Abstract: An expandable arbor is provided for assembling a plurality of laminas into a lamination, wherein each lamina has a central opening and a plurality of slots extending radially from the central opening. The arbor includes a base portion and an expandable core that is disposed to extend axially from the base portion. The arbor further includes a plurality of key holders disposed around the core. Each key holder is configured in the form of an elongated shaft that extends axially from the base portion and has a polygonal transverse cross-section. Each key holder is further configured with a plurality of faces, and each face defines a key receptacle therein for holding a key.

Abstract: A stage assembly which includes a stage which moves on a base, where the base is suspended on a foundation, minimizes disturbance to the base caused by linear acceleration of the stage during its movement. Reaction cancellation forces are applied through the stage center of gravity, hence there is no uncancelled reaction moment and no disturbance of the base stability. The net reaction cancellation force is applied in line with the stage center of gravity and parallel to the stage direction of travel. Alternatively, the base is isolated from the reaction forces by a rigid linkage between the stage linear actuator and a foundation.

Abstract: A machine and process is described for squaring sheets stacked in a bundle supported along a plane. The bundle includes a leading bundle end, a trailing bundle end and opposed bundle sides. The machine includes a frame with a leading end stop mounted by a stop actuator mounting to position the leading end stop across the plane to engage the leading end of the bundle. A trailing end tamper is mounted to a trailing end actuator on the frame for movement to engage and urge the bundle against the leading end stop and align the sheets along the leading and trailing ends of the bundle. A pair of side plates are mounted by a side plate actuator assembly for movement to (a) engage and align sheets along the bundle sides and (b) position the bundle at a prescribed position on the plane.

Abstract: A bill handling machine includes a rotatable drum provided with a bill transport arrangement in which a bill transporting passage is formed therein and movable between a transport position where it can hold bills in the bill transporting passage so as to be able to transport them and a release position where it releases the holding of the bills and a shutter which can open and close one end portion of the bill transporting passage, and a vibrating mechanism for applying slight vibration to the drum, while the one end portion of the bill transporting passage is closed by the shutter, the bill transporting passage is oriented vertically so that the shutter is directed downwardly as a result of the rotation of the drum and the bill transport arrangement has been moved to the release position. According to the thus constituted bill handling machine, it is possible to reliably align one end portions of bills whose sizes differ greatly and efficiently handle bills.

Abstract: An expandable arbor is provided for assembling a plurality of laminas into a lamination, wherein each lamina has a central opening and a plurality of slots extending radially from the central opening. The arbor includes a base portion and an expandable core that is disposed to extend axially from the base portion. The arbor further includes a plurality of key holders disposed around the core. Each key holder is configured in the form of an elongated shaft that extends axially from the base portion and has a polygonal transverse cross-section. Each key holder is further configured with a plurality of faces, and each face defines a key receptacle therein for holding a key.

Abstract: A golf ball stacking and dispensing apparatus is disclosed herein comprising: a) a substantially rectangular base frame; b) a plurality of rails substantially parallel to one pair of opposing sides of the rectangular base frame and secured at each end to the other pair of opposing faces of the rectangular base frame; and c) a hopper having an open-bottomed pyramidal lower section. The top edges of the sides of the base frame may extend above the tops of the rails. The rails are substantially uniformly spaced apart, with spacing and transverse dimensions such that a golf ball may not pass between adjacent rails, but rather is constrained to lie on each of two adjacent rails and roll along their lengths in a groove formed therebetween. The spacing between centerlines of adjacent rails must be larger than a ball diameter and less than about 1.414 times the ball diameter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for forming, on a conveyor table (7), a stack (6) of stacked objects, such as, for example, newspapers, magazines or the like, which stack is to be conveyed in the conveying direction. The stack is to be conveyed in the conveying direction. The stack is conveyed to a further, different workstation, for example, whilst being conveyed from a cross boom to a shrink-wrapping unit. The invention is characterized in that the stack has a blocking arrangement which comprises at least one charging electrode (11, 12) disposed in the conveying direction on both sides adjacent the stack and at least one contact roller (16) above the stack.

