Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to an autonomously propelled waste receptacle including a top, a collapsible lid, a housing, an exterior, an interior, and a bottom. The housing includes a circuit board panel, a door, and doorway. The exterior includes a user interface, a plurality of sensors, at least one antenna, and a camera. The interior includes a bin, a trash compactor with a plurality of threaded rods connected to the collapsible lid, an upper can platform, and a bottom tech platform. The bottom includes a plurality of wheels used to drive the autonomously propelled waste receptacle. The collapsible lid also acts as a descending masher compacting trash within the interior bin and the bin is structured to rotate through the doorway to empty. The autonomously propelled waste receptacle may navigate using at least one of sensors, camera, WiFi communication, cellular communication, and GPS communication.

Abstract: An adjustable bottle support for a pump used in medical procedures comprises first and second support members mounted on an attachment member which is attachable to a pump body. The second support member is pivotally mounted on the attachment member for rotation between a first position in which in which the first and second support members are aligned and level with one another and a second position in which the second support member is tilted and slopes upwardly in a direction away from the first support member.

Abstract: A method of emptying trays filled with rod-shaped articles produced in the tobacco industry, which consist of the following stages: the trays designated for emptying are conveyed to the input area of a hopper containing adjacent channels separated by dividers; the rod-shaped articles are transferred from the tray to the channels of the hopper using support plates; the channels of the hopper are filled with the rod-shaped articles; the support plates are retracted from the channels of the hopper; the channels of the hopper are successively emptied into a chute adapted to move between channel outlets of the hopper; finally, the rod-shaped articles are transferred from the channels of the hopper and through the chute to the discharge conveyor moving towards the receiving device.

Abstract: A rotary dumpster maneuvers a receptacle via a rotary fork lift assembly that includes a pair of forks. The rotary dumpster includes a base, a first sidewall, and first and second fork tubes. The base is constructed and arranged to support the receptacle when in an upright position. The first sidewall projects upward from the base when in the upright position. The first and second fork tubes are engaged to the first sidewall, and are constructed and arranged to respectively receive the pair of forks for generally moving the rotary dumpster between the upright position and a dumping position. The second fork tube is spaced above the first fork tube when in the upright position.

Abstract: An automated, high volume container manipulator and process useful with an agricultural seed box. In an exemplary application, the manipulator removes an upper ring of a seed box, rotates the ring 180 degrees and places the ring over the lower seed box base in a nested condition. Container lid removal, transport and replacement devices and processes are also included.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus of a line end of a folder-gluer for cardboard boxes includes a transfer bed (1) with a double, opposite array of transmission belts (C1a, C1b, C2a, C2b) which define a transfer track for the displacement of flattened, folded boxes, wherein the transfer bed (1) is oscillatingly mounted about a horizontal axis (a-a?) on a U-shaped support structure (21, 22, 24) which is in turn rotatingly mounted according to a vertical axis (b-b?) on a base frame (26), the rotation according to the horizontal axis (a-a?) and according to the vertical axis (b-b?) occurring through a first (M1) and a second (M2 M2?) motor, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a backside airflow diverter, a backside hood for removing contaminated air from the back side of the pit and at least two baffles on a rotational frame, the baffles each presenting a leading edge that contacts the backside airflow diverter during at least a portion of rotational motion. At least one air intake is positioned to pass through the upper surface of the backside diverter into the backside hood at a location where pressure in the backside hood is maintained at a substantially neutral or negative level even when pressure in the material receiving pit is increased by a down rush of air caused by the exit of the load from the railcar.

Abstract: An apparatus for arranging disks in a processing cassette includes a first conveyor configured to transfer a shipping cassette containing a plurality of disks to a first position and a comb assembly configured to displace one or more of the plurality of disks from the shipping cassette in the first position. A mandrel assembly is configured to remove the one or more displaced disks from the comb assembly and a turntable assembly is configured to rotate the comb assembly and the shipping cassette from the first position to a second position. The mandrel assembly is further configured to return the one or more displaced disks to the comb assembly and the comb assembly is further configured to replace the one or more displaced disks in the shipping cassette in the second position.

