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: Apparatus and method for retrieving traffic cones from roadway surfaces comprises a framework which is adapted to be attached to a roadwork vehicle so as to be movable therewith along a roadway surface. A knock-down bar upon the framework knocks down a normally upstanding traffic cone, and a substantially horizontally oriented, substantially conically configured spearing mechanism mounted upon the framework is inserted into the hollow interior of the traffic cone. The spearing mechanism and traffic cone are pivoted to a vertical orientation, and subsequently elevated so as to place the traffic cones onto a platform in a nested stacked array.

Abstract: A method for dispensing, receiving, storing, testing or binning packaged integrated circuit devices using at least one vertically oriented, removable, tubular magazine disposed above a controllably driven, rod-like indexing element extending from a drive below the magazine. A magazine, with an associated indexing element and drive, is configurable as an individual magazine module. The indexing element, under power of the drive, raises or lowers a vertical stack of devices to a desired level adjacent the top of the magazine to dispense or receive an individual device from a feed mechanism, such as a pick-and-place mechanism. A number of magazine modules may be assembled in a multi-module array, which is particularly suitable for binning tested devices, with a sort category being directed to each magazine.

Abstract: On stack changing, in a sheet feeder, a remaining-stack carrying device (3) is used, of which the remaining-stack bars (7A, 7B) can be pulled in a staggered manner. For better access, a U-shaped mounting (6) is provided, in which the pull drives (11) of the remaining-stack bars (7) are displaceably mounted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for firm handling of disc-shaped objects with a concentric bore, such as compact discs CD comprises a conic-ended rod-shaped body to be inserted in the bore of the CD stack and a finger-like gripper slides the topmost disk in the semi-groove provided on rod-shaped body and holding it in firmly during the placing process.

Abstract: The invention considerably reduces the danger of deformation for containers made from a thermoplastic material during the transfer to a stacking magazine or into a locally fixed catch plate. This deformation danger results from the fact that the formed stack must be displaced within a short time by the stack distance, either through the transferred containers themselves or by components of a catch plate that is moved forward with each cycle. This is achieved through displacing the stacks in the stacking magazines or the locally fixed catch plate with a displacement device. The displacement device can be combined with the stack removal device or can be a separate displacement device. According to a modification of the invention, the method is intended to improve the cooling of the stacked containers.

Abstract: A container has a bottom panel, side walls, and end walls, with the bottom panel having recesses for accepting stacking tabs The side walls are provided with stacking tabs which are tapered inwardly so as to align with the recesses in the bottom panel of a second container. The inwardly tapered tabs allow for easy stacking without the tabs being deformed when containers are stacked atop one another. To improve strength, the side and end walls are disposed approximately at right angles to the bottom panel. Multiple plies of material are used along the container walls to increase container strength.

Abstract: An insertion automation apparatus for discs and booklets in disc packages has plural parallel belts for transporting containers through successive stations. A first station is adjacent the belts for unstacking containers. A second station is adjacent the belts for opening the containers. An inspection station adjacent the belts inspects the opened containers. A fourth station adjacent the belts partially inserts booklets in the open containers, has a booklet conveyor for unstacking and moving booklets and an insertion conveyor for partially inserting the booklets in booklet pockets of the containers. A fifth station adjacent the belts has a pusher for pushing booklets fully into the pockets. A sixth disc placement station adjacent the belts has a continuous looped disc carrier arranged transversely to the belts and plural outwardly spaced disc carrier heads facing outward from the looped disc carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discharging sheets from a starwheel assembly and creating stacks of a desired number of sheets without interrupting the rotation of the starwheel assembly. The present invention separates sheets such that one separated sheet completes a stack and the other separated sheet is supported by a separator to begin a new stack. The completed stack is preferably transported away from the starwheel assembly by a conveyor as the new stack supports additional sheets that are discharged from the starwheel assembly. The new stack will preferably move away from the starwheel assembly to provide clearance for the accumulation of additionally discharged sheets. The apparatus can allow for cyclical repetition of the separation of sheets, the stacking of sheets, and the transportation of stacks such that continual rotation of the starwheel assembly is not interrupted.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of nesting a pair of elongate articles, each having a complementary nesting surface, comprising the steps of: providing an article receiving surface; delivering a first elongate article to a first ready position on the article receiving surface; the first article having a first near end portion and a first far end portion; delivering a second elongate article to the article receiving surface; the second article having a second near end portion and a second far end portion; arranging the second article so that the second near end portion lies in a second ready position adjacent the first near end portion; engaging the near end portion of one of the articles independently of the far end portion thereof; transferring the engaged near end portion relative to the other of the near end portions to initiate nesting thereof; and manipulating at least one of the articles downstream of the first and second near end portions, to allow the nesting of the articles to continue beyond the first

