Abstract: A semiconductor wafer pre-aligning apparatus includes a wafer transfer unit for transferring a semiconductor wafer, and a wafer stopping unit for stopping and disposing the transferred semiconductor wafer on a predetermined position of a transferring path. The wafer stopping unit includes a stop elevatably disposed on the wafer transferring path and having a plurality of stepped and arc-shaped walls whose radii are different from one another but whose curvature centers coincide, and a device for elevating the wafer stopping unit. Thus, changes in wafer size can be dealt with easily and a clean work environment for wafer treatment can be maintained.

Abstract: A device for positioning and clamping a board includes a plurality of clamping devices for clamping an edge portion of the board. Each clamping device includes positioning members for positioning the board with respect thereto, and a dragging device disposed between the clamping devices for dragging the board into contact with the positioning members. The dragging device is provided with a board clamping portion including a lower claw and an upper claw having rotating disks rotatably installed thereon for swivably clamping the board, and a reciprocating mechanism connected with the board clamping portion for reciprocating the board clamping portion. A board is first clamped by the dragging device and is dragged into contact with the positioning members of the clamping devices.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for individually processing semiconductor wafers through a plurality of processing stations. The system has a plurality of processing stations, a multilevel track system that interfaces with the processing stations, and guided transport vehicles that operate on the track system to move individual wafers in wafer carriers between the stations. The carriers have a storage memory that contains the required process sequence and the capability to remember the completed process steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting components comprising at least one pick up device carried by a carriage and adapted to pick up a component and bring it into registry with a sensing device for sensing the component and oriented it. The device operates so that the sensing operation is performed during the movement of the pick up device so as to speed up the operation. Embodiments are shown wherein a plurality of pick up devices are carried by the same carriage and various feeders arrangements are disclosed so as to permit simultaneous pick up of a plurality of components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a sheet stack for automated processing, wherein a sheet stack and transportation pallet are deposited on a system pallet, the resulting stack is manipulated to a release position where the transportation pallet is freed, the freed transportation pallet is removed, and the sheet stack and system pallet are conveyed away for further processing. The apparatus includes structure for carrying out these steps.

Abstract: A manipulating device for handling, in particular for orientating, workpieces, tools or the like, includes a workpiece head provided with a device for supporting at least one workpiece, a tool or the like, having at least one characteristic axis and drive device for rotating the workpiece head about a pre-established axis of rotation. The workpiece is supported so that the characteristic axis has a pre-established orientation, in other words a pre-established colatitude and longitude relative to a three-dimensional Cartesian reference frame which is defined by three mutually perpendicular axes, while the workpiece head can rotate about an axis of rotation which is inclined with respect to all three axes of the three-dimensional Cartesian reference frame and has a colatitude and a longitude other than those of the characteristic axis of the workpiece or of the tool.

Abstract: An armature shaft having a cam body extending from one end thereof is inserted into a shaft-receiving transfer block of an armature lamination and shaft assembly machine so that the cam body has a desired angular orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the armature shaft. A stack of laminations with which the shaft is assembled is rotationally oriented using a rotatable support for the lamination stack and a pair of proximity detectors which sense the position of missing portions of one or more of the laminations.

Abstract: A media cartridge handling apparatus and method are disclosed which includes a frictional cartridge gripping feature and an optional cartridge flipping feature.

Abstract: A hand cart is adapted to lift an upright water bottle from a support surface of a first height, carry the bottle to a water dispenser of a second height, invert the bottle, and lower a mouth of the bottle into a receiving opening of the dispenser. A scissors/jackscrew mechanism pivotally connected between a pivot arm structure and an upright structure raises and lowers an outer portion of the pivot arm structure. A bottle holding mechanism pivotally connected to the outer portion of the pivot arm structure inverts the bottle. The bottle holding mechanism includes first and second bottle engaging pads pivotally connected to spaced first and second outer portions of the pivot arm structure, respectively, and engaging opposite sides of the bottle between circumferential ridges thereof. Velcro straps secure the bottle to the pads.

