Abstract: A method for putting a glass plate to a target position includes (a) putting the glass plate at a preliminary position above an air table that discharges air upwardly, by moving a suction member that supports the glass plate through suction; (b) releasing suction of the suction member, while air is discharged upwardly from the air table, thereby floating the glass plate at the preliminary position above the air table; and (c) moving a pressing member in a horizontal direction, while the pressing member is in abutment with a top surface of the glass plate and while air is discharged upwardly from the air table, thereby moving the glass plate in the horizontal direction from the preliminary position above the air table to the target position above the air table by a frictional force generated between the pressing member and the glass plate.

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: Apparatuses and methods for facilitating the separation and retrieval of a topmost disc stored in a vertical stack of similar discs, with minimal modification to existing production lines, are provided. A disc stacking apparatus configured to allow flow of preferably ionized air through an air channel within a spindle shaft and out through one or more air ports is also provided.

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: 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: An automated feeder may allow continuous and synchronized feeding of small trays to equipment for subsequent processing. Automated feeder includes a piston with a suction cup on a distal end. The suction cup may contact and extract via a vacuum trays disposed in a compartment disposed in front of the piston. The compartment may include a frame with rods projecting perpendicularly and at least one backstop to inhibit movement of the trays. A vacuum breaking means may be disposed between the piston and the frame, such that during extension of the piston a vacuum is generated to hold a tray. When the piston is retracted, the tray is pulled from the compartment, partially deforming corners of the tray which releases the tray from backstop(s) of the frame. The small tray falls down by gravity and is taken by a ramp to a conveyor to equipment for subsequent processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically placing a sheet of glass in a glass frame. The apparatus includes a frame, a carriage, a first gripper, and a second gripper. The carriage is movably mounted to the frame to automatically move between a first position where the carriage is by a stack of glass sheets on a glass rack to a second position where the carriage is by the glass frame. The first gripper is movably mounted to the carriage and moves relative to the carriage to automatically engage the sheet of glass from the stack of glass sheets on the glass rack at the first position of the carriage and to automatically release the sheet of glass at the second position of the carriage. The second gripper automatically engages the sheet of glass when the first gripper automatically releases the sheet of glass at the second position of the carriage, and then automatically places the sheet of glass in the glass frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring panels from a stack of generally upstanding panels to a lying position on a receiving surface. The apparatus comprises a pulling device having a tool end adapted to be releasably connected to a surface of a panel of the stack in a contacting position. The pulling device is actuatable to displace the tool end to the contacting position. An actuator member operatively supports the pulling device so as to displace the pulling device away from the panel, to pull the panel away from the stack by actuation of the actuator member to create a gap between the panel and the stack. A pushing device has a portion adapted to be inserted in the gap in a pushing position. The pushing device is operatively supported by the actuator member, whereby the pushing device in the pushing position pushes the panel away from the stack.

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: 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 method for loading and cutting glass sheets on a cutting table, that includes the steps of: providing, with a scoring head, scoring lines on a first sheet of glass positioned on the cutting table; extracting, during the scoring step, sucker-fitted pick-up arms from below the first sheet being worked; tilting the pick-up arms so as to place the suckers on a second sheet to be picked up, which is arranged substantially vertically adjacent the scoring table; picking up the second sheet, starting to tilt it toward the cutting table during the scoring of the first sheet; moving the scored first sheet away from the cutting table; positioning the scoring head beyond a sheet supporting region, on an opposite side with respect to a pick-up region; and positioning the second sheet on the cutting table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separating device (1) with a manipulating device (5) and with at least one carrier support (2) with at least one stacking shaft (3) for workpieces (4) disposed on it, in particular metal plates made ready for a bending operation on a bending press, and with a gripping mechanism (14) for removing the workpiece (4) from the stacking shaft (3) and transporting the workpiece (4) from a pick-up position into a transfer position. The manipulating device (5) and the carrier support (2) are positioned relative to one another by means of positioning means (65), and at least one fixed positioning space (27) for the carrier support (2) is provided in a reference position of the stacking shaft (3) with respect to the manipulating device (5).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for automating the depalletization process. A vacuum hood is used to capture palletized goods one layer at a time using slip sheets that form barriers between the layers of goods stacked on a pallet. The walls of the vacuum hood form a seal with the slip sheet in order to seize the goods within the vacuum hood and remove the goods from the pallet. Each layer of goods may then be deposited on a conveyor system where the slip sheet is removed and the goods can be further processed or subdivided using conventional conveyor separation and alignment techniques.