Abstract: A reusable up-ending device for loading or unloading nuclear fuel assembly shipping packages. The device has a translating base mounted to a fixed beam structure and two stabilizing arms affixed to a mounting fixture on the base that is secured to the operating floor. The stabilizing arms include a spring dampener and have a simple elbow joint that straightens after the package is up righted. Translation is achieved by means of a hand adjustable lead screw and enables the base to be most advantageously positioned. The shipping package is inserted into pivot mount blocks located at the front of the base and the package is secured at the pivot mount blocks by means of a trunnion and at the support arms by means of a locking pin. Once the package is up-righted the elbows on the support arms are locked in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a backside airflow diverter, a backside hood for removing contaminated air from the back side of the pit and at least two baffles on a rotational frame, the baffles each presenting a leading edge that contacts the backside airflow diverter during at least a portion of rotational motion. At least one air intake is positioned to pass through the upper surface of the backside diverter into the backside hood at a location where pressure in the backside hood is maintained at a substantially neutral or negative level even when pressure in the material receiving pit is increased by a down rush of air caused by the exit of the load from the railcar.

Abstract: The disclosure depicts an apparatus and method for transferring beverage glasses from a first a beverage glass containment rack to an empty second beverage glass containment rack. Each rack includes side walls and a plurality of chambers arrayed within the perimeter. Each chamber of the rack is adapted to contain a beverage glass. The apparatus has side walls bearing edges adapted to engage the perimeter of the glass rack when in a mounted position. It also has a center divider within an interior of the apparatus and orthogonal its side walls. A plurality of ducts is arrayed within the side walls, each respective duct passing through and coupled to the center divider such that each respective duct is positioned to fit within a respective chamber when in the mounted position.

Abstract: A container inverting device is capable of inverting containers that have a neck oriented in a first direction at the entrance of the device and then in a second direction at the exit of the device. The inverting device includes at least one clamp (45) for holding the neck of a container. The clamp (45) is mounted on a belt (49) by a fixing bracket (47), and in order to invert the container, the belt passes around at least one pulley (33) and moves the clamp from one side of the pulley (33) to the other.

Abstract: A dolly system for moving and disposing of garbage includes a frame assembly, and a holder assembly coupled to the frame assembly. The frame assembly may include a pair of rails. The frame assembly can rest on a surface (for example, on wheels for the frame assembly.) The frame assembly can be declined (for example, tilted back wheels). The holder assembly includes a carriage and a holder coupled to the carriage. The holder can hold a garbage container. When the frame assembly is declined, the rails of the frame assembly may form a ramp for the holder assembly. The carriage of the holder assembly can slide up and down on the rails of the frame assembly. The holder is movable relative to the carriage (for example, by tipping the holder) to empty contents out of the garbage container when the carriage is in a raised position on the ramp.

Abstract: Examples of a robotic de-palletizer and a robotic magazine loader are described herein. The robotic de-palletizer is configured to remove cases (e.g. HSC (half slotted cases) filled with product (e.g. disassembled cartons)) and to place the HSC on one or more conveyors. The conveyor(s) move the full HSC from the “de-palletizing” area to a magazine-loading area for processing by a robotic magazine loader. In one example of the robotic magazine loader, HSC containing unassembled cartons are removed from the conveyor. The contents of the HSC are added to a magazine feeding a carton assembling and filling machinery and the empty HSC is conveyed to a discard location.

Abstract: A container-contents discharging station may include a guard in sealing engagement with a container prior to inverting the container to discharge its contents. A container-contents discharging station may also include an air bellows to seal an open top of a container to a guard prior to inverting the container to discharge its contents. A method for retrofitting an existing container-contents discharging system removes an existing enclosure and replaces it with a modified enclosure having a sealing guard and a container lifting mechanism.

