Abstract: An adaptor plate for allowing 200 mm SMIF pods carrying one or more semiconductor wafers to be used on an access port of a wafer processing station configured to accept a 300 mm SMIF pod. The adaptor plate has a substantially circular outer circumference conforming substantially in size and shape to the outer circumference of a conventional 300 mm SMIF pod, and a central opening conforming substantially in size and shape to a conventional rectangular 200 mm SMIF pod. The one or more semiconductor wafers are supported on pod door of the pod, and the semiconductor wafers and pod door are lowered through the central opening in the adaptor plate into the wafer processing station. With the adaptor plate supported on the access port, and a cover of the 200 mm SMIF pod supported around the central opening, the access port is entirely covered and entry of contaminants into the processing station through the access port is prevented.

Abstract: A device for emptying the contents of a bag into a hopper includes an arrangement for lifting the bag to a position higher than the top edge of the hopper, an arrangement for transporting the bag from an intermediate position in a frame to an unloading position including a retractable conveyor as the upper end of the bag is still engaged by the arrangement for lifting, an arrangement of cutters for cutting the lateral sides of the bag and the leading side of the bag to form a flap connected to the bag by the trailing side which flap will be opened by retracting the forward end of the retractable conveyor to allow the flap to open to discharge the contents as the bag is maintained by the arrangement for lifting over the hopper.

Abstract: A cassette comprises a movable member supported on a box member for movement in a direction normal to an swing axis, around which a cover member swings, and an engaging claw combined with the movable member. The movable member is urged to one side of the direction along which the movable member moves. A stopper secured to the box member receives the urged movable member and holds it at a locking position. An engaged claw, which is mounted on the cover member, is engaged with the engaging claw of the movable member located at the locking position and locks the cover member when it is closed. The engaged claw is disengaged from the engaging claw when the movable member moves a predetermined distance oppositely to the direction of the urging of the movable member. A cover opening mechanism is constituted of a pushing member mounted on the movable member and a pushed member mounted on the cover member.

Abstract: A system for transferring substrates in a clean room (100) has a box (1) for receiving a cassette (101) that contains the substrates (102), and a bottom (2) that hermetically closes the box (1) and that can be locked and unlocked in the box (1) by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a captive C-washer (25) rotatively mounted in the box bottom (2). The captive C-washer (25) drives locking elements (21a, 21b; 321a, 321b), preferably by means of connecting rods (24a, 24b; 324a, 324b). The locking elements (21a, 21b; 321a, 321b) engage locking slots (11a, 11b) of the box (1). The captive C-washer (25) has catching bores (26a, 26b) engaged by the locking bolts (41a, 41b) of a rotary disk (45) arranged in a lock gate (4). A swivelling movement of the rotary disk (45) driven by a driving device of the system causes the bottom (2) to be locked and unlocked in the box (1).

