Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.

Abstract: A transfer device for a very high speed adiabatic face milling machine whose configuration and operation provide a highly efficient machining process suitable for production manufacturing conditions. The milling machine preferably operates at speeds of approximately 15,000 sfm and at efficiencies of approximately 7 cubic inches per minute per horsepower. The preferred milling operation is conducted without the use of cooling liquids, instead employing a chip removal system which enables the milling machine to operate truly adiabatically such that no heat is transferred to the workpiece or the cutter. The efficiency of the chip removal system is such that chip recutting is nearly eliminated and tool life is improved.

Abstract: A bar-like article supplying apparatus is constructed such that a tray is carried in while remaining in an erected condition on a dolly, which moves intermittently. The tray is open at an upper face thereof and is turned over and fed to drop and supply bar-like articles from the tray into a supply port. Then, the inverted tray is turned over and fed so as to be returned into an erected condition and then is carried out to a dolly while remaining in the erected condition. After the tray is carried into an occupied tray turning over mechanism by a carrying-in mechanism, the occupied tray turning over mechanism is turned over, and consequently, the inverted tray is in an inverted condition just above the supply port so that supply of the bar-like articles is started. When the tray during such supplying is transferred to an empty tray turning over mechanism, the occupied tray turning over mechanism is turned over back to allow a next tray to be carried in.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a workpiece in a machining operation, the workpiece having internal passageways, includes a stationary support, a carriage mounted for reciprocation with respect to the support and a cylindrical shaft carried by the carriage and capable of rotary motion about its axis. A pinion gear is fixed to one end of the shaft and meshes with a rack which reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the shaft axis. A pin carrier block is fixed to the other end of the shaft, and supports a plurality of pin members adapted to register with the passageways of the workpiece when the carriage moves from one extremity of its travel to the other. Once the pin members are engaged, the rack moves along its path in order to rotate the shaft, and thus the workpiece, through 90.degree. to prepare it for further machining operations.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for engaging, raising and rotating tanks/cylinders which contain liquids or gases under pressure. The apparatus comprises a cradle rotationally mounted on an elevator housing. While the tank/cylinder is elevated, an auto turn linkage in one embodiment of the apparatus assists in turning the cradle assembly by engagement with an indexing mechanism. Once the tank has been rotated 90 degrees, the indexing mechanism is locked in place, the auto turn linkage is released, and evacuation plumbing is affixed to the tank. The tank is then manually inverted for evacuation of the liquid.

Abstract: A device (12; 102) for manipulating sheet metal pieces (P) for a sheet metal processing machine (10; 101) is disclosed. The device (12; 102) comprises a plurality of manipulator units (20, 22; 106, 108, 110) with a plurality of gripping elements (32, 50, 52; 118, 126, 134) for gripping and moving the sheet metal pieces (P) so that the units (20, 22; 106, 108, 110) cooperate with one another in receiving a workpiece (P) from the associated processing machine (10; 101) and passing another workpiece (P) to the processing machine as well as such receiving from and passing to an associated device (4) for loading and discharging sheet metal pieces to utilize the processing machine (10; 101) as far as possible reducing its down times.

Abstract: A coating film separating device includes a substrate holding device for holding a substrate, at least one side of which is covered with a coating film, a roller unit equipped with a roller and a device for pressing the roller against an end portion of the surface of the coating film, a roller unit driving device for moving the roller unit on the end portion of the surface of the coating film in the widthwise direction of the substrate, a guide device for enabling the roller unit to move along an end portion of the substrate, and a device for spraying pressurized fluid at the interface between the substrate and the coating film at the edge portion of the substrate along which the roller unit moves.

Abstract: A container manipulating method and apparatus which includes at least one vertically disposed pedestal assembly (12); a tubular column assembly (14); a container support assembly (16); and a container retaining means (18). This method and apparatus houses all of the independently controlled and powered drives for the lifting, turning, and tilting actions completely interior of the column assembly (16). The column assembly (14) may include at least one end seal and a slot closure for minimizing unwanted materials entering or leaving the column assembly. The container (22) retained on the container support assembly (16) may be manipulated from a first position to a subsequent position by lifting, lowering, turning, and tilting movements in series or in combination.

