Abstract: A method of picking a top component reel from a stack of component reels includes lowering a picking arm over a rod extending through the stack of component reels to above a top component reel of the stack, the arm comprising a plurality of alignment tabs and a gripper positioned such that, with the picking arm lowered the rod extends through the gripper and between the alignment tabs of the picking arm. The method includes actuating the alignment tabs to engage the rod and align the rod with respect to the picking arm, inserting a portion of the gripper into a hole of the top component reel, actuating the gripper to engage opposing inner surfaces of the top component reel at the hole of the top component reel, and with the gripper engaged, raising the picking arm to lift the top component reel from the stack of component reels.

Abstract: A device and a method for manufacturing a pocket spring bed net. The device for manufacturing a pocket spring bed net includes a supply mechanism for providing sheet-like flexible materials; a spring string conveying mechanism with a first gap for clamping and conveying pocket spring strings; a glue spraying mechanism which sprays glue onto the sheet-like flexible materials and/or the pocket spring strings; and a pushing mechanism arranged in front of the spring string conveying mechanism and including at least one movable pushing and grasping component, where the pushing and grasping component pushes the sheet-like flexible materials and the pocket spring strings to be in contact with each other and bonded to form a pocket spring bed net. The embodiments improve the transportation cost and storage cost of pocket spring bed nets, and solve the problem that the pocket spring bed nets are difficult to compress and roll.

Abstract: A magnetic chuck has a piston assembly that contains a cylindrical permanent magnet and a core yoke. The piston assembly is movable inside a cylinder tube. The permanent magnet is provided on the outer periphery of the core yoke and is magnetized in the radial direction.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a physical characteristic of a film sample are described herein. The system may include a material holder system configured to hold the film sample. The system may include a tensile testing system configured to stretch the film sample and determine a physical characteristic of the film sample. The system may include a movable system coupled to the material holder system and configured to move the held film sample to be analyzed or tested between stations. The movable system is configured to move the held film sample in the material holder system to the tensile testing system.

Abstract: A magnetic chuck includes a cylinder tube including a workpiece attraction surface to which a workpiece is attracted, a piston assembly including a permanent magnet and being movable in an internal space of the cylinder tube, the piston assembly separating the internal space of the cylinder tube into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber, a first supply/discharge port formed in the cylinder tube and communicating with the first pressure chamber, a second supply/discharge port formed in the cylinder tube and communicating with the second pressure chamber, and a communication passage configured to allow the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber to communicate with each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a package to a curbside receptacle are provided. A delivery window of a vehicle may be aligned with a curbside receptacle. A carousel within the vehicle may be moved, e.g., rotated, within the vehicle to align a target compartment with the delivery window. A conveyor arm slidably coupled to the delivery window is then extended and aligned with the target compartment, and a target package within the target compartment is ejected from the target compartment onto the conveyor arm, e.g., via a plunger mechanism. The conveyor arm then transfers the target package to curbside receptacle.

Abstract: Provided is a workpiece conveying system configured to convey a sheet-like workpiece to a downstream step, including: a workpiece conveyor configured to lift through attraction holding, by a workpiece holding unit, an uppermost workpiece W of a stack, and convey the uppermost workpiece W of the stack to the downstream step one by one; and a conveyed workpiece number detector configured to detect the number of workpieces W held by the workpiece holding unit at a detection timing, at which the workpiece W held and raised by the workpiece holding unit in accordance with a normal workpiece conveying operation performed by the workpiece conveyor reaches an upper limit position of raising the workpiece W, and at which a moving speed component of the workpiece W in a raising direction is 0.

Abstract: A pallet building apparatus for automatically building a pallet load of pallet load article units onto a pallet support including a frame defining a pallet building base, at least one articulated robot to transport and place the pallet load article units, a controller to control articulated robot motion and effect therewith a pallet load build, at least one three-dimensional, time of flight, camera to generate three-dimensional imaging of the pallet support and pallet load build, wherein the controller registers, from the three-dimensional camera, real time three-dimensional imaging data embodying different corresponding three-dimensional images of the pallet support and pallet load build, to determine, in real time, from the corresponding real time three-dimensional imaging data, a pallet support variance or article unit variance and generate in real time an articulated robot motion signal, the articulated robot motion signal being generated real time so as to be performed real time by the at least one artic

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a buff process module. The buff process module includes: a buff table on which a processing target object is mounted; a buff head that holds a buff pad for applying a predetermined process to the processing target object; a buff arm that supports and swings the buff head; a dresser for dressing the buff pad; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed between the buff table and the dresser and is for cleaning the buff pad.

