selected via audio visual instructions entered at an interactive touch panel containing graphical icons, and a monitor having a menu and overlaid with an array of infrared transmitters and receivers. A programmable controller controls the drink and dry goods dispensers, manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and provides periodic inventory status reports. A merchandise selector includes a motor driven, track supported collection bin and electromagnetic drawer puller. The selector aligns the bin to selected inventory drawers, extends and retracts the drawers and conveys the selected merchandise to a customer dispenser.

Abstract: A bar storage apparatus comprises: a shelf frame (19) provided with a plurality of pallet accommodating shelves (17) each for movably accommodating a pallet (15) on which a plurality of bars are mounted; an elevator device (23) disposed on one side of the shelf frame so as to be movable up and down and provided with a traverser (21) for moving each pallet into and from each of the pallet accommodating shelves; and a bar supplying device (25) for supplying a bar, mounted on the pallet moved from the pallet accommodating shelf and further located at a predetermined position by the elevator device, to a bar processing machine (3). The bar storage apparatus can store a great number of bars of various kinds and various dimensions, select any required bars from a great number of bars, and supply the selected bars to a bar processing machine easily and quickly.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes an accessor device to magnetically hold a stored item while the item is transported within the system. To sense the presence of a magnetically attractable label on the item, the device generates a pulsed signal having a first strength. The reluctance of the magnetic field is compared with a base value; if the comparison indicates that a label is present, the device generates another pulsed signal having a greater strength to "lock" the item against the accessor. The device then generates another pulsed signal having a reduced strength to maintain and hold the item against the accessor during transportation. Less power is used and, therefore, less heat generated.

Abstract: A system for filling orders, such as prescriptions for patients, comprising a device for holding packages. Each package has the same type of contents being held in a predetermined location by the holding device. Each package has an identity which defines the contents therein. The holding device has a plurality of predetermined locations corresponding to a plurality of different types of contents. Additionally, the system is comprised of a device for supplying packages to the holding device. Also, there is a device for picking a package from the holding device that is identified in the order for the purpose of restocking the holding device. The picking device is in communication with the holding device and supplying device. In a preferred embodiment, the contents of each package is a single dosage of medicine.

Abstract: An automated storage system uses a pass-through picker assembly interposed between a storage device and a plurality of storage cells, wherein the pass-through picker assembly is mounted on an accessor and incorporates independently operating fore and aft grippers driven by a single motor. The fore and aft grippers are tandemly mounted such that the fore gripper can be aligned to one of a plurality of storage cartridges located with the storage cells, and the aft gripper can be aligned with a storage slot of the storage device. The pass-through picker design allows the fore gripper to grasp a storage cartridge, feed the cartridge through to the aft gripper, release, and then allow the aft gripper to grip and pass the storage cartridge to the storage slot. In this way, a special priority cell of the storage cells, directly across from the storage slot, can very quickly pass a priority storage cartridge directly to the storage device without moving the pass-through picker assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing and maintaining tension in a flexible member. The apparatus includes a housing with openings therethrough for receiving the end portions of the flexible member. The apparatus further includes a retainer which maintains one end portion of the flexible member in fixed relationship with the housing, and a biasing device operatively attached to the other end portion of the flexible member and attached to the housing for applying biasing force to the flexible member. A method for tensioning a flexible member of a cartridge handling system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inserter/extractor apparatus for inserting and extracting objects from bins located at different heights in a carousel including a vertical frame and an inserter/extractor carriage that is vertically movable along the frame and has a pair of gripping pads that have opposed, high friction gripping surfaces. The gripping pads are movable along a first horizontal axis from a retracted position in which said gripping pads and carriage are free to move vertically along the frame without interference with the bins to an extended position in which the gripping pads are even with a bin. The gripping pads are movable with respect to each other along a second horizontal axis that is transverse to the first horizontal axis from open positions spaced from each other by a distance larger than the largest dimension of an object to positions spaced from each other by a distance less than the smallest dimension for an object.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling rolling pallets which are mechanically coupled with one another in rack or flow channels and which is outfitted with a displacement carriage which is movable in a rack servicing lane, which apparatus enables a simple coupling and uncoupling of rolling pallets on the one hand and on the other hand makes possible a simple charging or unloading of rack or flow channels with individual or coupled rolling pallets, wherein the inevitable tolerance-related problems occurring with positive-locking engagement can be reliably controlled under practical conditions. This is accomplished by a working ram at a displacement carriage that is outfitted with at least one swivelable driver for a frictionally-engaging and/or positively-engaging coupling of a rolling pallet after the latter has been partially driven underneath.

