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 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 A hopper contains a stack of cards which are withdrawn from the hopper by a suction force provided via at least one suction cup.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 device for loading, storing and providing objects having standardized dimensions includes a storage unit with a carrier plate and four stackers. Each stacker includes a bottom surface disposed on top of the carrier plate. The stackers are configured to store objects stacked perpendicular to the carrier plate. The stackers are disposed symmetrically centered around a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the carrier plate and offset with respect to each other by an angle of 90°. A substructure is disposed underneath the carrier plate. An unloading device is configured to unload a selected object from a first of the stackers that is disposed in a transfer position. The storage unit is rotatable around the rotation axis so as to enable movement of each of the stackers into the transfer position.

Abstract: The unstacker device (1) for unstacking flat articles comprises: a magazine (3) in which the articles (2) to be unstacked are disposed on edge in a stack against a jogging edge (5) and facing an unstacking plate (4) arranged to separate a first article (2A) and to drive it in a certain unstacking direction (A) that is perpendicular to the jogging edge (5); a conveyor (7) for conveying the unstacked articles, the conveyor having an inlet (7A) downstream from the jogging edge (5); and retaining means (8) disposed between the jogging edge (5) and the inlet of the conveyor (7A) and actuated to exert a retaining force on an article (2A, 2B), which retaining force opposes movement of the article.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for feeding sheets, booklets or the like having a wider adjustable range according to the thickness of the object than the conventional apparatus, and a system for sorting forwarding documents with the foregoing feeding apparatus. In the feeding apparatus, a moving shaft is supported by a fixed sleeve so as to be movable upward and downward. A main compression coil spring is located between the moving shaft and the fixed base and imparts a main spring force to the moving shaft in order that an overlap feed limiting member is pressed against a conveying belt. A sub compression coil spring imparts an oppositely directed sub spring force to the moving shaft. A position of a pressing washer is displaced downward by a threading engagement of an upper end adjusting bolt, so that even when the spring force of the main compression coil spring is increased, an increased amount is cancelled by an increase in the spring force of the sub compression coil spring.

Abstract: A stacker (1) for storing a plurality of microplates each having a top surface side and a bottom surface side opposed to the top surface side, comprises a housing and a removal gate (13) for removing a microplate of the plurality of microplates out of the housing. The stacker (1) is arranged to accommodate the plurality of microplates inside the housing such that the top surface side of one microplate of the plurality of microplates abuts on the bottom surface side of an adjacent microplate of the plurality of microplates and such that the housing adjoins to the plurality of microplates. Using such a stacker 1, the plurality of microplates can be arranged and stored in a compact manner wherein the single microplates of the plurality of microplates can still selectively and efficiently be accessed.

Abstract: A storage module for flat postal items includes a storage area, an infeed function to transfer postal items from a stream of postal items into the storage area, and an extraction function to extract postal items from the storage area. The infeed and extraction function have a common roller conveyor unit and a feed stop. The infeed function guides the postal items in a direction of travel of the roller conveyor unit from the roller conveyor against the feed stop for a transfer into the storage area. The extraction function extracts the last stacked postal item from the storage area in the direction of travel of the roller conveyor unit through an extraction opening. The storage area includes a separating knife to exert a first pressure and a second pressure.

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 nut feeder having a piston with a rod attached thereto disposed within a chamber of a cylinder. A rod air passage extending through the rod between a rear port at a groove circumscribed around a back end of the rod and a front end of the rod. A ring disposed within the groove and free to slide axially within the groove to cover and uncover the rear port. An air nozzle at the front end of the rod. One or more piston air passages extending through the piston to the groove. A stop at a front end of the chamber positioned to stop forward movement of the ring and cause the ring to cover the rear port. The air nozzle includes one or more apertures aimed backwards and the air nozzle may be in a pin at the front end of the rod.