Abstract: An articulated lift aim assembly for a refuse receptacle generally includes an engaging device for releasably grasping the receptacle, an extendable boom along with an articulated arm mechanism interconnecting the book and the engaging device. A gear arrangement provides for coupling the boom and the arm for raising the arm mechanism with respect to the boom, rotating the arm mechanism with respect to the boom during raising of the arm mechanism and inverting the engaging device and receptacle during raising of the arm mechanism. A gravity operated hook is provided for latching the receptacle when the receptacle is inverted to prevent undesired release from the engaging device.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a backside airflow diverter, a backside hood for removing contaminated air from the back side of the pit and at least two baffles on a rotational frame, the baffles each presenting a leading edge that contacts the backside airflow diverter during at least a portion of rotational motion. At least one air intake is positioned to pass through the upper surface of the backside diverter into the backside hood at a location where pressure in the backside hood is maintained at a substantially neutral or negative level even when pressure in the material receiving pit is increased by a down rush of air caused by the exit of the load from the railcar.

Abstract: In the figures there is provided a bin handling apparatus comprising a trailer (10) having a pair of spaced chassis members (14) defining a rear-opening space. A hoist assembly (16) includes spaced support beams (17) pivoted at pivots (20). The forward ends of the support beams (17) are interconnected and support a hoist tower (22) having a lift chain moving a tine carriage (24) from which is cantilevered a pair of spaced lifting tines (26). A tipping ram (27) serves to rotate the hoist assembly (16) about the pivots (20). A headstock (30) on the hoist tower (22) has apertured bin engaging lugs. An open-topped bin assembly (31) has a movable wall (35) hinged to the upper, rear edge and forming a closure which can be locked in the closed position by latches. The front wall of the bin has engagement lugs (37) with apertures adapted to align with the apertures in the bin engaging lugs, and be retained by an elongate steel pin (40).

Abstract: A refuse collection cart lifter is provided with a lock/release mechanism that prevents relative movement between the upper and lower hooks when the lifter is in the inverted position, but permits such relative movement when released so as to permit the lifter to have a an adaptable or “breakaway” feature This allows the lifter to be mounted on vertical surfaces that may prevent the lifter from retracting to a recessed position when in the lowered or retracted position, but still permit the first actuator arms supporting the lower hook to pivot freely with respect to the lift arms should an obstacle be engaged.

Abstract: A breakdown hoist has a secondary stage that permits continuous operation. The breakdown hoist may be run with the secondary stage disabled. In some embodiments a primary and secondary stage can discharge lumber simultaneously onto two conveyors. Providing two conveyors can increase surge capacity.

Abstract: A magazine loader for automatically loading stacks of cartons onto a magazine of a mass feeder for supplying cartons to a packaging machine, includes a loader in which stacks of cartons are received and held, and a carriage on which the loader is pivotally mounted. The cartons are received loaded in the loader, after which the loader is pivoted from a loading position to a stacking position. The loader is then moved along a feeder conveyor for the packaging machine toward a magazine or supply of previously stacked cartons, until the stack of cartons is received and stacked against the previously loaded cartons to maintain a supply of cartons for feeding into the packaging machine.

Abstract: A system and method for loading mail objects. The system includes a bucket assembly which holds variable sized mail holding containers. An actuator system moves the bucket assembly between at least an upright position, an intermediate tilt position and a fully tilt position. At least one sensor detects whether any of the variable sized mail holding containers has reached a fill capacity at each of the upright position, the intermediate tilt position and the fully tilt position. A feedback control system controls an indexing of the bucket assembly, via the actuator system, between the upright position, the intermediate tilt position and the fully tilt position. In the intermediate position, packages or other mail objects are permitted to settle within any of the variable sized mail holding containers such that additional packages or other mail objects can be introduced into the any of the variable sized mail holding containers in the intermediate position.