Abstract: Disclosed are machines and methods of orienting and stacking a stream of workpieces when it is desirable to stack at lease some of the workpieces in a face-to-face or back-to-back orientation. The apparatus has a receiving assembly for receiving a continuous stream of workpieces. A flipping assembly follows the receiving assembly for selectively flipping selected workpieces onto their opposing faces. Downstream from the flipping assembly, a stacking guide is positioned for guiding the workpieces into stacks for further manual or automated handling.

Abstract: Boxes each having opposing top and bottom walls adjoining opposing end walls and opposing side walls spaced apart a width adjoining the opposing top and bottom walls and the opposing end walls and having recessed end structure wherein a portion of the opposing side walls adjacent at least one of the opposing end walls that is narrower widthwise than the width are disposed diagonally inwardly and at least one of the top and bottom walls is tapered inwardly to the at least one of the opposing end walls that is narrower widthwise than the width, and arranging the boxes in an array of at least one row wherein each row contains the boxes disposed abreast one another with respective opposing end walls adjacent one another such that an opening is formed between adjacent opposing end walls.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a material handling device and method for transferring material from one location to another. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for placing material onto a pallet and/or removing material from a pallet. The device has a pedestal with a working arm pivotally connected to the pedestal. The working arm is driven by a horizontal motion actuator. Connected to the working arm and horizontal motion actuator is a cam follower that is received in a cam track on a cam track plate. The cam track plate can be easily removed and replaced with another plate with the cam tracks in a different arrangement. The horizontal motion actuator moves the cam follower along the cam track, resulting in movement of the working arm along a pre-selected path. At the end of the working arm is a material holder used for grasping and releasing the material to be transferred.

Abstract: A ventilated container includes a rectangular bottom panel and first and second end panels connected to the bottom panel which extend outwardly therefrom. There are first and second side panels connected to the bottom panel which also extend outwardly therefrom. The side panels are connected to adjacent end panels. Each of the side panels has a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough from the first end panel to the second end panel to permit air to pass from the first end panel to the second end panel. When the containers are stacked in two adjacent rows, air can pass through the passageways from the first row to the second row to cool and ventilate contents of the containers. Alternatively the passageway may be in an end panel.

Abstract: A stack grasper, in particular for unbound printed products comprises a stack receiving space (22) which is open towards the bottom, a guide (14, 16, 18, 20) at all four sides of the stack receiving space, and a stack support (24, 26) on which the stack lies flat and substantially with its full length and/or width. It has the special feature that the stack support (24, 26) is arranged in the region of the lower end of the guide (14, 16, 18, 20) and is movable into and out of and into the stack receiving space (22) by a horizontal movement. This type of grasper ensures good guidance of the stack and a compact design suitable for a stack grasper attached to the arm of a robot.

Abstract: A method to improve the stacking of containers comprising thermoplastic plastic, and the transfer of the stacks to a successive device. Stacks of a predetermined number are intended to be produced without disturbances, even with a high cycle number of the shaping tool. This is achieved in that the containers are stacked in a first stack magazine, which is exchanged for an adjacent stack magazine between two cycles of the shaping tool after the predetermined number has been reached. The containers are stacked in the stack magazines directly from the shaping tool, or by an intermediate transfer device.

Abstract: An item layer assembly apparatus for continuously receiving items from an infeed conveyor, forming an item layer from a plurality of items, and loading the item layer onto a pallet is provided. The item a layer assembly apparatus comprises an item receiving area surface for continuously receiving the items from the infeed conveyor. At least one side plate area surface is adjacent and substantially horizontally planar to the item receiving area surface for receiving the items from the item receiving area surface. A item layer forming plate receives the items from each of the side plate area surfaces with the item layer forming plate positioned substantially under the item receiving area surface. A mechanism associated with the item layer forming plate forms a substantially rectilinear package layer wherein the item layer forming plate deposits the item layer onto the pallet.