Abstract: A device for handling an automobile seat having a bar suspended from a cable and a rotor connected to the bottom end of the bar with the output shaft of the rotor used to rotate a clamp-like device. The clamp-like device has a pair of blades which are moved together and apart using piston-cylinders. The blades have a first portion and an angularly offset second portion specifically designed to be utilized for handling an automobile seat without damage to the seat.

Abstract: A component mounting device adapted to mount components such IC or the like on a printed circuit board that includes replaceable pick up nozzles to accommodate different types of components to be picked up. A sensing station is provided that permits the pick up nozzle to be verified as the correct one and also to determine, if desired, its orientation and misalignments in its axis of rotation so as to permit adjustment in the mounted to accommodate for errors. In addition, a reference height position may be set so that the same sensing station can be employed to sense both the orientation of a component that is picked up and also whether the component is correctly oriented for deposit. This is done by measuring projected lengths in a plane with a photo sensitive device and by making calculations in accordance with trigonometric relationships.

Abstract: A wafer holder which grips a wafer by its edges is disclosed. The wafer holder is mounted on a spindle assembly which spins the wafer so held, for example, to spin dry both the front and back side of the wafer. The wafer holder includes two pairs of wafer holding bumpers, each pair coupled to one end of a reciprocating arm which swings each pair inward and outward to define an open position for releasing or loading a wafer, and a closed position for holding the wafer. Each arm is coupled to an insert and thrust bearing allowing for rotation to provide the reciprocating motion. After the insert and thrust bearing have toggled past a predefined position while the wafer holder is in the closed position, further motion is prevented, to lock the wafer holder in the closed position. Further, the insert member rotates back and forth in response to up and down movement of a rod within the spindle to allow for opening and closing of the wafer holder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a plastic closure particularly to facilitate orientation of the closure so that a manufacturing process, such as vertical scoring, can be effected at one of at least one predetermined portion of the closure. Such orientation is achieved by the provision of an orientation mandrel on to which the closure is moved. The closure is initially rotated relative to the orientation mandrel, with a stop mechanism of the mandrel thereafter engaging the closure and stopping such relative rotation. The stop mechanism of the mandrel is configured in a predetermined orientation with respect to an associated component of the apparatus, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a vertical scoring mechanism. By this manufacturing technique, a closure having a tamper-indicating pilfer band can be scored and cut at a particular portion of the band, such as between container-engaging projections of the pilfer band.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for elevating a cargo container chassis for storage in a substantially vertical position. The chassis is positioned on a lifting platform having a hinged axis around which the platform may tilt upwardly. The platform is then tilted upwardly to lift the chassis to an elevated position in which the longitudinal axis of the chassis approaches or assumes a vertical or upright position. The chassis may then be transferred to a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle does not actively tilt the chassis upward, but instead accepts the already tilted chassis and transfers it to a storage area for vertical storage. This method thereby avoids the necessity of a transport vehicle firmly clamping the chassis and actively tilting it into the storage position, which may damage the chassis. Also, the transport vehicle need not be fitted with expensive heavy tilting devices, and a very large and heavy chassis may more easily be moved to the vertical storage position.

Abstract: A method for handling wafers one at a time for processing without the necessity for transporting the wafers in a carrier such as a wafer cassette or basket. After a manufacturing step such as a polishing step, the wafers are carried to a loader assembly in a horizontal orientation under the influence of flowing liquid. The wafers are then individually erected into a vertical orientation by being first stopped by stopper pins which stand vertically on a wafer receiving plate of a suction arm including a suction nozzle which firmly holds the wafers while the arm is pivotally rotated until the wafer is positioned into a vertical orientation. The vertical orientation thus achieved allows the wafer to be gripped by a wafer gripping portion of a transportation robot including grooved gripping arms operated by a mechanism which limits the force applied to the wafer.

Abstract: An armature shaft having a cam body extending from one end thereof is inserted into a shaft-receiving transfer block of an armature lamination and shaft assembly machine so that the cam body has a desired angular orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the armature shaft. A stack of laminations with which the shaft is assembled is also angularly oriented.

Abstract: An armature shaft having a cam body extending from one end thereof is inserted into a shaft-receiving transfer block of an armature lamination and shaft assembly machine so that the cam body has a desired angular orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the armature shaft. A stack of laminations with which the shaft is assembled is also angularly oriented.

