Abstract: Automated systems and methods for deployment of mounting tubs that support photovoltaic modules are provided in which a feeder assembly includes a screw thread assembly and a pivot arm. The screw thread assembly has at least one rotatable threaded component, and two such components in exemplary embodiments, positioned within the feeder assembly. The rotatable threaded component supports the stack of mounting tubs and rotates to separate the individual mounting tub from the stack of mounting tubs and lower the individual mounting tub onto the pivot arm. The pivot arm is configured to interact with an individual mounting tub and pivots to dispense the individual mounting tub onto a mounting surface. A sensor may be provided to detect the positions of the individual mounting tubs as they are moved, and a control system communicates with the sensor and the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly and a hopper holding the stack of mounting tubs may be mounted on an autonomous cart.

Abstract: A method for operating a tray conveying apparatus, wherein a tray edge of a tray to be destacked is guided in contact with and along a support until the tray has been deposited on a conveying unit positioned therebelow. An apparatus for destacking and further conveying trays that may comprise a destacker for destacking trays, wherein the destacker may also comprise a frame for accommodating at least one tray stack and a plurality of destacking screws configured to be operated in a respective direction of rotation. Each destacking screw may comprise a helically configured spiral or groove with a support. A conveying unit may be positioned below the destacker and used for receiving and transporting the destacked trays from the destacker.

Abstract: A separating tool for separating out objects one by one from a stack of objects includes a support base, an assembly plate positioned on the support base, a vertical sliding assembly slidably positioned on the assembly plate, and two opposing clamping members connected to the vertical sliding assembly. Each clamping member includes an engaging plate, a connecting shaft fixed to the engaging plate, and a cam base positioned on the support base. The cam base defines a cam slot, and the connecting shaft slides in the cam slot. A distance from a top end of the cam slot to the engaging plate is less than that from a bottom end of the cam slot to the engaging plate, such that the engaging plates of the two clamping members move together when the engaging plates are moved upwards with the connecting shaft.

Abstract: A tray denesting apparatus presents stacks of trays placed upside down within a storage area to a picker mechanism, and separates single trays from the stack of trays. Pneumatically and electrically controlled actuators are employed for handling of the stacked trays. A pneumatic separating device or suction pad may be used to remove individual trays from the tray stack. The Bernoulli principle operates by generating a differential pressure to draw in the tray in a materials handling system. Differential pressure is generated by transporting air through one or more passages in the suction pad to decrease pressure in a chamber. The decreased pressure draws the object towards the pad. After picking up the individual tray a driven rotary device inverts the tray and places the tray onto a tray conveyor located beneath the denesting apparatus.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a support mechanism, a movable platform, a driving mechanism, a clutching mechanism, and two or more holding mechanisms. The movable platform is movably connected to the support mechanism, and loads feed trays stacked together. The driving mechanism drives the movable platform to move relative to the support mechanism. The holding mechanisms are fixed on the support mechanism, and switch from a first position to a second position. When the holding mechanisms are positioned in the first position, the holding mechanisms grasp one feed tray adjacent to a feed tray at a top of the feed trays, and the clutching mechanism clutches the feed tray at the top of the feed trays. When the holding mechanisms are positioned in the second position, the holding mechanisms separate from the feed trays.

Abstract: A tapered roller supply system, a tapered roller bearing fabricating system and a tapered roller supply method are provided which enable tapered rollers to be loaded properly in pockets of a cage. The tapered roller supply system has a tube 20 which stocks a plurality of tapered rollers 1 loaded from above in a stacked-up state in an inside thereof and a tapered roller supply portion 30 which separates a lowermost tapered roller 1 from a tapered roller 1 situated above the lowermost tapered roller 1 in the plurality of tapered rollers to be discharged from the tube 20 in upstream and downstream directions so as to allow the tapered rollers to drop sequentially one by one when they reach a lowermost position.

Abstract: The rack has an inclined bottom, a slightly angled upstanding back wall, a right endwall and a short front wall defining a media cassette receiving area. Upon activation by a manually operated handle a withdrawal mechanism disposed behind the back wall, containing a carriage having a finger selectively protruding therethrough urges the rearmost media cassette in the rack along the back wall until it may be grasped by an operator. Subsequent cassettes settle backward against the back wall upon withdrawal of the rearmost media cassette. Cassettes may be added to the rack forward of any media cassettes currently therein. In this way a FIFO queue is maintained regardless of the number or mix of media cassettes stored in the rack.