Abstract: A bar storage apparatus comprises: a shelf frame (19) provided with a plurality of pallet accommodating shelves (17) each for movably accommodating a pallet (15) on which a plurality of bars are mounted; an elevator device (23) disposed on one side of the shelf frame so as to be movable up and down and provided with a traverser (21) for moving each pallet into and from each of the pallet accommodating shelves; and a bar supplying device (25) for supplying a bar, mounted on the pallet moved from the pallet accommodating shelf and further located at a predetermined position by the elevator device, to a bar processing machine (3). The bar storage apparatus can store a great number of bars of various kinds and various dimensions, select any required bars from a great number of bars, and supply the selected bars to a bar processing machine easily and quickly.

Abstract: A vacuum-type gripping apparatus includes a frame which is movable between a retracted position, in which the frame is remote from an item stored in a storage bin, and an extended position, in which the frame is proximate to an item stored in the storage bin. The apparatus includes a vacuum-type gripping mechanism which grips the item to be extracted from the storage bin prior to and during the extraction operation. The vacuum-type gripping mechanism employs a redundant vacuum source which improves the operating reliability of the apparatus. A lifting mechanism, which is adapted to engage a bottom surface of the item to be extracted, cooperates with the vacuum-type gripping mechanism during the extraction operation.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine comprising a base adapted to move horizontally along a supporting surface, a generally vertical mast supported by the base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along the mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by the carriage, the shuttle mechanism including an upper plate fixed against horizontal movement relative to the carriage, an intermediate plate which is located below the upper plate and which is supported by the upper plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, a lower plate which is located below the intermediate plate and which is supported by the intermediate plate for horizontal movement relative thereto, and hoops on the lower plate for selectively engaging a load, the shuttle mechanism being operable between a retracted condition wherein the intermediate plate is located directly below the upper plate and the lower plate is located directly below the intermediate plate, and an extended condition wherein the interme

Abstract: A dynamic sweeping mechanism which drives a line-scan camera's field of view in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the scan direction. The operation of the dynamic sweeping mechanism enables the line scan camera to make multiple scans across a target, providing the image processor the necessary image information to generate a two-dimensional image of the object as well as positioning the line scan camera at an optimal angle of view to obtain accurate single scan image data. The scan line angle of view is dynamically swept in a rotational manner about an axis of rotation which is parallel to the scan line under the control of either a dedicated drive mechanism or coupled to pre-existing drive mechanisms in the robotic hand mechanism.

Abstract: A letter sorting apparatus comprising a letter sorting machine, and an automatic storage and retrieval system including a staging rack defining a plurality of staging locations, and a storage and retrieval machine which is positioned to receive letters from the sorting machine and to present letters for input to the sorting machine and which is operable to stage letters in and retrieve letters from the staging locations.

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: An apparatus for transporting a coiler can includes a carriage for receiving the coiler can and a loading and unloading device mounted on the carriage for shifting the coiler can toward or away from the carriage. The loading and unloading device has an elongated stationary base element secured to the carriage; and a plurality of elongated runners oriented parallel to one another and the base element. The runners are displaceable relative to one another and the base element. One of the runners--termed as a first runner--adjoins the base element and another runner--termed as a second runner--adjoins the first runner. The device further includes a guide arrangement for guiding the first runner on the base element and for guiding the second runner on the first runner. In extended positions the first runner partially projects beyond the base element and the second runner partially projects beyond the first runner.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-tier parking facility system for depositing and removing vehicles, particularly passenger automobiles. The facility includes parking devices which are arranged in a plurality of levels in corresponding parking spaces. Each parking device has plural comb-like carrying arms for receiving the vehicles. A tier conveyor is vertically movable between drive-in and drive-out areas for receiving and discharging the vehicle at a selected level. The tier conveyor includes a transfer device having comb-like carrying arms. The transfer device includes a lifting device for transferring the vehicles to and from the parking device respectively. The parking devices are horizontally movable on parking rails arranged in the parking space and on travel rails arranged on the tier conveyor. The parking devices are pulled out of and pushed into the parking spaces or boxes by a hauling device which is arranged at the tier conveyor.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator for picking and placing data storage cassettes in an automated storage library. The manipulator has a pair of fingers, one finger being longer than the other. An eject bar is located between the fingers and has a tab for pushing a storage cassette into the seated operative position in an IBM 3480 type tape reader. The manipulator approaches the slot in the reader, supporting the data cassette on the long finger and holding it in place with the short finger. The short finger pivots to free the cassette and the eject bar pushes it into the reader. When the eject bar is clear of the long finger it pivots downwards so that the tab engages the top of the cassette and pushes it into the seated position in the reader.