Abstract: A package handling apparatus. The layout of each layer of a palletized stack may be individually defined by an operator on a personal computer by graphically arranging packages into a desired layout on the computer. The personal computer communicates to a programmable logic controller which controls handlers. Packages from an exit conveyor of a packaging machine are positioned and oriented onto a pre-palletization conveyor by the handlers. The desired layout is achieved when the positioned and oriented packages reach a compression station and are compressed together. The layout of packages, forming a layer for a pallet, is then stacked onto the pallet for shipping. A related method for handling and assembling packages is also disclosed.

Abstract: An indexing system for a die assembly for manufacturing a stack of laminae from sheet stock material in a punch press, the stack having a desired stack height and a skew angle, the stock material having a nominal thickness. The indexing system includes indexing means for producing a first indexing input movement in response to movement of the punch press, a motor for producing a second indexing input movement in response to a control signal, and differential means for combining the first and second indexing input movements into an indexing output movement and having first and second input means for respectively receiving the first and second indexing input movements. The first input means is coupled to the indexing means, and the second input means is coupled to the motor. The differential means also has output means for transmitting the indexing output movement; a rotatable choke barrel in which laminae are received and stacked.

Abstract: A method and system for packaging a plurality of containers, wherein each container has a body and an engagement lip surrounding a neck portion, which comprises a plurality of steps. First, a set of containers is provided. Next, containers are loaded on a plurality of neck guides and locomoted along the neck guides to a gathering area to form a bundle of containers. The container is lowered onto a conveyor element and transported with the conveyor along a path to a loading area. A transfer device stacks the bundle on a pallet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an apparatus and a container for shipping printed matter. The method of the invention is essentially distinguished in that the printed matter reaches the respective shipping points in returnable containers adapted to its format. These returnable containers can then be used again after their return to the packaging station. The containers used in this connection are essentially distinguished in that they have free spaces extending from the container bottom to the upper container edge for access to printed matter to be placed in them. The apparatus of the invention to be used for packaging is distinguished by a magazine for receiving returnable containers stacked inside each other, from which the containers can be taken separately for loading with printed matter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making and stacking bundles of corrugated folded boxes into accurate loads.

Abstract: A layer-picking clamp mountable on a truck has clamp arms extending downwardly from and movably mounted to an upper frame section. The clamp arms are linearly movable with respect to the upper frame section in laterally inward and outward directions so that gripping surfaces of the clamp arms retain their substantially vertical orientations as the clamp arms move inward and outward. The upper frame is supported on a first mounting apparatus that is positioned above a second mounting apparatus that supports a load-supporting device. The first mounting apparatus movably supports the upper frame so as to move the upper frame laterally and vertically with respect to the load-supporting device to enable the clamp arms to deposit a load on the load-supporting device. The load-supporting device is capable of supporting a pallet upon which the clamp can deposit the load.

Abstract: A stack grasper, in particular for unbound printed products comprises a stack receiving space (22) which is open towards the bottom, a guide (14, 16, 18, 20) at all four sides of the stack receiving space, and a stack support (24, 26) on which the stack lies flat and substantially with its full length and/or width. It has the special feature that the stack support (24, 26) is arranged in the region of the lower end of the guide (14, 16, 18, 20) and is movable into and out of and into the stack receiving space (22) by a horizontal movement. This type of grasper ensures good guidance of the stack and a compact design suitable for a stack grasper attached to the arm of a robot.

Abstract: Stackable trays and methods for stacking the trays are disclosed. A stackable tray has two side walls, each wall having a top channel along its top edge and a bottom channel along its bottom edge, each channel having an inner and an outer channel wall, where the width of two adjacent top channel outer channel walls is less than the width of the bottom channel, whereby two such top channel walls may slide into a bottom channel of a stackable tray of like kind, and where the width of two adjacent bottom channel outer channel walls is less than the width of the top channel, whereby two such bottom channel walls may slide into a top channel of a stackable tray of like kind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling sheet stacks, in which sheet stacks including at least one sheet are moved into a storage area with the help of handling apparatuses into sheet piles of at least one sheet stack. By virtue of the support beds, a handling apparatus and a straddle carrier, and a flexible and efficient buffer storage system for sheet stacks are provided for interfacing with existing sheet processing lines.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus which carries out a method for taking and piling articles supplied in a plurality of rows for transferring the obtained piles of articles to a packaging line. The articles are moved along at least two working lines arranged side by side and parallel to each other. The articles are piled in piling stations which are staggered apart by a predetermined step. The obtained piles of articles are transferred, also staggered by a predetermined step, to a packaging line where a first conveyer moves the piles from the piling member, to other conveying devices which move the piles to a packaging line in which the piles are arranged in a single row.