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: A plate feeding apparatus includes a multi-cassette unit for storing, in a stacked state, a plurality of cassettes storing plates, a loader unit for fetching from each cassette plates to be fed to an image recorder, and a plate feed unit disposed above the multi-cassette unit to be tiltable about a horizontal axis in a state of having a portion thereof vertically overlapping the multi-cassette unit.

Abstract: An improved distribution system and method of operating the same are provided. In one embodiment, the distribution system includes a plate for loading a plurality of substrates thereon, a first transfer assembly for transferring the substrates from the plate to a conveyer, and a distribution assembly for distributing the substrates transferred by the conveyer to a first testing assembly and a second testing assembly. The distribution assembly includes a first sub-conveyer and a second sub-conveyer, and the outlet of one of the first sub-conveyer and the second sub-conveyer corresponds to the inlet of one of the first testing assembly and the second testing assembly.

Abstract: A loader picks up a workpiece from a container, and delivers it to a workstation downstream. An unloader receives the workpiece from the workstation upstream and puts it into a container. In the loader and the unloader respectively, a first stacker and a second stacker, for holding containers in stacked manner, are placed in parallel along direction Y. A table working as a container moving mechanism moves an extracted container along direction Y. A first container transfer mechanism extracts a container from the containers stacked in the first stacker and delivers it to the container moving mechanism. A second container transfer mechanism receives the container from the moving mechanism, and stacks it in the second stacker. A transfer-head working as a workpiece transfer mechanism picks up the workpiece from the container on the table, moves it along direction X, and delivers it to the workstation downstream.

Abstract: A feeder load automation system and method of use including a lifting device capable of lifting a pallet of bundled product from a lowered positioned to a raised position and a platform positioned on the lifting device which holds the pallet of bundled product. A head mechanism having a holding device lifts a top layer of bundled product from the pallet to provide a separation space between the top layer of bundled product and a next, lower layer of bundled product or the pallet. A conveyor mechanism, extendible into the separation space, conveys the top layer of product away from the pallet. An input and takeaway station are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transport support for transport of at least one object along the transport path through at least one processing station, and can include transport of at least one printable object along the transport path for printing of a printable object, in which the transport support includes a device by means of which the object can be aligned in the desired position relative to the transport support. The invention also concerns a method for alignment, including centering, of at least one object of a transport support, by means of which at least one object is transported along a transport path to/through at least one processing station, in which the object can be aligned by a device provided in the transport support into a desired position relative to transport support.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus, such as a vending machine (10), includes a controllably positioned suction hose dispenser (220) for retrieving articles (223) from a storage area (215). In one embodiment, a quick release device (500) coupled to the suction hose dispenser (220), is activated in response to mechanical contact caused by the controllable positioning of the suction hose dispenser (220), said activation facilitating a quick release of the retrieved article to a place (210) associated with an article dispensing area (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: An interleaf at the top position of a stack of plates and interleaves stored in a cassette is removed by attaching the interleaf to suction pads mounted to a vertically movable support. When the interleaf in the cassette is moved upwardly to a position opposed to a pair of nip rollers, movable suction pads move horizontally in such a direction as to stretch the interleaf to remove wrinkles in the interleaf. Then, a leading edge portion of the interleaf is held between the pair of nip rollers and removed outwardly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bonded-substrate fabricating apparatus capable of reducing defective bonded substrates fabricated. A transfer robot sucks the outer edge area of the bottom surface of a substrate and spouts gas toward the bottom surface of the substrate to carry the substrate into a vacuum process chamber of a press machine while keeping the substrate horizontally. A press plate holds the substrate, which is held by the transfer robot, by suction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a workpiece-transfer device that has functions for both loading and unloading workpieces, without requiring a workpiece-storage device to enable a function for replacing material and product workpieces with each other, and that requires only a simple configuration and low costs. A workpiece-transfer device loads a material workpiece W1 in a workpiece-machining device 1 and unloads a product workpiece W2 from the workpiece-machining device 1. A movement means with a rectangular coordinate system 30 is provided to move a traveling body 27 in a first direction along the direction in which the workpiece-machining device 1 and a workpiece-storage device 2 stand in a line (direction X) as well as in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction (direction Y). The traveling body 27 includes a gripping means 28 for gripping a material or product workpiece W1 and W2.