Abstract: An automated data storage library includes a plurality of storage cells for holding storage media cartridges therein. A picker mechanism is positioned for accessing and transporting the storage media cartridges between the storage cells. At least two cartridge grippers are mounted on the picker mechanism for selective movement along respective gripper paths. The grippers are configured for releasably gripping and supporting the storage media cartridges during transport between the storage cells. A gripper drive system mounted on the picker mechanism is used for positioning the grippers along the respective gripper paths. The gripper drive system includes a gripper engagement element for selectively engaging each of the grippers. A power system mounted on the picker mechanism is operatively connected to power the gripper drive system during gripper positioning.

Abstract: A chain drive continuous vertical conveyor is provided wherein multiple slats carried by multiple pairs of chain cooperate to form multi-sectional elevator surfaces. The elevator surfaces are capable of lifting wide and heavy loads. A live storage accumulator is also provided including multiple horizontal live storage levels which are stacked vertically. Each of the live storage levels includes a low profile belt conveyor. Containers may be transferred from a vertical conveyor to the accumulator and from the accumulator to another vertical conveyor.

Abstract: A cargo transport system for automated warehousing, wherein there are guide rail structures each mounted from an opposing shelving face structure of two rows of storage shelves extending substantially parallel to each other and present opposing shelving face structures toward one another, each of the guide rail structures including a guide rail with sides, at least one or more power supply conductors, or control signal conductors, or both power supply conductors and control signal conductors disposed substantially parallel to each other and arranged along the side of at least one guide rail, a cargo carrier adapted to roll over the guide rails, and collector attached from the load carrier for maintaining substantially constant electrically conducting contact with the power supply conductors and the control signals conductors for respectively powering and controlling the movement of the cargo carrier.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of storage bins arranged in spaced fashion. An extraction mechanism is provided to engage an edge of the bin defined by a sidewall and a bottom of the bin for moving the bin with respect to a storage location and a shuttle device. The extraction mechanism is movable along a first path in either direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of an aisle. The extractor mechanism is extendable below the bottom of a bin in a rest position, such as at a storage location. When the extractor mechanism has reached a position adjacent to the outermost end limit of travel, a tab actuating mechanism is engaged to move upwardly extending tabs between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic controlled multi-level storage system having a bottom access level, a plurality of cargo storage levels vertically spaced above the access level, and a central elevator space vertically disposed through each level, each level having an array of contiguous spaces mounted with four-way or two-way wheel assemblies longitudinally and/or transversely and pairs of parallel rails intersected with one another longitudinally and transversely for moving individual storage platforms and cargo thereon, the elevator space being installed with an elevator for raising and lowering individual storage platforms and cargo thereon to a desired level, the elevator having two register spaces vertically spaced, each resister space having four-way wheel assemblies and mechanical arms for moving each time an individual storage platform to either level, the access level having platform storage devices for storing individual storage platforms.

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: A cargo handling vehicle such as a forklift truck having a push-pull unit is improved in responsibility, operation speed and in precise operability by: replacing a conventional hydraulic cylinder for moving a face member 10 back and forth along forks 9 of the vehicle with an electric motor 32. The thus employed motor 32 also eliminates a fear that a cargo 26 is smudged with oil leaking from the hydraulic cylinder and pressurized-oil supply pipes thereof. In cargo loading and discharging operation conducted by the cargo handling vehicle, the face member 10 of the push-pull unit of the vehicle is automatically operated so as to move back and forth along the forks 9 of the vehicle at the substantially same traveling speed as that of the vehicle in a direction counter to a vehicle traveling direction, whereby the sheet pallet B' carrying the cargo 26 is kept substantially stationary during cargo loading and discharging operation or the vehicle.

Abstract: The gripper mechanism includes two fingers hingeably attached to a support and operable by means of a spring to grasp an object with a predetermined amount of force and a solenoid to open the fingers and release the object The gripper mechanism is enclosed by a substantially rectangular box-like enclosure which includes a plurality of compliant guides to align and support an object retrieved from an object storage location by the finger gripper mechanism. Each of these four guides consist of an elongated L-shaped guide finger that is attached to the enclosure by a spring mechanism to enable the guide finger to translate in directions that are normal to the opening in the enclosure. The end of the guide fingers adjacent the opening in the enclosure support the object as it is being retrieved and are tapered in order to provide a funneling capability to account for misalignments between the object that is retrieved and the precise center lines of the enclosure.