Abstract: A conveying system provides a cassette accommodating workpieces; a container containing the cassette; a transferring device for conveying the cassette while supporting it or conveying the container which is empty or contains the cassette while supporting it, the transferring device having a supporting device for supporting the cassette. In the conveying system, a handle is provided on the upper surface of the container so that it is supported by the supporting device.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a workpiece from one location of a machine to another is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of picking assemblies that are movable along a closed transfer path. Each of the picking assemblies includes a vacuum manifold assembly that receives a compressed gas, such as compressed shop air. A vacuum generator, such as Venturi device, is disposed in the vacuum manifold assembly and generates a vacuum from the compressed gas received at the input of the vacuum manifold assembly. The vacuum manifold assembly further includes at least on suction cup in fluid communication with the vacuum generated by the vacuum generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for refilling an electrophotographic imaging system. A refill pack is constructed around a frame. A collapsible bag, which is permanently attached to the top of the frame, along with a removable seal, which is attached to the bottom of the frame, defines an internal volume that contains the developer particles. The refill pack attaches to a receiving area on the cartridge. A new cartridge includes a flexible cover attached over an opening in the receiving area. Once the refill pack is attached to the receiving area, the removable seal is removed. As the removable seal is removed, a cutting edge on the removable seal cuts the flexible cover, opening the cartridge. Removal of the removable seal also releases the developer particles from the internal volume, allowing them to enter the cartridge thereby refilling the cartridge. Additional refill packs may be added over the top of a spent refill pack. However, the receiving area of the cartridge allows a maximum number of refill packs.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus comprises a treatment chamber for performing a treatment for a workpiece W, a loading chamber connected to the treatment chamber, for loading and unloading a holding member which contains the workpiece into and from the treatment chamber, and an input/output chamber for inputting and outputting the workpiece to and from the loading chamber. The input/output chamber includes a cassette accommodating vessel port which holds a cassette accommodating vessel. The vessel is filled with clean air or an inert gas, and is airtightly closed. A cassette receiving mechanism is disposed below the port and lowers only the cassette of the vessel so as to receive the cassette. Thus, when the cassette is input and output to and from the outside of the treatment apparatus, the workpiece contained within the cassette is not exposed to the atmosphere in a working region. Consequently, it is not necessary to improve the cleanliness level of the atmosphere in the working region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensing toner comprising a generally cylindrical container for containing a quantity of toner, at least one end aperture and at least one toner discharge opening formed therein, a first closure detachably, rotatably and sealingly secured to the cylindrical container for closing the end aperture, a shutter member extending from the first closure for selectively opening and closing the toner discharge opening of the cylindrical container when the first closure is rotated, and means for aligning the dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A dispensing system for particulate matter is disclosed comprising a primary receptacle, a guide member, a sliding tube, and a valve member. The primary receptacle receives particulate material and has an open end, an opposed bottom, and a surrounding wall. The guide member is fixed to the bottom of the primary receptacle and defines a supporting aperture and an associated axis approximately normal to the bottom. The sliding tube is slidably disposed within the supporting aperture of the guide member. The sliding tube is characterized by a longitudinal feed passage therethrough substantially parallel to the axis. The sliding tube has a travel limit restricting its axial translation relative to the guide member between a first position and a second position. The valve member is mounted inside the primary receptacle over the guide member. The valve member has bristles disposed over and operably blocking the supporting aperture.

Abstract: An electronic component feeder is provided for transferring a succession of electronic components borne by a carrier tape toward a pickup position one by one, the carrier tape having a backing strip and a protective cover strip adhesively secured to the backing strip to hold the electronic components in position.

Abstract: The system according to the invention makes it possible to handle and transfer flat objects under an ultraclean atmosphere without using white rooms. It essentially comprises interfaces (5) making it possible to receive individual boxes (1), each of which contains a flat object, opening each box and feeding each flat object into a working station (6A). The system is completed by tunnels (4) making it possible to transfer the flat objects from one working station (6A, 6B) to another.

Abstract: A rigid, box-like frame structure has a vertically movable subframe assembly mounted thereon. Attached to the subframe are a number of horizontally movable tined sleeves with connected sharpened tines. As the subframe assembly moves downwardly, the attached tines penetrate the refuse bags on a conveyor below. The tined sleeves are then moved outwardly by actuators, tearing open the bags and discharging the refuse within. The subframe assembly is then lifted upwardly and the tined sleeves are moved back inwardly to their original position to start the cycle again.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening soft-cup packs of cigarettes. In progressive stages, the cellophane wrapper top and the pack closure strip are cut, the cellophane wrapper top piece is removed, the remaining cellophane is removed, the soft-cup is removed, and the foil bundle containing the cigarettes is raked open and the cigarettes removed. Various conveyors move the packs through the stages.

Abstract: In a pallet supply apparatus, pallets are stacked on a loaded pallet elevator and are conveyed by the elevator to the upper end position of a main body of the pallet supply apparatus. The uppermost pallet is separated from the remaining pallets by a shutter. A left side flange of the pallet is pushed by a left roller in a direction to approach rear and side reference surfaces, and a right side flange of the pallet is then pushed by a right roller in a direction to separate away from the side reference surface and to approach the rear reference surface, thus positioning the pallet. When all works are picked up, and the pallet becomes empty, the right and left rollers are escaped, and thereafter, the pallet is slidably moved toward an empty pallet elevator.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing both plastic leaded chip carrier and small outline package electronic components from carrier tapes includes a platform which supports the carrier tape and a drum which receives the cover tape which is peeled away from the carrier tape thereby releasing the electronic components. The electronic components slide under the influence of gravity along an adjustable guide into a collecting tube which has been clamped to the adjustable guide. The adjustable guide is capable of a position substantially perpendicular to the platform and a position substantially parallel to the platform thereby facilitating detaping of both plastic leaded chip carrier components and small outline package components.