Abstract: An image recording material separating/removing device which, by using a single lift-out mechanism section, can lift image recording materials out from plural cassettes along simple loci of movement, and in which a space for providing and withdrawing the cassettes is kept as small as possible. In a cassette housing section, a plurality of cassettes are disposed one above another. Each cassette is offset in a horizontal direction. An amount of offset is set on the basis of a locus of movement of a printing plate at a time when the printing plate is sucked and held by suction cups and lifted up in a vertical direction. At least while the suction cups are moving in the vertical direction, the printing plate is not interfered with by cassettes thereabove, and an emulsion surface of the printing plate is not scratched. Space required for placement of the cassette housing section can be reduced. Moreover, because movement of the suction cups can be simplified, a control system can be simplified.

Abstract: A stack of alternating plates and interleaves are stored in a cassette of a plate feed apparatus. An interleaf is removed from the stack by a plurality of vertically moving suction cups. There are cases where a plate is attached to the back surface of the interleaf during the removal. Lifting up the plurality of suction cups being reciprocated horizontally causes the plate attached to the interleaf to drop off.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods that remove an interleaf sheet interposed between plate sheets from a material stack used, for example, in a computer-to-plate imaging system and/or environment. Embodiments of the system and method can also remove plate sheets from an interleaf sheet, and transport the plate sheet for subsequent imaging.

Abstract: A feeder for porous battery plates has a vacuum-operated pickup head that is positioned above the plates. The pickup head pulls the top plate off of the stack of plates and moves it to an outfeed device. The opening in the pickup head has an area that is at least 50% of the surface area of the plate. The air flow through the opening in the pickup head is at least 200 CFM and the vacuum at the pickup head is less than 7 inches of water.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, including a controllably positioned suction hose dispenser for retrieving articles from a storage area. In one embodiment, an airflow control mechanism, i.e., a vacuum or suction release (i.e., breaker), is used to facilitate a “quick-release” of the article being handled. A mechanical linkage constructed and operating in accordance with the invention is used to activate, for example, the breaker in response to mechanical contact by the article handling mechanism. Such operation thereby causes a rapid equalization of air pressure inside the housing towards ambient when it is time for the article handling mechanism to release the selected article.

Abstract: A conveying device for a printing plate precursor which takes the printing plate precursor and an interleaf sheet out from a cassette, and which, along a conveying path to an exposure section, takes-off only the interleaf sheet. When a leading end of the interleaf sheet passes by an interleaf sheet peeling roller disposed on the conveying path, the interleaf sheet peeling roller rotates in a direction opposite to a direction of conveying to the exposure section, and contacts the interleaf sheet, and slack is formed in the interleaf sheet between the interleaf sheet peeling roller and a conveying roller. A slack portion is nipped between two belts and fed to a forked-off path, and the interleaf sheet is removed from the conveying path. It is possible to feed only the printing plate precursor out to the exposure section while continuing to convey the printing plate precursor.

Abstract: A lifter device for separating the uppermost of a stack of flexible flat workpieces in suction holders for engaging a sheet when suction is applied thereto. At least one suction holder adjacent a side of the frame is movable independently of other suction holders spaced inwardly therefrom to bend an edge portion of the workpiece upwardly. A stop is provided on the frame to limit upward motion of the body of the sheet as the edge portion bends upwardly.

Abstract: A plate parts carrying system that is capable of sucking the plate parts to be processed automatically without having trouble with the supply of the carrying program, which makes a specified value of the sucking position easily. A carrying program 8 is transmitted from an automatic programming device 9 to a plate loader control unit 6 through a communication network 10. The carrying program 8 includes a specified value of a sucking position Q that is a stop position for sucking a plate parts M that are cut off by a plate processor 1. A sucking position change operation means 23 that changes the above specified value is provided for when suction parts 3 of a plate loader 2 cannot suck plate parts M at the specified value. The plate loader control unit 6 comprises a change output means 27 that outputs the specified value of the changed sucking position Q to the automatic programming device 9.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for separating and supplying plates from a stacked plate assembly capable of highly efficiently separating and conveying one plate by one from a stacked plate assembly of a storage cell without interruption and conveying and supplementing, one by one, the separated plate to a next step with improved reliability. In this apparatus, separation suction disks (6) for sucking, separating and holding the uppermost plate P are arranged on a support table (2) at an upper end portion of an elevation rod (1a) of an elevation mechanism (1) above a stacked plate assembly (A1) for separation having a large number of plates stacked in such a fashion as to be capable of moving up and down also included are rotary bodies (13) each having rotary suction disks (12) arranged along a circumference with predetermined gaps.