Abstract: A plurality of main and sub-chucks are used in a manner wherein the main chucks are used to pick up objects from a first tray, to move the objects to a second tray, and to place them in the second tray in exactly the desired positions. A floating mechanism allows the main chucks to slide from side to side while the sub-chucks are released. The sub-chucks are arranged to grasp a fixed centering structure and to center the main chucks in exactly the required positions for the precision placement of the objects. During the operations wherein the objects are picked up from the first tray, the sub-chucks are released so that during the pickup operation, the main chucks may center on the objects which are being picked up. After the objects are grasped, the sub-chucks are closed to re-center the main chucks in exactly the positions required for accurate placement.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a supplementary unit for a travelling fork lift truck used for picking up platelike mounting elements. The platelike mounting elements are picked up by a pick-up means of the supplementary unit, said pick-up means being secured to a frame via a carrier arm and a guide rod. The frame is adapted to be lifted by the forks of the fork lift truck. When the carrier arm is pivoted through an angle of 90.degree., the pick-up means, which is guided by the guide rod, will be turned through an angle of 180.degree.. The pivoting movement of the carrier arm is carried out by a hydraulic lifting cylinder.

Abstract: A prealigner (10) employs an X-Y stage (20) and a rotary stage (26) to position and orient a specimen (12) without centering it on the prealigner. The rotary stage is mounted on the X-Y stage and receives a semiconductor wafer (12) in a substantially arbitrary position and orientation. The prealigner employs the rotary stage and translation in only an X-axis direction to scan a peripheral edge (76) of the wafer across an optical scanning assembly (36, 270) to form a polar coordinate map of the wafer. A microprocessor (162) determines the location and orientation of the wafer from the map and cooperates with a motor drive controller (122, 280) to generate control signals for positioning and orienting the wafer in the preselected alignment without changing the location at which the wafer is held.

Abstract: A prealigner (10) employs an X-Y stage (20) and a rotary stage (26) to position and orient a specimen (12) without centering it on the prealigner. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary stage is mounted on the X-Y stage and receives a semiconductor (12) in a substantially arbitrary position and orientation. The prealigner employs the rotary stage and translation in only an X-axis direction to scan the peripheral edge (76) of the wafer across an optical scanning assembly (36) to form a polar coordinate map of the wafer. A microprocessor (162) determines the location and orientation of the wafer from the map and cooperates with a motor drive controller (122) to generate control signals for positioning and orienting the wafer in the preselected alignment without changing the location at which the wafer is held.

Abstract: A device for feeding reels to a user machine, wherein a stack of reels is fitted on to the vertical guide of a slide of a lifting device; the slide defining a supporting surface for the stack and being moved along the guide by a screw-nut screw device controlled by a control system via a system of sensors, so as to successively feed the reels into a pickup station wherein the reels are fed successively, by a pickup arm, on to a conveyor for feeding the reels to the user machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for overturning a long-web roll comprises chucks for holding the long-web roll, which is placed on a first resting surface, by nipping an outer circumference of the long-web roll from both sides in the radial direction, and stop plates capable of being set at supporting positions that stand facing a front end face of the long-web roll, which is held by the chucks, the front end face being directed towards the side of a second resting surface. A rotating transfer device rotates the stop plates and the chucks together with each other by an angle of approximately 90.degree. and thereby places the long-web roll, which is held by the chucks, on the second resting surface such that the front end face may rest on the second resting surface.

Abstract: In a sample holding apparatus including a main body, a holding body movably provided to the main body, a spring disposed to urge the main body and the holding body toward one another, pins fixed to the main body and the holding body for holding a sample, holding and releasing of the sample are effected by action of a moving stroke of the sample holding apparatus itself and a support member fixed to the sample holding apparatus without requirement for special drive components.

Abstract: An indexing part loader for orientating a part for transfer and subsequent use. A transfer machine has a carousel magazine mounted thereon, with each magazine containing a stack of parts. The parts are sequentially lifted out of the magazine by a pickup head. The pickup head has a displacement mechanism which advances the part into an indexing head. The pickup head rotates the part within the indexing head until sensors within the indexing head determine the part to be in a proper angular position. The part is then withdrawn from the indexing head and advanced to a subsequent use position.

