Abstract: Provided is a pile preparation unit for changing a pallet support of a pile of sheets with a first end and a second end where the pallet has a support side supporting the pile of sheets at the first end. The pile preparation unit may include a rotation unit configured with an infeed opening for receiving a pallet with a pile of sheets, the rotation unit configured with a rotating structure to rotate a lift unit about a rotational axis. The lift unit is configured with a lift structure fixed to the rotating structure and has a lift plate movable along the lift structure to engage with the second end of the pile of sheets and to move and position the pile of sheets transverse, relative to the rotational axis, providing a portal for changing a pallet.

Abstract: The module (3) comprises a frame having vertical pillars (30A, 30B), a rotary turnover structure (4) arranged horizontally between the vertical pillars and comprising rotation shafts (400A) supported by bearings (300A) with which the vertical pillars are respectively equipped. A motor (303B) applies a first mechanical torque to one of the rotation shafts when a folding package turnover is ordered in the machine. The module also comprises additional means (5) for applying a second mechanical torque to the other rotation shaft upon a folding package turnover.

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: An apparatus for timed processing of book blocks for perfect binding includes a feed element to supply respective book blocks horizontally positioned with a spine facing in a feed direction of movement. A lifting device is arranged to receive the respective horizontally positioned book blocks from the feed element. The lifting device is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has an adjustably driven limit stop that forms a conveying end of the feed element. A gripper circulates on a traction element above the lifting device. The lifting device is pivoted about the horizontal axis into an upright position and operates synchronized with the movement of the gripper to lift the respective book blocks with the adjustably driven limit stop to transfer each respective book block to the gripper when the gripper is positioned over the book block in the lifting device.

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: An apparatus for conveying blanks or sheets that are arranged in piles includes a frame that has an input and an output and a pre-section that aligns the piles of blanks along a longitudinal conveying path. The pile of blanks is conveyed to a turn-over grip that swivels around the horizontal axis that extends transversely to the longitudinal conveying path. The turn-over grip includes two conveying units that are juxtaposed to one another with one of them being used to deliver the piles entering the turn-over grip and the other which is used to remove the piles after the turn-over grip has turned the pile upside down. A tightening mechanism presses one of the conveying units towards the other during the rotation of the turn-over grip. A pusher carriage is situated between the two conveying units and driven by a motor.

Abstract: A plate cassette loader for a platesetter comprises a cassette holder for receiving a cassette, containing a stack of plates. A cassette inverter then rotates this cassette to a feed position in which the plates can be fed into the imaging engine of the platesetter. In this way, the somewhat unwieldy process of loading plates into the imaging engine is handled by the cassette inverter, in combination with the fact that the stack of plates, contained in the cassette, can be loaded in one step, rather than requiring the feeding of individual plates by a dedicated operator.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable the orientations of chip components accommodated in groove portions of an index table to be assuredly uniformized. When a polarity judgment device finds that the orientation of the chip component accommodated in the groove portion of the index table is opposite, the polarity inversion apparatus according to the present invention moves the chip component to the component accommodating inversion portion by using compressed air and the intake air from air inlet/outlet ports. Since the bottom surface of the inlet of the inversion portion is set so as to be lower than the base surface under the index table and the width of the inlet of the inversion portion is set so as to be wider than the width of the groove portion, the chip component can move to the inversion portion without getting stuck in the vicinity of the boundary.

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: A turning device for turning paper material has a reception tray used for receiving therein the material to be turned and arranged such that it is adapted to be rotated about an axis of rotation. The material is arranged in said reception tray in such a way that its axis of inertia during turning substantially coincides with the axis of rotation of said reception tray. A feeder is provided for feeding the material into the reception tray in the direction of the axis of rotation. A removing device withdraws the material from the reception tray in the direction of the axis of rotation. When seen in a direction of transport of the material, the feeder is arranged at an adjustable distance ahead of the reception tray. The removing device is arranged at a fixed distance behind the reception tray, when seen in the direction of transport of the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding an electrical connector to a connector termination press includes a slotted rotary drum that receives the leading connector from a ribbon of taped connectors carried on a reel, rotates the connector ninety degrees to reorient the connector and places it in a connector positioning track, and a push rod assembly that advances the connector into an aligned position underneath the ram of a connector termination press.