Abstract: In some preferred embodiments of the media packaging apparatus and method according to the present invention, a plurality of stations are positioned adjacent to a conveyor. A disc case enters a feed path preferably from an empty disc case receptacle, is conveyed to a disc case opening station where a wedge separates the lid from the housing of the case, is then conveyed to a media disc insertion station where a media disc is inserted in the case, and is then conveyed to a case closing station where the case is closed. Other additional stations are possible such as an additional item insertion station or a disc case unloading station. The functions performed at the various stations can alternatively be performed at the same location along the conveyor. In some embodiments, the present invention is equipped with a drive system that can be operated in the absence of power.

Abstract: A substrate manager for a substrate exposure machine is used, in one example, as a platesetter. As such, it comprises a substrate storage system, containing one or more stacks of substrates, such as plates in one implementation. A substrate picker is provided for picking substrates from the stack of substrates. The substrates are then handed to a transfer system that conveys the substrates to an imaging engine. According to the invention, a substrate inverter system is also provided. This system inverts the substrates from being imaging or emulsion side down to emulsion side up in the present implementation. This allows plates, for example, which are stored emulsion side down in cassettes to be flipped to an emulsion side up orientation, and then transferred, using the substrate transfer system to the imaging engine. This flipping process has two advantages. First, the plates can be emulsion side up during the transfer. This prevents any damage to the sensitive plate emulsions.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing rejected articles, in particular blister packs, includes an additional magazine situated beside the feeding line and aimed at receiving and housing, arranged in pile, the articles, which are to be withdrawn when necessary to replace the rejected articles. An elevating member is connected to the additional magazine and controls the stepwise movement of means supporting the pile of articles in step relation with accumulation of the articles inside the additional magazine or with withdrawal of a single article to be fed to the feeding line, from the top of said pile. A transferring device, situated above the additional magazine, is equipped with gripping means, which transfer the group of articles into the additional magazine, in order to form the pile of articles, and which withdraw single articles from the top of the pile in order to replace the rejected articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling layers of palletized goods is described, comprising a vertically displaceable lift head with a mainly horizontal suction face which is substantially adjusted in size for a pallet, for example an EU pallet. The head has a large number of downward open suction chambers arranged for being moved downward against the upper side of an upper layer of individually or groupwise packed goods on a pallet. Individual valves are connected with a vacuum source preferably integrated in the lift head, with individual valves between the suction chambers and the vacuum source being ball valves with spherical valve bodies interacting with round valve openings with preferably spherical valve seats. The valve openings are arranged for being automatically actuated to shut off the ball valves if an associated suction chamber is not blocked downwardly by contacting the upper side of the goods at the uppermost pallet layer.

Abstract: A singling device and a singling method for singling sheet metal panels comprises two tendering positions arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction to offer a respective sheet metal panel stack, said two tendering positions being provided with a lifting means able to be reciprocated in the longitudinal direction and for feeding the sheet metal panels in the longitudinal direction to a working site.

Abstract: A machine for loading a load carrier (20) such as a pallet with packing units (cardboard boxes, collis etc.), which form a load stack (21) on the load carrier, comprises handling and support means (52-57), by means of which a packing unit (15) to be loaded is supported from below throughout the operation of loading from a feed device (51) onto the load stack. By virtue of the handling and support means the packing unit may be deposited at any selectable spatial position on the load stack. According to the invention it is therefore possible to form an optimized load stack on the load carrier, wherein the packing units are always supported from below, with the result that the loading is not dependent upon the material quality of the packaging of the packing unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manipulating lightweight strips in parallel, laterally edge-adjacent array into spaced apart array for processing includes a platen having channels for receiving the strips, and a comb device for translating the strips of alternating channels to form two groups of laterally spaced strips. A pick-and-place conveyor has suction cups to remove each group in unison from the platen and place it on a belt conveyor. Suction holes in the channels selectively retain the groups on the platen. The comb, pick-and-place conveyor, and belt conveyor operate in synchrony and reiteratively to create a continuous stream of spaced apart strips.