Abstract: A method for coating flat structural parts (2), in particular furniture fronts, with a film (3), wherein the parts lie in a pallet (1) which is turned by about 180° in a rotator after the coating process, so that the coated parts (2) joined by a common film (3) can fall out of the pallet (1) and be separated. The essential point is that a pallet (1) which can be filled on two sides is used and that the previous turning back of the pallet after the part has been removed can be omitted.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus has a drive disk rotatable at a transfer station about a central axis and defining an eccentric axis offset from the central axis. An inner drive shaft centered on the eccentric axis is rotatably journaled in the drive disk at the eccentric axis. An inner arm is fixed to and extends angularly from the inner drive shaft. An outer arm is pivoted at the inner-arm outer end, and a grab is pivoted on the outer-arm outer end. A drive rotates the drive disk about the central axis and thereby orbits the inner arm, the outer arm, and the grab about the central axis. An inner controller changes an inner angle formed between the inner arm and the outer arm, and an outer controller changes an outer angle formed between the grab and the outer arm.

Abstract: A device for unloading a container having a removal opening has a rotatably mounted supporting surface mounted to turn around a first turning axis, a rotatably mounted retaining means, and a synchronizing means. The unloading device causes a container on the supporting surface to tilt so that the removal opening of the tilted container points obliquely or vertically downwards. The retaining means prevent an article inside the tilted container from moving linearly through the removal opening. The retaining means is mounted to turn around a second turning axis. The synchronizing means is configured for synchronizing turning of the supporting surface around the first turning axis, wherein the retaining means turns around the second turning axis. The synchronized turning of the supporting surface and retaining means causes the container standing on the supporting surface to tilt such that the removal opening of the tilted container points obliquely or vertically downwards.

Abstract: A pourable cooking receptacle construction (10) that includes an open framework member (20) having a base (21) and a pair of support arms (24) wherein, each support arm is provided with a mounting post (40) and a cooking pot member (30) having a pair of cylindrical collar members (50) connected on opposite sides of the cooking pot member (30) by axle elements (51) wherein, the collar members (50) are further provided with locking levers (54) that engage the mounting posts (40) so that the cooking pot member (30) can be raised and lowered relative to the mounting posts (40) and pivoted about the axle elements (51).

Abstract: An off-loading conveyor of produce having utility in the discrimination and separation of watermelons includes a support structure defining a conveying path, an endless flexible element mounted on the support structure to extend and to move along the conveying path and support elements mounted to pivot from the conveying path and to move with the endless flexible element along the conveying path. The support elements are mounted to mounts which are attached to the endless flexible element. These elements are pivotally mounted to the mount and extend transversely across the conveying path of the conveyor from pivots in alternation from opposite sides of the conveying path. The support elements include elongate bodies which are pivoted adjacent one end and employ a rotatably mounted wheel adjacent the other end. The wheels define a conveying channel and are able to be lifted by cams upwardly to off load produce from either side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A specially adapted SMIF pod (20) receives and holds one particular type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) selected from among dozens of different configurations thereof. The SMIF pod (20) may be interrogated to determine the particular type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) carried therein. A reticle transfer system (50) receives a pair of such SMIF pods (20), interrogates each of the SMIF pods (20) to ascertain which type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) the SMIF pod (20) carries, and automatically moves reticles (42) through a controlled environment from one reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (32) to another reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132). A reticle reorienter (56) includable in the system (50) also permits automatically exchanging reticles (42) between a reticle carrier (144) and a reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for removing the contents of a valve bag using suction. The invention further pertains to a method of removing the contents of a valve bag using the device.

Abstract: A system and method are set out for automatically extracting pods from a carousel shaped casing tower which include elements for engaging and moving the pods within the carousel while the carousel maintains its place. The pods travel on a track within the carousel which comprises six layers of pods. The extracting is performed in an extraction zone which may be located at least one end of the carousel while the loading of pods occurs at other locations. The pods include pockets for accommodating articles. The articles may be mail pieces.

