Abstract: A container raising/lowering conveyance apparatus is provided with: rod-shaped gripping raising/lowering bodies which are long in a raising/lowering direction, and which are supported so as to be capable of being horizontally fitted to and detached from corners of a container; and lifting raising/lowering bodies in which supporting implements protruding towards two parallel side surfaces of the container are provided to rod-shaped main bodies which are long in the raising/lowering direction and are capable of being moved closer to and away from the two parallel side surfaces of the container. When the supporting implements are moved closer to the two parallel side surfaces of the container, the supporting implements are inserted underneath a flange portion at the two parallel side surfaces of the container, and when the rod-shaped main bodies are raised, the supporting implements lift the container via the flange portion.

Abstract: A squaring device provided to a counter ejector part that stops flat cardboard boxes fed from an upstream, using a front stop, in a downstream part of a box-manufacturing machine, receives and stacks the flat cardboard boxes in a stacking part in a hopper part, and ejects the stack as a batch. It includes a squaring plate that, while the stacking part retains in a stack position during a retention interval, squares the cardboard boxes stacked on the stacking part, in conjunction with the front stop, the retention interval being set in accordance with a feed speed of the cardboard boxes and a count setting for a stack of the cardboard boxes. A reciprocation driving unit drives the squaring plate to reciprocate toward and away from the front stop, and is configured to vary a speed ratio of a squaring speed for reciprocating the squaring plate, to the feed speed.

Abstract: The sample transport system includes a management section which holds information on the status of a sample transport system as a whole as well as sample information in order to transport and control a plurality of carriers as a consecutive group and which generates group information on a group of carriers to be handled simultaneously based on sample attributes and request information; and units made up of a conveyer line, a connecting line, and a processing section to control received carriers at a converging point based on the group information, so as to permit group management control of the carriers. In this manner, the sample transport system processes as a single batch a plurality of samples collected for the same processing purpose.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising two intermediate storages (32, 500) for intermediate storage of notes of value and a stack combining unit (802). The stack combining unit (802) combines a first stack formed by notes of value intermediately stored in the first intermediate storage (32) and a second stack formed by notes of value intermediately stored in the second intermediate storage (500) to a single combined stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for archiving specimens in specimen vessels. The apparatus includes an archive room accessible via a lock for automated feeding of vessels into and out of the room. A storage and restacking system is disposed in the room and includes two side-by-side stacks of trays in a receiving area. Each tray has a receptacle area defining a plurality of receptacles therein, each configured to receive a single vessel. A stacking means forms the stacks of trays. One tray is stacked on another in such a way as to maintain a clearance relative to the receptacle area of the lower tray. A lifting means is provided for vertically lifting trays stacked on a selected tray; and a transfer means is provided for horizontal transfer of a selected tray from one stack to the other, or from one stack to the lock, or from the lock to one of the stacks.

Abstract: A bag-making and packaging machine including first through third transportation devices provided between a positioning conveyor that positions bags fed out from a horizontal-type bag-making machine and a supply conveyor that supplies the bags to a conveyor magazine-type bag-supply apparatus of a packaging machine, wherein the first transportation device suctions and raises the bags from the positioning conveyor and changes them into a vertical attitude with the bag mouth portions facing downward, the second transportation device takes the bags held by the first transportation devices by gripping them with the gripping members, horizontally transports them to a prescribed position while rotating them, and then the third transportation device suctions and takes up the bags from the second transportation device, changes them to a horizontal attitude with the bag mouth portions facing in the bag feed direction and then places them on the supply conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for automatic transfer of textile articles (4) consisting of socks for men, women and children, from a linking machine (2) to a boarding machine characterised in that it comprises automatic transfer means (30) operatively active on the linking machine (2) to pick up at least one textile article (4) from the linking machine (2) and transfer it to the boarding machine according to a predetermined orientation, and loading means (31) to automatically load the textile article (4) onto the boarding machine. A method of automatically transferring textile articles (4) from a inking machine (2) to a boarding machine characterised in that it comprises the step of automatically picking up at least one textile article (4) from the linking machine (2) and the step of loading said textile article (4) onto the boarding machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveying system that performs efficient conveyance by using trays each accommodating one workpiece, as basic conveying means, and fully utilizing this advantage of the trays to allow its conveyance form to be changed as required. The conveying system includes a single-pod conveying means 10 for conveying pods 5 one by one, a pod stacking means 50 for stacking a plurality of pods 5, a stacked pod conveying means 60 for conveying the stacked pods 5, and a pod destacking means 50 for destacking the stacked pods.