Abstract: A bag opening machine includes a trough and a feed screw that is rotatably mounted in the trough to advance bags that at least partially fit between the flight of the feed screw along the length of the trough. There are a pair of restrictions that the bags encounter that cause the bags to be ripped open. The machine has a shear plate running the length of the trough which provides a surface against which bags between the flight rub to be opened. The flight of the conveyor is provided with pins which project generally in a down stream direction and assist in ripping open bags. Each of the restrictions is lined with another shear plate. An expansion chamber is located between the two restrictions. The restrictions completely surround the feed screw, which is mounted eccentrically in the opening defined by the feed screw. A hinged lid over the expansion chamber helps prevent the build-up of excess material.

Abstract: An opening device for opening bagged refuse to liberate the contents of the bag, in which garbage bags are transported along a conveyor, and a plurality of endless chains having tines attached thereto are operated above the conveyor. As bags pass under the endless chains, tines extending downwardly from the chains pierce the garbage bags. Adjacent chains are operated at different speeds, and the tines move at different speeds relative to the conveyor, tearing the bags, liberating the refuse.

Abstract: A micro-environment load lock for coupling a SMIF-type box containing a stack of semiconductor wafers directly to a wafer processing chamber includes a load lock chamber in communication with at least one wafer processing tool. The load lock also includes a seal operable to accept and sealably couple a SMIF-type box to the load lock chamber such that SMIF-type box becomes an extension of the load lock chamber, and provides a base that is selectably operable to open and close the SMIF-type box and to selectably draw a cassette of wafers from the SMIF-type box through a port in communication with the load lock chamber and into the load lock chamber. The base is also operable to seal the port in the absence of a SMIF-type box. A single robot is provided in conjunction with the load lock chamber for moving one wafer at a time between the cassette of wafers and the process chamber.

Abstract: A cassette storage and delivery apparatus having a plurality of cassette retaining sites. The apparatus having a body having a portal adjoining the cassette sites for allowing the cassettes to be placed onto or removed from the cassette retaining sites. The apparatus further includes a pair of guide panels, one on each side of the portal. The guide panels each having a guide surface. The guide surface is provided with a shock absorbing protective layer.

Abstract: A sheet feed device incorporated in a copier, facsimile transceiver, printer or similar image forming apparatus and capable of automatically removing a wrapping from a sheet pack inserted in the apparatus and then feeding sheets one by one.

Abstract: An article feeding apparatus which feeds articles from a feed source to a section to be subjected to feeding includes a stocker for stocking a plurality of pallets retaining a plurality of articles in units of types of articles, with the stocker being capable of moving one pallet to a predetermined position, and a take-out unit for taking the pallet moved to the predetermined position outside the stocker in order to transfer articles to the section to be subjected to feeding. In addition, a buffer receives replacement of the pallets retaining the articles from external equipment and temporarily stores the plurality of pallets, and a replacing unit replaces the pallets in the stocker with the pallets in the buffer in accordance with a decrease in number of articles in the pallet in the stocker to a predetermined value as the articles are fed to the feeding section.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk material, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. Each box and associated lid include one or more channels that can be engaged simultaneously by a forklift that includes two fork groups wherein one fork group can be engaged in the channels of the box while a second fork group is engaged in the channels of the associated lid. In operation, the forklift can engage the lid and box simultaneously, remove the lid from the box and then dump or otherwise manipulate the box while the lid remains positioned on the forklift.

Abstract: The lid of a box is pushed up from the main body of the box by injecting gas by use of one or more injection nozzles into a gap formed between the lid and main body of the box and then, with part of a top plate of the lid in contact with a lid rotating stopper, gas is further injected into the gap, or the lid is pushed up by injecting gas into the gap by use of one or more lower position injection nozzles and then gas is injected into the gap by use of one or more higher position injection nozzles in one or more stages, before the lid is opened from the main body. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the lids from being opened in a three-dimensional inclined state (in a one-side opened state) as well as to prevent the lid and main body of a box from being pushed upwardly simultaneously.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus are well known for dispensing material from a package. Described herein is apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of material (10, 10') stored in vessels (12) carried by a continuous web (14). The apparatus comprises a roller (18) over which the web (14) moves. A stop bar (20) is positioned above the roller (20) so that as the web (14) passes over the roller (18), the vessels (12) engage the bar (20) and are separated from the web (14) thereby releasing the material (10').