Abstract: The expandable magnetic tape cartridge storage system is designed to handle a moderate number of magnetic tape cartridges and is expandable without the need to add an additional robotic cartridge handling mechanism. This is accomplished by the use of a base module that consists of a half cylinder of magnetic tape cartridge storage locations. A center pivot robotic cartridge handling mechanism is included in the base module in order to transport the magnetic tape cartridges between the cartridge storage locations and a plurality of magnetic tape drives included in the base module. The capacity of this cartridge storage system can be increased by adding an additional half cylinder of magnetic tape cartridge storage locations to thereby create a complete cylinder of cartridge storage locations.

Abstract: An automatic automobile parking garage is provided, particularly an underground parking garage having an entrance at ground level, which is the location of the roof of the parking garage. One or two vertical arrays of automobile loading stations are provided, and at the roof, there is an automobile loading station. An elevator carries a pallet, and means for pushing the pallet laterally onto an automobile loading station, and then pulling the pallet, with the car on it, from the elevator base, the elevator base then being lowered until it is opposite an automobile storage station, where the pallet with the automobile on it is pushed laterally by pushing apparatus onto the automobile storage station. The automobile storage station comprises a pair of parallel, horizontal cantilever support beams, which support a pallet and an automobile thereon. A hatch is provided which is of a size and shape to cover, or close, the opening.

Abstract: A bottle loader and method for loading bottles onto shelves on a rack. The bottle loader has a carrier car rotatably supported on a frame. The bottles are placed in a vertical position and urged onto the carrier car. The bottles are then rotated on the carrier car from the vertical position to a horizontal position while horizontally aligning the bottles with the shelf on the rack. Once the bottles are aligned, they are urged off of the carrier car and onto the rack.

Abstract: The gripper mechanism is housed in a substantially rectangular box-like enclosure and includes a plurality of guide rails to align and support an object retrieved from an object storage location by the finger gripper mechanism. The finger gripper mechanism is attached to a carriage which functions to translate the finger gripper mechanism from a position proximate to the object storage location to a position within the enclosure. A degree of compliance between the gripper fingers and the object in the selected object storage location is provided by a centering spring that functions to couple the finger gripper mechanism to the carriage.

Abstract: The continuous operation robotic hand mechanism of the present invention is used in a robotic object handling system and makes use of a crank mechanism attached to the gripper mechanism carriage in order to enable the drive motor to continuously operate throughout the entire carriage movement and object retrieval operations. This apparatus is configured to minimize the acceleration and deceleration required to operate the carriage mechanism as well as provide a pause of predetermined duration once the carriage has reached its furthest extent of travel in order to provide sufficient time for the finger gripper mechanism to be activated to grasp the object stored in a selected object storage location. This entire operation takes place without interrupting the operation of the drive motor to thereby minimize the power consumption, increase the speed of operation of the hand mechanism, and reduce the wear on the motor and associated components.

Abstract: A system for storing and retrieving items to and from a storage receptacle which includes a track riding dolly carrying a robotic item handler for inserting and extracting items to and from storage The dolly also carries a multishelved caddy for receiving a plurality of items thereon. The item handler has the capacity to access each of the shelves of the caddy and may execute, under computer control, a selected sequence of item transfers between the caddy and storage during a single passage of the dolly from an on/off load point past the storage receptacle. A multishelved caddy loader queues a plurality of items received from an on-load device independently of the caddy, via vertical repositioning, and performs a bulk transfer of the queued items to the caddy when the caddy is available. A mass offloader device permits the bulk transfer of a plurality of items from the caddy to an offload receiver.