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: Inserter for inserting postal items into envelopes, wherein an envelope catcher separates the envelopes and transports the envelopes away from the stack of empty envelopes and the envelopes are subsequently transported further with the initially leading flap end trailing. The envelope catcher is suspended for movement and drivable along a catcher path, of which at least a section extends closely along the envelope to be separated. When the envelope is transported away from the envelope catcher with its flap end trailing the flap is folded open.

Abstract: A system for loading pallets onto an assembly line wherein the system has at least one arm capable of lifting a stack of pallets and then depositing the bottom-most pallet of the stack of pallets onto an assembly line surface for subsequent delivery to the assembly line.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient, reliable lumber magazine feeder that can supply large numbers of boards of all sizes. Some embodiments of this magazine lumber feeder comprise of one or more modules, each capable of dispensing a particular width of board. These modules may comprise a gripper/shuttle assembly, an overhead rail, and an adjustable lumber support. The gripper/shuttle assembly contains hydraulic valving to operate two hydraulic cylinders. The first cylinder grips the bottom most board in the stack by clamping onto the narrow dimension on a board. The second cylinder is capable of moving the gripper assembly in a push or pull direction, thus sliding the bottom board from its stacked position. The present invention may also include a programmable logic controller that receives electronic commands from an automatic saw, or the like. The controller in some embodiments receives electronic signals representing a desired board size from the automatic saw.

Abstract: An air conveyer receives an uppermost container group elevated by a lift device and transporting the container group horizontally. A pushing device is provided for pushing the uppermost container group onto the adjacent airflow conveyer by contacting the container group at one side thereof and moving horizontally toward the other side. A forward-fall preventive device is provided to be switchable between a closed state for lying forwardly in a pushing direction of the container group, as the pushing device moves horizontally, to be capable of preventing a forward fall of containers, and an open state for opening a forward position in the pushing direction of the container group when the container group rides the airflow conveyer to enable a discharge of the container group. A speed varying mechanism is provided for varying a relative speed between a transport speed of the airflow conveyer and a pushing speed of the pushing device.

Abstract: A commissioning device (1) has essentially vertical product storage units (2) in which products (3) of the same type are stacked, respectively, and at least one conveying means (4), especially a conveyor belt, which is located underneath the product storage units, for transporting outgoing selected or commissioned products. The product (3′) at the very bottom of the stack of a selected product storage unit can be pushed out of the product storage unit in the direction of travel (F) of the moving conveying device and placed in a positioned product field (6) of the conveyor device by an upwardly oriented product stopping device (5) of the conveying device. The product storage units (2) are preferably located at equal intervals above the level of the conveying device (7). If the bottom product (3′) in a stack is not commissioned, the product stops (5) of the moving conveying device (4) pass freely under the product storage unit (2).

Abstract: A pallet dispenser and a method for stripping a lowermost pallet from a vertical stack of at least two pallets is disclosed. The pallet dispenser includes a pallet magazine for containing the vertical stack of pallets and a platform disposed below the pallet magazine. The platform is configured to support the vertical stack of pallets such that the lowermost pallet rests on the platform. The pallet dispenser also includes a cantilevered pusher bar configured to push the lowermost pallet from under the vertical stack of pallets and out of the pallet magazine. In another embodiment, the pallet dispenser may include motion means for providing motion to the stack of pallets.

Abstract: An identification card manufacturing system that includes first and second identification card manufacturing device modules and a unification mounting. The first identification card manufacturing device module includes a first card transport mechanism and an output, through which the card transport mechanism is configured to discharge individual cards. The second identification card manufacturing device module includes a second card transport mechanism and an input, at which the second card transport mechanism is configured to receive cards. The unification mounting positions the output of the first device module in card handoff alignment with the input of the second device module.

Abstract: Disclosed are both a method and apparatus for preventing facial defects from occurring to the face of a panel as it is removed from a stack of similar panels. The apparatus includes at least two synchronized cams working together to lift a stack of panels as the bottom most panel is removed from the stack. In supporting the stack of panels as the bottom panel is freed, the bottom panel can be slid out from under a stack without damaging the facing of the panel.