Abstract: A modular, transportable housing for storing substrates, such as semi-conductor wafers and masks, and for maintaining such substrates in a substantially clean environment. Substrates are supported within the housing by a plurality of combs which maintain the substrates in spaced relationship relative to each other. Access to the interior of the housing is permitted by a pivotal door assembly. A docking unit permits interface of the housing with a clean environment. Control circuitry provided in the docking unit detects the presence of a housing and loads/unloads the housing as directed by a host computer through a communication link. A memory device is preferably mounted to the housing for storing history and other information about the substrates within the housing. The host computer directs the control circuitry to retrieve the substrate information from the memory and relay the information to the host computer. During or after processing of the substrates, the host computer updates the memory as desired.

Abstract: A semiconductor device transporting and handling apparatus is provided which provides for positively grasping and transporting an IC out of a tray loaded with ICs, even if the tray is tilted due to deformations an/or distortions, by the use of a carrier head which is vertically movable through constant strokes. The tilt of the tray is measured by attitude gauging means comprising four sets of optical sensors, the altitude differences of the top surfaces of ICs accommodated in the tray with respect to a reference level are calculated by altitude difference calculating means, and the calculated altitude differences are stored in altitude difference storage means. Once an IC being picked up has been identified, the altitude difference of the identified IC with respect to the reference level is read out, and the position of the tray is moved vertically to conform with the reference level by altitude difference correcting means to insure that the carrier head can pick up the IC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting the appearance of each of a plurality of vertically stacked load stages each comprising a load placed on a pallet. Each of the vertically stacked load stages is separated, and each separated load stage is corrected.

Abstract: A specific number of printed products is arranged on a supporting belt in a compacted imbricated formation. The printed product arranged at the leading end of the imbricated formation, as seen in the conveying direction, rests with its bottom end against a stop element. The printed product arranged at the other end bears, with its lower flat side, on the supporting belt. By virtue of the upending element being pivoted from a horizontal to an upright position, the imbricated formation is formed into a horizontal stack which is transferred to the removal conveyor by means of the stack transporter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking golf balls in an aesthetically pleasing manner includes the use of a invertible form having a cavity therein. By placing golf balls within the cavity, the form may be inverted and the balls therein allowed to assume a stacked configuration atop a supporting base, which can be maintained after the form is lifted upwardly and away from the stack/base combination.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for collecting plates from two rows of plates travelling side-by-side on a moving conveyor comprising inverting plates sequentially in one row of plates and merging said two rows of plates by depositing a plate from one row onto a plate in the other row to form a single row of double plates each having an inverted plate, and assembling a single row of said double plates into stacks. The double plates are assembled into stacks preferably by shingling the double plates to assemble a plurality of overlapped double plates, stacking shingled double plates to form horizontal stacks, turning each horizontal stack onto a side or end of the stack to form a vertically-stacked bundle, and rocking the vertically-stacked bundle on the side or end to align the plates on the side or end, rotating the bundle vertically through 90.degree.

Abstract: A cargo consisting of stacked compressible bales, such as bales of straw, positioned on a flat cargo bed of a cargo vehicle is compacted and compressed laterally of the cargo bed to eliminate excessive overhang of the cargo beyond the sides of the bed by pressing compacting members against opposite sides of the cargo to exert opposing compacting forces on the cargo laterally of the cargo bed. The disclosed compacting members are rollers between which the cargo vehicle is driven in a manner such that the rollers undergo relative rolling movement along the sides of the cargo to progressively compact the cargo from one end to the other.