Abstract: A palletizer/depalletizer system includes a palletizer assembly and depalletizer assembly stacked one beneath the other on a common frame assembly. Both assemblies are adapted to handle layers of articles and stacks of pallets. The palletizer loads articles on stacks of empty pallets by transferring layers of articles one at a time onto the uppermost pallet until the pallet is fully loaded, conveying the loaded pallet away from the system using a conventional automated storage and retrieval (ASR) machine, and then loading the next pallet on the stack. The depalletizer creates stacks of empty pallets by repeatedly unloading layers of articles from a pallet to empty the pallet and then accepting a loaded pallet on top of the recently-emptied pallet.

Abstract: A process and a device for handling and stacking pressed bales in a bale storage facility with at least one stacking device (1), which has a traveling crane bridge (3), a bogie truck (4) and a hanging-down guide beam (5). A grabbing device is provided for one or more, preferably three pressed bales (2) is arranged on it vertically movably and rotatably around the vertical axis. The stacking device (1) has a remote control and a fully automatic, computer-aided storage management system. After loading into the storage area, the bales can be re-sorted in the bale storage facility fully automatically and arranged according to the type of bale, grade and other criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a layup of wood veneer sheets and an apparatus suited for implementing the method. In the method, each of the sheets (1) is first taken separately into a forward-feed position on a level situated above the layup (2). Next, the sheet is lowered with its tailing edge first onto an intermediate platform located above the desired laying point in the layup, and further therefrom, the sheet is lowered with its leading edge first onto the layup. The apparatus includes a conveyor (6) arranged to run as an endless loop. The conveyor is adapted to perform a continuous loop travel during the entire cycle of the sheet-laying sequence. The conveyor bars supporting the sheet are omitted from a given section of the conveyor loop thus facilitating a stepwise lowering of the sheet onto the intermediate platform, and therefrom, further onto the layup. The alignment of the sheet is accomplished by means of a tailing edge stop (4).

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving, transporting and stacking thin sheets onto a transport pallet includes a vacuum conveyor for transporting the sheets one at a time from a horizontal collection station vertically downward and then horizontally onto a collection pallet.

Abstract: A product stacking apparatus, and a method of using it, is provided, where the apparatus is located inline with a product conveyor, and includes a frame having at least one spanner connecting plates which together straddle the product conveyor, a drive roller, an infeed system driven by the drive roller, having carriers which move upstream to downstream relative to motion of the product conveyor, a hopper which receives a product from the infeed system, an automatic detainer which automatically opens the hopper so that a predetermined number of the products exits the hopper on the conveyor, an automatic dropgate mechanism, located between the infeed system and the hopper, which automatically releases the product into the hopper, and sensors which count products, allows for their accumulation and release, and prevents jamming of the product on the apparatus.

Abstract: To palletize stacks of flat objects, preferably stacks of sacks or bags, the stacks are deposited in several layers one on top of the other on a pallet in such a manner that the stacks of each layer overlap at least two stacks of the layer lying underneath. To palletize stacks of flat objects with higher productivity, large packages, which comprise partially overlapping stacks, are made from at least two stacks before the stacks are deposited.

Abstract: Business forms are stacked using a cart having first and second portions pivotally movable with respect to each other from a substantially L-shaped configuration to a substantially in-line configuration with each portion having a conveyor associated with it, and a docking station. The cart with the first and second portions in the substantially L-shaped configuration is moved into operative association with the docking station. The cart is lifted and rotated in the docking station so that the second portion is substantially horizontal, and the first portion of the cart is pivoted with respect to the second portion so that the first portion is in the substantially in-line configuration with respect to the second portion. The conveyors are operated so that business forms are moved onto the first portion, and then onto the second portion, with the second conveyor operating at a speed of at least fifty percent greater than the first conveyor (e. g. about ten times as fast).