Abstract: A digital data handling unit has a manually graspable part operable for removal of the unit from a digital data handling host. The manually graspable part includes an illuminable portion which, when illuminated, serves to distinguishably identify a particular digital data handling unit. The illuminable portion may be an illuminable strip. The digital data handling unit may be one of a data processing unit, a data storage unit, a data controller subsystem unit or a data communication unit.

Abstract: A device for removing a ring-shaped label from a pack of substantially identical, abutting ring-shaped labels comprises a pick-up head which is provided with a stop surface and retaining devices for holding a ring-shaped label against the stop surface. The device comprises a storage holder for accommodating the pack of ring-shaped labels. A displacement device can displace the pack of ring-shaped labels from a storage position, in which the pack of ring-shaped labels is situated at a distance from the stop surface of the pick-up head, to a discharge position, in which the pack of ring-shaped labels is pushed against the stop surface of the pick-up head by means of an outer ring-shaped label. A blast of air is delivered when the outer ring-shaped label is held against the stop surface of the pick-up head.

Abstract: A method in which an apparatus receives first sensor data from first sensors and determines a target position from the data, the target position may be a position in space or an orientation of a gripper in a robot arm First instructions are issued to the robot arm or the gripper in order to move a gripper to the target position. Force feedback sensor data is received from force feedback sensors associated with either the robot arm or the gripper or from the first sensors. A failure in carrying out the first instructions is determined. Second sensor data is received from the at least one first sensor. Successful gripping of an object is determined from the second sensor data.

Abstract: A picker assembly includes a plurality of pickers in selective variable spaced relation, a shaft having a plurality of cam plates, the cam plates co-axial with said shaft and having a variable thickness. The cam plates are in engagement with the pickers and positioned in interstitial spaces between the pickers. The selective variability in spacing is provided by rotation of the shaft such that thickness variation of the cam plates move the respective pickers along an axis parallel to the shaft.

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile, such as a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a robotic positioner, and a manipulator having a conformable face configured to conform to irregularities of the carton pile, and the manipulator may be movable attached to an end of the robotic positioner.

Abstract: In a device for unstacking plate-shaped parts (12), in particular sheet metal blanks, comprising at least one supply station (13) in which at least one stack (14) of plate-shaped parts (12) is located and at least one conveyor station (15) on which the plate-shaped parts (12) are transported further in an unstacked manner, an unstacking unit (17) being provided for transferring the plate-shaped parts (12) between the supply station (13) and the conveyor station (15), said unstacking unit engaging the stack of parts (14) and removing individual plate-shaped parts (12) while unstacking the stack of parts (14) and depositing them in the conveyor station (15), the unstacking unit (17) comprises two robots (18a, 18b) working independently of each other, which alternately engage a common stack of parts (14) of the supply station (13) and are controlled by a control unit (19) in such a way that a first or a second robot (18a, 18b) removes a plate-shaped part (12) from the stack of parts (14) while the first robot (1

Abstract: A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile, such as a carton pile stacked within a trailer. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a conveyor system, a robotic positioner, and a manipulator having a conformable face configured to conform to irregularities of the carton pile, and the manipulator may be movable attached to an end of the robotic positioner.

Abstract: A carton feeding system is provided for feeding selected cartons from a stack of cartons contained within a carton magazine to a downstream carton conveyor such as for a product packaging machine. A carton picking device removes a selected carton from the stack of cartons within the magazine, after which the carton is engaged between a carton engaging segment of the primary segment wheel and a draw roller, which pulls the carton from the magazine and feeds the carton along a first path of travel. Thereafter, a secondary segment wheel engages and redirects a leading portion of the carton toward a second path of travel. The carton then is fed along its second path of travel toward engagement between a pair of downstream nip rolls that feed the carton into the downstream carton conveyor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for shingulating, singulating, and synchronizing articles in an article feeder system are disclosed. The article feeder system may include a shingulating device configured to receive a stack of articles and to produce a positively lapped stack of articles, a plurality of picking devices configured to pick one or more articles from the positively lapped stack of articles and to produce one or more singulated articles, and one or more synchronization devices configured to deliver the one or more singulated articles to one or more sorter windows.