Abstract: A system for the automated insertion of documents into envelopes. The system includes a plurality of individual document feeding devices that feed individual documents from an assembled stack onto a moving document conveyor. Each of the document feeding devices includes a suction device that pulls the lowermost document into contact with a discharge nip formed between a pair of opposed rotating belts. After being deposited onto the document conveyor, each of the documents enters into a pusher assembly in which each of the documents is accelerated and pushed into an open envelope positioned adjacent to the discharge end of the document conveyor. The stack of opened envelopes is fed by the combination of an envelope feeding device and an envelope conveyor section. The envelope feeding device receives a stack of closed envelopes and feeds and opens each envelope before it is stacked adjacent to the discharge of the document conveyor.

Abstract: A lamination dispenser is provided for dispensing a predetermined stack of laminations from a string of laminations. Each lamination has an outer edge with a first area of the outer edge opposing a second area of the outer edge. A third area of the outer edge is perpendicular to the first and second areas of the outer edge. The dispenser also has an ejector for removing the predetermined stack of laminations from the stack by pressing against the third areas of the predetermined stack of laminations. A retainer mechanism is provided for the dispenser for exerting pressure against the outer edge of at least one lamination adjacent the predetermined stack of laminations while the ejector moves the predetermined stack of laminations. The pressure is sufficient to secure at least the adjacent lamination in place.

Abstract: Devices and methods for holding a tray stack having a plurality of trays configured to carry and store microelectronic devices. Several devices in accordance with the present invention are particularly applicable to carrying a stack of JEDEC trays that have been loaded with a plurality of microelectronic devices. In one embodiment, the device is a tray retainer including a guide structure configured to allow the tray stack to move in a direction of a load/unload path, and to restrict lateral movement of the tray stack with respect to the load/unload path. The guide structure can have a first end, a second end, and an opening at least proximate to the second end. The guide structure, for example, can have first and second channel sections extending in the direction of the load/unload path. The second channel section can also face the first channel section. The tray retainer can also include a cross-member and a moveable retaining element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lumber unloading and feeding method and apparatus that can reliably separate individual boards from a stacked unit and feed the individual boards into other automatic machinery. One embodiment comprises a first load supporting surface and a second load supporting surface that cooperate to support a first end and a second end of at least one tier; a tier receiver located below the first and second load supporting surfaces; a first pusher that biases the first end of the tier off the first load supporting surface; and a second pusher that biases the second end of the tier off the second load supporting surface, thereby allowing the tier to drop onto the tier receiver.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a nut feeder for the feeding of nuts for resistance welding. A stopper 12 is provided which is so energized as to enter into the inside of a chute 7 from a lower-end lateral side of the chute 7. A lowermost nut 5 in the chute 7 is held by the stopper 12, thereby being prevented from falling. With a pin 11 of the nut receiver 9 set against a projection part 29 of the stopper 12, a nut receiver 9 is moved backward together with the stopper 12, by which the holding of the nut 5 is released. Then the nut 5 is placed at a position ahead of the pin 11 of the nut receiver 9 while leaning against the stopper 12. Thereafter the nut receiver 9 is moved forward and the nut 5 falls down so that its threaded hole fits onto the pin 11 and is delivered to under the upper electrode.

Abstract: An automatic goods picking device has a frame provided at least in one side thereof with a placing platform and a support rod which is provided with a plurality of goods placing areas each being fastened by two fastening members to form a stacking space along with the placing platform. The support rod is provided with a horizontal connection portion. The fastening members are respectively provided with a vertical connection portion enabling the fastening member to move adjustably upwards, downwards, leftwards, and rightwards such that a predetermined position of the vertical connection portion is corresponding in location to a predetermined position of the horizontal connection portion of the support rod, so as to form jointly with the placing platform a stacking space for goods of various heights and widths by using a fastening object.