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 turnover device of a liquid crystal panel which comprises: a panel holding portion including a base, a panel face supporting portion having plural pairs of panel face touching portions to support both panel faces of a liquid crystal panel, a supporting arm of a panel long edge having a long edge touching portion to support a long edge of the panel, and a supporting arm of a panel short edge having a short edge touching portion to support a short edge of the panel; and a driving portion including a rotation shift to form a right angle with a bisector to divide an angle formed by the long edge touching portion and the short edge touching portion, and an actuator for turnover to rotate and drive the rotation shaft.

Abstract: The present application relates to techniques and equipment for transporting and inverting material, such as a mail item, and exchanging the lead and trail edge of the material along a transport feed path. The equipment conveys material to a holding mechanism that rotates to a suitable angle to the transport feed path and within the plane of the flat material. The direction of the material is reversed while contained in the holding mechanism. The holding mechanism is rotated to turning over the material, e.g., face-up to face-down, and exchanges the lead and trail edges with respect to the feed path.

Abstract: A device, used for clamping and rotating the object, includes two first rods, one ends of which are respectively connected to one ends of the first plate and the second plate through a linked unit; another ends of the first rods are connected to the third rod that is used for balancing the rotating angles of the first rod and two linked units, such that the heights of two ends of the first rods and the second rods can be kept in step. Two second rods are connected to the first plate and the second plate respectively, as well as, another ends of second rods are connected to the fourth rod respectively. Accordingly, the fourth rod can be rotated to drive the second rod, such that the first plate and the second plate can be rotated. Therefore, due to two plates are used for clamping and rotating synchronously, users can take the advantages while the device is used.

Abstract: A bag turning machine comprises a frame, a shaft rotatably carried by the frame, a plurality of bag turning members carried by the shaft for receiving and turning a filled and sealed bag, and a brake. The brake resists rotation of the shaft upon receipt by the bag turning members of a filled and sealed bag and, following release by the bag turning members of the bag, arrests rotation of the shaft in a predetermined position for the bag turning members to receive another filled and sealed bag. Each bag is received in an upright position and moving substantially parallel to its width, which is less than its height and greater than its depth, and tipped over onto the bag turning members so that the bag lands on a side edge thereof. Rotating the bag turning members turns the bag to rest on its face while lowering the bag.

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: An apparatus and method is provided for flipping electronic components in the sense of changing their orientation, such as for changing the orientation of electronic components between ‘live bug’ and ‘dead bug’ orientations. The apparatus comprises a rotary device that is configured to receive the electronic component and a force actuator operative to bias the electronic component into engagement with the rotary device. A driving mechanism coupled to the rotary device is operative to rotate said rotary device for changing the orientation of the electronic component, after which an ejector is used to eject the electronic component from the rotary device after changing the orientation of the electronic component.

Abstract: A flipper for rotating and positioning a photomask in two flip orientations includes a flip unit rotatably held in a base. The flip unit includes a flip frame in which clamps are preferably spring loaded guided such that the clamps are oppositely and laterally displaceable between engaged positions and parking positions. A stepper motor rotates the flip unit between two flip orientations and positions the flip unit such that opposite inspection sides of the work piece are alternately oriented with respect to a single inspection direction. The flipper may be placed on or adjacent to a stage system of an inspection device. A robotically actuated effector may access the flipper for loading and unloading the work piece. In combination with an effector operating without lift motion, the clamps may feature wedge lift faces to lift the work piece off the effector during their actuation into engaged position.

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 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: Medicaments on a first pallet are transferred onto a second pallet, thereby reorienting the medicaments. The first pallet is received on a first lift plate and the second pallet is received on a second lift plate in vertical opposition to the first lift plate. A lift mechanism urges the first and second lift plates towards one another and the first and second lift plates are inverted so that the medicaments are transferred from said first pallet to said second pallet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flipping or rotating a component 180 degrees. The apparatus includes a rotatable plate having a component opening where the component may pass through and a top and a bottom shutter where when the plate is rotated in a first direction, the top shutter closes and the bottom shutter opens and when the plate is rotated in a second, opposite direction, the bottom shutter closes and the top shutter opens. The top shutter and the bottom shutter may be coupled to a proximal and distal cam following bearing where the proximal and distal cam following bearings are located within a proximal and distal cam slot of a cam barrel.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus is disclosed for securing and maneuvering an elongate tubing of general cross-section which permits longitudinal movement through the apparatus but inhibits lateral movement or vertical movement. The apparatus includes a channel for the tubing and two pair of opposed jaws which cooperate to limit the motion of a tubing held therein, and each jaw is provided a roller which permits the tubing to slide longitudinally through the apparatus while preventing lateral movement. The opposed jaws are mounted so as to open and close symmetrically about a centerline of the channel and the closing of the two pair of opposing jaws precisely centers the tubing on the centerline. The apparatus is rotatable, and is used in combination with a drive support unit to permit movement between the elongate tubing and an operation station for automated operation along the length of the tubing.