Abstract: A loading apparatus for selectively taking out a sheet film from among sheet films accommodated in a plurality of magazines and loading the sheet film into a cassette. The sheet taken out from the magazine is adapted to be held in a holding device in a curved state. In a holding section, the sheet film is received from a lower end thereof and is taken out from an upper end thereof so as to be loaded into the cassette. Hence, even if there are a multiplicity of magazines, the film can be fetched speedily and loaded into the cassette, and the apparatus can be made compact. The magazine is drawn out from the apparatus body in a cantilevered manner so as to load the films, thereby facilitating the loading operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unlatching a stationary cassette having a latching mechanism for allowing removal of a photographic element disposed within the cassette. The cassette having a removable end cap, the end cap having a alignment opening and at least one access opening for allowing access to the latching mechanism. The apparatus having a stage, a mechanism for moving the stage in a first direction with respect to the cassette, an extractor bar assembly moveably mounted to the stage for movement in a second direction with respect to the cassette, the extractor bar assembly having unlatching member for unlatching the latching mechanism of the cassette and for removing the removable photographic element disposed in the cassette, a mechanism for moving the extractor bar assembly in the second direction, and a locating member for locating the extractor bar assembly in a first relative position with respect to the latching mechanism of the cassette.

Abstract: A system for transferring articles between containers to vary the mix of articles in the containers. A plurality of containers are moved to a mixing station and apparatus including a robot removes selected articles from the containers and places them into other of the containers to provide the desired mix of articles. In the arrangement disclosed, the articles are cups and the system is employed to change the color mix of the cups in the containers.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus are well known for dispensing material from a package. Described herein is apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of material (10, 10') stored in vessels (12) carried by a continuous web (14). Each vessel (12) comprises a body portion (15) and a cap portion (16) with one end (22) of a pressure sensitive strip (24) positioned therebetween, the other end (26) of strip (24) being attached to the continuous web (14). The apparatus comprises a roller (28) over which the web (14) moves. Tightening of the strip (24) as the web (14) passes over the roller (28) causes the body portion (15) of the vessel (12) to become detached from the cap portion (16) and the material (10') is released.

Abstract: A chip feeder comprising a sprocket for feeding intermittently a tape, which contains a plurality of chips and is sealed with a protective tape, at predetermined pitch intervals to a chip takeout portion; a roller for peeling the protective tape sealing the chip from the the tape fed intermittently; and a vacuum suction nozzle for taking up a chip out of the tape from which the protective tape is peeled off, wherein the roller peels the protective tape immediately before the vacuum suction nozzle takes out the chip when the tape is in a stationary state.

Abstract: A cassette housing a sheet-shaped image recording medium therein and provided with an opening, through which the image recording medium is to be fed into and out of the cassette, at one end is set at a predetermined position in a cassette utilizing apparatus. The positions of two side ends of the cassette, which side ends are normal to the one end of the cassette provided with the opening, are adjusted by a pair of guide members. The other end portion of the cassette is exposed to the exterior from a cassette setting port of the cassette utilizing apparatus. At least either one of the pair of the guide members is constituted as a movable guide such that the distance between the guide members may be changed. A stationary light shielding member prevents external light from entering from the side of the other end portion of the cassette to the side of the one end of the cassette when the cassette is set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the dejacketing of flat, parallelipipedic blocks packed in folding cartons. Dejacketing is performed in three steps. First the flaps provided overlapping one another on opposite sides are unfolded by being moved past unfolding tools. The blocks are then moved past a further unfolding tool which is disposed on the third narrow side and which unfolds the flaps provided at that place. In the third step the folding carton is seized by its lower flap on the third side and pulled downwards, the block being simultaneously advanced in the direction of its open third side, and the top side is stripped off at a fixed stripper.

Abstract: A machine and method for automatically unloading a cassette from a loaded security package of the type having a storage compartment and an access opening providing access into the compartment, and further having a lock plate movable over the access opening and into a locked position to block removal of the cassette from the security package. The security package is fed into an unload station by a pressure-actuated slide plate. Thereafter, a pressure-actuated unlock cylinder will automatically insert a plurality of pins into engagement with locking projections on the security package to disengage the lock plate from the locking projections. A pressure-actuated cylinder then will move the lock plate away from the access opening allowing free access to the storage compartment within the security package.