Abstract: An installer comprising a supporting structure and a carriage adapted to carry a water bottle. The carriage is mounted on the supporting structure for movement along a path between a loading position in which the carriage is adapted to receive the water bottle and an unloading position in which the carriage is at a higher elevation than in the loading position and inverted with respect to the loading position. A stopper is mounted on the carriage for movement with the carriage between the loading and unloading positions. The stopper is movable between a closed position in which it essentially closes a mouth of the water bottle and an open position in which the stopper is displaced from the closed position. A cam system is carried by the supporting structure and is responsive to the carriage approaching the unloading position for moving the stopper from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for engaging, raising and rotating tanks/cylinders (48) which store or otherwise contain liquids or gases under pressure. The apparatus consists, basically, in a cradle (30) which is rotationally mounted on a single elevator housing (22). When the tank/cylinder is elevated, the cradle is either simultaneously or subsequently rotated in a plane orthogonal to the front-back axis of the apparatus base assembly (12). Torque and stresses placed on this apparatus are minimized and, in the interest of safety, the tanks/cylinders are rotated and maintained close (in) to the main vertical support at an elevation above the firmament which is the optimum consistent with the operation being performed safely.

Abstract: A roll-over device includes a roll-over frame which pivots about a horizontal axis and includes a counterweight mounted at the end of a counterweight beam, a support plate and a plurality of roller sections, each with a plurality of standard conveyer rollers. Each roller sections is spring-mounted on the support plate. A pair of part clamping mechanisms are mounted on the support plate. Each part clamping mechanism includes a pair of pneumatic cylinders which are bolted to the support plate. The cylinder rods are attached to opposite ends of a clamp bar. Upon actuation of the clamping mechanism the part to be clamped moves the roller sections towards the support plate until the part engages an abutment member which projects from the support plate so that most of the clamping force is absorbed by the abutment member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for installing a stretchable rectangular shaped gasket in a rectangular shaped channel member secured to a refrigerator door. A rectangular shaped frame is formed with side rails, the side rails as viewed in lateral cross-section having a vertical leg forming an outer periphery of the frame and joining a horizontal leg perpendicular thereto, the vertical leg being slightly larger than the outside dimensions of the door. The frame is pivoted to an upwardly facing position and the gasket is placed on the horizontal leg of the frame. The refrigerator door is positioned under the frame with the rectangular shaped channel member facing toward the frame and the frame is pivoted from an upwardly facing position to a downwardly facing position and moved downwardly to a lower position to contact the gasket with the channel member.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of emptying from a case a compressible load consisting of carton blanks, prongs penetrate through a preformed perforation in opposite side walls of the case and push the load away from those walls, an upper portion of the case is partially severed by knives along respective paths at those walls, other cuts are formed across the top wall along the other two side walls of the case, suction cups pull away that upper portion, the load is received between support fingers, the load and the lower portion of the case are turned through 180 degrees in a vertical plane, the inverted lower portion is removed from the load by suction cups, and a gripping head seizes the load and removes it from between the support fingers.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and handling piece goods (4), containing a stand; a transport rail (10) carried by the stand; a trolley (17) which can be moved along the rail (10) by a separate drive (19); and a gripping device (22) which is pivotally mounted on the trolley and contains structure to hold the piece goods (4). A rotatably journalled guide shaft (28) of non-round cross-section extends substantially parallel with the transport rail (10); and a follower (30, 31) is rotatably arranged on the trolley (17) and connected to the guide shaft (28) so as to be slidable therealong but torsionally rigid in a radial direction. The guide shaft (28) is rotated by a motor (29); and an angular rotation transmission (23-27) converts rotation of the guide shaft (28) to swinging movement of the gripping device (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and inverting core frame parts of a nuclear reactor includes a cross beam. A horizontal shaft is supported on the cross beam. A flexion and torsion-resistant basket is disposed below the cross beam for receiving a core frame part. A bearing pivotably supports the basket on the horizontal shaft. Pulleys are attached to opposite sides of the basket at right angles relative to the shaft. Positioning drives are seated at the cross beam and deflection rollers are adjustably attached to the positioning drives. Flexible tension members each lead from a respective one of the pulleys to a respective one of the positioning drives and to a respective one of the deflection rollers. The tension members are prestressed relative to the bearing for the basket.

