For Emptying Contents Thereof Into Portable Receiving Means Patents (Class 414/404)
  • Patent number: 5743699
    Abstract: A wafer transferring apparatus for transferring a plurality of wafers from a first carrier to a second carrier, while the materials are maintained in their predetermined upright arrangement parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch. Each of the first and second carriers accommodates the wafers in a predetermined upright arrangement. A transporting section has a supporting member providing with a plurality of guide grooves arranged at a pitch the same as the predetermined pitch for moving the plurality of wafers up and down between a lowered position and a raised position. The guide grooves of the supporting member are engaged with upper peripheral portions of the respective wafers when the wafers are moved upward or downward. A holding section temporarily holds the plurality of wafers when the plurality of wafers are in their raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Ishihara
  • Patent number: 5743695
    Abstract: An automatic chip-loading apparatus including a wafer loading mechanism on which a wafer with sawed chips is loaded; a tray loading/unloading mechanism installed on one side of the wafer loading mechanism for loading empty trays and unloading trays with chips; a tray carrying mechanism for taking out an empty tray from the tray loading/unloading mechanism and loading the tray on the tray loading/unloading mechanism when a predetermined number of chips are mounted on the empty tray; and a chip carrying mechanism for carrying chips selected from the wafer onto an empty tray taken out from the tray loading/unloading mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Do Hyun Ryu
  • Patent number: 5735662
    Abstract: A adjustable wafer transfer machine that includes an adjusting mechanism for changing the spacing between adjacent wafers to accommodate placement of the wafers in either a smaller wafer carrier or a larger wafer carrier and a transfer mechanism for transferring the wafers between the smaller wafer carrier and the adjusting mechanism and for transferring the wafers between the larger wafer carrier and the adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism comprises a pair of flat plates disposed parallel to and opposite one another and a plurality of elongated opposing dividers slidably mounted on the plates. The dividers are disposed vertically adjacent to one another at spaced apart intervals and they extend horizontally to support the wafers along a portion of their perimeter. A positioning mechanism is operatively coupled to the dividers for changing the spacing between the dividers and, correspondingly, between the wafers supported on the dividers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest C. Nichols, Leo L. Malmin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5730575
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer transfer machine for transferring first wafers having a first diameter from a first transferor carrier to a first receiver carrier and second wafers having a second diameter different from the first diameter from a second transferor carrier to a second receiver carrier. The wafer transfer machine includes a base plate with a longitudinal axis for placement on the base plate of the transferor carriers and the receiver carriers and a mechanism for transferring wafers contained in the first and second transferor carriers to the first and second receiver carriers, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest C. Nichols, Leo L. Malmin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5692869
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring in a lump a plurality of semiconductor silicon wafers (3) from a first cassette (4), which contains the wafers inserted therein, to a second cassette (5), which comprises: a push-rod (10), a wafer loading device (11 or 19), a holding mechanism (12) and a cassette replacing mechanism (14). The push-rod (10) pushes out in a lump the wafers (3) upward from the first cassette (4), and inserts in a lump the wafers (3) thus pushed out upward into the second cassette (5). The wafer loading device (11 or 19) is releasably fitted to the uppermost end (10a) of the push-rod (10), and has a plurality of parallel grooves (11a or 20c) for receiving the wafers (3). The holding mechanism (12) grips the wafer loading device (11 or 19) without coming into contact with the wafers (3) so as to hold the wafers (3) at a prescribed position through the wafer loading device (11 or 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignees: Nakajima M.F.G. Inc., Kyowa Engineering Yugen Kaisha
    Inventor: Chiaki Kumagai
  • Patent number: 5676072