Abstract: A media feeder system for use with a media cutting system having a cutting table includes an upper out-feed tray and a lower in-feed tray bins are disposed laterally adjacent one side of the cutting system table. A bi-directional media transport system transports media in an in-feed direction from the in-feed tray to the cutting table surface and removes media from the cutting table surface in an out-feed direction from the cutting table surface to the out-feed tray. The media transport system includes a sheet acquisition system having gripping apparatus that adjust for a height of the media held in the bins.

Abstract: In a system for transferring a plate-shaped member with interleaving paper thereon, a suction adhesion device included in a suction adhesion unit includes suction pads that adhere to a surface of a glass plate by suction with interleaving paper in between the surface and the suction pads; an air blowing device blows air between the adhered glass plate and a glass plate positioned below the adhered glass plate; a robot moves the suction adhesion unit; a clamping device includes a pair of pushing members that are arranged at both sides, respectively, of the glass plates and move toward the glass plates to come close to each other; and at least before the suction adhesion unit lifts the adhered glass plate, a controller causes the pair of pushing members to move to push protruding portions of pieces of interleaving paper, the protruding portions protruding from the sides of the glass plates.

Abstract: A card dispensing system for dispensing cards along a conveying surface which conveys sliced products downstream of a slicer for packaging the sliced products. A hopper contains a stack of cards which are withdrawn from the hopper by a suction force provided via at least one suction cup. The suction cup is moveable vertically to retrieve and remove the card from the hopper. The suction cup is moveable laterally to move the card into a receiving position where a card clamp on a damp carriage arrives to receive the card. Suction force on the card is released when the card damp damps down on the card. The clamp carriage moves the card from the receiving position to the staging position where a nip engages with the card to feed the card through a junction in the conveyor line just as a food product passes over the junction.

Abstract: A receiving, holding and/or handling device for two-dimensional objects, with at least two controllable suction grippers. The suction grippers are arranged and connected to free ends of movable cantilever arms, which are elastically deformable at least in some sections. The cantilever arm are mounted and supported on a bridge. The cantilever arms each include at least one lower pull and one upper pull which meet at the free end of the cantilever arm and are connected there. An actuating device is assigned to the upper pull. The actuating device generates a pulling force with at least one horizontal direction component which is approximately parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the cantilever arm. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A manipulator for flat objects has a robot arm having an outer end, a support on the outer end, and a magazine holding a stack of the flat objects carried on the support. A grab is movable on the support adjacent the magazine between a pickup position facing the stack and engageable with an uppermost flat object of the stack of flat objects in the magazine so as to pull the uppermost flat object off the stack and a transfer position offset from the stack with the picked-up flat object turned away from the magazine.

Abstract: An absorbing mechanism includes a positioning member, an absorbing member, and at least one separating member. The positioning member defines a receiving chamber, for receiving a plurality of workpieces. The attaching member is constructed for absorbing the workpieces. The at least one separating member comprises a main body and a detaching portion. The main body is mounted on the positioning member. The detaching portion protrudes from the main body toward an axis of the positioning member, and forming an inclined surface away from the main body. The inclined surface defines at least one blow hole. The inclined surface towards the receiving chamber.

Abstract: The suction transport device for taking off a sheet from a sheet stack in a sheet running direction (BL) includes at least two revolving suction means (12, 14) which are mounted to be adjustable horizontally and transversally to the sheet running direction.

Abstract: Thus a lifter table de-stacker 1 is provided comprising a lifter table 3 with a stack 10 holding device 4 above the lifter table. The holding unit positions the stack by motorized guiding elements 14 and 15. A de-stacking unit and in particular a suction unit is provided which can be adjusted in its position above the stack 10 by a motor as well. The lifter table de-stacker with the motorized adjustability of the guiding elements and the de-stacker provides for a very fast adaptation to different sheet metal blank sizes. Such a lifter table de-stacker is preferably provided for feeding sheet metal blanks into a rounding apparatus which is feeding rounded blank container bodies into a resistance seam welding machine for container bodies.