Abstract: A thermoformed article stack segmenting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame, a stacked article guide channel, a forward engaging drive finger, a reciprocating actuator and a rearward engaging holding finger. The stacked article guide channel is carried by the frame and configured to receive and guide a stack of inter-nested articles exiting a female die of a thermoforming trim press. The reciprocating actuator is coupled with the finger to drive the finger forward in engagement with one separated stack of articles. The actuator also drives the finger rearward in a retractable state to separate another, successive stack of articles. The rearward engaging holding finger is supported by the frame and is configured to hold the another, successive stack while driving the forward engaging drive finger forward.

Abstract: A tray handling apparatus comprises a plurality of guides, a chuck device, a linear movement device, and a rack and pinion device. A space defined by the erected guides is used to hold a tray stack. The chuck of the chuck device is located at the center position of the bottom area of the space. The linear movement device is used to move the chuck relative to the guides. The rack and pinion device is used to cause the guides to move symmetrically. When an operator moves any one of the guides, the other guides move symmetrically and the center of the bottom area of the space surrounded by the guides remains at the same location during the movement of the guides. The operator does not need to adjust the position of the chuck if the positions of the guides are changed.

Abstract: A tray denester for separating individual trays from a stack. The tray denester includes a product carrier plate that is movable toward and away from the discharge end of a product magazine. The product carrier plate includes a pair of air nozzle assemblies. As the product carrier plate moves toward the discharge end of the magazine, the air nozzle assemblies are activated to create a low-pressure zone along the product carrier plate. When the product carrier plate reaches the discharge end, an escapement mechanism releases the stack of trays. As the stack of trays is released, the low-pressure zone separates one of the trays from the stack. The separated tray contacts the product carrier plate and is removed from the stack. Each of the air nozzle assemblies is adjustable along the product carrier plate to vary the position of the air nozzle assemblies based upon the specific tray design.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating nested foam cups, includes a support for guiding a stack of nested foam cups in a first direction to a mandrel for printing thereon; a first annular opening in the support for supplying an annular supply of pressurized air to a position between a forwardmost foam cup and a next adjacent nested foam cup such that the pressurized air travels in a second direction having a component opposite to the first direction and such that the pressurized air travels in a cavity between the forwardmost cup and the nested adjacent cup to separate the forwardmost cup from the next adjacent cup; and second openings in the support downstream of the first annular opening for supplying pressurized air to the separated forwardmost cup in order to further advance the forwardmost cup toward the mandrel.

Abstract: A tray holding apparatus includes a holding section, a separation section, a lifting/lowering section, and a control section. The holding section holds a stack of trays. The separation section separates the lowermost tray from the stack. The lifting/lowering section moves upward or downward between a predetermined place below the stack and this stack, thereby undergoing a first movement in which the separated tray is moved to the predetermined position and a second movement in which the tray in the predetermined place is moved to the stack. The control section controls the operations of the separation section and the lifting/lowering section.

Abstract: An apparatus for unpiling containers includes a bearing structure, gripping members associable with at least one pile of containers for unpiling the containers, first actuating means acting between the bearing structure and the gripping members to move the gripping members from the picking-up station to the laying station and vice versa, and second actuating means acting on the gripping members to move the members away from and close to the picking-up and laying stations. The first actuating means includes a carousel mechanism rotatable about a first axis to transfer each gripping member between the picking-up station and the laying station. The second actuating means is adapted to move each gripping member between a first position corresponding to a maximum distance of the gripping member from the first axis and a second position corresponding to a minimum distance of the gripping member from the first axis.

Abstract: A container packaging machine includes a container handling and counting apparatus including an upstream accumulation portion and a downstream container separation and counting portion. The containers having a relatively tightly nested configuration as the containers move through the accumulation portion and having a relatively loosely nested configuration as the containers move through the container separation and counting portion where separation of the containers form distinct peaks and valleys for use in counting the containers.