Abstract: A method for separating lightweight sheets to be discarded interleaved with heavier items to be further processed. A gas such as air is delivered by nozzles and directed at slip sheets interleaved between photosensitive plates. The slip sheets are directed by the gas to a discarded slip sheet area. An apparatus for the slip sheet removal system comprising a plate handling area and a discarded slip sheet area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for collating a plurality of separate groups or bundles of similar flats mailpieces arranged in a predetermined delivery point sequence, each mailpiece imprinted with a distinct delivery point or address indicia, to produce a single stream of mailpieces in new groups, where each new group comprises a plurality of mailpieces all addressed to a distinct delivery point. The apparatus comprises a plurality of feed units, each unit configured to process a quantity of similar mailpieces, each with a distinct delivery point indicia on the face of the mailpiece, and to deposit each mailpiece in a distinct pocket on a collation conveyor which traverses all of the plurality of feed units. Each pocket will ultimately contain different mail pieces, all addressed to the same delivery point. Multiple new groups of mailpieces are then automatically placed in containers in a sequence corresponding to a predetermined delivery route.

Abstract: In connection with a method for automatically inserting documents to be displayed on a display device and/or copied in a digitizing device, such as microfiches, microfilm jackets or the like, in which process one document at a time is transported from a stack of documents to be processed to a document support and from there to a deposit magazine for the processed documents, provision is made according to the invention that the top document of a stack of documents contained in the holding magazine is pulled up by suction to about the level of the document support and the remaining stack is subsequently retained by suction acting in the opposite direction; the document pulled up by suction is transported sideways to the document support, and deposited on said support by terminating the suction effect, and the document is then picked up by suction again after it has been processed, and is transported to the deposit magazine.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for use with a stack having plates and sheets alternating. Sheets are removed by being reliably suction adhered with a sucker. The sheet feeder includes a suction device, and the sucker and device are mounted at a supporting portion. In order to allow suction adhering of the plates and sheets alternately stacked in a magazine, the suction device is operated when the sucker is brought into contact with the sheet, and the sheet is raised separately from the plate. Thereafter, the sheet is suction adhered to the sucker by suction. This makes it possible to prevent the sucker from suction adhering to the plate together with the sheet, and only the sheet is reliably removed from the stack.

Abstract: A feeder for porous battery plates has a vacuum-operated pickup head that is positioned above the plates. The pickup head pulls the top plate off of the stack of plates and moves it to an outfeed device. The opening in the pickup head has an area that is at least 50% of the surface area of the plate. The air flow through the opening in the pickup head is at least 200 CFM and the vacuum at the pickup head is less than 7 inches of water.

Abstract: A lath placer places pairs of lath segments to overlap in a package of lumber. The lath placer has at least one section which includes a pair of back-to-back lath segment placers. Each lath segment placer has a magazine and lath picker which picks lath segments from a top of the magazine. The lath segments are dropped down guide chutes onto lath gates which release the lath segments onto the package of lumber.

Abstract: A separating arrangement for the individual removal of carton blanks (Z) from a magazine (M) and for shifting the removed carton blank (Z) from a removal position into a transfer position has a motor-driven pivoting arm (5) and means (6) arranged thereon for removing the carton blank (Z) on its own. The pivoting arm (5) is arranged on a carriage (2) which can be displaced in a rectilinear manner, it being the case that, as the carton blank (Z) is removed and shifted, a pivoting movement of the pivoting arm (5) is superposed by a rectilinear movement of the carriage (2). This arrangement thus allows space-saving and efficient shifting of individual carton blanks and, in addition, can be integrated in a flexible manner in cartoning machines.

Abstract: The device and method prevents a robot from carrying two blanks stuck together i.e., a double blank, from being transported storage station to a workstation. Suction cups on the robot arm grip the blank. The robot transports the blank to a double blank separation station, which has suction cups facing the opposite side of the blank. If the blank is a double blank, the opposing force from the suction cups pulls the blanks apart. The robot carries the separated single blank to the workstation. Instead of returning to the storage station to obtain another blank, the robot returns to the double blank separation station to pick up the separated blank that remained there.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum grip system (10) for gripping at least one object (11a). The vacuum grip system (10) has a base unit (18) and at least two suction units (19, 20) affixed thereto, disposed at right angles to one another, and each having at least one suction gripper (21, 22). At least one of the suction units (19, 20) grasps the object or objects (11a) to be gripped from above, and at least one of the suction units (19,20) grasps the object or objects (11a) from one side. In order to provide The vacuum grip system (10) having maximum flexibility, it is proposed to affix the suction units (19, 20) to the base unit (18) such that, in order to grip the object (11a), the distance between the upper suction unit (19) and the lateral suction unit (20) may be varied. It is further proposed that the vacuum grip system (10) have a mechanical undergripper (25) upon which the gripped object (11a) may be laid.