Abstract: A device is used to convey empty rolls that have been removed by at least one roll changer of a web-fed rotary printing press. At least one empty roll receptacle can be displaced between the roll changer, where the empty rolls are held by the receptacle after they are removed by the roll changer, and an emptying station where the empty rolls are removed from the receptacle. A collection receptacle is provided at the emptying station. The empty rolls are emptied from the empty roll receptacle to the collection receptacle.

Abstract: A bin for library articles and an automatic unloading system therefor includes a bin housing having a chamber defined by an uppermost housing plane and by opposing walls. A floor within the chamber has a top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of cable apertures. A plurality of cables suspend the floor within the chamber, and are fixed at one end to the walls. The cables pass through the cable apertures in the floor, and are secured to a reversible cable driver which is, in turn, secured to the bottom surface of the floor. Clockwise rotational motive force of the driver causes the floor member to climb upward on the cables to the uppermost housing plane, while counter-clockwise rotational motive force causes the floor to descend downward from the housing plane.

Abstract: A refuse receptacle lifter is disclosed which is movable between a retracted and a dumping position for lifting and inverting refuse receptacles of the type including spaced apart upper and lower engagement surfaces. The lifter may include an actuator with a rotary output shaft, a lift arm attached to the rotary output shaft, an upper engagement member carried at least in part by the lift arm, a first actuator arm pivotally mounted to the lift arm and a second actuator arm pivotally mounted to the base. The actuator arms are attached to an extension assembly that carries a lower engagement member. Upon rotation of the output shaft, the upper engagement member is moved between a lower retracted position and a raised position and the lower engagement member is moved between a retracted position and an extended position, for lifting and inverting a refuse receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed tray unloading and mail transporting includes a tray unloading apparatus which receives a continuous stream of mail trays and sequentially unloads them in proper orientation onto a conveyor assembly; a dual conveyor system for delivering the unloaded mail to a transport system; and a spiral transport system having optimal drive means for controllably moving mail pieces from one location to another.

Abstract: An apparatus for emptying containers of fruit and vegetable produce, wherein a tipping device receives a container, tips the container, and unloads the container onto a conveying device for feeding the container in a given traveling direction and along a path extending between an input station connecting with the tipping device, and an emptying station for emptying the container; the path being of a length, measured parallel to the traveling direction, at least equal to the length of the container, also measured parallel to the traveling direction.

Abstract: For automatic unloading of soft-drink pack carriers form boxes, and depositing same into the carrier-magazine of a packaging machine. The carrier box is loaded into a bucket, from a full-box-conveyor. The bucket is pivotable, and is overturned to enable the box to be extracted from the bucket, leaving the carriers inside. The bucket is pivoted in a cradle, and the cradle is carried in a bucket-elevator, and the bucket can undergo up/down movements on the elevator. Because of the elevator, the box conveyors can be overhead, out of the way of the magazine into which the carriers are to be transferred.

Abstract: The device for controlling the movement of skips in machines for granular or powder and liquid treatment machines is of a type where the skip is separable from an overlying treatment chamber, to which it is sealingly couplable and which skip is rotatably supported by a horizontal-axis pivot (2) on a frame (3) mobile on wheels (4). The device comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder (5) provided with a piston (15) comprised between two chambers (25, 35), which cylinder (5) bears a rotating organ (45) coupled in rotation with the pivot (2). The two chambers (25, 35) are interconnected with an interpositioning of at least one regulation valve (6) which on command can regulate the flow of a hydraulic fluid in two directions and can also totally halt the flow.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device for unloading a mail piece container, open at the top, with sidewalls that slant toward the outside, that is loaded with mail pieces that stand upright next to one another. According to the invention, the mail piece stack, after having been compressed, is held by holding supports that are inserted into the container and that feature driven revolving conveyor bands. While the supports are being inserted, the conveyor bands are driven in such a way that the conveyor band segments in contact with the mail piece stack are motionless with respect to the mail pieces. Next, the container is tilted by >90° along with the mail pieces and the holding supports. After the container is tilted back somewhat, a base plate is inserted and the whole ensemble is tilted back to the point where the stack stands on the horizontally positioned base plate. Then the container is removed towards the bottom.