Abstract: A device for turning upside-down a load which is positioned on a support so as to be spaced from an underlying surface, and especially for turning a pile of papers in conjunction with a printing press, comprises a load supporting member (1, 4) for carrying the load. A side support (6, 7) is adapted to engage one side of the load. A lever arrangement (1, 2) is connected with the load supporting member (1, 4) and adapted to be moved, together with the load supporting member, under the load to a starting position in which the load supporting member (1, 4) is located under the load, the side support (6, 7) engages the one side of the load, and the lever arrangement (1, 2) extends beyond the load at the opposite side thereof. A clamping arrangement (12, 13) is adapted for clamping the load against the load supporting member (1, 4) and the side support (6, 7).

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring cooking ingredients in a vessel or for automatically turning a food item such as a steak or roast provides a stirring or turning action having horizontal and vertical rotation. In one embodiment the horizontal and vertical rotation have a pre-determined time relation to one another such that a spatula portion of the stirring apparatus flips over the ingredients a predetermined number of times as the spatula rotates once horizontally about the vessel. The horizontal rotation action is also used for automatic turning. The turning apparatus includes a rigid bar rotatable with the horizontal axis and a supporting structure such as a wire cage or food-piercing tine structure for supporting the food during turning. The rigid bar and food-supporting structure are connected by flexible links such as steel fiber. The rotating bar drags the food item over or about the rotation axis to effect the turning action. The apparatus is especially suited for use in an automatic cooking system.

Abstract: A combination transfer/turnover machine has a pair of double-acting transfer arms for quickly retrieving and inserting parts into a pair of metal stamping presses performing sequential operations on a workpiece. A turnover mechanism is provided for inverting the part during its transfer between machines. The transfer arm and turnover mechanism are all carried by a horizontally and vertically moveable bar mounted to a carriage. The entire apparatus can be mounted as a single unit to overhead support structure in a factory between the machines.

Abstract: An apparatus (21) and method for rapid transport of elastic bands (34) from a band loading station (22) to a band unloading station (23). The apparatus (21) includes a movable arm assembly (24) having a finger (26) thereon dimensioned to loosely receive an elastic band (34) therearound. A drive assembly (36) is coupled to move the arm assembly (24) from the loading (22) to the unloading station (23). The arm assembly (24) is further movable by the drive assembly (36) from a first orientation of the finger (26) to a second orientation of the finger (26) to enable gravity assisted mounting of the band (34) on the finger (26) at the loading station (22) and gravity assisted demounting of the band (34) at the unloading station (23). During the transport of the band (34) between the loading (22) and unloading stations (23), the finger (26) is reoriented along a path maintaining the band (34) on the finger (26) against dynamic forces acting on the band (34) during transport of the arm assembly (24).

Abstract: A mechanism according to the present invention comprises a quadric crank chain disposed substantially within a vertical plane to support a test head of wafer probing machine, a cylinder mechanism coupled to a first movable link corresponding to the side opposite to a fixed link of the quadric crank chain, the cylinder mechanism serving to slide the first movable link in a vertical direction, and a guide member for supportingly guiding the cylinder mechanism in a horizontal direction. The test head is attached to a second movable link, which corresponds to a side adjacent to the fixed link of the quadric crank chain, so that the test head, along with the second movable link, revolves within the vertical plane when the first movable link slides vertically.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for combining partial piles of book pages by laying one on another. The partial piles may be brought up alternately in an inclined position on a conveying chain. According to the invention, there is provided above the conveying chain a rotary rearranging apparatus. The rearranging apparatus carries a plurality of gripping systems each adapted to pick up one partial pile of book pages and, after rotation of the rearrangement apparatus through a 360 degree revoluion, deposits the partial pile of book pages beside an identical succeeding partial pile. During the 360 degree revolution of the rearranging apparatus, each gripping system is rotated about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the rearranging apparatus such that the gripper systems continuously remain in an upright orientation with the grippers always projecting downwards at the lowest point of the gripping system.

Abstract: The manipulator for sheet-metal pieces is used in conjunction with a sheet-metal working machine and has two rotatable holding members (20) displaceable in three dimensions. The holding members (20) each have both clamping tongs (22), which act on the surface of the sheet-metal piece (24) to be worked, and a clamping strip (23) exerting pressure parallel to the sheet surface. It thereby becomes possible for the sheet-metal piece to be worked, in a first working phase when it is still plane, to be grasped along two parallel edges by means of tongs and, after the first working, to be held only by means of the clamping strips.