Abstract: A collection container adapted to be lifted and emptied with a grasping device. The container forms an enclosure with two sections each having a projection and being pivotally connected to each other. The sections are held together with a spring. The container includes an opening to receive objects. The spring tension is set so that the grasping device can lift the container by the projections without the section separating. The projections are angled on the enclosure so that if the grasping device were to squeeze the projections together the two sections would pivotally open and dump the objects in a bin. A trough is coupled to a slot on the container to prevent the container's contents from being pilfered.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk materials, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. The system includes a forklift with an articulated frame actuated by hydraulics which engages channels formed in the box or in the lid. Lock bars on the box are clamped by locking members carried on the forklift to hold the box on the forks during an over the-side dumping movement. The forklift empties the box with a roll-out motion combining a forward rotation of a lifted box with a backward movement of the box. A reinforced flatbed railcar receives up to four 21 foot long boxes and lids with a total carrying capacity of up to 100 tons. Each car contains upright corners that guide the boxes onto the railroad car and then restrain it. The containers are flush with the upper surface of the railroad car when engaged in the corners. A tractor trailer with a tilt up roller bed and winch hauls the boxes on highways.

Abstract: Discrete light sensitive exposed but undeveloped sheets which are stacked in a dark box are transferred toward or into one or more developing machines by one or more suction cups which can jointly attract a single sheet at a time or each of which can attract the uppermost sheet of one of two or more stacks of sheets in the dark box. A suction cup which attracts a portion of the uppermost sheet of a stack in the dark box is caused to flex the attracted portion above and away from the sheet below the uppermost sheet in order to promote separation of the uppermost sheet from the remainder of the stack. The flexed uppermost sheet is then at least partially extracted from the dark box and is monitored to ascertain whether or not its underside adheres to one or more sheets.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system for hauling bulk materials, particularly municipal solid waste, by rail and truck utilizes multiple rectangular, open-top boxes each having a removable lid. The system includes a forklift with an articulated frame actuated by hydraulics which engages channels formed in the box or in the lid. Lock bars on the box are clamped by locking members carried on the forklift to hold the box on the forks during an over-the-side dumping movement. The forklift empties the box with a roll-out motion combining a forward rotation of a lifted box with a backward movement of the box. A reinforced flatbed railcar receives up to four 21 foot long boxes and lids with a total carrying capacity of up to 100 tons. Each car contains upright corners that guide the boxes onto the railroad car and then restrain it. The containers are flush with the upper surface of the railroad car when engaged in the corners. A tractor trailer with a tilt-up roller bed and winch hauls the boxes on highways.

Abstract: A system for the delivery, storage and disposal of medical supplies including a lidded receptacle for receiving the supplies and facilitating their delivery to a use site, such lidded container subsequently being employed in the collection and ultimate disposal of waste medical supplies. The preferred receptacle includes lid means that serves to temporarily close the receptacle when unused medical supplies are held within the receptacle, and that serves the further subsequent function of lockingly closing and sealing the receptacle when waste medical supplies are contained in the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for stocking a plurality of containers in a stocking device and feeding one container at a time to a robot includes the steps of separately supporting each container in a vertically moveable frame and moving the frame to align a selected container at a drawing position. The selected container is withdrawn from the frame and a lid of a pallet on the withdrawn frame is removed. The articles are then supplied to the robot.

Abstract: A lock assembly allows selective locking of a refuse container so that it cannot be manually opened by an unauthorized user, but can be opened automatically by a refuse collection truck when the container is to be emptied. The lock assembly has a locking bar that is attached to a control bar which is pivotally mounted to the refuse container. In one embodiment, the control bar is selectively connected to a spring such that when the container is to be locked, the control bar and locking bar are connected to the spring by a lock and in order to open the container the bias of the spring must be overcome. The spring is set such that this bias is easily overcome by engagement of the coupler of a refuse collection truck. When the lock is removed, the control bar is separated from the spring and the locking bar freely rotates. In another embodiment, the locking bar is connected to a spring bias control bar by articulated connecting members.

Abstract: A trash collection system includes a point-of-use container having a plurality of removable bins with each bin for a different recyclable material. A pickup container, transportable to a pickup location, has a plurality of bins corresponding to the point-of-use bins, each bin having a normally closed hinged lid. A truck body has a set of bins corresponding to the pickup container bins and an automated arm mechanism for picking up, and inverting the pickup container over the truck body bins. Each lid is released selectively, when each bin is over a corresponding truck body bin, to dump the contents of the container bins. The container is then returned to its pickup location and released.