Abstract: In this method for row-wise separation of rectilinear, plastic porous concrete bodies formed by longitudinal and transverse cutting of a rectilinear plastic porous concrete block preferably standing on edge. After turning back through 90.degree., the cut block is so placed with its major side surface on a plurality of parallel laminae for the separation and so that its longest side edge runs parallel to the direction of the laminae and that each row of porous concrete bodies is supported on at least one lamina. Before the separation, a clamping force is exerted from above on the upper ends of all the porous concrete bodies of the row to be separated. Independently thereof, a clamping force from above is exerted on the upper ends of all the porous concrete bodies of the stationary row in contact with the row to be separated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking golf balls in an aesthetically pleasing manner includes the use of a invertible form having a cavity therein. By placing golf balls within the cavity, the form may be inverted and the balls therein allowed to assume a stacked configuration atop a supporting base, which can be maintained after the form is lifted upwardly and away from the stack/base combination.

Abstract: A jogger for straightening material in tiers. The material rests against at least two lateral baffles associated with adjacent sides of a stack-supporting surface. The stack-supporting surface can vibrate. A gantry travels back and forth in the same plane as the stack-supporting surface. The stack-supporting surface can be tilted out of the horizontal toward the two lateral baffles. A top-covering plate (21) is mounted in the gantry (16) and parallels the stack-supporting surface (3). The stack (40) is accommodated between the top-covering plate and the stack-supporting surface. Mechanisms (22) accommodated in the gantry lower the top-covering plate onto and raise it off the stack-supporting surface. Blowers (30 & 31) for forcing wind between the tiers are accommodated in at least one (25) of the lateral baffles (25, 26, & 27). At least one side-covering plate (33 or 34) closes off the space between the stack-supporting surface and the top-covering plate.

Abstract: Device for jogging a pile of sheets includes a pushrod extending in a direction towards a sheet pile, the pushrod having a thrust plate disposed on an end thereof pointing in the direction towards the sheet pile, a device for holding the pushrod, the holding device being displaceable in a jogging direction, a drive connectible to the holding device for imparting a jogging movement thereto in the jogging direction, the pushrod being mounted so as to be displaceable in the direction towards the sheet pile for adjusting the position of the thrust plate relative to the holding device, an adjusting device for adjusting the pushrod in position for effecting a format adjustment, the pushrod being variable in length, a device for varying the length of the pushrod, and a device for fixing the pushrod at and for releasing the pushrod from a respective length thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for merging vertically oriented documents with horizontally oriented documents. The apparatus includes: a document assembler for receiving vertically oriented documents, the document assembler having a pair of parallel paper paths, wherein each of the paper paths includes a device for transporting the vertically oriented documents and a device for stopping and a device for aligning the vertically oriented documents; a device located beneath the document assembler for re-orienting the documents from the document assembler in a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation; and a horizontal transport located beneath the re-orienting device for feeding horizontally oriented documents toward the re-oriented documents emerging from the re-orienting device, whereby the horizontally oriented documents are merged with the re-oriented documents from the document assembler.

Abstract: A vehicle supports a first roller conveyor having stop members at opposite sides of the vehicle mounted for pivotal movement between the rollers of the first conveyor to assist in stacking ties on the first conveyor from either side of the vehicle. The first conveyor feeds stacks of ties into a horizontal compression means and a vertical compression and banding means for banding stacks of ties. A second roller conveyor feeds banded stacks of ties away from the banding means. Dump arms at opposite sides of the vehicle are mounted for pivotal movement between the rollers of the second conveyor to dump banded stacks of ties to either side of the vehicle. Hydraulic motors drive the conveyors, and a sensor is provided adjacent the second conveyor to sense the position of a stack of ties, the operation of the hydraulic motors being responsive to the sensor.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for loading and unloading motor vehicles, to be positioned between a loading platform and a vehicle positioning region, includes a frame movable longitudinally to the loading platform, a manipulator-conveyor unit provided with lifting and/or gripping devices and arranged on a support element rotatable through at least 180.degree., the manipulator-conveyor unit being extendable so as to be movable to a position above the loading platform and to a position above the load floor of a vehicle, features being provided for correctly aligning the support element with the load floor, a central processor also being connected to the apparatus. Sensors are associated with the manipulator-conveyor unit for sensing its movement above the support element and are connected to the central processor and to an actuator which correctly positions at least one pair of motorized wheels supporting the manipulator-conveyor unit.