    Abstract: A field seedling planting machine for transplanting seedlings automatically from a tray in which they have been grown in a plurality of individual cells, and planting such seedlings in a prepared ground planting position in the field, the machine having a support for supporting trays for downward movement to an indexing mechanism and an eject mechanism for ejecting the seedlings and the attached roots mass plugs from the cells of the tray. A horizontal plant retainer conveyor receives the seedlings and plugs ejected from the trays and transports them sequentially to a transfer mechanism to a planting mechanism and in doing so reorients the seedlings so that they and the plugs are planted in a vertical position. As the seedlings are transferred a sensor detects the absence of foliage of a mature seedling and effects an adjustment of the conveyor speed to avoid irregular gaps between the planted seedlings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Williames Hi-Tech International PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Alan Williames
  • Patent number: 5658123
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for transferring semiconductor wafers through a barrier between two separate fabrication areas without the transfer of a container (i.e., wafer boat) with the wafers. The method includes providing an air lock chamber configured within a wall separating a first fabrication area and a second fabrication area. A first door providing access to the air lock chamber from the first fabrication area is opened and a first wafer boat containing the wafers is placed into the air lock chamber. The wafers are removed from the first wafer boat and placed in the air lock chamber. The empty first wafer boat is then removed from the air lock chamber, and the first door is closed. A second door providing access to the air lock chamber from the second fabrication area is opened, and an empty second wafer boat is placed into the air lock chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Goff, Michael R. Conboy
  • Patent number: 5632590
    Abstract: A robotic end effector adapted to be mounted at the end of an arm of a program-controlled robot is capable of providing compliance within a vertical plane as well as alignment along a horizontal axis. A method and system utilizing the end effector to pick up flat or curved glass panels from glass racks and place the glass panels into irregularly-shaped wooden crates. Due to the compliance and horizontal alignment provided by the end effector, the system allows essentially perfect piece-to-piece vertical edge-of-glass alignment and side-edge to side-edge alignment during the packaging process so as to eliminate glass etching/scratching and breakage. The end effector includes a base frame on which compliance devices and side-shift alignment devices in the form of linear bearing systems support a number of material handling devices in the form of suction devices. The handling devices are typically material holding/gripping devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Pearson, James R. Panyard
  • Patent number: 5626456
    Abstract: A wafer transfer device for transferring wafers between a wafer boat having a plurality of ring-shaped support plates arranged one above another, and a cassette capable of supporting semiconductor wafers at different levels. The support plates have a hole in a center portion and define a vertical passage. Wafers are carried in a horizontal direction between the boat and the cassette by a carrying mechanism having at least two forks. A movable push-up disk is moved up and down through the passage by a drive device. The extension member extends through the passage and has an upper end portion supporting the push-up disk and a lower end portion connected to the drive device and located below a lowermost one of the support plates. A controller controls the carrying mechanism and the push-up disk in interlock fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo Electron Tohoku Limited
    Inventor: Hironobu Nishi
  • Patent number: 5622468
    Abstract: A disposal facility for loading objects stored in a bin into a container. The facility includes a plurality of subassemblies, each having a bin and a container. A movable gantry is disposed for movement over each of the subassemblies. A movable gripping assembly, coupled to a carriage traversing an upper section of the gantry, moves perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage. The movable gripping assembly includes an activation device for raising the bin, from a rest position to a position above the container, opening the bottom of the bin, closing the bottom of the bin, and replacing the bin to its original rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Robin S.A.
