Includes Means For Elevating Remainder Of Stack Therefrom Patents (Class 414/797.5)
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Patent number: 10654666Abstract: A separating system (1) comprises a housing (60) sized to receive a stack of articles having at least one first article (12) stacked on top of a second article (10). The system (1) also includes a lifter (20) movable into a contact position adjacent a surface (13) on the at least one first article (12). The lifter (20) is adapted to apply a lifting force to the surface (13) to lift at least a portion of the first article (12) above the contact position. An extractor (40) moves the second article (10) away from the stack of articles after the at least one first article (12) has been lifted above the contact position by the lifter (20). The housing (60) prevents the at least one first article (12) from moving with the second article (10) when the second article (10) is moved by the extractor (40) and guides the stack of articles downward after the second article (10) is moved away.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: BD KIESTRA B. V.Inventors: Michael Justin Lizzi, Lukas Blaauw, Timothy Roy Hansen, Freerk H. Van Der Werff, Jurjen Sinnema, Jordan Brown, James Glen Burmaster, Rui Goncalves, Milenko Lukic, Nino Orucevic, Martin John Juritsch
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Patent number: 10427895Abstract: An apparatus includes a pallet dispensing system, including a movable frame being configured to movably hold, at least in part, a pallet stack between a pallet-storage position and a pallet-dispensation position. The movable frame is also configured to hold the pallet stack relative to a pallet transporter in such a way that the pallet transporter is permitted to vertically lift, at least in part, the pallet stack as the movable frame is provided, at least in part, with vertical-lift assistance through stored potential energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Inventor: Paul Redman
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Patent number: 10046926Abstract: A method for dispensing pallets, comprising: moving a pallet stack held in a movable frame from a pallet-storage position to a pallet-dispensation position including: raising the pallet stack held in the movable frame, the movable frame being configured to be moved between the pallet-storage position and the pallet-dispensation position once the pallet stack is raised; and dispensing a pallet from the movable frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Inventor: Paul W. Redman
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Publication number: 20150023773Abstract: A method for dispensing pallets, comprising: moving a pallet stack held in a movable frame from a pallet-storage position to a pallet-dispensation position including: raising the pallet stack held in the movable frame, the movable frame being configured to be moved between the pallet-storage position and the pallet-dispensation position once the pallet stack is raised; and dispensing a pallet from the movable frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventor: Paul W. Redman
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Publication number: 20150010380Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dispensing vehicle balancing weights are disclosed. The dispenser comprises a transport unit arranged below a cartridge for storing balancing weights. The transport unit moves a balancing weight from a selected section of the cartridge on a belt conveyor for further transporting the balancing weight to a handling device. The transport unit comprises a feeder, and a plurality of stack lifters for lifting a stack of balancing weights and allowing the feeder to push a selected balancing weight under the stack of other balancing weights towards the belt conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventor: Hans-Ulrich BÜRGEL
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Patent number: 8764374Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bo Yang, Bing Li, Yong Zhang
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Patent number: 8534985Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xiao-Ming Xu, Jin-Jin Song
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Patent number: 8480346Abstract: The goal of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of cooperation with at least one piece of wafer processing equipment. The apparatus is connected to a first equipment via a first opening, to a wafer transport case via a second opening and to a second piece of equipment via a third opening. The apparatus is capable of removing a basket of parallel stacked trays of wafers from a wafer transport case. The apparatus is capable of placing and supporting the wafers in order to move them to the first equipment through the second opening and to the second piece of equipment through the third opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Alcatel-LucentInventors: Erwan Godol, Emmanuelle Veran
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Patent number: 8246290Abstract: A carton feeder assembly is disclosed for selecting or picking carton blanks from the end of a stack of blanks in a magazine. The assembly includes a magazine and conveyor for moving stacks of carton blanks toward a carton feeder assembly. A support shaft assembly is disposed at the downstream end of the magazine and includes a support shaft against which the forwardmost carton blank in the stack leans and rests to support the stack of carton blanks. The support shaft is eccentrically rotatably mounted and driven by a motor so that the support shaft oscillates rapidly as it is rotated. This motion of the support shaft keeps the forwardmost blank of the stack spaced slightly from and out of contact with the support shaft for a significant majority of the time, thus reducing substantially the average friction between the forwardmost blank and the support shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Kevin T. May, Cory E. Hawley
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Patent number: 8226346Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Cheng Mei Instrument Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Cheng Tao Tsai
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Patent number: 8052371Abstract: A bag supply apparatus for supplying bags onto a conveyer for transporting a bag bundle stacked such that an upper level bag is shifted forward, including a bag lifting device, which is provided with a pair of bag support members disposed facing one another on the left and right sides near the rear edge of a belt conveyor, and a rotation mechanism, which imparts translational motion of rotation in symmetric in a vertical plane with respect to the conveyance direction of the belt conveyor. The bag supporting portions of the bag support members contact the bag bundle from below to lift up the rear edge portion of the bag bundle and then separated from the bag bundle outwardly. While the bag supporting portions thus lifting the bag bundle, a new bag is fed into the space between the conveyance surface of the belt conveyor and the bag bundle.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masakazu Setozaki, Tohru Yoshikane
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Patent number: 7731473Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Akitomi Kohama, Tatsuaki Kunimoto, Katsumasa Shirai