Abstract: A light-sensitive film feeding magazine (1), for use in a day-light automatic film handling apparatus, includes a device for centering the films of a stack inserted in the magazine (1). Such a device includes a sliding tray (7) guided on a bottom wall (2) of the magazine (1), a side buffer (15) provided oil the tray (7), perpendicular to the bottom wall (2) and parallel to the axis (X) of the magazine (1), a pushing device means for pushing the stack of films on the tray (7) against the buffer. and a shifting device for shifting the tray (&) on the bottom wall (2) toward a position in which films resting against the buffer have axes coincident with the axis (X) of the magazine (1). With this magazine (1) it is possible to center the films at a central location of the magazine (1) without loosing space in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A device for stacking and destacking a stream of imbricated, substantially planar, flexible units to form or destack a layered stack. The device is a stacker, adapted to receive a stream of units from a source thereof, and a plurality of transfer sheets. The feeder delivers the stream of units to the stacker.The stacker has staging belts which receive portions of the stream and deposit the units serially on one of the transfer sheets, as it is withdrawn from the sheet stack. This forms an imbricated layer of the units and the transfer sheet. The stacker deposits the imbricated layer on a removable support and repeats the cycle to deposit successive imbricated layers on the preceding layers. Destacking is carried out by simply reversing the process.

Abstract: A process and device for compacting stacks of cutouts in a packaging machine wherein the stacks arranged in an orderly manner are removed by a grip element supported by a head of a removal and transfer unit. The stack is transferred to a compacting station fixedly mounted in a position above a feeding station of the packaging machine. and is inserted in the compacting station which is equipped with an abutment element having an inlet shaped complementarily to one end of the cutouts. Pusher elements which are rigidly associated to the head and frontally define a profile being shaped complementarily with respect to the end of the cutouts opposite to the one inserted in the compacting station, act on the stack upon advancement of the head for inserting the stack in the inlet of the abutment element, thereby compacting the stack.

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

Abstract: Separation of individual laminations is performed by positioning a row of the laminations against a metal tray or similar supporting surface. The opposite ends of the row are engaged between platens which are oriented parallel to each other at a first angle relative to the axis of the row. While compressing the row between the platens, a force is applied against a side of the row to compact it against the supporting surface. The row is the engaged between platens that are oriented parallel to each other but at a second angle relative to the axis of the row, and a compacting force is again applied while the row is compressed between the platens. At least one of the first and second angles is an oblique angle.

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 device for aligning a continuous paper sheet strip stored in a stacker (10), to form a package (14), which includes a first lateral locator (20) transversally fixed and vertically movable and a second lateral locator (50) movable both laterally and vertically; the locators (20, 50) include telescopically-shaped rods, the external rod (52, 62) thereof being cylindrical in shape. In order to move the second locator (50), a motor, a pair of rods and a worm screw are provided which is located in a region over the collector (10) and do not protrude laterally with respect thereto.

Abstract: In a paper processing machine, the method and apparatus of this invention apply an opposite electrostatic charge to stacks and reams of paper to eliminate the repelling force from like charges on both sides of the individual sheets of the stack or ream to thereby temporarily bond them together. With the sheets thus temporarily bonded, the stacks and reams of paper can be easily transported between work stations without undesirable sliding of the sheets.

Abstract: A stack squaring device, particularly for squaring a stack consisting of a plurality of thin sheets, includes a horizontal conveyor to transport the stack in a direction of conveyance from a reception area, via a squaring area into a discharge area. A stack stop extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the stack, is disposed in the discharge area and is movable in the stack conveyance area. Two contact plates are disposed at the sides of the stack and at least one contact plate constitutes a vibrator plate which is connected to a vibrator drive unit. A bearing plate is provided beneath the stack. A pressing plate is lowered vertically onto the stack, whereby the pressing plate and the bearing plate are guided relative to one another in the direction of a common axis, preferably in the direction of a vertical axis. The dimensions of the pressing plate and the bearing plate are smaller than the cover surface of the stack.