    Inventor: Michel Viollet
  • Patent number: 5620295
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus for transferring a plurality of substrates between carriers holding these equidistantly arranged substrates thereon and a support member, comprising a carrier table for arranging a plurality of the carriers arranged in a serial array so as to hold the substrates mutually parallel to each other, a plurality of push-up members, each of the push-up members being adapted to be moved below each of the carriers for pushing up the substrates supported on the carriers through a lower opening portion of each of the carriers, each of the push-up members having an upper surface with a plurality of equidistantly spaced grooves for receiving and lifting all of the substrates supported in one carrier as a whole, devices for bringing at least one of the plurality of push-up members into proximity to a corresponding remaining push-up member to allow the at least one push-up member to face the corresponding push-up member so that their mutually adjacent, directly-facing endmost substrates held in an endmo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo Electron Kyushu Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuo Nishi
  • Patent number: 5613823
    Abstract: A lifter picks up different style residential refuse collection carts, without requiring operator adjustments. An upper movable clamp bar with adjustable closure timing cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a cart type having a single upper lifting lip and otherwise smooth sides. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lift carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces such as lift bars. The hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of the smooth sided style cart, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging carts of the other type. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, made possible by alternate downward extension and subsequent retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending portion of the face plate prevent cart scarring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Bayne Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy O. Bayne
  • Patent number: 5588792
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading multiple pipette tips into laboratory storage boxes. The apparatus is principally composed of a dispenser that may be positioned above a box housing a pipette insert-rack. The dispenser is adapted to receive pipette tips from a magazine. The magazine contains multiple stack layers of pipette tips that are arranged one on top of the other. The pipette tips are configured so that each pipette tip can nest its pointed tip through an opening in the collar and inner bore of the pipette tip in the stack layer immediately below. Likewise, each pipette tip may receive the pointed tip of the pipette tip in the stack layer above. In normal operation the tips are transferred from the magazine into the dispenser and then a user may actuate a series of plates in the dispenser to separate the bottom stack layer from the other stacks above it, to allow it to fall downwardly into a storage rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Allan Tiso
  • Patent number: 5553442
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the mix of articles in a plurality of containers. A first set of containers is conveyed to a mixing station, each container of the first set of containers containing a plurality of articles having physical characteristics differing from the physical characteristics of the plurality of articles in the other containers of the first set of containers. A second set of containers is transported to the mixing station, each of the containers of the second set of containers defining a space for accommodating a layer of articles. At the mixing station, articles are removed from each of the containers of the first set of containers, consolidated, and inserted into the containers of the second set of containers at the mixing station to at least partially form a layer of articles therein comprised of a mix of articles from all the containers of the first set of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: James River Paper Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Saadat Fadaie
  • Patent number: 5544683
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the automatic quantitative filling of powdered or granulated samples for analytic measurement purposes as well as a shaking and holding device for sample substances utilized therefor with which precisely admeasured amounts of the sample substance can be filled into a measuring vessel. The shaking device permits the sample substance to be filled in a continuous, slow and defined flowing stream. The shaking and holding of the sample vessel transpires preferentially pneumatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Bruker Analytische Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Guhl
  • Patent number: 5540535
    Abstract: A vertically movable support member is mounted on a table, and a guide plate and a holding plate are placed on this support member. The plates are accurately located by side stoppers and setting mechanisms for pushing those plates toward the side stoppers. Releasing cylinders operate to open the setting mechanisms when the plates are placed on and taken out from the support member. A backing plate which is arranged above the support member is downwardly moved to integrally press down the holding plate, the guide plate and the support member, so that a number of upright press pins arranged therebelow upwardly push chip components from the guide plate into the holding plate. Since the holding plate is prevented from deformation by the backing plate, dispersion in inserting depths of the chip components is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuro Hamuro, Hirokazu Higuchi, Akihiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5505577
