Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1) for transferring items from and to a transport line (100), more particularly a transport line moving at high speed. The invention comprises the steps of picking a first item (10a) from a transport line (100) and placing a second item (10b) onto said transport line, preferably at an immediately subsequent time, into the gap left by said first item that has just been picked. The invention is applied in particular, but not exclusively, in the field of item packaging, for instance in bottling systems. More particularly, the invention can be used for transferring items to be checked from a transport line to an inspection station, and for transferring back items that have been checked and deemed satisfactory from said inspection station to said transport line.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a frame and a pair of opposing clamping arms mounted on the frame for movement towards and away from each other to grasp or release a load. In one embodiment, each clamping arm is guided for movement with respect to the frame by an adjustable bushing which can be rotated to adjust the position of the bushing with respect to the clamping arm. In another embodiment, each clamping arm defines a four-bar linkage which controls the angle with respect to the vertical of a contact portion of the clamping arm. The clamping apparatus may be mounted on a lift truck or other support member by a connector which permits the angle of the clamping apparatus with respect to the horizontal to be adjusted and which enables the clamping apparatus to pivot about an axis between a position in which it is disposed outboard of the axis and a position in which is it disposed forward of the axis.

Abstract: A polymeric void-board is placed between adjacent horizontal layers of bricks to maintain an opening in a lower of the layers. The void-board is fabricated from a first relatively thin planar element having first and second surfaces having a plurality of parallel ribs extending from and generally transverse to the first surface and a second relatively thin planar element having first and second surfaces having a plurality of parallel ribs extending from and generally transverse to the first surface. The first and second elements are joined to one another with the ribs of the first element engaging and joined to the second element.

Abstract: Reticle-holding devices (reticle “pods”) are disclosed for holding circular reticles as used microlithography systems that use circular reticles. An exemplary reticle pod includes a base and cover. Mounted to the base are multiple (desirably three) reticle-support blocks providing three respective, equally spaced, reticle-contact surfaces that support a reticle in the peripheral “handling zone” of the reticle. Mounted to the inside surface of the cover are corresponding compliant pressure-application members (desirably respective flat springs terminating with respective reticle-contact members) that apply a holding force to the reticle. A respective portion of the reticle is situated between each pressure-application member and a respective reticle-support surface. Thus, the reticle, configured as a SEMI standard wafer, is stably held at three points in the handling zone of the reticle without damaging the reticle.

Abstract: A pod for transporting reticles is made with a reticle support that has a &pgr;-shape and is provided with pins, whose arrangement matches the location of chrome-free areas on a reticle base. Due to that, the pins, when supporting the reticle, come into contact with the reticle in chrome-free areas thereof. Thus, scratching the metallic areas and releasing metallic particles is prevented from occurring.

Abstract: A brick dehacking apparatus. The dehacking apparatus is operable to blend the upper and lower courses of brick from a kiln car with each other and further blend these brick with brick from the middle courses of the stack in preparation for stacking and strapping.

Abstract: A straight setting pattern (100) for clay bricks (10) on a conventional support base (101) to provide uniform air circulation and exposure to heat to the maximum surface area on the bricks (10) by arranging a plurality of equally spaced stacks (116) (117), etc. of stacked bricks (10) into parallel columns (113) (114) to create a first tier of bricks, then covering the top of the tier of bricks with at least one stabilizing plate (110) and then repeating the process for successive tiers of bricks, wherein each tier is aligned in parallel with the other tiers.

Abstract: A blended cube of brick and a method and apparatus for producing same are disclosed. The cube includes vertically extending panels of columns of endwise abutting brick having a similar color and/or texture. Each layer within the cube includes one column from a panel forming the layer so that each layer contains a full blend of brick contained within the cube. The cubes are assembled with the cube resting on its side, and are subsequently turned through 90 degrees to an upright position. Therefore, the panels are assembled in a horizontal position and subsequently assume a vertical position. The method of assembling the cubes includes removing layers of brick from a stack on a kiln car and maintaining such layers in groups which are subsequently assembled in the panels. Since the brick within a given layer in a stack on a kiln car tend to have similar color and texture, this results in panels having similar color and texture. An apparatus is also disclosed for automatically performing the method.

Abstract: A technique for cutting and selectively edge, face or flat setting brick or similar articles. The machine includes a cutter bank for receiving the slugs from a pusher and a device for selectively moving the cutter bank between an operable position and an inoperable position with respect to the pusher. An elevator is located downstream of the cutter bank for receiving bricks from the cutter bank. A controller is connected to the pusher and the elevator whereby the pusher and the elevator are operated in a cooperative relationship. The machine includes a conveyor assembly having a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart belts for moving the bricks, a stop for stopping the movement of bricks therepast, a lift disposed between the conveyor belts for lifting and redepositing a portion of the bricks, and a controller connected to the conveyor assembly, stop, and lift whereby the conveyor assembly, stop, and lift are sequentially operated in a cooperative relationship to set the rows of brick in pre-determined patterns.

Abstract: The invention aligns rows of blocks extending parallel to one another which are supported by a kiln car. The device provided holds the kiln car in a desired position relative to the device, then an up-and-down movable lifting mechanism provided with clamps is inserted between the rows of blocks, and the device adjusts the lifting mechanism transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rows of blocks until it strikes an adjustable fixed stop then inflates its clamps to thereby align the blocks. The blocks once clamped may be lifted off the car by the lifting mechanism, so that the cart can be treated, i.e. cleaned. The blocks are then replaced on the car in same position from which they were lifted, still aligned. The clamps are then released and the lifting mechanism is removed from between the newly aligned blocks.

Abstract: A blended cube of brick and a method and apparatus for producing same are disclosed. The cube includes vertically extending panels of columns of endwise abutting brick having a similar color and/or texture. Each layer within the cube includes one column from a panel forming the layer so that each layer contains a full blend of brick contained within the cube. The cubes are assembled with the cube resting on its side, and are subsequently turned through 90 degrees to an upright position. Therefore, the panels are assembled in a horizontal position and subsequently assume a vertical position. The method of assembling the cubes includes removing layers of brick from a stack on a kiln car and maintaining such layers in groups which are subsequently assembled in the panels. Since the brick within a given layer in a stack on a kiln car tend to have similar color and texture, this results in panels having similar color and texture. An apparatus is also disclosed for automatically performing the method.