Abstract: Automatic service apparatus for fast printers (10) including a store (12) containing reams of papers to be printed, a mechanical arm (16), equipped with pliers (24), movable among a plurality of boxes (14) for drawing reams from the store (12), unpacking and aligning sheets from the ream, depositing one of the reams into a sheet feeding seat of a printer (10), drawing groups of sheets from the output of the printer (10) and transferring the groups to an after-treatment station (60). The pliers can be provided with a static device for aligning the reams.

Abstract: Folio reams are draped into discrete panels of paper or other wrapping material while in continuous motion along a horizontal path. The panels are fed from below so that the front, lateral and rear portions of each panel extend beyond the respective sides of the corresponding ream. The rear portions of successive panels are folded upwardly against the rear sides and thereupon forwardly against the top sides of the respective reams. The front portions of the panels are provided with films of adhesive and are folded upwardly against the front sides and thereupon rearwardly against the top sides of the respective reams so that their leaders overlie and are adhesively secured to the folded rear portions. The folding of front and rear portions is preceded by squaring of the reams and is followed by tucking and folding of front, rear and lateral portions of successive panels against the adjacent lateral sides of the respective reams.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus is provided, including a for storing a plurality of approach patterns related to hand movement for when workpieces gripped by a robot hand are stacked and unstacked at predetermined locations. Approach pattern from a position at which movement of the robot hand starts to a motion position at which a workpiece is stacked or unstacked, and from this motion position to a position at which movement of the robot hand ends can be selected at will depending upon the type of workpiece and the motion position.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting stacks of sheets has a first cutting machine which subdivides large piles of overlapping sheets into elongated strip-shaped stacks. The stacks are accumulated on a platform which is moved into a second cutting machine wherein a selected number of stacks is pushed by a feeding device across the cutting plane of a guillotine type knife before the knife descends to separate smaller stacks which come to rest on a plate or enter a gap formed in response to retraction of the plate so that the severed portions of the stacks can be advanced to a processing machine. The stacks which are about to be severed are pushed by a biasing device against a stop which extends at right angles to the cutting plane in the second machine, and each such stack is further pushed by an aligning device so that it abuts the feeding device. This ensures that the stacks are properly oriented prior to severing by the knife in the second machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for lifting and stacking cartons onto a bed attached to a truck bed, especially in an agricultural field. The lifting apparatus includes two endless parallel belts to lift the cartons from the field onto a first conveyor. Variations in carton size or alignment may be accommodated by a pivoting loading frame or by lateral movement of the loader, which lateral movement is compensated for by a self-alignment mechanism. Cartons are transported to an elevator via a first and second conveyor. The elevator lifts the cartons to the level of a palletizer with a false floor wherein a reciprocating and pivoting transfer head removes the cartons from the elevator and deposits them onto the prestacking area of the palletizer false floor. Cartons may be selectively rotated into a transverse loading position by the transfer heads. Upon assembly of a first row of cartons, a tamping bar extends to position the cartons against the truck tailgate or against previously stacked cartons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated handling of battery plate stacks is disclosed. The apparatus includes an endless drive unit having a plurality of upstanding pockets which open to receive the plates and to assemble a predetermined number of them side by side in a vertically arranged stack. The drive unit includes a single revolution clutch which permits the drive unit to move a predetermined amount and then stop each time it is signaled by a controller that the proper number of plates has been inserted into a particular pocket. Thus, movement of the drive unit is interrupted while the plates are being inserted into the pockets and commences again when the pockets are loaded. The stacks of plates then are blocked and centered as they move through the apparatus in their pockets.