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 disk cartridge storage and retrieval apparatus includes a stocker vertically disposed in a housing for storing a multitude of disk cartridges. An information recording and reproducing device is disposed in the housing in a vertically aligned relation with the stocker for recording and reproducing information onto or from a disk received in a disk cartridge. A guide shaft is vertically disposed in the housing and has an upper end thereof fixedly secured to an upper portion of the housing and a lower end thereof held free to move. A carrier mechanism is supported on the guide shaft for vertical movement therealong for transporting a disk cartridge between the stocker and the information recording and reproducing device. A vertical drive mechanism including a motor and an endless belt drives the carrier mechanism in a vertical direction along the guide shaft.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for the sale/exchange of video cassettes/compact ds and similar. The products are housed on a rotary drum inside respective peripheral radial compartments arranged side by side in two concentric rings of the same diameter and occupying the same radial position. Drive means controlled by electronic control means provide for selectively rotating the drum by a given number of fractions of a turn equal to half the circumference of each compartment, so as to selectively position the compartments facing two withdrawal slots formed through a panel on the dispenser parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum, which slots are offset heightwise by an amount substantially equal to half the circumference of the compartments.

Abstract: Two tray-supporting racks are located on opposite sides of an elevator carriage which carries a mechanized retrieving system for withdrawing trays from either rack and delivering them to a work area. The elevator carriage is vertically driven by a motor, sprockets, and chains. A transport chain travels on sprockets mounted on end plates of the elevator carriage. Transport rollers on the chain engage transport blocks on selected trays to produce lateral movement of the trays onto and off of their respective racks.

Abstract: An assembly for the controlled programmed handling of articles includes autoguided and robotized vehicles and a plurality of work stations and storage areas. There is a computer communication system between a host computer, the vehicles, and the work and storage areas. The vehicles have manipulator devices to move articles from the vehicle to the work stations and storage areas and vice versa. The work stations include a receiving area, a work area, and an output area with detector devices for detecting articles in each area and for communicating same to the computer. Each vehicle has a non-traction wheel and an encoder device communicating with the non-traction wheel for converting rotation of the non-traction wheel into distance travelled by the vehicle.

Abstract: A package replacing apparatus capable of running along a creel having a plurality of pegs comprising a fitting unit for putting packages on the pegs and a pull-off unit for pulling off bobbins from the pegs, wherein the fitting unit includes a plurality of package support members which are supported by sleeves vertically movable and rotatably put on a vertically movable rod and the pull-off unit includes a plurality of robot hands provided at the corresponding position to the pegs.

Abstract: A handling device for a stocker, for storing various articles or containers, has a pair of engaging members for storing or extracting the articles, in which the engaging members have unbalanced engaging forces and the articles are aligned in one direction by the unbalanced engaging forces.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes two confrontingly opposed, columnar arrays which define a plurality of vertically spaced tray-receiving recesses. A platform is vertically displaceable along and between the arrays and carries an extraction device operable for withdrawing a selected tray from an array recess onto the platform, and for inserting a tray supported on the platform into a vacant recess in either array. The extraction device includes a pair of rods carried on and for movement longitudinally along the platform, toward and away from the opposed arrays, about opposed continuous-loop drive belts which lie in substantially vertical planes. The rods are releasably engageable, through rotation of the drive belts, within handles provided at and extending longitudinally outwardly from the opposite ends of each tray to enable withdrawal and insertion of the selected tray.

Abstract: This invention consists of an assembly and apparatus for handling clothes on hangers, and more exactly of an apparatus able of moving clothes or the like from one place to another inside a factory or a warehouse, following instructions that could be provided by an external computer. The apparatus includes basically an autoguided vehicle, a manipulator of two degrees of freedom and a clamp, movable in four degrees of freedom, being all the aforementioned elements specifically designed for controlled handling clothes on hangers. When applied in a factory, a set of apparatus like this one of the invention, communicated with the proper computer, could automate the operations and the internal management of the warehouse or workshop (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An incubation apparatus for microtiter plates includes an heating chamber and a incubation chamber. The heating chamber has a controllable hot air generator over which are arranged air guide devices for equalizing and distributing a stream of hot air to the microtiter plates. Air return devices are provided for collecting and returning hot air to the hot air generator. The heating chamber can be closed by a gate, and incubation chamber is divided by shelves into a plurality of compartments for receiving the microtiter plates. It is possible to close each compartment with a gate, and the side walls of the compartments are provided with heating devices. Furthermore, the incubation apparatus is provided with a gripping and transporting device having a working platform that is vertically displaceable and having a horizontally displaceable gripping arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the disposition of loads movable on wheels, e.g., roller pallets or their equivalent, in a storage area consisting of one or more storage levels located one above the other and provided with collateral flow-through channels for the loads, the storage levels being arranged either horizontally or with a slight downward inclination towards the output end, provides that each storage channel has a conveyor rail mechanism which, by utilization of a conveyor rail, both guides and conveys the loads of goods in the channel.