Abstract: Device for turning over a length (3) of flexible textile material comprising: a supporting surface (1), a turn over apparatus (4), (21,22) close above said surface (1) and having an endless work surface (4,26) of textile repelling material (13), whereby relative movement of the support surface (1) and turn over apparatus (4,21,22) is such that the surface speed of the work surface is equal to the relative horizontal displacement, and a stationary foil (10,24) lying over the top part of the work surface (4,26) starting from a pick-up plate (11,29).

Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave heating sterilizer provided with a mechanism for turning over a retainer made from a material being permeable to microwave and which contains a "material to be sterilized" in a cavity irradiated with microwave therein supporting shafts extend from positions determined at point symmetry with respect to the center of the retainer on the opposite ends thereof, and turning-over parts each having a higher slide surface than the other part thereof on the midway of a guide which conveys the retainer and a turning-over groove on the midpoint thereof are provided.

Abstract: A portable device is provided for turning billets supported on stands for inspection. The device has a frame, a crank arm mounted in the frame for movement through a quadrant by a hydraulic cylinder, a billet engaging bracket on the end of the crank, and further billet engaging frames extending from the frame to either side of the crank so as to sustain on adjacent billets the reaction from the crank arms as its bracket turns a billet. The turning action is improved by inclusion of a lost motion link between the crank arm and the cylinder. To make the device easier and lighter to handle, it is spring suspended from a movable stand which also supports a power pack for operating the cylinder.

Abstract: An inverting machine for inverting metal molds 180.degree. including a bed, a stationary table on the bed, a pair of portal uprights standing on the table's lateral sides, a pair of slide frames slidably movable along the uprights, an inverting table provided between the slide frames and having a fixed securing element for holding a metal mold to be inverted, the inverting table being arranged in opposition to the stationary table, and a central shaft being pivotally supported by the slide frames and extending from a center of the width of each side of the inverting table. The ends of the central shaft are pivoted to rotate the inverting table about the central shaft. The slide frames are moved vertically relatively to the uprights. Pivoting and vertical moving may be done concurrently.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling parts having a table disposed in a generally horizontal plane, a plurality of first and second part carriers spaced angularly around the upper side of said table, and means for continuously rotating said table about its upright axis. Parts are automatically loaded onto the first part carriers as the table rotates. Subsequently, transfer mechanisms associated with each pair of first and second part carriers cooperate with transfer cams mounted adjacent the table to turnover and transfer parts from the first part carriers to the second part carriers. Parts are then automatically unloaded from the second part carriers as the table rotates.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention a part turnover attachment for use with an automated machine tool comprised of a chuck for supporting the tool in the rotatable spindle of the machine tool and a rotatable pickup mechanism that attaches to a workpiece. The rotatable pickup mechanism is rotated by the controlled rotation of rotatable spindle whereby the workpiece can be inverted.

Abstract: A reversible drive device rotates a sprocket wheel so that an endless chain engaging said sprocket wheel moves through a vertical path and then in a semicircular path around a chain guide. A workpiece conveyed by a conveyor device from a preceding stage is clamped by a clamping device extending from a base end of a workpiece retaining arm having an outer end connected to said chain. If the workpiece is to be transferred in an inverted orientation, a slider pivotally supporting the base end of the workpiece retaining arm is raised along a slide guide by the chain; then the outer end of the workpiece retaining arm circles around the upper end of the chain guide together with the chain, thereby rotating the workpiece retaining arm by half a turn and inverting the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine is of the type comprising an oscillating movable head with a tool-holding spindle, driven in rotation above a lens-support. The lens-support is borne by a vertically movable spindle which is mounted inside a sleeve, flared out at its upper part to form two bearing surfaces and, the lens-support comprises a ledge which surrounds the part of the sleeve containing the bearing surfaces. The lens-support rests on a head mounted for free rotation in a fixed pivot so that when the spindle is moved upwardly, the lens-support is immobilized in a horizontal position, to deposit the lenses to be polished thereon, or to remove them after the polishing operation. When the spindle is moved downwardly, the lens-support, then at a distance from the bearing surfaces, can oscillate freely during the lens-polishing operation, under the effect of the movable oscillating head.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing the top tile from a stack thereof formed face down on a first conveyor at a first location and placing it on a device which flips the tile over onto a second conveyor adapted to travel at right angles to the first one. The flipped tile is held in place on the second conveyor while the stack of remaining tiles is moved to a second location and pushed off of the first conveyor onto the flipped tile. With the tile so oriented the backs of the tiles at each end of the stack will face outwardly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism which is automatically operable for removing articles from a single work station, inverting the articles and transporting them in groups of plural pieces aligned in a row.