Abstract: In a method for manipulating paper roll heads by a multi-axis robot (8), heads are picked-up and transferred by the robot (8) from multiple stacks in accordance with stored data concerning the height and position of each stack as well as the dimension characteristics of the articles in the stack. At initial start-up, or immediately after a shut-down, previously stored information on the position or height of the stacks is considered not known by or otherwise unreliable by the robot (8) controller. That is, when the operation of the robot (8) is halted to accommodate replacement or replenishment of the head stacks, the stored parameter data for all stacks is set unknown. In accordance with its operating program, the system operation is restarted, the robot performs a slow-speed approach toward an uncalibrated stack, measures the stack data, that is, calibrates the stack height and position, and thus can perform the next stack approach through a normal transfer cycle on the basis of the measured data.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for forming a plurality of stackable items into a vertically stacked load and thereafter delivering an aligned stack of items positioned on a pallet for eventual transportation while minimizing the misalignment of the stackable items. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for delivering items to be stacked, a vertically moveable conveyor portion, a horizontally reciprocating platform for securing the lifted item, and a retaining front wall and two side walls for aligning the stacked items. The method comprises lifting an item to a position above a stacking position, securing the item in its lifted position, delivering a succeeding item into a position beneath the lifted item, lifting the succeeding item to a position immediately beneath the lifted item, releasing the secured item to drop onto the succeeding item, lifting the item and succeeding item together, and repeating the steps until reaching a desired stacking height.

Abstract: Machine and method for extracting the contents from envelopes for presentation to an operator. The envelopes are stacked at an input station and fed one at a time from the input station to a cutting station. At the cutting station, the envelopes are severed along their edge portions to provide access to the contents. From the cutting station, the envelopes are transported to a separating station, where the contents are separated from the envelopes. The contents from one envelope at a time are conveyed to a pick-up station for presentation to an operator at a work station. When the operator removes the contents of one envelope from the pick-up station, the contents of another envelope are conveyed to that station and presented to the operator. As each envelope leaves the separating station, it is checked to verify that the contents have been removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking newspapers is disclosed which obviates the need to fasten individual stacks. Once ejected from a stacking device, stacks of newspapers pass through an assembly station where they are arranged into groups of three, called slugs, and compressed. The slug then enters a collector where a layer consisting of four slugs is positioned on a sliding table. This positioning requires lateral movement of slugs. Lateral support is provided throughout this movement to prevent the stacks from toppling over. Once a full layer has been accumulated, the sliding table is retracted, and the layer of newspapers falls onto a floating table below. This floating table, which serves as the bottom floor of the container in which it is housed, is automatically lowered by discrete amounts as layers are received. Extendible cylinders located below the collector vertically move the floating table.

Abstract: The machine includes: a plurality of conveyors (3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15) for sheets (F) of flat material to be stacked to form stacks or bundles (P); apparatus (6) for partially superimposing the sheets on each other; a surface (19) for the collection and stacking of the sheets; and removal apparatus (21, 23) for removing the stacks (P), the apparatus moving the stacks (P) in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of advance of the conveyors (3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15). The stacking surface (19) is associated with a stop gate (33) movable in the direction of removal of the stacks and provided with a withdrawal movement to permit the discharge of the stacks (P) which are formed.

Abstract: Manufactured products, for example those produced by a die press, may be cleaned, separated, randomized and stacked with the apparatus of the present invention. A first conveyor system removes contaminants from the products. A second conveyor system separates and randomizes the products, for example, by allowing the products to cascade down an inclined conveyor belt. The conveyor is segmented to capture a portion of the products as they are pulled downward by gravitational forces. The products are aligned on a shaker table with any of several operator stations. In one embodiment the products pass through a funneling array, a slot and into a stacking tube from which operators may remove stacks of the product in preparation for shipping.

Abstract: A microchip tray handling apparatus has microchip loading and receiving units for supplying microchips to a microchip tester and receiving tested microchips. The units have tables to support stacks of trays containing microchips. Each unit has a tray holding assembly for raising a stack of trays to allow a bottom tray to be moved along the table. Pick, invert and place probes remove micro chips from the trays and place tested microchips back into the trays.