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus comprising a carrier table for arranging a plurality of the carriers arranged in a serial array so as to hold the substrates mutually parallel to each other, a plurality of push-up members being adapted to be moved below each of the carriers for pushing up the substrates supported on the carriers through a lower opening portion of each of the carriers and having an upper surface with a plurality of equidistantly spaced grooves for receiving and lifting all of the substrates supported in one carrier as a whole, devices for bringing at least one of the plurality of push-up members into proximity to a corresponding remaining push-up member to allow the at least one push-up member to face the corresponding push-up member so that their mutually adjacent, directly-facing endmost substrates held in an endmost grooves of the mutually adjacent, directly-facing push-up members have their mutual distance adjusted to a distance equal to a pitch distance of those substrates supported by the push-up me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo Electron Kyushu Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuo Nishi
  • Patent number: 5501568
    Abstract: A wafer aligning apparatus for re-aligning a plurality of wafers at different pitches. The apparatus includes a plurality of wafer retaining plates, each of which retains a plurality of wafers, a guide device which guides the wafer retaining plates, and a transferring device which transfers the wafer retaining plates along the guide device, wherein when the plurality of wafer retaining plates are at one end of the guide device, they are spaced at a first pitch and aligned, and when the wafer retaining plates are at the other end of the guide device, they are aligned at a second pitch different from the first pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tosio Ono
  • Patent number: 5482423
    Abstract: Goods drop out device 14 having goods receptacle portions 27 defined in a drop out box 23 and shutter devices 21 for opening and closing the bottoms of the goods receptacle portions 27, comprises the shutter devices 21 each comprise a smaller opening and closing member 56 pivotable about a support shaft 58 extending substantially in parallel to the bottom of the goods receptacle portion 27 for opening and closing the bottom, a pushing rod 62 contacting with the lower surface of the smaller opening and closing member 56 and moving toward and away from the lower surface, and an opening and closing cylinder device 63 for driving the pushing rod 62 and operating to close the bottom of the goods receptacle portion 27 by pushing up the opening and closing member 56 by the pushing rod 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Tawara
  • Patent number: 5478186
    Abstract: A device for collecting waste, in particular waste packing glass. At least one intake container and one collecting container is provided. The intake container has a lifting device for raising the intake container above the collecting container. The intake container has a bottom part and bottomless housing which is movable relative to the bottom part so that an open and closed position can be defined. In the closed position, a lower edge of the housing part lies against the bottom forming a seal and in the open position the lower edge of the housing is situated at a distance from the bottom part allowing discharge of the contents. The intake and collecting container can be aligned prior to discharge, thereby assuring error-free emptying of the intake container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Zuidema Milieu B.V.
    Inventor: Roelof Zuidema
  • Patent number: 5436026
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating products with two colors including a first coating section, a second coating section and a side to side transfer device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The transfer device includes a pair of plate grippers each having a movable upper jaw and a movable lower jaw. The upper and lower jaws are each adapted to receive and retain a product carrier plate. The transfer device includes a cam follower that precisely closes the upper and lower jaws so that carrier plates located in the jaws are positioned in registration with each other in order to clamp product between the plates and to maintain the product clamped in the plates while the grippers are transferred between the first and second conveyor guides. An unloading station includes breaker pins for breaking a seal that may be formed between the coating material applied in the first coating section and the carrier plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Norbert I. Berta
  • Patent number: 5415323
    Abstract: An improved dry mix dispensing apparatus and method for controllably dispensing materials from bulk storage bags are disclosed. A support structure is provided for elevating loaded bulk bags over a collector and discharge means that controllably empties the contents of the bag, one batch at a time, as needed, into an underlying batch mixer. The collector only processes that material currently being dispensed, and the bag continues to store the bulk material until actually dispensed through the collector. The dispensing apparatus is rapidly collapsible in the vertical and lateral directions for ease of transport and movement about the construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Terrance P. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 5387068