Abstract: The present invention permits reliable lifting and inverting of one or more casting core elements and positioning the one or more casting core elements in a mold flask. The invention generally includes an outer frame and an inner frame assembly, which are coupled such that they may move vertically relative to each other. The invention further includes apparatus which engage the casting core and invert the casting core, and further align the casting core to a mold to which the core is transferred. The present invention also allows for simultaneous engaging, inverting and aligning of a plurality of core elements. The present invention allows cores to be inventoried and located for automatic handling in a position that permits visual inspection and reliable handling and placement at high production rates therefor.

Abstract: A device for turning over work pieces includes a base, a pair of conveyor belts for transferring the work pieces in one direction, with the work pieces being kept on upper surfaces thereof. The pair of conveyor belts are mounted on the base in a parallel relationship with each other, putting a separation therebetween. The turning-over device further includes a receiving holder provided with a substantially U-shaped receiver and a connection joined thereto, having a rotation axis horizontally extending at a right angle with the transfer direction of the conveyor belts. The receiving holder is located between the pair of conveyor belts and is rotatable between a first position, wherein the work piece is inserted into the U-shaped receiver and a second position, wherein the work piece is discharged from the U-shaped receiver.

Abstract: A stack loading apparatus for receiving and aligning a stack of similarly shaped sheet-like objects into a uniform stack having several elongate aligner actuators which are rotatably fixed to a base plate is disclosed. The base plate permits rotation of the aligner actuators about their longitudinal axes which are positioned perpendicular to the base plate. The aligner actuators are arranged on the base plate about a polygon perimeter corresponding in shape and size to the sheet-like object perimeter. Each aligner actuator has an aligner actuator track disposed on its outer surface. A movable guide plate is positioned substantially parallel to the base plate and includes several aligner actuator-receiving apertures which each have an inner perimeter having a ball bearing rotatably mounted therein for engaging the aligner actuator tracks. Elongate aligners are fastened to the aligner actuators.

Abstract: The apparatus described measures the angle of rotation necessary to rotate a cable end from a first angular position, wherein the cores of the cable end have a certain position independent of their color, to a desired angular position, at a measuring station. The cable end is then brought into an aligning station where a rotational movement through the measured angle occurs. Subsequent to core color identification, the cable end is further turned, if required. There is provided for the scaning of the position of the cores a rotatable and axially slidably mounted scanning element which is coupled with an angle of rotation signal generator, which element contacts individual cores by means of scanning fingers or engages in the external intermediate spaces of the cores. During the scanning process the scanning element is disconnected from all drives.

Abstract: A teller machine for drive up applications is disclosed. The machine has a safe with an access slot. The machine also has a user panel which has an opening that lies transverse to the slot. A document carrier is described which rotates documents around two different axes as it carries them between the slot and the opening to allow passage of the documents through both.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging citrus fruit or discrete articles in a tightly packed pattern or arrangement closely resembling that of a hand packed box. A two-part telescoped box is conveyed in inverted position to a box filling and counting station, the box including an box inner part in which the side and end flaps are in open relation at the box filling station. At the counting station, fruit is being oscillated transversely of their path of travel so as to singulate the fruit into a plurality of counting stations arranged in a row and in a valley. When the row count has been satisfied, all of the fruit in the row are lifted upwardly for discharge into the open box. When the full count is satisfied, the filled box with fruit extending above the top of the outer box is moved to a box handling station in which the inner box is lifted to a height where the side and end flaps of the inner box may be folded over the top fruit.

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: 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: Apparatus for cutting thin laminae of stone, e.g. marble, comprising a saw having two disc blades, a bogie movable beneath the saw and having a pair of vacuum-operated slab-gripping devices each of which is adapted to support a slab upwardly on its edge, and a second bogie movable in a direction transverse to the first bogie and carrying structure for tumbling a slab supported on one longitudinal edge, through 180.degree., so that it rests on its opposite longitudinal edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling short lengths of cylindrical items, such as firewood, the apparatus being formed of a frame for resting on the earth, with a semi-circular bottom rack rotatably supported by the frame about its horizontal axis and normally retained in an upper open position, a semi-circular top rack of the same internal dimensions removably attachable to the bottom rack to form, when the two parts are attached, a circular area in which firewood may be stacked and retained so that a band may be secured around the stacked wood, after which the semi-circular top rack may be removed, and means for rotating the bottom rack about its horizontal axis so that the banded cylindrical bundle of firewood can be removed from the rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for righting or picking up overturned vehicles is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus is a truck-mounted turntable able to rotate in either direction supporting a first pair of parallel frame members which are moved through a range of angularly elevated positions by hydraulic jacks. The first parallel frame members support a second pair of parallel frame members which are also deflected relative to the first pair by hydraulic jacks. A third pair of parallel frame members telescope inside the second pair, and they are extended by hydraulic jacks. The third pair terminates at a transverse frame member which is pin-connected to a pair of legs when the apparatus is extended to obtain support. The extended apparatus includes, at multiple locations, cable winches having spools with a cable wound thereabout. The cables are able to be extended and retracted and connect to slings adapted to be passed beneath an overturned vehicle such as a tractor-trailer rig.