Abstract: Devices for removable attachment to the transom of a boat to facilitate raising the boat onto the top of a vehicle or removing the same therefrom and a wheeled device associated therewith adapted for launching the boat into the water and for pulling the boat out of the water.

Abstract: A reversing device for press worked goods which is to be arranged between presses in the secondary press working line, wherein the press worked goods are reversed by 180.degree. for next pressing process. The reversing device comprises in combination a slide base, a slider attached to the slide base, a reverse plate rotatably supported on the slider, a reversing drive apparatus for reciprocatively rotating said reversng plate and a straightway drive apparatus for reciprocative movement of the slider.

Abstract: A case and carton handling device to remove trash and debris from case and carton combinations and permit visual inspection thereof for damage. The case and carton handling device comprises a base with a drive shaft attached thereto, a case ring assembly to selectively engage the cases, remove them from a feed conveyor belt for inspection and return them to a discharge conveyor belt; and a carton ring assembly to selectively engage the cartons, remove them from the cases for inspection and return them to the cases. The case ring assembly includes a case ring positioner to position the case ring assembly at a first case ring position such that the case ring assembly may engage the cases and a second case ring position wherein the carton ring assembly may engage the cartons.

Abstract: A conveyor accumulates collapsed, flexible flat tubes into roughly aligned stacks which are transferred to a collator comprising an inclined tray-like receptacle mounted for multidirectional movement. The receptacle is simultaneously rotated and pivoted from a loading station to a discharge station while being rapidly reciprocated to vibrate the roughly stacked tubes. The combined effects of gravity and vibration urge the tubes to shift relative to each other into engagement with adjacent sidewalls of the tray to align the stack. A pallet mounted for multidirectional movement at the discharge station is automatically indexed to allow the aligned stacks to be deposited at preselected locations on the pallet.

Abstract: A transfer device of the opposed finger type is disclosed for transferring an article along an arcuate path of travel between two stations while rotating the article, so that transfer from one station to another is effected while simultaneously turning the article 180 degrees about an axis substantially normal to the path of travel. The transfer device has a subframe with a fixed reaction element mounted thereon and an elongated transfer arm mounted on the subframe in a manner which allows the transfer arm to rotate about its longitudinal axis as well as pivot with respect to the subframe. One end of the transfer arm has a rotating element which is engaged with the fixed reaction element which causes the transfer arm to rotate about its longitudinal axis as the transfer arm pivots.

Abstract: A machine for stacking mesh reinforcement grids alternatingly in initial and reversed orientations includes a frame on which the grids to be reoriented are held during the reversing operation. The frame is mounted on swivelling arms for swivelling therewith and for turning relative thereto between two positions, and the frame is turned through 180.degree. relative to the arms during their swivelling to one of such positions and held stationary relative thereto during the swivelling toward the other position. Guide rails are retractably positioned along the feed path of the grids to support those grids which are not to be reoriented, prior to the retraction of such rails which takes place before the release of the reoriented grid from the frame.

Abstract: An automated device comprising an arm, a supporting case mounted on the end of the arm, a rotary actuator mounted on the end of the supporting case and a wrist with a hand rotatably held by the rotary actuator, wherein the rotary actuator has a replaceable stopper on the shaft thereof, and the supporting case has a pair of static members for setting the rotational range of the stopper. In the device, the rotary actuator stops rotating at two positions, i.e., the hand stops rotating at two positions.

Abstract: An article turnover assembly (16) for transporting flat envelopes and the like while turning them over 180 degrees includes upper and lower crowned entrance and exit pulleys (22 and 24; 52 and 54) having two flexible endless belts (18 and 20) extending between the lower entrance pulley and the upper exit pulley and the upper entrance pulley and the lower exit pulley. The belts are twisted 180 degrees between the entrance and exit pulleys with each having at least one span contiguous to a corresponding span of the other. Registration of envelopes (10) is established at the entrance and is maintained by a horizontal flat registration plate (60) located about half of the travel distance between the entrance and exit pulleys. In addition, two opposed idler wheels (64 and 66) bias the spans together above the horizontal flat registration plate at about 3/5 of the travel distance through the assembly.