Abstract: A gripper including a receiving end and a locking end and an absorber coupled to at least one of the ends configured to dampen contact forces imparted on the gripper, wherein the receiving end is shaped to marry a container body.

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: 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: Disclosed is a tray handling apparatus in which the conveyance and inversion of a tray can be performed simultaneously to thereby achieve a rapid inspecting operation and a simplified apparatus configuration, and a semiconductor device inspecting method using the tray handling apparatus. The tray handling apparatus includes an inverting unit to turn the tray, in which objects are received, upside down, and a transfer device to convey the object receiving tray from one conveyor to another conveyor while being reciprocally moved above a body of the apparatus. The inverting unit is integrally provided at a lower end of the transfer device, to allow the conveyance and inversion of the tray to be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A powered paper turner is an automated load turning device specifically designed to turn a paper stack sandwiched between a pair of pallets in a work and turn printing process. The paper turner is mounted on wheels, with a rotating module rotating about an axle mounted on a moving support beam to give the module its rotational capability. A slide that secures the paper stack moves horizontally within the rotating module to shift the center of gravity. As the support beam moves up and down a pair of guide rods on linear bearings, the rotating module rotates about the axle. During a downstroke of the moving support beam, the paper stack rotates from a vertical position to a horizontal position. The stack is then shifted, so that during an upstroke of the moving support beam, the paper stack completes a 180° rotation.

Abstract: Device for turning over electronic components, comprising a turntable (1) for driving the electronic components to be turned over in succession between the following stationary locations: a location (A) for loading them onto the turntable; a start of turning over location (B); an end of turning over location (C); and a location (D) for unloading the turntable. A turning-over device (2) actuated by a fixed rotating motor (21), not linked to said turntable, allows the electronic components to be turned over between the start of turning over position and the end of turning over position.

Abstract: A pan inverting system (10) comprises a rotating table (11) having a central longitudinal axis (13), the table being rotatably mounted within a static frame (15) for rotation about the longitudinal axis (13). Conveyors (21) are disposed on opposed pan-receiving surfaces (20) of the table (11). The conveyors (21) are independently operable to displace a pan (12) along the table (11) in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (13). A pan engagement device (24) within the table (11) is operable to releasably fasten the pan (12) to the pan receiving surface (20) of the table (11), such that when the pan (12) is fastened to one of the pan receiving surfaces (20) by the pan engagement mechanism (24), rotation of the table (11) about the longitudinally extending axis (13) will invert the pan (12).

Abstract: The invention falls within the field of machines for orienting and aligning vessels or bottles made of plastics randomly inserted into a load vessel and in particular to a type of orienting and aligning machine that provides a plurality of elevators (6) that are vertically sliding along the internal wall of a rotating cylinder (1) containing randomly-placed bottles. More precisely, it refers to a device for automatically adjusting the size of the plurality of elevators placed inside the rotating cylinder depending on bottle size or format. The device provides a plurality of reduction elements (9), at least one for each elevator (6), each reduction element being inserted into the elevator without projecting and can go out of the elevator. Control means are provided for making the reduction elements go out simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: A separating arrangement for the individual removal of carton blanks (Z) from a magazine (M) and for shifting the removed carton blank (Z) from a removal position into a transfer position has a motor-driven pivoting arm (5) and means (6) arranged thereon for removing the carton blank (Z) on its own. The pivoting arm (5) is arranged on a carriage (2) which can be displaced in a rectilinear manner, it being the case that, as the carton blank (Z) is removed and shifted, a pivoting movement of the pivoting arm (5) is superposed by a rectilinear movement of the carriage (2). This arrangement thus allows space-saving and efficient shifting of individual carton blanks and, in addition, can be integrated in a flexible manner in cartoning machines.

Abstract: A pedestal for inverting a soft contact lens has been invented. The pedestal of the invention has an inner surface, an outer surface, a dome shape capable of supporting the back surface of the contact lens or the front surface of that contact lens which has been inverted, is made from an elastic material which allows a negative pressure gradient to be generated from the outer surface to the inner surface, and has an elastic top which is capable of collapsing in to invert the contact lens.