    Abstract: A robotic end effector adapted to be mounted at the end of an arm of a program-controlled robot is capable of providing compliance within a vertical plane. A method and system utilizing the end effector pick-up flat or curved glass panels from glass racks and place the glass panels into irregularly-shaped wooden crates. Due to the compliance provided by the end effector, the system allows essentially perfect piece-to-piece vertical edge-of-glass alignment during the packaging process so as to eliminate glass etching/scratching. The end effector includes a base frame on which compliance devices in the form of linear bearing systems support a number of material handling devices in the form of suction devices. Selected ones of the compliance devices can be locked out under the control of a controller for the robot. Each suction device includes a spring-biased suction cup to also provide compliance in a direction substantially normal to the compliance provided in the vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Thomas E. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5382128
    Abstract: In a wafer transfer device for transferring wafers from a first basket to a second basket, a carriage carries a lifting member which is vertically slidably supported by a carriage main body, and a plurality of wafer support plates are carried by the lifting member. As the wafer support tables carried by the carriage move through the second basket and enters the first carriage, the lifting member is lifted by a cam slot engaging with a cam follower provided in the lifting member so as to lift the wafers received in the first basket clear from their supporting surfaces supporting their side edges. The carriage is then reversed, and when the wafer support plates are placed into the second basket, the cam slot causes the lifting member to be lowered so as to rest the side edges of the wafers the corresponding supporting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Takahashi, Kazuo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5374153
    Abstract: There is provided a transfer apparatus which is capable of transferring objects on a plurality of carriers at a time to a desired point. This apparatus comprises a carrier table for linearly arranging a plurality of the carriers, a plurality of push-up members for pushing up the objects supported on the carriers, drive devices for moving the push-up members towards or away from each other, and a rotary transfer arm mechanism having a pair of support arms for receiving the objects lifted on the push-up members, and transferring the objects to a desired point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo Electron Kyushu Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuo Nishi
  • Patent number: 5360309
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring glasses from rack to rack, which comprises a fixed section; a pair of vertical braces disposed to the fixed section to oppose each other with a predetermined distance therebetween; a rotary section supported by the vertical braces so as to be able to rotate horizontally; and a first motor disposed in the fixed section for turning the rotary section at least by 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumio Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 5356261
    Abstract: A wafer boat rotating apparatus is disclosed, which includes a boat holding portion for holding both ends of the wafer boat, a vertical rotation drive mechanism for rotating the boat holding portion on a vertical plane, and a horizontal rotation drive mechanism for rotating the boat holding portion on a horizontal plane. A wafer holding member is disposed on the boat holding portion and adapted to keep the wafers held in the wafer boat apart from a bottom portion of the wafer boat by a small distance. Thus, compensation for the difference of coefficients of thermal expansion between the wafers and wafer boat during heat treatment can be made easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo Electron Tohoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hironobu Nishi
  • Patent number: 5352081
    Abstract: A plurality of goods contained at random or in a predetermined arrangement, particularly in a three rows or more in a container such as a corrugated fiberboard box and a plastic container, etc., are stored in a goods storage device arranged in no more than two rows and having a plurality of goods storage sections. After the goods have been shifted to a goods drop-out device having a plurality of goods storing sections arranged in no more than two rows, a shutter disposed along a side surface portion of the goods drop-out device is opened and shut by an actuator, so that the goods which have been shifted to the goods storage section of the goods drop-out device are discharged into a goods storage section unit. By shifting the goods stored in a storage apparatus to a goods take-out device which has moved toward the storage apparatus side, a shifting operation of goods can be performed with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5319939
    Abstract: A system for and method of storing and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of one or more food products from closed containers is described. The system preferably includes multi-compartment containers carried by a carrousel assembly and moved by a dispensing mechanism for automatically selecting the appropriate container and compartment for which food is dispensed. By using a control with memory for keeping inventory, the system can dispense any one of several food products on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, Richard N. Caron, John M. Collins, Robert Farra, Kevin P. Barnes, Joop F. Hoekstra, Thomas P. Hosmer
  • Patent number: 5314107
    Abstract: A method for joining a number of first and second wafers (11,12) having one polished surface in preparation for direct wafer bonding is provided. The method involves placing a number of first (11) and the same number of second (12) wafers into slots (16) of a retainer (14) so that each of the polished surfaces of the number of first wafers (11) is forced to contact one of the polished surfaces of the number of second wafers (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. d'Aragona, Raymond C. Wells, Sherry L. F. Helsel
  • Patent number: 5299901