Abstract: Stacks of blanks arranged in substantially orderly manner on a supporting surface are picked up successively by a powered pickup head for supply to a user machine; the pickup head presenting a pair of intercepting sensors for simultaneously intercepting a given reference edge of the stack when the head is set to the correct pickup position in relation to the stack; and the pickup head being set to the correct pickup position by means of a series of successive rotary and translational movements in the event only one of the sensors intercepts the reference edge of the stack.

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: A manufacturing system and method for processing semiconductor wafers through a plurality of processing stations that perform manufacturing operations on wafers includes a plurality of processing stations, each of which are capable of performing at least one processing operation on a wafer, each of the processing stations having a controlled environment for processing the wafers, and a branched tunnel joined and communicating with the controlled environment. A means is provided for maintaining a clean environment in the tunnel. Within the tunnel there are provided a plurality of guided transport vehicles adapted to travel between the process stations. A plurality of wafer carriers, each adapted to support a single wafer and be carried by the transport vehicles, are part of the system.

Abstract: For use in an apparatus wherein a container is supported for decorating, wherein the container has a neck and a finish with an opening formed at an angle to the axis of the container, a chuck for engaging the finish. The chuck includes a body having an axis of rotation. The body includes an annular axially facing surface having the same axis as the axis of the body. The annular surface is frustoconical and forms an angle with the axis of the body such that the finish is engaged by the surface for holding the end of the container with the neck and finish in position for decoration. The body is mounted for rotation about its axis.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for positioning a semiconductor wafer incorporates an X.Y axis drive mechanism for moving a mounting bed with a rotary part mounted on the mounting bed for supporting a wafer horizontally and rotating around the vertical axis. An edge portion distance measuring device optically measures a distance from the center position of the rotary part to the edge portion of the wafer along intervals of a definite angle. A distance and angle calculating device calculates a distance between the center position of the wafer and the rotational center of the rotary part relative to a reference line, and an angle of a line connecting the center position of the wafer and the rotational center of the rotary part with respect to the reference line. A notched portion calculating device calculates a deflection angle of the notched portion of the wafer with respect to the reference line, and a deflection amount calculating device calculates the X.

Abstract: An end effector for a robotic assembly for acquiring and manipulating articles having a substantially cylindrical aperture therein. The end effector has a cylindrical gripping portion having radially expandable fingers and a collar portion adapted to bear on the article. When the fingers are inserted into the aperture in the article and expanded the object is gripped over a large portion of the circumference of the aperture. The article is then translated from a vertical to horizontal position. The gripping portion is provided with a flat portion to allow the article to be contacted against a stop for easy withdrawal of the fingers. The entire cylindrical gripping portion is flexibly mounted to the robotic assembly to allow acquisition of an article presented to the gripping portion of the end effector in an off vertical alignment.

Abstract: A transfer line for machining differential housings, in which the outer surface of the workpiece is clamped against angled locating surfaces in each work rest. The workpiece is rotated through 90.degree. and located against a work rest in a successive machining station which is oriented 90.degree. to the first mentioned work rest locating surfaces so that the same locating points on the workpiece are used for locating in the successive machining station despite the workpiece having been rotated to enable machining from a different angle.

Abstract: A device (24) for aligning with a feeding line (8) of a moving transfer conveyor (3) and for bending a round elongated dough piece (13) randomly placed on the moving transfer conveyor for transfer, comprising a pair of stoppers (26, 26) symmetrically arranged in a funnel-shape above the moving transfer conveyor (3) so that the dough piece (13) can be moved to a central position between the stoppers (26) and (26). The stoppers are rotatable to bend the dough piece (13) and movable to release it on the moving transfer conveyor.