Abstract: An assembly for orienting and fixturing an array of contact lenses in a lens-fixturing tray to enable automated picking of the lenses includes an array of tubes to which a first support tray having an array of lens receptacles each having a respective contact lens therein is removably mounted. A lens-fixturing tray having an array of lens receptacles is removably mounted to the other end of the tubes and the assembly is rotated and submerged in a fluid bath whereby the lenses release from the first support tray and float downwardly through a respective tube coming to rest in a centered, concave side-up position in a respective receptacle of the lens-fixturing tray.

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: A load turning device specifically designed to turn paper in a work and turn printing process includes a pair of slides mounted on a pair of parallel tracks. To turn the paper stack, the paper turner is positioned so that a first slide is under the pallet on which the paper stack rests. The second slide is lowered to rest on top of the paper stack, and the slides are locked in position relative to each other. The paper turner is then turned, using wheels to support the weight, until the stack is in a horizontal position. The slides and the paper stack are then moved to the opposite end of the tracks. The paper turner is again rotated until it is in a vertical orientation, rotated 180° from its original position. The printed sides of the paper are now facing downward, and the paper is ready to be loaded into the printing press.

Abstract: An improved prefeeder assembly (10) for receiving a stack (28) of blanks and for inverting and passing the inverted blanks to processing equipment, the prefeeder assembly (10) having a rotator frame (12) which is positonable in an upright load entry position and an inverted bundle discharge position. A rotator infeed conveyor (70) is supported by the rotator frame (12) to receive and support a stack while a lift platform assembly (44) is also supported by the rotator frame (12) to clamp the stack (28) onto the rotator conveyor (70). A backstop and pusher assembly (14) is also supported on the rotator frame (12) and includes a moveable backstop (90) and a pusher member (24) for discharging a selective height of the stack.

Abstract: A cassette station, a processing station having a coating unit and a developing unit, and an inspecting station having a film thickness inspecting apparatus and a defect inspecting apparatus are disposed in the direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of the disposition of cassettes of the cassette station in such a manner that the inspecting station is disposed midway between the cassette station and the processing station. In the structure, the inspecting station and the processing station are connected and wafers are automatically transferred among the stations, operations from the substrate process to the inspection can be simplified and the time period necessary therefore can be shortened.

Abstract: A pallet changer is rotatable around a pin which releasably engages a shop floor. A pneumatic load module assembly creates a cushion of air which supports the pallet changer for manual rotation. The pin can be released from the floor to allow linear horizontal movement of the pallet changer or the cushion of air when it is necessary to repair, refurbish or replace equipment adjacent the pallet changer.

Abstract: An intermediate guide member is provided attachable and removable between a head portion and a supporting frame of a stocker for printing plates. A number of intermediate guide members is an element to set a time of starting downward movement of hooks supporting a leading end of a printing plate. Three conditions in accordance with lengths of non-detection times are set for detecting the printing plate to judge authenticity of the detection. When the hooks reach vicinities of stoppers provided at supporting bars of a reversal unit, the hooks swing, are pulled-in from above the slope, and transfer the printing plate to the stoppers. Thereafter, by rotating the supporting bars and the stoppers integrally around a shaft, the printing plate is pivoted over toward a back plate, and a lower end of the printing plate is transferred from the stoppers to a receiving plate without damaging the printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for turning the top side of planar objects (1, 2) such as plywood or particle boards into the underside, the apparatus comprising an importing conveyor and an exporting conveyor, and a board turner assembly mounted between the conveyors. The board turner is formed by at least two sets of turning fingers (5, 6), each one of the sets having its fingers aligned in the same plane and being adapted to rotate about a common axis parallel with said plane. The construction of the conveyors is such that it permits the fingers (5, 6) during their rotary motion to pass through gaps of the conveyors. Each one of said sets of turning fingers (5, respectively 6) are arranged to be turned independently from each other.