Abstract: A material storage and delivery system includes an individual container storage and delivery system (ICSDS). A palletizer is provided for placing containers from the ICSDS on a pallet. A layer storage and delivery system (LSDS) places full layers of containers on a pallet. A robotic container delivery system (RCDS) places individual containers on a pallet. A conveyor system conveys containers and pallets between at least two of the ICSDS, the palletizer, the LSDS and the RCDS. A method for storing and delivering containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: Unit for packaging and palletizing rolls of paper comprising a bagging and/or forming machine adapted to sort packages of said rolls into batches or to bag said sorted loose packages in a plastic bag, and a palletizing station comprising at lease one manipulator provided with grippers to handle loose packages of delivered products from said bagging and/or forming machine. The products are conveyed to said palletizing station with a predetermined stepped sequence and spaced from one another in at least one row on a conveyer element, wherein said at least one robot and said bagging and/or forming machine are interconnected and are programmed respectively to sort said products in batches of different forms and dimensions according to a sequence which is continuously variable to form a layer of a pallet with different batches of products adjacent to and engaged with one another.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for unloading and binding brick or other components include an infeed conveyor that delivers layers of brick to a transfer distribution carriage. The distribution carriage repositions the brick layers on either an outfeed conveyor or a tine conveyor. The layers of bricks carried by the outfeed conveyor are moved to where a tine layer is positioned on their upper surface. The tine conveyor divides the bricks into an arrangement of rows spaced apart to define openings for receiving a lifting or moving member, so that when the tine layer is positioned in a completed stack, enables movement of the stack by a forklift or other suitable moving means. Additional layer or layers are then positioned on the tine row on a packaging conveyor so that completed stacks are delivered to a package station that binds the stack of bricks or other components into an integrated structure.

Abstract: A machine for building a stack of stiff flat articles comprises an input device for feed of a horizontal flow of flat articles in an overlapping shingled relationship and travelling in a first direction, a pusher mechanism for engaging with a side of one of the flat articles and for driving a plurality of flat articles into a vertical stack at a first location. The pusher mechanism comprises a carriage device for movement in the first direction, a bottom-pusher mechanism mounted on the carriage and a top-pusher mechanism mounted on the carriage.

Abstract: A collating for collecting sample chips includes a framework supporting a plurality of supply bins housing sample chips and a track running adjacent the plurality of supply bins. The apparatus further includes at least one collection bin shaped and dimension for movement on the track and at least one gantry for transferring sample chips from the plurality of supply bins to the at least one collection bin when the at least one collection bin is aligned with respective supply bins.

Abstract: A module IC handler used for testing module Ics is disclosed in which the handler enables loading and unloading operations for module ICs, without further elevating pallet over an installation plate, and provides sequential transferring operations for the pallet on which test or customer tray is placed. To this end, after all module Ics 1 are loaded from the test tray 6 exposed to the loading or unloading position 19 or 26 by the loading and unloading elevator units 18a, 18b, or the test-finished module Ics are filled in the customer tray 17, the pallet 5 is moved to a rotation position 30 by a transfer 31, and then can be circulated to an upper side of the loading or unloading elevation plate 36 by the downer 32.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for presenting trays from a first plurality of stacked trays to a pick and place device for loading or unloading work pieces to or from the trays, and for subsequently restacking the trays to a second plurality of stacked trays. A handling device comprises a frame defining a tray loading zone receivingly engaging the first plurality of stacked trays for singulating the trays. The frame furthermore defines a tray unloading zone different from the tray loading zone receivingly engaging the trays for stacking with the second plurality of stacked trays. The frame furthermore defines a handling zone between the loading and unloading zones operatively presenting the singulated trays to the pick and place device. The handling device further comprises a singluating device in the tray loading zone adapted for separating the trays from the first plurality of stacked trays.