Abstract: A shipping and handling system for a fork lift truck that has a cab and rails extending vertically above the cab. A first bracket is secured to the back of the rails and a second bracket is secured to the back of the cab. One bracket is provided with wheel while the other is provided with legs so that the truck is able to rest on the brackets when it is tipped over upon its back. A special adaptor is provided that allows a second fork lift truck to hitch onto the unwheeled bracket and lift the bracket off the support surface whereupon the first truck can be easily maneuvered from place to place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for singulating ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses. The method and the device are suitable for integration into an automated production of ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses.

Abstract: A first layer of items is assembled on a movable conveyor belt on a support platform, and the conveyor belt advances to position the first layer of items above and in registration with a pallet while a second layer of items is assembled behind the first layer. The conveyor belt then stops, and part of the support platform and an associated portion of the conveyor belt retract from beneath the first layer of items, depositing the first layer of items on the pallet, after which the pallet is indexed downward. The retractable portion of the support platform and the associated portion of the conveyor belt then extend to the position above and in registration with the pallet, and the conveyor belt advances during this extension to position the second layer of items above and in registration with the pallet. Apparatus for placing slip sheets onto pallets is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for transferring cutouts (6), for manufacturing packaging boxes having polygonal cross-sections, from a magazine (3) from a vertical stack, consisting of at least one stack (4, 5) of cutouts made of a cardboard or corrugated cardboard sheet material comprising notches. The method and device of the invention involve locating the top cutout of the stack using a camera (10), preliminarily detaching the cutout from the remainder of the stack, gripping, by means of suction, the thus-located top cutout, moving said cutout by means of a robotic arm (17) and releasing same to a next station, for or prior to subsequent shaping, and repeating the above cycle of steps with the next top cutout.

Abstract: A sound film adsorption device includes a bracket, which has a platform on which a sound film collect, which forms a chamber for receiving a sound film, is installed. A rotary mechanism includes a supporting post retained on the platform, a rotary plate in the form of a cantilever-shape having an end moveably coupled to the supporting post and an opposite end serving as an open end, and a spring member coupled with the supporting post to support between the platform and the rotary plate. A first absorbing mechanism includes a first vacuum generator and an absorbing head. The absorbing head has an end communicated with the first vacuum generator, and the other end extended through the open end of the rotary plate to align with the chamber of the sound film collect so as to absorb the sound film placed within the sound film collect.

Abstract: A workpiece pickup apparatus is provided. The workpiece pickup apparatus includes: a gripping unit which sucks a workpiece so as to lift up the workpiece; a lowering unit which lowers the gripping unit from a waiting position towards the workpiece; a detecting unit which detects a physical amount which corresponds to a force with which the gripping unit presses the workpiece; a comparison unit which compares the detected physical amount with a reference physical amount; and a controller which controls a movement of the gripping unit based on a comparison result of the detected physical amount and the reference physical amount.

Abstract: A tray dispenser and method for removing trays from the top of a stack of trays. The tray dispenser includes a tray delivery system that positions the top tray in a tray removal position, and a tray removal system that removes the top tray, moves it and releases it in a tray release location. The tray dispenser can include a rotary arm to which the tray removal system is coupled. The rotary arm can move the removal system from a first position where it removes the tray from the removal location to a second position where it releases the tray in the release location. The removal system can include a suction cup assembly that holds the tray when it is removed and moved, then releases the tray in the release location. The tray dispenser can include a limit switch that senses when the tray is in the removal position.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for transferring sheet-like objects from a stack, said apparatus including separate lifting elements gripping by suction to the upper surface of the sheet-like object to be transferred, positioned in a row extending over the stack of the sheet-like objects, and transfer elements for transferring the lifted sheet-like object. The suction effect of the lifting elements is controlled by means of a control device including a light source making a substantially line-shaped illumination pattern. The illumination of the light source is focused at an inclined angle to the surface of the sheet stack, substantially parallel to the lifting element row. A camera means for observing the illumination pattern forwards information about the uniformity of the uppermost layer of the stack.