Abstract: A medicine tray storage member (100) capable of storing medicine trays (7) in a stacked condition includes: a tray support member (101) for supporting the medicine trays (7); a tray transport member (102) having a transport mechanism for transporting the medicine trays (7), the tray transport member constituting a part of the tray transport line (3); and a control portion for allowing the tray support member (101) to move down to put the stacked medicine trays (7) on the tray transport member (102), thereby allowing the tray support member (101) to support and move up the next medicine tray (7) positioned above the lowermost one, and allowing the tray transport member (102) to supply the medicine tray (7) situated at the lowermost position to the tray transport line (3). The tray transport member (102) includes cut out portions (11) receiving movable leg portions (125) of a carrier (123) on which the medicine trays (7) in a stacked state are loaded.

Abstract: A thermoformed article stack segmenting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame, a stacked article guide channel, a forward engaging drive finger, a reciprocating actuator and a rearward engaging holding finger. The stacked article guide channel is carried by the frame and configured to receive and guide a stack of inter-nested articles exiting a female die of a thermoforming trim press. The reciprocating actuator is coupled with the finger to drive the finger forward in engagement with one separated stack of articles. The actuator also drives the finger rearward in a retractable state to separate another, successive stack of articles. The rearward engaging holding finger is supported by the frame and is configured to hold the another, successive stack while driving the forward engaging drive finger forward.

Abstract: A tray denesting apparatus is provided comprising a receptacle for holding at least one nested stack of packing trays. A conveyer belt is further provided for receiving each of the packing trays upon release from the receptacle. The denesting apparatus has at least one set of soft flexible suction cups disposed below the conveyer belt and which are disposed on a bellows assembly which is moveable between a first position and a second position so that at least one of the soft flexible suction cups may adhere to a first one of the packing trays, and successive packing trays. The tray denester further may include an automatic adjustment apparatus to correspond with selected size parameters of the trays being utilized. As a result, an individual tray may be removed from the receptacle, deposited on the conveyer belt and the conveyer belt then advancing the selected tray to the required area of use.

Abstract: A device for separating individual tires that have become entwined including a movable head for engaging at least one tire in a stack of tires, an engaging finger coupled to the movable head, and at least one manipulating apparatus for moving the engaging finger and the movable head to dislodge entwined tires.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the individual production of rigid containers that are open on one side, such as cones or cups, by inserting the containers into dimensionally stable individually produced sleeves which are matched to their external contour. The containers are transported through by a transport apparatus having a plurality of transport tracks lying beside one another under a discharge apparatus, which deposits the sleeves in the transport tracks. The discharge apparatus includes a support provided with discharge channels extending obliquely downward for the bar-shaped stacks of sleeves, a holding apparatus disposed downstream of the support, for the stacks of sleeves, and a transfer apparatus having a carriage which is provided with suction heads, can be moved back and forth above the transport tracks and draws the sleeves off the stacks of sleeves with its suction heads and deposits them on the transport tracks.

Abstract: A mail traying apparatus which trays or sweeps mail envelopes, which are positioned in a mail stacker bin, into a mail tray and to deliver the same to an outbound conveyor or cart. The apparatus includes a robot having a robot arm mounted thereon with the robot arm having a mail tray support at the tool end thereof. The robot moves the robot arm to a source of empty mail trays so that an empty mail tray may be positioned in the mail tray support. The robot then moves the empty tray to the discharge end of the mail stacker bin, sweeps the mail into the mail tray, and then moves the filled mail tray to an outbound conveyor or cart.

Abstract: In a biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus (10) for wide-mouthed containers, preforms (6) that are in an inverted state are conveyed on a single plane by preform carriers (40) that go around a carrier circuit (30) in the form of a loop, are heated via a heating station (60), and are then transferred via a transfer station (80) to stretch blow molding mold assemblies (72) that go around a circular looped path (71). The molded wide-mouthed containers (1) are taken out of the stretch blow molding mold assemblies (72) along a conveying path on a same plane and collected by a collection station (90). Wide-mouthed containers can be formed continuously and at high speed, which is less wasteful and more economical than the case where wide-mouthed containers that are formed from films.