Abstract: Method to package sections either in normal layers or in alternate right-side-up/overturned layers, the layers being fed from determined layers, whereby two already butted layers, one having a number N of sections and the other having a number N-1 of sections, or viceversa, reach the packaging machine by moving axially at one and the same time, the layers having been distanced apart laterally beforehand by a required value linked to the features of the packaging machine, the first layer (30) of "N" sections arriving and being positioned directly on a package (29) being formed, whereas the second layer (31) of "N-1" sections arrives between a plurality of pairs of clamping arms (24) able to rotate about an axis located in a central position between the two layers (30-31), the pairs of clamping arms (24) positioning the second layer (31) on the package (29) being formed.

Abstract: A conveyor for turning packages upside down in a very gentle manner in a device which is interposed in line with the feed conveyor and discharge conveyor and conveys the package to the discharge conveyor after the package has been turned over. The conveyor includes a rotatable turning element which receives at least one package, and an intermittent rotational mechanism which tumbles the turning element in rotation. This structure eliminates the need for any mechanism which grips the package in order to turn it.

Abstract: A slide fastener overturning conveyer includes an elongate hollow rectangular guide member having a guide channel for the passage of a slide fastener, and air nozzles disposed adjacent to an inlet of the guide channel and directed toward an outlet of the guide channel. The guide member is rotatably movable about its longitudinal central axis through an angle of 180 degrees for overturning the slide fastener while the latter is received in the guide member. The air nozzles eject a compressed air to convey the overturned slide fastener. The angular movement of the guide member and the compressed-air ejection are controlled by a sensor provided for detecting leading and trailing ends of the slide fastener. The overturning conveyer thus constructed is relatively small and simple in construction and is effectively operative even when a slide fastener is relatively long.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism cooperates with an envelope insertion machine and a postage metering machine to transfer an envelope between the insertion and postage metering machines while rotating the envelope 180.degree. and weighing the envelope such that the metering machine applies proper postage thereto. A drive mechanism allows independent control of rollers for transferring an envelope into a transfer cage of the transfer mechanism, rotation of the cage and subsequent reverse rotation of the rollers to discharge the envelope. Braking and locking devices are provided with the drive mechanism to ensure proper position of the cage. The cage is constructed to receive an envelope in either of opposite ends.

Abstract: Spaced parallel circular tracks rotate 180 degrees on roller bearings. Matching openings through one edge of each track serve to admit a stone or heavy object into a receiving slot. Parallel roller conveyors line the top and bottom faces of the slot. A pivoting swing with a platform across the inside of the slot transfers the stone from one face to the other automatically when the apparatus is rotated. The center of gravity of the loaded turning apparatus coincides with the center of rotation thereby requiring very little turning power. A manual handle or motor drive shaft rotates the gear train to turn the apparatus. Transverse rollers permit entry and exit of the stone at opposite points on the circular track. Longitudinal rollers permit entry and exit of the stone from the same or opposite sides of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for feeding cigarettes or filter plugs or the like to a working machine, such as a transporting machine, using a flat feeding passage with a bottom which can store and convey the cigarettes etc. in the horizontal direction, comprising introducing receiving boxes containing the cigarettes etc. into the feeding passage and moving them to a feeding station, and raising the receiving boxes at the feeding station so that the cigarettes etc. in the receiving boxes are discharged at one time. The invention discloses also an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing boat hulls comprising a rack mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. A beam is cantilevered outwardly from the rack, and a hoist mechanism is mounted for travel on the beam. A boat resting on a trailer is moved partially within the rack and the hoist mechanism located on the cantilevered end of the beam elevates the boat from the trailer. The hoist mechanism is then moved along the beam to position the boat within the rack. A series of hull clamping braces that are connected to the rack are positioned in engagement with the hull and complement the shape of the hull. The boat is lowered onto the hull braces, and a series of upper clamping braces that are connected to the rack are brought into engagement with the upper surface of the hull to clamp the boat to the rack. In some cases, side clamping assemblies can also be used to clamp the sides of the hull to the rack. By rotating the rack, the hull can be inverted so repairs or modifications can be readily made on the hull.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning or orienting a hand of tubes, or the like, includes clamp arms for clamping the hand while on a conveyor, a fluid activated ram for raising the hand, inverting it 180.degree., lowering it back onto the conveyor, and releasing the clamp arms. The device may also be tilted while in elevated position so that the clamp arms and hand avoid contact with personnel during inversion.