Abstract: There is provided a gripper system for stacked packaged goods. An exemplary gripper system comprises a first gripper unit for gripping a package by a front surface of the package. The exemplary gripper system further comprises a second gripper unit for gripping the package by a second surface that is at a right angle to the front surface, the second gripper unit having a drive device associated therewith, the second gripper unit being adapted to be moved out of a starting position in which the second gripper unit and the drive device as seen from the gripping side of the first gripper unit, are arranged behind the first gripper unit, into a gripping position in which the first gripper unit is positioned for gripping the package by its front surface and the second gripper unit is positioned for gripping the package by its second surface.

Abstract: A tier sheet dispensing apparatus for a conveyor system stores a stack of tier sheets and sequentially dispenses the tier sheets, one at a time, onto the top of a two-dimensionally arrayed layer of objects that is being conveyed on a conveyor system. The tier sheet dispensing apparatus has a curved surface that supports the stack of tier sheets. The curved surface bends the stack of tier sheets in a convex curve that facilitates the removal of a single sheet from the top of the stack. The apparatus also has a lift mechanism that moves vertically over the stack of tier sheets to selectively attach to the top tier sheet in the stack and raise the top tier sheet from the stack. The lift mechanism also moves transversely relative to the stack of tier sheets to position the attached tier sheet over the conveyor for placement of the tier sheet on the layer of objects conveyed by the conveyor.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line from a stack of plates including an elevator for receiving a stack of plates and sequentially elevating the stack to maintain, in use, the uppermost plate in the stack in a datum region lying between two parallel generally horizontal planes and a plurality of vacuum heads arranged in a closed loop for sequentially passing over the elevator with a fixed gap from the upper plane of the datum range for picking up the uppermost plate and for subsequently releasing the plate at a release position.

Abstract: A sound film adsorption device includes a bracket, which has a platform on which a sound film collect, which forms a chamber for receiving a sound film, is installed. A rotary mechanism includes a supporting post retained on the platform, a rotary plate in the form of a cantilever-shape having an end moveably coupled to the supporting post and an opposite end serving as an open end, and a spring member coupled with the supporting post to support between the platform and the rotary plate. A first absorbing mechanism includes a first vacuum generator and an absorbing head. The absorbing head has an end communicated with the first vacuum generator, and the other end extended through the open end of the rotary plate to align with the chamber of the sound film collect so as to absorb the sound film placed within the sound film collect.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line. This includes a pick up and release unit generally indicated at 16. The unit includes a central metal hollow body 17, which is divided into a number of side-by-side vacuum chambers, some of which have a perforate floor 19. A vacuum course 21 can be selectively connected to those, which have a perforate floor, whilst it is perpendicularly connected to a second set of chambers. Plates can be picked up from elevators 11 and 12 by use of the intermittent vacuum and then held against an endless belt 25 by the constant vacuum until they arrive at a release chamber, having a perforate floor, where upon interruption of the vacuum allows for release of the battery plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line from a stack of plates including an elevator for receiving a stack of plates and sequentially elevating the stack to maintain, in use, the uppermost plate in the stack in a datum region lying between two parallel generally horizontal planes and a plurality of vacuum heads arranged in a closed loop for sequentially passing over the elevator with a fixed gap from the upper plane of the datum range for picking up the uppermost plate and for subsequently releasing the plate at a release position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for separating a pile of tortillas and individually depositing the tortillas on a conveyor to form a row of tortillas. The apparatus may include an accumulating device, an elevating device that is operable to remove a pile of tortillas from the accumulating device and elevate the pile of tortillas towards a vacuum conveyor. The vacuum conveyor is operable to continuously remove an uppermost tortilla from the pile of tortillas and transport the separated tortillas to a receiving conveyor. The separated tortillas are deposited on the receiving conveyor and may be transported to a subsequent processing operation.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for item handling, including in-feeding and individually out-feeding of items, such as pieces of mail, parcels, or articles of manufacture. Destacking each successive leading item, individually, in a stack or series of items by automatically adapting, in real time, to varying item presentment conditions. Each successive leading item can be moved and output without unwanted or unacceptable movement of any following item or items, by selective activation of components to move and/or assist with moving the leading item for output therefrom. Selective activation can be based on presentment information associated with each leading item in the stack or series, and the leading item can be output after a series of controlled movements thereof.