Abstract: A denesting apparatus for a stack of cup-shaped articles having peripheral outwardly extending rims includes a pair of uniquely machined rotary shafts which operate together to support the stack of nested articles and to denest and separate one article at a time as the stack passes vertically downwardly between the shafts. Each of the shafts includes at least one profiled surface portion which makes line contact with the lowermost cup rim and supports the stack, followed rotationally by a groove that engages the rim of the lowermost cup to denest and separate it from the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for resisting rotational movement of can ends in a downstacker is provided, that includes a housing having a bore, a ring having a bore that is disposed within the housing, a second ring having a bore that is disposed within the housing and a sleeve having a bore that is disposed within the housing wherein the bores of the ring, the second ring and the sleeve are in substantial alignment relative to each other. A method of resisting the rotational movement of can ends in a downstacker is also provided.

Abstract: A tray destacker is operable to separate individual trays from a stack of trays and to discharge the individual trays. The tray destacker includes a tray separating device which engages an edge or handle of the individual tray and moves the tray away from the stack of trays, while a tray retaining device engages a next tray adjacent to the individual tray and retains the remaining trays of the stack. The tray separating device may be biased toward an engaging position so as to engage the individual tray when the trays and the tray separating device are in an appropriate position relative to one another. The tray retaining device may also be biased to engage the next tray and may release the next tray in response to the tray separating device returning to the stack of trays to remove the next tray from the stack.

Abstract: A device for handling of articles, especially boxes (8), for stacking articles (8) or removing them from a stack (4), has a stacking wheel (1) which is located between the lifting means (10, 12) for stacks (4) of articles (8) and a conveyor means (6) for articles (8). When the stacking wheel (1) turns, depending on the direction of its rotation, an article (8) is moved from the conveyor means (6) onto the stack (4) in the lifting direction (10, 12). The stacking wheel (1) bears pairs of holding plates (20) distributed around its periphery; on them swivelling fingers (42) are supported. The swivelling fingers (42) are pressed by springs (44) into their action position in which they project over the facing surfaces of the holding plates (20) and fit into receiving openings (54) of the articles (8) when articles (8) are moved by the stacking wheel (1).

Abstract: An arrangement (1, 1′) for automatically unstacking containers (6, 6′) nested in each other in lying posture, by depositing them on a support, e.g. a conveyor (3a), with the container opening (6a) facing upwards, the arrangement comprising a gripping device (5) for gripping and moving out the respective first container (6) of a lying container stack (2, 2′), the gripping device (5, 5′) being arranged on holding elements (8a, 8b) movable in stacking direction, and further comprising a clamping device (4) for holding back the lying container stack (2, 2′), with the foremost container (6) being left free, wherein the gripping device (5) is provided with lateral pressure-medium cylinders (5a; 46) which have horizontal axes on the same level and which are connected with the holding elements (8a, 8b) extending thereabove.

Abstract: A vacuum picker apparatus for cups includes a vacuum picker head with concave surface areas, each being preferably ½° reverse angle, and each surface area having a hole therethrough that allows for a vacuum to be formed at the picker head. When the vacuum is formed, the side wall of the cup is drawn, inside the overall circumference of the head at each concave surface area to provide for an effective seal to hold the cup to the picker head, which reduces deformation of the cup and facilitates its extraction for further processing. A protective ring or skirt at the picker head has spaced apart notches through which apertures are formed to direct a thrust of air against the stack to force the stack away from the individual cup being denested. The dual action of the vacuum picker apparatus removes an individual cup from a stack of cups and forces the stack away from the cup to facilitate removal of the individual cup from the stack.

Abstract: A drink cup supplying apparatus in which cup replenishing work can be conducted easily in a short time and also maintenance characteristic is improved. In the apparatus, the main body 1 is enabled to be opened and closed in both faces by a pair of the front and back divided doors 2 and 3. Cup holding stands 5, on which vertically piled cup groups are placed, are disposed in a cup holding unit 4 in the main body 1 in a state that they are arranged in connected plural rows and capable of moving circularly and intermittently. Cup take-out mechanisms 6 are disposed inside the orbit X of the cup holding stands 5. And, cup push-out-loading mechanisms 7, which push out the cup groups placed on the cup holding stands 5 to the cup take-out mechanisms 6 for loading, are disposed on the reverse side 3a of one divided door 3.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting a corner protector on a corner of a package comprises a gripping and positioning device (1) for gripping the corner protector and placing it onto the corner of the package, and a corner protector magazine (2). A storage space (3) in the magazine stores corner protectors arranged as a file. Conveying means (7-10) move the file in the storage space toward the delivery end. A gate (11) has been arranged to be moved between a closed position (II) and an open position (I). An arresting device (13) is provided with a separating tab (14) which moves between an arresting position (A) and a releasing position (B). In the arresting position (A), the separating tab is between the foremost corner protector (41) in the file and the second corner protector (42) next in the file so as to arrest the file of corner protectors while the gate (11) is in the open position (II).