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 prealigner (10) employs an X-Y stage (20) and a rotary stage (26) to position and orient a specimen (12) without centering it on the prealigner. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary stage is mounted on the X-Y stage and receives a semiconductor (12) in a substantially arbitrary position and orientation. The prealigner employs the rotary stage and translation in only an X-axis direction to scan the peripheral edge (76) of the wafer across an optical scanning assembly (36) to form a polar coordinate map of the wafer. A microprocessor (162) determines the location and orientation of the wafer from the map and cooperates with a motor drive controller (122) to generate control signals for positioning and orienting the wafer in the preselected alignment without changing the location at which the wafer is held.

Abstract: One or more misaligned packaging blanks or blanks for cigarette boxes in a stack can be realigned by causing the stack to be engaged at both ends by two half-shell-shaped receiving portions. It is then tilted by 90.degree. so that the edges of the blanks all rest on a supporting surface. The two receiving portions are then brought together so as to realign any blanks protruding from the stack longitudinally. A detection device are incorporated in one of the receiving portions for checking the proper orientation of the stack and for causing it to be turned over one way or the other, depending upon its initial orientation.

Abstract: A wafer transport module interconnects a horizontal wafer handler with a vertical wafer processor and includes an evacuatable housing with a first port in communication with the horizontal wafer handler and sized to permit passage of a wafer therethrough in horizontal orientation and a second port in communication with a load/unload station of the vertical wafer processor and sized to permit passage of wafers therethrough in vertical orientation. The transport module includes a wafer holder which supports a wafer on a pedestal and rotates the pedestal and wafer about an inclined axis between horizontal orientation adjacent the first port and vertical orientation adjacent and in alignment with the second port. The wafer holder horizontally extends the vertically oriented platen and wafer from the second position through the second port to the load/unload station of the vertical processor. After wafer processing, the sequence is reversed to return the wafer to the horizontal wafer handler.

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: An apparatus for transporting surgical needles includes a needle holding apparatus having a movable jaw structure. The jaw structure is releasably biased in a closed position for holding needles in a predetermined position. The jaw structure may include laterally movable first and second sections for rotating a needle therebetween.The needle holding apparatus may be removably positionable on a work surface such that the needle holding apparatus may interface with a needle loading apparatus. The needle loading apparatus provides accommodating means capable of containing a multiplicity of needles. A needle advancing structure, such as a movable track, advances the needles in a predetermined fashion from the accommodating means. The needle advancing structure positions needles such that said jaw structure of the holding apparatus can selectively grasp the needles and transport the needle to another location.

Abstract: In IC test equipment which has an input magazine support station for supporting a magazine discharged from an input magazine stocker and an output magazine support station for supporting a magazine into which IC elements tested in a testing station are loaded, a magazine inverting device is provided between the input magazine stocker and the input magazine support station, for turning the magazine through 90 or 180 degrees about its lengthwise direction, an IC inverting device is provided between the testing station and the output magazine support station, for turning an IC element through 90 or 180 degrees about the direction of its travel, and an IC diverter is provided whereby the orientation of the inverted IC relative to the direction of its travel is reversed and is then discharged into the magazine supported at the output magazine support station.

Abstract: Apparatus for turning by 90.degree. a panel or a panel stack (P) on a cutting machine worktable (Q) comprises a withdrawable gripper means (1) rotatable about a vertical axis (2), which upon control clamps a panel stack (P) close to one of its rear corners. The gripper (1) is associated with a carriage (7) for causing the gripper (1) to perform in a programmable precise manner a rectilinear movement (3) near to, and away from the cutting line (Z) of the longitudinally cutting machine, such that the panel stack (P) will be turned in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending whether it is clamped at its left-hand or right-hand corner. A withdrawable push roller (4) acts on the panel stack (P) concurrently with the gripper by being moved parallel to the longitudinally cutting machine in a programmable precise manner, so that it assists in the desired turning of the panel stack (P).

Abstract: An air flotation assembly table utilized in the application of sealant strip material to the perimeter edges of sheet material, the assembly table having a flat work surface upon which the flat sheet material, such as a glass sheet, is placed for applying the sealant strip material to successive perimeter edges thereof. The flat work surface has a plurality of spaced-apart air holes through which air is emitted to float the sheet material slightly thereabove. In combination with the assembly table there is included a vacuum cup assembly for linearly positioning the sheet material so that an edge of the sheet material is presented to the workman, the vacuum cup assembly further including a vacuum cup for adhering to the sheet material, and a lift shaft for raising and lowering the vacuum cup. The vacuum cup assembly is mounted to a carriage which is selectively actuated for linear movement by a band cylinder.