Abstract: A turnover mechanism for turning a planar strip through one hundred and eighty degrees is disclosed. The turnover mechanism is particularly useful in the manufacture of tackless strips and is adopted for installation in a tackless strip manufacturing machine. The turnover mechanism includes a ratchet which is activated by the usual pin driving mechanism to rotate a turner in timed sequence with the pin inserting operations. The turner includes a groove and the turnover mechanism incorporates a cam to urge one end of each strip into the groove after the pins are properly seated in the strip. The turner turns over or flips each pinned strip in sequence to permit the tackless strip manufacturing machine to automatically apply a plurality of floor attaching nails in each strip in a direction opposite to the orientation of the pins.

Abstract: A turnover mechanism for turning a planar strip through one hundred and eighty degrees is disclosed. The turnover mechanism is particularly useful in the manufacture of tackless strips and is adopted for installation in a tackless strip manufacturing machine. The turnover mechanism includes a ratchet which is activated by the usual pin driving mechanism to rotate a turner in timed sequence with the pin inserting operations. The turner includes a groove and the turnover mechanism incorporates a cam to urge one end of each strip into the groove after the pins are properly seated in the strip. The turner turns over or flips each pinned strip in sequence to permit the tackless strip manufacturing machine to automatically apply a plurality of floor attaching nails in each strip in a direction opposite to the orientation of the pins.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking pads with spiral binders has a reciprocable and pivotable turn-around device which inverts each second pad of a file of equidistant pads before the pads reach a stacking platform. At the stacking station, the pads are arrested by an adjustable stop which locates inverted pads in a first position and the non-inverted pads in a second position so that the binders of successive pads in a growing stack are located at the opposite sides of the stack. The turn-around device is arrested in response to detection of the absence of pads in the path along which the pads move toward the stacking platform by a photocell which further transmits signals to the mechanism for moving the stop so that the absence of one or more pads does not affect the array of pads in the stack on the platform. A level detector monitors the height of the stack on the platform and transmits signals for stepwise lowering of the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking pads with spiral binders has a reciprocable and pivotable turn-around device which inverts each second pad of a file of equidistant pads before the pads reach a stacking platform. At the stacking station, the pads are arrested by an adjustable stop which locates inverted pads in a first position and the non-inverted pads in a second position so that the binders of successive pads in a growing stack are located at the opposite sides of the stack. The turn-around device is arrested in response to detection of the absence of pads in the path along which the pads move toward the stacking platform by a photocell which further transmits signals to the mechanism for moving the stop so that the absence of one or more pads does not affect the array of pads in the stack on the platform. A level detector monitors the height of the stack on the platform and transmits signals for stepwise lowering of the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking pads with spiral binders has a reciprocable and pivotable turn-around device which inverts each second pad of a file of equidistant pads before the pads reach a stacking platform. At the stacking station, the pads are arrested by an adjustable stop which locates inverted pads in a first position and the non-inverted pads in a second position so that the binders of successive pads in a growing stack are located at the opposite sides of the stack. The turn-around device is arrested in response to detection of the absence of pads in the path along which the pads move toward the stacking platform by a photocell which further transmits signals to the mechanism for moving the stop so that the absence of one or more pads does not affect the array of pads in the stack on the platform. A level detector monitors the height of the stack on the platform and transmits signals for stepwise lowering of the platform.