Abstract: An automated arrangement for filling a shipping rack structure with water bottles (or any other type of bottle) includes an elevator arrangement and a pusher component, both under the control of a programmed control element (such as a microprocessor), to automatically present a plurality of filled bottles to an open rack “column” and move (push) the bottles from the elevator into the rack. The loader system is pre-programmed with inputs including the array size of the rack being loaded (i.e., how many bottles “deep” along each rail, the number of rows in the rack and the number of columns in the rack). With this information, the elevator will thus lift the proper number of bottles into place to fill a column, and then stop. Once the elevator stops, the pusher component will advance to move the column of bottles into the rack. The pusher then retracts, the elevator is re-started, and the next column of filled bottles is loaded into the elevator.

Abstract: Virtually-integrated wire harness design and automated production systems and methods that achieve completely integrated data management by automatically producing scripts to dynamically propagate production commands and data to various subsystems for handling assembling necessary circuits and wire harness layout boards to produce corresponding batches of wire harnesses while script-based methods control configuring, testing, and using wire harness layout boards, and assembling, testing, reworking, and delivering wire harnesses. As derived from CAD-created specifications, the production system uses a programmable, automated wire C&C center prepares individual wire circuits.

Abstract: An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.

Abstract: An automated flats handling system is provided that includes mail shuttles, a tray unloading section, a quality control area, a shuttle tilter, a shuttle return section and a stacker/loader. The tray unloading section has a conveyor and unloads mail from a standard tray into one of the shuttles. The quality control area also has a conveyor and facilitates grooming the mail in the shuttle. The shuttle tilter tilts each shuttle prior to unloading the mail from the shuttle. The shuttle return section also has a conveyor and returns the shuttles to the tray unloading section. The stacker/loader cooperates with the shuttle tilter and unloads the mail from the shuttles, creates a mail stack from the unloaded mail, and loads a portion of the mail stack into an automation compatible tray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for pushing metallic goods (2) off and onto a conveyor (3) in a direction (S) transverse to a conveying direction (F), wherein the device (1) has a displacement arm (5) displaceable relative to a stationary stand (4) and in an end region (6) of which, at least one gripping element (7, 8) is arranged for gripping the metallic goods (2). In order to be able to effect pushing of goods off of a conveyor and thereon in a simple and space-saving manner, the invention is characterized in that the displacement arm has at least two arm sections displaceable within each other in a telescopic manner.

Abstract: A unit for sorting and transferring sheets of glass has a number of carriages, each having a number of compartments for receiving respective sheets of glass; and a sorting device for supporting the sheets and feeding each of the sheets into a respective compartment; the sorting device having a support for supporting a sheet and rotating about an axis of rotation; and the carriages being arranged in a ring about the rotary support.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading one or more reams of sheets, in particular of sheets of securities, from an exit of a machine which is part of an installation for the production of securities.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting cigarettes between a making machine and a packing machine includes a mass flow conveyor (204) for transporting cigarettes directly and a reservoir system (212) in which successive batches of cigarettes comprising portions of the stream on an input conveyor (204) are diverted when required into compartmented containers (224). Transfer to the containers is made by way of a plunger (232) and shuttle (234) arrangement which allows the stream to move continuously during transfer of a batch. Unloading containers to reform a continuous stream may involve use of a similar plunger and shuttle arrangement so that the reformed stream can move continuously on an output conveyor (218). The input and output conveyors (204, 218) may be provided with retractable spaced partitions to bound the ends of batches of cigarettes transferred from or to the respective conveyor.

Abstract: A cart loading system for placing library-like items onto a library cart is provided for a cart having a plurality of shelves between first and second cart end members. The loading system includes a cart tilting mechanism for receiving and tilting the cart so as to raise the second cart end member relative to a ground plane and relative to said first cart end member such that the shelves are at a selected angle relative to the ground plane. The loading system also includes a placer device having a rack member for supporting an individual item and a pusher element for pushing the individual item off of the rack member.