Abstract: A turning device for graphic publishing products in a conveyor line and/or packaging machine that can be combined with a push conveyor (14) for the advancement of products (11), spaced out one after the other, including a supporting member (16) bearing in sequence a first conveyor unit (17) to pickup at least one of the products (11) off the conveyor line, a grasping and turnover unit (18) of at least one of the products (11), a second conveyor unit (19) to deposit at least one of the products (11), turned upside down on the conveyor line, the conveyor units (17, 19) being operated to advance in phase with the push conveyor (14) and being movable between a working position and a disengaged position with the conveyor line.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a circular contour printing table which has a plurality of object-stations regularly distributed around its periphery each adapted to receive an object to be printed and which, rotatable stepwise about an axis, moves the object-stations successively to a loading station, to a plurality of workstations each including a printing system, and to an offloading station. A system for turning over the objects includes a first transfer arm which picks up an object on the printing table and puts it down on an overturning shovel, turns it over and puts it down at a receiving station. A second transfer arm picks up the turned-over object at the receiving station and puts it back down on the printing table.

Abstract: An IC handler inverts an IC in a single motion by first gripping the IC with two fingers attached to an arm and then flipping the IC over by rotating the arm in a one-hundred eighty degree arc. The fingers maintain contact with the IC during the entire one-hundred eighty degree motion. The fingers grip the IC from the sides so that they can drop the IC onto a carrier after flipping the IC. After flipping, the IC is lowered onto the carrier by an air cylinder until two precising pins engage the carrier. The IC can thus be delivered to a testing device with its electrical contacts facing up.

Abstract: An article transfer apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a fulcrum, a lever arm rotatably attached to the fulcrum, and a clamp coupled to the lever arm having a first carrier retaining portion and a second carrier retaining portion.

Abstract: A material handling system, apparatus, and method for transferring and inverting a generally planar panel is disclosed. The system, apparatus, and method is comprised of a panel-engaging member and a panel-engaging member rotator. The panel-engaging member has a generally rectangular slot to receive only a portion of a panel. The panel-engaging member rotator is adapted to rotate the panel-engaging member about an axis generally parallel to the width of the slot between a position where the slot is generally horizontal and facing one direction to another position where the slot is generally horizontal and facing a generally opposite direction. The height, depth, and width of the slot are selected so that when a portion of the panel is inserted into the slot, the portion of the panel is kept from falling out of the slot by gravity and friction when the holding member is moved.

Abstract: A container turn-over apparatus (1) including a base (2) and a container cradled (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 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: An accumulator for handling pallets in a pallet workstation provides a continuous through-put of panels through the pallet workstation. The accumulator includes a base, which is positioned between a pallet stack holder and a conveyor, and an articulating member supported by the base. The articulating member moves between a first position to receive a stack of pallets from the pallet stack holder and a second position to engage at least one of the pallets to move the pallet along the base to the conveyor. In this manner, the return fill cycle of the pallet stack holder is removed as a bottleneck in the pallet workstation. The accumulator can accommodate a wide range of pallet to pallet variation without affecting its reliability and, moreover, significantly increase the pallet sortation and inspection process.

Abstract: A transfer device for wafers stacked in magazines has a vertically displaceable frame of a platform, with which the cover of the box surrounding the magazine in the closed condition. The magazine remains in the original position on the base of the box and is then supplied by a gripping device from this position to a processing system in which the wafers are removed from the magazine and are processed. A gripping device preferably has two extension arms arranged on both sides of the magazine as well as one stop element which can be caused to impact on the wafer edges. The stop element preferably has two lips consisting of an elastic material which lips can be caused to impact on the wafer edges. The device permits a very fast loading and unloading into or out of the processing system.

Abstract: A wafer transfer mechanism and method involves inserting a wafer carrying arm into position within a wafer cassette so that a wafer may be detachably coupled to the arm. The arm is moved linearly to position the arm for coupling to the wafer, with the motion being reversed to remove the wafer from the cassette. After the arm clears the cassette, the arm may be pivoted about an axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the arm to invert the wafer and deposit it at a destination location, such as onto a conveyor. A vacuum may be used to detachably couple the wafer to the arm with the vacuum being relieved to release the wafer at the destination location. A puff or pulse of air may be used to assist in decoupling the wafer from the arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating stacks of detachably interlocking totes or trays one at a time by removal at the uppermost tray for processing thereof such as cleaning, sanitizing or otherwise refurbishing. The apparatus includes an elevating platform for maintaining the position of the uppermost tray in a stack thereof at a pre-specified vertical position defined by a sensing device such as a photocell. A tray gripping apparatus having a pivot arm and a gripping head is adapted to selectively grasp the uppermost tray from the top of a stack while at the same time a stack returning device is adapted to clamp the remaining portion of the stack downwardly. The tray is removed and moved through a 180 degree arc where it is released at the output station for cleaning or other service. A main beam member is pivotally mounted to the frame to achieve the back and forth pivotal movement for removal of the top tray one at a time from the stack thereof.