Abstract: A rotator including a base frame for being attached to a lift mechanism; a rotating frame; a first latch member attached to the rotating frame; a second latch member attached to the rotating frame a spaced distance from the first latch member for coacting with the first latch member to securely attach a trailer chassis to the rotating frame; and axle structure rotatably attaching the rotating frame and the base frame to one another for allowing the rotating frame to rotate between a first position and a second position to rotate the trailer chassis between an upright position and an inverted position about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer chassis.

Abstract: A method for conveying a sample container from a sample tray which has a designated location for supporting the container. The container is placeable on the tray at a location separated from the designated location such that the container will have an orientation which differs from a desired orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling palletized piles of sheet-shaped materials including a first carriage having a fork tower with upper and lower forks which are actuated to grip the pile. The fork tower swings about a horizontal axis and rotates about a vertical axis. A second carriage has a pallet-supporting surface which rotates about a vertical axis. The first and second carriages are movable along rails so that a pile is aerated and positioned for delivery to a production machine.

Abstract: An end effector deploying and inverting linkage. The linkage comprises an air cylinder mounted in a frame or tube, a sliding bracket next to the air cylinder, a stopping bracket depending from the frame and three, pivotally-attached links that are attached to the end effector and to each other in such a way as to be capable of inverting the end effector and translating it laterally. The first of the three links is a straight element that is moved up and down by the shaft of the air cylinder. The second link is attached at one end to the stopping bracket and to the side of the end effector at the other end. The first link is attached near the middle of the second, sharply angled link so that, as the shaft of the air cylinder moves up and down, the second link rotates about an axis perpendicular to the frame and inverts and translates the end effector. The rotation of the second link is stopped at both ends when the link engages stops on the stopping bracket.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for managing stores, in which objects are stored, removed and arranged. Said objects are stored not in accordance with an indexed classification but as a function of their dimensions and of the storage volumes available in the store and, at each instant, their location as well as the location and dimensions of the storage volumes still available are recorded. Said process is advantageously carried out for managing a library, videotheque, discotheque, archives, . . . . The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out said process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying a plurality of packages. A pivotable support rod having a tubular form defines a hollow inner diameter. The support rod receives packages from a doffing truck and supports the packages in a vertical orientation. A hanger is vertically lowered toward the support rod. The hanger includes package holding pawls located at the ends of longitudinal posts. A longitudinal guide member is centrally located among the posts and extends at least to the holding pawls. The guide member defines an outer diameter that is smaller than the hollow inner diameter of the support rod. The guide member is insertable into the hollow inner diameter of the support rod when the hanger is vertically lowered toward the support rod.

Abstract: A device for lifting sheets of glass brought on a conveyor, has at least one arm rotatable about a horizontal spindle, situated at the lower end of the arm, between a substantially vertical position for gripping the sheets on the conveyor and a substantially horizontal position for depositing the sheets. The device also has a support mounted on the upper end of each rotating arm, the support being slidable along the axis of the arm. The support carries first suction cups for gripping the sheets and at least two retractable arms fastened with the support, the arms being rotatable between a substantially horizontal axis carried by the support, each retractable arm being provided with second suction cups. The retractable arms and the second suction cups are disposed symmetrically with respect to the conveyor axis and in such a way that the sheets of large dimensions are gripped while being in equilibrium.

Abstract: An apparatus for spacing and orienting croissant dough pieces has a dough-spacing device located at the position where the dough pieces are transferred from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor, which dough-spacing device places the dough pieces apart from one another in the feeding direction on the downstream conveyor in a staggered manner, and a reorienting device for turning the dough pieces, with one side of each dough piece at right angles to the feeding direction of the downstream conveyor. The dough pieces are thus spaced apart from one another without increasing the conveyor width. The dough pieces are also fed to a downstream rolling-up apparatus after ensuring that the relevant side of each of the dough pieces is perpendicular to the feeding direction.