Abstract: A tray destacker is operable to separate individual trays from a stack of trays and to discharge the individual trays. The tray destacker includes a tray separating device which engages an edge or handle of the individual tray and moves the tray away from the stack of trays, while a tray retaining device engages a next tray adjacent to the individual tray and retains the remaining trays of the stack. The tray separating device may be biased toward an engaging position so as to engage the individual tray when the trays and the tray separating device are in an appropriate position relative to one another. The tray retaining device may also be biased to engage the next tray and may release the next tray in response to the tray separating device returning to the stack of trays to remove the next tray from the stack.

Abstract: A destacking apparatus has a number of lifting devices (10) for mechanical destacking of egg trays. Each lifting device comprises a carrier part (27) with at least one gripper unit (20, 21) having an abutment (22) and a gripper means (25). The abutment and the gripper means are mutually spaced in the destacking direction. The gripper means (25) is movable transversely to the destacking direction in relation to the abutment, and the gripper unit (20, 21) is movable in the destacking direction in relation to the carrier part (27).

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 automatic bulk filling machine is provided having a container input end which includes a fill station for filling a container in accordance with weight or volume requirements followed by a lid dispensing and attachment station wherein the lids of the container are placed over the container in registry with the lip of the container and closed onto the bulk container by a piston cylinder combination having a lid pad for pressing and deforming the center of the lid onto the bulk container before press fitting the bulk container lid onto the bulk container which filled and sealed bulk container is then transferred to an optional labeling station and subsequently transferred to the output end of the conveyor to complete the automated filling, sealing and labeling operations for removal of the container from the automated bulk filling machine.

Abstract: Distributing/feeding device including: a rotary seat including a rotary disc, each time the rotary disc is driven, the rotary disc rotating by a predetermined angle, several material racks being disposed on predetermined portions of the rotary disc; a feeding mechanism disposed beside the rotary disc, the feeding mechanism including a lifting board and a driving member for driving the lifting board to up and down reciprocally move; and a clamping mechanism disposed above the feeding mechanism, the clamping mechanism including a clamping seat which is swingable within a predetermined range and a material taking member disposed on the clamping seat and up and down reciprocally movable. When the clamping seat is moved to a predetermined position, a predetermined section of the material taking member is just positioned above a material rack for fixedly holding a workpiece placed in the material rack. Numerous work pieces are at the same time placed in the material racks on the rotary seat.

Abstract: A machine comprising a base and an elongated cradle pivotally mounted on the base is used to facilitate separation of nested tapered drums from a stack. With the cradle in an upright position, the machine is moved toward the stack to embrace the stack in the cradle. A pair of clamps on the cradle embrace and grip successive drums at a lower end of the stack, and then the cradle is moved to a lay-down position, carrying the stack with it. A first clamp of the pair, gripping a first drum, is moved away from a second clamp of the pair and then releases the first drum so that it can be separated from the second drum. The first clamp is then moved toward the second clamp. The second clamp releases the second drum, and the laid-down stack is moved along the cradle to align the second drum with the first clamp and a third drum in the stack with the second clamp. The first and second clamps then grip the second and third drums, respectively, and the first clamp is again moved away from the second clamp.

Abstract: An IC receiving tray storage device is provided which is capable of securedly identifying the category of the tested ICs sorted for each category and received in the corresponding tray in the unloader section after end of test. Mounted to the tray storage is a casing comprising a generally rectangular base plate and a plurality of outer walls standing substantially upright and separately from each other on the base plate. A category identifying indicator is attached to at least one outer wall of the casing. This category identifying indicator indicates the category of ICs received in the tray. Also, in the base plate of the casing is formed an opening through which vertically movable unit is free to move. By the category identifying indicator, the category of the tested ICs received in the tray can be easily confirmed after the tray storage device has been taken out from the IC handler.