Abstract: A pivotal mail tray unloader for unloading a tray having mail pieces horizontally stacked therein includes a frame having an elongated, inclined support surface, a carriage slidably mounted to the frame, and a retaining member slidably mounted to the frame. The carriage includes first, second and third pivotal support members. The first support member pivots upwardly and forwardly from said support surface and carries the tray thereon. The second support member is also pivotal upwardly and forwardly and is positioned adjacent to and forward of the first support member. The second member receives the tray from the first support member. The third support member is mounted to the second support member forward thereof and is adapted to receive the mail pieces thereon. The third support member pivots forwardly to receive the mail pieces and subsequently, pivots rearwardly to reorient the mail in a generally vertical orientation.

Abstract: A stack turner and replenisher 10 is provided for keeping a hopper of a carton prefeeder P filled with carton blanks, traditionally a job that requires a human worker and causes carpal tunnel syndrome due to the inverting motion required. Stack turner 10 allows for the movement of a stack of blanks in a lateral direction as well as in an inverted u-shaped path. Clamp 53, with adjustable upper and lower plates 54,55, is used to pick up a stack of blanks from a source of such blanks. Clamp 53 then moves upwardly, laterally, and downwardly along groove 52, while an upper portion 50 of stack turner 10 simultaneously moves laterally toward prefeeder P. Clamp 53 then deposits the blanks in the hopper of prefeeder P. Finally, stack turner 10 retraces its path in order to pick up another stack of blanks and repeat the procedure, thus ensuring that the hopper of prefeeder P is always filled with carton blanks. Stack turner 10 also squares the stack of blanks both vertically and horizontally.

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 bale transfer system for transferring bales from a baler mechanism to a support vehicle including a baler mechanism a bale tipper mechanism and a bale receiving station for receiving bales ejected from the baler mechanism. Each bale when ejected has a height dimension and a width dimension. A tipper mechanism is mounted at the bale receiving station and is operable to reposition a bale 90.degree. so that its height dimension becomes its width dimension. A bale loading means is provided for loading the repositioned bales into a transport vehicle. The tipper is comprised of a rotatable bale tipping wing having a bale support surface and a rotatable bale support wing having a bale support surface. The bale tipper mechanism further includes a power means for activating the tipping and support wings to thereby reposition a bale 90.degree. as it is moved from the tipping wing support surface to the support wing support surface.

Abstract: Bottles are decorated while advanced by intermittent motion to each of a plurality of decorating stations where a squeegee presses a decorating screen into line contact with a surface of the bottle which has a speed the same as the speed of which the decorating screen is advanced along the printing station. The bottles are decorated at a higher through put rate by initiating linear movement of the screen before the bottle arrives at the decorating station and continuing linear movement of the screen after the bottle moves from the decorating station. The degree of overlap allows the printing cycle to consume a major part of a machine cycle while the bottle indexing cycle consumes a minor part of the machine cycle. The bottles are received in a vertical orientation and intermittently re-orientated horizontally for entrance to the decorating machine.