Abstract: A lock assembly for selectively locking a refuse container so that it cannot be manually opened by an unauthorized user, but can be opened automatically by a refuse collection truck when the container is to be emptied. The lock assembly has a locking bar that is attached to a control bar which is pivotally mounted to the refuse container. In one embodiment, the control bar is selectively connected to a spring such that when the container is to be locked, the control bar and locking bar are connected to the spring by a lock and in order to open the container the bias of the spring must be overcome. The spring is set such that this bias is easily overcome by engagement of the coupler of a refuse collection truck. When the lock is removed, the locking bar is separated from the spring and the locking bar freely rotates. In another embodiment, the locking bar is connected to a spring control bar by articulated connecting members.

Abstract: A standard garbage receiving dumpster is provided with a locking bar disposed across its lid. A locking mechanism cooperating with the locking bar is added to the dumpster to prevent the locking bar from rotating when the dumpster is in an upright position. A lock is provided which when opened permits the locking bar to be disengaged from the locking mechanism to allow authorized users to rotate the locking bar and open the dumpster lid to permit the deposit of garbage therein. The locking mechanism is disengaged when the dumpster is in an inverted position to permit the lid to open and the contents of the dumpster to be removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically removing particulate matter from a weighing pan of a particle-size analyzer. The apparatus includes a weighing pan having a hinged door to provide a discharge outlet for the particular matter and a wiper blade assembly for clearing the particulate matter from the weighing pan. The apparatus further includes a driving mechanism, preferably a rodless cylinder, for operating the wiper assembly in the weighing pan.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving separated materials for selective collection of the materials includes a container divided into a plurality of bins, each bin for receiving one type of separated material, and lids for closing each of the bins. A lifting channel assembly is attached to the container, and a pickup arm assembly is provided for engaging said lifting channel preparatory to picking up said container.

Abstract: A novel carrier for darts and dart parts. Each carrier comprises storage for a plurality of darts plus compartments for safely storing replacement feathers, tips, and weights. Protection is provided for both the user and each dart as darts are stored tip first into a blind bore in the carrier. Compression springs in the blind end of the bore provide, first, protection for the tip and, second, controlled ejection force whereby each dart is partially ejected when a holding cover is removed such that darts can be removed from the carrier without damage to feathers at the rear of each dart. Grooves and recesses are provided to protect each dart feather while in the carrier. The carrier comprises storage compartments whereby dart parts are stored separately to minimize damage to fragile parts, such as the feathers. Part and dart containing covers are easily emplaced and provide containment surfaces whereby the contents of the carrier are stored and transported without fear of damage or loss.

Abstract: The machine comprises a first station to and from which cassettes are admitted and ejected in single succession, and a second station with mechanically interconnected and simultaneously operated devices, including a first pair serving to open and shut the cassette on the one hand, and a magazine from which new film is dispensed, on the other, and a further pair by which single sheets of exposed and new film are picked up and transferred from the cassette to a collection point, located inside the machine, and from the magazine to the cassette, respectively; another mechanism connects the bay occupied by the magazine with that occupied by the cassette, and permits of adjusting the dimensions of the cassette bay to suit a different size of magazine simply by positioning the magazine between front and rear transverse stops.

Abstract: A container for stationing at curbside has a plurality of bins, each having a hinged lid. A pair of pickup arms is provided, for use with an automated truck-mounted pickup and dump system, for engaging the container and holding the lids closed preparatory to picking up and selective dumping of separated recyclable material in each of the bins.

Abstract: A cassette loading and unloading device for loading and unloading a cassette which typically accommodates an exposed film carrying image information includes a pair of guides for holding a cassette therebetween, the guides being relatively displaceable depending on the size of the cassette to be held therebetween, a cassette holder for displacing the guides to a position in which to open a lid of the cassette, while the cassette is being held by the guides, and a displacing mechanism for returning the cassette holder to an original position and allowing the cassette to be removed from the guides. The guides include a fixed guide and a movable guide, which are relatively movable to define a space therebetween that matches the size of a selected cassette.

Abstract: A waste collection and disposal system utilizing a multi-compartment container and a collection vehicle with compartments corresponding to those of the container so as to keep the different waste materials separated throughout the collection process. The container has a locked cover over each compartment that is automatically unlocked when the container is placed in the inlet chute of the collector vehicle and descends to the bottom of the chute. To assure alignment of the compartments of the container with the proper compartments in the collector vehicle, the locking mechanisms holding the lids over the compartments of the container are arranged in an asymmetrical pattern that corresponds to the relative location of grooves in a tapered inlet chute leading to the compartments in the collector vehicle.