    Abstract: The plate-shaped part (wafer) transfer machine of this invention consists of a rotatable turntable that supports the carrier; carrier pressers that are set on the turntable and are used to fix the carrier; a lifter which can move vertically with a wafer in the carrier or boat supported on it; and a guide which guides the wafer when the lifter performs vertical movement (the role of the guide is played by the wafer presser used for fixing the wafer in the carrier).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Michio Takayama
  • Patent number: 5295780
    Abstract: A dumping apparatus for a bag filled with molten substance wherein a tippler and a driving apparatus therefor are simplified and miniaturized in structure and a bag can be pulled out smoothly from within a carrying can with a minimized impact and without the possibility of break and can be transferred safely to a pallet. The tippler is mounted for pivotal motion around a stationary axis, and when it is pivoted from a first transfer position, fork prongs thereof are moved from between adjacent rollers of a roller conveyor to take up carrying cans from the roller conveyor. The carrying cans are thereafter held and moved by a side frame of the tippler, and when the tippler is pivoted to a second transfer position at which the side frame thereof is inclined downwardly, bags filled with molten substance slip somewhat from the carrying cans due to their own weight so that they are partially received on a pallet on a pallet conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: Sokichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5293179
    Abstract: In a work convey apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of workpieces are conveyed from a tray for storing a large number of non-processed workpieces, which are aligned at a first pitch with surface to be processed facing down, to a process machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Ichikawa, Kunio Ohtaki, Eiichi Kato, Tsuyoshi Orikawa
  • Patent number: 5290134
    Abstract: A pick and plate apparatus for use in an automatic test handler picks up electronic devices from one type of tray, transfer the electronic devices in a horizontal plane to another type of tray, and places the electronic devices in a predetermined position on the other tray for testing and sorting. The pick and place apparatus includes a plurality of suction inlets for picking up the electronic devices from the tray with suction power caused by a vacuum, a guide frame for slidably mounting the plurality of suction inlets in a horizontal direction, a mechanism for providing up-and-down movement to the suction inlets for picking up the electronic devices from the one tray and placing the device in the other tray, and a mechanism for adjusting the spacing of the suction inlets to compensate for the differences in spacing between one tray and another tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Baba
  • Patent number: 5288195
    Abstract: A dumping container for collecting, transporting and dumping primarily ashes removed from an incinerator. A pair of pivoted fore and aft frame members, of hollow box like crossection engage the tines of a manual cable operated hoist. The cable hoist provides the mobility needed to transport the dumping container to the incinerator, elevate it to the open top receiving vessel, and provide tilting and dumping in cooperation with a pair of hooking members on the bottom of the dumping container and the pivotal action of the dumping container fore and aft frame members. An integral water spray bar, connectable to an external water supply, provides water to wet down the ashes during the removal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: Roger L. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 5282713
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing recyclable materials from bags. The apparatus includes a conveyor having tines which engage and assist the conveyor in transporting the bags of materials to a discharge bin. A cutting element cooperates with the conveyor to open the bags allowing the materials to be emptied from the bags at one end of the conveyor into the bin where the materials are subsequently discharged onto compost piles. The bags are then removed from the tines and transferred into a mechanism where they are bundled for disposal or recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Inventor: Lars Lande
  • Patent number: 5277536
    Abstract: An apparatus for curbside collection of co-mingled recyclable materials. The apparatus includes a wheel supported frame structure having first and second ends and first and second side portions. A number of receiving bins are positioned along the side portions of the frame structure s as to generally define a longitudinally walkway therebetween. A carriage assembly is mounted to the frame structure to allow movement of the receptacle generally along the walkway. The receptacle has a substantially stationary position where co-mingled recyclable materials are emptied into the receptacle from curbside. Once the receptacle is full, it may be moved along the walkway permitting the co-mingled recyclable materials to be separated and deposited into a receiving bin containing compatible recyclable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventors: Kevin L. Baldwin, Michael L. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 5261776
    Abstract: The apparatus transfers a quantity of wafers from a first wafer boat to a second wafer boat. A wafer platform positioned beneath a wafer boat rises and transports the wafers to a pair of wafer grips which hold the wafers until the wafer platform is lowered and a second wafer about is in position to receive the wafers. The wafer platform is actuated by the negative pressure applied to alternating sides of a stage which divides a sealed cabinet into two portions. A vacuum is applied to alternating sides of the stage, while ambient air is introduced into the other side, causing the stage to move in the direction of lower pressure. The platform is affixed to the stage on at least two points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross H. Burck, Ernest E. Marks, Scott E. Moore