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Patent number: 7717665Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking first and second loaded pallets includes a pallet stacker that defines a stationary stacking location. A first loaded pallet is conveyed to the stationary stacking location. A pair of pallet lift carriages are vertically adjustable at the stationary stacking location to selectively engage the first loaded pallet and raise it to a temporary holding position. A second loaded pallet is conveyed into vertical registration with the first loaded pallet. The first loaded pallet is then vertically adjusted into stable stacked relation with the second loaded pallet, and the pallet lift carriages disengage the first loaded pallet. The first and second loaded pallets, in stable stacked relation to each other, thereafter are discharged from the stationary stacking location.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Kolinahr Systems, Inc.Inventor: Gary E. Jenkins
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Patent number: 7710556Abstract: A substrate inspection system of a type that receives substrates disposed within a cassette and inspects a planar surface of the substrates with a read head, where the substrates are inspected while they are disposed within the cassette, and the read head is of a size to fit between adjacent substrates within the cassette. In this manner, the substrates do not need to be removed from the cassette, and no robotic arm is required to do so.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventor: Mark A. McCord
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Publication number: 20100104412Abstract: A system for stacking and/or unstacking stackable units in a units-handling installation, wherein the system comprises a frame carrying holding means for taking a stackable unit at a time from a stack of units and remove the units, one at a time, from the stack, and for taking units provided at the system to stack them into a stack of units, and conveyor means for receiving units to be stacked and delivering unstacked units out of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: CREMONA INOXIDABLE S.R.L.Inventors: JUAN JOSE ABASCAL ALBIZU, SERGIO RENATO TRINCO
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Publication number: 20090196728Abstract: Associated with a form-fill-seal packaging machine for liquid-packaging cartons is an apparatus (10) including a pusher (24) for driving a pour spout fitment (12) axially from a removal-ready position at an exit end (14) of a feed track (16) that serially guides pour spout fitments (12, 30) edge-wise to the exit end (14) such that external, circumferential flanges (18) of adjacent pour spout fitments (12) and (30) tend to overlap one another. The apparatus (10) also includes a pour spout fitment separator (28) supported adjacent the exit end (14) for reversing an immediately following pour spout fitment (30) back along the track (16) to a position where the flange (18) of the leading fitment (12) in the removal-ready position and the flange (18) of the immediately following pour spout fitment (30) do not overlap.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2005Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: ELOPAK SYSTEMS AGInventors: James Robert Basinger, Michael Dale Clayton, Anthony John Lukasiewicz, Steven William Toth
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Patent number: 7201555Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Inventor: Ronald Earl Smith
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Patent number: 7014415Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus, for removing a substrate from a substrate accommodating tray accommodating the substrate in a horizontal state, includes a plurality of support pins for raising the substrate accommodated in the substrate accommodating tray above the substrate accommodating tray. The substrate accommodating tray includes a plurality of openings through which the plurality of support pins are to be inserted. The plurality of support pins are moved up relative to the substrate accommodating tray and are inserted through the plurality of openings of the substrate accommodating tray, so as to raise the substrate. The plurality of support pins each have a length sufficient to be vertically inserted through a plurality of substrate accommodating trays stacked vertically.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takenori Yoshizawa
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Patent number: 6708970Abstract: A supply device for a machine working cardboard sheets. At least one conveying unit for the conveyance one by one of the sheets. A hold-down stop for preventing conveyance of a pile of the sheets above the conveying unit while permitting conveyance of the bottom sheet. A plurality of rising units at the conveying unit, the raising units being alternatively moveable by pivoting between an upraised position above the upper level of the conveying unit, and a lowered position at the highest aligned with that upper level. Each rising unit is connected to a programmable control unit in order to provide a single command respectively for each one of the rising units. An adjustable height wear surface shoe on each rising unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Bobst S.A.Inventors: Roberto Valterio, Valery Naula
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Patent number: 6632067Abstract: A pallet dispenser can receive a vertical stack of skewed or misaligned pallets in an interior of a frame of the pallet dispenser and align the pallets as they are sequentially dispensed from the pallet dispenser onto a conveyor below the pallet dispenser. The pallet dispenser that can be quickly manually changed over to accommodate pallets of different sizes and vertically dispense the pallets one by one onto a conveyor below the pallet dispenser. The pallet dispenser is provided-with a quick, manual change over that enables the pallet dispenser to be quickly adjusted to accommodate a vertical stack of large or small pallets to be reoriented and dispensed by the pallet dispenser onto a separate conveyor without appreciable downtime of the pallet dispenser or the conveyor with which it is used.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Oullette Machinery Systems, Inc.Inventor: Joseph F. Ouellette
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Patent number: 6626633Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: AWI Licensing CompanyInventors: Robert J. Jendzurski, Todd R. Hassel, Karl B. Himmelberger
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Patent number: 6619907Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automated removal of shipping containers from a trailer and the automatic return of the emptied shipping containers to a trailer after the cargo has been removed from the container.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: James H. Pajot
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Patent number: 6241459Abstract: A shuttle assembly for handling trays of IC packages. The shuttle assembly is configured to accept cooperatively-configured trays in a vertically-extending tray stack volume in only a single rotational orientation. Trays are selectively released from or accepted by the tray stack volume by operation of selectively extendable and retractable tray support elements driven by actuators, which may comprise air cylinders. A lift mechanism for raising and lowering a tray in alignment with the tray stack volume may be included. A method of operation of the shuttle assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Micron Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Canella, Tony T. Ibarra