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: A part loading apparatus is disclosed for transporting a workpiece from a first position generally in a first plane to a second position generally in a second plane for transfer to another work station. The part loading apparatus includes a rail for transporting the workpiece between the first and second positions. A shuttle is disposed on the rail for reciprocally moving between the first and second positions. A drive motor is provided for harmonically driving the shuttle between the first and second positions, wherein the shuttle decelerates when approaching the first and second positions, and accelerates when leaving the first and second positions. A frame carries the workpiece from the first position to the second position and is supported on the shuttle for pivotal movement from the first plane to the second plane while the shuttle moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A sheet block inverter is described in which successive blocks of sheets received along an infeed plane are successively inverted prior to being received on a discharge conveyor. A sheet block receiving magazine receives a sheet block along the infeed plane. A magazine pivot driver then pivots the sheet block through an angle about a second axis of less than 180.degree., leaving the block nearly inverted and upwardly inclined. The magazine is mounted to a magazine inverter yoke, which in turn is pivotably mounted to a discharge conveyor. The inverter yoke and magazine are then pivoted by an inverter yoke pivot driver about a first axis to a discharge station where the discharge conveyor receives the block. The discharge conveyor is mounted for elevational adjustment about an axis that is coaxial with the first axis.

Abstract: In a work convey apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of workpieces are conveyed from a tray for storing a large number of non-processed workpieces, which are aligned at a first pitch with surface to be processed facing down, to a process machine.

Abstract: A bottle loader and method for loading bottles onto shelves on a rack. The bottle loader has a carrier car rotatably supported on a frame. The bottles are placed in a vertical position and urged onto the carrier car. The bottles are then rotated on the carrier car from the vertical position to a horizontal position while horizontally aligning the bottles with the shelf on the rack. Once the bottles are aligned, they are urged off of the carrier car and onto the rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning over a package (9) through 180.degree. out of a first position (I) on a supply conveyor (6) into a second position (II) on a removal conveyor (12), a frame (2) mounted on the floor (1) being provided to support a propulsion unit provided with a driving motor (13). To provide a turn-over apparatus for a tubular package, the propulsion unit (15, 20) comprises a movable linear carriage driven between the two positions (I, II) and a stationary slotted guide (20) with a control cam (22) and at least one gripper element is movably mounted in the linear carriage and is rigidly connected to a follower roller (24) guided in the control cam (22).

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: 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: "Method and device for aligning and storing in a given order moldings having a tubular perforation."Individual moldings (6) are introduced successively from above into a turbulence space above a receiving mandrel (5) profiled for reception in the perforation (7) in the molding (6). Each molding is subjected to an aligning air turbulence until the molding (6) has been aligned with its perforation (7) with respect to the receiving mandrel (5) in such a manner that the molding (6) falls onto the receiving mandrel (5) due to an air resistance decreasing as a result of the alignment. The receiving mandrel (5) then passes the molding (6) on to a deposition transport rail (19).

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: The present invention is directed to a device for transporting and forming batches of flat pieces with decreasing thickness. The device has a piling unit having a rotatably mounted double storage device for receiving two batches of flat pieces, one after the other, so that the first batch is placed on the second batch in a head-to-toe relationship to form a double batch for bundling.

Abstract: A tire handling system capable of automatically performing a series of tire handling operations including sorting of the tires from a production/inspection line according to types and sizes, stacking the sorted tires, and shelving the stacks of tires in frame pallets. The tire handling system incorporates a novel tire supplying device which supplies the sorted tire to the tire stacking device in one-by-one fashion, a tire inverting device disposed between the tire supplying device and the tire stacking device and adapted for selectively inverting tires conveyed along the sorting line, and an automatic tire shelving device for shelving the stacks of tires. These devices have simple constructions but yet are capable of performing the supplying, inverting and shelving operations with a high degree of reliability.

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 method and apparatus for automatically restacking palletized tiers of adjacent rows of loosely cubed laden produce boxes in a continuous fashion by recubing the boxes while automatically retrieving and stacking the successive pallets during the continuing recubing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically restacking palletized tiers of adjacent rows of loosely cubed laden produce boxes in a continuous fashion by recubing the boxes while automatically retrieving and stacking the successive pallets during the continuing recubing process.

Abstract: A device for moulding brick blanks comprises a plurality of moulding troughs and a casting device for filling the moulding troughs, wherein the casting device comprises a carrier coupled with a casting mechanism and adapted to pivot by means of the casting mechanism between a receiving position and a delivery position. For mitigating or avoiding the drawbacks of the heavy shocks at the impact of the casting mechanism in the delivery position the casting mechanism is caused to drive and guide the carrier in a manner such that when approaching the delivery position the carrier is subjected to considerable deceleration.