  • Patent number: 5255618
    Abstract: A seeder apparatus comprises a seeder plate (18), which is hingedly attached at a hinge edge (70) thereof to a frame (16), with the frame being mounted on a plug-tray conveyor (12). The seeder plate includes a substantially-flat seeder sheet (36) having seed holes (38) therein and a pressure-plenum (48) on a backside (41) of the seeder plate for producing negative and positive pressures at the seed holes. Hinges (20) are double-acting, spring-loaded barroom type door hinges which bias the seeder plate toward an upright intermediate position which is approximately halfway through 180.degree. movement of the seeder plate between an approximately horizontal loading position and an approximately horizontal planting position. The seeder plate includes a vibrator (54) for automatically vibrating it and an angular-activation adjustment element (60) for adjusting the angular positions in which this vibration takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Steve Berry Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven S. Berry
  • Patent number: 5249906
    Abstract: Pin head mounting members are rotatably mounted on a horizontal spindle above a table which horizontally supports a holding, plate holding chip type electronic components. The spindle is vertically movable by a vertical cylinder. Each pin head mounting member is shaped as a rectangular sleeve. A mounting surface is formed on each side portion of the pin head mounting member. A pin head each having a number of press pin is detachably mounted on each of the mounting surfaces A locking pin is provided on an upper end portion of the spindle for locking the pin head mounting members every 90.degree.. Thus, it is possible to efficiently replace press pins in response to a type change of chip type electronic components, as well as to quickly exchange a broken press pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Nakagawa, Shizuma Tazuke, Satoshi Omuro, Kiyoshi Yoshida, Nobuaki Kashiwagi, Takashi Kimoto, Naoyuki Mori, Hidemasa Iwami, Shigeo Hayashi, Nobuyuki Hayashi, Toru Matsumura
  • Patent number: 5236076
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically unloading devices in handler which fills empty sleeves with devices tested from a tester and unloads the sleeves according to characteristics of the devices, and which can selectively actuate a plurality of stopper pins by only one output signal without a plurality of solenoids. The apparatus comprises a multitray having a plurality of tracks which is positioned above a guide shaft of the handler, a plurality of followers, each having a stopper pin for blocking and releasing devices on the tracks, which are mounted on the corresponding tracks respectively, an arm mounted on a slide block slidably mounted on the guide shaft which comes into contact with one of the followers selectively, and an operating plate for raising and lowering the arm and one of the followers by actuation of a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Gold Star Electron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong G. Sung
  • Patent number: 5217120
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading and unloading sleeves for an IC tester and then selectively reloading the sleeves after testing, which is controlled by a conventional microprocessor using sensor input and which automatically transports the IC chip containing sleeves randomly contained in a hopper to a sorter section in a correct posture by means of a timing belt having sleeve holders, to feed the chips in the sorter section, to the tester by a first transfer block, and then automatically transfer empty sleeves from an ejector section having a cam plate and an ejector through a dropping section having a pair of guide rails to an unloader section having a second transfer block, a sleeve holder, a sensor and a pushing plate, thereby permitting the sleeves to be refilled with the tester and sorted IC chips and stored in a storage box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo P. Lee, Sub I. Kim, Duk H. Lee, Yol Kim, Dong C. Ahn
  • Patent number: 5211702
    Abstract: A goods handling method and apparatus therefor, the method of which comprises the steps of sequentially taking out a desired number of goods from an accumulation of goods formed of a plurality of goods accumulated in the height direction, a plurality of goods accumulated in the depth direction, and one or more goods accumulated in the width direction, and discharging such taken-out goods into a container. The goods handling method and apparatus therefor, the method of which further comprises the steps of arranging the height of a bottom surface of goods to be taken out among the accumulation of goods generally equal to the height of a goods receiving table and thereafter, taking out the goods onto the receiving table, discharging such taken-out goods into the container, moving goods on the second row to the front row after all goods on the front row have been taken out, and then taking out the goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5207548
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) for transferring wafers between carriers of different densities having a loading station and unloading station; a lift for raising the wafers to be transferred into a wafer handler secured to a support. The wafer handler has two substantially cylindrical arms, cantilevered from the support with each arm provided with slotted rollers for holding and guiding wafers inserted therein. The arms are rotatable in four steps of 90 degrees each to cause the rollers to each take four different positions. A first position is for placing a first set of wafers in selected slots in the rollers, a second for holding the first set of wafers and passing a second set of wafers into a different set of slots interdigitated with the first set of wafers, a third position for holding the first and the second sets of wafers, and a fourth for transferring both sets of wafers into a new carrier. The apparatus can vary the sequence of loading and unloading and is suitable for use in automatic wafer production lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Siegfried Suffel