Abstract: An automated cell is provided for handling parts received in part carriers. The device comprises a working space closed to the outside, within which a first, second and third stack position are sequentially arranged. A transfer device is provided with a first linear axis extending in a horizontal direction and a second linear axis coupled thereto extending in vertical direction. A bulkhead wall is arranged between the first and the second stack position, which together with a driveable hood guarantees a closure free of contact when the door on the front side of the device is opened. Handling procedures within the working space can then be decoupled from loading and unloading operations at the first stack position. The automated cell is very space-saving and inexpensive and also allows a stack-specific logistics.

Abstract: The feeding method concerns the transfer of panels (2) from the top of a vertical stack (17) to a loading table (4) on a panel saw machine. The panels (2) are pushed by mobile horizontal pushers (7) from the stack (17) until they arrive at an infeed device (8) which conveys the panels (2) to the loading table (4). The pushers (7) and the vertical stack (17) perform relative movements controlled by control means (70), so as to allow the pushers (7) to transfer from the stack (17) one or more panels (2), depending on the extent (h) of the relative translation. The infeed device (8) comprises at least two pairs of rollers, each pair comprising a motor-driven roller and an idler roller. The center distance of a pair of rollers may be adjusted by adjusting the idler roller.

Abstract: An easily installed inter-row transfer unit is disclosed employing a movable cartridge bin assembly suspended via linkage from a pair of bearing blocks, wherein the resulting bin assembly carriage travels horizontally along a support housing extending between front-to-back arrangements of rows of library systems, to enable expansion of the library systems into very large mass storage systems. The pair of bearing blocks of the bin assembly carriage are spread or closed to respectively raise or lower the bin assembly from or into a respective library system. Thus, vertical as well as horizontal motions of the bearing blocks are controlled by a motor/cable drum drive device secured to the support housing. In a preferred embodiment, a trapdoor mechanism and a cooperating roller support mechanism are used to enable reversing the direction of horizontal translation of the bin assembly carriage with a single motor/cable drum drive device. Various other embodiments and modifications are illustrated.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a screw device (10) arranged to deliver the articles one at a time, in a manner spaced from the others, after withdrawing them from a vertical pile resting on it, means for counting the articles delivered by the screw device (10) and, downstream thereof, a continuous track (20) along which the articles slide in a stacked arrangement and which leads the stacks containing a predetermined number of articles to a final station (50) in which the stacks are positioned horizontally or inclined; finally a rotary device (30) accompanies the stacks of articles of predetermined number and urges them one at a time along said track (20) from the point in which they leave the screw device (10) to the final station (50).

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating a stack of bags having wicket receiving holes comprises a paddle wheel conveyor for placing bags, a motorized stacker wheel adjacent the paddle wheel conveyor to receive the placed bags from the paddle wheel, a plurality of stacker bar units each rotatably mounted to the stacker wheel and a pick up head operatively positioned adjacent said plurality of stacker bar units for receiving the stack of bags from one of the stacker bar units. The pick up head has two tubes that receive and maintain alignment of the bags, a restraining jaw for restraining the stack of bags on the tubes and a pusher plate for pushing the stack of bags off the two tubes.

Abstract: A material pallet (5) is disposed on a lower portion on a front side of a main body frame (3), a product pallet (7) which is capable of moving up and down is disposed on a lower portion on a rear side of the main body frame, a workpiece carrier (19) which has absorption pads (27) and is capable of moving up and down is disposed above the material pallet (5) in the frame, a loader (15) for moving the workpiece carrier to the plate member working machine is disposed, an unloader (31) is disposed so as to be capable of moving to the plate member working machine, a moving support table (33) which reciprocates between a position above the material pallet and a position above the product pallet (7) is disposed, a moving clamp (37) and a support clamp (35) are disposed respectively on front and rear sides in the position above the product pallet, and a control device (45) for controlling the respective units is disposed.