Abstract: A plate feeding method includes a suction-holding step for causing suction pads to suck and hold an upper surface adjacent an end edge, remote from nip rollers, of each plate, a moving step, while swinging the suction pads about a moving unit, for moving the moving unit toward the nip rollers, thereby inverting a portion adjacent the end edge of each plate P, and subsequently moving the end edge of the plate inverted to a position to be pinched by the nip rollers, a pinching step for causing the nip rollers to pinch the end edge of the plate having been inverted, a releasing step for canceling suction-holding of the plate by the suction pads, a pressing step for pressing the plate with a support roller, and a transporting step for rotating the nip rollers to transport the plate P.

Abstract: In a device for unstacking plate-shaped parts (12), in particular sheet metal blanks, comprising at least one supply station (13) in which at least one stack (14) of plate-shaped parts (12) is located and at least one conveyor station (15) on which the plate-shaped parts (12) are transported further in an unstacked manner, an unstacking unit (17) being provided for transferring the plate-shaped parts (12) between the supply station (13) and the conveyor station (15), said unstacking unit engaging the stack of parts (14) and removing individual plate-shaped parts (12) while unstacking the stack of parts (14) and depositing them in the conveyor station (15), the unstacking unit (17) comprises two robots (18a, 18b) working independently of each other, which alternately engage a common stack of parts (14) of the supply station (13) and are controlled by a control unit (19) in such a way that a first or a second robot (18a, 18b) removes a plate-shaped part (12) from the stack of parts (14) while the first robot (1

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods relating to positioning differently sized sheets on a shuttle for printing are disclosed.

Abstract: A gripping device for a manipulation system, particularly a robot, for receiving workpieces and feeding them from a readied stack of the workpieces to a manufacturing plant such as a metal sheet folding machine, punching press, welding plant, etc. The device has a gripper head fitted with gripping means such as suction cups, magnets, tongs, etc., and a detection system for detecting characteristics of the workpiece gripped by the gripping means. A pulse emitter excites vibrations in the workpiece and the vibration spectrum of the workpiece is compared to reference vibration data to determine characteristics of the gripped workpiece, such as whether two or more workpieces are stuck together, or whether the workpiece is the correct workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor unit constituting a separating and feed mechanism (33), in particular for sheet-shaped workpieces, in particular sheets (3) to be printed, with a lifting mechanism (2) for transporting the sheet (3) vertically and a conveyor track with conveyor means (51, 52) for transporting the sheet (3) horizontally. This being the case, the conveying means (51, 52) are displaceable in a guide system between an operating position for feeding the sheet (3) to a production unit (36), in particular a printing machine (37), and a non-operating position to enable the sheet (3) to be lifted unhindered from a sheet stack (39).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a destacking device for dispensing planar food products, such as tortillas, from a stack bottom. In some embodiments of the invention, the device includes a frame and a carriage assembly configured for linear reciprocation with respect to the frame. The carriage assembly has a drum that rotates in response to linear reciprocation of the carriage assembly, and a suction lip is positioned proximal a wall of the drum. A stack of tortillas can be disposed on the suction lip, and a negative pressure is applied to close the suction lip and “suck” a bottommost tortilla against the lip. A movable arm has a leading edge for cooperating with the suction lip to separate the bottommost tortilla from a next bottommost tortilla. The drum rotates the suction lip and tortilla, and the vacuum is released to allow the tortilla to fall downwardly onto an endless belt.

Abstract: A device for separating battery plates from stacks comprises a lifting device (30) with which vertical stacks (14) are gradually lifted to a plate placer (51). The plate placer (51) lifts the uppermost plate from the stack (14) and places it onto a conveyor belt (60), whose loading end is located underneath the plate placer (51) and which comprises conveying elements (61) that are moved underneath the plate placer (51) after a plate has been lifted from the stack (14). The delivery end of the conveyor belt (60) is situated underneath the loading end of a vacuum conveyor belt (70). The vacuum conveyor belt (70) receives separated plates from the conveyor belt (60) and moves them to devices located downstream.

Abstract: An accessory for a forklift allows handling of cartoned goods a whole layer at a time and part of a layer. The head has a series of closely parked suction devices which are served by a common vacuum chamber. The head is carried by the forks and vacuum is supplied by a separate unit mounted on the forklift. In a modification, the head is carried on a sub assembly which allows the head to move to one side of the forklift.