  • Patent number: 5203665
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing compostable materials from plastic bags. The apparatus includes a conveyor having retaining members which engage and assist the conveyor in transporting the bags of compostable materials to a discharge bin. A cutting element cooperates with the first conveyor to open the bags allowing the compostable material to be emptied from the bags at one end of the conveyor into the bin where the compostable materials are subsequently discharged onto compost piles. The bags are then removed from the retaining members and transferred into a mechanism where they are bundled for disposal or recycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Lars Lande
  • Patent number: 5193969
    Abstract: The present invention is a rotary, 3-stage wafer transfer machine. The transfer machine utilizes a pneumatically powered lift mechanism to raise wafers from a boat to a retaining area. If the next operation for the wafer is a single density operation (twenty-five wafers per boat), the wafers are the simply transferred to another boat for further processing. If the next operation for the wafers requires double density (fifty wafers per boat), a second set of wafers is lifted to the retaining area, where they are interspersed with the first set to create a double density set of fifth wafers. This set is then transferred to the appropriate boat (generally a quartz boat) for further processing. All components that could generate particulate contamination are sealed off from the transfer area. Extra duty materials are used for the components of the machine to provide unique reproducibility and eliminate much of the required maintenance as compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Fortrend Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Rush, Torben Ulander, Michael T. Verdon
  • Patent number: 5190428
    Abstract: Containers for rod-like articles are provided with a device, e.g. a transponder, capable of carrying variable coded information. Read and write devices are provided at appropriate positions, e.g. tray fillers and unloaders, to ensure that only containers of the correct type and contents are passed for further processing. The coded information may also relate to time of manufacture or loading, particularly where the articles are filter rods, to ensure unloading of only those containers in which the rods have received adequate curing time. A buffer reservoir system having a tray filler, tray unloader, and a tray handling system includes a transfer member capable of transferring trays between different positions of the tray handling system and a static trolley. The transfer member may comprise a robotic or other programmable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Molins Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard J. Bryant, Peter A. Clarke, Wilfred B. Heginbotham, Keith K. Martin, James McLeod
  • Patent number: 5188499
    Abstract: A wafer handling apparatus having a variable pitch includes a supporting surface (12) for holding a boat (14) in a predetermined location. An elevator mechanism (20) is operable to move upward through the boat to lift wafers (16) upward into intermediate restraining combs (24) and (26). Combs (22) are disposed on the elevator mechanism (20) for holding the wafers (16) on the edges thereof. The combs (22) can have the pitch thereof varied by the operation of a cylinder (56). The combs (22) have two rotating brackets (42) and (40) disposed on the sides thereof. The brackets (42) and (40) are pivoted on an elevator bracket (28) at points (44) and (46). When the lower bracket (40) is reciprocated upward by the cylinder (56) and the associated rod (54), the space between the combs (22) decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mactronix
    Inventors: Jawhorng Tarng, John I. Lau
  • Patent number: 5180273
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a predetermined number of semiconductor wafers to a wafer boat charging/discharging unit or to one of an array of vertical type dispersing furnaces via the wafer boat charging/discharging unit. The apparatus is operated by actuating the wafer boat charging/discharging unit adapted to charge a wafer boat having a mass of semiconductor wafers carried thereon in a vertical state in a furnace tube of the dispersing furnace by using a vertically displaceable wafer boat stage on which the wafer boat is charged in a furnace tube in cooperation with a wafer boat handler. After completion of a dispersing operation, the wafer boat is lowered away from the furnace tube and then returned to a wafer boat transferring passage with the aid of the wafer boat handler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sakaya, Shoichi Kodama
  • Patent number: RE34311
    Abstract: A transport mechanism (40) for transporting a semiconductor slice cassette between a clean carrier (10) and a process machine comprises a housing (41) having a forward portion (42) positioned in the people-occupied area of the clean room and a rear portion (46) positioned in the process machine area aerodynamically isolated from people. A moveable glider plate (50) is adapted to receive the carrier (10) and is initially positioned in an aperture provided in the upper surface of forward portion (42). A gearing mechanism (54) is provided which cooperates with glider plate (50) to move the semiconductor slice cassettes mounted on the base of carrier (10) between forward portion (42) and rear portion (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Edwin G. Millis, Alton D. Lewis, Thomas C. Bimer