Abstract: A container contents unloading apparatus and methods are provided for distributing load lift and effecting a smooth rotational pivot of a container-holding carriage to slidably discharge the content of the held container and smoothly return the emptied container to an originating position. The container contents unloading apparatus preferably includes a load distributing lifter, preferably provided by a pair of endless loops to propel and guide lift and return movement, a load distributing arm to evenly distribute load lift, and a link connecting a container holding carriage. The endless loops are propelled through a closed path, the closed path having a first and second centerline inclined with respect to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically taking out packaged articles housed in a large-sized tray onto a conveyer line. A tray housing a multiplicity of packaged articles is conveyed onto a support conveyer bridging between a pair of side plates, the packaged articles are pressed inside the tray by lowering a support plate, then the side plates are rotated for 180 degrees around a main shaft with the packaged articles kept in the same pressed condition, the support plate is lowered integrally with the packaged articles at a determined position, and the emptied upside-down tray is discharged outside along rails attached to the inner surfaces of the side plates. Thereafter, while being pressed to the upper support conveyer, the packaged articles are returned to an original lower position by rotating the side plates and discharged outside by rotating the support conveyer.

Abstract: A manually operated lifting and rotating apparatus attached to a garbage dumpster for supporting and positioning a waste collection container for waste material transfer to a dumpster. The lifting and rotating apparatus comprises a bracing member including a pair of legs, with each of the legs including a bracket having a hole formed therein. Each of the legs further has a releasable clamp adapted for frictional engagement over an upper edge of a garbage dumpster to prevent displacement of the bracing member adjacent to the side of a dumpster. An angular displacement structure, pivotally joined to the bracing member, includes a pair of arms each having a first end opposite a second end, there being a support platform connected between the first ends of the arms, each of the second ends having an orifice formed therein.

Abstract: There is described a dumping device for use in a system for tumbling products, such as concrete blocks, bricks, paving stones or the like loaded in successive layers on a pallet. The dumping device comprise a pallet receiving structure pivotally mounted on a fixed frame, the structure including a tilting and a movable floor that receives the pallet with the layers of products thereon. The structure is first tilted to a predetermined angle corresponding to a product unloading position; thereafter, the floor is pushed intermittently so that the layers are unloaded in succession layer by layer onto a product conveying station and, thereafter, to a tumbler. Sensors are provided to indicate the presence or absence of the products at the conveying station and to give a signal to intermittently actuate the floor.

Abstract: A receiving frame, mounted on a horizontal platform includes a sub-frame that is tiltable, with respect to the platform, and has an elevator and elevator platform on its rear wall. The receiving frame receives a stack of tiers of plastic containers on a pallet. The pallet is positioned on the elevator platform. The sub-frame tilts 30 degrees off the vertical, out the open back of the receiving frame. A cover and tier sheet gripping device is provided, located above the top of the sub-frame, for securing and removing the top cover and tier sheets from the stack of tiers on the pallet, on the elevator platform. With the sub-frame tilted at 30 degrees off vertical, the elevator incrementally lifts its platform so that the base of the containers in the top tier and adjacent the rear wall of the sub-frame are at level with the top of the rear wall.

Abstract: A container turn-over apparatus (1) including a base (2) and a container cradle (3) with openable latchable ends (8,9) and an open side (6) to allow a container to be placed in the cradle (3). Two selectively engagable spaced apart pivotal connections (12,14 & 13,15) allow the cradle (3) to be turned end over end by means of piston and cylinder assemblies (44). When the cradle (3) is turned over to stand on one of its ends (8,9) the other end of the cradle (3) is automatically unlatched and opened.

Abstract: A compact, foldable, storable, portable drum draining apparatus for facilitating the drainage of contents from a second drum or vessel into a first drum or vessel, including a first supporting member for supporting the first vessel and a second supporting member for supporting the second vessel, and a lifting mechanism for lifting the second vessel over and in tilted relation to the first vessel, and maintaining the second vessel in the raised, tilted position to permit the emptying of contents into the first vessel, the lifting mechanism including a hydraulic lifting device.

Abstract: A bulk mail processing system (10) conveys bulk mail containers (C) from a receiving station (R) at which the container is placed on a conveyor (12) to an unloading station (D) at which the contents of the container are dumped. A video camera (22) obtains an image of the container which is transmitted to a processor (24). The image is processed to determine if residual mail (M) is left in the container after it is emptied. A mechanism (18) removes the container from the conveyor, empties the container, and then returns the container back to the conveyor. A controller (20) controls operation of the emptying mechanism. The controller is responsive to an input from the processor that all the contents of a container have been removed to replace the empty container on the conveyor.

Abstract: A carrier container having sides, ends and a bottom defining an open face holding chamber, is provided for loading a stack of tiers loaded on a pallet into the holding chamber. The stack of tiers comprises a plurality of tier sheets, each supporting a plurality of products aligned in groups on each tier. The tier sheets are disposed vertically, defining a stack. The stack is positioned on and secured to the pallet. Loading of the stack of tiers and pallet into the holding chamber is accomplished with the holding chamber in a vertical orientation. After loading the stack of tiers and pallet into the holding chamber the carrier container is rotated from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, securing the stack of tiers and pallet in the holding chamber. Each of the tier sheets is removed from the stack destroying the stack and displacing the products from the stack, the products retained in the holding chamber.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for flipping a tray of parts such as integrated circuit packages including a pair of flippable storage trays. A first storage tray has an upper surface which forms a grid of storage compartments wherein each of the storage compartments is adapted to hold a single integrated circuit package. Initially, the first tray is received at a flip station from a first part processing station. Then, the first and second trays are joined together so that they mate. Then, the mated first and second trays are inverted so that the packages are held in the second tray. Then, the first and second trays are separated and the second tray which now holds the plurality of packages is transferred to a second part processing station. Then, the cycle is repeated with a third tray of parts and the now empty first tray.

Abstract: The contents of successive containers for comminuted tobacco leaves are transferred onto or into a receiver (such as a belt conveyor) at a transfer station where an indexible upright manipulator carries a lifter and an evacuating device including a tilting unit. Successive containers, delivered to the transfer station by a roller conveyor or the like, are lifted by the lifter off the conveyor and the manipulator is thereupon indexed to deliver the lifted container to a location above the receiver. The tilting unit is thereupon caused to tilt the container to thus transfer, by gravity flow, the contents of the container onto an openable intercepting device at a level between the tilter and the receiver. The intercepting device is thereupon opened to permit the intercepted material to descend onto or into the receiver. The manipulator is thereupon indexed to move the emptied container to a position above a further conveyor serving to transport empty containers away from the transfer station.

Abstract: A method and device for quickly, easily, efficiently and safely dispensing hot melt from a container includes a dumper for receiving a container of hot melt. The dumper has removable smooth inner sheeting for receiving and holding canisters of different materials. The dumper has a heater heated by overlapping conducting coils for heating the hot melt in the container. The dumper receives the hot melt container at floor level and thereafter is actuated to move the dumper over and about a hopper to invert the container above the hopper. Additionally, the dumper forms a hermetic seal about the container and the hopper for firmly holding the container within the dumper to allow the hopper and the bottom of the container to be subjected to a controlled atmosphere.